Spring 2013
Information and Resources for Health and Wellness
Innovative Procedure Offers New Hope for Patients with
SEVERE ASTHMA
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24/7 Stroke Alert Team Advanced Interventional Treatment
Twice as Fast as the National Standard Life-saving Heart Attack Care
A N EW LEV EL O F H E A RT CA R E IS BORN.
SaintVincentHealth.com/HeartTeam Opportunity. It’s what defines our most recent clinical affiliation with the Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute—ranked number one in the nation for heart care for the past 18 years by U.S. News & World Report. This unprecedented affiliation between two exceptional heart programs firmly establishes a new benchmark of excellence in Erie. Ensuring you and your loved ones local access to the highest standards in cardiovascular care. Enhancing our physicians’ ability to deliver new innovations and new technologies. And providing our community with an advanced level of heart care that rivals any health system in America.
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Mission Statement Inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Saint Vincent Health System is a community of caregivers dedicated to bringing God’s healing love to all and committed to compassion and excellence in the delivery of a continuum of holistic care.
Board of Trustees Mike Redlawsk, Chairman Mark Webb, Vice Chairman Jeff Szumigale, Treasurer Sister Mary Herrmann, SSJ, Secretary Helen Baran Terrence Cavanaugh Natalie Dwyer-Haller, Esq Alan Glaser, MD Bill Hilbert, Jr. R. Steven Jones Wayne Jones, DO Sister Phyllis McCracken, SSJ Daniel Muccio, MD Dennis Prischak Tim Shuttleworth Nancy Weissbach, MD
SAINT VINCENT HEALTH SYSTEM VITALS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013
Nationally Recognized Quality
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24/7 Stroke Alert Team
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Health Happenings
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Innovative Procedure for Severe Asthma
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President/CEO Scott Whalen, PhD, FACHE
cover story
Special pull-out calendar
ON THE COVER Saint Vincent lung specialist, Kenneth Chinsky, MD, is the region’s only physician to perform Bronchial Thermoplasty—giving new hope to patients suffering from severe asthma. Read the full story on page 8.
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Questions or Comments Please call the Saint Vincent Marketing Communications Department at 814- 452-5706.
Vitals Magazine is a publication of Saint Vincent Health System
Life-saving Heart Attack Care
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Saint Vincent On the Go
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Saint Vincent Gains National Recognition
In 2012, Saint Vincent received several major awards from organizations that measure hospital quality. They included: U.S. News and World Report: Best Regional Hospital Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery Becker’s Hospital Review: 101 Hospitals with Great Orthopedic Programs for 2012 The American Heart/American Stroke Association Get with the Guidelines Heart Failure Silver Plus Award for impressive benchmarks in the evidence-based treatment of heart failure patients The Pennsylvania Department of Health Excellence in Health Care Compliance Award: Saint Vincent is one of seven of the state’s 244 health care facilities, and the only recipient in the northwestern Pennsylvania region to receive this award. American College of Radiology’s Breast Imaging Center of Excellence: The Saint Vincent Women’s Center The Women’s Choice Award for Best Orthopedics from Women Certified® America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Experience 2012
The Saint Vincent Women’s Center: Diagnostic Services Especially for Women The Saint Vincent Women’s Center gives you access to the region’s experts on women’s diagnostic services. The Center has earned American College of Radiology accreditation as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. Services include: • Digital mammography, with diagnostic results to your physician in 24 hours • Convenient online mammography scheduling at www.SaintVincentHealth.com/Services/Women • Onsite radiologist, utilizing computer-aided digital detection for mammography • An expert breast health nurse navigator • Bone densitometry for osteoporosis and ultrasound testing for OB/GYN, abdomen and breast • The Saint Vincent Lactation Center, featuring consultations, resources and retail products and rentals for nursing mothers, plus a free call-in WarmLine (dial 814-452-7732) for breastfeeding advice Ask your doctor to schedule your diagnostic testing at The Saint Vincent Women’s Center, located at 311 West 24 Street, Erie. 2
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The Health Benefits
of Walking
Walking. It’s as simple as lacing your sneakers and going out the door. Yet it can help you achieve a number of important health benefits, including lowering “bad” cholesterol, raising “good” cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, managing your weight, lowering your risk for type 2 diabetes, improving your mood and helping you stay strong and fit.
