Sample - Healthcare Consumer Magazine

MOUNT NITTANY HEALTH

®

A clear view, thanks to LenSx® laser surgery pg. 3 A new you in just 90 minutes pg. 7 Award-winning stroke care close to home pg. 11 MEET OUR NEW PROVIDERS

Message from the president

Table of contents

I

PAGE THREE

t is with a deeply grateful, yet very heavy heart that I write this to you, my final Insights letter.

Looking back, I couldn’t be more pleased or proud to reflect on all that we’ve been able to accomplish together at Mount Nittany Health, and as a community at large.

LenSx femto laser surgery ®

Here at the Medical Center, we’ve added a new, state-of-the-art east wing with private patient rooms, updated our main entrance, doubled the size of our emergency department, and opened the Sieg Neuroscience Center. We developed and opened the Lance and Ellen Shaner Cancer Pavilion and introduced CANCER CARE PARTNERSHIP, a partnership between Mount Nittany Health and the Penn State Cancer Institute. We also added many new comforting amenities for our patients and visitors, such as a healing garden and chapel, as well as updating and adding to our OR suites, expanding our pharmacy and introducing the area’s first robotic surgery technology.

Mount Nittany Physician Group – a group not yet in existence when I first started – now employs more than 130 healthcare providers and offers more than 20 specialties in 17 locations across the region, with another practice coming soon to Philipsburg. We’ve received numerous care awards and accreditations, become an academic teaching facility in collaboration with the Penn State College of Medicine, led the development and realization of the Children’s Advocacy Center, recently completed a second community health needs assessment (CHNA), and are actively working on the correlating community health implementation plan – all in an ongoing effort to better serve you and our entire community.

In many ways, I leave my time with Mount Nittany Health just as I began it – with immense excitement for the future and great pride for having been part of such a tremendous team. I’m incredibly proud of how far this system has come in the past several years, growing to one of the region’s foremost healthcare systems offering some of the most advanced services and technologies available.

Of all our achievements, however, I’m most proud that you – our cherished community members – have trusted us to care for the health of you and your families. I have watched your families grow and flourish alongside ours, and for that I am truly grateful. I know that our team here at Mount Nittany Health will continue that same level of outstanding care and service long into the future. I’d like to personally thank you all for that trust and the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful community.

It has been my honor to serve you and I wish you all good health and God’s blessings.

Warmest regards,

Steve Brown, FACHE President and CEO Mount Nittany Health

PAGE FIVE Fond farewell

PAGE SEVEN Ultherapy

®

PAGE EIGHT Community health

Local man sees clearly, thanks to cataract removal procedure

A look back at some of the greatest accomplishments of Steve Brown, FACHE, president and CEO

Learn how you can look and feel younger in 90 minutes or less

Medication collection boxes get drugs off of Centre County streets

PAGE NINE

PAGE ELEVEN

PAGE THIRTEEN

PAGE FOURTEEN

Pediatrics

Learn how to tell when your child is too sick for school

Stroke care

When seconds count, award-winning stroke care is at your fingertips

Lung cancer

New low-dose screening process can detect lung cancer in early stages

Lab & Imaging

We have manyfor lab and imaging Lab & Imaging locations locations for your convenience your convenience Mount Nittany Health – Bellefonte 141 Medical Park Lane | Bellefonte, PA Lab: 814.355.7322

Mount Nittany Health – Blue Course Drive 1700 Old Gatesburg Road | Suite 100 State College, PA

Mount Nittany Health to expand with new Philipsburg location

Imaging: 814.234.6106 MRI, ultrasound, X–ray/fluoroscopy Lab: 814.231.6876

Mount Nittany Health – Boalsburg 3901 S. Atherton St. | State College, PA Imaging: 814.466.7927 X–ray

Mount Nittany Health – Mifflin County 96 Kish Road | Reedsville, PA Lab: 855.259.0027

Mount Nittany Health – Park Avenue 1850 E. Park Avenue | State College, PA

Imaging (Suite 105): 814.234.6752 MRI, digital mammography, bone density Imaging (Suite 203): 814.234.6137 X–ray Lab (Suite 205): 814.231.6848

