Client News: ETMC Athens Breast Care Center Re-Accredited by State

The radiology department at ETMC Athens received expected but still very welcome news recently. Department Director Richard Vasquez was notified by the state that the facility has successfully passed the mammography accreditation renewal process. That means they may continue doing excellent work without interruption.

The radiology department at ETMC Athens was re-accredited recently by the state of Texas. The ETMC Athens Breast Care Center features a state-of-the-art, full field digital mammography unit. Pictured (from left) are mammographers Jennifer Parker and Shelly  Robertson. 



“We’ve always been re-accredited without having to re-apply because we’re prepared,” said Vasquez. “We have an experienced physicist, an experienced radiologist and experienced mammographers. It’s a great team effort.”

Mammographer Shelly Robertson, RT(M), said she has been seeing many of the same patients for 18 years. “I love working in mammography so much because it’s personal,” she said. “My patients often become my friends. I ask about their families, and they ask about mine. It makes you feel good.”

Robertson works with fellow mammographer Jennifer Parker, RT(R). Dr. Harold Smitson is the experienced radiologist who interprets the images.

ETMC Athens began using a state-of-the-art, full field digital mammography unit in 2009.

“With the digital unit, we can manipulate the image in a way that isn’t possible with film. And the image resolution is so much higher,” said Vasquez.

CAD program

Once the images are captured, they are sent to a CAD program (Computer Aided Device) that “looks” at the images prior to the radiologist and identifies any areas of potential concern. From there, they are sent on to a reading station where Dr. Smitson examines them.

The use of a digital mammography unit shortened the amount of time it previously took to capture the necessary images.

In addition, Robertson pointed out that, unlike some other breast care centers, ETMC Athens routinely uses a MammoPad without additional charge. A MammoPad is a soft, foam pad that provides a cushion between a woman’s skin and the mammography machine.

“It can make a big difference in comfort,” said Robertson.

The American Cancer Society recommends women from the ages of 20 to 39 have clinical breast exams performed by their healthcare providers at least every three years and do self-exams once a month. Ask your healthcare provider to teach you the proper way to do a thorough breast self-exam.

Women 40 and over should have mammograms and clinical breast exams performed every year, as well as performing breast self-exams each month.

 If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, discuss mammography screening guidelines and scheduling with your healthcare provider.

To schedule an appointment or for more information about the mammography system at the ETMC Athens Breast Care Center, please call 903-676-2169.

Client News: Mon General Hospital Recognized for Outstanding Quality

SpecialtyCare recently announced that Mon General has received their 2010 Outstanding Quality Award for Perfusion and Autotransfusion services. SpecialtyCare is the largest provider of perfusion services, supporting one out of every ten open-heart surgery cases performed in the nation.

Ranked by SpecialtyCare as one of the Top 10% Best Performing, Mon General achieved this award based on the results of perfusion quality indicators when compared to over 160 open-heart surgery programs nationwide.

Mon General’s operating room staff and cardiac surgeons work closely with the SpecialtyCare perfusionists to monitor and provide quality services to the cardiac surgery patient. SpecialtyCare Perfusionists at Mon General provide Perfusion, ECMO, Anticoagulation Monitoring, Intraoperative Blood Gas Monitoring, and Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump services.

"We are thrilled that SpecialtyCare, as our clinical partner in the delivery of perfusion services, has recognized our commitment and dedication to safety and quality services for our patients,” said Linda Ollis, COO, Mon General. Mon General’s open-heart surgery volume continues to grow, in the last twelve months they have performed more than 325 open-heart procedures.

In a recent statement, Chris Wells, Chief Medical Officer and head of the Clinical Quality Improvement program for SpecialtyCare said, “Quality improvement is the way that value is demonstrated in healthcare today. It is exciting to work with a program that has taken this message to heart. Achieving the Top 10% at SpecialtyCare demonstrates that Mon General has improved processes and procedures that are measured during surgery. These process improvements enhance and improve patient outcomes. The Mon General Hospital team is to be congratulated for their hard work.”