Be a part of Highmark’s Walk for a Healthy Community 2013 Mark your calendar for June 8, 2013, and plan to be a part of the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, an annual fundraising walk that will benefit Saint Vincent Children’s Miracle Network. The 5K walk, which takes place at Beach One of Presque Isle State Park, begins at 9 a.m. Participants have the choice of supporting one of a number of community organizations through the walk, including Saint Vincent Children’s Miracle Network. The Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community provides food, entertainment, prizes, fun activities for children, free health screenings and valuable health information after the walk. All registered walkers who raise or donate $25 will receive a Walk for a Healthy Community t-shirt while supplies last. For every $50 raised, participants will receive one chance for raffle prizes valued at more than $1,000. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and the 5K walk begins at 9 a.m. There is also a One-Mile Fun Walk, which begins at 9:15 a.m. Highmark underwrites the cost of the walk so that 100 percent of the money raised by walkers goes to the participating organizations. To register for the walk, go to WalkForaHealthyCommunity.org or www.SaintVincentHealth.com/CMN.
Keep these training tips in mind if you’d like to get in shape for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community: Start training for the walk slowly. In the first week spend 10 minutes walking outdoors, and then add five minutes to your walk every week until you are walking approximately 30 minutes per day. Spend a few days a week walking longer (a total of 45 to 60 minutes) so that your body will be prepared for the length of the walk. Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after walking. Incorporate stretches, as well as a warm up and cool down period, into your workout every day.
18,751 The number of surgeries Saint Vincent surgeons performed in fiscal year 2012.
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State of the Art
Advanced Technology Helps Painter Return to His Art after Stroke very year, the tens of thousands who visit Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center view one of artist John Bavaro’s most stunning accomplishments—his floor-to-ceiling public art commission, “Fish Story Altarpiece.” But few of them know that John’s greatest achievement came long after the installation of his epic piece of artwork. In October 2012, Bavaro, 47, a college art professor at Edinboro University, was leaving his car to go to a class when he experienced a stroke and fell to the ground.
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“I was trying to call to people for help, but I couldn’t say the words. I realized I was having a stroke and I was scared, but also almost out of body. I didn’t really think this could happen to me. I was going to compete in a triathlon that weekend, and was in excellent health,” Bavaro said. He was taken to the Saint Vincent Emergency Department, where the Stroke Alert Team was waiting for him. Rapid stroke assessment and therapies were implemented, however, John’s symptoms failed to improve despite the administration of intravenous clot busting medication. Utilizing state-of-the-art digital
bi-plane technology, Saint Vincent neurointerventionalist Charles Romero, MD, was able to quickly intervene in the stroke while it was happening and clear both the clots in John’s brain and neck—saving his life and preventing what would have been devastating brain damage. Following the stroke, John couldn’t move his right side and couldn’t walk or speak more than merely communicating “yes” or “no.” He underwent inpatient physical, speech and occupational rehabilitation at Saint Vincent and continues with these therapies on an outpatient basis.
t Vincent. Welcome to Sain ter care.
Welcome to bet Statistics show that a healthy relationship with your primary care physician results in overall better health. This means choosing the right primary care physician is one of the most important decisions you can make in life.
family and consists of 19 Medical Group y located throughout The Saint Vincent practices convenientl ng doctors’ internal medicine g communities—includi Erie and its surroundin Union City. Edinboro and offices in Albion, and to preventive screenings injury and illness are dedicated From sudden fied physicians our board-certi the most innovative, immunizations, loved ones with your and to providing you care possible. compassionate of the most physician is one care right primary why we make Choosing the in life. That’s you can make important decisions switch. the make it so simple to practice listing sive primary care of your choice.* Review the comprehen physician 1 found in this kit and select the information, insurance sign all patient Complete and 2 and medical history forms. Mail all forms
3 Switch to SV
choosing * If you need assistance or physician, a specific practice Center at call our Referral (7864) or visit (814) 452-SVMG If the physician SwitchToSV.com. is not currently you have selected we will accepting new patients, choose another work with you to upon your physician based care needs. individual health
to:
Health System Saint Vincent 232 West 25 Street
Erie, PA 16544 your family. care for you and opportunity to information and We welcome the to review your touch shortly physician. We will be in t with your new schedule an appointmen
232 West 25 Street
| Erie, PA 16544
| 814.452.5000
ealth.com | SaintVincentH
Saint Vincent has made switching simpler with our Web microsite, SwitchToSV.com. The site provides detailed information on all our primary care providers and a downloadable kit that contains everything you need to switch to a Saint Vincent provider. Check it out today! Pictured above are John Bavaro and Charles Romero, MD.
