Spring 2014

memorial

Medical Milestones

Spring 2014

building a better experience Page 10

Innovations Page 4

Navigating Cancer Care Page 8

Physician Spotlight Page 12

To our community get ready for memorial 3.0 When I started at Memorial in 2006, for me, it marked the beginning of what I like to call Memorial 2.0., a new version with change on the horizon.

In the past seven years, we have certainly made great improvements to enhance the quality and array of services we provide to the community. Most recently, we completed the rehabilitation unit, the reading room, purchased land on Nelson Road for the construction of a new medical office building, and began a construction project to double the size of our emergency room.

“In just a few short years, we have reinvented our hospital into a thriving health care system, the best in southwest Louisiana.”

Larry Graham, CEO

From the services standpoint, we have implemented mobile nurse-to-patient phones on inpatient nursing units, added urgent care and specialty clinics to our Moss Memorial campus, recruited additional doctor’s for the Memorial Medical Group, and there is more to come.

Looking into the future (3.0), this year we will begin the renovation and expansion of our ICU unit and a new modern medical office building for Moss Memorial is on the drawing board. New technology additions this year include a system that identifies patient information via a hand scan, as well as a discharge system which provides a video with discharge instructions and sends text reminders, emails, tasks, and care messages to patients for better compliance with their care plan.

Healthcare is evolving and so must we. In just a few short years, we have reinvented our hospital into a thriving health care system, the best in southwest Louisiana.

It’s a positive time for all of our hospitals, clinics and physician offices. We are proud of our past success, but even more committed to the future of Memorial, a future that we are building to serve you.

PHYSICIAN REFERRAL • 1-800-494-LCMH (5264)

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memorial

Medical Milestones Page 4

Innovations 4 New Test for Lung Cancer

Regaining Function

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Neurologic Outpatient Rehabilitation Program

Navigating Cancer Care

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Patient Navigator

Cover Story

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Building a Better Experience

Physician Spotlight 12

Page 6

Danette Null, MD: Navy Veteran & Family Medicine Specialist

Art & Literature 14 David B. Usher Reading Room

Coming Events 16 Education Classes and Support Groups

PatientSecure 18 New Admissions Technology

Page 10

On the Cover Construction workers work on the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department.

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Page 12

CT LUNG CANCER SCREENING

CT Lung Cancer Screenings are highly sensitive and can help physicians find tumors and cancer-related abnormalities at a very early stage — smaller than 1 cm in size.

Innovations

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Now Available at Memorial For heavy smokers past and present, a low-dose CT lung cancer screening may very well be a lifesaver. CT Lung Cancer Screenings are highly sensitive and can help physicians find tumors and cancer-related abnormalities at a very early stage — smaller than 1 cm in size. Early detection greatly improves treatability and survival rates.

Memorial follows a nationally standardized screening protocol and maintains our equipment to ensure a lowdose of radiation CT examination, while still delivering the necessary diagnostic image quality. Our radiologists are trained in the image acquisition and interpretation specific for this type of screening.

Is It Right for You? The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Chest Physicians guidelines suggest CT Lung Cancer Screenings for high-risk patients defined as:

CT lung cancer screening is simple. Patients simply lie still on the CT bed for a few seconds and the scanning is complete. Radiologists review the scans and consult with the patient’s physician on our findings. Physicians follow-up with their patient on a course of action, if necessary.

It is important to note that false positives do occur and may lead to further testing and biopsy. Radiologists work closely with a patient’s physician to minimize that risk and follow a conservative path in line with their medical history and health.

High risk: • Age 55 to 74 and • =/> 30 pack-year smoking history and • Smoking cessation less than 15 years or current smoker

A referral from a primary care physician is required to determine whether or not a patient fits the criteria and is a candidate for the screening.

Heavy smoking means a smoking history of 30 pack years or more. A pack year is smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. For example, a person could have a 30 pack-year history by smoking one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years, even if that person has quit. Patients who fall into this risk category should be considered for an annual screening.

Currently, CT Lung Cancer Screenings are NOT covered by most insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. Therefore, your out-of-pocket cost will be $250. Please check with your insurance company.

