In Roads - December 6, 2013

December 6, 2013

@ Mercy Medical Center

Dr. Small gets recognition for his contributions and leadership as Mercy Medical Center’s Chair of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department from January 2006 to December 2013.

By Dawn Arnsberg, RN

In one of our nursing departments at a Dignity Health facility, a nurse overheard an ancillary staff member tell another co-worker that she was about to have her electricity shut off and she had just walked over 5 miles to work.

She also shared that she was going to another job as a field worker after she finished her job at the hospital to ensure her family had enough food to eat. After hearing this story the nurse collected money from the other nurses in the unit and gave the money to this needy co-worker. Not only do the nurses at this facility give passionate care to their patients but they truly care about each other too.

@ Greater Sacramento /

San Joaquin

Video Stories of Humankindness

Robert Small, MD accepting a certificate of appreciation from Robert Streeter, MD , VPMA.

Today is the last day to get tickets for the employee holiday party. Pick them up in Administration, a guest ticket is $5.00.

Bring a toy to donate to the Merced Fire & Kops for Kids

Saturday, December 7, 2013 Yosemite Hall (Commerce Bldg) Merced Fairgrounds No Host Bar 6:30pm - 11:30pm Dinner served by EspaĂąas 7:00pm - 8:00pm Dancing 8:00pm - 11:30pm

December

Gift Shop News

20% off (No candy, flowers/plants, books/newspapers)

Employee Discount week starts early!

December 9th - 24th

Holiday Hours December 24: Open until 1:00 p.m.

December 25: CLOSED December 26: Open at 9:00 a.m.

(All Christmas items will be 50% off December 26th)

December 31: Open until 1:00 p.m.

January 1: CLOSED

We wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Here’s to good health, love and prosperity in 2013!

December 6, 2013

Employee of the Holiday Hand Hygiene Month Surprise

By Vanessa Collins, RN - Infection Control

The holiday season is a time for enjoying the company of our family and friends, marathon mall shopping to look for that perfect present, office/unit parties, and interaction with many members of our community. It is a season that brings the irresistible smell of cookies, pies, and breads. A lot of handshakes and hugs are shared during this time as everyone makes it a point to gather in celebration.

Coincidentally, illnesses such as colds and the flu tend to flourish during this time as well. And who wants to miss out on spending time with others or tasting those delectable treats that beg for a bite?

During this very busy time of year, it is important to clean your hands frequently.

David Dunham, President, makes a surprise visit to Imaging to present our November Employee of the Month, Robin Reese, with her plaque!

Hand washing: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. That’s about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Make sure to scrub your hands vigorously, using friction while covering all surfaces of the hands, including fingers.

Using alcohol-based hand rub: If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Squirt a dime to quarter-size amount in the palm of your hand and then rub all surfaces of your hands and fingers until dry.

Recommended times to clean hands include: • • • • • •

Anthony Cordeiro, Director of Imaging, proud to have this Employee of the Month on his team.

Before eating Before, during, and after preparing food After using the restroom After coughing, sneezing, or caring for someone who is ill After taking out the garbage After petting animals

So, have fun this holiday season, and remember that the easiest way to prevent the spread of infection is to clean your hands! Happy Holidays!

December 6, 2013

*Mark your Calendars* Health Educators of Central California

Will be holding a craft fair and bake sale th

When: Friday December 6 Where: In

: at 1.30pm

the Garden CafĂŠ at Mercy Medical Center

December 6, 2013

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER IN THE MERCED SUN STAR

‘Dr. Bot’ helping Merced patients

by Ramona Giwargis, Merced Sun Star Staff Writer

MERCED — Beam me in. That phrase sounds like something out of a latenight cable sci-fi movie, but when it’s uttered in the halls of Mercy Medical Center in Merced it means someone might be suffering a stroke.

It also means that within minutes the patient will be connected to a stroke specialist in a bigger city more than 100 miles away.

A 5-foot-tall robot allows physicians to “beam” themselves into Merced’s hospital rooms 24 hours a day to diagnose patients and offer medical advice. A large screen projects the doctor’s face while microphones and speakers allow the doctor to interact with the patient and his or her family.

In Merced, they call him “Dr. Bot” and he’s rolled from room to room about two times a day to diagnose patients suspected of suffering strokes.

Dr. Bot connects to neurologists in Sacramento, even allowing the doctors to zoom in close enough to examine a patient’s pupils.

The remote-activated robot also gives the doctors access to clinical data, such as test results and medical images.

Dignity Health, which runs Mercy Medical Center, began using the robots five years ago to expand access to medical specialists in rural areas of Arizona, California and Nevada.

“The screen moves and he turns to face the person. It’s like he’s talking to you,” said Philip Brown, Mercy’s Emergency Room Director. “People are very comfortable because it’s so interactive and it zips around the room.”

There is no tape-recording of the session, so it won’t compromise patient confidentiality. A telephone is available

Mercy Medical Center ER tech Mark Wells talks about the robot doctor that is used to connect remotely with neurologists in other hospitals. Photo by BEA AHBECK CASSON

to allow for private conversations between the patient and doctor. Brown said each patient is asked if he or she feels comfortable with the robot, and no one has refused thus far.

There have been a number of cases in which using Dr. Bot has resulted in an immediate transfer to a stroke facility in the Sacramento area, according to Dr. Rob Streeter, Mercy’s Vice President of Medical Affairs.

“In the past, ER doctors would have to make phone calls (and) wait for a response to see if the hospital has a bed,” Streeter said. “But having a doctor right there that knows exactly what the patient needs can facilitate a timely transfer to a neurological center.”

Mercy Medical Center doesn’t have a full-time neurologist on staff so the technology is especially crucial to stroke patients, where every minute is vital to prevent serious brain damage.

“We always say time is brain,” Streeter said. “It’s very important that we identify strokes and suspected strokes early. The goal is to minimize those long-term effects.”

Beatriz Ramirez, Mercy’s Accreditation-Regulatory Compliance Manager, said this rang true for her family when her mother was suspected of suffering a stroke a few weeks ago.

Ramirez’s mother was taken to a different hospital where she said the stroke care wasn’t as timely.

“I get there and the appropriate assessments were not done. I’m getting nervous about it because I know time is ticking,” Ramirez said. “I have the nursing background, so I know what’s supposed to be happening. But for someone who might not know, having the robot in the room is valuable because you’re getting those questions answered.”

The robot’s cost of $237,000 was funded from the Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation, according to Lindsey Gallagher, Mercy’s Marketing Manager. Because of the success of using Dr. Bot for stroke patients, hospital staff is looking at expanding the program to include mental health specialists and psychiatrists.

December 6, 2013