“I can now walk without a brace or cane,” he said. “My speech is getting better and better. But I feel like I still have a long way to go, especially with speech.” John credits the health care experts at Saint Vincent for his recovery. “People treated me with respect, care and incredible dedication, from the nurses to the therapists, to Dr. Romero—who spent hours with my family and me. I am very indebted to all of them,” he said. According to Dr. Romero, John continues to progress steadily with his recovery.
66,378 The number of patients treated in the Saint Vincent Emergency Department in 2012
“He looks phenomenal. He is determined and not dependent on others to carry out everyday activities. I think his prognosis is excellent,” Romero said. Working with Saint Vincent Rehab Solutions, John has utilized his love of art as part of his occupational therapy, creating drawings to slowly recover his motor skills. He is now able to draw with his affected right hand, as well as on the computer, and plans to continue to regain his skills as an artist. Another goal is to return to teaching art. “Art grounds me. It is a necessity for me, because it is such a big part of who I am. Progress is really slow, but it makes me strive,” John said. “I will accomplish this.” Learn more about the Saint Vincent Stroke Alert Team and digital bi-plane technology at www.SaintVincentHealth.com
Think FAST: Stroke Symptoms When it comes to the signs and symptoms of a stroke, the important thing to remember is to think FAST. If you see someone who may be experiencing a stroke, follow these guidelines to determine if you need to call 911.
F is for Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?
A is for Arms: Ask the person to
raise both arms. Does one side drift downward?
S is for Speech: Ask the person to
repeat a phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T is for Time: If you observe any of
these symptoms, the time to call 911 is NOW! Source: The National Stroke Association SaintVincentHealth.com
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Especially for Seniors
Sucker Punch A kickboxing/strength hybrid class When: Monday, 12:30-1:00 p.m.
All About the Core Utilize a variety of equipment to strengthen your core muscles. When: Thursday, 12:30-1:00 p.m.
Zumba® Hypnotic musical rhythms and tantalizing moves When: Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
R.I.P.P.E.D. Resistance, intervals, power, Plyometrics, endurance, and diet When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Saint Vincent is dedicated to your good health! Please join us for this series of health and wellness classes. You can purchase a class pass for 10 classes for $50 in the Saint Vincent Inspired Gift Shop. Unless otherwise noted, classes are held in the Associate Fitness Center in the lower level of the Hardner Building, 2315 Myrtle Street. Call 814-452-5619 or e-mail arzyczycki@svhs.org for more information.
Saint Vincent Fitness and Wellness Classes
Saint Vincent
Breastfeeding Class for New Parents When: April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8 and September 12, 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $15
Newborn Care Class When: June 6 and September 5, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Cost: $15
Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition When: Wednesday, July 17, noon to 1 p.m. Cost: $65 or free to Highmark members
Daily Steps to Less Stress When: Thursdays, April 4 to May 9 OR Mondays, July 1 to August 5, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $65 or free to Highmark members
Eat Well for Life II SM When: Tuesdays, June 4 to 26 OR Thursdays, August 1 to 22, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Cost: $65 or free to Highmark members
Eat Well for LifeSM When: Tuesdays, April 2 to 23 OR Thursdays, July 11 to August 1, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Cost: $65 or free to Highmark members
Weekday Preparation for Labor Class When: April 1, 8 and 15, June 3, 10 and 17, August 5, 12 and 19, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Cost: $30 per couple Saturday Preparation for Labor Classes When: May 4 and 11, July 6 and 13, September 7 and 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $30 per couple
For registration, please e-mail arzyczycki@svhs.org. Unless otherwise noted, classes are held in lower level of the Hardner Building, 2315 Myrtle Street, Erie.
