Fall
2006
TM
Giving Voice
to Stroke Victims
Health News Service from
Imagine sitting down at your favorite local restaurant with an appetite for a spaghetti dinner, yet you’re unable
to order because a stroke has robbed your ability to speak. This is what Lenny Polk of Lubec has faced since
a stroke left him speechless in October of 2005.
Now, thanks to new technology acquired by Down East Community Hospital’s
Rehabilitation Department, Lenny can order his favorite spaghetti
meal with the touch of a symbol on a computer screen.
The Lingraphica is a specialized, speech-generating, portable
computer that assists with communication and, at the same
time, teaches a person to speak again. This computer product is
designed to improve the results of speech therapy for people with
aphasia, a communication disorder that is one of the most common types of stroke induced disability.
It is estimated that 700,000 Americans per year become new stroke
survivors. Of these, around 100,000 will live with aphasia chronically – for years or sometimes even decades. Currently, the pool of
Americans with aphasia is estimated at one million. And now, with
a lot of hard work, Lingraphica can help patients learn to speak and
become independent again.
Heather Dodsworth, speech therapist at Down East
Community Hospital’s Rehabilitation Department is very
enthused about this new tool. She uses it in conjunction with her
speech therapy lesson and then loans the computer to the patient
for practice on their own time. Heather Dodsworth, MS, CCCSLP, DECH’s speech therapist explains that the Lingraphica is
wonderful addition to our services.“It goes beyond just a simple
word board. You can make phrases or sentences. It can be use on
phone as it will speak for you. Going to MacDonald’s just got easier… ‘I would like a cheeseburger with catsup, mustard and relish,
please.’”
Lenny had made tremendous strides in regaining his speech but
had reached a plateau. In the short time he has been using The
Lingraphica, he has begun to move off of his plateau, so he hopes
that his continued improvement will mean that he can leave the
nursing home where he has been living to live on his own again.
The Lingraphica equipment, valued at $7,700 is available for
purchase and in many cases is reimbursable through Medicare
and covered by many insurance companies. For more information on Lingraphica or speech therapy, call Heather Dodsworth
at Down East Community Hospital’s Rehabilitation Department
at 255-0258.
October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month
See page 2
Return our Survey and be entered
to win a Coupon
for Four Live Lobsters
& a Blueberry Pie!!
(See details on page 3)
DECH Offering 75 FREE Mammograms in October
For Qualifying Women
Mammograms are not a luxury; they can save your life! No one likes to think
about breast cancer, but everyone needs to know that about one woman in eight
world-wide will develop breast cancer; that's 1,500,000 new cases every year.
Breast cancer represents 26% of all cancers in women and results in over 300,000
deaths every year. A lesser known fact is that men can have breast cancer, too, and
those with a family history of male breast cancer are urged to arrange for regular
mammography examinations. If detected early enough, breast cancer is curable in
the majority of cases. This is extremely important because the smaller and more
localized the tumor, the better the chance of recovery. Breast cancer that is treated early enough, before it reaches the axillary lymph nodes, is curable in nearly
100% of cases. This shows the importance of self examination every month. It is
also the reason why an increasing number of doctors turn to mammography for
the early diagnosis and treatment of tumors.
The American Cancer Society recommends a baseline mammogram by age 40 and
an annual mammogram after age 40.
“If you are age 40 or older, do not have insurance coverage for this procedure, and have
not had a mammogram in at least a year,” stated Nikki Phinney, RT(R)(M),
Director of Clinical Services, “then you are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to receive this important free screening at the Down East Community Hospital
Women’s Health Center. There were two or three cancers found last year through the
free digital screenings at the Women’s Health Center. This just shows how essential these
screenings are,” Phinney emphasized. You are urged to call the Outpatient
Scheduler (255-0474) to make an appointment. Your exam will be performed by
a licensed female technologist on our state-of-the-art GE 2000D Digital Mammography Unit with Computer Assisted Detection
(CAD), the second of such units available in Maine. “Computer Aided Detection (CAD) gives the Radiologist a ‘second look’ at your
continued on page 8...