Mount Nittany Health – Penns Valley 3631 Penns Valley Road | Spring Mills, PA Lab: 814.422.8071

Imaging: 814.234.6137 X–ray

Mount Nittany Medical Center 1800 E. Park Avenue | State College, PA Lab: 814.234.6117

Imaging: 814.234.6106 CT scan, endovascular X-ray, MRI, nuclear imaging, PET scan, ultrasound, X-ray/fluoroscopy

Lab & Imaging services provided by Mount Nittany Medical Center 20160913

I

n an ongoing effort to make quality healthcare available throughout the area, Mount Nittany Health is excited to announce the upcoming opening of its newest location in Philipsburg, at 1061 N. Front Street. The site will offer 12 family medicine practice exam rooms, an outpatient lab and space for a future imaging suite. The space will also accommodate several medical specialties, beginning with the addition of urologist Christopher Yingling, MD. The practice is expected to open in early 2017. Future specialty services are scheduled to include: • Cardiology • Endocrinology • Infectious disease • Nephrology

Mount Nittany Health Insights is published by the communications department.

▶For more information, visit mountnittany.org.

Questions or comments, email insights@mountnittany.org.

Release date: October 2016

Mount Nittany Health insights

issue seventeen

one

two

Message from the president | Table of contents

LENSX ® FEMTO LASER SURGERY

Femto laser-assisted cataract surgery offers clear vision, quality of life

W

hen he turned 80 this year, Chuck Strauss celebrated his birthday in a unique way. “I got new eyes for my birthday,” Chuck laughs. “I turned 80 on April 19. On April 11, I had the femto cataract procedure done on my right eye, and my left eye was done on April 25.”

Chuck has worn glasses since the age of 10.

Throughout his life, he has enjoyed such eyedependent pursuits as photography, fishing,

hunting, gardening and travel. About 20 years ago, his ophthalmologist diagnosed him with gradual progressive cataracts. His condition was monitored for the likelihood of needing corrective surgery. Then, one year ago, Chuck noticed a reduction of clarity in his right eye. He consulted with his ophthalmologist, who concurred, and cataract surgery was recommended. Chuck’s eye surgeon encouraged him to consider the new laser surgery procedure, femto

laser-assisted cataract surgery, as both a technologically advanced surgical method and one that would also offer correction of his astigmatism.

“My surgical team, in tandem with this new procedure, returned a key ingredient to the quality of my life,” says Chuck.

LenSx® femto laser-assisted cataract surgery is the most recent ocular technology available, and Mount Nittany Health Surgical Center began using the new technology in April 2016. For cataracts, the procedure focuses on the lens of the eye. When you have cataracts, the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts reduce vision and color observation and increase sensitivity to light. When daily use of the eyes for activities such as driving, reading or watching T V becomes difficult, treatment is needed. The femtosecond laser operates with infrared laser energy. The laser makes a small incision, the lens is removed and a replacement lens is inserted.

“The overall procedure is very efficient,” says Chuck. “At the outpatient center, the initial preparation of my eye took only about 30 minutes — largely involving a series of special eye drops. The surgery itself required only one to two minutes, followed by a postop protocol of another 30 minutes. Basically, I was in and out in less than three hours. It’s amazing how efficiently their surgical process is organized.”

Chuck felt no pain, and his vision was fully restored in his right eye within four days, and his left eye within two days. Eye drops were administered for four weeks in each eye. “My distance vision is now about 20/20 in both eyes,” marvels Chuck. “It has been 70 years since I’ve had vision that good!”

Chuck now enjoys balanced eyesight, and his night vision has improved. As a longterm resident of the area, Chuck is pleased to share this recent experience in gaining improved eyesight. “Mount Nittany Medical Center has continued to expand its teams of doctors and staff and overall healthcare facilities,” Chuck explains. “In my opinion, it is a world-class hospital. All members of the medical staff are immediately attentive to the

Mount Nittany Health insights

issue seventeen

three

patient, and their professional protocols are a major feature of this healthcare system. I’ve recommended our Medical Center to other friends in need of medical services.”

