RMH-Rockingham methane project featured by Chevrolet
The RMH-Rockingham County methane gas partnership is one of six environmental sustainability projects around the nation currently being featured by Chevrolet on its website and in its social media.
RMH partnered with Rockingham County to channel methane gas produced by landfill waste to the new hospital to use as energy. RMH is one of the first hospitals in the country to do this, according to Dennis Coffman, director, Facilities Planning at RMH. Because of the project’s uniqueness, Chevrolet selected it as a carbon-reduction project in the U.S. in which to invest, according to Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Global Marketing and Strategy. Continue reading “RMH-Rockingham methane project featured by Chevrolet” »
Springbrook Family Medicine joins RMH Medical Group
Springbrook Family Medicine of Broadway has joined the RMH Medical Group.
“This new arrangement allows Springbrook’s dedicated family practitioners to focus on providing care while RMH assumes responsibility for billing, staffing and other administrative needs,” said Dave DeCeault, executive director, RMH Medical Group.
Practitioners include Mark Mast, MD, Jordan Hill, DO, and Gary Corder, PA-C.
Dr. Mast graduated from the Medical College of Virginia and is board certified in family practice. He joined the RMH Medical Staff in 2001. Dr. Hill graduated from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is board certified in family practice. He joined the RMH Medical Staff in 2010.
Physician assistant Gary Corder, PA-C, specializes in chronic disease management.
“Our office has made the decision to partner with RMH to ensure continual, uninterrupted access to essential medical services,” Dr. Mast noted. “However, our location will not change and patients will continue to see the same friendly staff.”
Office hours at RMH Springbrook Family Medicine are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. New patients are welcome. The office numbers remain the same at 540-896-5400 (phone) and 540-896-9923 (fax).
RMH Springbrook Family Medicine is located at 173 East Springbrook Road, Broadway, Va.
RMH offers tips for beating heat stroke
As temperatures rise to dangerous heights, RMH reminds community residents to protect themselves against heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency, and to seek help from local resources that are available for the elderly and at risk.
Heat stroke is a condition that develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment. The elderly, infants, persons on certain types of medications and those who work outdoors are most susceptible to heat stroke.
“Our bodies produce internal heat and we normally cool ourselves by sweating and radiating heat through the skin,” said Tomer Feldman, MD, Emergency Department. “However, in certain circumstances, such as extreme heat, high humidity or vigorous activity in the sun, this cooling system may begin to fail, allowing heat to build up to dangerous levels.”
Common symptoms of heat stroke include headache; dizziness; disorientation, agitation or confusion; sluggishness or fatigue; seizure; hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty; a high body temperature; loss of consciousness; rapid heartbeat; or hallucinations.
“The symptoms of a heat stroke may resemble other medical conditions or problems,” Dr. Feldman said. “Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.”
It is important for the person to be treated immediately, as heat stroke can cause permanent damage or death, Dr. Feldman said. However, there are some immediate first-aid measures you can take while waiting for help to arrive:
- Get the person indoors.
- Remove clothing and gently apply cool water to the skin. Fan to stimulate sweating
- Apply ice packs to the groin and armpits.
- Have the person lie down in a cool area with their feet slightly elevated.
Take the following precautions to help prevent the adverse effects of heat stroke:
- Drink plenty of fluids—especially water and sports drinks—during outdoor activities. Avoid caffeinated tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol, which can lead to dehydration.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in light colors.
- Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day.
- Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses.
- During outdoor activities, take frequent drink breaks and mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated.
- Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days.
The Valley Program for Aging (VPA) monitors seniors, homebound and low-income individuals at risk of heat stroke through its Meals on Wheels program, and can facilitate an application to the Department of Social Services Cooling Assistance Program, said VPA director Cathie Galvin. If necessary, the Department of Social Services may make provisions for immediate assistance for those who qualify, Galvin said.
For more information, contact Carolyn Harlow at the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Department of Social Services, 540.574.5145. The Cooling Assistance Program runs June 15-Aug. 15.
RMH Blood Donor Center relocating
The RMH Blood Donor Center, operated by Virginia Blood Services and located in the Grace Street Building at the former Rockingham Memorial Hospital campus, is moving to 182 Neff Avenue, in the Town Center shopping mall.
The center will be closed for the move Friday, May 20 and will reopen in its new location Monday, May 23. Virginia Blood Services supplies virtually all the blood products used by patients at RMH, including those undergoing chemotherapy.
