SCOPE April 2008
Where caring counts. Feel the difference.
TM
How Much Exercise Is Enough? The typical person with metabolic syndrome has excess fat around the waist and a tendency toward high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and high blood sugar. This is hardly the type of person who is likely to rush enthusiastically to the health club in response to a doctor’s recommendation to get more exercise. But how much exercise is enough to treat metabolic syndrome? A Duke University study of 334 adults, aged 40 to 65, with metabolic syndrome found that those who exercised the most and at the greatest intensity (the equivalent of jogging 20 miles a week) got the greatest benefits. But those who did a modest amount of exercise at moderate intensity (brisk walking for 12 or more miles a week) also showed significant improvement, even without changes in diet or eating habits.
Vol. 24 No. 2
Junior Volunteer Heading to West Point
[SOURCE: Joanna Johnson, et al, American Journal of Cardiology; Miranda Hitti, “Metabolic Syndrome: how much exercise?” WebMD Medical News, December 17, 2007]
What You Are Telling Us... The latest summary of information gleaned from the survey & focus groups...
JULY 2007 TELEPHONE SURVEY FINDINGS Here are a few of the comments! Patient satisfaction among District residents is higher for Mason General Hospital than for other hospitals – almost across the board – in inpatient care, emergency department care, outpatient surgery, and mammography. Perceptions of OB services may be lagging. The public’s general perceptions of the hospital are high. For example, MGH’s staff is regarded as caring and compassionate. MGH has low ‘total negatives’ – i.e., the number of respondents with a negative opinion of the hospital. When asked, “Has local healthcare become better in the past 5 years?” survey respondents said: “Better”
“Worse”
Overall quality of healthcare ................... 40%.......................... 6% Hospital and ED/urgent care ................. 38-39% ...................... 6-8% Access to primary care ........................... 26%..........................13% The survey indicates that access to primary care is good locally, based on reported wait times to see a provider. Phone survey respondents’ priorities for the hospital facility: “Extremely Important” State of the art technology ........................................... 70% Expanded ED .............................................................. 55% Expanded Outpatient services....................................... 49% Improved accommodations for inpatients ....................... 47% Continued on page 2…
Luke Pitman, SHS senior
W
hen you meet Luke Pittman, a junior volunteer at Mason General Hospital and a senior at Shelton High School, you know that he is a young man on a mission. With leaving for the United States Military Academy at West Point in June, followed by a possible career in Intelligence (after learning Arabic), Luke’s forward-thinking and intense planning would warm anyone’s heart. “I have so much I want to do in life,” he said, with his infectious smile. “I am not sure how long I will be in the military, but I know after a while I want to go into politics to make things happen.” As a junior volunteer at MGH, Luke helped in many ways – from filing to office work – but the highlight of his Continued on page 2…
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SCOPE Hospital Continues to Advance in “Green”
Continued from page 1…
FEBRUARY FOCUS GROUP THEMES/ FINDINGS Access to primary care (open, stable, affordable, accessible, highlytrained provider practices) was by far the most important priority for focus group participants throughout the District. Access to urgent care was the second priority. There were differing priorities for healthcare among Shelton residents, the other District communities, and Hispanic patients: Shelton residents were likely to focus their ideas for improvement on MGH and its medical staff. In the other District communities, the number one issue was improved access to care with primary and urgent care – preferably closer to their homes. Hispanic participants’ top priority was more/better interpretive services at the hospital and access to primary care. While there was extremely high awareness of Mason General Hospital, there was generally low awareness/ knowledge of the existence of the Hospital District per se; the District’s boundaries, and what the District provides. Participants everywhere found value in the District, and many seemed surprised at how low the current level of taxation to support the District is. Many expressed concern that the hospital needs to remain viable at all cost. Large numbers of Group Health enrollees were frustrated by the perceived limited number of local MDs participating in Group Health. Many said they would also like to be able to use MGH for more than emergency care. Throughout the District, there was extreme high regard for the local Emergency Medical Service. Wait times in the MGH ED were a concern, with an expressed desire for the Hospital to at least keep people better informed during ED wait times.