“My surgical team, in tandem with this new procedure, returned a key ingredient to the quality of my life,” says Chuck. “Simply put, they have bolstered all of my sight-dependent activities.”

Above: Chuck enjoying just some of the many activities made possible again with his cataract removal procedure

Mount Nittany Health Surgical Center is now performing approximately 10 femto laser-assisted cataract surgical procedures each month to correct cataracts, and it is the only center in the region offering this breakthrough technology.

The following providers perform the Femto laser-assisted cataract surgery at Mount Nittany Health Surgical Center: Jay Fiore, MD, ophthalmology; Jeffrey Heimer, MD, ophthalmology; and Domenic Turco, DO, ophthalmology.

▶If you believe you may be a candidate for LenSx femto laser-assisted cataract surgery and would like more information, contact Mount Nittany Health Surgical Center at 814.234.6750 or toll-free at 888.440.2272.

four

A whole new world

A SPECIAL GOODBYE

A fond farewell to Steve Brown

A

s he prepares for retirement this November, it’s difficult to put into words — or even photos — just how much Steve Brown has done for his Mount Nittany Health family and for all of those families that we serve. In his six years as our president and CEO, we’ve seen the addition of Mount Nittany Medical Center’s east wing, emergency department expansion and development of the CANCER CARE PARTNERSHIP, a partnership of Mount Nittany Health and Penn State

Cancer Institute. The induction of the Penn State Family and Community Medicine Residency Program at Mount Nittany Medical Center and the rapidly growing Mount Nittany Physician Group are among the many achievements that have motivated and inspired us all. Additionally, Steve’s commitment to the community has been unwavering, as evidenced through his support and involvement in the Penn State Pink Zone, State College Spikes community health collaborations and

numerous Mount Nittany Health Foundation initiatives, including the Golf Classic, Charity Ball and Mount Nittany Health’s Healing Garden.

Yet for all of these successes, his greatest support has always been for the employees of Mount Nittany Health. With a smile on his face and a kind word, Steve has been the first to greet anyone — usually by name — while walking the halls of the Medical Center.

Please join us as we reflect upon just some of the many accomplishments of Steve Brown, FACHE, president and CEO, Mount Nittany Health, and do our small part in thanking him for being an influential and compassionate leader, a mentor and a friend.

Congratulations, Steve. We will miss you!

Milestones: 2010: First Mount Nittany Physician Group practice opens, east wing expansion complete

July 2011: Mount Nittany Health launches

Mount Nittany Health insights

January 2012: State-of-the-art robotic platform da Vinci® Surgical System is introduced

February 2012: Medical Center main entrance remodel complete

issue seventeen

September 2012: The Sieg Neuroscience Center opens its doors

2013: The emergency department children’s play area, Austin's Playroom, opens, and Mount Nittany Health – Blue Course Drive location opens

five

December 2013: Inaugural class of Penn State College of Medicine medical students

six

2014: Openings: Mount Nittany Health – Altoona, Pinecroft Center; Bellefonte; Clearfield, Turnpike Avenue; Mifflin County; Children's Advocacy Center of Centre County; CANCER CARE PARTNERSHIP; and Mount Nittany Medical Center surgical bays

July 2015: Inaugural class of the Penn State Health and Community Medicine Residency Program

2015: Healing Garden and chapel open at Mount Nittany Medical Center, Mount Nittany Health — Penns Valley location opens

A special goodbye

COMMUNITY HEALTH

RECONSTRUCTIVE & COSMETIC SURGERY

Medication collection boxes vital in the fight against substance abuse

Turn back time with Ultherapy®

I

f you’ve ever wished for a more youthful complexion but remain unsure that surgery is the right option for you, Ultherapy may be the answer. The only FDA-cleared procedure to noninvasively lift the eyebrow, neck and underchin areas — as well as improve décolletage lines and wrinkles — Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to stimulate new collagen production deep within your skin by harnessing your body’s own regenerative responses. Targeting areas of the body that are the most susceptible to signs of aging, Ultherapy provides a natural lift from the inside out.