Softer, Warmer, More Comfortable Mammogram
With A MammoPad
“The Down East Community Hospital Women’s Health Center is delighted to provide a
MammoPad free of charge for every woman receiving a mammogram screening. The FDA
approved MammoPad is a special single-use foam breast cushion that attaches to the image
detector (called a ‘bucky’) on our digital mammography unit,” stated Nikki Phinney,
RT(R)(M), Director of Clinical Services. “It allows for improved positioning with significantly reduced discomfort resulting in better image resolution and a more accurate reading by the radiologist. The results of several clinical trials have confirmed the reduction in
discomfort that many women experience during mammograms, without impairing the
image quality in any way.” Down East Community Hospital is environmentally conscientious and will recycle the used MammoPads which can later be used for other,
non-medical uses.
WEB SITE RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION ON BREAST CANCER
The American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/
The National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/
The University of Pennsylvania’s Oncolink: http://www.breastcancerawareness.com/
http://www.breasthealthcare.com/
http://www.TheBreastCareSite.com/
http://www.breastcancer.org/
http://www.nbcam.org/
There is a wealth of information on Women’s Health Issues on the Women’s Health Resource Library (Milbridge) web
site: http://www.whrl.org
2
Women’s Health Care—For Women, By Women
Welcome Radiologist Jenna Barna, MD
Down East Community Hospital is pleased to welcome Jenna Barna, MD, Board Eligible in
Radiology. Dr. Barna specializes in patient-centered radiological care, providing a personal approach
to ultrasound, digital mammography, nuclear medicine, CT scan, MRI, bone density testing, digital
fluoroscopy and diagnostic imaging. Immediately following diagnostic digital mammography screenings, Dr. Barna is available to meet with patients to review their examination results.
Dr. Barna received her Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. She completed both her Post Graduate Internship and her Residency from the Methodist University
Hospital/University of Tennessee.
Dr. Barna, who holds a Master’s Degree in molecular and cellular biology from Washington University
in St. Louis, has done research with hepatocellular carcinoma patients, principally for evaluating
metastatic disease, prior to liver transplantation. She was also involved in implementing the first worldwide protocol to treat osteogenesis imperfecta patients with bone marrow transplantation at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Barna is a member of the American College of Radiology, the Radiological Society of North America, and the American Association
for Women Radiologists.
With a varied community outreach background, Dr. Barna also plays the harp and the piano, and enjoys hiking and gardening. Her husband, Jim, is an attorney specializing in litigation and employment law. They have two children, Helen, 8, and Nicholas, 5.
Digitized Radiology Exams Are Extended In
Imaging Department
The FUJI Computed Radiography system installed earlier this year is the next step in a totally connected digitized system that will make the entire Imaging Department virtually filmless and paperless, stated Nikki
Phinney, RT(R)(M), Director of Clinical Services.
X-rays are taken in the same fashion as with conventional cassettes, but the new cassettes are reusable and coated with an energy-storing phosphorus. The cassette is placed into the reader and the image appears within 30
seconds on a computer viewing screen. This system allows the technologist to manipulate, annotate and save
the image taken on the imaging plate. "The cassette reads the image, then that image can be lightened, darkened,
or even changed in position just by the click of a mouse," explains Phinney. "The cassette then can be erased and
can be used again for the next exam. Patients no longer have to wait to have their films developed." If the technologist thinks the image is good on the viewing screen, the patient is free to leave. In most cases the patients
are on their way home before their laser film has been printed. The new system includes 10 cassettes of two different sizes, a reader, a flatscreen computer monitor, a keyboard and a laser printer, which prints out the images. "It does not yet interface with our other digital modalities such as mammography, ultrasound, cat scan, fluoroscopy, and nuclear medicine, but it will within the next year," Phinney explained. A
major advantage to this digitized radiography system is that only one type of film is utilized, which makes it easier for storage and ordering purposes. Also, the harsh, temperamental chemicals of the processor no longer have to be used.
