Providence
SUMMER 2013
A GUIDE TO HEALTHY LIVING AND QUALITY CARE PROVIDENCEHEALTHONLINE.ORG
Healthcare Reform Explained What the Affordable Care Act means for you and your family
STROKE OF GENIUS A new high-tech network connects stroke patients and specialists
PRIMARY CARE
Your secret weapon for lifelong good health
PICKY EATER?
Discover kid-friendly nutrition tips for healthier—and happier—meals
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills
FdPGSU13_01_Cover.indd 1
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance
Providence Affiliated Medical Groups
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank
Providence Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana
Providence TrinityCare Hospice
5/21/13 2:21 PM
Thoughts from Your Chief Executives
Our Focus Is You
IN THIS ISSUE
6 Diagnosing Stroke from Miles Away
The new Telestroke network connects stroke specialists with remote patients—fast.
8 Primary Benefits
At Providence, our focus is on excellence and compassion in caring for our patients, but we don’t often talk about innovation and how our medical centers utilize some of the latest technology to advance patient care. In this issue of Providence Health, you’ll read about our growing Telestroke program, through which experts at one of our hospitals can provide the latest advancements in stroke treatment from miles away via a robot fitted with a computer screen. The physician can virtually examine patients, providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment at hospitals that don’t have the resources for some specialties. Robotic-assisted treatment isn’t an entirely new concept at Providence.
Providence surgeons find robots to be very effective in certain surgeries— particularly for prostatectomies and some gynecological procedures. And you’ve no doubt heard a lot about the Affordable Care Act. Turn to page 10 for a comprehensive breakdown of healthcare reform and to learn how Providence is ahead of the game in embracing changes to ensure better access to quality healthcare. For seniors, this issue offers information on physical therapy after surgery. And for parents, our Providence Medical Institute physicians offer tips on how to prepare healthy meals for your children. With so much change in healthcare on the horizon, this is one edition of Providence Health that you’ll want to keep handy.
Establishing a relationship with a primary care physician is one of the best things you can do for your health.
10 Healthcare Reform Explained
How the Affordable Care Act affects you and your family.
IN EVERY ISSUE 3 Community Connections 14 Senior Health
16 Providence Medical Institute 17 Calendar of Classes and Events
FdPGSU13_02_CEO_TOC.indd 2
Gerald Clute Chief Executive Providence Tarzana
summer 2013
Elizabeth Dunne Chief Executive Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance
Bill Gil Chief Executive Medical Foundations
Bernie Klein, MD Michael Rembis Chief Executive Chief Executive Providence Holy Providence Saint Joseph Cross
Terri Warren Chief Executive Providence TrinityCare Hospice
PROVIDENCE HEALTH Produced by Marketing & Communications at Providence Health & Services, Southern California Providence Health Editor-in-Chief: Nancy Franklin
15 Foundation Focus
2 | Providence Health
Nancy Carlson Chief Executive Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro
Providence Health Managing Editors: Patricia Aidem Jennifer Fagnani Connie Matthews Kirk McDonald Diana Reynar Natasha Shows Contributors: Ann Beurskens Tiffany DeVall Brenda Goettemoeller Gail Malloy Juanita Perea Kathryn Sprague Ellen Wise
Content Editors: Kat Johnson Colleen Ringer Art Director: Andrea Heser Production Technology Specialist: Sonia Fitzgerald
The material in Providence Health is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please tear off the shipping label and mail it to Remove Me, PO Box 17910, Phoenix, AZ 85011 or go to acd.mcmurry.com.
Imaging Specialist: Dane Nordine Production Manager: Tanya Clark Providence Health is published four times annually by McMurry/TMG, 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Volume 5, Number 2 © 2013 McMurry/TMG, LLC
Printed on recycled paper.
providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:22 PM
Community Connections OUR MISSION AS PEOPLE OF PROVIDENCE, WE REVEAL GOD’S LOVE FOR ALL, ESPECIALLY THE POOR AND VULNERABLE, THROUGH OUR COMPASSIONATE SERVICE.
Robotic Revolution
CORE VALUES
Compassion Caring for each person as part of our family.
Justice Working for a fair and equitable society.
Respect Affirming the God-given dignity and worth of each person.
Is It for You?
Excellence Continually improving all that we do.
Stewardship
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
Wisely caring for and sharing human, environmental and financial resources held in trust.
providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_03-5_CommConnections.indd 3
Providence Health & Services, Southern California, offers the latest and most sophisticated, minimally invasive surgical procedures, including robotic surgery at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance. “There is less pain, faster recovery and a faster return to daily activities than with traditional, open surgeries,” says Garrett Matsunaga, MD. With instruments that precisely translate the movements of a surgeon’s wrists and hands, robotic surgery can be applied to a range of areas, including: • Prostate. “The No. 1 case we do is the robotic prostatectomy, the removal of the entire prostate for prostate cancer,” Dr. Matsunaga says. Robotic technology is especially beneficial for this kind of surgery, adds Sunder Nambiar, RN, CNOR, director of perioperative services at Providence Saint Joseph. “The 360-degree dexterity in the
To find out if robotic surgery can help you, call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464).
robot’s arm makes it easier to maneuver to get to the prostate.” • Gynecological. Because of high maneuverability and 3-D, high-definition visualization, robotic hysterectomy or ovarian cyst removal can be an option for women who have had cancer, or who have lots of scar tissue or a large uterus. • Kidney. A growing front in robotics, partial nephrectomies remove only the cancerous portion of the kidney while leaving the healthy portion intact. “With robotics, we are able to remove kidney tumors with extreme precision,” Dr. Matsunaga says. summer 2013 Providence Health | 3
5/24/13 3:05 PM
Community Connections SCHOLARSHIP STARS
Save a Life this Summer
Donate Today To make an appointment to donate blood, call the donor center at 1-800-469-9555.
