Serving Northeastern & Central
Pennsylvania
Vol 12 Issue 4
April 1998
HealthCare C
Featuring:
o
m
m
u
•
Inhalant Abuse
•
Alcohol Abuse
n
i
t
y
N
e
w
•
Executive Profiles
•
HMO Reform
s
Drugs & Alcohol The Healthcare Profession And Career Resource
HealthNews
HealthCare C
o
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
N
e
w
s
Geisinger Celebrates Birth of 100th
We hope you have a fun and safe celebration so that your memories are happy ones!
4
Executive Profiles
8
Professional Achievement
10
Wyoming Valley PHO and QualMed Plan Partnership
12 14
Tis the season for high school PROMS. Unfortunately, there are lists of terrible tragedies revolving around underage drinking and substance abuse involving your teenagers. To help educate families, here are some informative web sites. www.niaaa.hih.gov www.nida.nih.gov www.drugfreeamerica.org www.inhalants.org www.dare-america.com
Featuring:
3 Child
Greetings.
17 21
Inhalants Abuse Feature
The Four In Ten Criminal Affenders Involve Alcohol
Along with the new spring season comes our new sister publication Health Today. Health Today has been developed as a full color mini magazine to serve the consumer public. Watch for our premiere issue in the waiting rooms of healthcare providers this May. Feel free to send your comments or questions our office at Walsh Communications Group, Inc., 108 N. Washington Avenue Suite 500, Scranton, PA 18503 or phone at 717-344-2535. Sincerely, Karin Lyons-Brasted, Managing Editor walshnews@aol.com
HMO Reform Antidepressants Treat Smoking Addiction
Published By
Managing Editor:
Publisher:
Graphic Design:
Vice President of Operations:
Account Executives:
Walsh Communication Group Inc. Karin Lyons-Brasted Scott Walsh
Renee Casarella Michael McDonald
Sharon L. Lown
Ted E. Schweitzer, Midge Evans Subscription Rates: $24.00 annually
HealthCare Community NewsTM reserves the right to edit or reject any or all material. Appropriate submissions will be accepted and used at the Publisher’s /Editor’s discretion. HealthCare Community NewsTM and Walsh Communications Group, Inc., shall not be held liable for damages arising from errors or omissions. HealthCare Community NewsTM and Walsh Communications Group, Inc., assumes no responsibility for the validity or claims in connections with items reported in this publication.
WALSH
COMMUNICATIONS
GROUP INC.
108 N. Washington Ave. Suite 500 Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: 717-344-2535 Fax: 344-2510
Page 2
HealthNews
PinnacleHealth Behavioral Services Participates in National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day As part of the community outreach program during May, designated as National Mental Health Month, PinnacleHealth Behavioral Services will conduct screenings for those who suffer from anxiety disorders, a treatable mental illness that affects more than 23 million Americans annually. More than 50,000 adults and college students nationwide will attend the free National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day. In conjunction with this event, on Wednesday, May 6, PinnacleHealth Behavioral Services will offer a brief presentation on anxiety, an anxiety screening test, the viewing of a video, a confidential meeting with a mental health professional, and informative educational materials
about anxiety disorders. The free screening will begin at 4:15 p.m. in the Susquehanna Room, first floor, Brady Medical Arts Building, PinnacleHealth at Harrisburg Hospital. The screening will not be offered at the Polyclinic Hospital site. If you, or someone you know, suffer from any of the symptoms of anxiety, such as excessive worrying, feeling keyed up or restless, or experience phobias or anxiety attacks, there is free help available on May 6. For more information, or to confirm your attendance, call 231-8360. Your name need not be given. Refreshments and free parking will be available.
Little Shane Fought, the son of Scott and Ann Fought of Orangeville in Columbia County, was born at Geisinger Medical Center, weighing a little over seven pounds, in March. "It's a great milestone for us," says Dr. Latif Awad, director of the Fertility Center. "It's an indicator of our program's success. We're bringing the latest assisted reproductive techniques, previously available at a limited number of urban centers, to rural northeastern and central Pennsylvania." Dr. Robert Shabanowitz, the fertility center's Ph.D. embryologist, used a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection to place a single sperm cell in one of Mrs. Fought's egg cells. That invitro procedure had previously resulted in the birth of three children at Geisinger. A fifth baby is proceeding toward delivery now.
Services we provide include: • Blood Gas and Pulse Oximetry Services • Personnel Staffing • Respiratory Therapy Equipment • Pulmonary Screening • Development of Procedure Manuals • Service on Facility Committees • Meet all regulatory agency requirements • Ventilator Management • Doppler • EKG • Complete Pulmonary Function Laboratory • Pulmonary Screening • Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
Contract Services For:
Fertility Center Celebrates Birth of 100th Child DANVILLE– The Fertility Center at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville is celebrating the birth of the 100th child conceived here with in-vitro fertilization.
AIR Inc.
"Intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection (ICSI) provides a mechanism to treat extreme malefactor infertility in men whose only choice previously was to use donor sperm or to adopt children," Dr. Awad explains. Fifteen percent of American couples have infertility problems. The Fertility Center offers comprehensive infertility services to couples in that group who have been unable to achieve pregnancy. In addition to in-vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection and the treatment of male-factor infertility, its specialists treat ovulation disorders and provide conventional and laparoscopic surgical correction of infertility, artificial insemination, donor insemination and a donor egg program, as well as gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and embryo cryopreservation.
• Acute Care • Nursing Homes • Subacute Facilities • Physicians Facilities • Home Health Agencies
120 N. Keyser Ave. Scranton, PA Phone: 717-348-1130 Fax: 717-341-3351
Clearbrook
The Geisinger Medical Center specialists have averaged 70 in-vitro fertilizations a year since the center opened in 1992. Their rate of successful pregnancies is equal to or better than monitored averages
Page 3
HealthNews
Executive Profiles Patricia Finan Appointed President and CEO Wyoming Valley Health Care System Care System, including each of its subsidiaries and affiliate organizations.
The Board of Directors of Wyoming Valley Health Care System, at its annual meeting Monday evening, appointed Patricia Finan president and chief executive officer. Finan had previously served in an acting capacity since September 1997. As president and chief executive officer, Finan will report directly to the board of directors and will assume responsibility for the overall management of Wyoming Valley Health
"Our board of directors is encouraged by Pat's outstanding performance over the past six months as acting president and chief executive officer, and prior to that as senior vice president of the Hospital Services Division," explained board chairman John D. McCarthy. "The board is confident she will effectively lead our System toward our Vision to be the region's leader in providing and managing quality health care services," he continued. "We are proud of Pat's distinguished record of service to this System, and are confident she will
provide the appropriate leadership and wisdom as we strive to meet the health care needs of our region in a compassionate, collaborative, and cost-effective manner." Prior to her appointment last September, Finan served as senior vice president, with primary responsibilities for hospital operations of both Wilkes-Barre General and Nesbitt Memorial Hospital campuses as well as for System business development, planning and marketing communications- She also has been responsible for operations at Wyoming Valley Surgery Center, Plains Township, and Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program and Family Care Center, both located at Nesbitt Memorial
Hospital. Finan received her Master's degree in Health Care Administration from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and has also held senior management positions at Clinton Memorial Hospital, Wilmington, Ohio, and The Community Hospital at Glen Cove, Long Island, New York. Finan is a 10-year member of the American College of Health Care Executives and currently holds board of director positions at Rural Health Corporation of NEPA, Wyoming Valley Children's Service Center, United Way of Wyoming Valley and United Health and Hospital Services.
John A. Russell Recieves the 1998 Distinguished Service Award
The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) will present its 1998 Distinguished Service Award to John A. Russell, president and chief executive officer of The Institute for Healthy Communities and executive director of The Health Alliance Charitable Foundation. Russell is a widely recognized leader
in the healthy communities movement, working with public, private and voluntary agencies and organizations. As president and CEO of The Hospital Association of Pennsylvania beginning in 1983, he led the statewide initiative to create Pennsylvania Health Care Vision 2000– a commitment by hospitals and health systems to build a community-based health system for the future that responds to the needs of the population. Under his leadership, the institute for Healthy Communities was established. It serves as the catalyst for creating, linking and supporting
community-based partnerships that strive to improve the health and quality of life of Pennsylvania's citizens. There currently are more than 70 such partnerships active. Russell, a Hershey resident, has a distinguished career in hospital and association management, as a university instructor and lecturer, and as the author of numerous journal articles. He was the first state hospital association executive to serve on the board of the American Hospital Association (AHA). Russell made a major contribution as a facilitator: The healthy communi-
ties initiatives involved, in his words, "roping competitors, bringing them into a room and converting them to collaborators." AHA President Dick Davidson, in presenting that organization's Distinguished Service Award to Russell, described him as "masterful at bringing improvement in the health of our communities to the top of all agendas. He works tirelessly with individuals and organizations to encourage actions on behalf of healthy communities."
Broderick Advances to Fellowship Status and Recieves Board Certification in The American College of Healthcare Executives Rosemary Broderick, Chief Executive Officer of The Heritage Alliance Primary Care Independent Practitioners Association, a regional network of primary care physicians serving the healthcare needs of residents of northeastern Pennsylvania, was recently notified
by the Credentials Committee of The American College of Healthcare Executives of her advancement to fellowship status in the College. Broderick has held diplomat status in the College for the past ten years.
Fellowship status represents the highest level of achievement and recognition conferred by the College to members who have successfully met important standards of professional development, excellence and leadership as a healthcare executive. Her advancement in the
College also indicates that Broderick is now board certification in healthcare management.
Page 4
HealthNews
Penn State Geisinger Health Plan Hits 250,000 Members DANVILLE– The Penn State Geisinger Health Plan, recording the fastest growth in its history, hit a membership total of 250,000 men, women and children in March. "The health plan is the largest rural health maintenance organization in the U.S., and it's now one of the fastest-growing health plans in the nation," says Douglas Savidge, Penn State Geisinger's vice president for health plans marketing and sales. "We want to thank citizens, businesses and health care groups within our 30-county membership area and pledge to do our best for all of them every day." Begun in 1972, the Penn State Geisinger Health Plan offers members complete health care benefits, from preventive care and routine office visits to hospitalization and major surgery. Its extensive network includes hospitals, pharmacies, and thousands of primary-care providers and specialists throughout much of Pennsylvania. It also offers health plans for employer groups of all sizes, as well as individuals and families. In all, the Danville-based health plan has added more than 50,000 members
since last July. "We're a not-for-profit healthmaintenance organization, and we're independently monitored and compared to other major health plans across the nation," Savidge points out. "In programs to help patients prevent and detect illness, we're more than 30 percent ahead of the national average in mammogram and cholesterol screenings, 18 percent ahead in cervical-cancer screenings, 29 percent ahead in childhood immunizations, and more than 40 percent ahead in smoking cessation." The health plan is part of the Penn State Geisinger Health System, whose 40-county service area spans two-thirds of the state and serves more than three million people in Pennsylvania.