MGH is a Supporter of Organ & Tissue Donations Help Create a Donation-Friendly America! Each organ and tissue donor saves or improves the lives of as many as 50 people. Giving the “Gift of Life” may lighten the grief of the donor’s own family. Many donor families say that knowing other lives have been saved helps them cope with their tragic loss. Visit this web site for more information: http://organdonor. gov/donor/index.htm
There is now RECYCLING available in the hospital cafeteria! This program is being piloted in the Culinary and Nutritional Services (kitchen and cafeteria) with future plans of expanding into other areas of the hospital. Items that can be recycled in the hospital cafeteria include: glass, plastic beverage bottles, aluminum soda cans, and tin cans.
Junior Volunteer Continued from page 1…
time was when he job-shadowed in surgery. “I was able to see three surgeries, which was really cool,” he added. MGH has many junior volunteers of high school age who help out in several areas at the hospital. “It is a real pleasure to have these young and motivated students in our environment,” said Crystal Diemert, volunteer coordinator at MGH.
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SCOPE ¿Cuánto Ejercicio Es Sufuciente?
Katie Jo Lester
11-Year Old Adult CPR Instructor Helping to save a life is usually something
adults do. Not an 11-year old elementary school student. Katie Jo Lester, who should be hanging out with friends or planning what to wear to school, chooses to be teaching a packed classroom of adults who want to learn CPR. “It is so cool to teach someone CPR knowing they could someday save a life,” said Katie Jo. Her mom, Debi Justice, who is in charge of staffing at Mason General Hospital, and a Basic Cardiac Life Support instructor for MGH, was the one who got Katie Jo on the road to teaching. “I’d go with Mom while she taught classes and then pretty soon I just started to help out,” added Katie Jo. “And then all of sudden, I started to teach, too.” Katie Jo sat and watched her mom for nearly 5 years before she took on the role of an instructor. Tom DiDonna, R.N., education coordinator at MGH, saw the potential in Katie Jo. “She was totally awesome to watch as an instructor,” said Tom. “She had the presence of an adult and the knowledge of a seasoned veteran. She has what it takes to be an instructor.” MGH offers FREE CPR classes every quarter.
Las personas que padecen del síndrome metabólico tienen un exceso de grasa alrededor de la cintura, tienen la tendencia a tener la presión alta, el nivel de triglicéridos alto y también un nivel de azúcar alto. Este tipo de persona raramente se entusiasma por ir al gimnasio para hacer ejercicios, a pesar de que su doctor se lo haya recomendado. ¿Pero, cuánto ejercicio es necesario hacer para tratar el síndrome metabólico? Un estudio realizado con 334 adultos entre las edades de 40 a 65 años que padecen de síndrome metabólico, demostró que los que hacían más ejercicios y con mayor intensidad (el equivalente a trotar 20 millas por semana) obtuvieron mayores beneficios. Pero, los que hicieron ejercicios en cantidades mínimas y con menos intensidad (caminando a un paso rápido por 12 o más millas a la semana) también mostraron una mejoría significativa sin cambios en la dieta o los hábitos alimenticios.
Wanted Volunteers to Celebrate 40th Anniversary In honor of Mason General Hospital’s 40 years of “Where Caring Counts. Feel t h e d i f f e r e n c e, ” there will be many special events held in October. From employee reunions, to open houses, to several community events, Mason General will open its doors to the past while moving ahead to embrace the future to meet the medical needs of the community. To help with this celebration, call Marketing at (360) 426-8374. Many hands will help to make this a true community event. Call today to help!