On the Web Need help finding a physician? Choosing the right physician and hospital can be challenging. Yet it’s one of the most important things you will ever do. Visit california.providence.org for valuable information on how to choose a physician and hospital that best suits your needs. You can also view Providence’s affiliated physicians, medical groups and contracted health plans.
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
Did you know that one blood donation can help save the lives of up to three people? You could be that donor today. Consider scheduling an appointment, especially with July Fourth and Labor Day around the corner. “Anytime there is a holiday, we see a spike in severe traumas. There is a critical need for blood immediately when that happens,” says Armando Romero, director of regional blood donor services for Providence Health & Services, Southern California. What’s more, Romero says, donations dip during summer months, when high school students—the single biggest blood donor group—are out of school. All blood types are needed, with particular emphasis on O-positive and O-negative blood. The latter can be universally transfused to patients of all blood types. “O-negative is always in great demand and short supply. Only 7 percent of the population has it.”
G C
Providence High School announces freshman scholarships Another school year has come to an end, and the faculty and staff at Providence High School eagerly await the arrival of the newest Providence Pioneers as they begin their four-year journey at PHS. The following incoming freshman students were awarded scholarships: Kaelyn Ayap, Armen Baghdasarian, Tiffany Dang, Emily Ervolina, Rose Escalano, Liam Mahan, Kaellen Naphen, Grace Newman, Abraham Razon, Ellen Renskoff, Kayla Santos, Sarah Storbakken and Abigail Urbina. Congratulations to these scholarship recipients and the entire incoming class of 2017! The Providence High School community looks forward to welcoming a class of 125 students for yet another successful school year. It’s not too late to enroll your child at Providence High School for 2013–14. For more information, please call 818-846-8141 or visit providencehigh.org.
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
MyChart: your online health record. If you currently receive care with Providence Medical Institute, we’re pleased to offer MyChart: a free service that gives you online access to your health record. Whether you’re at work, at home or on the road, MyChart allows you to view your medical information, test results and messages from your doctor. MyChart will be available at Providence Southern California medical centers in 2014. To sign up for a MyChart account, please visit mychartor.providence.org. For more information about Providence Medical Institute physicians, visit us online at providencemedicalinstitute.org. Need urgent or emergency care? Tell us you’re coming with iTriage! Download the app at itriagehealth.com. Download the mobile application so that your mobile device can read this scan. It will launch the new providencehealthonline.org on your mobile device.
4 | Providence Health
summer 2013
FdPGSU13_03-5_CommConnections.indd 4
providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:22 PM
Community Connections
IP
Giving Back to Our Communities
ps
Providence Health & Services, Southern California, gives back to our communities in a variety of ways. “This fulfills our mission to offer special care and concern for the poor and vulnerable,” says Sister Colleen Settles, OP, DMin, chief mission integration officer. “Each dollar has a story behind it. Each dollar touches a person somehow,” she says. “These dollars help people heal, knowing that unpaid medical bills will not bankrupt their future.” Here’s a look at how those dollars helped others heal in 2012:
eir
$44.8 million
The amount spent in charity care—financial assistance for the poor and vulnerable who cannot pay all or part of their bills because of their economic status.
e
, os,
$27.9 million
The amount spent on programs (such as mobile health vans, classes, health fairs and support groups) that take healthcare into the community.
se
$93.9 million
The amount spent to close the gap between what Medi-Cal pays and what healthcare actually costs.
$166.6 million
The total community benefit provided in 2012 to Valley and South Bay residents.
g
Caring for Caregivers
l
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
For
GET HELP If you would like to explore hospice and how it could help, don’t wait until the final days. Learn more by calling 1-800-535-8446.
providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_03-5_CommConnections.indd 5
Hospice offers care and support for the terminally ill. But it doesn’t stop there—Providence TrinityCare Hospice cares for caregivers, too. “It’s freeing for families to get a break and do something fun,” says Providence TrinityCare Hospice executive director Terri Warren, MSW. That’s why volunteers are available to sit with your loved one while you rest or take kids to the park. And Providence TrinityCare Hospice’s legacy art program creates lasting memories through guided family activities, including the creation of family trees with each family member’s handprints. Warren says that the No. 1 comment she hears from families is: “I wish we had hospice with us sooner.” “Hospice helps patients navigate the last chapter of their lives. Equally important is helping a family go forward without their loved one,” Warren says. After the death of a patient, hospice offers caregiver bereavement, counseling and support.
summer 2013 Providence Health | 5
5/21/13 2:22 PM
Diagnosing Stroke from Miles Away
P
rovidence Health & Services, Southern California, has developed the first-of-its-kind “hub and spoke” network in the greater Los Angeles area to help stroke patients get the fast treatment they need. This new Providence Telestroke Network, made possible by a secure, two-way video-conferencing system, allows neurologists to be “in the room” with patients who may be at hospitals miles away.