Other factors that exacerbate the effects of smoking, such as a family history of cancer or significant exposure to airborne carcinogens, should also be considered when determining if and at what age a patient should be screened.

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Regaining Function

Patients commute from home and take part in the most complete rehabilitation program in the area.

An occupational therapist works with a patient to regain basic motor skills.

“Our number one goal for a successful rehabilitation is to get our patients as close as possible to the type of life they want to live.”

Nick Cronan, DPT

Lake Charles Memorial’s Neurologic Outpatient Rehabilitation Program is uniquely designed and delivered for each patient based on their individual needs. Patients commute from home and take part in the most complete rehabilitation program in the area including: physical, occupational, speech and language/cognition therapy, and neuropsychology.

“Therapy focuses on patient and family education to transition the patient to a more independent level of care,” says Nick Cronan, who holds a doctorate in physical therapy and is a team leader for outpatient and physical therapy at Memorial. “As therapy goals are met or conditions change, certain therapies may

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be discontinued, while others may intensify. Out of necessity, outpatient rehabilitation has become very functional and direct.”

This rehabilitation program is tailor-made to each patient’s current abilities and future goals. The therapy staff is comprised of certified specialists to provide care for multi-trauma patients, both with standard and unique issues.

Physical Therapy is meant to improve the patient’s overall ability to move around under their own power, improve safety and maximize their independence. There is a focus on increasing the patient’s ability to move safely and freely throughout their house, community, during recreation and work environment.

One such tool used is the NeuroCom®, a concept first developed

by NASA to retrain astronauts when they returned to Earth. The machine manipulates the environment around the patient to help them regain balance. Memorial has the only NeuroCom® in the lake area.

Ocupational Therapy is used to restore a person’s independence in daily life activities. The focus is to establish and improve a person’s ability to participate in everyday roles, routines, habits, and rituals. It targets improving deficits in upper body strength, coordination, mobility, cognition, endurance, and safety.

Speech

Therapy focuses on an individual’s present

communication ability and utilizes specific approaches to enable the patient to communicate most effectively. Therapists address the patient’s ability to comprehend information and/or express basic wants and needs.

Assessment and treatment of swallowing also falls within the speech pathologist scope of practice. Swallow disorders are characterized by difficulty chewing, initiating a swallow, and mechanical weakness that decreases the movement of food into the esophagus.

Nick Cronan, DPT works with a patient on the NeuroCom® “Outpatient evaluation and training is designed not only to monitor progress towards rehabilitation goals, but also to build skills, confidence, self awareness and compensation strategies in a variety of settings,” Cronan says. “Our number one goal for a successful rehabilitation is to get our patients as close as possible to the type of life they want to live.”

Usually the first step toward re-integration into the community is a functional evaluation followed by goal-directed training.

Memorial’s neurologic program uses real life assessments of independence in the community, capabilities and functional limitations prior to an individual’s attempt to return to pre-injury activities or employment.

For more information call, (337) 494-2556.

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Patient Navigation Program

NAVIGATING CANCER CARE

Patient Navigator Lenore Hayes (right) works with cancer patient Carolyn Neal.

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The diagnosis and treatment of cancer and living with the disease may be confusing, intimidating, and overwhelming for an individual, family member or caregiver.

Lake Charles Memorial Cancer Center recognizes this responsibility to assist our patients, their families, and caregivers to move through the continuum of care with a new navigation program.

national president of the American Cancer Society, patient navigator programs assign trained individuals to work with patients and guide them through and around barriers in the cancer care system.

“‘You have cancer’ are three words that most often times create significant fear, stress and a lot of questions,” says Lenore Hayes, Patient Navigator for Lake Charles Memorial. “With this new program we want to cut down on that anxiety by supporting our patients every step of the way. We want to assist, guide and empower the cancer patient.”

“There should be no barriers to the highest level of care and compassion for any and all patients, and navigation is powerful and smart enough to bridge the gaps and ensure quality of care throughout its continuum. This is something that will not change, and the future for patient navigation is limitless,” Dr. Freeman says.