Because treatment does not include toxins, lasers or needles, Ultherapy is a safe and convenient option to help patients achieve a more youthful look, with no downtime or restrictions after treatment. You can get back to enjoying life as soon as you leave the office.

F

indings from the 2016 community health needs assessment show that our Centre County community is a relatively healthy one. In fact, Centre County ranks fourth among all 67 Pennsylvania counties for health outcomes, which are measured in relation to length and quality of life.

Lashelle Kuhlman, licensed aesthetician, and Eileen Maney, PA-C, are both certified in the treatment. Kuhlman says that, while Ultherapy won’t duplicate the results of a surgical facelift, it’s a clinically proven alternative and can also be a great option for patients who wish to further extend the effects of a prior cosmetic surgery.

The process itself takes between 60 and 90 minutes and requires no anesthesia. Patients who are interested in the procedure will be asked to come into the office for a consultation, which includes an in-depth discussion of potential risks and costs. “Once we map out a plan,” says Kuhlman, “we will schedule a time for you to come back for the procedure.” ▶To learn more about Ultherapy and other reconstructive & cosmetic surgery services, visit cosmetic.mountnittany.org.

Below: Lashelle Kuhlman, licensed aesthetician, performs Ultherapy at Mount Nittany Physician Group Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery.

Based on the qualitative and quantitative data collected from the assessment, three key areas arose as the most pressing health needs. The first of these concerns — based on the scope and severity of the issue — is substance abuse.

Further valuation revealed that it is the heroin and opioid epidemic that most affects our area. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA), is working with local communities to provide grants that facilitate the installation of hundreds of secure and permanent medication drop-off boxes installed throughout Pennsylvania. With prescription medications — specifically, pain management drugs — often leading to drug dependence, Centre County now has eight medication collection boxes for the drop off of controlled and noncontrolled substances, both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Pumpkin pampering package Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season kicks in, consider treating yourself to some extra pampering while doing your skin a favor.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, prescription drug abuse has quadrupled in the past 10 years and now results in more deaths than all illicit street drugs combined. Prescription drug abuse is also growing among adolescents in Pennsylvania, with 13 percent of high school-aged children having abused opioid pain relievers, 6 percent tranquilizers and 12 percent amphetamines such as Adderall and Ritalin.

Centre County Heroin Opioid Prevention Education (HOPE) initiative reports that as many as four or five new heroin users stated that they first began abusing prescription pain medication before moving on to heroin.

Mount Nittany Physician Group Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery is offering a pumpkin pampering package now through the end of November that includes dermaplaning and microdermabrasion treatments with a pumpkin enzyme mask.

Dermaplaning is a noninvasive procedure that gently removes the top layer of dulling skin cells and excess fine hairs on the face. This helps with faster cell turnover and creates a smoother, brighter texture.

Microdermabrasion buffs away any excess dead skin and can help improve oily or dull skin, enlarged and clogged pores, fine lines, mild acne scars and uneven pigmentation. The final step — a pumpkin mask — fits in perfectly this time of year and includes exfoliating pumpkin enzymes combined with salicylic acid to help smooth and remove skin cell buildup, leaving skin glowing. ▶Call 814.231.7878, or visit cosmetic.mountnittany.org today to schedule your appointment!

Mount Nittany Health insights

issue seventeen

seven

“It was really important to get boxes across the county because we want to remove any unwanted and unused drugs, especially opiates and opioids, from floating around our county,” says District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller. “It’s also important for environmental reasons. People have to wonder what happens to those drugs when people aren’t using them. It was twofold, but the main reason is our opioid problem.”

The collection boxes, installed with a grant from the District Attorneys Association, are accessible to the public, with no fee to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications. No personal information is required to turn in medications. Once collected, all substances are destroyed by incineration at a commercial incinerator contracted by the Office of the Attorney General.

Seventy percent of those who abuse pain relievers get them from friends or relatives, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. “With use of the collection boxes, people have less chance of accessing other peoples’ prescriptions,” says Parks Miller. “This way, they’re immediately disposed of properly, lessening that chance.”

