System Hospital News November 2017

Atrium Medical Center

Atrium Medical Center now offers advanced diagnostic imaging with a new 128-Slice CT scanner. The Siemens SOMATOM® Definition Edge scanner with the innovative FAST CARE software platform is an advanced diagnostic imaging computed tomography (CT) system. This CT technology enables physicians to obtain high-definition images of the body at a much lower dose of radiation for a wide range of clinical applications. The technology combines multiple components in a dynamic manner, including a large-volume coverage area, a larger gantry bore and the ability to use a high-capacity table for examining patients of all sizes, up to 660 pounds. Additionally, the system helps achieve outstanding images at a lower dose through its innovative Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure (CARE) features.

Business After Hours will be held at Atrium Medical Center on Thursday, December 7, 4 to 6:30 p.m., in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton. Main entrance lobby, One Medical Center Drive in Middletown. There will be a short program at 5:15 p.m. This year marks not only the 100th anniversary of the founding of the hospital in Middletown, but also 10 years since Atrium Medical Center was built and opened for patients in Middletown’s Renaissance District. Tour the newly opened Senior Emergency Center, Natural Beginnings Birth Center and the hospital’s Surgery Center. Appetizers will be served. For more information, email Chelsey Levingston.

A generous donor helped complete the walking trail on the Atrium Medical Center campus.  Patients, visitors, and staff can now enjoy a paved 1.3 mile path through a series of gardens surrounding the hospital building with water features, a bronze statue Angel of Hope, benches and wooden pergolas. The path has been named Turner Trail, to honor former Atrium President Carol Turner. A bench along the trail has also been named in honor of Jeffrey Zollett, MD, for his years of service and leadership. 

Good Samaritan Hospital (closed in 2018)

Good Samaritan Hospital is among the first hospitals in Ohio to offer 3D™-guided breast biopsy (along with Miami Valley Hospital and Upper Valley Medical Center). The advanced, minimally invasive technique utilizes the Hologic® Affirm® Prone Breast Biopsy System. Procedures can be performed with patients reclining comfortably in the prone, or lying flat, position. This system allows radiologists to use 3D imaging to locate and accurately target areas of interest for biopsy, including those that can be challenging to detect using conventional imaging techniques. Key advantages over traditional 2D stereotactic procedures include faster targeting and fewer X-ray exposures, which lessens procedure time and reduces patient dose. Additionally, 360-degree access to the breast enables challenging locations to be reached without repositioning the patient.

The Heart Institute of Dayton presented the Schear Family Heart In Sports Community Conversation Series on November 8, featuring Cincinnati Red George Foster, five-time All-Star and the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1977.

Upper Valley Medical Center

UVMC hosted a free hernia screening on September 20th at the Miami County Surgeons office in the UVMC Physician Office Building. Surgeons Stewart Lowry, MD, FACS, and Zachary Simmons, MD, conducted the screenings. The event – the first of its kind for the practice – was deemed a success, with 19 patients registered, 10 hernias found, six hernia appointments scheduled, and four more scheduled for follow-up. Another screening is being planned for the Darke County market.

The UVMC Emergency Department and Foundation partnered to offer “Operation Street Smart,” a free drug education and awareness program for the community in September at Edison State Community College. The day-long program provided up-to-date information on drug trends, terminology, paraphernalia, concealment techniques, and physiological effects. It was attended by more than 100 area health care workers, educators, DARE/school resource officers, law enforcement, social workers and parents.

UVMC Cancer Care introduced a unique new colon cancer awareness tool to the community in September. The 12’x12’ inflatable colon educational tunnel debuted at Piqua High School sports events on September 20 and 29. The giant tunnel was generously donated by the UVMC Foundation to help raise community awareness about colorectal cancer and related diseases.

The UVMC Foundation in September launched the fourth year of Rachel’s Challenge in Miami County Schools. Rachel’s Challenge, offered to students in elementary grades through high school, focuses on empowering strategies borne from the tragedies of the 1999 Columbine High School shootings. It involves a series of projects designed to combat bullying and address feelings of isolation through the use of kindness and compassion in everyday dealings.

Miami Valley Hospital

The Miami Valley Hospital trauma team hosted the annual “Trauma Survivors Celebration,” an event to celebrate the lives of survivors and thank caregivers and first responders. At this moving event, six trauma patients, all of whom were treated at MVH, were recognized for overcoming tremendous odds on their journey to recovery. This year, the trauma team is also celebrating their 25th anniversary of providing the highest level of trauma care in the region. This milestone was recognized during the event by Dr. Mary McCarthy, the physician who founded the program.

Miami Valley Hospital unveiled its newly renovated maternity center on October 1 by hosting a community open house. Visitors spoke with clinical staff who deliver babies at Miami Valley Hospital and toured the renovated Berry Women’s Center. The renovations include a space dedicated for use by families with infants staying in the NICU. Also with a debut on October 1 was the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Emmett’s Place. Fully funded by the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation in partnership with Ronald McDonald House, this space consists of three sleeping rooms that will serve as respite for the immediate family members of the hospital’s NICU patients, as well as high-risk pregnant mothers and their immediate family members.

Amanda (Mandy) Via, CareFlight Air and Mobile Outreach Manager, was named the 2017 recipient of the AAMS Excellence in Community Service Award from the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS). AAMS presents this award annually to an emergency medical transport organization or individual that demonstrates a broad-based continuing commitment to the communities they serve. Mandy received the award for her work on CareFlight’s “Drive Smart” mock crash program. In 2017 to date, Mandy has dedicated more than 400 hours and has driven approximately 2,000 miles to execute 28 separate Drive Smart events. In 2016, Mandy coordinated more than 600 outreach events, strengthening relationships with outside organizations and improving collaboration, patient care, and outcomes.

Back to the November 2017 issue of Premier Pulse