NMMC Opens New Vein Center North Mississippi Medical Center

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1 January 4, 2013 Volume 21 Number 1 EOY...2 EOQ...2 Service Pins...3 Contribution...4 CareFlight...4 Ideas For Excellence...5 Home Health...5 Stars...6 Toy Donation...6 Clinics EOM...7 inside Certification...7 Worlds Of Fantasy...8 Safety...8 Hospice Volunteers...9 CHECKUP A PUBLICATION FOR NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES NMMC Opens New Vein Center North Mississippi Medical Center announces the opening of its new Vein Center to treat varicose veins, spider veins, venous ulceration and inflammation, and other issues affecting veins of the leg. The Vein Center is located at 604 Garfield St. across from NMMC and staffed by general surgeons Newt Harrison, M.D.; Robert McAuley, M.D.; Raymond Orgler, M.D.; and Buddy Williamson, M.D. Healthy leg veins contain valves that open and close to assist the return of blood back to the heart. When these valves become diseased, individuals may suffer from varicose veins, pain, swollen limbs, leg heaviness and fatigue, skin changes and ulcers. North Mississippi Medical Center is expanding its parking area near the intersections of Garfield Street and Council Circle. The project, which began in mid- December, will add 54 parking spaces to the southeast parking lot. A portion of that lot is being removed to allow The most common vein disorder treated at the center is varicose veins, or swollen, twisted and sometimes painful veins that have filled with an abnormal collection of blood. Symptoms include fullness in the legs, aching in the legs, visible veins, swelling, discoloration of the skin at the ankle, and even skin ulcers at the ankle. Varicose veins are usually diagnosed through a physical examination while standing and by ultrasound that looks at blood flow in the veins, particularly the valves in the lower leg. For more information, call the NMMC Vein Center at (662) or VEIN (8346), or visit nmhs.net/vein_center.php. Work Under Way On NMMC Expanded Parking Area changes to islands, pitch, curbs and drains for the new parking spaces. Please pardon any inconvenience that this might cause over the next few weeks, said Bruce Ridgway, vice president for facilities management and construction. Weather permitting, the new parking area will be available in February.

2 Pontotoc Systems Tech Honored With EOY David Andrews, a systems technician with Facility Operations, was named the Employee of the Year for North Mississippi Medical Center-Pontotoc. Andrews is a native of Greenwood and graduated from St. Joseph s High School in Greenville. He has earned certification in HVAC. Anytime we are involved in a large project, David wants to be involved in order to continue to learn new things, a coworker wrote in his Employee of the Quarter nomination. He has taken time with new employees, orienting them to Facility Operations. David takes ownership of issues and offers input in areas for the improvement of the situation, his nomination also noted. Andrews said what he enjoys most about his job is his coworkers. Glenda Prather, RN, has been selected by her peers as the most recent Employee of the Quarter at NMMC-West Point. Prather joined the staff of Ivy Memorial Hospital, the predecessor to NMMC-West Point, in 1981 and currently serves as nursing night supervisor. She is a graduate of West Point High School and earned an associate s degree in nursing from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. Patients love her. She is always willing to help and always has a smile and a good attitude at work, the nomination reads. She has great compassion for her job and goes above and beyond. Co-workers cited several attributes that make Prather worthy of the award: fair, professional, knowledgeable, cost-conscious, calm and a great teacher and mentor. He and his wife Angie have two children 14-yearold Branden Lopez and 4-year-old Mariann Andrews. In his spare time, Andrews enjoys hunting, video games, watching NASCAR races and camping with his family. Pontotoc Administrator Fred Hood (l) presents David Andrews with the Employee of the Year plaque. Prather Selected As NMMC-West Point EOQ What I love most about my job is interacting with patients. I like to feel I can make a difference and have a positive influence on their experience with us, Prather said. I also feel my job is to primarily support the bedside nurses and make sure they have what they need to do a good job. She is married to Terry Prather, and she has three daughters Carol Miller, Cathy Meisenholder and Casey Dill and eight grandchildren. The Prathers attend Pheba Baptist Church. January 4, 2013 Page 2