Moses
"No matter who comes to us - and no matter his or her condition - we do everything in our power to diagnose, heal, and comfort," Savidge adds. "That's what medicine is all about, and that's what Penn State Geisinger is all about."
Auxiliary Makes Easter Visit to Patients
The auxiliary of the Penn State Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center recently made its annual Easter holiday visit to patients at the medical center, presenting them with Easter flowers. The visit is one of numerous auxiliary events held throughout the year.
Shown are auxilians, from left, Helen Bergold, treasurer, Wilkes-Barre; Eleanor Seymour, Wilkes-Barre; Rosella Savankis, Pittston; Mary Jane Forlin, president, Wilkes-Barre; Arline Lavelle, secretary, Kingston; Nancy Cresko, advisor, Kingston; and Marianne Henderson,
Page 5
HealthNews
Breast Care Center a New Environment Medical Home Care Services Inc. 854 Northern Blvd. Clarks Summit, PA 18411 717-587-3141 800-808-4699 Medical Oxygen & Home Health Medical Equipment Supplies Now in addition to our product lines we are pleased to announce the addition of a Physical Therapist to our professional staff. Specializing in all types of Rehab & Custom wheelchairs and seating systems. Call or stop by for a personal evaluation on your special needs.
pin•dot SIMPLY SMART
Pride HealthCare, Inc.
All babies and Kids Are Cute... But are They Healthy? Pennsylvania WIC 1-800-WIC-WINS 1-800-942-9467
The opening of the Breast Care Center in downtown Scranton marks a new environment for women's health in the region, according to center officials. "We have designed the Breast Care Center to encompass a holistic combination of technology and environment," said Dr. Gino Mori. "We feel it's very important to offer the science of breast care in an environment of comfort, dignity and support." The Breast Care Center offers comprehensive diagnosis of breast cancer and breast disorders through a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, radiologists, nurse practitioners and mammographers. It is a division of Delta Medix, P.C., which also operates a urology and surgical practice in the Forum Plaza across Penn Avenue from the new facility. Delta Medix, P.C. also has offices on Jefferson Avenue, Scranton and in Carbondale. Using the latest equipment assures patients of low radiation and high reliability, said Dr. Mori, with same day results of mammography and ultrasound examinations available in most cases. The center's services include evaluation and treatment of breast problems, high-risk monitoring and risk assessment, breast health education, breast cancer care and scheduling of annual breast examinations. The facility includes image processing and evaluation areas, a family consultation room, a community meeting room and an educational library. The center's design, colors, building textures, lighting and furniture were all chosen to create a comforting, supportive environment, Dr. Mori said. "It's not enough to offer modern technology and a compassionate staff," Dr. Mori explained. "The environment in which the services are offered is an impor-
tant element in the overall caregiving plan. It assists the expertise of the medical team and enhances the technology. "We place a great deal of emphasis on the fast results of the mammography and ultrasound exams. Since we can offer same day results in most cases, this can help reassure patients and also focus our treatment resources more quickly if necessary. There are fewer delays and visits and more concentrated contact at a time when these issues are most critical." Susan M. BeGasse, M.S., C.R.N.P. is the Breast Care Center Coordinator. During her twenty year nursing career, she has practiced in the areas of open heart intensive care, emergency medicine, birthing, stress and pain management, OB/GYN, family practice, pediatrics, and adult health. She joins the center after serving as nurse practitioner and coordinator of The Lourdes Breast Care Center, Binghamton, NY. Susan holds a Master's Degree in Nursing from SUNY Binghamton. The center's staff also includes Mary Ann Dougherty, R.T., R.M., Chief Mammography Technologist; Tracy L. Alexander, R.T., R.M., Mammography Technologist; Mary Claire Pellegrini, RN, Registered Nurse; and Cynthia Hughes, Receptionist. The distinctive Breast Care Center logo that runs in an illuminated series from the building's ground floor to its roofline was developed by Milton Glaser, the designer of "I New York" and numerous other logotypes throughout the world. His artwork is also featured throughout the entire complex, which is located at 236 Penn Avenue. Dennis Kelly, partner in the local Clarks Summit based architectural firm of Kelly and Connell was the architect who planned the building's reconstruction from a former banquet facility, and Timothy Higgins, principal of Timothy
K.F. Little Photographer Who Is Eligible For WIC? ❥ Pregnant Women & Teens ❥ Breastfeeding Women & New Moms ❥ Infants & Children up to age 5 Why WIC? ❥ Healthy Foods at No Cost ❥ Health & Nutrition Information ❥ Health & Immunization Screenings ❥ Breastfeeding Information and Support ❥ Recipes, Newsletters and Educational Materials ❥ One to One Counseling Available ❥ Referrals to Community Services Tom Ridge Governer
Daniel F. Hoffman Secretary Of Health
Many Working Families Qualify Family Size Yearly Income 5 $0 - $34,725 4 $0 - $29,693 3 $0 - $24,661 2 $0 - $19,629 1 $0 - $14,597
WIC is a program of The Pennsylvania Department of Health with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture. USDA prohibits discrimination in the administration of it’s programs
Page 6
HealthNews
Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network to Open Outpatient Care Center in Trexlertown Allentown– Stepping up to the challenges of the changing health care industry and continuing a leadership role in meeting the needs of the community, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN) plans to open a unique outpatient care center in the Lehigh Valley by year-end. LVHHN is working with Anchor Health Properties, a regional developer specializing in establishing outpatient care centers in retail districts. In creating the center, Anchor will renovate the former Laneco store at the eastern end of the Trexlertown Mall, just off Route 222. The 50,000-square-foot commercial building had been vacant for three years. LVHHN will occupy about 30,000 square feet; Anchor will lease the remainder of the space to health-oriented retail stores and restaurants, said Patrick Simonson, director of ambulatory care, Lehigh Valley Health Services. Trends indicate that more health care is being provided outside of hospital walls– from wellness programs to outpatient treatments. This center will combine primary care and support services with the convenience, comfort and familiarity of a shopping area to provide appropriate care in the appropriate place, at the appropriate cost, Simonson said. "This entire concept is built upon the needs and wants of the patient," he said. "Today, people are busier than ever. If we are to make health care a part of their daily routines, we have to provide it in places and at times that are convenient for the patient, not the health care provider." "At the same time, we are excited about the opportunity to be a good neighbor to the community and play a role in revitalizing the mall," Simonson said. "We see this as one objective in our mission to establish a comprehensive, integrated network of health care services in partnership with the community and for the improved health of the community." For LVHHN, this project is significant because it is a collaborative effort among the organization's main divisions– the hospital, health services, Health Network Laboratories and the medical staff, said James Dunleavy, senior vice president, health services division.
into the evening for health promotion and education activities. as well as community functions. The ambulatory center will contain a health learning center featuring health-related materials using a variety of interactive media, including internet access. "On any given night, I envision multiple activities going on in this educational space, such as exercise sessions, prenatal classes, support group meetings, nutritional and exercise counseling, scout meetings, and students conducting research in the learning center," Simonson says. "I believe the center will earn an important presence in this community." The LVHHN space will also consist of physician offices including the Trexlertown Medical Center, currently at 6802 Hamilton Ave., Trexlertown. In addition, a variety of primary care and specialty physicians will have scheduled time in the examination suites available at the center. Women's Health Services will offer preventive diagnostic imaging, such as mammography, ultrasound and osteoporosis testing. Patients will have access to a full range of laboratory services including phlebotomy and specimen collection, even if their physician is not associated with the center. Testing will be conducted at Health Network Laboratories, 2024 Lehigh St., Allentown. "The trend in health care today is to provide primary care services in the community and to reserve the higher-cost tertiary setting for more serious conditions," said Robert X. Murphy, Jr., M.D., president of the LVH medical staff "The physicians of our hospital are excited about a new opportunity to encourage wellness, healthy lifestyles and disease prevention in our communities." Based in Allentown, Pa., Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network is comprised of Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg Hospital Center and Lehigh Valley Health Services, which includes home health, hospice, sub-acute and rehabilitation, pharmacy, durable medical equipment and health management. Regional tertiary resources include a Level 1 trauma center with added pediatric qualifications, as well as burn, kidney transplant, perinatal/neonatal, cardiac and cancer care. Additional information is available at www. lvhhn.org on the Internet.
Allied Now Provider of Continuing Nursing Education Credits Registered nurses seeking to accrue continuing nursing education credits will now find them offered at many Allied Services conferences, thanks to the efforts of Allied's Corporate Education Department. According to Betty Lou Woods, director of corporate education, and Shirley Speth, clinical educator, Allied is now an official provider of continuing nursing education credits through the Pennsylvania Nurses Association (PNA). "Being a provider gives Allied a lot more flexibility with regard to providing credits that nurses need to fulfill for their continuing education requirements," Speth said. "It is also a great time saver, because Allied will not have to send in applications to the PNA for each conference it plans, and then wait for approval to provide credits," she added. Woods added that certified rehabilitation nurses and certified gerontological nurses, for example, will be able use the PNA credits towards their specialty certification as long as the course content reflects that specialty area in some way. For additional information on offering PNA credits at Allied Services conferences, contact Shirley Speth at 348-1391.
Tri-County Medical
For All Your Home Health Needs Tri-County Medical “Improving the Quality of Life For the Patients We Serve” 717-586-8830 or Toll Free 800-248-5600 24 Hr. Emergency Service 7 Days A Week
The center will be open throughout the day and
Page 7
HealthProfile
Professional Achievement Elizabeth Karazim-Horochos Joins Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates
Elizabeth KarazimHorchos, D.O. has joined Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates in the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Karazim-Horchos is a graduate of Union College, Schenectady, NY, received her masters degree in neuroscience from State University of
New York, Albany, NY, and her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. She completed her internship in internal medicine at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City, NY and her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Karazim-Horchos is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Association of Academic Physiatrist and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Horchos is a graduate of Scranton Prep, the University of Scranton and the
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He has completed his internship in internal medicine at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, NY and his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA where he had been the chief
resident.
Dr. Horchos is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Association of Academic Physiatry and the American Medical Association. Dr. Horchos will be prac-
Kyle A. Helwig, M.D., Board Certified in Gastroenterology
Kyle A. Helwig, M.D., associate in gastroenterology with the Penn State Geisinger Health Group at Lake Scranton, was recently notified that he has successfully completed the examination and requirements for certification by the American Board of Gastroenterology. A
graduate
of
Boston
College with a bachelor of science degree in biology, Dr. Helwig earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, in Newark in 1991. He completed an internship in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and fellowships
Her office is located at 475 Morgan Highway, Scranton, PA where she will be practicing in association with Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, P.C.