Did You Know… A GROWING POPULATION The 2006 population of the District was 45,300, which accounts for about 81% of Mason County’s total population. PHD No. 1’s population is expected to grow by nearly 5% through 2011. The District is much ‘older’ than Washington as a whole in that seniors (age 65+) account for 18% of the population (versus less than 12% statewide). The District’s senior population is expanding rapidly, and is expected to be nearly 14% larger by 2011.
FEBRUARY FOCUS GROUPS REVEALED Based on the District’s ongoing needs assessments and what we have heard to date from District residents, our current priorities include: Physician Recruitment: There are 45 active providers on MGH’s medical staff. However, residents have concerns about access to physicians. Analysis, based on national standards, suggests a local need for two additional Internal Medicine (primary care) Physicians, as well as an additional Orthopaedic Surgeon, and another Obstetrician/Gynecologist. An Ophthalmologist was recently recruited to Mason County Eye Clinic. Information Technology: In order to provide high quality, state-of-the-art care, there is a need to continue significant investments in Information Technology (i.e. computer systems). Facilities: The MGH building itself is now 40 years old. The last facility expansion/major upgrade was completed nearly 17 years ago. Many departments (Emergency Services and Diagnostic Imaging, for example) have outgrown their current space. A healthcare architect is currently assessing the facility needs.
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SCOPE Did You Know… KEEPING PACE Because of its strong position, the District has been able to make significant investments in its information and patient care technology and equipment, with annual investment having more than doubled since 2004. Recent improvements at MGH include new and improved X-ray rooms, a remodeled lab, an advanced CT scanner, new ICU and OB monitoring equipment, digital X-ray transmission, a mobile MRI machine, and major data/computer system upgrades.
A STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION PHD No. 1’s 2007 operating budget was approximately $49 million. Of that, 5% was generated from taxes. Of the approximately $2,400 annual property tax bill paid by the average District taxpayer (depending on where you live and based on $200,000 assessed valuation), $90 (or less than 4%) is for the Hospital District. In 2007, we provided almost $2 million dollars in charity care. The District is currently in a strong financial position and will work hard to maintain the financial position necessary to ensure a secure future for quality healthcare.
Can Salt Take Your Breath Away? If you’re on a low-sodium diet, it’s probably because you have high blood pressure. Recent research at Indiana University indicates that you might also want to consider cutting back on your salt intake if you have exercise-induced asthma. Physiologist Tim Mickleborough, Ph.D., and his colleagues put 12 young men and women with exercise-induced asthma on a low-sodium diet (1,600 milligrams per day) and an equal number on the same diet but with extra salt (10,000 milligrams daily). At the end of two weeks, a treadmill test found that those on the low-salt diet could exhale far more air, needed their bronchodilator drugs less frequently, and had fewer markers of inflammation in their sputum. Dr. Mickleborough theorized that subjects on the high-salt diet had greater blood volume, making it harder for oxygen to be transferred within the tiny blood vessels of the lungs. [SOURCE: Rachael Moeller Gorman, “Can eating too much salt take your breath away?” WebMD feature from “Eating Well,” 2007]
¿Puede la Sal Dejarle sin Aire? Si usted consume una dieta baja en sodio, es probable que tenga la presión sanguínea alta. Estudios hechos recientemente en la Universidad de Indiana indican que si usted tiene asma inducida por el ejercicio también debería considerar el reducir el uso de la sal. El Fisiólogo Tim Mickleborough, Ph.D., y sus colegas pusieron a 12 hombres y mujeres jóvenes que tienen asma inducida por el ejercicio, en una dieta baja en sodio (1,600 miligramos por día) y a la misma cantidad de personas en una dieta con un mayor contenido de sal (10,000 miligramos diarios). Al final de las dos semanas, una prueba utilizando el molino estacionario comprobó que aquellas personas que consumieron una dieta baja en sodio podían exhalar más aire, sin la necesidad de utilizar las medicinas bronquiodilatadoras tan frecuentemente y que sus flemas indicaban una menor inflamación. El Dr. Mickleborough teoriza que las personas que consumieron una dieta con un alto contenido de sal, mostraron tener un mayor volumen de sangre lo cual dificulta el paso del oxígeno por los vasos sanguíneos de los pulmones.