3 Service Pins Awarded The below named employees recently received service pins in recognition of their career milestones. Five Years Clinics Mary Dean, Sandra Brown, William Larmour, Kinsley Nunley NMMC-Hamilton Quanesha Ester NMMC-Iuka Sheriel Martindale, Patricia Hudson NMMC-Pontotoc Amelia Whitehead Tupelo Service Finance Pamela Wilemon Joanna Kindt, Kathy Ehlers, Jana Allen, Nifa Ivy, Slanda Roberts, Chastity Grisham, Daniel Koehlinger, Audrey Gardner, Shirley Williams, Amanda Crowson NMMC-West Point Michael Baldwin, LL Quinn Jr. Ten Years Clinics Sheri Garrett, Sandy Dallas NMMC-Iuka Ronald Strom NMHS Eva Jayamaha Tupelo Service Finance Jessica Shack Mary Cherry, Lashonda Richardson, Frances Doss, Brenda Conlee, Jessica Raines, Gregory Carter, Willie Blanchard, Ilean Heard, Kacie Hollimon, Carla McGee, Thomas Hester, Stacy Griggs, Benita Webb, Theresa Woods Fifteen Years Clinics Mitzie Prather, Penny Easley, Rebecca McGinnis NMMC-Eupora Karen Hamric, Norene Jones NMHS Loralei McGee Janice Davis, Linda Cromeans, Betty Reece NMMC-West Point Calamity McClinton, William Binder Twenty Years NMMC-Eupora Todd Shettles NMMC-Iuka Judy Stanley Rita Chamblee, Jeff Cooley, Kristie Meador, Melanie Beadles Thirty Years Kimberly Kelly, Deborah Thomas Thirty-Five Years NMMC-Iuka Janice Childs Lisa Mansell Forty Years NMMC-Eupora Alice Evans Page 3 January 4, 2013

4 ICC Makes Contribution To Diabetes Assistance Fund Representatives from Itawamba Community College recently presented a check for $5,500 to North Mississippi Medical Center Diabetes Assistance Fund. The money was raised through a 5K race hosted by ICC s PACE program. Marty Cooper (fourth from left), PACE director, presents the donation check to Tina Felks of NMMC s Diabetes Treatment Center. Also pictured are (from left) C.J. Jackson and Brianna Barnes, ICC students from Mantachie; Dr. Jan Reid Bunch, dean of Academic Instruction; Chenelle Holiday, Lesiah Thompson, Erica Caples, Alicia Hinton, Teresa Tittle and Julia Lucius from NMMC s Diabetes Treatment Center. Preparing and Advancing for College Excellence (PACE) is for first-year students at ICC and a community service project is one of the program s requirements. The Diabetes Assistance Fund provides testing supplies and self-management training for patients who are financially unable to control their disease. It is administered by the Diabetes Treatment Center and the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi. Ambulance Service Changes CareFlight Protocol North Mississippi Medical Center s Emergency Medical Services began an auto-launch protocol for CareFlight in November that aims at cutting response time for the helicopter to accident scenes. When the dispatcher has enough information that sounds like they might need CareFlight, they ll send it, said Josh Wenzel, director of Pre-hospital Services at. By doing this, we hope to provide better service for the community. It could make a huge impact. Previously, a 911 dispatcher would alert the flight crew of a crash call with serious injury. But the helicopter would be placed on standby until an ambulance arrived and evaluated the crash scene. Under the new auto-launch protocol, CareFlight will take off immediately for the scene, providing weather conditions are good for flight. Also, Ambulance Service dispatch switched to radio call only. Previously, dispatch calls could be made by cell phone, pager or radio. Wenzel said this should improve response time for NMMC ambulances. January 4, 2013 Page 4

5 Ideas For Excellence 2012 Congratulations to the following employees whose ideas were recently selected as Idea of the Quarter for their respective facility. NMHS Idea for Excellence of the Quarter 16,000 CSF Reward Points William Forster, Paramedic, NMMC-Eupora Place thermometers on ambulances for more rapid identification of sepsis by getting patient temperatures on ambulances. This idea improves patient outcomes by identifying sepsis early. Ideas for Excellence 4,000 CSF Reward Points Linda Ashley, Infection Control and Employee Health, NMMC-Hamilton Use Foley kits with urometers as one-piece kits to be stocked in the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit to eliminate the need for two kits. This idea improves quality of care to patients by cutting down on infections and is cost effective by using only one kit. Rhonda Eaton, Heart Institute, Add an order to the post-op and transfer cardiovascular order set for diabetic patients. This idea improves safety and quality for the patients. Dan Wallar, Ambassador Services, Place an emesis bag on stretchers. This idea improves customer service. Ashley Davidson, Nursing Services, NMMC-West Point Install a water/ice machine at the nursing station to provide better service to patients, family members, etc. This idea will provide better service to patients. Lean/Innovative Idea of the Quarter 2,000 CSF Reward Points Alexis Wallace, Pharmacy, Provide a list of IM antibiotics with appropriate diluents and volumes to be used to clinical areas. This idea improves patient satisfaction, quality and financial results. Home Health Therapists Help Area Families At Christmas North Mississippi Medical Center s Home Health therapists collected Christmas gifts for three families. The gifts were brought to the staff s Christmas lunch on Dec. 13 at the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church in Tupelo. The Home Health therapists adopt several families each year to help at Christmas. Some of these are patients, while others are community residents who are in need. Page 5 January 4, 2013