Her practice interests include musculoskeletal medicine, woman's sports medicine
Paul W. Horochos Joins Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates
Paul W. Horchos, D.O. has recently returned to Northeastern PA to practice rehabilitation medicine. He has joined the group practice of Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates.
issues and brain injury rehabilitation.
in gastroenterology and clinical nutri足tion at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, American College of Gastroenterol足o gy, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Gastroenterology Association, Pennsylvania
ticiing both inpatient and outpatient medicine and he has a particular interest in brain injury rehabilitation, spinal cord injury rehabilitation and generalized muscular disorders. His office is located at 475 Morgan Highway in Scranton, PA.
Society of Gastroenterology, and American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutri足 tion. He was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1995. He and his wife, Dr. Anne Helwig, reside in Clarks Summit with their daughter, Kristen.
Carl M. Charnetski, M.D., Board Certified in Internal Medicine Carl M. Charnetski, M.D., an associate in internal medicine with the Penn State Geisinger Health Group in the Valley Medical Building, Wilkes-Barre, has received notification that he has successfully completed the requirements and passed the
examination to become board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. A magna cum laude graduate of Wilkes University, Dr. Chametski eamed his medical degree from the Thomas Jefferson University School
of Medicine, Philadelphia. He completed an internal medicine residency program at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he was the recipient of three Certificates of Recognition for Outstanding Performance. He is a member of the medi-
cal staff at the Penn State Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. An area native and graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School, Dr. Charnetski resides in Kingston.
Page 8
HealthProfile
Professional Achievement Mario Cornacchione, D.O., Appointed Director of Geriatrics Mario Cornacchione, D.O., associate in family practice and geriatrics at the Penn State Geisinger Health Group in Dallas, was recently appointed director of geriatrics for the eastern region of the Penn State Geisinger Health System. In addition to directing the health system's geriatric assessment program, Dr. Cornacchione will also be responsible for developing innovative programs to integrate and improve healthcare
delivery to the elderly throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. A graduate of Alfred. University, Dr. Cornacchione earned a master's degree in physiology from Rutgers University and his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medi足 cine. He completed a residency program at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, and is board certified in both
family practice and geriatric medicine. Dr. Cornacchione is president elect of the Pennsylvania Medical Director's Association and was recently appointed to an independent, national Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee established by the Center for Health Information to provide guidance to PharMerica on its guidelines for drug utilization in postacute care settings. PharMerica is the nation's largest institu-
tional pharmacy supplier in the United States. A Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, he recently spoke on Agitation and Restlessness in the Long Term Care Setting: A Medical Director's Perspective at the American Medical Directors' 21st Annual Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Gitlin Appointed Medical Director of Mercy Adolescent Center, Wilkes-Barre Paul J. Gitlin, M.D., has been appointed medical director of the Adolescent Center at Mercy Hospital, WilkesBarre. The Adolescent Center at Mercy, a 10-bed inpatient facility offers 24-hour help to adolescents and their families who are having emotional and behavioral problems. The center staff of doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, educators and mental health workers offers compassionate psychiatric care to each patient and family.
Dr. Gitlin is a consulting psychiatrist for St. Michael's School, Hoban Heights, Tunkhannock, and Lourdesmont Residential Treatment Center, Clarks Summit. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry. A graduate of State University of New York at Purchase, Dr. Gitlin earned
his medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, NY State Program, New York, NY. He served his residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY. He completed a fellowship in child/adolescent psychiatry at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY. Dr. Gitlin has extensive experience in his field including a private practice in Jamestown, NY and as director of the Child/Adolescent Mental Health Unit, WCA
Hospital in Jamestown. Regionally he served as a consultant to the Monroe County Children & Youth Services and as director of the Adolescent Program at First Hospital Wyoming Valley. He served as medical director of Wordsworth at Shawnee Residential Treatment Center, Shawnee on the Delaware. Dr. Gitlin also served as a staff psychiatrist at Children's Service Center, Tunkhannock, PA.
Mercy Employee Among First in U.S. to be Certified in Geriatric Pharmacy
A Mercy Health Partners pharmacist is among 124 candidates nationwide who passed the first certification examination in geriatric pharmacy.
Dominick P. Trombetta, of Shavertown, was one of the successful candidates who sat for the first exam administered by the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (CCGP), Alexandria, VA. Mr. Trombetta has earned the designation "certified
geriatric pharmacist" or (CGP), distinguishing him as a leader in his profession. Passing the exam and becoming certified demonstrates that he possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical cam to the elderly. The 150-item exam was designed to assess a candidate's knowledge in three areas of practice: patient-specific activities; disease-specific activities and quality
improvement and utilization management activities.
The exam was developed by a 12-member committee of geriatric pharmacy educators and practitioners. CCGP was created by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Board of Directors on February 27, 1997. Mr. Trombetta, a Clinical Coordinator, has been a member of the pharmacy staff at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre since June, 1982. He also pro-
vides consulting pharmacy services to residents at the Mercy Health Care Center, Nanticoke, and the Skilled Nursing Facility at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-足 Barre. A graduate of Pittston Area High School, Mr. Trombetta earned a bachelor of science degree in Pharmacy from Temple University, Philadelphia. He also earned a master's degree in Healthcare Administration from Marywood University.
Page 9
HealthNews
Wyoming Valley PHO and QualMed Plans for Health Enter Into Partnership
One Of The First, And Still A Leader In Treating Drug And Alcohol Problems. Founded in 1957 the Caron Foundation If you or someone you know has a in Wernersville, PA, has been named in drug or alcohol problem, if you grew up The New York Times and Forbes as one of in a dysfunctional family, if you’ve had a the best treatment centers in the coun- painful relationship with an addict - the try. And if you don’t believe everything best help in the country is closer than you read, you might you think. To find out want to ask any of more about Caron’s the thousands of nationally recognized adults and adolesprograms for adults, cents who have had adolescents and famiF o u n d a t i on life-changing expelies. riences at Caron. Call
CARON
100 North Wilkes Barre Boulevard, Suite 301 • Wilkes Barre • (717) 821-9331
Wyoming Valley PhysicianHospital Organization (WVPHO)– a not-for-profit corporation which is a partnership between, and governed by, Wyoming Valley Health Care System and over 300 physicians– and QualMed Plans for Health have entered into a partnership agreement effective May 1, 1998. The agreement, which was executed on April 16, 1998, more than doubles QualMed's provider network in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties as WVPHO joins the network of providers for QualMed members. In addition to its individual physician membership, WVPHO includes Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Nesbitt Memorial Hospital, First Hospital Wyoming Valley, Community Counseling Services of NEPA, CHOICES, General Medical Services, Heritage House, Wyoming Valley Manor, Hospice Care of the VNA, Rural Health Corporation of NEPA,
Visiting Nurse Association/Home Health Services, VNA/Homemaker Services, Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program, Wyoming Valley Surgery Center, and Wyoming Valley Imaging Center. QualMed entered the local health care market in 1995 through an alliance with Mercy Health Partners. The addition of WVPHO, in conjunction with QualMed's Philadelphia network, gives QualMed one of the most extensive provider networks in the area. QualMed-PA has a local office on the Public Square in Wilkes-Bane, including local customer service, provider services, case management and sales. Its regional headquarters are in Philadelphia, with offices in Pittsburgh and Wheeling, West Virginia. Combined, QualMed serves more than 117,000 members in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Junior Volunteers at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Honored
Miseri
The Volunteer Office of the WilkesBarre General Hospital campus of Wyoming Valley Health Care System recently held a pizza party to show its appreciation to the members of its Junior Volunteer program. Girls and boys between the ages of
13 and 18 serve in the Junior Volunteer program. They donate their time and talents to the hospital by assisting in discharging patients, sorting and delivering patients' mail, delivering flowers and fruit baskets, and manning the hospitality cart.
Shown, from left, are Junior Volunteers Bonnie Cottle, Forty Fort; Laura Simon, Swoyersville; Michael Klinges, Wilkes-Barre; and Sean Yustat, Wilkes-Barre.
Page 10
HealthNews
Dangers of Blood-Borne Pathogens in the Workplace Discussed at Breakfast Seminar
Quality Care and Courage Return Senior Citizen to Active Life
More than 50 local employers, supervisors and production managers attended a recent breakfast seminar on the risk factors, dangers and preventive measures associated with blood-borne pathogens in the workplace. The morning seminar featured presentations outlining the latest information on the transmission of blood-borne pathogens and current methods to prevent and deal with exposure.
SCRANTON– -When Clair Hanlon, 77, entered Community Medical Center for some routine tests, the last thing he expected to hear was that he had a 99 percent blockage in one of his arteries.
Opening remarks were offered by Roger Landry, M.D., M.P.H., Director of ProWorks, who also served as program moderator. Robert Brown, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Wyoming Valley Health Care System, presented an overview of HIV and hepatitis, including modes of transmission, prevalence in the conununity, and the physiology and effect of the diseases. Carol Ann Yozviak, B.S.N., R.N., C. HIV/Nurse Coordinator of the PA Department of Health, Northeast District, offered a presentation on new initiatives in HIV/AIDS prevention, including new programs available to Pennsylvania businesses to prevent or control the spread of
blood-borne diseases. Melita Konecke, M.D., ProWorks Occupational Health Management, discussed which precautions to implement at the worksite in the event of a blood-borne contamination, including how to minimize the risk to other workers, and what medical treatment the affected worker(s) will receive. A lively question and answer session followed the presentations. ProWorks is a service of Wyoming Valley Health Care System providing occupational health management, including safety, preventive, educational programs and injury treatment, to local business and industry. ProWorks holds quarterly informational seminars addressing important issues affecting workers' compensation and occupational health management. To receive a handy guide to bloodborn pathogens in the workplace, or for more information about the services provided by ProWorks Occupational Health Management, please call 552-8700 or 1-800-704-7622.
As the primary caretaker for his wife, who is in the last stages of Alzheimer's Disease, Clair was faced with a huge decision. He needed open-heart surgery, but he first needed someone to care for his wife. Clair put his priorities in order. Before he entered CMC's openheart program for surgery, he admitted his wife to CMC's Mountain View Care Center, a long-term home with an Alzheimer's unit. These two CMC facilities teamed up to produce marvelous results. Clair's operation was a complete success and his wife received excellent care. In fact, after the operation, Clair also entered Mountain Valley for rehabilitation. The care
"I couldn't have asked for better care," says Clair. "After three months of rehabilitation I was able to go home and resume my life." He added, "I go back and visit Mountain View on a regular basis because I was so pleased with the care. I think it makes the healing process move much faster when you receive such quality care and support." Mountain View Care Center is a 180-bed long-term care center located on Stafford Avenue in Scranton. Community Medical Center's Open Heart Program celebrated its one-year anniversary January 18. It boasts a 99 percent success rate. Don Murphy, University of Scranton, intern, authored this press release.