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Giving and Receiving:
Service to Our Community: An Integral Part of DECH Mission
As a healthcare institution, Down East Health System is committed to improving the overall health and well-being of
our region. Certainly this is primarily accomplished through the in-patient and out-patient services provided at Down
East Community Hospital. But there is much, much more to the way we live out our mission and service to our community.
Down East Community Hospital’s Community Benefit Fund was established to reach beyond the hospital walls to
ensure that the healthcare needs of the region are met and to enhance the quality of life for the entire community.
Whether it is charitable care (of which $500,000 was provided last year), subsidized programs, medical education or
community health education, we strive to respond to the area’s most pressing needs.
The hospital also partners with other organizations who are working to improve the health status and quality of life of
our community. DECH’s recent grant to Washington Academy to fund a new science lab and develop a clinical hospital rotation for students is an example of this type of partnership. Through this program, the Hospital is investing
continued on page 7...
Community Benefit: DECH to Provide 4,000 free Flu Shots
The Infection Control Department under the work of Donna Stanley-Kelley, RN will host a community
wide flu clinic in November. Flu shots will be offered at no charge as a service to our community. The
exact time and date of the clinic will be determined by when the vaccines are distributed by the manufacturer. An announcement of the date will be sent to local papers and will also be available at www.dech.org.
The Season of Giving:
The Season of Giving is upon us and with it brings with it the opportunity to remember loved ones with
a gift to Light-A-Life. Now in its 16th year, Light-A-Life is another way to support Down East
Community Hospital and Sunrise Care Facility.
This year’s Light-A-Life celebration will be held at Down East Community Hospital on December
13th at 5:00 pm. It promises to be an evening filled with fun activities for children, holiday entertainment and the traditional lighting of the Tree of Love and Life. The Hospital is pleased to be
partnering with the Chamber of Commerce this year to host their Business After Hours at the
Light-A-Life Celebration.
Last year, a new tradition of honorary luminaria bags were dedicated during the Light-A-Life ceremony.
With a minimum donation of $10, you can reserve a luminaria bag and candle that will be lit that
evening along with the tree. You can also choose to dedicate one or more luminarias in honor or in
memory of someone close to you.
There is another good reason to participate in Light-A-Life. All funds raised through the luminaries
benefit important programs and services at the Hospital and Sunrise Care Facility and enhance the
quality of healthcare available to our community.
When the lights on the tree are lit and the luminaria are aglow, it will remind us of Caring, Sharing,
Love, Life and Hope … the values to which we commit and cherish at Down East Health System.
Please join us! For more information, call 255-3356.
Chapel Fund Continues to Grow
Down East Community Hospital’s Chapel Fund is closer
to its $80,000 goal thanks to many new recent gifts to the Fund. In August, the Maine
Veteran’s Home contributed $5,000 to sponsor a pew in the Chapel and that same month,
DECH employees contributed an additional $574 through their Jean Days. Many churches continue to hold fundraisers, like the Roque Bluffs Chapel’s Chowder Dinner in
September. Fundraising for the Chapel continues to be a true community effort. And
when all is said and done, the Chapel will be a place where the community can feel a true
sense of belonging and legacy.
Opportunities for sponsoring pews for $5,000 and recognition tiles for $500 are still
available by calling the Down East Health Trust office at 255-0244.
4
Presenting Wayne Dodwell, CEO, with $5,000 the donation is Romeo Parent (left), Administrator of
the MVH in Machias and Ray Nagel, CEO (right), of the Maine Veterans’ Homes.
October~Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 2:
5:00 p.m. Gastric Bypass Support Group, MacBride Building at DECH. For more information
contact Janet Monaghan at 255-0485.
October 5:
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Free Blood Pressure Screening, Machias Hannaford.
October 16:
5:00 p.m. Gastric Bypass Support Group, MacBride Building at DECH. For more information
contact Janet Monaghan at 255-0485.
October 18:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free Bone Density Screening. By appointment, call Gloria Allen,
Outpatient Services 255-0474.