“I like Dr. Al Alou very much. He has seen my daughter since the day she was born.” — Oakland Bay Pediatrics “I felt very comfortable with Dr. Vuong. She is fabulous; professional and caring in her approach to patients.” — Mason County Eye Clinic “I love our hospital, doctors, and the Medicine Shoppe – all located conveniently central. We have the best! Why go anywhere else? The nurses were more than helpful and came through with flying colors when the electricity went out (due to storm).” — Inpatient “Everyone was very professional and friendly. They helped me, laughed with me, and took very good care of me.” — Outpatient Surgery “The lab tech was a good counselor when I was hurting. She was very supportive and I really appreciated her care in doing my difficult blood draw.” — Laboratory “I have never been treated so well in any hospital I have ever been in. I hope if I am ever sick again, it’s in the Shelton area.” — Emergency Department “We cannot say enough about the nurses. They ALL were GREAT.” — Outpatient Surgery
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SCOPE Having a baby? Want to have it close to home? Go to www.MasonGeneral.com/birth.htm to read all about about Mason General Hospital’s birthing plans and board-certified or board-eligible obstetricians.
Click on This! Want more information on our Emergency Department?
Go to www.MasonGeneral.com/ER.html Want to see and read all about medical staff at MGH? www.MasonGeneral.com/new_site/medicaldirectory.pdf Eye Surgery? Meet the surgeon! www.MasonGeneral.com/eyeclinic.htm Need a Support Group? www.MasonGeneral.com/support_groups.htm
Patient Safety is paramount at MGH. For more information go to
www.MasonGeneral.com/Safety_Brochure.pdf Want to see and hear about Mason General Hospital? Go to www.MasonGeneral.com and scroll to the bottom of the home page and look for “Video Tour.”
Did You Know… MGH has an active Physician Recruitment team – composed of community members, staff, administration, physicians, and a member from the board of hospital commissioners – who are actively recruiting new physicians to care for the residents of Mason County. Currently the team is working to recruit an orthopaedic surgeon, an obstetrician/gynecologist, a family practice specialist, an internal medicine specialist, and a pediatrician. If you’d like more information on this please call (360) 426-1611 and speak to MGH’s medical staff coordinator.
When Your Feet Swell During Air Travel Even an athlete can experience foot swelling during a long airline flight, and it’s usually nothing to worry about. The swelling can be attributed to lower air pressure in the cabin, dehydration, and prolonged sitting in a position that causes blood to pool in the leg veins. If you have hypertension or are taking certain medications, the swelling may be worse. The best prevention is drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, wearing clothes that fit loosely around the waist, elevating your feet and legs whenever possible, rotating your ankles frequently and getting up and walking at least once an hour. Excessive swelling, particularly if it occurs in one leg only and is accompanied by pain, could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis or a blood clot in the leg – a condition requiring medical attention. [SOURCE: “Foot swelling during air travel: a concern?” MayoClinic.com, January 15, 2007]
Did You Know… DISTRICT DESCRIPTION Mason County Public Hospital District No. 1 owns and operates Mason General Hospital, North Mason Medical Clinic in Belfair, Oakland Bay Pediatrics, and Mason County Eye Clinic. It also provides numerous health education and support groups for the community. The District encompasses all communities within Mason County with the exception of Belfair, DeWatto, and Tahuya. The Commissioners, elected by District voters, are Don Wilson, Nancy Trucksess, and Scott Hilburn.
New
to the area? Need a doctor? Want to get to know your hospital?
Go to www.MasonGeneral.com for detailed information on Services, Physicians, Classes, and Support Groups.