American Cancer Society Annual Relay for Life Committee The Central Susquehanna Unit of the American Cancer Society will host the 5m Annual Relay for Life on Friday, May 29, 6 p.m., until Saturday, May 30, 6 p.m. at Susquehanna University Football Stadium, Selinsgrove, PA. This 24 hour event purpose is to increase regional awareness and prevention of cancer, educate the public of the mission and goals of the ACS, and to raise funds for cancer research, education, and service in the Central Susquehanna Valley.
Front row, from left: Barbara Khan, Sales Representative, ProWorks; Carol Ann Yozviak, B.S.N., R.N., C. HIV/Nurse Coordinator of the PA Department of Health, Northeast District; Melita Konecke, M.D., ProWorks; and Robert Brown, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Wyoming Valley Health Care System. Second row: Roger Landry, M.D., M.P.H., Director of ProWorks; Kevin Santry, Administrative Manager, ProWorks; and Ron Lloyd, Sales Representative, ProWorks.
he and his wife received was so comprehensive that the Hanlons have returned home and Clair has resumed caring for his wife.
Get involved in the fight against cancer! Organize a team, make a donation, walk with your family, friend, or as an individual, remember or honor a loved one by purchasing a luminaria candle, become a relay sponsor, or volunteer your time !
Teams of 12 people are required to pay a $150 registration fee, which may be paid by an employer or divided among team members. Each team member is asked to collect a minimum of $100 in donations prior to the event. Lots of fun and entertainment will be taking place while at least one team member circles the track during the 24 hour event. Corporate sponsorship of the ACS presents a unique opportunity to reach a wide cross section of people who are active in the community while contributing to the fight against cancer. A minimum donation of $250 is required for the benefits of a corporate sponsorship.
Page 11
HealthFeature
How Physicians Can Clear the A
Inhalant use ... What is it?... Is it really a serious prob
6th National Colloquium The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
By Richard Scatterday, M.D. Physicians can expect to face questions such as these with increasing frequency. Why? Because inhalant use has emerged over the past several years as the drug use problem most likely to inflict serious damage upon youth, even with transient involvement. Inhalant use has also been the problem most resistant to drug use prevention efforts. From 1980 to 1990, it was the only drug abuse problem monitored by the National Institute on Drug and Alcohol Abuse that demonstrated an overall increase in prevalence. It has also been particularly elusive to early diagnosis and resistant to intervention and treatment efforts. Yet, parents, physicians, educators, and law enforcement officers tend to have limited awareness of the problem.
Date: 07/09/98 to 07/12/98 Subject: Child Abuse Place: Chicago IL Phone: (312) 554-0166 Fax: (312) 554-0919 Email: apsaceduc@aol.com Contact: APSAC, 407 S. Dearborn, Ste. 1300, Chicago, IL 60605, USA NB: Because event venues are often changed by organisers after initial meeting announcements are made, please call the organiser or sponsor to confirm the location and dates of meetings you wish to attend BEFORE making travel plans.
Page 12
With continued occurrence of inhalant-abuse related complications, physicians will be called upon ever more frequently to provide information and services for inhalant-abuse related problems. The following are concise answers to eleven representative questions frequently directed to physicians regarding inhalant abuse. Equipped with basic information such as this, physicians can become valuable resources in preventive, intervention, and treatment efforts directed at our inhalant use problem:
What is inhalant use? Inhalant use refers to the purposeful utilization of any of a very large and diverse group of volatile compounds to produce euphoria.
2
What volatile substances are most frequently abused by youth?
Historically, environmentally accessible household or commercial products, especially those containing toluene, have been utilized most frequently. Beginning
with paint products, glues, and gasoline the number of abused compounds has expanded exponentially such that today literally hundreds of familiar volatile products have been abused.
3
How significant a problem is inhalant use?
Inhalant use appears to be a very significant form of youth drug use. Self-report surveys in Texas suggest that at least one-in-five junior and senior high school students have used inhalants, thus surpassing the frequency of use of such highly publicized drugs as cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, and in some cases, marijuana.
4
factors confers upon inhalants as a class a more formidable toxic profile than any other type of drug of abuse.
What is the developmental impact of inhalant use upon youth? Typical onset of experimentation
What trends have been observed in the use of inhalants by youth?
Disturbing trends have been noted, including a) relative increases in the use of substances with greater sudden death potential b) increased incidence of inhalant use among females, and c) increased utilization in settings associated with youth violence.
5
Why are inhalants taken as a group, considered to be so toxic?
Various factors operate here. Most inhalants are commercial products composed of a variety of chemicals. Each of these chemicals caries it’s own potential for toxic damage to vital organ systems. When the multiple toxic ingredients act together, a multiplied, synergistic in-vivo toxicity can be projected. This toxic impact is then augmented by the typical developmental immaturity of the user, the massive concentrations of these substances achieved in abuse settings, the efficiency of the lungs at delivering these toxic chemicals to vital tissues at high concentrations, and the tendency for lipid-rich vital organs to avidly retain these lipid-like organic toxins. The summation of these and yet other
with inhalants occurs earlier than with most other drugs of abuse, in the preteen years, coinciding with the time of initiation of crucial steps of physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Because inhalants bring to bear at this crucial developmental interval chemicals of unsurpassed toxicity the projected developmental impact would be expected to be great, probably exceeding that of other drugs of abuse.
How serious is the risk that sudden death could occur related to inhalant use?
7
It appears that the risk of sudden death with any given episode of inhalant use exceeds that presented with any other drug of
Air Regarding Inhalant Abuse
blem?... Can it affect my children?... My community? abuse. Death has been noted to occur via a variety of cardiovascular, pulmonary, accidental, and violence-related mechanisms. Of particular importance is death via the induction of refractory cardiac rhythm disturbances, referred to as the “sudden sniffing death syndrome”. Sudden death risk appears to be prominent, even with initial experimentation. In British studies of sudden death
9
occur related to inhalant use?
Much of what is known relates to toluene exposure in occupational and abuse settings. There is evidence to suggest that chronic toluene abuse may incur chromosome damage in the user, and that extensive exposure during pregnancy is capable of producing many serious intrapartum derangements. These include disruptions of the physiology of pregnancy and birth, as well as a variety of fetal toxic effects, ranging from fetal growth retardation and fetal death to a syndrome of fetal teratogenic effects analogous to the fetal alcohol syndrome.
How effective are treatment efforts directed at inhalant abuse?
10
related to inhalant use, of every ten persons who died from inhalants, up to three of these victims died during their initial inhalant use experience.
What evidence exists that inhalant abuse causes neuropsychological damage to the user?
8
Clinical studies investigating this question are few and have been criticized on methodological grounds. Nevertheless, the aggregate weight of these studies suggests that chronic long-term use of inhalants is likely to result in neurologic deficits and cognitive impairment.
What reproductive complications can
Youth with a history of chronic inhalant use appear to be particularly resistant to outpatient and inpatient treatment efforts. Compared with other forms of drug abuse, they exhibit strikingly high rates of relapse and treatment failure. In particular, longer term treatment efforts appear to be necessary to produce reasonably successful results. While many professionals believe that specific programs and approaches are needed to address inhalant abuse effectively, very few programs are available. In fact, because of the difficult problems associated with inhalant abuse treatment, these youth are specifically excluded from some drug abuse treatment programs. Treatment resource availability for the large number of youth with significant inhalant use problems is at best problematic, and often nonexistent.
What are some common misconceptions that impede the prevention of inhalant abuse?
11
The first problematic concept is to have “no concept,” to have no
awareness that a problem exists. Another is that inhalant abuse is a “harmless and passing phase” typical of normal adolescent development, and as such is not worthy of much concern since it will spontaneously resolve without difficulty. The frequency of sudden death among initial users exposes the inappropriateness of this view. A third is that the problem mainly affects minority and socio-economically disadvantaged youth. While certainly such youth are affected, a careful examination of Texas statistics indicates that inhalant use affects youth of all racial socio-economic groups, and that among them, Caucasians tend to be most affected.
Advancing from the Ventral Striatum to the Extended Amygdala: Implications for Neuropsychiatry and Drug Abuse
Inhalant use tends to be under recognized as a serious threat to youth: itaffects substantial numbers, and because of inherent toxicity and suddendeath risk, it presents hazard of serious injury, long and short-term interference with quality of life, and death even to those who experiment briefly. For the physician desiring to contribute to the health of our youth, some basic information and a watchful eye can be sufficient resourcesto allow earlier diagnosis and intervention, and to convey desperately needed preventive information to youth, their parents, and others who care for them, including school personnel and community agencies. A worthy challenge is to take this information, build on it, apply it in your practice, and convey it to others with a view to addressing this relatively untouched serious youth drug use concern. Why not be a physician who helps to clear the air regarding inhalant abuse?
Date: 10/18/98 to 10/21/98 Subject: Neurologic disorders, Psychiatric disorders Basal Forebrain, Striatopallidal, Amygdala, Magnocellular Sponsor/Organiser: New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) Fax: 212.838.5640 Email: conference@nyas.org Conference Site: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA Contact: NYAS, Science & Technology Meetings NB: Because event venues are often changed by organisers after initial meeting announcements are made, please call the organiser or sponsor to confirm the location and dates of meetings you wish to attend BEFORE making travel plans.
Page 13
HealthNews
Age of Drinking Onset Predicts Future Alcohol Abuse and Dependence The younger the age of drinking onset, the greater the chance that an individual at some point in life will develop a clinically-defined alcohol disorder, according to a new report released today by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Young people who began drinking before age 15 were four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence (alcohol addiction, commonly known as alcoholism) than those who began drinking at age 21, researchers found. The risk that a person would develop alcohol abuse (a maladaptive drinking
pattern that repeatedly causes life problems) was more than doubled for persons who began drinking before age 15 compared with those who began drinking at age 21. The analysis by Bridget Grant, Ph.D., Ph.D., and Deborah Dawson, Ph.D., of NIAAA’s division of biometry and epidemiology, is published in this month’s issue of the Journal of Substance Abuse and based on the NIAAA-sponsored National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES), a national probability sample of nearly 43,000 interviews with field work conducted by the U.S. Census
Bureau in 1992. More than 40 percent of respondents who began drinking before age 15 were classified with alcohol dependence at some time in their lives, the researchers found. That compares to 24.5 percent for respondents who began drinking at age 17 and approximately 10 percent for respondents who began drinking at the ages of 21 and 22. The analysis revealed an increase in risk for subsequent alcohol dependence among persons who began drinking at ages 23 and 24 that declined again for persons
25 and older. Overall, the risk for alcohol dependence decreased by 14 percent with each increasing year of age of drinking onset. Similarly, the prevalence of alcohol abuse declined as the drinking age rose. Of those who began drinking at age 14, 13.8 percent subsequently were classified with alcohol abuse, compared with 2.5 percent of those who began drinking at age 25 and older. Overall, the risk for lifetime alcohol abuse decreased by 8 percent with each increasing year of age of drinking onset.