SpecialtyCare is the largest provider of outsourced clinical services in the nation and is dedicated to assisting hospitals in their efforts to improve operational efficiencies, improve outcomes, and decrease blood utilization. SpecialtyCare provides highly specialized clinical services to the operating room and related areas of the hospital. Services include cardiovascular perfusion, autotransfusion, surgical assist, minimally invasive surgical support, sterile processing department management, intraoperative neurological monitoring, and anesthesia support. SpecialtyCare provides services to more than 575 hospitals in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Germany. SpecialtyCare’s website is available at http://www.specialtycare.net/.

Client News: Hoag Breast Care Center First in California to Offer 3D Mammography

Source: Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian Press Release

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian announced today that Hoag Breast Care Center is the first breast care center in California and one of only a handful in the United States to offer 3D digital breast tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening. This revolutionary technology promises to improve breast cancer detection, especially in young women and women of any age with radiographically dense breast tissue. Women who undergo routine mammograms at Hoag Breast Care Center now have the latest screening technology available to them.

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an FDA-approved 3D imaging modality that gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue, the Achilles heel of 2D digital mammography.  Breast tomosynthesis is especially beneficial for women with dense breasts. Dense breast tissue can obscure an underlying cancer, or conversely mimic a cancer when none exists. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of breast cancers cannot be detected using traditional 2D mammography, especially in women with dense breast tissue.

“It’s a major milestone to be the first breast center in California to provide patients with digital breast tomosynthesis,” said Gary M. Levine, M.D., director of breast imaging at Hoag Breast Care Center and one of the nation’s leading experts in breast tomosynthesis. “At Hoag we have been involved with the development and testing of tomosynthesis since 2009. Recent reader studies have confirmed digital breast tomosynthesis to be superior to conventional mammography alone at finding early breast cancer. Tomosynthesis will allow us to discover more early stage breast cancers, and early detection translates to lives saved.”

During a tomosynthesis exam, 15 digital “projection” images are captured as it arcs over the breast, during a short four-second scan. These images are then digitally reconstructed into a series of high-resolution one-millimeter slices that can be reviewed individually or played back in a cine loop.

“Tomosynthesis, by solving the issue of tissue superimposition, will not only allow us to detect breast cancer more reliably, it will also reduce the number of unnecessary call backs for additional testing,” adds Dr. Levine. “This will then address a frequent criticism of mammography by reducing anxiety and controlling costs.”

A woman can learn if her breasts are dense by asking her physician or the radiologist who performs her mammogram. Breast density is not based on family history and cannot be determined by look and feel of the breast. Approximately 75 percent of women in their forties have dense breasts, and this percentage typically decreases with age – with 54 percent of women in their fifties and 42 percent of women in their sixties having dense breasts.ⁱ Approximately 40 to 50 percent of women Hoag screens annually have extremely dense breast tissue, particularly younger women ages 40-49.

Regardless of whether a woman has dense breast tissue or not, mammograms and self breast awareness play a crucial role in early detection. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival. If found and treated early, while still localized in the breast, the ten-year survival rate for breast cancer is greater than 90 percent.

Hoag is pleased to offer digital breast tomosynthesis to Orange County women due to a generous grant from Circle 1000, a dedicated group of women that have raised funds for Hoag Family Cancer Institute since 1987. In the near future, Hoag will be extending this technology to Irvine as well.

Hoag is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering 3D breast tomosynthesis digital mammography, Hoag Breast Care Center provides the latest in imaging quality and the specialized experts to ensure the highest quality of care for patients.

For more information, please visit www.HoagBreastCareCenter.com.

Client News: Oakwood Hospitals Earn National Recognition from Joint Commission

Source: Oakwood Healthcare Press Release

Two Oakwood Healthcare hospitals were named as national top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America.

Oakwood Heritage Hospital (OHH) in Taylor and Oakwood Southshore Medical Center (OSMC) in Trenton earned the distinction based on data reported about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care.

“We understand that what matters most to patients at Oakwood Healthcare’s various sites is safe, effective, patient-focused care,” said Brian Connolly, president and chief executive officer of Oakwood Healthcare, Inc. “Our entire organization has made a commitment to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes. Oakwood Heritage Hospital and Oakwood Southshore Medical Center’s recognition for quality by The Joint Commission demonstrate how dedicated our physicians, employees and volunteers are in the pursuit of excellence in clinical care.”