Searching for a local physician? NEW 2008 Medical Directory now available in print or on MGH’s website. It includes physician photos, contact information, e-mail addresses, etc.
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SCOPE Did You Know… PATIENT VOLUMES Mason General Hospital (MGH) has been at its current location since 1968. In addition to caring for nearly 2,000 inpatients in 2007, MGH has experienced dramatic growth in emergency and outpatient services: Emergency Room Outpatient Visits Visits 42,019 5,180 2000 52,545 21,133 2007 + 25% % Change + 39%
Do You Take Medications on a Daily Basis? Write them down.
Mark Trucksess, M.D. 1940 - 2008
Thank you
Mark Trucksess, M.D.
The type of medications you take (this includes all over-the-counter ones, too) and the dosages, are important to your medical team at Mason General Hospital. Please remember to bring a list of these medications and dosages whenever you come to the hospital for care. We do not have access to your records at the local pharmacies or your doctor’s office. Because of this, it is very important to have these medications written on a card placed in your wallet. Please remember to update the card every time your medications change.
Monica Vuong, M.D. with the new digital, state-of-the-art equipment.
• Routine Eye Exams • Diagnosis & treatment of eye diseases • Treatment of Glaucoma, Cataracts & Diabetes • Emergent Care • Eye Surgery
(360) 426-8717 2300 Kati Court, Suite C, Shelton
For your leadership, guidance, and loving medical care for our community! You will be missed. —Staff, administration, volunteers, and physicians
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SCOPE News Briefs ...Congratulations to MGH “Employees of the Month” for March - Dave Pearch, safety officer; and April - Pat Smith, CNA, medical/ surgical/pediatrics. ...Treasures Thrift Store recognized “Volunteer of the Month” for January - Lois Turrell; and February - Terry Perkins. Congratulations! ...Tim Sperry, D.P.M., C.R. is the new Quality Improvement director at Mason General Hospital. Tim is a retired physician and practiced podiatric medicine in Bellevue. He most recently worked in administration at the Lovelace Health Plan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he served as Quality Improvement (QI) manager. He also supervised QI for Molina Healthcare of New Mexico. “I am pleased to have Tim as a part of our team at MGH, and the experience and skills he brings to this organization,” said Bob Appel, CEO at MGH. Tim and his wife, Karen, live at Tim Sperry, D.P.M. Lakeland Village. QI Director ...In keeping with our Mission Statement, “...to protect and promote the health of the people in Mason County while extending respect and compassion...”, Mason General Hospital wants to help make healthcare affordable. If you need financial assistance with hospital expenses, please call the MGH Business Office at (360) 427-9547 for more information on: • 25% Discount • Property Tax Adjustment • Uncompensated Care ...Mason General Hospital Foundation recently announced its officers for 2008. Sara Watkins will serve as president; Steve DeMiero, vice president; Joan Hayes, secretary/treasurer; and past-president is Peg Stock. Completing the board are Directors: Angela Barnes, Janis Byrd, Peggy Cleveland, Adele DuPont, Sallie Faughender, Fred Finn, Merlyn Flakus, Marian Greenberg, Beth Gregg, Patricia Heaton, Karen Hilburn, Linda Hoff, Gary Koch, Mark Mager, James McElroy, Jeff McHargue, May McKay, Mary Anne Munson, Tim Sayan, Bill Smith, and Donna Wolden. MGH Foundation sponsors the Annual Golf Tournament, the American Business Women’s Award, and Fantasy Forest. ...Medical staff officers elected – chiefs of service appointed. MGH’s more than 100 physicians recently elected its medical officers and appointed its Chiefs of Service for 2008. There are more than 100 physicians in 21 specialties – active, courtesy, and consulting – with