6 | Providence Health
FdPGSU13_06-7_TeleStroke.indd 6
summer 2013
Read on to discover more about the groundbreaking network that’s expanding expert stroke care into greater L.A.—and the technology that makes it happen.
Taking Care to the Community
When it comes to stroke, time is brain. “The faster patients can be diagnosed and treated for stroke, the better their outcomes. This can be a challenge in small, urban, providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:22 PM
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
In a situation where time is of the essence, the Telestroke network connects stroke specialists with far-off patients
community hospitals, where 24-hour access to stroke specialists is unpredictable or not available,” says Patrice Hallak, PT, MBA, regional director of neurosciences and orthopedics for Providence Health & Services, Southern California. That’s why Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center has launched a network that connects neurologists with patients via a live videoconference feed. The Hycy and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint Joseph serves as the hub for the network, which launched in May with five partner sites, or “spokes.” Hallak says Providence Saint Joseph hopes to expand its network to 10 partner sites by year’s end, and Providence Tarzana Medical Center has also launched a Telestroke program.
Every Second Counts
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
y
When it comes to stroke, why is quick treatment so crucial? Most strokes occur when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain. This type of stroke must be treated within a three-hour window with a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA. But what if you’re at a small, community hospital that lacks the resources to see whether tPA is warranted? Or what if the on-call neurologist lives 40 minutes away? That’s where Telestroke comes in. “Telestroke is a secure, computer-based system neurologists use to actually see a patient live and remotely,” says Craig German, MD, a neurologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, which was the first Providence hospital in Southern California to use Telestroke. Similar to Skype and other online video chat services, Telestroke offers remote communication—but with exceptional image and sound quality, plus the additional ability for neurologists to securely download and review brain imaging. “Neurologists are not always physically at the hospital. This way, if I am not there, I can still talk to the patient and see the patient—in fact, I can zoom in as close as the pupil,” says Dr. German, adding that the Telestroke camera is remotely controlled by the off-site neurologist, who can “move around” to see the patient or look at the vital signs monitor or patient chart. Likewise, the patient can see the neurologist on a computer monitor via a live video feed. It’s the next best thing to having a neurologist in the room. This allows tPA, if warranted, to commence quickly. “Stroke treatment has a definite time window of three hours. Time really is of the essence,” Dr. German says. In conjunction with the launch of its Telestroke network, Providence Saint Joseph has taken the technology to the next level by deploying the next generation of Telestroke—a telemedicine robot that can be programmed to negotiate its environment independently. The exam room’s parameters can be preprogrammed into the robot so that it knows where “to go” at all times—no human control needed. The latest technology. And a network that shares it with our communities—fast. Providence is proud to deliver stroke technology and treatment at its finest. providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_06-7_TeleStroke.indd 7
Stroke Support Close to Home Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death in America, occurring every 40 seconds on average, and claiming a life every 4 minutes. When it comes to stroke care, there are five good reasons to choose Providence: All five Providence Southern California medical centers are certified primary stroke centers. This means physicians and nurses are trained to treat stroke quickly, according to nationally established standards. “The most important thing to know about a stroke center is you’re going to get rapid transport, assessment and treatment,” says Darcie Deal Fitzgerald, OT/L, stroke program manager at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro, which in 2009 became the first South Bay hospital to achieve stroke certification. “Every minute that goes by, brain cells die,” Fitzgerald says. That means it is critical to go to a certified primary stroke center. “It’s a rigorous process to gain certification,” Fitzgerald says. “Being a primary stroke center means we follow best practices for stroke care.”
Make the Call To learn more about our neurology and stroke services, visit california.providence.org and click on “Services.”
summer 2013 Providence Health | 7
5/21/13 2:22 PM
Know Where to Look Are you ready to find your “home”? Providence Health & Services, Southern California, has an online physician finder that can get you started. Please visit california.providence.org and click “Find a Doctor.” You can narrow your search by ZIP code and insurance plan.
Primary Benefits
Finding your “medical home” can boost your quality of life
8 | Providence Health
FdPGSU13_08-9_PrimaryCare.indd 8
summer 2013
levels and breast cancer, and they receive better care for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Do you have a medical home? Or are you “homeless,” popping into urgent care centers or the emergency department when illness or injury strikes? At Providence Health & Services, Southern California, our primary care doctors partner with you to keep you well.
The 1-2-3 About a PCP
A PCP, most often a family doctor or an internal medicine doctor, can be a trusted partner in your health for a long stretch of time—even a lifetime.
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
C
liff Clavin and the Cheers gang were on to something. Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. It’s no different at the doctor’s office. Studies show that patients who establish a long-term relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) live healthier lives. A survey by The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that supports health-related research, shows that when adults have a medical home (a physician-led team that provides care for a patient over time), they have higher rates of screening for conditions such as high cholesterol
providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:22 PM
“By maintaining regular, scheduled visits, you’ll help ensure your medical conditions are controlled. You will have better overall satisfaction in your quality of life.” –Michael Sanchez, MD
Primary care physicians Michael Sanchez, MD, an internal medicine specialist affiliated with Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, and Crescenzo Pisano, MD, a primary care physician and medical director of Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro Recovery Center, discuss the advantages of primary care.