Collection boxes are accessible during normal business hours and can be found at the following locations: Willowbank Office Building 420 Holmes Street, Bellefonte 814.355.6711 Mon–Fri, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Centre County Courthouse 102 South Allegheny Street, Bellefonte 814.355.6727 Mon–Fri, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Centre County Sheriff’s Department 213 East High Street, Bellefonte 814.355.6803 Mon–Fri, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm State College Borough Police Department 243 South Allen Street, State College 814.234.7150 Mon–Fri, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Ferguson Township Police Department 3147 Research Drive, State College 814.237.1172 Mon–Thurs, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Fri, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Penn State University Police Department Eisenhower Parking Deck, University Park 814.863.1111 Open 24 hours Bellefonte Borough Police Department 236 W. Lamb Street, Bellefonte 814.353.2320 Mon–Fri, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Patton Township Police Department 100 Patton Plaza, State College 814.234.0273 Mon–Fri, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

PREPARING ITEMS FOR DISPOSAL • A ll pharmaceutical drugs that are being disposed of need to be in a sealed container, such as the original bottle or a Ziploc bag.

• Liquid pharmaceuticals should remain in the original container.

• Personal information should be removed or blotted out with a permanent marker.

Items accepted • Prescription and over-the-counter solid medications • Tablets and capsules • Pet medicines Items NOT accepted • Intravenous solutions • Injectables, syringes, and needles (i.e., EpiPens®)* • Hydrogen peroxide • Compressed cylinders or aerosols (e.g., asthma inhalers) • Iodine-containing medications • Thermometers • Alcohol & illicit drugs (i.e., marijuana, heroin, LSD, etc.) *These items should be taken to a healthcare professional’s office or to a hospital for proper disposal. ▶For more information on medication collection boxes, visit centrecountypa.gov. For the complete 2016 community health needs assessment, visit mountnittany.org/healthneeds.

THIRD ANNUAL CENTRE COUNTY COMMUNITY SUPER FAIR Saturday, November 19, 2016 | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | Mount Nittany Middle School 656 Brandywine Drive, State College | More information: theccchs.org eight

Younger-looking you | Medication collection

PEDIATRICS

Is my child too sick to go to school?

HOMEWORK TIPS FOR PARENTS ake sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.

M Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going. ake sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, M pencils and a dictionary, are available.

Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects, and get them in advance. elp your child with time management.

H Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don’t let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates. e positive about homework.

B Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires. hen your child does homework, you do homework.

W Show your child that the skills he or she is learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read, too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.

I

t’s that time of year, when, for many, “back to school” means “back to germs.” It’s not uncommon for children to have a half dozen colds or illnesses throughout the school year, but as a parent, knowing when to keep your kids home can be tricky.

While it’s ultimately a decision that should be made on a case-by-case basis, there are a few scenarios in which a child should NOT go to school: 1. FEVER: Children with fevers greater than 100.4 degrees should not go to school. Once your child has a fever, he or she should be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

2. VOMITING: Children who are vomiting should not go to school.

Your child can go back to school when he or she has not vomited for at least 24 hours.

3. DIARRHEA: Any child with loose stool that occurs more than four times in a 24-hour period should stay home until the frequency slows down.

4. PINK EYE: Children with redness of the eyes, plus drainage from one or both eyes, should not go to school and should not return until they have been treated with antibiotic drops for 24 hours.

5. COUGH: Kids who are continuously coughing should stay home from school. Frequent coughing makes it impossible to pay attention, distracts other children and potentially spreads infection in the classroom.

6. STREP THROAT: Children with diagnosed strep throat should stay out of school until they have received antibiotic treatment for 24 hours. Symptoms of significant sore throat, fever and swollen glands warrant a trip to the pediatrician to check whether it is strep or a virus causing the sore throat.

Mount Nittany Health insights

issue seventeen

hen your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.

W Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that, when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.

Children can go to school with a cold (upper respiratory infection) as long as they do not have a fever and are not coughing too frequently. Teach your kids to use tissues, cough and sneeze into the crook of their arm and wash their hands frequently. Sinus infections and ear infections are not contagious, so kids can go to school with them if they are feeling okay.

hen the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it.

W Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher.