“The new, high-profile donor center in Harrisonburg will increase awareness of the blood center’s presence in the community and the need for donors,” said Marly Fausz, communications manager, Virginia Blood Services. “Virginia Blood Services needs 400 blood donations each day to meet the needs of 21 hospitals throughout Central Virginia.”
A grand opening and ribbon cutting for the blood center is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8.
The new registration desk number for Virginia Blood Services in Harrisonburg is 540-437-9890. For more information about donating blood, visit www.vablood.org.
Conference will feature screenings, presentations on medical topics
RMH Senior Advantage will hold its fourth annual Aging Gracefully Conference, promoting healthy living for those 55 and up, from 8 a.m.-noon May 17 at the Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene, 1871 Boyers Road.
The event will include talks from physicians William Lennen, MD, RMH Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, on joint pain and advanced joint surgery; Drew White, RN, FNP-C, on a program overview of RMH Joint Services; and Lisa Alleyne, MD, family practitioner, on “Fact or Fiction: The Real Truth About Omega 3, Vitamin D, Glucosamine and More.”
In addition, health screenings will be offered, including cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, bone density and CarFit. Registration is required for cholesterol, foot and CarFit screenings. Other screenings are offered on a first- come, first-served basis with a limited number available.
The Broadway Lions Club will offer hearing, vision and glaucoma screenings, and will accept donations of old eyeglasses, lenses and hearing aids.
Exhibits, exercise samplers and light refreshments will be available.
The event is free for RMH Senior Advantage members. A $10 fee for individuals and $15 for couples covers the cost of the event and a lifetime Senior Advantage membership.
Conference and screening registration is required by calling RMH Healthsource 540.433.4580 or 800.433.4580.
RMH receives AirCare 5 Award for providing life-saving heart care
RMH has received the Best EMS Case of the Year Award from AirCare 5 Medevac for the hospital’s contributions in providing life-saving care in February to a heart attack patient.
AirCare 5, a division of PHI, Inc., provides around-the-clock emergency medical air transport in the Shenandoah Valley and eastern West Virginia. The AirCare 5 Medevac team is stationed at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in Weyers Cave. Its primary mission is transporting and providing in-flight intensive care for critically ill or injured patients who require the specialized services of a tertiary medical center or a level 1 trauma center.
RMH was recognized during AirCare 5’s annual regional educational conference in April. According to Jim Miller, flight nurse and base medical supervisor, the award typically recognizes a highly successful trauma call, but this year recognized RMH and other organizations for their teamwork in saving the life of a heart attack victim.
On Feb. 21, AirCare 5 Medevac transported from Page County to RMH a patient who was having a STEMI heart attack. A STEMI, or ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, is a severe type of heart attack brought on by an extended period of total blockage in blood flow to the heart. As a result, the part of the heart supplied by the blocked coronary artery begins to die. The patient must quickly get to a hospital that provides cardiac intervention surgery (also called percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI) to open the blocked artery. The shorter the time it takes to get the patient from the Emergency Department into a cardiac interventional lab, the better the patient’s chances of survival.
“The entire time from initial chest pains and transport from a rural setting in Page County to cardiac intervention was less than one and a half hours,” said Miller, who was on the call.
“The system at RMH came together very efficiently and smoothly,” he explained. “The patient was in the ED for about one minute before being rushed to the cath lab. Door-to-balloon time (the time from the patient arriving in the ED to the opening of the blocked artery in the interventional suite) was just 19 minutes. In all, this one case required multiple people and systems to work together seamlessly to save the patient’s life.”
Additional organizations involved in the STEMI call that also received awards were Page County 911, Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad, Page County EMS, Shenandoah 911, New Market Fire Department, Rockingham Security (who helped secure the helipad at RMH for landing), and the RMH Emergency Department and RMH Catheterization Lab.
“This is a fantastic recognition of an incredible accomplishment by our Emergency and Heart and Vascular teams, working in conjunction with community emergency services,” said Rick Haushalter, RMH chief operating officer. “This great example of collaboration between RMH and our community partners supports our mission to improve health and promote well-being.”
RMH-Sentara merger finalized
RMH officials announced today that the RMH Healthcare merger with Sentara Healthcare is finalized and the official closing date for the transaction is expected to be around May 1.
“Routine filings need to take place, and we expect these to be completed around May 1,” said Jim Krauss, president of RMH Healthcare. “Then RMH will officially be a proud member of the Sentara Healthcare system. We are pleased to be bringing together the best of our two organizations to meet the healthcare needs of our local community. Sentara is positioned to assure that we fulfill our vision of providing exceptional quality and compassionate care for every person, every family, every day.”