The two hospitals are part of an elite group of just 405 U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals across the nation that earned the distinction of top performer on key quality measures, for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance. Only 10 hospitals in Michigan received the recognition and Oakwood Healthcare, Inc. (OHI) was the only healthcare system with two hospitals honored in the metro Detroit area.

“Today, the public expects transparency in the reporting of performance at the hospitals where they receive care,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president, The Joint Commission. “The Joint Commission is shining a light on the top-performing hospitals such as Oakwood Heritage Hospital and Oakwood Southshore Medical Center, which have achieved excellence on a number of vital measures of quality of care.”

“This recognition falls right in line with Oakwood’s focused, relentless and continuous pursuit of excellence,” said Kelly C. Smith, chief operating officer of Oakwood Heritage Hospital. “The entire group of physicians and other clinicians at our hospital has been working tirelessly to exceed top decile across a multitude of quality indicators that we track for every patient, every day. Inclusion on this prestigious list—especially when so many other local hospitals were absent—speaks volumes about the dedication of the team at Heritage. I certainly am proud to work here.”

“This kind of honor goes straight to the heart of the Oakwood credo—‘The patient comes first,’” agreed Edith Hughes, president of Oakwood Southshore Medical Center. “The physicians, employees and volunteers at Oakwood Southshore are dedicated to every patient receiving excellent quality care. This award acknowledges their dedication. The Joint Commission’s stringent standards for this list demonstrate that we’ve had success in meeting the Oakwood goals for excellence in clinical care, and that translates to a high quality, safe environment for our patients.”

To be recognized as a top performer on key quality measures, an organization must have met two 95 percent performance thresholds. First, they must have achieved a composite performance of 95 percent or above after the results of all the accountability measures were factored into a single score—including measures that had fewer than 30 eligible cases or patients. They must also have met or exceeded a 95 percent performance target for every single accountability measure for which they reported data, excluding any measures with less than 30 eligible cases or patients.

More information about the list can be found in The Joint Commission’s Improving America’s Hospitals annual report and on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website. 

Client News: ETMC Crockett State-of-the-Art Radiology Department Initiates Scheduling System

Source: ETMC Press Release


ETMC Crockett team members receive instruction on the benefits and functions of the USA Scheduling System during training sessions held at ETMC Crockett on Thursday-Friday, Sept. 8-9. Pictured (L-R) are ETMC Business Office Manager Dana lamb, ETMC Crockett Radiology Department Manager Karla Burdette and ETMC Regional Heralthcare System Call Center Supervisor Linda Gardner. 


On Monday, Sept. 12, the state-of-the-art radiology department at ETMC Crockett initiated an advanced software program, Unibased Systems Architecture Scheduling System (ForSite2020® Resource Management System (RMS)).

The software is also utilized by other ETMC affiliates including Tyler, Athens, Jacksonville, and Henderson.

One of the benefits of the software is that it will allow area physicians and clinic staff to call an ETMC Crockett telephone number to conveniently schedule all outpatient radiological procedures utilizing the hospital’s 64-slice CT, 1.5T MRI, ultrasound, digital mammography, nuclear medicine and diagnostic X-ray equipment.

In addition to the simplicity of requiring medical professionals to make a single telephone call to schedule procedures, the software incorporates the physician’s requests for labwork, necessary questionnaires, orders, reports and other pertinent data, and ensures required resources and patient preferences are properly coordinated, increasing patient satisfaction. The system helps staff eliminate errors and increase versatility, as well as enhance patient safety. The new scheduling system also provides time management benefits to physicians and their staffs as they schedule various radiological procedures for their patients.

Medical professionals and patients will use a single ETMC Crockett telephone number for scheduling and inquiries, 936-545-4611, and a dedicated fax line, 936-545-4696, will stage orders for immediate processing.  