If you are ever in doubt about sending your child to school, getting an evaluation by a pediatric healthcare provider can help you decide what to do. On days when sickness strikes at the last minute, walk-in services are a convenient option for busy parents. Mount Nittany Health – Boalsburg, located at 3901 South Atherton Street, Suite 5, State College, offers a walk-in service for minor injuries and illnesses, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 to 11:00 am, with no appointment necessary.

Saturday visits are also available at this location by appointment.

I f homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away.

Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills.

Stay informed.

Talk with your child’s teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of the homework and what your child’s class rules are. elp your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework.

H Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean that he or she will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.

▶To learn more about Mount Nittany Physician Group Pediatrics or our walk-in service, visit kids.mountnittany.org or call 814.466.7921.

atch your child for signs of failure and frustration.

W Let your child take a short break if he or she is having trouble keeping his or her mind on an assignment. eward progress in homework.

R If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.

nine

ten

When taking a sick day is OK | Homework tips

STROKE CARE

MOUNT NITTANY MEDICAL CENTER GETS THE GOLD

I

n August, thousands of athletes gathered in Rio to compete in the Olympic Games. They dedicated countless hours working and practicing for a chance to win a gold medal recognizing them as the best at their event.

Above and to left: Mount Nittany Medical Center heart and stroke teams earn Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus awards; Telestroke technology allows patients to connect with healthcare providers 24/7.

“The emergency department has embraced its role in stroke care,” says Maynard. “The ED staff sees a patient for just a short period of time when he or she is at his or her worst. When they hear of a patient they treated having a positive outcome, it gives them a great sense of pride.”

Award-winning stroke care close to home

W

hen a stroke occurs, every second counts. Acting fast and seeking treatment as quickly as possible may help minimize the long-term effects of the stroke and improve recovery outcomes. As a Primary Stroke Center and recipient of the prestigious Get with the Guidelines® Gold Plus Stroke Care Award, Mount Nittany Medical Center is dedicated to improving outcomes for more than 230 stroke patients and their families each year. Mount Nittany Medical Center’s comprehensive stroke care begins before symptoms occur and continues through all phases of treatment, even after a patient returns home.

“Education is incredibly important and plays a vital role in ensuring a patient’s best possible recovery,” says Susan Maynard, MS, RN-BC, CCNS, CCRN-CMC, stroke coordinator at Mount Nittany Medical Center. “We use as many outlets as possible to educate the public to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and help them understand how critical time is once they recognize the symptoms.”

Education is also essential for the staff at Mount Nittany Medical Center. All of the nurses who care for stroke patients receive annual stroke education, including the latest research findings and best nursing practices. All staff — emergency department physicians, hospitalists, nurses, even volunteers who may see someone with symptoms — are provided with the most up-to-date information and education available.

Mount Nittany Health insights

“Great stroke care isn’t just delivered by one department,” says Courtney Sneath, RN, CPHQ, director of quality, Mount Nittany Medical Center. “It starts with EMS and continues through everyone who takes part in a patient’s care. There are multiple disciplines that lead to exemplary patient outcomes.”

Susan Maynard, MS, RN-BC, CCNS, CCRN-CMC, stroke coordinator, Mount Nittany Medical Center

Courtney Sneath, RN, CPHQ, director of quality, Mount Nittany Medical Center

issue seventeen

Mount Nittany Medical Center works very closely with local EMS to help assess stroke patients. Once a patient has been evaluated, and stroke symptoms are evident, EMS immediately contacts the emergency department, and a stroke alert is implemented after consultation with the physician. The stroke team, composed of physicians, nurses and laboratory and radiology technicians, is ready to begin treatment the moment the ambulance arrives. The patient is immediately taken for a CT scan of the head, which is a crucial piece of the diagnosis and treatment.

In addition to local neurology services, Telestroke technology may also be used to consult with expert neurologists at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, who are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Telestroke operates using real-time remote audiovisual access and provides the consulting physician an opportunity to view and interact with the patient and provider, just like they were there in the room. CT scan images can also be transmitted with Telestroke. A consultation through Telestroke aids in the timeliness of a thorough diagnosis.

eleven

That pride is evident through all phases of care. Nurses care for patients who are admitted and work very closely with members of the interdisciplinary team, including case managers, to provide education, resources and answers during a very challenging time in their lives. The nurses and case managers formulate a plan to provide the best care options for families.