October 18:
6:00 p.m. Continuing Medical Education program for all area physicians and nurses
presented by Maine Medical Center’s Transition Linkage Program on Psych Assessment,
Evaluation and Referral. MacBride Building at DECH. Supper available at 5:30 p.m.
RSVP required -- contact Susan Pottle at 255-0294.
October 20:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free Digital Mammography. By appointment, call Gloria Allen,
Outpatient Services 255-0474.
12:00pm – 1:00 pm. Diabetes Support Group, Milbridge Medical Center.
For more information contact Jesse Burns at 546-2391.
November 2:
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm Free Blood Pressure Screening, Machias Hannaford.
November 6:
5:00 p.m. Gastric Bypass Support Group, MacBride Building at DECH.
For more information contact Janet Monaghan at 255-0485.
November 15:
American Diabetes Awareness Month: Free Glucose Screening, DECH.
November 17:
Great American Smoke Out
12:00pm – 1:00 pm. Diabetes Support Group, Milbridge Medical Center.
For more information contact Jesse Burns at 546-2391.
November 20:
5:00 p.m. Gastric Bypass Support Group, MacBride Building at DECH.
For more information contact Janet Monaghan at 255-0485.
November 29:
American Diabetes Awareness Month: Free Glucose Screening, DECH.
December 4:
5:00 p.m. Gastric Bypass Support Group, MacBride Building at DECH.
For more information contact Janet Monaghan at 255-0485
December 7:
11 :00 a.m. – 1:00 pm Free Blood Pressure Screening, Machias Hannaford.
December 13:
5pm: DECH’s Annual “Light-A-Life” Celebration with tree lighting, entertainment,
refreshments and children’s activities. Call 255-3356 for more information.
December 15: 12:00pm – 1:00 pm. Diabetes Support Group, Milbridge Medical Center.
For more information contact Jesse Burns at 546-2391.
December 18: 5:00 p.m. Gastric Bypass Support Group, MacBride Building at DECH.
For more information contact Janet Monaghan at 255-0485
5
New Technology Dispenses Single Dose Medication
Down East Community
Hospital has made impressive
gains in improving patient
safety with the recent installation of the Pyxis MedStation
3000 automated medication
management system in the
emergency department, on
the medical-surgical ward,
and in the obstetrical area.
Wayne Dodwell, DECH
Chief Executive Officer,
noted in his announcement
that “this automated medication management system
enables nursing, pharmacy and
clinicians to work more efficiently and effectively as a collaborative team to deliver safe,
high-quality patient care at the
point of care.”
“Automated technology,” commented
Tracey
King,
Director of Outpatient
Services and Pyxis project
manager, “provides a safe and
Director of Outpatient Services Tracey King, RN, demonstrates how the Pyxis MedStation delivsecure
system for dispensing
ers an individual patient med while maintaining the inaccessibility of the remaining stock of
medication that also helps
narcotic and prescription medications.
reduce chances of medication
error, maximizes security of medication, increases patient safety and protects patient health information, streamlines medication
distribution, dramatically enhances nurse productivity by simplifying workflow, and affords more time for clinical patient care.
It also helps us meet JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) and other regulatory standards
which really means better patient care,” she added.
Unauthorized access to narcotics and prescription medications is virtually impossible with this system since a microchip
is programmed to accept only the thumbprint ID of those staff members authorized to obtain medication and to open
the “cubie” drawer containing the requested patient med. The “cubie drawer” is the cubicle that contains the specific medication for a specific patient and is the only drawer, or cubicle, that will open when a medication is requested through
the Pyxis computerized program by an authorized staff member. The balance of the narcotic and prescription medication stock remains inaccessible.
In addition, the system provides an excellent patient teaching tool in the form of a printout on the Pyxis MedStation for
continued on page 8...
DECH Offers Continuing Medical Education
For Practicing Physicians
Down East Community Hospital is accredited by the Maine Medical Association as a provider for continuing medical education
for practicing physicians. These Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits are a required element for physicians as they apply
for Maine State Licensure. Five medical education programs have been scheduled for 2006 with the fifth planned for October 18
to be provided by Maine Medical Center’s (Portland) Transition Linkage Program on Psych Assessment, Evaluation and Referral.
