Health Matters (May 2015)

Health Matters To Help People Be Healthy

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May 2015

Accelerating

Hope Radiation technology helps patients in western Kansas

HaysMed

Provided to our patrons free of charge

New system improves treatment, creates hope L

eaders at Hays Medical Center are determined to improve the standard of care they provide through advanced medical technology.

HaysMed aspires to eliminate the need for travel by giving patients a top-notch experience in their home of western Kansas.

“Being in rural, western Kansas, we have a lot of patients traveling great distances for their treatment,” said Leo Elms, dosimetrist and operations manager in Radiation Oncology at HaysMed. “It takes a big piece of their life away and is a huge financial burden.”

The recent purchase and installation of the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy capabilities proves how far the hospital has come to meet patients’ needs.

Within the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute, radiation treatment is now being distributed on entirely new and accurate levels as of March 23.

The in-demand technology was developed through Varian Medical Systems — the country’s leader of linear accelerator equipment.

The old linear accelerator, which was installed in 1999, could not provide the advanced services the TrueBeam system can.

“It allows for functions Radiation Oncology could not provide at HaysMed before,” Elms said. “It can deliver the dose a lot faster and with more accuracy.”

The TrueBeam Linear Accelerator at HaysMed’s Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute.

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HOPE, page 4

Innovation

Health Matters

Photo by JOLIE GREEN

Leo Elms, dosimetrist and operations manager for Radiation Oncology at Hays Medical Center, demonstrates how a patient is lined up for radiation treatment with the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator at HaysMed’s Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute.

Foundation contributes, envisions future without cancer

W

ithout the Hays Medical Center Foundation, many crucial technological advances, programs and quality care would not be available — including the new radiation oncology equipment.

The HaysMed Foundation was established in 1995 and is a qualified 50(c)3 charitable organization, governed by a board of 17 community volunteers. It was created to support, assist and promote the interest and welfare of HaysMed, including its programs and activities.

“The Foundation has played an increasing role in the growth, expansion and level of quality health care provided to our region by HaysMed,” said Ruth Heffel, executive director of the HaysMed Foundation.

Heffel said through philanthropic efforts of dedicated donors and volunteers, the Foundation has raised funds for Health Matters

the acquisition of equipment to improve patients’ care, implementation of new programs and growth of services HaysMed provides.

“The new radiation equipment offers two things — a significant advance in radiation treatment and a price tag that made the purchase difficult without community support,” Heffel said.

In May 2014, the Foundation had a news conference to announce a campaign, “Envision a Future Without Cancer … One Patient at a Time.”

The goal behind the campaign was to raise at least $1.3 million of the $3 million needed to purchase the new TrueBeam Linear Accelerator with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy capabilities.

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How it Happened

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The new TrueBeam Linear Accelerator includes Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy capabilities.

HOPE therapist at HaysMed’s Dreiling/Schmidt In addition to the new linear accelDr. Babu Prasad, radiation oncologist at Cancer Institute. “Better imaging means erator, ARIA — a new computer system HaysMed’s Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Instiwe’re hitting the target every day. We’re tute, said treatments that once took seven — manages medical records specifically making sure those normal tissues aren’t in designed for radiation oncology. to nine weeks can now be condensed to the area we’re treating.”

With ARIA, radiation oncologists can one week.

Obtaining the capabilities to monitor radiation, evaluate “That is the main advantage of look inside the patient and see patient records and data, the new machine,” he said. their tumors and normal tissue make decisions and create Condensing down to one more vividly, oncologists are better plans more accurately and week of radiation treatment is an able to visualize adjustments and efficiently. impacting change for patients position beams accordingly.

VisionRT — the third with busy schedules, according to More accuracy and dependadvancement included in Prasad. ability means better odds for the the upgrade — provides a “Our patients are farmers. They Elms Prasad patients’ outcome. visual system like nothing are busy. They cannot take time off “We have a better chance to cure their HaysMed has ever had before. for seven to nine weeks of treatment,” he “We added VisionRT, which is an optical cancer, and it’s much less likely they will said. “For them, this technology is very aphave side effects,” Elms said. “We want pealing and practical, with less disruption. guidance system that monitors patient to be sure we’re treating the tumor the motion,” Elms said. “It is so accurate, it can They needed this very much.” entire time we’re using the radiation.