Highmark Class Series
Pull out and post this calendar!
Online e-Learning Childbirth Education When: Anytime! Cost: $35 Go to www.SaintVincentHealth.com/babies to learn more and connect to this exciting class series.
Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at the Saint Vincent Women’s Center, 311 West 24 Street, Erie. To register, call 814-452-5664 or e-mail sbuffalari@svhs.org. Beautiful Beginnings classes may be reimbursable, so be sure to check with your health insurance provider.
Beautiful Beginnings Classes For Expectant and New Parents
Health Happenings
FREE Breast Cancer Support Group When: Third Wednesday of every month, 5:30 p.m. Where: Regional Cancer Center, 2500 West 12 Street, Erie RSVP: 814-836-2660
FREE Thriver’s Group for Advanced Cancer Patients When: Second and fourth Tuesday of every month, 4 p.m. Where: Regional Cancer Center, 2500 West 12 Street, Erie RSVP: 814-836-2678
FREE Look Good, Feel Better for Female Cancer Patients When: Monday, July 15, 2 to 4 p.m. Where: Saint Vincent Women’s Center, 311 West 24 Street, Erie RSVP: 800-227-2345
Community Cancer Learning and Support
When: May 14 and 15, 5 to 9 p.m. Cost: $12 for AARP members Where: Saint Vincent One West Conference Room 232 West 25 Street, Erie RSVP: 814-866-4817
AARP Basic Driver Safety Course A two-day course for drivers over age 55
FREE Saint Vincent Cardiac Support Group When: Thursday May 9 and August 8, Noon Where: Saint Vincent McGarvey Learning Center RSVP: 814-452-7273
Mothers and Daughters: On Growing Up (For girls 9 – 12 and their mothers) When: May 18, 9 a.m. to noon Cost: $20 per mother/daughter couple; $5 for each additional daughter
So You’re going to be a Grandparent! A Class for Expectant or New Grandparents When: April 29 and September 23, 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $10 per person; $15 per grandparent couple
Dads Make a Difference! A Class for Fathers-to-Be or New Dads When: April 22 and September 16, 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $10 per dad
CPR for Infants, Children, and Adults When: June 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Educational Services Classroom Cost: $40 per person
Breastfeeding Support Group When: April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21 and September 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cost: Free
Sibling Preparation Classes Tuesday Night When: April 30 or September 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cost: $10 for one child, $5 for each additional child Where: Neonatal Intensive Care Family Waiting Room, 5th Floor
Living without Hip and Knee Pain Experiencing hip or knee pain? Attend a free seminar, where you’ll hear the latest on treatment from one of our orthopedic surgeons. Participants receive a free hot/cold gel pack. When: Tuesday, April 9 at 10 a.m.; Thursday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday, June 5 at 1 p.m.; Wednesday, July 10 at 10 a.m.; or Wednesday, August 7 at 10 a.m. Where: Saint Vincent McGarvey Learning Center RSVP: 814-866-4819
These free seminars take place every Wednesday in the Saint Vincent McGarvey Learning Center, 232 West 25 Street, Erie, at 6 p.m. Call 814-452-7800 today to register.
The Center for Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery offers weekly informational seminars about the minimally invasive bariatric procedures available at Saint Vincent.
Bariatric Seminars
A Perfect Fit: Personal Nutrition CoachingSM One-on-one counseling services with a registered dietician. To make an appointment, call 814-452-7354. Cost: Free for Highmark members
Drop 10 in 10® When: Wednesday March 27, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., or April 6, 9 to 10 a.m. Cost: $65 or free for Highmark members
Innovative Procedure Offers New Hope for Patients with Severe Asthma Sharon Daly of Erie will soon
Every day Sharon gasps for air.
celebrate her 60th birthday and this
Sharon suffers from asthma so severe and debilitating that it has caused countless sick days and frequent hospitalizations over the past ten years. Eventually, it also resulted in the loss of employment when she just couldn’t control her asthma—despite a number of powerful medications and inhalers. She is now on permanent disability. “Just walking to my car or carrying groceries into the house causes me to cough uncontrollably or become so out of breath that I have to sit down,” said Sharon.
year she may be able to blow out some of the 60 candles on her birthday cake, a task that simply would have been impossible a few weeks ago.
