Grand Rounds April on Memphis Medical News

Grand Rounds April

Joe Baier to Run for Commissioner

Joe Baier, co-founder and owner of the Mroz Baier Breast Clinic in Memphis, will run against incumbent Mike Carpenter for Shelby County Commissioner, District 1, Position 3. Regarding his qualifications for the position, Baier issued this statement, “I have spent the last 35 years gathering experience as an accountant, a leader in two Fortune 500 and one Fortune 100 companies. I have built the most successful Breast Center in America when you consider reputation and outcomes along with national accreditation. You couple this with my being a partner in a Money Management firm that was named “The Best of The Best” by all the rating services in 1998 and it is easy to recognize that I have the experience, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and tenacity to serve the people of Shelby County.” The election will be held May 4, 2010.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital pediatric oncologist receives top honor from Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. at the fifth annual National Physician of the Year Awards

Ching-Hon Pui, M.D., of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is being honored with the Clinical Excellence Award at the fifth annual National Physician of the Year Awards, organized by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

The National Physician of the Year Awards honor physicians and the medical leadership of medical centers and hospitals who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to patients and to medicine as a whole. The Clinical Excellence Award recognizes physicians who exemplify excellence in clinical medical practice.

Pui is the chair of the Department of Oncology at St. Jude and an American Cancer Society Professor. Additionally, he is co-leader of the hospital’s Hematological Malignancies Program; medical director of the St. Jude International Outreach China Program; and holder of the Fahad Nassar Al-Rashid Chair of Leukemia Research.

Pui has combined his skill and experience as a translational researcher, pediatrician, educator and humanitarian to advance the cure rate and understanding of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children.

Many of Pui’s research findings have stimulated changes in clinical practice that are now widely accepted in the global pediatric oncology community. Most notable is a series of innovative treatment protocols that helped boost ALL cure rates at St. Jude from about 70 percent in the early 1980s to an unprecedented 90 percent in the last decade. This achievement includes the use of more personalized therapy that omits cranial irradiation altogether, thus sparing patients from the devastating side effects of this treatment.

Through his scientific and administrative leadership in various organizations, Pui has helped advance treatment in developing countries worldwide. He has also been a dedicated mentor to scores of young clinical investigators, many of whom have become model leaders in pediatric oncology.

Pui has authored more than 700 original articles and chapters, edited seven books and monographs, and serves as section editor or editorial board member for several prestigious journals. He is also one of the most highly cited authors in clinical medicine research.

The Jones Clinic Completed First Phase Of Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification

The Jones Clinic has completed the first phase of the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) certification. The QOPI Certification, which recognizes oncology practices that achieve rigorous standards for high-quality cancer care throughout the nation, was developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). ASCO is the world’s leading professional organization that represents physicians who care for people with cancer.

In order to gain QOPI certification, The Jones Clinic must complete a meticulous application process, which includes abstracting data from patients’ medical charts and submitting it to ASCO for analysis. After a review of more than 80 quality measures, The Jones Clinic exceeded ASCO’s quality measures and completed the first phase needed to earn full QOPI certification. The Jones Clinic staff is working diligently to meet each of the ASCO standards of excellence in order to achieve full accreditation.

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Nurses Recognized for Extraordinary Patient Care

Memphis – During a special celebration March 23, Methodist University Hospital, The DAISY Foundation and UnitedHealthcare recognized all nominees and award winners of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The Daisy Award honors nurses who go above and beyond the call of duty.

The DAISY Award, a national program to recognize nurses, is given by the not-for-profit DAISY Foundation (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System) which was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 22 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Barnes and his family received inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patients’ families.

The DAISY Awards are made possible with the strong support provided by UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company that has donated more than $84,000 to The DAISY Foundation since 2006. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare joins 58 other hospitals where The DAISY Award is sponsored by UnitedHealthcare.”

Each month, nurses in more than 500 participating hospitals across the United States are nominated by their colleagues and patients to receive The DAISY Award. The honorees receive a certificate commending outstanding clinical care and a designation of being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The honorees are also given a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

TMA Survey: Docs See Improvement in TN Liability Climate, Costs and Access Problems Still Worrisome

Tennessee’s medical liability climate has improved since the TMA won passage of a major medical liability reform (MLR) law in 2008, but doctors still say “defensive medicine” costs and physician shortages are big problems.