Four in Ten Criminal Offenders Report Alcohol as a Factor in Violence but Alcohol-Related Deaths and Consumption in Decline more than $400 million. When injured in alcohol-related violence, the average victim experienced a $1,500 out-ofpocket medical expense. The rate of all alcohol-induced deaths fell 19 percent between 1980 and 1994, noted the report on alcohol and crime, citing National Center for Health Statistics data.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths are in decline, alcohol abuse is still linked to a large percentage of criminal offenses, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) said today. Almost four in 10 violent crimes involve alcohol, according to the crime victim, as do four in 10 fatal motor vehicle accidents. And about four in 10 criminal offenders report that they were using alcohol at the time of their offense. About one in five victims of alcohol-related violence (about 500,000 victims annually) report financial losses totaling
“We also have seen recent declines in violence between current and former spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends,” commented BJS Director Jan M. Chaiken. “This is the kind of violence most likely to involve alcohol abuse.” Two-thirds of the violent crime victims who were attacked by an intimate—a current or former spouse or a boyfriend or girl friend—report that alcohol had been a factor. Among spouse violence victims, three out of four incidents were reported to have involved alcohol use by the offender. The arrest rate for driving under the influence of alcohol has fallen by 24 percent since 1990, and during the last decade the number of highway fatalities blamed on alcohol has dropped
by about 7,000 a year—from 24,000 such deaths in 1986 to 17,126 fatalities in 1996—a 29 percent decrease.
tion of alcohol have declined 10 percent since 1990—from 40 gallons per person to 36 gallons.
In 1996 local law enforcement agencies made an estimated 1,467,300 arrests nationwide for driving under the influence of alcohol, compared to 1.9 million such arrests during the peak year 1983, when 33 states had a minimum age for alcohol consumption less than 21 years old.
The most commonly used definition of intoxication is 0.10 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood, known as the blood alcohol concentration or BAC. Among state prisoners who reported drinking the time of the offense for which they were incarcerated, the BAC was estimated to be 0.28 for inmates convicted of violent crime, 0.30 for those convicted of property crimes, 0.23 for those convicted of public order offenses and 0.19 for those convicted of drug offenses.
Subsequently, all states changed the minimum legal drinking age to 21 years old, pursuant to federal highway funding legislation. In 1980 men and women younger than 21 accounted for 10 percent of all licensed drivers, but 15 percent of those arrested for driving under the influence. In 1996 people younger than 21 accounted for 7 percent of the licensed drivers and 8 percent of those arrested for driving under the influence. An estimated 80 percent of U.S. residents 12 years old and older have used alcohol at least once, and 50 percent describe themselves as current drinkers. National estimates of the annual per capita consump-
The study, “Alcohol and Crime, An Analysis of National Data on the Prevalence of Alcohol Involvement in Crime” (NCJ-168632) was prepared for the National Symposium on Alcohol Abuse and Crime, which opened here today. It was written by BJS statistician Lawrence A. Greenfeld. Single copies may be obtained from the BJS fax-on-demand system by dialing 301/519-5550, listening to the menu, and selecting document number 102 or by calling the BJS Clearinghouse at 1-800/732-3277.
Page 14
HealthNews
Spring: Seasonal Affective Disorder M e d i c a l
tion of treatment options, which include the following:
L a w
Who Is Supervising the Nurses? By Cherie B. Artz The question whether a nurse is a supervisor or an employee under the National Labor Relations Act is seriously confused and needs clarification by the federal courts. The distinction is important because the Act protects the rights of employees to organize and engage in collective bargaining without interference from their employers. In order to ensure employee the undivided loyalty of their supervisory personnel, the Act expressly excludes from its protection anyone "employed as a supervisor." The Act defines supervisor as any individual exercising the authority, "in the interest of the employer," to take any of 12 enumerated personnel actions if the actions are not merely routine in nature but require the use of "independent judgment." The Act has important ramifications in laborintensive industries, such as the health-care industry, where an individual's classification as an employee or supervisor will determine the composition of the bargaining unit and the extent to which the employer may be subject to unfair-labor-practice charges. In the health-care field, nurses are a large percentage of the work force, but there are no clear guidelines for distinguishing between supervisory and non supervisory nurses for purposes of the Act. Indeed, the National Labor Relations Board, the administrative agency responsible for enforcing the Act, seems inclined to treat all nurses, regardless of their responsibilities, as employees rather than as supervisors. For many years, the Board used a "patient care" analysis to determine whether a nurse was an employee or a supervisor. In doing so, it considered whether the nurse had authority to engage in any of the 12 enumerated personnel actions. If so, the Board determined whether the exercise of that authority required the use of independent judgment. If it did, the Board decided whether the authority was exercised in the interest of the employer. If all of those questions were answered affirmatively, the Board treated the nurse as a supervisor. In applying that test, however, the Board treated any exercise of authority derived from a nurse's professional or technical knowhow as being taken in the interest of the patient rather than in the interest of the employer. Thus, it was not inclined to find that nurses were supervisors. In National Labor Relations Board v. Health Care & Retirement Corp., 511 U.S. 571 (1994), the Supreme Court
rejected the NLRB's patient-care analysis. The Court concluded that the Board created a "false dichotomy" between acts taken in the interest of the patient and acts taken in the interest of the employer. The Court pointed out that it is inherently in the interest of the employer to attend to the needs of patients. After the Supreme Court's rejection of the patient-care analysis, the Board has focused on the "independent judgment" language in the Act's definition of supervisor rather than on the interest-of-t-employer language. In doing so, the Board has created further confusion about how to tell whether a nurse is a supervisor or an employee. In 1996, the Board found that hospital charge nurses were employees rather than supervisors even though they exercised authority to direct and assign other nurses. In so finding, the Board distinguished between a professional's expert judgment and a supervisor's independent judgment and concluded that, where a nurse's professional judgment and independent judgment are indistinguishable, the nurse is acting as a professional employee and not as a supervisor. The Board's independent-judgment analysis ignores the import of the Supreme Court's Health Care & Retirement decision and creates another false dichotomy. In its patient-care analysis, the Board treated authority derived from a nurse's technical knowledge as the basis to classify the nurse as a professional employee acting in the interest of the patient. In its independent-judgment analysis, the Board is treating authority derived from a nurse's technical knowledge as the basis to classify the nurse as a professional employee exercising expert judgment. These analyses are substantively indistinguishable; they preclude a nurse from achieving supervisory status on the basis of professional knowledge. Until federal courts clarify circumstances under which nurses may be considered supervisors, it is reasonable to anticipate that the Board will classify nurses as employees. Health-care managers should take heed. Cherie B. Artz is a member of the Schnader Harrison Employment and Labor, Health Law, and Litigation departments. For more information, you can reach Ms. Artz by telephone at 202-463-2900 or by e-mail at Cherie_ Artz@shsl. com.
• Drugs that relieve depression and anxiety. If, over time, your symptoms prove to be yearround and not seasonal, you may have to continue taking an anti-depressant drug until the symptoms subside and do not reappear soon afterward. Do the sunny skies of spring and summer depress you? Do the gray skies of winter cheer you? Those may sound like unusual questions to most of you. But to the people who suffer from warmweather Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, they make perfect sense. Those are people who do, in fact, become gloomy at the sight of sunlight and cloudless skies. Ordinarily, SAD strikes in the winter. Its victims become like the landscape: cold, desolate, deeply depressed. If untreated, their depression may dog them until spring sunlight restores their equilibrium. For sufferers of warm-weather SAD, however, the pattern is the opposite: that is, when temperatures rise, their spirits plummet. Like victims of winter SAD, warm-weather sufferers experience many of the symptoms of severe depression, including anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, loss of self-esteem, loss of appetite and inability to concentrate. In some cases, SAD sufferers may even have thoughts of suicide. Both varieties of SAD appear to result from an adverse reaction of the body's chemistry to seasonal changes. For winter sufferers, lack of light triggers the symptoms; for warm weather sufferers, higher temperatures and humidity may bring on the symptoms. If you think you are a victim of Seasonal Affective Disorder, you should first have a medical exam. if it reveals that SAD - and not an underlying illness - is indeed the cause of your symptoms, your physician may select one or a combina-
• Psychotherapy that enables you to combat your symptoms. • Lifestyle changes that leave you less time to brood and mope. Joining clubs, participating in sports and volunteer activities, and taking up an engrossing hobby are among your choices. • Special therapies that directly attack the symptoms. For example, research shows that warm weather SAD patients benefit from remaining in an air-conditioned environment during the day. Cooling showers from time to time enhance that benefit. Cold-weather SAD patients, on the other hand, benefit from exposing themselves to extremely bright light whose spectrum is not unlike that of sunlight. (Light therapy requires special equipment and professional supervision.) Of course, SAD patients also have the option of removing themselves from the season of their discontent. For example, cold-weather SAD sufferers from Pennsylvania can move south for the winter, and warm-weather sufferers can move north. Editor's Note: Dr. Paul Kettle is acting chief of psychiatry at the Penn State Geisinger Health System's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The Penn State Geisinger Health System includes hospitals, medical group practices, family health centers, an alcohol and chemical dependency treatment program, the Penn State Geisinger Health Plan and other services.
Page 15
HealthNews
Mercy Special Care Hospital 10-Bed Scranton Satellite to Open Mercy Special Care Hospital in Nanticoke was the first hospital in Eastern Pennsylvania to provide a unique new alternative for the medically complex patient requiring 25 days or longer acute inpatient services. In that special care hospital, Mercy physicians and a specially trained staff offer a comprehensive, acute care program geared to meeting the needs of the chronically ill patient with multiple conditions. Now Mercy Health Partners (MHP) will open a Mercy Special Care Scranton Satellite this spring. The 1 10-bed satellite, according to Bob Williams, MHP Vice President for Aging Services, will be a welcome and convenient addition for physicians, patients and their families." "Mercy Special Care Scranton Satellite will provide an appropriate alternative step for patients who require longer stays in their progression from acute care to his or her highest degree of independence," Mr. Williams said. He said the satellite concept places a unit in a separate location from the free standing long term hospital but includes all the functions of the long term hospital, but occupies space in Mercy Hospital, Scranton, the host facility, thus the satellite name.