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Bronchial Thermoplasty Saint Vincent lung specialist, Kenneth Chinsky, MD, of Chest Diseases of NW Pennsylvania, has offered Sharon hope. It is a procedure called Bronchial Thermoplasty, the first non-drug treatment approved by the FDA for patients who suffer from severe asthma. In northwestern Pennsylvania, this treatment is only offered at Saint Vincent Health Center. While Bronchial Thermoplasty isn’t for everyone, it is for those who suffer from persistent and debilitating asthma. “Other than her allergies and asthma, Sharon is in good physical shape,” said Chinsky. “And, although she’s compliant with her medications, they barely keep her functioning. She is motivated to try something different and I am hopeful this will help in her daily life.” Asthma Asthma is one of the most common and costly diseases in the world, and the number of patients diagnosed each year continues to grow. There is also no cure. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), more than 20 million Americans have asthma. For most, medications and inhalers can keep asthma attacks under control, but for the minority, who suffer from severe, persistent, chronic asthma, the medications are just not enough.
The AAFA reports that managing unstable asthma consumes more than $18 billion of health care resources each year. In the U.S., asthma attacks result in approximately 10 million outpatient visits, 2 million emergency rooms visits, 500,000 hospitalizations, and 4,000 deaths annually. Sharon not only uses medications and rescue inhalers, but she also uses a breathing machine which is an in-home asthma nebulizer that delivers liquid medication into her lungs when she cannot breathe. “Severe asthma affects day-to-day life and these patients have trouble doing things that you and I take for granted,” said Chinsky as he prepared to administer the bronchial thermoplasty treatment for Sharon. Saint Vincent Commitment Bronchial Thermoplasty is one procedure now being offered by the Saint Vincent Advanced Lung and Airway Center. Other procedures include a Lung Screening Program for the early detection of lung cancer; Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) used to obtain a diagnosis for lung conditions and staging lung cancer; and Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy (ENB), a minimally invasive procedure that guides the physician with pinpoint accuracy far into the lungs to diagnose benign and malignant lung lesions. The Center is comprised of a team of experts, which include pulmonology physicians and Saint Vincent respiratory therapists and technicians.
Are You a Smoker or Former Smoker? A Lung Screening Can Save Your Life!
If you’re a smoker or a former smoker, don’t be one of the 159,000 Americans to die of lung cancer every year. The Saint Vincent Advanced Lung & Airway Center provides early detection lung cancer screenings— chest CT scans—that can detect tumors in the lung as small as two millimeters. Early detection of a cancerous nodule can reduce lung cancer mortality by 20 percent. You are a candidate for the lung cancer screening if you are: Age 55 to 74 A pack-a-day smoker for 30 years or more An active smoker A smoker who quit less than 15 years ago Screenings cost $150 and are generally not covered by insurance. But they can save lives! Ask your primary care physician to schedule your screening today. Questions? 814-452-5500.
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cover story
The Procedure Bronchial Thermoplasty uses a flexible bronchoscope through which a catheter is guided into the patient’s airways. There, the catheter tip heats to 149 degrees Fahrenheit—cooler than a cup of coffee, but warm enough to shrink the smooth muscle in the airways, which swells during an asthma attack and restricts breathing. The treatments are offered in a series of three individual sessions, scheduled three-to-four weeks apart. Each session lasts about an hour. “We only treat a section of the lungs at each time so the airways can recover and heal,” explained Dr. Chinsky. The minimally invasive procedure, like many other flexible endoscopy procedures, is done under moderate sedation or general anesthesia, and the patient goes home the same day.
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The percentage of severe asthma patients treated with Bronchial Thermoplasty who saw significant improvements in asthma-related quality-of-life measures.