privileges at MGH. Elected as Chief-of-Staff is Dean E. Gushee, M.D., board-certified in emergency medicine and head of MGH’s emergency physicians. Saad Al Alou, M.D., board-certified in pediatrics at Oakland Bay Pediatrics, is assistant chiefof-staff; while Roy Belville, M.D., board-certified in Dean E. Gushee, M.D. emergency medicine, is Chief-of-staff secretary. Bonnie J. Davis, M.D., board-certified family practice specialist of Shelton Family Medicine, is past chief-of-staff. The 2008 Clinical Chiefs of Service department Saad Al Alou, M.D. heads are: Chief of Anes- Assistant chief-of-staff thesia, Robert F. Goad, M.D.; Chief of Intensive Care Unit, Mark L. Schlauderaff, M.D.; Chief of Emergency Services, Dean E. Gushee, M.D.; Chief of Infant and Children’s Services, Saad Al Alou, M.D.; Chief of Laboratory Services, Terrence A. Schulte, M.D.; Chief of Medical/Surgical, Roy Belville, M.D. Secretary Christopher W. Penoyar, D.O.; Chief of Obstetrics, Jonathan A. Gold, M.D.; Chief of Physical Therapy, Michael G. E. Thomas, M.D.; Chief of Respiratory Therapy, Douglas F. Bonnie J. Davis, M.D. Lindahl, D.O.; Chief of Surgery, Michael G. E. Past chief-of-staff Thomas, M.D.; and Chief of Radiology, David J. Gacetta, M.D.
Fred Barthe
Fran Smith
Elizabeth Midboe
Bonnie Wilson
EMPLOYEE FOCUS
Live, Learn, Work at MGH Melissa Clark, R.N., assistant manager of medical/surgical/pediatrics department
Melissa Clark, R.N.
“I enjoy working at Mason General,” said Melissa. “We are a great team. I also love the patients and their families and helping them where needed.”
Orella Wooldridge
Mason General Hospital loves its volunteers who help out in many ways. Every day, volunteers help MGH staff with many tasks that are important to patient care.
Lydia & Darren Wagner
National Volunteer Week is April 27 - May 3... and in honor of this nationwide celebration, MGH wants to recognize all of its hospital volunteers.
“Thank you, Volunteers, for your gift of time and compassion. We appreciate you!” – MGH staff, physicians and administrators
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Our Mission: We take every possible action to protect and promote the health of the people in Mason County while extending respect and compassion as we serve each individual. Published by: Public Hospital District No. 1 for Mason General Hospital, Oakland Bay Pediatrics, North Mason Medical Clinic, and Mason County Eye Clinic. Published six times per year. Editor: McCarty & Associates, Inc. “a marketing firm” Business Office: Office hours: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Spanish Translator Available. Located at Gateway Center, 2505 Olympic Hwy N., Suite 460, (360) 427-9547 Mason General Hospital: Visiting hours: 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., daily. Intensive Care Unit (I.C.U.) visiting hours: special hours on a patient-by-patient basis, call for Unit hours. Located at: 901 Mtn. View Drive, Building 1, PO Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584-5001, (360) 426-1611, from Belfair (360) 275-8614. Serving the medical needs of the county since 1968. Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. TTY/TTD: (360) 427-9593.
Translation Services Provided. Se habla español. Equal Opportunity Provider. Oakland Bay Pediatrics: 247 Professional Way, Shelton, WA 98584, (360) 426-3102 North Mason Medical Clinic: 140 N.E. S.R. 300, Belfair, WA 98528, (360) 275-4084, from Shelton (360) 426-8405 Mason County Eye Clinic: 2300 Kati Court, Suite C, Shelton, WA 98584, (360) 426-8717 Administration: Bob Appel, chief executive officer; Eric Moll, chief financial officer; Diane Stillman, chief operating officer; Dean Gushee, M.D., chief of staff; Don Wilson, commissioner/president; Scott Hilburn and Nancy Trucksess, commissioners.
Approved by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
Mason General Hospital POB 1668 Shelton, WA 98584
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Olympia, WA Permit No. 78
ECRWSS Postal Customer