1
Personal touch. At its core, Dr. Pisano says, healthcare is still a personal interaction. “If you don’t have a provider who truly has a relationship with you, you’re making your healthcare more difficult.” As we age, difficult discussions about embarrassing physical symptoms or feelings of depression are much easier to broach with a longtime physician. “People can look to their PCP as a resource of support, treatment and referral,” Dr. Sanchez says. Dr. Pisano also credits Epic, Providence’s electronic health record system, with helping him stay connected with his patients. “I follow my hospitalized patients through Epic every day, just as if I’m there in the hospital,” he says.
n er
2
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
Better preventive care. A relationship with your physician naturally leads to frequent conversations about healthy lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity sources, Dr. Pisano says. As a PCP who has been in practice for 31 years, he takes great pride in the “lost art” of teaching patients how to take care of themselves. On a more global scale, the nation’s new healthcare reform law pushes PCPs to make sure patients are up-to-date with screenings. Many Providence-affiliated PCPs, including Drs. Sanchez and Pisano, have been doing this for decades. Regular screenings and preventive checks can find diabetes, heart disease or cancer at their earliest, most treatable stages. “By maintaining regular, scheduled visits, you’ll help ensure your medical conditions are controlled. You will have better overall satisfaction in your quality of life,” Dr. Sanchez says.
3
Help navigating the system. With medicine becoming ever more specialized, it’s essential to have a single physician who knows your health history, gets your test results and coordinates your prescriptions. providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_08-9_PrimaryCare.indd 9
“We’re kind of like the ‘central clearinghouse,’ ” Dr. Sanchez says. “We make referrals to specialists when necessary. We verify patient medicines and ensure patients and caretakers understand how to use those medications.” The PCP helps patients save money and time, Dr. Pisano says. “When you see many different doctors, it may be difficult to coordinate appropriate care. That can lead to unnecessary tests, unnecessary prescriptions and unnecessary headache and worry.”
Understanding Adult Immunizations School requirements and pediatric checkups help keep your kids on track with childhood immunizations. But what about you? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults should talk to their healthcare provider about these vaccines: • Influenza • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td/Tdap) • Varicella (chickenpox) • HPV • Zoster (shingles) • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) • Pneumococcal • Meningococcal • Hepatitis A • Hepatitis B Depending on your age and health history, your immunization schedule will vary. “If you keep up with adult immunizations, you may prevent some diseases entirely or limit the severity of infection if it does strike,” says Michael Sanchez, MD, an internal medicine specialist on staff with Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.
summer 2013 Providence Health | 9
5/21/13 2:22 PM
Healthcare
Explained Reform
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
What recent changes mean to you and your family today, tomorrow and beyond
10 | Providence Health
summer 2013
FdPGSU13_10-13_HealthcareReform.indd 10
providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:22 PM
d
Y
ou most likely remember the partisan ruckus leading up to the March 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), often dubbed “Obamacare.” But now that the dust has settled on Capitol Hill, you’re probably wondering what it means for you.
You’re not alone. According to a recent survey, six in 10 Americans don’t understand how the ACA will affect them. This number shoots up to nearly seven in 10 among those whose lives stand to change the most—those in lower income brackets and the uninsured. While the full effect of reform may take decades to unravel, our panel of experts has been closely tracking the ACA and what it means—now, next year and in the far-reaching future.
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
What Has Happened
To date, the ACA has accomplished more than sound bites of victory or vitriol, depending on where you tune the radio dial. While much activity has been centered on behind-the-scenes mobilization of the bureaucracy that will carry out provisions in the new law, some immediate changes have already kicked in. For example, young adults up to age 26 can stay on their parents’ insurance policies, an expansion that has allowed 2 million young adults to gain coverage. “That went into effect almost immediately when the bill was signed by President Obama into law in March 2010. Before, you had to be in college to stay on [your parents’ insurance]. The new law says it doesn’t matter what you’re doing—you’re covered,” says James Lott, who until recently was executive vice president of policy development and communications for the Hospital Association of Southern California. Also of significance: Insurers are no longer allowed to deny coverage to children with preexisting health conditions. (Similar protections for adults will kick in next year.) providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_10-13_HealthcareReform.indd 11
Quality Counts Against the backdrop of healthcare reform, words like quality and transparency have never been more important. At Providence Health & Services, Southern California, we have embraced them for more than 70 years. Laurence Eason, MD, FCCP, regional chief medical officer for Providence Health & Services, Southern California, offers these snapshots of how we keep patients safe and improve outcomes: • Surgical safety checklist: “This involves a pause before every surgery where everyone in the room stops and reviews the patient, the surgery and their role in the room. This is used 100 percent of the time,” he says. • MEWS: The Medical Early Warning System assesses patients’ vital signs and alerts nurses to significant changes over time. “We can be aware earlier of changing conditions. It shows trends that a busy nurse might not recognize over one or two shifts.” • Coordinated efforts: Our teams’ work to reduce internal bleeding, sepsis, hospital-acquired infections and falls has resulted in less risk and improved outcomes for patients.
summer 2013 Providence Health | 11
5/21/13 2:22 PM
“The idea of managing a patient’s health status is the paradigm shift that’s occurring.” –James Lott, Hospital Association of Southern California Furthermore, the Medicare coverage gap, or “doughnut hole,” for prescription drugs has begun closing incrementally and will close entirely by 2020 to make Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable for seniors.