Supper is provided for attendees at 5:30 with the lecture at 6:00 p.m. in the MacBride Building Board Room. The CME Committee
at Down East Community Hospital developed the programs throughout 2006, as well as preparing for the Maine Medical
Association Accreditation Renewal Survey in July. The Committee consists of Beth Dodge (Chief Nursing Officer and Quality
Improvement Director), Susan Pottle (Medical Staff/Quality Improvement Coordinator), Mark Kaplan, DO, and Diane L.
Raymond, RN, CCRN, (Education Coordinator for Hospital Staff). Down East Community Hospital has been accredited to present continuing medical education since 2000, with a four-year accreditation renewal received in July 2006. CME Coordinator
Susan Pottle stated that the Hospital is proud to be able to offer regular continuing medical education programs to its physicians.
Upon application to the American Nurses’ Association (ANA-Maine) prior to the presentations, these same programs are also available to the nursing staff for continuing education credit.
6
Service to our community continued from page 4...
in educating youth in laboratory sciences with the hope that they may become healthcare employees of the future
in order to meet the ever-growing healthcare needs of the area.
In recent history, operating losses at DECH prevented the Hospital from living out the true spirit of the community benefit piece of its mission. In 2002, the hospital posted a $1.2 million operating loss and either slim or
no gains in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, our Hospital returned to good financial health with a $1.6 million operating gain and we are on track to realize a similar gain again in 2006. We now have the ability to show our appreciation to our community for their loyalty and support by reinvesting a portion of our financial success into valued services that benefit the physical, psychological and social health of our community.
Despite the fact that non-profit or non-taxable hospitals, including DECH, provide free care to eligible community members as part of their charitable missions, hospitals nationwide are being challenged by both federal and
state governments to go beyond the free care they give in order to justify their charitable, tax-exempt status. Both
federal and state laws require that a non-profit hospital’s financial surpluses must go toward furthering the organization’s charitable purpose (i.e. surpluses cannot be distributed to shareholders). In addition, some state governments have passed legislation that requires that anywhere from 3-5% of these surpluses go toward community benefit. The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), of which DECH is a member, lists several types of charitable services that are under the community benefit umbrella:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the provision of essential, non-reimburseable healthcare services
the provision of charity care
the provision of programs that reduce the burden on the government
the provision of services that are not profitable to the hospital such as free flu vaccination clinics,
blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, etc.
the provision of public health education, wellness programs and sponsorship of these activities
such as Family First
serving unmet human needs that are tangential to health care but are unmet by any other entity
in the service area, and,
good will, which is an intangible attribute of successful tax-exempt hospitals continuing their mission
of providing care and meeting their community responsibility
The dilemma for charitable, 501-C-3 hospitals like DECH is that on one hand they are required and morally
obligated to make tangible and intangible donations to the community and yet, on the other hand, they also need
to raise money to support the growth and expansion of hospital programs and facilities. The Down East Health
Trust’s mission is to expand the philanthropic support of the Hospital and Sunrise Care Facility in order to fulfill their missions to meet the healthcare needs of the region which also includes community benefit. We recognize that this is confusing to our community but ultimately we do need to both give and receive.
Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine:
DECH welcomes Dr. Chitra Lal
Chitra Lal, MD
Dr. Chitra Lal joined DECH in July and is Board Certified in both Internal
Medicine and Pulmonary Disease and Board Eligible in Critical Care and Sleep
Medicine. Dr. Lal’s practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of Asthma,
Emphysema, Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary Embolism,
Pulmonary Artery Hypertension, and Sleep Apnea. Additionally, Dr. Lal will
provide Critical Care Management, Ventilator Management, Pulmonary
Function Testing and Sleep Studies.