"The new Scranton Satellite will employ the same holistic approach to caring for the entire individual that we have at our Nanticoke facility. Highly personalized schedules of treatment are designed to progress patients to their optimum level of recovery quickly, and more efficiently," Mr. Williams said. The Scranton Satellite will offer: • "24-hour coverage by an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, psychologists, therapists and social workers. • "24-hour emergency and support services. • "Specialty programs in wound management, cardiopulmonary ventilator management/weaning. • "Individualized treatment programs for each patient • "More concentrated professional care.” Mr. Williams said a patient can be referred by any physician simply by reaching the patient care supervisor for the satellite. If the patient meets the criteria of the unit and a bed is available, the patient will be admitted. June Supey has been hired as Patient Care Supervisor of the Mercy Special Care Hospital Scranton Satellite.
New Mercy Heart Team Featured Speakers Mercy's new open heart team was featured during National Heart Month as program speakers for Mercy Wilkes-Barre's Cardiac Support Group Meeting recently in the Medical Arts Building. Mercy physicians and nurse specialists participated in a round table discussion of current approaches to the treatment of coronary artery disease. Left to right: Carolyn Brislin, BS, RN, Group Facilitator; Cathy Gegaris, RN,CCRN, Regional Manager of Cardiovascular Services; Dr. Walter J. Boris, cardio-thoracic surgeon; Dr. Michael D. Rupp, car-
diologist; Robert Bonczek, Regional Director of Diagnostic Services and Fran Rogers, RN, MS, CCRN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiovascular Services.
White Rose Hospice to Host National Teleconference "Living with Grief: Who We Are, How We Grieve" On Wednesday, April 22, Memorial Hospital's White Rose Hospice joined 2,000 other organizations across the United States and Canada as a local host for the Hospice Foundation of America's fifth annual National Bereavement Teleconference. "Living with Grief: Who We Are, How We Grieve", a Eve-via-satellite video teleconference, was held at Penn State York, Conference Center, 103 1 Edgecomb Avenue, York. The purpose of the program is to explore how such factors as culture, spirituality, gender and age influence the experience of loss and the expression of grief. The program was moderated by Cokie Roberts of ABC News and will feature a distinguished panel of experts. The teleconference is produced by Hospice Foundation of America, a non-profit organization established to assist those who cope either personally or professionally with terminal illness and the process of death, grief and bereavement. The teleconference is co-sponsored by the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), Compassionate Friends, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), in cooperation with the American Nurses Association, the American Hospital Association, and funded in part by Service Corporation International, Inc.. Last year's teleconference was seen by more than 150,000 people in over 2,000 communities. One participant who hosts the program every year noted that teleconferences "... have served the needs of diverse groups - our students, faculty, staff, family members and guests." (Paula Bands., RN, MS, Los Angeles TradeTechnical College) The teleconference can serve a wide audience because, as Ms. Banda notes, "none of us are exempt from loss, death and learning more about others and ourselves."
Foundation of America. "Grief's a universal condition and at the same time an intensely individual process. In an increasingly diverse society, it is essential that hospice and other organizations have the opportunity to explore the ways that cultural attitudes and spiritual beliefs affect the grieving process. Hosting or co-sponsoring the teleconference provides an opportunity for local organizations to discover and network with other diverse resources in their own communities." In addition to hospices, teleconference sites will include hospitals, state offices on aging, universities, community colleges, and funeral homes. Ms. Roberts moderate the two-andone-half-hour panel discussion. The panel will include Ronald K. Barrett, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles who specializes in the study of cross-cultural differences in death and dying; Kenneth J. Doka, Ph.D., Lutheran minister and professor of gerontology at the College of New Rochelle; Bernice Catherine Harper, M.S.W., Msc. P.H., LL.D..., with the Health Care Financing Administration, well known in the field of long-term care; Patricia Murphy, R.N., Ph.D., F.A.A.N., clinical specialist in ethics and bereavement at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; and Bradley Smart, M.D., Hospice Medical Director for VNA and Hospice of Northern California. “This is an exciting opportunity for White Rose Hospice to provide a quality educational program," said Beth Markowitz, Hospice Support Specialist with White Rose Hospice. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Colleen Igo, 849-5470.
"Loss touches us all," said Jack D. Gordon, President of the Hospice
Page 16
HealthNews
Mercy Health Partners Celebrating Start in Wilkes-Barre 100 Years Ago Nearly 600 employees, Sisters of Mercy, medical staff members, administrators and their guests crowded into the Pittston Convention Hall on March 7 to mark the 100th anniversary of Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Operations, who gave the welcoming remarks; Marie Parker, RSM, Regional Director, Educational Services, invocation; and Michael D. Elias, Vice President of Support Services who offered the toast.
The dinner-dance was the start of a year-long celebration of Mercy's humble beginnings as the Sisters of Mercy in 1898 converted a frame, three-story residence on Hanover Street to a 55-bed hospital for coal miners and their families.
Following dinner the speakers included John L. Nespoli, Mercy Health Partners president & CEO; Jane Frances Kennedy, RSM, Chair of Mercy's Regional Board of Trustees and Maureen McCann, RSM, president of the Sisters of Mercy Dallas Regional Community.
A brief program featured Martin S. Everhart, Vice President of Human Resources as master of ceremonies; Gail Blaum, Vice President,
Three employees, representing the Mercy Family also spoke: Hazel Markowski, Scott Jones and Lena Michael.
Sisters of Mercy, Dallas Regional Community were well represented at the Mercy Health Partners Centennial Dinner Dance, Saturday, March 7 at the Pittston Convention Center. Shown at the celebration are, left to fight: Jane O'Donnell, RSM, Environmental Services, Mercy, Wilkes-Barre; Jane Frances Kennedy, RSM, Chair of Board of Trustees; Maureen McCann, RSM, president. Sisters of Mercy, Dallas Regional Community; Catherine McGroarty, RSM, vice president, Sisters of Mercy, Dallas Regional Community and Marie Parker, RSM, Regional Director of Educational Services, Mercy Health Partners.
Household Finance Makes Donation to Children's Miracle Network Telethon The Household Finance Corporation (HFC) office in the East End Centre, Wilkes-Barre, recently made a $3,000 donation to the 1998 Children's Miracle Network Telethon at Penn State Geisinger. HFC is a long time supporter of the telethon. Shown at the recent check presentation are, from left, Margaret Turchanik, HFC; Connie Cobosco, HFC; Lois Calarco, HFC; Joseph J. Flanagan, HFC branch sales manager; Dave Jolley, vice president for community relations, Penn State
Geisinger; and Paul Ursta, HFC. The 1998 Children's Miracle Network Telethon at Penn State Geisinger will take place on May 30-31. The telethon at Penn State Geisinger, now in its 151h year, supports pediatric services throughout the health system. It is broadcast locally on WNEP-TV, Channel 16.
M e d i c a l
L a w
HMO Reform On State, National Agenda
challenging a decision to deny coverage. • Allows patients to appeal decisions denying coverage to a body independent of the HMO. Current law provides that patients may appeal to a review committee within the HMO only when treatment is determined to be unnecessary. Standards for these reviews are unclear. • Requires the state to establish a uniform definition of "medical necessity." This amendment, introduced by Democratic Rep. Phyllis Mundy of Luzerne County, prevents insurance companies from developing their own definition of necessity, which many insurers, Mundy said, do not disclose to their subscribers. From 1990 to 1997, the number of people in Pennsylvania enrolled in managed care plans more than tripled, from 1.3 million to 4.7 million. Today, almost five million people in Pennsylvania are currently members of managed care plans. Physicians and hospitals have complained for several years that costcutting, rather than the proper care of the patient, has too often governed decisions by managed care organizations on providing coverage. Patients have also grown unhappy with some aspects of managed care. A recent poll commissioned by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania found that 51 percent of state residents believed insurance companies have the most control over health care, while only 2 percent believed insurers should have that control. 73 percent said that the patient should have the most control. In response to such polls, both the state and federal governments have introduced legislation touted as "HMO reform." In Congress, Republican Charlie Norwood of Georgia has introduced a bill on patients' rights. It provides for a choice of employee plans, better disclosure of what is covered by health insurance plans, improved access to specialists, the right to see doctors outside the plan (although the patient pays the extra cost), independent review if a patient is rejected for a particular treatment, and the right to sue the company plan if the patient is injured by any of its medical decisions. Currently, most states shield health insurance plans from liability for decisions that lead to injury. Here in Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives on April 27 unanimously passed a bill called the "Managed Care Accountability Act." The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Patricia Vance of Cumberland County, said the bill's intent is to "restore some balance to managed care." The bill provides for the following reforms: • Grants physicians and hospitals the right to act as advocates for their patients by
• Requires the Department of Health to develop standards by which to certify companies that review HMO decisions and requires that certification be reviewed every three years. • Requires that in order to qualify for certification, companies have to meet a long list of requirements. Among them are a tollfree telephone number 40 hours a week and an answering service during non-business hours. • Requires that only licensed physicians be allowed to make decisions denying coverage. • Requires HMOs to pay nncontested claims within 45 days. •Guarantees that primary care physicians are available within a reasonable distance of subscribers to the plan. This amendment was intended to protect rural residents. A companion bill in the state Senate, called the Quality Health Care Protection Act, would ensure that patients enrolled in a plan receive more information about coverage and are not denied care because of financial considerations. After both bills are passed, they will be combined and sent to Gov. Ridge, who is expected to sign the package that emerges. The House bill, as expected, generated controversy among competing interest groups. The Hospital Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Medical Society supported the bill, while the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania and the Managed Care Association of Pennsylvania opposed it. Regardless of the provisions of the fmal bill, one thing is clear: the relationship between Pennsylvania managed care organizations and their patients will undergo significant changes in the coming months. Christopher Casey, who maintains a law practice in
Page 17
HealthNews
QualMed Call Center Technology is in the Smithsonian Many health care organizations have an 800 number to call a nurse for health care information, but what makes QualMed's Health Line stand out is the use of sophisticated, clinical algorithms. It's so state-of-the-art, QualMed's information technology is in the Smithsonian. The purpose of Health Line is to advise QualMed's members on a course of health care action, anytime of the day or night and from anywhere in the country. Almost 100 registered nurses-with at least five years of clinical experience each– respond to members who are sick or injured or who have health care concerns. The nurses can direct members to the nearest emergency room, advise them to see their primary care doctor, authorize a specialist visit, or give directions on how to care for a problem at home. Health Line nurses can tap into more than 20 different databases that provide information about the member caller, including the member's health care history, previous call history, immunizations, pharmacy history, benefits and eligibility. After the member's information is accessed, the nurses use up to 160 algorithms– systematic approaches to decision-making –to assess the callers' concern and determine the appropriate care. The algorithms replicate the decision making process of expert clinicians; it's
almost like sitting in the doctor's office and getting medical advice. Each algorithm includes a series of yes/no questions about the medical problem. The questions are designed to rule out the most serious conditions first. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, the nurse will direct the caller to redial the local emergency service and authorize the emergency room visit over the phone with the hospital. QualMed's nurses also authorize visits to specialists over the phone, with no other prior approval necessary. Using an automated fax system, Health Line informs the primary care physician of each encounter his or her patient has with Health Line and of any referrals to a specialist or emergency room. This sophisticated call center service can minimize employees' lost work time by providing health care information from anywhere, anytime, avoiding doctor visits that may not be necessary. And it speeds up the referral process, making it easier for members to access their health care benefits. Self-care instructions for minor medical problems are available via fax or e-mail through the Health Line nurse. And QualMed has an audio
library of 150 prerecorded messages with an option to transfer to a nurse for clarification. These services are not accessible to the general public; you must be a QualMed member to access its Health Line, self-care instructions, and audio library. QualMed Plans for Health is a subsidiary of Foundation Health Systems (FHS), one of the nation's largest publicly traded health care companies. FHS provides benefits to nearly six million people in 18 states through group, individual, Medicare risk, Medicaid, and CHAMPUS programs for military retirees and their dependents. QualMed has a local office on the Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, including customer service and case management. QualMed's provider network includes the Wyoming Valley Health Care System, Mercy Health Partners, others in Lackawanna and Luzeme Counties, and some of the country's top specialists in the Philadelphia area. Its regional headquarters are in Philadelphia, with other offices in Pittsburgh and Wheeling, West Virginia. QualMed serves more than 117,000 members in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virginia
Family Place at Evangelical Experiences Baby Boom LEWISBURG– The Family Place at Evangelical Community experienced a baby boom in March. "Babies are our business in the Family Place," said Eleanor Bisbee, RN, Nurse Coordinator. "March has been a wonderfully busy month. We were able to share in the joy of the families of 78 newborn babies. Our busiest time of the month was the week of March 23, when our physicians delivered 23 babies. We topped off our month with a double blessing, a set of twins." A recent marketing study shows that the Family Place at Evangelical Community Hospital is the birthing place of choice among mothers in the tri-county area of Snyder, Union, and Northumberland Counties. Here's what a few of the recent patients had to say about their experience at Evangelical.