RMH will become the ninth hospital in the Sentara Healthcare system of not-for-profit hospitals, Krauss noted.
“Sentara shares our focus on patient safety and quality and is committed to helping us expand our programs and services,” he said. “Sentara also has high employee satisfaction, low turnover and a culture that fosters excellent patient care and customer service, so I think we’ve picked a great partner.”
Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare will help safeguard RMH’s future with investments in programs and services to meet the needs of a growing community.
“We are delighted to be officially in Harrisonburg, partnering with RMH Healthcare to improve health every day in this vibrant community,” said Sentara CEO David Bernd. “Together, our strengths in the delivery of high-quality healthcare will enable us to meet the evolving health needs of this community for generations to come. In addition, Sentara is committed to keeping the community’s generous donations to RMH local. All funds raised through the RMH Foundation will remain local and serve to meet RMH’s mission. ”
Conclusion of the agreement marks the beginning of a transition period which could take up to a year as RMH Healthcare and Sentara Healthcare integrate operations, IT technologies, business practices and workplace cultures.
“This will be an exciting time for all of us,” said Bernd. “We’re looking forward to having RMH in the Sentara family.”
Krauss added, “As we enter a new and exciting phase in the life of RMH, it is important to remember that we are still RMH — our community’s healthcare provider, committed to our mission to improve health and promote well being–with the support of a new partner who shares that mission.”
Tiller receives RMH 2011 Golden Stethoscope Award
K. Ellissa Tiller, MD, medical director of RMH Hospice and Palliative Care, has been named recipient of the third annual RMH Golden Stethoscope Award.
The award recognizes an outstanding physician on the RMH Medical Staff who demonstrates excellence in patient care, customer service, communication and teamwork
Dr Tiller received the award during the General Medical Staff meeting at RMH on April 12. The award is given annually as part of the hospital’s recognition of National Doctors’ Day.
“Dr. Tiller has been a tremendous addition to the RMH team,” said Dale Carroll, M.D., senior vice president, Clinical Effectiveness and Chief Medical Officer. “Those who nominated her consistently praised her compassionate, approachable manner and noted that she truly cares for the community she serves. Dr. Tiller has worked tirelessly to educate patients and their families, educate staff and build relationships with area medical professionals to enhance the breadth and quality of hospice and palliative services at RMH.”
Dr. Tiller joined the RMH Medical Staff in 2010 as the hospital’s first palliative care physician. Palliative care is a medical specialty that focuses on how serious illness affects patient, along with the patient’s family. The goals of palliative care are to relieve pain and symptoms and improve quality of life. Since Dr. Tiller joined RMH, the palliative care program has grown considerably, prompting RMH to add a second physician to the program in 2011 to meet community demand.
“I am deeply honored to receive the 2011 RMH Golden Stethoscope Award,” Tiller said. “As RMH’s first palliative care physician, I have felt welcomed by my fellow physicians, nurses and support staff. It is my goal to ensure that patients and their loved ones receive the compassion and support that they need when they face a serious illness. The patients and families I have been in contact with have touched my life, and it has been my honor and privilege to be involved in their care.”
Dr. Tiller graduated from the University of Queensland School of Medicine, Australia. She completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Virginia, where she received the Donnelly Award for best-all-round internist. She is a member of the American Academy of Physicians and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
A total of 57 nominations were submitted by hospital staff, with 24 physicians nominated from among 330 on the medical staff. Dr. Carroll noted that nominators often referred to the physician’s caring manner and interpersonal skills rather then “how smart or capable” the physician was.
“Our doctors are smart and capable, but what sets them apart is their care and respect,” he said.
VHA recognizes RMH for work in preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections
VHA, a nationwide cooperative of community hospitals, has recognized RMH Healthcare as a leader in preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections and has highlighted RMH’s clinical practices on its website as a Leading Practice Blueprint.
“This is of huge significance for our organization,” said Becky Brubaker, RMH infection prevention and control preventionist. “It shows that we are using evidence-based clinical practices to guide our processes here.”
A central line is a catheter placed into a vein in the arm, neck, chest or groin to administer fluids or medications, or to obtain certain types of blood test results or cardiovascular measurements, like central venous pressures. Central line bloodstream infection is a serious medical condition that can lead to sepsis (bloodstream infection) and/or death, explained Brubaker.
The incidence of central line bloodstream infections has decreased dramatically at RMH over the past three years, Brubaker noted—from nine in 2008 to four in 2009 and only one in 2010.