Dr. Lal received her medical degree and her Diploma in Child Health from the
Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi. She completed her
Residency in Internal Medicine from St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and
her Fellowship in Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep Medicine from University of
Tennessee at Memphis. Dr. Lal is a member of the American College of
Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical
Association, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society
and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
OCTOBER 22-28 IS NATIONAL RESPIRATORY CARE WEEK
7
DECH Expands Specialty Services to
Milbridge Medical Center
Dr. Carl Aselton, Medical Director of the Milbridge Medical Center is
pleased to announce the expansion of Specialty Services. Neurological Services
are now being offered on Thursdays by Board Certified Neurologist, James
Stevenson, MD. This is in addition to Pediatric Services added earlier this
year. Dr. Aselton commented, “As new specialists join the DECH family, our
goal is to offer their services in Milbridge as well. Currently we are working on
plans to bring Pulmonology and Gerontology to Milbridge and hope that by the
end of the year we will be able to announce the addition of these services.”
Dr. James Stevenson
Trading Places
In August, we said a fond farewell to Ed Fournier, the Administrator at Sunrise Care Facility. Ed opted for a shorter daily commute by accepting the Administrator position at Eastport Memorial Nursing Home. In a pleasant turn of events, Peggy Pineo, the
former Administrator of Eastport Memorial Nursing Home, began in August as the new Long Term Care Executive for Down East
Health System where she now fills the role of Administrator for Sunrise Care Facility. Peggy is a Jonesport native and previously
worked at Sunrise as a social worker.
New Technology continued from page 6...
any medication that the physician may
order for that patient. The nurses can
use this teaching sheet to explain to
patients the expected response to the
medication, as well as possible side
effects or interactions with other medicines they might be taking. And the
information is right at the nurses' fingertips.
This integrated system begins with the
registration of a patient and follows that
patient through admission, care in the
nursing departments, transfer (if
required), pharmaceutical needs, to discharge, with medication charges forwarded to the billing process through
the interfacing computer network.
Lori Yenson, RN, senior charge nurse
on the medical-surgical ward expressed
enthusiastic support for the secure Pyxis
system and its “quick availability of
patient medications and the drug data
sheet printout as a wonderful teaching
tool for our patients. The Pyxis
MedStation has dramatically improved
efficiency in our workflow and allows us
to provide better care for our patients with
8
improved levels of safety. It is great,” she
exclaimed. “We love it.”
The new medication management system was installed in June and King
emphasized delight at the smooth transition to the new system. “It is a wonderful addition to furthering the nursing
mission in improving patient safety. It is
nursing’s critical role in continuously finding ways to identify and prevent mistakes
before they happen. We have drawn ‘the
line in the sand’ at zero errors and this
automated technology at the point of care
will help keep our patients safe,” King
concluded.
Good Medicine is published quarterly for Down East
Community Hospital. We welcome comments and suggestions
from readers. The information contained herein is intended to
educate the community about subjects pertinent to their health,
not as a substitute for consultation with a physician.
Wayne Dodwell, Chief Executive Officer
Robin Popp, Executive Director, Marketing & Development
Hook Design, Good Medicine Editor/Designer · 888-353-6348
Artwork, ©2006 Hook Design
For more information: call Down East Community Hospital at
207-255-3356, FAX 207-255-0427 or write RR1 Box 11,
Machias, Maine 04654, Attn: Robin Popp.
www.dech.org
Free Mammograms continued...
images. The computer images, which can
be enhanced and enlarged for more thor-
ough evaluation, will be analyzed by
our Board Eligible Radiologist, Jenna
Barna, MD,” Phinney explained.
“The heightened magnification and
better clarity allow Dr. Barna to identify findings that might otherwise go
undetected,” she noted, concluding,
“You will receive a letter stating the
findings and an official report will be
forwarded to your physician. If you do
not have a personal physician, a physician will be selected for you for this program in order to provide for a professional medical follow up.” Follow up
on any clinical findings is the responsibility of the patient.
Down East Community Hospital is a
state certified mammography facility
and is accredited by the American
College of Radiology and the Federal
Drug Administration (FDA).
The National Toll-Free Breast Care
Helpline number is
1-800-462-9273.