What’s Coming Soon
Most of the ACA’s provisions kick in beginning in January 2014. That means big changes are right around the corner. Much debate has centered on the ACA’s “individual mandate,” which means that starting in January 2014, most Americans will be required to have health insurance or pay a penalty. New state “marketplaces” are being created to make it easy to select the right insurance for you. In California, this marketplace is called Covered California (coveredca.com). Covered California will offer private health plans that cannot be canceled or denied for preexisting medical conditions. Legal residents of California who lack access to employerprovided insurance can purchase health insurance through Covered California. Small employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees can, too. Lott says the “marketplace” terminology is fitting. “It’s a supermarket of health plans that are available for the consumer. There will be comparison shopping, so to speak,” he says. Insurance plans will be ranked for easy comparison. And in California, there will be four basic levels of coverage: platinum,
REFORM-AT-AGLANCE GLOSSARY Accountable Care Organization: A group of healthcare providers that provides coordinated care and chronic disease management, improving the quality of care that patients get. Affordable Care Act: Also called “Obamacare,” this is the healthcare reform act passed into law in March 2010. Covered California: Marketplace where Californians can compare health plans and purchase coverage. Individual Mandate: Provision requiring most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty. Marketplace: A state-based, “supermarket-like” comparison-shopping tool designed to help consumers find health insurance that fits their budgets. In California, it’s called Covered California.
12 | Providence Health
summer 2013
FdPGSU13_10-13_HealthcareReform.indd 12
gold, silver and bronze. Open enrollment into the plans begins this October. Dale Surowitz, regional chief operating officer for Providence Health & Services, Southern California, says this system will open up the market. “It will make a difference by helping those who currently cannot buy coverage,” he says. Covered California will also help people find out whether they qualify for tax credits or subsidies that reduce the cost of the mandatory insurance. Lott estimates that 4 million uninsured Californians soon will be insured—either through Covered California or through a Medi-Cal assistance that, starting in 2014, will be expanded to include more people.
What’s in the Future
While the initial reform buzz will be centered on insuring millions of additional Americans, there will be several long-term paradigm shifts that will affect all Americans. One change centers on placing more responsibility on healthcare providers to better manage patient health. “The healthcare law has incentives for providers to take care of the patient as a form of making profit versus providing services or procedures to make profit. The idea of managing a patient’s health status is the paradigm shift that’s occurring,” Lott says. In other words, the government will pay more to providers who keep you well. To do this, the government is also nudging providers toward creating “medical homes.” “A medical home creates a team with the doctor as the quarterback and involves physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners and social workers as part of that team,” says Bill Gil, chief executive officer of the Facey Medical Foundation. “Accountable-care organization,” a model for delivering service that offers doctors and hospitals incentives to provide quality care, is another buzzy reform term. Surowitz says accountable-care organizations will force doctors and hospitals to work better together. “The goal is to have more coordinated care. That’s the direction the government wants everything going,” Surowitz says, adding that Providence has been in front of this by investing $800 million in the creation of the Epic electronic health record system for patients. This will link Providence physicians, hospitals and ambulatory services, enabling them to deliver the right care at the right time. How will Uncle Sam pull it off across the board? The government will send funds to providers that demonstrate better outcomes. “The hospitals that don’t do well aren’t going to get paid. No outcome, no income,” Surowitz says, noting that this represents a huge shift away from the fee-for-service structure of healthcare. providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:22 PM
Delivering the Care You Deserve While the government may be able to incentivize providers, the real trick is changing patient behavior—especially for those who have relied upon the ER for healthcare. Gil predicts that the requirement to purchase insurance will nudge some patients in the right direction. “Once you give people more financial responsibility for the cost of care, they’re going to be asking questions. Patients are price-sensitive,” he says. And that leads to the million-dollar question that most Americans are asking: Will my healthcare costs go up or down? One theory is that state marketplaces could help lower premiums by pooling many people in one place—thereby fostering competition among insurers. “Hopefully, over time, we will see a suppression in the increasing cost of care,” Gil says. “The reason I’m a little dubious about that being achievable is that we’re looking at 78 million baby boomers coming into Medicare in the next 10 years. The aging of the population is a proxy for chronic illness,” he says, noting that the huge cost of chronic illness could offset other efficiencies. Gil predicts that greater numbers of insured patients will lead to less “uncompensated care” for hospitals, which drives up the providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_10-13_HealthcareReform.indd 13
To find out more about Providence’s network of five hospitals, 39 clinics and more than 3,600 doctors in the South Bay, San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys, call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) or visit california.providence.org.
cost of care for the insured. Simple math, however, still suggests that the government must do its part by adequately funding Medicaid programs, such as California’s Medi-Cal. “The reality is that the government pays less than the cost of care. That forces providers to adjust pricing for the other patients,” he says. He acknowledges that costs have reached a tipping point. “Paying more is not an acceptable solution. Doing more with less by being more efficient is where we all have to land. Any arguments outside of that are temporary arguments that aren’t sustainable.” summer 2013 Providence Health | 13
5/21/13 2:22 PM
Senior Health
Keep Your Balance Providence’s physical therapy services can help you stay spry and prevent falls
What’s Your Fall Risk? To schedule an evaluation with a physical therapist, call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464).