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In the operating room, Dr. Chinsky carefully guides the bronchoscope into Sharon’s lungs and then places the special catheter into the scope while he watches the progression on a high-definition television monitor. The tip of the catheter reaches into the passageway and, as Dr. Chinsky slowly retracts it, he administers the radio frequency energy along the way. Saint Vincent respiratory therapist, Carol Roach, RRT, assists in the activation of the catheter tip while respiratory therapist Patty Burger, RRT, keeps track of the areas of Sharon’s lungs that are being treated. Sharon has noticed improvements after each session.
“I used to cough a deep cough that came from the lower part of my lungs,” said Sharon. “Now, I am still healing, but the coughs are not as deep and I can control them more.” Bronchial Thermoplasty is not a cure for asthma and, for Sharon, it likely won’t replace all of her medications. But for those patients who have severe asthma, like Sharon, this procedure has resulted in improvements in their quality of life. “I just want to go outside,” said Sharon. “I love the outdoors, shoveling snow, walking my dogs, and I look forward to gardening in the spring.” Ask your provider if you may be a candidate for Bronchial Thermoplasty.
Robotic-aided Surgery Makes Gastric Bypass Easier on Patients
Saint Vincent Opens New Operating Room Suites Larger rooms accommodate more sophisticated equipment
If you’re significantly overweight and have trouble losing the additional pounds, your doctor may recommend a bariatric procedure for surgical weight loss. And you may just be a candidate for da Vinci® Gastric Bypass, one of the most effective, least invasive options for weight loss surgery. Da Vinci Gastric Bypass allows surgeons to provide the gold standard treatment, using only a few small incisions. For most patients, da Vinci Gastric Bypass can offer numerous potential benefits over open abdominal surgery, including: Significantly less pain Fewer complications
In September 2012, Saint Vincent unveiled three new, state-of-the-art operating room suites including the region’s first high-tech hybrid operating room (OR)—all of which are now large enough to accommodate sophisticated minimally invasive and robotic surgical equipment. This $8.2 million project not only includes the new hybrid OR and two new operating room suites but also additional pre-op rooms for surgical patients and updates to the surgical family waiting room. The addition of the new ORs offers surgical patients the most up-to-date, minimally invasive procedures from our experienced team of surgeons. The ORs are spacious enough to allow our surgeons to collaborate and work together on complex cases when needed.
Less blood loss Less scarring A shorter hospital stay A faster return to normal daily activities. While da Vinci Gastric Bypass is considered safe and effective, it may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. To schedule a consultation, call 814-452-7800.
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Door-to-Balloon Time is Life Saving for Spring Creek Woman Saint Vincent’s Life-saving Heart Attack Care is Twice as Fast as National Standard For Carol Whiteley, 68, of Spring Creek, Pa., it’s all about the children. Carol is a school van driver for the Tidioute Charter School and a Sunday school teacher at her church. Her ability to perform these jobs nearly came to an end one Sunday afternoon last October when she was cleaning up after Sunday school and suddenly began experiencing pain in her jaws. “My jaws hurt so badly, I just grabbed them and held on,” Carole said. Fortunately, someone in the room had first-hand experience with a heart attack, recognized the symptoms and convinced Carol to call 911. The Wattsburg Fire Department sent an ambulance and emergency medical technicians (EMT) to the scene. With the aid of an EmergyCare paramedic, they began Carol’s treatment. Carol requested that she be taken to Saint
Vincent, a drive that normally takes about 45 minutes. The EMTs and paramedic on that rig had been trained in Saint Vincent’s pre-hospital protocol for patients suffering a common type of heart attack known as ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI.) In a STEMI, the coronary artery is completely blocked off by a blood clot, and as a result, the heart muscle being supplied by the affected artery starts to die. Using the protocol, the paramedic ran an EKG, then contacted Saint Vincent with the results, confirming Carol was having a STEMI. This call activated a standardized series of actions at Saint Vincent—actions that helped save Carol Whiteley’s life.