That according to results from a new TMA survey of physicians across Tennessee. Most respondents (85 percent) were aware of the 2008 law, which created a notification and certification process aimed at eliminating meritless lawsuits before they make it to court. More than half (55 percent) said the state’s liability climate has “dramatically” or “slightly” improved since passage, while only 4.2 percent said it has worsened.

Nearly all the responding doctors agreed there are problems that still need to be remedied. Ninety-six percent cited the costs of defensive medicine and the future supply of high-risk specialists as serious problems in Tennessee, while 87 percent said the future supply of physicians overall is a serious concern. Seventy-six percent said access to care for patients is the next-greatest concern.

When asked directly about physician shortages, physicians said primary care (66%) and high-risk specialists (57%) were the areas of concern. In their communities, doctors said surgeons and OB/GYNs were the hardest to recruit.

The TMA won additional MLR improvements in 2009, including a fine-tuning of the certification law and immunity for medical group peer review. The TMA awaits more favorable votes in the General Assembly before pursuing a major bill to cap non-economic damage awards.

The online survey, conducted from December 2009 through the end of January 2010, was taken by 120 physicians from across Tennessee; 67 percent are specialists and 32 percent practice primary care; 62 percent have been in practice more than 20 years.

Belz Awarded Construction Contract For Catheterization Laboratory Expansion Project at Methodist Lebonheur Germantown Hospital

Belz has been awarded the General Construction contract to construct the Catheterization Laboratory Expansion Project at Methodist Lebonheur Germantown Hospital. The project consists of approximately 4,500 sf of Clinical Construction which includes a New Catheterization Procedure Room, Catheterization Recovery Area, (6) Prep Bays and new nurses station area. The project commenced in February, 2010 and is scheduled for completion in mid June, 2010.

The new Catheterization laboratory will increase Methodist Lebonheur’s capacity at the Germantown Hospital Location. They currently have two Catheterization Procedure areas and it will now increase to three. A Catheterization Laboratory is an examination room with diagnostic imaging equipment used to support the catheterization procedure. A catheter is inserted into a large artery, and various wires and devices can be inserted through the body via the catheter which is inside the artery.

Belz has multiple staff members that have received the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) of the American Hospital Association’s healthcare construction certification. The certificates were awarded by ASHE following an intensive educational course designed to meet the unique needs of the healthcare professional. Participants were groomed to communicate the healthcare language more efficiently; identify the latest trends in healthcare design; and, understand the complex compliance issues facing healthcare providers today. Construction in an active healthcare facility requires stringent safety practices, expert communication skills, and solid teamwork to successfully complete the work with minimal inconvenience to patients and staff. The ASHE curriculum has provided us with a special expertise to understand the unique needs and expectations of our healthcare facility owners and to apply those sensitive practices as they relate to the construction process.\

Memphis Comfort Keepers President Receives National Award

MEMPHIS — Cary Rotter, president and owner of the Memphis Comfort Keepers franchise in Memphis and North Mississippi has been presented the Quest for Excellence Award by CK Franchising, Inc., for the sixth consecutive year.

Rotter, who has owned Comfort Keepers for ten years, was recognized for “delivering stellar business performance” in 2009. The Memphis business is the largest in the Comfort Keepers system in the southeast and ranks in the top five nationally.

Comfort Keepers provides personal care and homemaker services for older adults, including meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation and fulfilling errands, medication reminders and assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility and hygiene.

Services are delivered in private homes, hospitals and retirement communities on a short-term or ongoing basis.

The firm has served almost 1,500 families since 2001.

Rotter was presented the award by Jim Booth, President and CEO of CK Franchising, Inc., during the company’s annual meeting on March 17, 2010.