Typical barriers a patient navigator might address include fear, language and cultural barriers, child care needs, transportation issues, lack of financial resources, insurance difficulties, fragmentation in healthcare, emotional and informational needs.

Each week, Hayes gets a new list of patients diagnosed with cancer and contacts them by phone for a brief introduction. She identifies and addresses any barriers to care, questions, needs or concerns the patient may have.

Patient navigation has shown to be successful in overcoming these barriers, resulting in an efficient strategy to reduce cancer mortality.

Patients receive information personalized to their needs, organized in a binder so that they know what to expect with their particular treatment, what questions to ask their various doctors and what they will need to keep up with their appointment schedule.

“Time is a factor with a cancer diagnosis,” Hayes says. “Timely access throughout the entire treatment process contributes to an increased chance of them having a positive outcome. That is our goal, to increase the success rate of treatment for our patients.”

“I did some research on my own, but I had nothing close to the information Lenore gave me,” says cancer patient Carolyn Neal. “It helped me stay organized when I didn’t think that was possible. I now have all the numbers of my doctors and appointments in one place. There are so many programs available for cancer patients that I never would have known about if it wasn’t for Lenore Hayes sharing this invaluable knowledge.”

Patients like Neal take comfort in the fact that Hayes will be there to guide them every step of the way, allowing patients and families to focus solely on healing. Contact with the patient will occur at high-stress points and at each transition to their next step in care, re-addressing any barriers to care for the patient at these points.

The navigation program is available to all Memorial cancer patients. For more information, call 337.494.4890.

A concept pioneered by Harold P. Freeman, M.D., former

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Cover Story

Future Nelson Road Office Building

building a better experience Since 2007, Lake Charles Memorial Health System has invested $60 million in system upgrades from technology to infrastructure to services. Over the next three years, Memorial has planned investments of over $55 million. Once completed, a total of around $115 million will have been spent on technology, infrastructure and service delivery to build a premier health system for Southwest Louisiana.

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Future Moss Memorial Office Building

2007-2013 $60 million in updates • Cancer Linear Accelerator Installation • Surgery Center Expansion and Upgrade • GI Center Addition • Cath Lab Expansion and Upgrade • Sterile Processing Center Upgrade • ER Upgrade/Fast Track Addition • Cafeteria Redesign • Parking Expansion • Electronic Medical Records Installation • Emergency Generators and HVAC Upgrades • Memorial Medical Group Expansion - 62 physicians and counting...

• Reading Room Addition • Rehabilitation Center Upgrade • Switchboard Upgrade • Portable Patient Lift Addition

Future 9th Floor ICU

2014-2016 $55 million in planned updates • ER Expansion • ICU Expansion • GI Center Expansion • Cancer Linear Accelerator Upgrade • 2nd MRI Addition • Medical Office Building - Nelson Road • Medical Office Building - Moss Memorial Campus • Admission Upgrade: Biometric Hand Recognition Records • Physician Dictation Voice Recognition System • Portable Nurse Call Phone System • Advanced Patient Discharge System

Future ER Expansion

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Physician Spotlight Danette Null, MD Family Medicine Specialist & Navy Veteran

Dr. Danette Null makes hospital rounds with family medicine specialist residents.

Dr. Danette Null cares for entire families as a Family Medicine Specialist, a calling she has done for the past 10 years. A DeRidder native, she and her husband, Rob, moved back to Southwest Louisiana in 2008, but not before crisscrossing the country as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy.

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Dr. Null’s path to the Navy came at the urging of her father after she received scholarship offers in the mail. She had one grandfather that served in the Navy during World War II and another that served in the Army. After much reflection and prayer, Dr. Null decided to interview and received a four-year scholarship to medical school.

“It was fun and different,” Dr. Null says. “I took care of people who have taken care of you on a much bigger level. We took care of POW’s, retired veterans, active duty and spouses of those deployed. You’re the support group for the ones on the front lines.”