T o
At Home
14 | Providence Health
FdPGSU13_14-16_Depts.indd 14
summer 2013
While staying active and fall-proofing your home is a step in the right direction, it may not be enough. If a fall lands you in the hospital, Providence offers a range of physical therapy programs. Whether recovering from a fall or rehabbing from joint replacement surgery, every patient is evaluated for fall risk, says Karen Frederick, MPT, CPM, CLT, director of rehab, respiratory therapy and neurodiagnostics at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro. As part of the evaluation, therapists are trained to identify fall risks, including medication interactions, inner ear difficulties, vision trouble and even improper footwear. Furthermore, at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro, patients have access to the Center for Optimal Aging, which offers a comprehensive fall-risk assessment for seniors that includes an in-home assessment. At Providence Tarzana Medical Center, outpatient therapy is specially tailored to improving balance and strength in seniors, says Tad Norton, director of rehabilitation services. “We have a 90-degree saltwater pool built for therapy,” he says, adding that full, functional independence for seniors is always the goal. “Physical therapists are really the movement specialists,” Courtenay says. “If you are concerned about falling, come see us.”
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
There are simple exercises you can do at home to improve balance, strength and stability, Courtenay says, including: • Alternate between a sitting and standing position in sets of eight or 10. • While sitting in a chair, extend your knee and foot so they form a straight line. • Perform step-ups on porch steps (with a railing). Additionally, experts recommend fall-proofing your home with grab bars and nonslip rubber mats in showers, ample overhead lighting, clutter-free floors and firmly affixed hand railings and carpets.
At the Hospital
providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:30 PM
PHOTO BY MEDIA BAKERY
As we age, it’s no secret that our balance, strength and stability aren’t what they used to be. “Naturally, over time, our muscles become weaker,” says Julianne Courtenay, PT, DPT, manager of physical and occupational therapy at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. “Statistics show that as we age, more falls occur.” In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults 65 and older falls each year and, of those, 20 to 30 percent struggle to live independently as a result. From home to the hospital, Providence Health & Services, Southern California, has the strategies you need to stay on your feet.
Foundation Focus
The Season of Need
Though needs remain steady, foundation giving often experiences a summertime dip With summer comes warm temperatures and vacation plans. Yet the first-rate care provided by Providence Health & Services, Southern California, never goes on vacation. “With the arrival of summertime, demands on all our facilities continue. Our charitable donations, however, tend to go down during this period,” says Patricia Modrzejewski, foundation president for Providence Saint Joseph, Providence Holy Cross and Providence Tarzana Medical Centers. Your gift can help the Providence Foundations avoid the dog days of summer. In fact, here’s a look at how your gifts are changing lives.
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
PHOTO BY MEDIA BAKERY
Supporting 24/7 Care
“Our emergency department was built to see 40,000 patients a year. We will see 70,000 people this year,” says Lori NolanMullenhour, RN, director of emergency services at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance. “The foundation supports us with necessary additional equipment to care for more patients.” Foundation support helps the ED care for anyone, year-round, regardless of ability to pay, says Angelique Campen, MD, medical director of the department of emergency medicine at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. “We are reliant on other sources of income—foundation support—to keep the doors open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provide the top-notch service for which we are known.” providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_14-16_Depts.indd 15
Providing Comfort in the Final Days
Imagine navigating through the final weeks or days of life without the basic comfort of cool air. Barbara Roberts, executive director of Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation, has noticed this trend in recent summers. “With the first heat wave comes the request for the foundation to buy electric fans for patients. Since we care for patients in their homes, and many are struggling financially, we often purchase fans to make them more comfortable.” In fact, through its “Necessities of Life” funds, the Hospice Foundation helps financially strapped families pay utility bills or buy groceries—freeing patients and their loved ones to cherish their final days rather than anguish over unpaid bills. This summer, don’t go on vacation from giving to those in need. “Your donations will ensure that our services continue uninterrupted, regardless of the season,” Modrzejewski says.
BE A HERO Your gift can help upgrade technology or ensure compassionate care for the sick and dying. To learn more, visit providencepowerofgiving.org.
summer 2013 Providence Health | 15
5/21/13 2:23 PM
Providence Medical Institute
Bite-Sized Advice Providence experts offer ways to revamp your child’s diet We are what we eat. If you’re a parent, did you shudder just then? Did you have visions of your macaroni-andcheese-addicted kid morphing into a poster child for dietary deficiency? Take heart! You can build healthy nutritional habits into your children’s lives no matter how old they are. Two Providence Medical Institute physicians share their expertise on childhood nutrition—and, according to statistics, it’s not a moment too soon. Since 1980, obesity among children and adolescents has almost tripled nationwide, with 12.5 million kids ages 2 to 19 considered obese.
Dietary Do-Over
Follow these tips to improve your child’s eating habits: • Get crafty. If getting them to eat fruits and veggies has become a daily battle, try “masking” foods, says Francine Atterberry, MD, a Providence Medical Institute pediatrician with Axminster Medical Group. For example, blend broccoli into spaghetti sauce or mix fresh fruit into low-fat yogurt. • Make a change and stick with it. “It takes a couple of weeks for the body to ‘reset.’ There is an initial period of being uncomfortable eating in a different way,” says Emily Curran, MD, who works out of Providence Medical Institute locations in Torrance and Manhattan Beach.
Visit providencemedicalinstitute.org to find comprehensive pediatric care in your neighborhood.
16 | Providence Health
FdPGSU13_14-16_Depts.indd 16
summer 2013
Take Action
If your child is battling obesity, the time to act is now, Dr. Curran says. “I tell teenagers, ‘You have an opportunity to tackle this now, when your metabolism is high.’ ” Dr. Atterberry adds that family participation is essential. “Sometimes there is one overweight child in the family and they feel like it is their problem, but the whole family should be on board,” she says. “Good nutrition is a family program.”