The Saint Vincent HeartSTAT team was paged and immediately set up in the health center’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab. The HeartSTAT team includes a cardiologist, registered nurses, registered radiology technologists and cardiac technicians. Every day, this team’s top priority is to clear the arteries of STEMI patients—often through the use of balloon angioplasty—in a timeframe that is at or better than the national “door-to-balloon” (D2B) time of 90 minutes. When measuring D2B, the clock begins ticking when the patient arrives at the Saint Vincent Emergency Department and ends when the artery is cleared in the catheterization lab. In Carol’s case, the D2B time was 46 minutes—a full 44 minutes faster than the national standard.
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Saint Vincent’s average D2B time for 2012 was 43 minutes. “When I arrived at Saint Vincent, everyone was waiting for me. Everything was ready. I just never dreamed they would take care of me so quickly,” Carol said. “Without Saint Vincent and the paramedics working together so I could get immediate help as soon as I arrived at the hospital, I might not be here today.” Saint Vincent cardiologist Para Yoges-Waran, MD, of Consultants in Cardiovascular Disease of Erie, was
the physician who handled Carol’s case. He commended the team’s speed, especially in light of the fact that Carol’s artery was 100 percent blocked when she arrived at Saint Vincent. “The team at Saint Vincent is highly committed to improving the door-to-balloon time. So are EMTs and paramedics. But patients and caregivers need to be just as responsive and call 911 at the first sign of a heart attack,” Yoges-Waran said. “Don’t delay. We’re not worried about false alarms. Time is
muscle. Call an ambulance and get an EKG. It’s vital to a full recovery.” Since her catheterization, Carol has been able to return to her work, driving the school van and teaching Sunday school. “The good Lord wasn’t done with me yet. He has plans for me. And thanks to Saint Vincent, I’m still here to see what they are!” Learn more at SaintVincentHealth.com/Heart.
Saint Vincent Brings Two New Medical Specialties to the Region Surgical Specialist Brian Jones, MD, FACS, Specializes in Liver, Pancreas, Bile System
Fredric V. Price, MD, Specializes in Surgical Gynecologic Oncology
Saint Vincent is pleased to welcome Brian Jones, MD, FACS, to the medical staff. Dr. Jones is a general surgeon who specializes in liver, biliary and pancreatic surgery. He is in practice at Greater Erie Niagara Surgery, 2315 Myrtle Street, Suite 290, in Erie. Dr. Jones earned his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. He completed his residency in the department of surgery at Akron City Hospital/Summa Health System. He completed his fellowship in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery at the University of Virginia. Dr. Jones provides advanced surgical techniques and minimally invasive procedures for diseases, dysfunctions and cancers of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, large colon, small intestine, breast, rectum, thyroid, parathyroid and hernias. In addition to surgery for oncology cases, he performs procedures for bile duct system repair, gallstone-related complications and surgical intervention for pancreatitis. Dr. Jones is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is an active member of the American Hepato-pancreato-biliary Association, the American Hernia Society and the Christian Medical and Dental Association. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Jones, call 814-454-1142.
Saint Vincent welcomes Fredric V. Price, MD, to its medical staff in the area of surgical gynecologic oncology. Dr. Price specializes in gynecologic cancers, including surgical and medical management of cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer. He also performs minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries and provides follow-up care. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology and Hospice/Palliative Medicine by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and completed his residency at Magee Women’s Hospital of UPMC. He completed a fellowship in his specialty at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Dr. Price is also affiliated with the West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pittsburgh. To allow patients to be treated in Erie, he will be augmenting available services and performing surgery at Saint Vincent Health Center. Dr. Price is in practice at Greater Erie Niagara Surgery, 2315 Myrtle Street, Suite 290 in Erie. To schedule a consultation, call 814-454-1142.
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Saint Vincent Health Center 232 West 25 Street Erie PA 16544
Your Saint Vincent Health Information: On the Go! Would you like to make your smart phone more health smart? If so, scan the QR code below for the new Saint Vincent mobile website! You can now reach your favorite Saint Vincent website destinations from the convenience of your own mobile device. The Saint Vincent mobile site is streamlined and allows users to quickly and conveniently find our most popular pages. With the mobile site, you can now: Find a physician Access maps and directories Check out details on all Saint Vincent services Dial Saint Vincent or your family doctor with the touch of a screen Check out the new mobile site by utilizing the QR code on this page and add Saint Vincent to your smart phone home screen today!
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