She would spend seven years as a Navy doctor. It is where she met her husband Rob while stationed in Pensacola, Florida. She was going through her family medicine residency and he was going through flight training.

“The diseases are the same in the Navy, it’s just how it influences what people do that is different,” Dr. Null says.

“I had to understand what their role was in the Navy, how to keep them in that role, what the limitations are that may lead them to not being able to do that role anymore, then having to do something different.”

An expecting Dr. Danette Null with her husband Rob while stationed in Pensacola, FL.

Today, you can find Dr. Null at the Memorial/Louisiana State University Health Science Center Family Medicine Clinic, where she not only treats patients, but trains the next generation of family medicine doctors.

That family includes not only her husband Rob, but sevenyear-old son, Collin, and five-year-old daughter, Tessa.

Camping is a family activity of choice as her son is a boy scout and her daughter a girl scout, with the den leaders being mom and dad.

She, along with other faculty, supervise 24 doctors who are extending their education by three years to become family medicine specialists. Her day is far from typical. She treats her patients, sees patients with the residents and makes rounds to see her patients in the hospital.

The busy life works out well for this family of four, due to what she says is her very supportive husband and her faith in God.

“You never get bored. I love the continuity. I love the relationships, getting to know a patient over the years rather than a one or two time visit,” Dr. Null says. “I really like the babies. I like the pregnant women. I like women’s health. I like the elderly. I don’t get tired, because it’s not the same thing every single day.”

“It’s not always easy. Some days are better than others,” Dr. Null says. “I really like what I do, but I also try my very best when I’m not here to be home. I really try not to do too much else that doesn’t involve my family.”

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Memorial Dedicates David B.Usher Reading Room

Walk into the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital atrium and visitors’ eyes quickly pan to the second floor. There they will find a quiet space full of color and literature.

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The David B. Usher Reading Room is an open air space located on the second floor of the hospital’s atrium. It is intended to be a place where family members can wait comfortably while their relatives/friends are having procedures. Free use of books and Wi-Fi Internet access is available to help patrons pass the time.

“I am so happy that Dad was able to complete this project with Lake Charles Memorial Hospital,” says Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts. “The Lake Charles area was always so supportive of him and his artwork so our family is grateful that the community came together to present such a wonderful collection of work that will forever be displayed in the David B. Usher Reading Room.”

Through combined donations to the Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, the reading room is now a reality, officially dedicated on Tuesday, February 18.

Last year, more than 300 employees throughout the Lake Charles Memorial Health System donated $80,000 to help fund the reading room.

“There is so much to celebrate with the completion of the reading room. It provides a variety of reading material for the patients of Lake Charles Memorial and their family members.

It also celebrates Mr. George Rodrigue and his wonderful contributions to Louisiana artwork,” the Usher Family says. “For our family, it represents the opportunity to keep David’s memory alive.

We hope people might be inspired to treat others with the same kindness and respect that David exemplified in his professional and personal life.”

David B. Usher served Lake Charles Memorial in many different capacities for more than 20 years. His most recent role was that of Senior Vice President of Business Development until his untimely death in May of 2013.

“Words cannot describe the feeling of making this project a reality,” says Leif Pedersen, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at Memorial. “So many people came together with donations of time and money to make this happen. This room was built to honor the many that gave so much to the success of this hospital, and it will be here to serve the patients and families for years to come.”

Six, 6 feet by 4 feet Blue Dog mixed media paintings by George Rodrigue, flank the reading room, hanging from the atrium rafters. The original paintings were made possible by the George Rodrigue Foundation for the Arts and local donors: Mr. & Mrs. John Condos, Dr. & Mrs. Brett Cascio, Dr. Kevin Mocklin & Dr. Cynthia Scott, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Shearman and Dr. Dale Archer, Jr.

The 2014 Daffodil Tea Tuesday, April 29, 2014 L’Auberge Ballroom 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Additionally, Larry Graham, President & CEO of Memorial Health System, donated a seventh Blue Dog mixed media piece. It hangs on the Donor Recognition Wall, honoring the men and women of the Military Medical Personnel, past & present.

For tickets, call 337-494-3226.