Rehabilitation is one more component of the continuum of care each patient receives, and it is key to getting the patient back to normal life prior to the stroke. Rehabilitation starts in the hospital almost immediately and includes speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. If therapy is needed beyond the hospital stay, Mount Nittany Medical Center will assist the family in finding the best possible facility.

“Being recognized with the Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus Stroke Care Award creates peace of mind for people here in our region,” says Sneath.

“It is so important to have your family and support system nearby when dealing with a family member who has suffered a stroke. Knowing you can receive excellent evidence-based care here at home is comforting.”

“I am so tremendously proud of the staff here. They have really embraced stroke care at Mount Nittany Medical Center and are personally invested in making sure every patient has the best possible outcome,” adds Maynard. “I feel confident that if I ever needed care, I would be in the best possible hands at Mount Nittany Medical Center.” ▶If you or someone you know has had a stroke, the risk of having another stroke is increased. You can learn more from Susan Maynard, MS, RN-BC, CCNS, CCRN-CMC, stroke coordinator at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Visit mountnittany.org/stroke for more information.

twelve

Mount Nittany Medical Center, like these athletes, has worked tirelessly to achieve excellence. The hard work has paid off through recognition by the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA) with the Get with the Guidelines® Gold Plus Stroke Care Award and the Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus Heart Failure Award. Mount Nittany Medical Center is the first hospital in the region to receive this recognition.

In addition, Mount Nittany Medical Center also received Joint Commission Advanced Diabetes Inpatient program re-certification.

“So much work goes into putting processes in place that lead to excellent work and great patient outcomes,” says Courtney Sneath, RN, CPHQ, director of quality, Mount Nittany Medical Center. “These awards acknowledge that our hospital delivers consistent, high-quality care. Our staff has worked incredibly hard to achieve this award, and everyone is extremely proud to be recognized.”

To receive the stroke care honor, hospitals must submit data for stroke care to a national database. Approximately 25 different metrics are measured around scientific care and treatment that is consistently being administered to be aligned with current best practices. An organization must perform at 85 percent or greater for each metric and must sustain that performance for two years in order to receive the Get with the Guidelines gold recognition.

The Medical Center was first recognized as a Primary Stroke Center in 2014 and received Get with the Guidelines Silver Plus recognition in 2015. The Gold Plus Award recognizes consistent levels of exceptional performance for at least 24 consecutive months.

“This award shows that we are right there with the best hospitals in the nation,” says Susan Maynard, MS, RN-BC, CCNS, CCRN-CMC, stroke coordinator at Mount Nittany Medical Center. “It shows a commitment to excellence from everyone involved and is proof that you can receive excellent care, right here at home.”

Every second counts | Getting the gold

LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer screening program provides new hope to patients

T

he premise of cancer is a scary one. Lung cancer — the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women, with approximately 220,000 newly diagnosed cases and nearly 160,000 lung cancer-related deaths annually — can be terrifying.

Janet Cady, RN, MSN, CEN, lung nodule program coordinator, Mount Nittany Medical Center, says that, while screening should never be considered a replacement for proper lung cancer prevention like quitting smoking, “Mount Nittany Health’s new lung cancer screening program has the potential to change the face of lung cancer in our community.”

WHO CAN BE HELPED? The second stage in a multidisciplinary approach to alter lung cancer outcomes in our region, the launch of the new screening program comes just after the launch of the lung nodule program, introduced last December.

While the lung nodule program works to address the growing

number of patients diagnosed with pulmonary nodules by referring them for further evaluation and potential treatment, the lung cancer screening component offers at-risk patients low-dose CT screenings.

Those at risk include smokers and former smokers age 50 and older, individuals with a family history of lung cancer, and/or those who have had occupational exposures, including radon or asbestos.