The radiation oncologist explained the tell if someone blinked.”

Otherwise, there is a chance you’re not This capability detects movement to new equipment features advanced caonly treating normal tissue, but you’re also ensure radiation is issued to the specific pabilities, but still allows for conventional tissue that needs it, eliminating the risk of missing the tumor that needs it.” treatment for those patients who do not “It’s all a pretty significant change in mistakenly treating healthy areas due to qualify for SBRT. radiation oncology,” Richards said. “The accidental patient movement.

“Not every patient qualifies,” he said. difference is huge.”

“The biggest difference is the imaging “You have to be highly selective before • MAGGIE GEBHARDT capabilities,” said Jamie Richards, radiation you choose a patient for SBRT.” Page 4

Innovation

Health Matters

FOUNDATION “For as competitive as the health care market is, and for reimbursements the way they are, for us to have the best equipment out there is huge for us,” said Jamie Richards, radiation therapist at HaysMed’s Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute.

To help obtain the “best,” high-quality equipment, the Foundation went to work.

“Major gifts were sought from individuals, foundations and corporations,” Heffel said.

To create awareness, a community campaign was conducted in the fall to personally contact businesses and professionals for donations.

An internal campaign also took place to ask for contributions from Heffel HaysMed associates and physicians, according to the executive director.

“Donations from direct mail ranged in size from $20 to $5,000. Several memorials were also designated for the equipment,” Heffel said. “By the beginning of December, more than $1.4 million was raised and a second news conference was held announcing that HaysMed would purchase the advanced radiation equipment.”

“Medical centers across the nation today are faced with decreased government and insurance reimbursements, shrinking profit margins and an ongoing struggle to keep pace with inflation,” Heffel said. “HaysMed is no different. The medical center operates as efficiently as possible, but the cost of new technology and services continues to go up as the net revenue decreases.”

The new linear accelerator with SBRT capabilities is a recent example. HaysMed would have had to delay the purchase without private support.

“Throughout the year, the Foundation is in constant fundraising and friend-raising mode,” Heffel said.

Capital campaigns for large projects and annual campaigns for the programs that keep the health-care system growing are in constant motion.

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Radiation Therapist Melissa Roe demonstrates how the operator uses computers to run the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator and cameras to view the patient during radiation treatment.

Roe demonstrates how an aquaplast mask is used to immobilize the patient during radiation treatment.

The Foundation keeps donors and friends advised of new programs and events at HaysMed through their website, correspondence, quarterly Foundation Newsletter and semi-annual Oncology Newsletter.

An annual luncheon is held to recognize those who have remembered HaysMed in their estate plans, Heffel said.

The Black Tie Gala is held to raise funds and recognize the businesses and individuals who have donated their time and gifts to the medical community.

The Foundation also sponsors community events such as the annual Drive Through Flu Vaccinations, Friend and Family CPR, and provides infant CPR kits

How it Happened

to new mothers.

Through constant effort and hard work, the Foundation has raised $1.4 million for the new linear accelerator, $4.7 million for construction and renovation projects, more than $3.5 million for endowments, $500,000 toward the DaVinci Robotic Surgical System, $382,000 toward digital tomosynthesis equipment at the Breast Cancer Center, $685,000 for a new mobile mammography truck and equipment, and $1.5 million for an Image Guided Radiation Therapy system.

“Our success is due to the people in western Kansas who understand the need for quality health care in our region,” Heffel said. “No one wants to travel to Denver, Kansas City or Wichita for their care. We are so fortunate to have so many specialized programs at HaysMed. Donors understand this and generously support HaysMed through the Foundation.”

Anyone can donate to the HaysMed Foundation, and all contributions are fully deductible to the extent allowed by the law, according to the executive director.

“Every gift, regardless of size, makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.”

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