"We will be eternally grateful to you for playing such an important role in the birth of our first child. Always remember how amazing your job of bringing babies into the world is, and how special you will always be to people like us. You were so supportive." - mother of baby girl, Madison, born on February 13.
arrival in the Family Place.
"Evangelical Community Hospital is definitely the best place to have a baby, for both mom and baby. We are very impressed by all the time and help you gave to me and our new son." - mother of a baby boy, Ryan, born on January 16.
For more information about Evangelical's Childbirth Education classes call the Community Health Department at (717) 522-2693. Educational programs include Baby Basics, Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes, Postnatal Breastfeeding Classes, Lamaze Classes, Prepared Childbirth Refresher Course, Grandparents' Classes, Hello Baby, and the American Heart Association Pediatric Basic Life Support Course.
The entire Evangelical family knows when a baby is born. The overhead speakers fill the Hospital with the pleasant sounds of a lullaby. A warm feeling fills the employees as they pause for a moment during their busy workday to listen to the music that announces a new
"Our Perinatal Education Program (PEP) includes pre-natal newsletters, a prenatal visit for registration and a tour of the Family Place. Post partum visits for Mom and baby are provided," explained Mrs. Bisbee.
Page 18
HealthNews
Tr a v e l & L e i s u r e
Raystown Country's Lincoln Caverns Now Open For 68th Season Huntingdon, PA. Lake, was conducted on June 25, 1931. For 67 years visitors have been discovering the beauty of this truly unique underground world. Great care has been taken to preserve the natural environment of the caves, while making the tour safe and enjoyable for all ages. Educational and entertaining one hour interpretive tours emphasize cave conservation and are always geared to the age level and interests of the visitor. During the leisurely walk through two crystal caverns guests explore winding passageways and splendid rooms filled with a wide variety of speleothems, or cave formations. Due to their constant 52° temperature, the caverns can be enjoyed any time of the year. Spring hours are 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM seven days a
week, rain or shine. Extended Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. ily or an organized group, Lincoln hours are offered during the sum- Workshops and badge programs Caverns offers informal personalized tours, plus various other are held in Lincoln mer months. amenities, making the visit a Caverns' indoor learning center memorable one. Picnic pavilions, The first guided tour through Lincoln Caverns, near making a visit any time of the year nature trails, gem panning, and possible, regardless of the weath- Raystown Country's largest souHuntingdon and Raystown venir and gift shop are also locater. ed on the premises. Lincoln Caverns specializes in In addition to the various proeducational programs for schools, Lincoln Caverns is located just Scouts, and other organized grams, youth groups traveling a groups. New package tours for distance may take advantage of three miles west of Huntingdon, 1998 include Geo Packs and Fun overnight programs with 'slum- PA, near Raystown Lake. Groups Packs which feature a variety of ber party style' lodging. The large leaders, teachers, and others interactivity choices, including "An group areas are also available for ested in Lincoln Caverns' tours Introduction To Speleology" pre- birthday parties and other group and educational offerings are tour program, choices of six gatherings. Special 'Treasure invited to call (814)643-0268, 'Geoworks' hands-on work- Hunt Tours,' ideal for groups of FAX (814)643-1358, E-Mail: lincshops, and panning for real gems younger children, can now be cave@vicon.net or write: R.R. #1, in Lincoln Caverns' sluice. reserved throughout the season. Box 280, Huntingdon, PA 16652, for more information. Lincoln Caverns also offers six Whether traveling with a famcomplete badge programs for
The Perfect Prescription for Rest, Romance & Save 20% weekdays (Sunday - Thursday) and 10% weekends on all-inS P E C I A L O F F ER ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGES FEATURE: 40% DISCOUNT • Luxurious Suite • Two (all-you-can-eat) Meals Daily MIDWEEK* (SUNDAY - THURSDAY) For November 2, 1997 - June 18, 1998
•Discounts cannot be combined with any specials, promotional offers or group rates and are subject to availability. The discounts are not valid during the following holiday time periods (Nov. 23 - Nov. 27,
• Breakfast in Bed. • Spectacular Nightly Entertainment. • Free Use of All Year-Round Facilities • Couples Only • Brookdale Welcomes Families
F O R RESERVATIONS CALL R e f e r t o G i v e a w a y C l u b # 2 0 9 9 8 • w w w.
THE ONLY COUPLES RESORTS
Free Outdoor Activities Full Course Meals Daily
Free Water Skiing & Boating
Page 19
HealthNews
Area Wal-Mart Honored for Support of Children's Miracle Network Telethon The Penn State Geisinger Health System recently honored the WalMart Super Center in Dickson City for its tremendous support of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon. Associates at the Dickson City Wal-Mart raised $16,832.35 for the 1997 telethon, the highest total of any Wal足Mart or Sam's Club in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton television market. Over the past five years the Dickson City Wal-Mart, which was in a temporary location in Taylor last year, has raised nearly $47,500.00 to benefit children and pediatric care throughout the Penn State Geisinger system. "This Wal-Mart store has done a remarkable job in its effort to support the telethon," says Michael Ryan, D.O., chairman of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon at Penn State Geisinger. "We can't thank everyone associated with the store enough for their help in making miracles happen for area children in need of advanced medical care."
Shown at a recent plaque presentation announcing the Dickson City Wal-Mart as the number one fundraiser for the 1997 telethon are, from left, Wendell Martin, WalMart store manager; Rose Davitt, Wal-Mart community relations officer and telethon support coordinator; and Dave Jolley, Penn State Geisinger vice president for community relations. The 1998 Children's Miracle Network Telethon at Penn State Geisinger is scheduled for May 30-31 on WNEP-TV, Channel 16.
First Hospital Wyoming Valley Notes 15th Anniversary First Hospital Wyoming Valley, a 96-bed facility and the only freestanding psychiatric hospital in Northeastern Pennsylvania recently marked its fifteenth anniversary.
each of our patients. These effects have unquestionably helped to distinguish First Hospital Wyoming Valley as the leading provider of mental health services."
Opened in 1983 to provide for the special needs of mental health clients, First Hospital Wyoming Valley has expanded to provide comprehensive psychiatric and substance abuse treatment to patients of all ages.
Valley manages and provides a wide array of inpatient and outpatient mental health, mental retardation, counseling and rehabilitation programs along with educational programs for community groups and mental health professionals.
"Since its inception, First Hospital Wyoming Valley has been committed to providing exceptional care to patients with special needs," said Joseph Knecht, CEO, Behavioral Health Services. "Over the past fifteen years, our organization has continued to grow and expand its services to meet those needs ever more effectively and efficiently. "Our staff places a special emphasis on providing care that is sensitive and compassionate and addresses the individually unique needs of
"This occasion marks an important milestone in our organization's history ," said Libro Ciarmatori, Chairman, Behavioral Health Services of Wyoming Valley. "First Hospital Wyoming Valley has been a vital community resource for the past fifteen years. We' re very proud to be part of that history, and proud to sham in a tradition so committed to patient care."
Page 20
HealthNews PA Northeast Dedicated to Quality
Psychiatrists Use Antidepressants to Treat Smoking Addiction the time.
PA Northeast is a company dedicated to providing staffing for short or long term rehabilitation coverage. We provide the highest quality of Rehabilitation Services in the field of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Rehabilitational/Restorative Nursing. We provide licensed or state certified therapists to perform skilled rehabilitative techniques in all regions of Pennsylvania. This company is dedicated to seek Rehabilitation Professionals that are interested in One on One contact with the patient and giving proper treatment in a Non Production Line Type of Care. We stress treatment of the whole patient with concerns for prevention and r e h a b i l i t a t i o n a l techniques. As the owner of this business for seven years, I am dedicated to change and bringing the true meaning of caring back to Rehabilitative Institution .But most of all, to the patient’s that we are here for. Contracts are available for 3 months, 6 months or up to a year. Day to Day coverage is available with our licensing staff available. Rates are negotiated in an hourly basis, but percent can be requested if contract runs longer than one year. PA Northeast provides Therapist/ Providers in the realm of Rehab Centers/Private practice, sports medicine centers, Rehab Agencies for Children and Adults and Home Health Rehabilitation. For more information, please call Ellen J. Van Busuirk at PA Northeastern Rehab Association at (717) 341-8911. For a company that gives you the opportunity to grow.
In contrast, although 80 percent of smokers want to stop, only 20 to 30 percent of those who do are smoke-free a year later. Less than five percent quit successfully with no intervention. “This is a very, very tenacious addiction,” said UF psychiatrist Dr. Douglas Eaton, an addiction medicine specialist. “This is as hard an addiction to crack as heroin or cocaine — right up there with the biggies.”