Cady explains, “Participation in the lung cancer screening program can be initiated in one of two ways. If a person fits the at-risk criteria and would like to enroll in the program, he or she is encouraged to speak with his or her physician, who can refer the person to us. Physicians can also refer patients they feel might benefit from the program.”

HOW DOES IT WORK? Low-dose CT scans, which take around five minutes to complete, are painless and noninvasive and can detect very small nodules in the lung. Lung cancer found by

this screening method is often at an early stage of the disease, which can lead to better treatment and outcomes. Additionally, a low-dose CT scan uses up to 90 percent less ionizing radiation than regular CT scans, and no radiation remains in the body after the scan.

“Participating patients enter into a ‘shared decision-making exam,’” says Cady. “Patients discuss potential risks with their provider and agree that any risks, while minimal, are understood, and that if further treatment is deemed necessary, they will comply with the treatment process.”

If a lung mass is found, Cady is immediately notified, and she and the patient’s physician follow up with that individual regarding upcoming testing. Once identified, patients in the program remain in the Mount Nittany Health system, allowing for appropriate follow-up and appointment reminders. “We’re here to see each individual through this process,” says Cady. “It is important for them to understand

The Lung Nodule Program was made possible by a lead gift from Lloyd and Dottie Huck to the Mount NIttany Health Foundation.

Above: Janet Cady, RN, MSN, CEN, lung nodule program coordinator, Mount Nittany Medical Center

“It is important for them to understand that they have an amazing team of healthcare professionals behind them.

They are not alone.” that they have an amazing team of healthcare professionals behind them. They are not alone.”

A CARING TEAM Cady shares that it is a diverse and experienced team of Mount Nittany Health providers that make the screening program work, and she is quick to point out that, without primary care providers, oncologists and others, the program wouldn’t be effective.

Participation by everyone involved is essential. “The participation of our existing providers and the addition of new, talented providers is truly upping the game in cancer treatment,” says Cady, adding, “We’re all in this together.” ▶The lung cancer screening program is located at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

For more information, call 814.231.6881 or visit mountnittany.org/LCS.

We have many lab and imaging locations for your convenience Mount Nittany Health – Bellefonte 141 Medical Park Lane | Bellefonte, PA Lab: 814.355.7322

Mount Nittany Health – Blue Course Drive 1700 Old Gatesburg Road | Suite 100 State College, PA Imaging: 814.234.6106 MRI, ultrasound, X–ray/fluoroscopy Lab: 814.231.6876

Mount Nittany Health – Boalsburg 3901 S. Atherton St. | State College, PA Imaging: 814.466.7927 X–ray

Mount Nittany Health – Mifflin County 96 Kish Road | Reedsville, PA Lab: 855.259.0027

Mount Nittany Health – Park Avenue 1850 E. Park Avenue | State College, PA

Imaging (Suite 105): 814.234.6752 MRI, digital mammography, bone density Imaging (Suite 203): 814.234.6137 X–ray Lab (Suite 205): 814.231.6848

Mount Nittany Health – Penns Valley 3631 Penns Valley Road | Spring Mills, PA Lab: 814.422.8071

Imaging: 814.234.6137 X–ray

Mount Nittany Medical Center 1800 E. Park Avenue | State College, PA Lab: 814.234.6117

Imaging: 814.234.6106 CT scan, endovascular X-ray, MRI, nuclear imaging, PET scan, ultrasound, X-ray/fluoroscopy

Lab & Imaging services provided by Mount Nittany Medical Center 20160913

Mount Nittany Health insights

issue seventeen

thirteen

FPO

1800 East Park Avenue State College, PA 16803-6797

A whole new look: Mount Nittany Physician Group Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery’s latest makeover

T

hings are looking different these days at cosmetic.mountnittany.org. Home to Mount Nittany Physician Group Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery, the website recently received updates that not only provide a fresh look, but also make the site easier to navigate.

Site visitors can easily compare services according to user-friendly categories like the average length of the procedure, type of anesthesia used, potential risks and recovery time.

The site continues to include provider bios and regular blog posts, highlighting additional information about surgical and cosmetic options, as well as beauty and skin care tips to help you look and feel your best. ▶To learn more, visit cosmetic.mountnittany.org.