“Our intensive care unit has now gone more than 17 months without a central line bloodstream infection, and our medical-surgical units went 11 months without one,” she said. “Both are phenomenal accomplishments.”
VHA learned of RMH’s success in reducing central line infections from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website. Since July 2008, Virginia hospitals, including RMH, have been mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia to report infection data, including central line-associated bloodstream infections, to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Brubaker explained.
VHA’s clinical blueprints are developed in collaboration with hospitals that demonstrate leading-edge performance in clinical areas. The blueprints are developed and published on the VHA website to share leading-edge practices among VHA hospitals.
On Feb. 10, a VHA blueprint team visited RMH to develop the central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) blueprint. A team of RMH staff—including nurses, physicians, administrators, infection control staff and other clinicians—worked with the VHA team to analyze the key factors that have contributed to RMH’s success in preventing central line bloodstream infections.
“Essentially what we’ve done is standardize the process of central line placement and maintenance throughout the organization,” said Fran Prickett, RN. “And we’ve greatly enhanced the safety aspects of those processes to prevent infections.”
Prickett, who works in the RMH Treatment Center, is one of the nurses who helped lead the hospital’s campaign to reduce central line infections over the past three years.
The RMH CLABSI blueprint was recently posted on the VHA website to allow other hospitals to see how RMH has accomplished a life-saving reduction in central line infections.
“From the literature, we already knew we were in line with all the evidence-based practices to reduce infection in central lines,” said Brubaker. “But it’s nice to have that validation from a huge networking organization like VHA.”
Founded in 1977, VHA provides healthcare industry-related services to members who join the company’s cooperative network. VHA serves about 1,400 not-for-profit hospitals nationwide. Its members also include some 30,000 non-acute healthcare organizations such as imaging centers, home health care agencies, and pharmacies. Services include financial analysis, clinical improvement programs, public policy advocacy, and supply chain management.
Dominos Pizza delivers gesture of support and kindness to women undergoing treatment for breast cancer
Dominos Pizza in Bridgewater has teamed up with RMH Women’s Services to provide free meal coupons for women undergoing mastectomy and treatment for breast cancer.
This generosity was the idea of Sue Nelson, manager for Bridgewater Domino’s. Nelson recently underwent a bilateral mastectomy (removal of both breasts) for breast cancer, followed by breast reconstruction. Her act of kindness was inspired by her memories of how helpful it was when people brought her a meal.
“I remember coming home from treatment and the last thing I wanted to do was cook,” she said. “People would bring me everything from lasagna to cookies. It really meant a lot to me to know how much they cared.”
In mid-November 2010, after going back for additional surgery, Nelson received approval to give gift certificates for a free meal at Domino’s to all RMH patients having mastectomies.
“Sue brought 20 gift coupons for RMH patients and asked us to let her know when they run out so she could bring back more,” explained Breast Health Navigator Deanna Lam, RN, of the RMH Women’s Center. “She wanted to do something nice for others who are going through what she had experienced.”
Because of HIPAA regulations ensuring patient confidentiality, Nelson won’t know the names of the patients who receive the gift certificates. But that’s not important, she said. “What matters is that patients know someone is thinking of them,” she noted. “I feel like I am part of this network of people who care. Total strangers reached out to me when they found out what I was going through.
Lam noted that patients undergoing bilateral mastectomies endure a great deal of emotional pressure. “Such an act of thoughtfulness can go a long way in the road to recovery,” she said.
RMH offers free health screenings
RMH will offer free health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, skin cancer and blood pressure, along with colon cancer risk assessments, 9 a.m.-1p.m. March 26 in the RMH Outpatient Center on the RMH Healthcare campus.
Guests also will have the opportunity to tour the moderate sedation unit, where endoscopies, colonoscopies and pain management techniques are performed, and speak with healthcare professionals.
Guests may park in Lot G (closest to Reservoir) and enter through the RMH Outpatient Center entrance. For a parking map, click here.
Registration is required for cholesterol, glucose and skin cancer screenings by calling RMH Healthsource at 540.433.4580.
RMH: Blood donors needed
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The need for blood donors is great in the summer, when regular donors may be on vacation and accidents and elective surgeries often increase, according to Jane Armstrong, coordinator of the RMH Blood Donor Center.
“Actually, the need for donors never decreases,” Armstrong said. “There’s an ongoing need to draw donors daily. All year round, our patients rely on us to supply the blood they need.” Continue reading “RMH: Blood donors needed” »