Methodist North Hospital Renovates Emergency Department And Launches ED 30-Minute Guarantee

With major renovations complete and a 30-minute emergency department guarantee, Methodist North Hospital in Raleigh recently held an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony to show the community how serious it is about reducing emergency department wait times and improving the whole emergency department experience for its patients. Methodist North follows Methodist South as the second hospital in the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare system and in the Mid-South to offer a 30- minute guarantee from the time patients register to the time they are seen by a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant.

Over the last several months, the hospital has done approximately $3 million in renovations including flooring (renovated private rooms and equipment), lighting, state of the art resuscitation area, computers in each room giving caregivers access to Methodist electronic medical records, nurses stations, and a security area.

The goal is for every single patient to be seen by a physician within 30 minutes. If there is an instance when they do not meet the standard, patients will receive a letter of apology and a complimentary gift according to Dr. Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE, CEO Methodist North & South Hospitals .

These improvements enhance Methodist North’s recent recognition as a Certified AMI (Acute Myocardial Infarction-heart attack) program and accredited Chest Pain Center.

Keith Carver Appointed Interim Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs at UTHSC

Steve J. Schwab, MD, interim chancellor of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), has appointed Keith Carver, PhD, as interim vice chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs. Dr. Carver’s appointment became effective on April 1, when Linda Garceau-Luis relinquished the position.

Most recently, Dr. Carver spent four years as assistant vice chancellor for Development at UT Martin. Previously, he worked for almost eight years as a development officer for the College of Law at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Working within the development enterprise of the College of Law, he spent three years as assistant director of Development and Alumni Affairs, followed by nearly five years in the leadership position as director of Development and Alumni Affairs. He also served for one year as a program advisor in the Office of Student Activities at UT Knoxville.

Before joining the UT system, Dr. Carver worked for two years as a director of Special Projects and coordinator for the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business at Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio. Prior to that role, for two years he was co-director of the Volunteer Center for Leadership and Service (TeamVOLS) in the Office of Student Activities, UT Knoxville campus.

Dr. Carver holds two degrees from UT Knoxville: a PhD in philosophy with a focus in higher education administration, and an MS with a focus in college student personnel and educational leadership. He received a BA in sociology from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis).

Camp Clinic CEO George Hernandez Job Announcement

George Hernandez has been named CEO of Campbell Clinic. Prior to his new role, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Campbell Clinic since he joined the organization in 1995. In addition, he serves as a reserve police officer for the City of Germantown.

Celebrating its milestone 100th year in business, Campbell Clinic is dedicated to the mission of providing unsurpassed patient care while continuing the clinic’s role as the leader in teaching and research in orthopedic surgery. Campbell Clinic has locations in Germantown, TN; Collierville, TN; the Medical District in Memphis, TN; and DeSoto, MS.

Baptist DeSoto’s inpatient rehab ranked in 99th percentile for quality

SOUTHAVEN, Miss., – The inpatient rehabilitation program at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto ranked in the 99th percentile for quality in a recent Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation report.

This is the second consecutive year the program ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation. UDS based the rankings on performance outcomes from 2009, including the delivery of care that is effective, efficient, safe and patient-centered, when compared with 805 other inpatient rehabilitation programs nationwide.

Mission Possible: Free Educational Conference For Caregivers

Memphis – More than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year. Research shows that care-giving can have a negative impact on the person who is providing care. Elderly spousal caregivers with a history of chronic illness themselves who are experiencing care-giving related stress have a 63% higher mortality rate than their non-care-giving peers. Family caregivers experiencing extreme stress have been shown to age prematurely. This level of stress can take as much as 10 years off a family caregiver’s life.

Recognizing the needs of caregivers in West Tennessee, the Aging Commission of the Mid-South and the Alzheimer’s Association have joined forces in providing a free educational conference for caregivers, April 15, at the Agricenter International from 8:30 am to 4 pm.

The featured speaker for the conference will be Brad Hyde. Brad is presently the Arkansas Coordinator of Outreach & Referral Development for Delta Medical Center in Memphis, TN. He has been in the mental health field for 16 years.

In addition, the Conference will also offer a Community Resource hall full of community resource vendors such as in-home health care, hospice, assisted living, adult day care centers, books and resources, and door prizes.

Although the conference is FREE, you must pre-register by calling the Alzheimer’s Association at 901-565-0011

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