Health briefs

16 NURSES JOIN P.B. HOSPITAL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center recently welcomed 16 new nursing graduates to the hospital team. All 16 nurses graduated from the nursing program at Three Rivers Community College in December. Among them are Theresa Pennington, Carrie Sheppard, Rodney Pratt, Terry Ice, Nathan Pratt, Mercy Pickard, Gayle Richmond, Brittany Mathis, Kim Morgeson, Nakito Hargrove, Laura McElroy, Tara Hueckel, Jennifer Hicks and Trisha Jarvis.

SOUTHEAST COMPLETES STEEL STRUCTURE

In late January, Southeast Missouri Hospital celebrated the completion of its new Regional Cancer Center's steel structure. The Topping Out celebration included a beam-signing ceremony and reception at 817 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau. Construction on the facility began last year. The $33 million cancer center is scheduled to open in December.

SLEEP CENTER REACCREDITED

The Saint Francis Sleep Disorders Center at Saint Francis Medical Center received program reaccreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. To receive five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. The process involves inspection of a center's facility and staff, including evaluation of testing procedures, patient contacts and physician training. Additionally, the facility's goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves.

SURGERY CENTER FEATURED IN MAGAZINE

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Surgery Center of Poplar Bluff was featured in a trade magazine as a model for running a successful stand-alone health clinic. The November/December issue of ASC Focus, the journal of the Ambulatory Surgery Centers Association, included a nine-page cover story about how Poplar Bluff Medical Partners brought visionary health care to rural America.

NURSE PRACTITIONER JOINS CAPE DIABETES

Michele Griffin, MSN, FNP-C, joined Saint Francis Medical Center as a nurse practitioner at Cape Diabetes and Endocrinology. She assists endocrinologist Ahmad Z. Sheikh, MD, ECNU, in the care of patients with an array of endocrine problems, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism. Griffin last worked as a nurse practitioner at Prompt Care in Jackson and with the East Missouri Action Agency.

SAINT FRANCIS ANNOUNCES DEPARTMENT CHAIRS

Saint Francis Medical Center announced its medical staff department and section chairs for 2010. The department and section chairs are appointed physicians who implement the hospital's policies and carry out the quality and appropriateness of care for their departments and sections. New appointees include James E. Outman, DO, FACS, medical staff secretary and urologist; Gary S. Olson, MD, pediatrics department chair and pediatrician; Ahmad Z. Sheikh, MD, ECNU, section chair of endocrinology and endocrinologist; and Karlyle K. Christian-Ritter, MD, FAAP, section chair of neonatology and medical director of the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Saint Francis.

PHYSICIAN EARNS BOARD CERTIFICATION

Dr. James C. Mosley III passed examinations to become board certified in medical oncology. He is affiliated with Hematology and Oncology Associates of Southeast Missouri Hospital.

VEIN CLINIC COMES TO DEXTER HOSPITAL

DEXTER, Mo. -- A Vein Clinic is now housed at Missouri Southern Healthcare. General surgeon Rick Wirz, DO, FACOS and Gina Moore, RVT, RPA/RA, head up the service, which offers an outpatient method of treatment for varicose veins and other leg pain problems.

SAINT FRANCIS UNVEILS HOSPITALITY AREA

Families of patients in the Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit at Saint Francis Medical Center have a new, convenient and restful area in which to spend time during their loved one's illness. The Critical Care Family Room opened Jan. 4 and is located on the main floor of the hospital, with convenient access to the ICU and CCU on the same floor. The area offers limited sleeping provisions, three private restrooms and a shower, new furnishings, tile floors, coffee service, large windows, computers with Internet access, a flat-screen TV and personal lockers. The hospital's chapel and a food vending area are nearby.

PARKWOOD SEES IMPROVEMENTS

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Parkwood Meadows Assisted Living by Americare is completing the addition of four new resident suites and an extensive renovation of its main building. Each of the new suites will be equipped with a kitchenette, separate living and sleeping quarters and a walk-in closet. As for building renovations, the "Ozark Room" was added as a way to expand commons area in the building and provide a place for the facility to host group functions and community events. A new private dining room will be added off the Ozark Room.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT REMODELED

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Dunklin County Health Department recently hosted an open house following remodeling improvements made to the building on Teaco Road. The project, funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health, included new computers and computer upgrades, upgraded phone systems, new awnings and gutters, energy-efficient heat and air systems and a freestanding carport to cover the emergency response trailer.

CANCER INSTITUTE REACCREDITED

Saint Francis Medical Center's Cancer Institute received three-year reaccreditation with three commendations from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Saint Francis received reaccreditation following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor. During the evaluation process Saint Francis demonstrated commendation-level compliance with standards representing the full scope of the cancer program, including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach and quality improvement. In addition, Saint Francis received a compliance rating for all other standards.