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
Does Your Child Need a Doctor?
• Eat healthy foods at mealtimes until full. “You really can’t overeat on fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains,” Dr. Curran says. • Send processed foods packing. “A child could be well within a normal weight range and still be eating french fries every day. That’s not healthy,” Dr. Atterberry says. • Don’t buy junk food. If it’s not in the house, kids can’t eat it. • Curb your eating-out habits. It’s more expensive and less nutritious than eating home-cooked meals.
providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:23 PM
Calendar July–September
Community Classes and Events From support groups to fitness classes, our Providence medical centers provide the programs you need to live healthfully. For more information on any of the classes, events and screenings listed below, visit providenceclasses.org or call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464). Not all classes available at all medical centers. Support Groups Support groups offer patients and families a chance to share experiences of learning and healing. For those who have experienced health issues, we offer the following support groups: Alzheimer’s/Other Dementia* *Spanish-language group available Bereavement Better Breathers Club Breast Cancer Cancer Cardiac Rehabilitation Caregivers Congestive Heart Failure Diabetes Early Memory Loss* *For individuals with a memory loss or neurological condition Grief Heart Disease Liver and Pancreatic Cancer
Live Wires* *For Parkinson’s disease patients who have undergone deep brain stimulation Lymphedema Osteoporosis Stress Reduction Stroke Survivors After Suicide Traumatic Brain Injury Valley Pumpers Women’s Cancer Fitness Arthritis Friendly Exercise Program Chair Exercises for Strengthening and Flexibility Exercise Safely with Guidance & Support Get Physical Lively Lungs Kundalini Yoga Burbank Mall Walkers
Childbirth and Parent Education
South Bay Galleria Gaitors Walking Program Call 818-847-4535 for more information. Wellness classes and screenings Asthma Education Caregiver Education and Training* *Spanish-language class available Nutrition Roundtable Outpatient Nutritional Counseling Pre-Operation Total Joint Replacement Education Pulmonary Education Program Pulmonary Rehab Self-Training Diabetes classes Basic Diabetes Education Class Diabetes 101 & Self-Care Diabetes and Pregnancy Diabetes Self-Management Program Healthy Living with Diabetes Individual Sessions with a Diabetes Specialist
All Providence medical centers offer a full schedule of classes to prepare parents-to-be for pregnancy, birth and parenting. For more information or to download a copy of our 2013 schedule of classes, visit providence.org/baby or call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464). Prepare for birth Maternity Tour Big Kids and Babies Sibling Maternity Tour Prepare for baby The Amazing Newborn Anesthesia and Cesarean Section Baby Care Breastfeeding Childbirth Preparation Lamaze Classes* *Spanish-language classes available Childbirth Preparation Intensive Course, one-day intensive class Childbirth Refresher Course Parents Expecting Multiples
providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_17-20_Cal.indd 17
Preparing for Your Newborn, four-part series Transition to Parenthood Classes about baby Baby Signs Basics, baby sign language for hearing babies Infant Safety and CPR, a class for expectant and new parents; newborn to age 1 Infant/Child Safety and CPR*, a class for parents who have children from newborn to age 8 *Spanish-language classes available
Support Groups Breastfeeding Leeza’s Care Connection* *a place for family caregivers located at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Burbank MommyWise, a weekly support group for new mothers and their infants Perinatal Loss After baby is born Safe Sitter/Super Sitter, a program that teaches young adolescents how to care for children Sign, Say and Play Continuing Program, six-week baby sign language program summer 2013 Providence Health | 17
5/21/13 2:23 PM
meditation, massage, qi gong, acupuncture, tai chi, therapeutic touch, sonic healing and guided imagery. Meets: Various days and times. Visit triumphovercancer.org for a full schedule. Location: All classes held at the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, 181 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank Info: 818-748-4701
Go to providenceclasses.org for class descriptions, times and locations, and to register.
