System Hospital News October 2018

Atrium Medical Center

Charles L. Hageman, MD; John M. Miller, MD; and Phyllis Rudokas, RN, OCN, CBCN, CTTS, were recognized as winners of the 2018 Caring Like Karen award during a luncheon held September 28 to honor local caregivers who go above and beyond the call of duty in caring for individuals and families within the community. Drs. Hageman and Miller, team leads, were nominated along with the supporting care team of Gary C. Brown, MD; Alvaro Waissbluth, MD; Craig T. Henry, DO; Scot W. Denmark, MD; and Casey R. Boyce, MD, for extraordinary medical care and compassionate, personal care that ultimately saved a young mother who nearly died from heart failure while delivering her second child at Atrium Medical Center. The Caring Like Karen hospital or hospice caregiver award is given to an outstanding nurse, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, patient services assistant, nurse’s aide, volunteer, or chaplain. Rudokas was nominated for her more than 30 years’ work as an oncology nurse navigator at Middletown Regional Hospital and Atrium Medical Center, serving more than 4,000 patients facing cancer diagnoses, treatment and survivorship. The Caring Like Karen Fund was established by the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty in memory of the ultimate caregiver, Karen Mason, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2012. In Mason’s honor, the fund presents an annual award to caregivers who emulate her love and patience for those in their care.

Atrium Medical Center has replaced its on-campus circulator with a new joint effort between the hospital and the City of Middletown, City of Monroe, and Butler County Regional Transit Authority to connect people within the region. The WorkLink bus route, which will connect Dayton and Cincinnati, is the first public transit connection between Greater Dayton RTA, Butler County Regional Transit Authority, and Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. With eight stops, the route will run six days per week and cover all three work shifts at $2 per ride. Atrium will have a stop on the new R7 WorkLink route. Future additions to the route are expected to be announced as a broader group of public and private partners continue to build regional transportation solutions.

Miami Valley Hospital

Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Miami Valley Hospital South in Centerville, Miami Valley Hospital North in Englewood, and Jamestown Emergency Center in Jamestown all participated in a full-scale mass casualty exercise on Thursday, September 27. The functional exercise was designed to test and evaluate the ability of hospitals and trauma programs to respond to a large influx of patients from a traumatic event. The exercise also tested the operations of law enforcement and EMS, including the use of the Rescue Task Force (RTF), in responding to a terrorist attack. Agencies participating in the mass casualty exercise included local EMS and law enforcement, as well as the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, the Southwest Ohio Regional Trauma System, and the Dayton Metropolitan Medical Response System.

Miami Valley Hospital Foundation received a grant from the Maxon Foundation for $765,000 to purchase a 64-slice CT scanner that will allow the hospital’s trauma program to treat more patients faster and more accurately. The grant allows the legacy of the late Mr. Glenway W. Maxon, Jr., a Miami Valley Hospital board member in the 1950s and the builder of the hospital’s main building in 1953, to continue his mission of improving the quality of health care in our community. The 64-slice scanner will reduce procedure time by 40 percent – significant considering all trauma patients have between five and eight procedures with the scanner. The image quality is also improved, allowing for a more accurate interpretation. This includes not only a better image but fewer artifacts (including metal) interfering with the ability to see bone and blood vessels, as well as an increased quality of CT angiography. There is also a dose reduction algorithm that directly affects the X-ray dosage and the amount of radiation given to the patient, reducing the dose by up to 82 percent.

The Miami Valley Hospital Pharmacy recently celebrated the opening of the new Berry Women’s Center satellite pharmacy. This pharmacy will enhance services in the NICU and for maternity patients.

A special birthday event took place recently to celebrate the first anniversary of the Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR) in Emmett’s Place at Miami Valley Hospital. Since opening on October 1, 2017, the RMFR has served as a space of comfort and care for families of the hospital’s NICU patients, high-risk pregnant mothers, and their immediate family members. More than 500 families used the RMFR in its first year. Positioned near the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, families can find respite there from the stressful hospital setting. They can make a much-needed cup of coffee, eat a light meal, do laundry, and rest in the sleeping rooms at no charge. A cozy, kid-friendly reading and activity area called Abby’s Nook is also available to families. On average, 30 to 50 guests visit the RMFR each day.

The Austin Boulevard Emergency Center in Miamisburg is now open. This new free-standing emergency department with quick access from Interstate 75 will provide full-service, 24-hour emergency care to patients with minor to severe injuries and conditions. The Austin Boulevard Emergency Center features 12 emergency beds, including two trauma bays, and is staffed by board certified emergency medicine physicians from Miami Valley Hospital. Additional services include access to Premier Health’s TeleStroke Network for faster access to stroke treatment; lab and imaging services, including CT and X-ray; CareFlight Air and Mobile Services transportation if hospitalization is needed; and a community room with audio-visual capabilities that community members can reserve for meetings or training sessions. A seamless ambulance drop-off point will provide EMS agencies with quick access into and out of the facility when transporting patients.

Upper Valley Medical Center

Upper Valley Medical Center hosted festivities on the UVMC campus September 29 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the hospital, as well as a legacy of more than 100 years serving Miami County’s health care needs. More than 950 hospital staff, physicians, volunteers, and community members attended the family-friendly celebration that featured a tailgate-style lunch, health/wellness screenings, hospital technology tours, visits/tours of CareFlight Air and Mobile Services emergency medicine vehicles, a teddy bear clinic, face painting, balloon characters, Ident-A-Kid, ninja warrior obstacle course, celebrity football toss, sports challenges and games for all ages, live remote broadcasts with MIX 107.7 and Troy Community Radio, drawings, prizes, music, and more.

UVMC/Premier Health was signature sponsor of the Go Red for Women/North Luncheon and Wellness Fair held September 6 at the Piqua Hotel Plaza. Hosted in conjunction with the American Heart Association, the event was attended by nearly 200 participants. UVMC professionals provided free health screenings, wellness counseling, literature, and handouts.

UVMC/Premier Health also partnered with Troy City Schools to host “Rebound: The Chris Herren Story” at Hobart Arena in Troy on September 13. Herren, a former college and professional basketball star, fell into the grips of drug addiction and managed to bounce back after four overdoses. Free from drugs for a decade, he spoke to more than 3,500 Miami County students and 150 community members about the importance of living without drugs and alcohol. 

Back to the October 2018 issue of Premier Pulse