ETMC Crockett will host a luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 29, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Classroom 2 for area physicians, clinics, medical staff and medical facilities, and will include presentations to provide in-depth information about the state-of-the-art equipment available in the ETMC Crockett Radiology Department, as well as detailed information about the advanced features and benefits to the local medical community of the Unibased Systems Architecture Scheduling System (ForSite2020® Resource Management System (RMS)).

For additional information or to RSVP for the luncheon please call ETMC Crockett Public Relations Coordinator Daphne Hereford at 936-546-3836.

Client News: Inova Loudoun Hospital Launches Mobile Hope

Source: Inova Health System Press Release

Inova Loudoun Hospital is launching a new program, Mobile Hope. This new program was recently developed by Inova Loudoun Hospital's Mobile Health Unit to support the needs of homeless children in Loudoun County.

As one of the richest counties in the country, it is easy to assume Loudoun does not have homeless youth. Yet recently over 650 young students were identified by Loudoun County Public Schools as homeless or precariously housed. Nearly 40 percent of these young people do not have a guardian or parent in their lives. They sleep in cars, in the woods, in abandoned warehouses or "couch surf" among their friends.

More frightening, there likely are many more homeless children living in Loudoun County – as many as hundreds – who have not yet been identified.

Inova Loudoun Hospital’s Mobile Health Services recently became aware of this harsh reality and is quickly establishing partnerships with the Loudoun County Public Schools, churches, police, government officials, health officials and community leaders to create ways for these children to receive essentials including:

• Food
• Clothes
• Blankets
• Hygiene products
• School supplies
• Medical care

The youth that are being helped don’t need to worry because:

Being homeless is not illegal and nothing to be ashamed of.
Being homeless is not always a Child Protective Services call.
Students can get free breakfast and lunch.
Students can get free transportation to and from school.
Students will not be transferred from their current school.
Confidentiality will be met, unless staff feels that the individual is in danger or being abused.

"Inova Loudoun Hospital is committed to successfully partnering with others to meet the basic needs of homeless children in our community. Our hope is that we’ll make a difference in their lives," said Donna Fortier, community affairs executive & director of Mobile Health Services.

The Inova Mobile Health Unit has been providing health care services in the county for over 10 years, traveling throughout Loudoun providing services to a number of clients from large corporations to those in need. This Mobile Health Unit is one solution to delivering needed items to these children.  Inova is especially concerned with providing preventative care to this population, including vaccines, general physicals and other screenings.

For more information visit us on the web at www.inova.org/mobile-hope or to find out how you can help please call 703-858-8935 or email donna.fortier2@inova.org.

Inova Loudoun Hospital, serving Loudoun County for nearly 100 years, is part of the Inova Health System; a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes.  Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Visit us on the web at www.inova.org/ilh.

Homelessness, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act:
Anyone who, due to a lack of housing, lives:
• In emergency or transitional shelters;
• In motels, hotels, trailer parks, campgrounds, abandoned in hospitals, awaiting foster care placement;
• In cars, parks, public places, bus stations or train stations, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
• Doubled-up with relatives or friends, due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
• In these conditions and is a child or youth not in the physical custody of an adult (unaccompanied youth*); and/or
• In these conditions and is a migratory child or youth.

To determine homelessness, consider the permanence and adequacy of the living situation. Evaluate whether living arrangements are: fixed, regular, and adequate.

*Unaccompanied youth—are youth without fixed, regular, and adequate housing and who are not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian. “Unaccompanied youth” would include runaways living in homeless situations and those denied housing by their families (sometimes referred to as “throwaway” children).

Client News: Frazier Rehab Institute’s Pulmonary Rehab Program and Jewish Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab Program Receive Certification by Industry Leader

Source: Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare Press Release

Frazier Rehab Institute and Jewish Hospital’s Garon Lifestyle Center and have received certification of their pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation programs respectively by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Frazier Rehab and Jewish Hospital were recognized for their commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care.

The cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program is designed to help people with cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and pulmonary problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD and respiratory symptoms – recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

“Frazier Rehab Institute and Jewish Hospital are known for world-class care in heart care and comprehensive acute rehab,” said Marty Bonick, president and CEO of Jewish Hospital and Frazier Rehab Institute. “We are honored to be recognized by a leading industry organization.  This certification further demonstrates our constant focus on providing the best possible patient care.”