6 Several North Mississippi Medical Center employees have recently been recognized by Stars On-Line for their dedication to patients. Donna Dye, a receptionist with Pulmonary Consultants, shows kindness and compassion to patients who call, in spite of the large number of calls the clinic receives. Our patients know Donna and call to speak to her specifically, the nomination reads. There was a specific dying patient who called last week just to talk to Donna about her terminal illness and dying process. This brought the patient comfort, and Donna even sent a note with scriptures to her and her family. Donna sends encouraging notes to other patients and families as well. Sheria Winters, a secretary with NMMC Home Health in Eupora, recently made a difference for a home health patient whose mattress had a broken spring sticking through the fabric. A new mattress was purchased, but the patient had no way to get it. Winters picked up the new mattress from the store, delivered it to the patient s home, helped remove and dispose of the old mattress, put the new mattress in Stars On-Line place and even helped make her bed. This absolutely made the patient s day, and she was so proud of her new mattress, the nomination states. Cheri Nipp, an occupational therapist with Baldwyn Outpatient Rehabilitation, had a patient who was interested in purchasing a piece of low-vision modification equipment for her husband for Christmas. Sadly, the patient passed away before she could purchase the gift. Cheri used her own money to buy the equipment and gave it to him as a gift from his late wife, the nomination reads. He was very touched by her generosity and thoughtfulness. Rhonda Von Strahl, RN, of Women s Hospital was recognized for her kind gesture for parents of babies who pass away. Von Strahl worked with her church group to put together several dozen albums with prayers, scripture and soft colors. These albums are so special and so appreciated, the nomination states. If you see an NMMC employee displaying extreme acts of kindness, nominate him or her for Stars On- Line. Nomination forms are also available on the Intranet or throughout the hospital. GSK Sales Team Donates Toys To Pediatrics Unit The north Mississippi GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals sales team recently purchased and donated toys to the pediatrics unit at North Mississippi Medical Center to celebrate GSK Orange Day, a day set aside to help their local community. On hand for the donation were (from left) Linda Warren of Jackson, district first line leader; Carla Enis, director of Volunteer Services at NMMC; Print Matthews, Booneville; Donna Martin, Oxford; Eddie Haley, Corinth; Kim Overton, Tupelo; Lori Davis, Iuka; Amanda Foster, RN, NMMC pediatrics nurse manager; Casey Melton, Oxford; and Jessica Thornton, RN, NMMC pediatrics unit. The NMMC pediatrics unit sponsored a toy drive for hospital patients in December. January 4, 2013 Page 6

7 Fulton Clinic Office Manager Selected For EOM Honor Janet Graham, office manager at Fulton Medical Clinic, was recently named November Employee of the Month for North Mississippi Medical Clinics. She is a graduate of Itawamba Agricultural High School, and received her business degree from Amy Brown (l) regional manager, presents Janet Graham with her Employee of the Month certificate Itawamba Community College. Prior to becoming office manager in 2007, she served as medical assistant for Dr. Billy Collum. Janet is so dedicated to our patients and staff. She is a true servant leader and leads by example, said a coworker who nominated Graham. She is a dedicated leader in the community and is a great steward of clinic resources. She is so selfless and concerned with others. Graham said her favorite part of her job is working with her family at the clinic and taking care of their patients. She and her husband, Johnny, have been married for 37 years. They have three children and four grandchildren. The family attends Bethel Baptist Church. Graham is actively involved in Relay for Life of Itawamba County. The Employee of the Month honor recognizes those with exemplary job and customer service skills, as well as community involvement. Cancer Center Dietitian Earns Oncology Certification Rachel Wood, registered dietitian, recently became a board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition. Wood has been working as a dietitian at the North Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Center since She joined North Mississippi Medical Center-Eupora as a clinical dietitian in 2003, and later became director of Food and Nutrition Services. Good nutrition is important for everyone, but especially those who are fighting cancer, Wood says. Lots of cancer patients have trouble eating right for many reasons, but it s more important than ever that they get the right nutrition. This board certification gives me another tool to help my patients be as healthy as possible. She received her bachelor s degree in human sciences with an emphasis in food, nutrition and dietetics from Mississippi State University in Starkville, where she also received her master s degree in nutrition. Wood is currently serving a two-year term as committee chair for the north Mississippi affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Page 7 January 4, 2013