FEATURED EVENTS LEEZA’S CARE CONNECTION: A PLACE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS This community gathering place and resource center is committed to providing free support services, resources and programs for family caregivers taking care of a loved one with a memory disorder or any chronic and/or progressive illness. Our programs educate, empower and, most importantly, connect caregivers to one another. Location: Leeza’s Care Connection, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, 1-South Tower, 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank Info: 818-847-3686 (English); 818-347-3728 (Spanish) ARE YOU AT RISK FOR COLON CANCER? One in 20 people will develop colon cancer in their lifetime. Don’t become a number. Schedule your colonoscopy. 18 | Providence Health
FdPGSU13_17-20_Cal.indd 18
summer 2013
Location: All Providence hospitals Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY Are you ready to restart your life? Learn more about our minimally invasive options, including Lap-Band, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures. Location: Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank Info: Visit restartlife.org. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR BREAST HEALTH Schedule your low-cost mammogram today. Weekend and evening appointments available. Location: All Providence hospitals Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) YOGA, MEDITATION AND MORE Numerous classes are open to the public, including yoga, acupressure,
YOGA TUNE UP® Move through a distinctive set of poses and exercises to build strength, relieve pain and stress, and improve balance. Meets: Tuesdays, 10:30–11:45 a.m.; Thursdays, 2–3:15 p.m. Location: Providence Holy Cross Health Center at Porter Ranch, 19950 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills Fee: $15 per class Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) MEDITATION Learn to use breathing techniques and guided imagery to reduce stress and combat depression. Meets: Tuesdays, noon–12:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 3:30–4 p.m. Location: Providence Holy Cross Health Center at Porter Ranch, 19950 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills Fee: $7 per class Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) PRE-OPERATION TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT EDUCATION This class covers everything you need to know to prepare for joint replacement surgery. Get instructions for the night before and learn how to prepare your home for recovery. Meets: Thursdays; 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
providencehealthonline.org
5/21/13 2:23 PM
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
Online Calendar
CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION Learn what to expect during labor, delivery and recovery. Certified childbirth educators also will share breathing and relaxation techniques. Meets: Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays; 6:30–9 p.m. Location: Providence Tarzana Medical Center, 18321 Clark St., Tarzana Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464)
Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance, 4101 Torrance Blvd., Torrance Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP Cardiac patients, family and friends meet to provide mutual support and discuss solutions to common problems. Meets: Once a month from 5–6:30 p.m.; call for specific dates. Location: Providence Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Center, 20929 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance Info: 310-303-7070
PHOTOS BY THINKSTOCK
DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM This comprehensive approach to diabetes self-management education will help you gain control of your diabetes, improve your health and help you feel your very best. The program is customized to meet your unique needs. Doctor referral is required to schedule an appointment. Location: Providence Breeze Medical Plaza, 5315 Torrance Blvd., Torrance Info: 310-543-7280 Location: Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Outpatient Diagnostic Center, 11570 Indian Hills Road, Mission Hills Info: 818-496-4310 BRIDGES PSYCHIATRIC OUTPATIENT DAY PROGRAM This program offers psychiatry, group therapy and socialization. A wide range of topics is covered, from depression and anxiety to coping skills and healthy relationships. Meets: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro, 1300 W. Seventh St., San Pedro Info: 310-241-4325 AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAMS This two-part AARP/Driver Safety Program is for people 55 or older
providencehealthonline.org
FdPGSU13_17-20_Cal.indd 19
who want to reduce their automobile insurance premiums. You must attend both four-hour sessions to receive your AARP certificate. $12 for AARP members; $14 for nonmembers. Meets: July 10 and 17; Aug. 14 and 21; Sept. 11 and 18; 1–5 p.m. Location: Providence Occupational Health Center, 3413 Pacific Ave., Burbank Reservations: 818-847-4535 BURBANK MALL WALKERS Join the Burbank Mall Walkers for information that can help your health. Presentations include: July 10–“Medicare Fraud,” by representatives from the Center for Health Care Rights Aug. 14–“Cataracts,” by Farid Eghbali, MD
Sept. 11–“Tips on Staying Healthy,” by Renata Stankovic, MD All classes are from 9–10 a.m. Location: Burbank Town Center, Food Court, third level, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank Info: 818-847-4535 GALLERIA GAITORS WALKING CLUB Join the Galleria Gaitors for group exercises and quarterly presentations. Galleria doors open to members at 7 a.m., seven days a week. Applications are available at Guest Services, first level, in the Nordstrom wing. Meets: Thursdays, 8 a.m. Location: South Bay Galleria, Food Court, third level, 1815 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach Info: 310-371-7546
SAVE A LIFE! DONATE BLOOD! Blood can be the most precious gift you ever give. By donating today, you can save lives in the future. We need your help! WHERE: Providence Blood Donor Center, 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank WHEN: Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Thursday, 12:30–7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 818-847-4433 or visit psjmc.givesblood.org.
MONTHLY CPR & SAFETY CLASSES • Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers • Basic Life Support, Part 2: Skills Evaluation • Heartsaver CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) • Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) • Heartsaver, Part 2: Skills Evaluation • Infant/Child CPR • Super Sitter Call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) or visit providenceclasses.org to register.
summer 2013 Providence Health | 19
5/21/13 2:23 PM
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center 501 S. Buena Vista St. Burbank, CA 91505-4809
Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Providence Health
Meet Herschel Cromwell: Living Proof That Your Donations SAVE LIVES “It means a lot to our family knowing that our parents were able to help.” L to R: Janelle Belanger, Herschel Cromwell, Steve Belanger Herschel Cromwell remembers nothing about the day he was moments from death, the result of a ruptured aneurysm. But Cromwell was lucky; his aneurysm was quickly diagnosed using a sophisticated ultrasound machine purchased with a donation from the Belanger family. Without this family’s generous gift, Cromwell would not be alive today. Donations from members of our community are saving lives every day at Providence Health & Services and, thankfully, we have many more stories from grateful patients who receive state-of-the-art treatment and lifesaving care as a result of those with generous spirits. As a non-profit, Mission-driven organization, our proceeds and your financial gifts support much-needed services and programs in the communities we serve; everything from expanding pediatric intensive care units and access to care to purchasing sophisticated radiation equipment for cancer patients. Every donation, large or small, saves lives. Just ask Herschel Cromwell. Please consider donating to one of our Providence ministries. Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank
Providence Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana
Providence Affiliated Medical Groups
Providence TrinityCare Hospice
To make a tax deductible donation to one of our Providence Foundations, visit us online at ProvidencePowerOfGiving.org.
FdPGSU13_17-20_Cal.indd 20
5/21/13 2:23 PM