POPLAR BLUFF HOSPITAL RANKS HIGH IN STUDY

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Society of Thoracic Surgeons released data relating to operative mortality rates of cardiovascular programs in more than 780 hospitals nationwide, including Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Results of the study show that patients who had coronary bypass surgery at PBRMC have better outcomes compared to national averages, including a zero percent operative mortality rate compared to almost 2 percent nationally. All other complications after surgery at PBRMC, including postoperative infections, neurologic complications, renal failure and atrial fibrillation, were also found to be lower than national averages. The latest data release includes results from June 2007 through April 2009.

MENTAL HEALTH GRANT AWARDED

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health was awarded a contract through the Communities of Hope initiative to assess area mental health needs and form a plan to identify those issues. The organization will receive $30,000, the maximum award from the Missouri Department of Mental Health. SMBH will work with the following agencies under the new initiative: Butler County Community Resource Council Mental Health Subcommittee; Department of Corrections District 25 Missouri Re-entry Process Task Force, operating out of Poplar Bluff; and Stoddard County Probation and Parole's Stoddard Successful Integration Team. The initiative is funded through a federal grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration.

DAY HEALTH FACILITY NOW OPEN

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Ashley's Place, a new adult day health care facility in Madison County, has opened at 1610 Highway 72 West. It is also the new home for the offices of Covenant Care Services LLC, DBA Ashley's Place. The facility is designed to care for adults, such as Alzheimer's patients and those with special needs, during the day.

SAINT FRANCIS EARNS RECOGNITIONS FROM ANTHEM

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri has designated Saint Francis Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery and a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. The recognitions are part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's expansion of its Blue Distinction designation, which is awarded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care in the respective areas. The designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based, objective selection criteria established in collaboration with expert physicians' and medical organizations' recommendations.

HEISSERER IS NEW ADMINISTRATOR

Chaffee Nursing Center named Gail Heisserer as its administrator. She has more than 15 years of experience in the long-term care industry, most recently at WestRidge Place in Sikeston, Mo.

WIRED INITIATIVE PARTNERS WITH SOUTHEAST

With support from the Southeast Missouri WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) Initiative, Southeast Missouri Hospital has implemented a paramedic-to-RN bridge training program. The WIRED Initiative awarded the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation with grant funding to be used for the training program, which started in January. The hospital will collaborate with regional businesses, educational and medical facilities to provide the opportunity for paramedics considering a career change to move into a profession as an RN. The goal of the "Bridge to Better -- Paramedic to RN" program is to provide training and address current and future needs in the Southeast Missouri medical field.

SAINT FRANCIS TAKES GOLD AT ADDY AWARDS

Saint Francis Medical Center took home 11 awards, the most of any entrant, at the Tri-State Advertising and Marketing Professionals 15th annual ADDY Awards banquet. Forty-three professional awards were given, resulting in six gold, 14 silver and 23 bronze awards. Saint Francis was the recipient of two gold, two silver and seven bronze awards: Gold ADDY, Planning Your Pregnancy kit, sales promotion - packaging campaign category; Gold ADDY, 2009 Annual Campaign, mixed/multiple media - local consumer category; Silver ADDY, Family BirthPlace Baby's First Christmas Ad, Newspaper - full page, color category; Silver ADDY, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit DVD, interactive media - interactive B-to-B category; Bronze ADDY, Center for Joint Replacement Campaign, mixed/multiple media - local consumer category; Bronze ADDY, 2010 Calendar, elements of advertising - photography, color category; Bronze ADDY, da Vinci Open House Invitation, collateral material - special event invitation category; Bronze ADDY, da Vinci Campaign, mixed/multiple media, local consumer category; Bronze ADDY, Mother's Day Ad, newspaper - full page, color category; Bronze ADDY, New Physician Reception Invitation, collateral material - special event invitation category; Bronze ADDY, Father's Day Ad, newspaper - full page, color category.

PARKLAND HEALTH RANKED IN TOP 16

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Parkland Health Center, part of BJC HealthCare, was ranked in America's Best 16 Community Hospitals by Becker's Hospital Review. Becker's findings were published in its Jan. 29 publication, along with a list of America's Best 10 Hospitals. The only hospital in Missouri to be honored, Parkland is also one of the smallest hospitals included. Becker's Hospital Review defines community hospitals as those with no or limited teaching programs and 325 or fewer beds. Hospitals are rated by the publication using publicly available indicators, including patient safety, outcomes, satisfaction and rankings on industry lists.

PARKLAND HONORS EMPLOYEES

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Darlene Weiss, RN, was named Star Service Employee for January at Parkland Health Center. She has been a medical/pediatric nurse at Parkland for four years. Cindy Myers, RN, was named Star Service Employee for February. She is a nurse in the emergency department and has worked at Parkland for nearly 29 years.