8 NMMC, Le Bonheur Patients Treated To Presentation Of Disney On Ice Worlds Of Fantasy In Tupelo Six local patients from North Mississippi Medical Center and Le Bonheur Children s Hospital received star treatment Dec. 13 when Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy performed in Tupelo. Stylists pampered the girls with makeup, hair and nail makeovers at HealthWorks!, which offered edutainment during the girls princess transformation. Participants included (from left) Le Bonheur patient Jorden Daniel, 8, of Tupelo; Abby Wallace of HealthWorks!; Kaylee Ryan, 13, of Mooreville, who has cerebral palsy; Katy Mae Knight, 4, of Saltillo, who was born with multiple medical complications; Lindsay Paige Jenkins, 11, of Mantachie, who suffered seizures associated with cat scratch fever; Alex Russell, 18, of Pontotoc, who had brain surgery; Emma Pearl Scott, 6, of Mooreville, who had open heart surgery; Janie Bertelsen, 7, of Tupelo, who has Marshall Smith syndrome; and Stacey Loden of HealthWorks! After their beauty treatments, the girls rode in a limousine to a meet and greet and photo opportunity before enjoying the show as guests of Worlds of Fantasy. Safety Practice Is One Key To Longevity Preventing Falls Is Critical For Older Adults Each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head injuries, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable. The Centers for Disease Control report that falls are the leading cause of injury and death in older adults. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. Twenty to 30 percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently. Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls. The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm and hand. Continued on page 9 January 4, 2013 Page 8

9 Safety Practice Continued from page 8 Fear of falling can lead to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness. Here are some steps older adults can take to remain independent and reduce their chances of falling. Exercise regularly. It is important that the exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance. Review their medicines both prescription and over-the counter with a doctor or pharmacist to identify medicines that may cause side effects or interactions such as dizziness or drowsiness. Have their eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year. Make their homes safer by reducing tripping hazards, adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet, adding railings on both sides of stairways and improving lighting. ATV Safety A Growing Concern Riding ATVs can be an enjoyable form of outdoor recreation when done properly. But ATVs are not toys and serious injury can result from improper use. NMMC has incurred significant patient-related costs as a result of ATV accidents. Nationally, tens of thousands of people are severely injured or killed in ATV accidents, including many adolescents and children. Follow these common sense safety tips from atvsafety.gov: Take a hands-on safety training course. Formal training teaches drivers how to control ATVs in typical situations. Always wear protective gear, especially a helmet, when riding ATVs. Many ATV injuries are head injuries, and wearing a helmet may reduce the severity. Select a motorcycle or other motorized sports helmet and make sure the helmet is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation. In addition, wear over-the-ankle boots, goggles, gloves, long pants and a longsleeved shirt to protect against cuts, abrasions and other injuries from rocks and other debris. Do not drive ATVs with a passenger or ride as a passenger. The majority of ATVs are designed to carry only one person. ATVs are designed for interactive riding drivers must be able to shift their weight freely in all directions, depending on the situation and terrain. Passengers can make it difficult for drivers to control the ATV. Do not drive ATVs on paved roads. ATVs, because of how they re made, are difficult to control on paved roads. Do not permit children to drive or ride adult ATVs. Children are involved in about one-third of all ATV- related deaths and hospital emergency room injuries. Do not drive ATVs while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Hospice Volunteers Prepare Christmas Baskets NMMC Hospice volunteer Dorothy Burt (from left) and volunteer coordinator Chris Maynard sort items from Burt s congregation, Tupelo New Bethel Church of God of Prophecy, and from Kimble Chapel M.B. Church in Belden delivered by Alfreda Lockridge. NMMC Hospice staff and volunteers compiled and delivered around 100 care baskets for hospice patients and bereaved families in18 counties throughout north Mississippi. For more information about NMMC Hospice services, call (662) or Page 9 January 4, 2013