Proceeds benefit The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Cancer Fund

The paintings are some of the last commissioned by Rodrigue before his passing in January.

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Calendar of Events Support Groups COPING WITH CANCER

LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER

For those cancer patients who are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or who have completed treatment. For more

Looking good can often be an important step toward feeling good - especially for women who are fighting the cancer battle.

information, call Lenore Hayes, Memorial’s Patient Navigator,

With that in mind, Memorial and the American Cancer Society

(337) 494-4890

are offering women struggling with cancer - the diagnosis,

First Wednesday of each month Café Bon Vie • Memorial Hospital Cafeteria

treatment and concerns about their appearance - a chance to Look Good...Feel Better. For more information, call (337) 433-

5:30 - 6:30pm

5817.

DESIGNER GENES A support group by and for the parents of children with genetic

Fourth Monday of every other month Shearman Conference Room at Memorial Hospital Noon - 2pm

disorders. Located at Memorial Hospital for Women, 1900 W. Gauthier Road. For more information, call the group’s founders, Ashleigh Hornsby (337) 853-7657 or Jessi James (337) 563-1178.

Second Saturday of each month

SARCOIDOSIS SUPPORT GROUP A group for people in our area dealing with this incurable disease, to come together to share their stories, health tips and

Memorial for Women • Noon

support. For more information, call Sabrina Sonnier at (337) 842-5939.

DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP Don’t underestimate the importance of education and peer

First Tuesday of each month Shearman Conference Room

support when living with diabetes. Located at Memorial’s Diabetes Education Office, 2804 Second Avenue. For more

6pm - 7pm

information, call Memorial’s Diabetes Education at (337) 4946425.

First Tuesday of each month

LA LECHE LEAGUE A breastfeeding group, La Leche League offers a series of meetings consisting of four classes that are helpful for pregnant

Diabetes Education Office • 10am – 11am

moms and moms who are already nursing. Meetings are free and open to mothers and babies.

First Thursday of each month Memorial for Women Education Room 2 10am – 11:30am

SISTERS SURVIVING A breast cancer support group for African-American women, but open to any woman regardless of race. For more information, call (337) 433-5817.

Third Tuesday of each month MOB II Conference Room • 6pm

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Spring 2014 Prenatal and Family Education Classes Registration is required for all classes. For more information or to register, call 480-7243. All classes are held in the education rooms at Memorial for Women, 1900 W. Gauthier Road. Tours are available after all prenatal classes and at 1:30pm on the first Thursday of each month.

PREPARED CHILDBIRTH CLASS 4-WEEK SERIES

SIBLING CLASS

This class is highly recommended for its hands-on, and often fun, approach to dealing with labor, delivery and recovery. Birth

This class is recommended during the last three months of pregnancy. Preparing siblings for the arrival of a new baby can

preparation is discussed regarding natural delivery, birth with an

be as confusing as it is joyous. This class focuses on the unity of

epidural and cesarean birth. Bring your pillows, your questions and don’t forget to breathe. Recommended during the last three

the family. Older siblings ages 2-10 are asked to attend with one or both parents. The children will have hands-on practice with

months of pregnancy.

Mondays - March 17, 24

dolls to learn how to interact with a new baby. Parents will receive informative guidelines and everyone will tour the mother/baby unit.

Wednesdays - May 7, 14, 21, 28 Tuesdays - July 8, 15, 22, 29 Wednesdays - September 3, 10, 17, 24

April 8, June 2, July 14 September 9, October 28, December 2 6pm – 7pm • $10/Family

Mondays - November 3, 10, 17, 24 6pm – 8pm • $40/Couple

BABY CARE CLASS

ONE DAY PREPARED CHILDBIRTH CLASS

The Baby Care Class reviews newborn characteristics, general baby care, early parenting issues and community resources.

Recommended during the last 3 months of pregnancy.

Learn comfort, relaxation, positioning, breathing, and massage techniques for increasing the comfort level and enhancing the

April 14, June 9, July 28, September 22, November 4

birth experience during this condensed version of the Prepared Childbirth Series. Recommended for the last 3 months of

6pm – 8pm • $10/Couple

pregnancy.