AACVPR certification is meant to provide a benchmark for best practices, program quality and improving patient outcomes.  The Association provides a systematic approach to quality care and promotes a culture of quality patient care.  AACVPR is the only organization that certifies cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years.

Jewish Hospital and Frazier Rehab Institute’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs participated in the one-month application process which requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. The AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR National Certification Committee and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

About Frazier Rehab Institute 
Frazier Rehab Institute is a comprehensive rehabilitation system with more than 20 locations throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana, providing therapy in acute care settings for inpatient and outpatient rehab needs.  Comprehensive rehab programs, highly skilled therapists, state-of-the-art-facilities and innovative therapeutic techniques have earned Frazier Rehab Institute national recognition.  Patients span the age range from infancy to geriatrics with a wide variety of diagnoses which include neurologic (spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke), amputations, multiple trauma, orthopedic, arthritis, cardiopulmonary, congenital, developmental, degenerative, and general medical cases.

About Jewish Hospital 
Jewish Hospital is an internationally renowned high-tech tertiary referral center developing leading-edge advancements in hand and microsurgery, heart and lung care, home care, rehab medicine (including sports medicine), orthopaedics, neuroscience, occupational health, organ transplantation and outpatient and primary care.  Site of the world’s first successful hand transplant, and the world’s first and second successful AbioCor® Implantable Replacement Heart procedures, the hospital is also federally designated to perform all five solid organ transplants – heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas.

About AACVPR
Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.

Client News: LG Health Breast Cancer Program Receives National Accreditation

Source: Lancaster General Health News Release

Lancaster General Health’s (LG Health) Breast Cancer Program has received a three-year full accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). According to NAPBC, LG Health’s program is one of about 200 in the country to receive this accreditation, which has been in existence for three years. It is the first time LG Health has received this recognition. 

To attain this recognition, breast centers undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of their performance and compliance with the NAPBC standards and maintain their accreditation with on-site reviews every three years. NAPBC-accreditation is granted only to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Several features of LG Health’s Center for Breast Health include digital mammography, MammoSite® Radiation therapy and breast MRI. When there is a diagnosis of breast cancer, nurse navigators guide patients through treatment and help coordinate their care with specialists. Other supportive services include a genetics testing program, a survivorship program and access to clinical trials.  Lancaster General Health is a member of the Penn Cancer Network affiliation.

In the fall of 2011, LG Health will break ground for the new Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center.  The two-story, 70,000 square-foot center will be integrated with LG Health’s Radiation Oncology department at the Suburban Outpatient Pavilion on Harrisburg Pike in Lancaster. 

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) is a consortium of national, professional organizations dedicated to the improvement of the quality of care and the monitoring of outcomes for patients with diseases of the breast.

Happy Labor Day!

Whatever your plans may be today, we at Unibased wish you a happy and safe Labor Day!

Client News: Jewish Hospital Medical Center East Becomes Only Facility in Louisville to Receive Breast MRI Accreditation

Source: Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare Press Release

Jewish Hospital Medical Center East (JHMCE) has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). It is the only facility in Louisville to receive this accreditation.

MRI of the breast offers valuable information about many breast conditions that may not be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound.

“We’re honored to be the first facility in the city to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Shelley Neal, president, Jewish Hospital Medical Center East.  “Accreditation from the ACR distinguishes our organization as the foremost provider of care for women in the region.”

“This accreditation confirms that our experienced MRI technologists are producing high quality exams which allow my partners and I to better detect subtle abnormalities in the breast,” said Frank Lee, M.D., Radiology Specialists of Louisville. “This is just another example of the very high quality service we continue to provide, not only in Women's Imaging but throughout our medical imaging department.”  

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

JHMCE is an outpatient and emergency care facility that provides 24/7 emergency care by board-certified/board-eligible emergency medicine physicians, comprehensive outpatient surgery and endoscopy and a full array of medical imaging and diagnostic services and physician offices covering a variety of specialties.