GAINESVILLE, FL.– University of Florida psychiatrists are wielding new weapons in the war against nicotine addiction — antidepressants. Part of a three-pronged approach that may include nicotine replacement therapy and counselling, the idea is to help smokers kick the habit by tackling addiction at its root: long-lasting changes in brain chemistry that train the brain to expect new levels of pleasure it eventually considers normal. This chemical conditioning occurs gradually, but the changes persist for months after someone stops smoking, setting the stage for relapse, reports UF substance abuse expert Dr. Mark Gold in an article on tobacco smoking and nicotine dependence in the current edition of the Journal of Addictive Diseases. As a result, many people who try to quit report feeling irritable, moody and even depressed, Gold said, professor of psychiatry, neuroscience, community health and family medicine at the UF Brain Institute and UF’s College of Medicine. Smoking tobacco, like smoking heroin or cocaine, is profoundly addictive and nicotine dependence is particularly resistant to treatment, he said. Treatment programs for alcoholism and cocaine addiction are effective at least half
Up to now, many physicians have relied solely on the nicotine patch, which helps smokers cope with acute withdrawal symptoms. “Social prohibitions, the stigma and health information that smoking is bad for you works for some people,” Gold said. “Who is left? People with a pathological attachment to smoking, who are getting antidepressant effects from smoking. They love smoking — it’s a source of pleasure.
and antidepressants to combat the longer-lasting brain changes. Smoking releases a cascade of brain chemicals associated with survivalenhancing behaviours such as eating and sex. UF physicians have studied the effects of two new medications for smoking: buproprion and naltrexone. Both act on the area of the brain that rewards survival-enhancing behaviours. UF physicians also offer patients strategies for attaining and maintaining abstinence from tobacco. “Of course, smoking cigarettes is not survival enhancing, but the brain doesn’t know that,” Eaton said. “We in the addiction field have known that smoking is a drug addiction as serious or devastating in the long run as heroin or cocaine. “It is perhaps even more malicious because the negative effects are not as quickly apparent, so it’s easier for everyone involved to be in denial about the seriousness of the problem.”
“The idea that you can treat all smokers with a nicotine patch or gum is not realistic. It’s like saying you’ve discovered the cure for all alcoholism is alcohol. You wouldn’t propose to most alcoholics who were drinking vodka that they should switch to beer. So the idea behind nicotine replacement and detoxification may be somewhat flawed.” Smoking cigarettes is tied to more than 400,000 deaths in the United States each year from cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease, according to the American Lung Association. UF physicians, practising in the newly formed Smoking Cessation Clinic within the Psychiatric Specialty Clinics at Shands hospital at UF, tackle the problem on both fronts – using nicotine replacement therapy to treat acute withdrawal symptoms
Page 21
HealthClassifieds
Labor & Delivery RNs
$2500 Sign On Bonus As the leading woman’s healthcare program in the region, PinnacleHealth System has exciting opportunities for experienced L&D nurses to join our team. With nearly 5,000 live births/deliveries a year, PinnacleHealth provides state-of-the-art services and work environment. We currently seek full-time and part-time experienced Registered Nurses. Day/evening rotations are available for nurses seeking 32-40 hours a week. PinnacleHealth offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, tax shelter with company match and tuition reimbursement. If you are interested in exploring these career opportunities, please forward a resume to: PinnacleHealth System • Attn: Human Resources • Harrisburg, PA 17105-8700 or fax: 717-231-8635 EOE
nursing supervisor Hazleton-Saint Joseph Medical Center, a member of the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, has an immediate opening for a part time 24 hr/wk, Nursing Supervisor to work weekday night shift and a weekend day/night rotation. This is a beneficial position. Requires current PA nursing license and a minimum of 5 years Med/Surgical experience. Previous supervisory experience is a plus. Please submit resume to: Personnel Department
Hazleton-Saint Joseph Medical Center 667 N. Church St. Hazleton, PA 18201 717-459-4465 EOE www.ghha.org
Pennsylvania Northeast Rehabilitation Associates is an agency that provides rehabilitative services in the field of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy & Restorative Nursing. We provide licensed or state certified therapists to perform skilled rehabilitation techniques. Rehabilitation Services Industry Contracts Available • Rehabilitation Centers • Hospitals, Local & State • Rehabilitation Hospitals • Home Health Agencies • Private Practice • Sports Medicine Centers • Rehabilitation Agencies for Children and Adults • Mental Health & Retardation • Nursing Homes • Intervention Care Centers • Infant Day care • School Districts or Intermediate Units • Industrial Physical Therapy & Work Hardening
The following positions are available: • Physical Therapist R.P.T. or L.P.T • Physical Therapist Assistant P.T.A. • Occupational Therapist O.T.R./L. • Occupational Therapist AssistantCOTA • Occupational Therapist Aides - Trained • Speech Therapist • Restorative Nursing, RN, LPN For More Information call Pennsylvania Northeast Rehab. Associates, Inc.
(717) 341-8911 829 Electric Street Scranton, PA 18509 DRUG &
Mercy Health System Positions Available Medical Technologist-- Part-time and Casual (per diem) positions on night and evening shifts currently available at both our Wilkes-Barre and Special Care (Nanticoke) facilities. ACSP Certification required. Registered Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants -- Full and part-time positions, all shifts, currently available in Critical Care. PA RN License, critical care training preferred for RN’s. Part time CNA positions available on days and eves in PCU on our Wilkes-Barre Campus. Competitive salary with benefits included in full-time and many part-time positions. Please mail/fax resume or call for an application. Human Resources Services Mercy Hospital 25 Church Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18765 Telephone: (717) 826-3250 Fax: (717) 831-8993 EOE
M/F/D/V
An Affiliate of Catholic Healthcare Partners Nursing Home Care where your loved one is cared for like a member of our family
COUNSELOR Growing program has an immediate opening for a part-time counselor to provide Detox & Outpatient services. Hours are flexible and some employee benefits are provided. Educational requirements include a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services. A minimum of one year clinical experience is required. Applications issued and resumes accepted at: The Bloomsburg Hospital Personnel Services Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Fax: 387-2434 EOE M/F/D/V
P.O. Box 2307 1000 West 27th Street Hazleton, PA 18201-9604 (717) 454-8888
Outstanding nursing opportunities to fit your individual schedule! We currently have the following positions available: CNA’s & LPN’s Various Shifts * NA Trainee Class Contact: Kelly Yahner Human Resource Manager 459-9259 Ext. 18
Page 22
HealthClassifieds
Nurses
Hospital Opportunities
Lourdes Hospital has exciting opportunities for experienced RNs with current NYS License; ACLS preferred. Full, PartTime & Per Diem openings in • Amb Surg • Emergency • GI Lab • Med/Surg • Oncology • Telemetry LPN’s openings in Primary Care & WalkIn Offices.
Charge Nurses
BS required, full-time openings (evenings) in Med/Surg, Telemetry, & (nighs) Medical. We offer a Competitive compensation & benefits package. For immediate consieration, Please mail or fax resume to: Human Resources, 169 Riverside Dr. Binghamton, NY 13905 FAX: 607-798-6757
Ultrasound Technician: A full-time positions is available for a registered (or registry eligible) ultrasound technician. Cook: A full-time position as a cook is available in our Dietary Department. The successful candidate will provide services to patients and employees and cater special events. Experience as a cook is required and the ability to function as part of a team is necessary.
Full time and part time positions available for trained circulating and/or scrub nurses with a minimum of one year experience. On-call rotation is required. Earned benefits may include vacation, sick time, participation in group health plan.
Radiological Technician: A per diem (as needed) position is available for a registered radiological technologist. Must be available for all shifts, including weekends. Attention All Applicants: Applications will be accepted between 9am and 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 17, or send your resume to the Human Resources Department.
Applications issued and resume accepted at: The Bloomsburg Hospital Personnel Services Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Fax# 387-2434 EOE M-F-D-V
350 N. Eleventh Street • Sunbury, PA 286-3574 http://home.ptd.net/-sunhosp EOE M/F/V/H
So Advanced. So Personal.
Interested candidates may forward their resume to:
William Kehr Director of Human Resources Charles Cole Memorial
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, a progressive JCAHO healthcare system serving northcentral Pennsylvania and southcentral New York, is seeking a Director of Nursing. Cole is a 147 bed acute and long term care facility located in Potter County, a four season recreation community in northcentral Pennsylvania. The Director is the Chief Nursing Executive and is responsible for all nursing administration of this facility. Successful candidate must hold a BSN. MSN or masters in a related field is desirable. candidate must be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in Pennsylvania. The successful candidate must possess three to five years direct nursing supervisory experience and experience as a DON or Assistant DON preferred. The position offers excellent salary and contributory retirement plan and interview/relocation assistance.
Hospital RR 1 Box 205 Coudersport, PA 16915
Please forward resumes in confidence to:
Administrative Director of Radiology Evangelical Community Hospital, a 134 bed facility, is seeking an Administrative Director of Radiology to plan, organize, and direct the overall operations of a modern, full service Radiology department performing 60,000+ procedures a year. Other duties include managing the department budgets and Total Quality Management program. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal and customer service skills, as well as a strong RIS background and working knowledge of the regulatory guidelines pertaining to MSQA, NRC, DOH, DEP, and JAHCO. A degree or related experience, ARRT Registration, and management/supervisory experience is preferred. medical-surgical nursing services coordinator Evangelical Community Hospitals seeking a qualified professional to fill the position of full-time, day shift Nursing Services Coordinator. The Registered Nurse selected will be responsible for the clinical and administrative responsibilities of both a medical and surgical unit. Supervisory experience is required. BSN preferred. Individuals interested in either of these opportunities you are encouraged to send a resume or application to: Evangelical Community Hospital Attn: Mr. Chris Bailey One Hospital Drive Lewisburg, PA 17837 Fax: (717) 522-2868 e-mail: resumes@evanhospital.com Equal Opportunity Employer
Page 23
Lifeis full of uncertainty. Your plan for long-term care shouldn’t be.
Long-Term Care Insurance is coverage you can count on if you can no longer take care of yourself. Considering the average annual cost for long-term care is about $38,000,m being prepared for the unexpected is a smart idea. John Hancock’s Long-Term Care Insurance Policy helps you with future needs by: • Paying for skilled care in your home or nursing home •Covering you in case of Alzheimer’s Disease
LTC-96 LTC-AD2PA 11/96
•NAICusing 1996 Long-Term Care Insurance lets you maintain your independence – without up your savings. Insurance for the unexpected,
Investments for the opportunities.TM
LTC-96PA 9/96
Call Joseph J. DiMento 610-820-6060 John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Boston, MA 02117