April 5, June 28, August 23, October 18

INFANT AND CHILD CPR CLASS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS Learn and practice rescue for choking and CPR for infants. This is NOT a certifying or credentialing course, but is recommended for expectant parents, new parents and support persons.

April 3, June 12, July 31, September 11, November 6, December 3 6pm – 8:15pm • $10/Person

9am – 4pm • $40/Couple BREASTFEEDING CLASS Learn positioning, latch-on, early feedings and the importance of assessing baby’s intake during the Breastfeeding Class.

Recommended during the last 3 months of pregnancy.

April 10, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 25,

SAFE SITTER The best sitter is a safe sitter! The Safe Sitter® Class is designed for boys and girls ages 11 to 13. Sitters learn safety tips, how to recognize a medical emergency, what the appropriate action should be during an emergency, such as when a child or infant is choking, and how to have fun with children.

June 11, June 18, July 9 8:30am - 3:45pm • $40/Sitter

October 30, November 13, December 4 6pm – 8:30pm • $10/Couple

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011 001 000 11 01100010 222 00 2001000111 11001100 00` 0000`

Patient Identification in the

Palm of your Hand At Lake Charles Memorial, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality of care, and we consider your safety a priority. That is why we are introducing PatientSecure, a new and more secure way to register at any participating Lake Charles Memorial Health System facility. Our PatientSecure system utilizes the latest in biometric technology that will streamline patient registration and provide accurate identification of patients.

Benefits of PatientSecure •

Patient Safety: Your identity is instantly confirmed at registration. This ensures that the registrar accesses your personal medical record. In an emergency, we can access your medical record even if you are unconscious

•

Protects You from Identity Theft: Ensures accurate patient ID during registration. No one can pretend to be you

•

Ensures Privacy: Limits the amount of personal information (social security number, address) that needs to be said aloud

•

Convenience: Once enrolled, your record can be accessed instantly at any participating Lake Charles Memorial Health System facility

How It Works PatientSecure is highly accurate and works by scanning the vein pattern of your palm. Vein pattern in a palm is highly unique to each person. The scan uses harmless near-infrared light, which is the same as the light of a TV remote control. The advanced algorithm processes your vein pattern to create an encrypted and protected digital file which is linked to your unique medical record.

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Letters Dear Memo

rial,

I came into your hospita l emergency December a room with c nd from the hest pains b ti m e w ack in e came throug the lady at th h the doors, e front desk starting with all the way th your nurses, rough the em to your docto e rg ency room fr rs and back with kindness om out the doo and professio rs w e w e re treated nal service.

The emerge ncy room se rvice was qu system in p ick and effic lay not foun ient. You ha d ve a great in many other worked grea h ospitals. Yo t together. ur employee s I was admit ted to the h ospital for fu scared and a rther testing ll of your sta . I was very ff tr e sick and ated me with that all would k in d words and be well. They reassurance also treated my wife with the same kin dness.

You have a h ospital staff that you can a great job a be very prou t putting tog d of. You hav e th e r a team tha e done and their pa t w o tients. The k rks well with in e d a ness and th ch other above anyth e uplifting se ing I have ev rvice were w er received a ell t any other h ospital.

My wife and I would like to thank yo kindness. u and your staff for all of your John & Mari lyn Dobson DeRidder

1701 Oak Park Blvd.

Lake Charles, LA 70601

Memorial Medical Milestones Kathy DeRouen Senior Vice President of Marketing Matt Felder Communications Manager This is a publication from Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

The information in this newsletter is intended to inform patients and potential patients about subjects pertinent to their care not as medical education. Š 2014 Printed in U.S.A.

diagnostic checkup?

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

If you are age 50 or older, get your colonoscopy with an experienced, board certified gastroenterologist.

Reassess your health and restore your peace of mind.

Frank Marrero, MD

Khaled Nour, MD

www.lcmh.com/mmg To find a Memorial physician that’s right for you, call 1-800-494-5264(LCMH).