’s
March 6, 2015 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
iDoctor: SCKMC Considers Telehospitalists Science Fiction predicted that the human race should already be living in a world of flying cars, and robots taking care of our every need. While we may still be a ways off from hovering our way down the road, robots are becoming increasingly common in our lives. One of the most advanced areas for the use of this technology is healthcare. From diagnostic testing to surgical procedures, state-of-the-art equipment is improving the quality of healthcare. It should come as no surprise that the next level of technology based healthcare actually combines a doctor with robotics. The nationwide physician shortage and a trend towards hospital based physicians have prompted companies, such as Eagle Hospital Physicians of Atlanta Georgia, to form “telehospitalist” programs. Telehospitalist patients are seen and diagnosed via a system which allows the physician to interact with both patient and staff. Listening to the patient’s heart and lungs, checking the pupils, asking and answering questions, and more can all be done with a physician who is based thousands of miles away. The telehospitalist concept allows hospitals to expand upon the level of service offered to its inpatients, particularly at night, while relieving the local physicians of call coverage. The telehospitalist works closely with the patient’s local physician to discuss appropriate treatment options, and to provide a seamless transition of care after dismissal. SCKMC is currently considering a proposal from Eagle to provide the telehospitalist service locally. The concept was discussed during the hospital’s February Board of Trustees meeting, with further discussions related to Eagle’s proposal likely to take place in upcoming meetings. A demonstration of the Eagle telehospitalist program is available on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/AJ5mauDjTuA
Hospital Prepares for Severe Weather Kansas experiences a variety of severe weather including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash flooding. To help prepare for such events SCKMC participates in the annual Statewide tornado drill. This year’s drill was held on Tuesday March 3rd and included the hospital conducting patient evacuation drills for both the day and night shifts. The drills targeted training related to communications, census reporting, and the transportation of patients with significant health risk.
Healthy Living: with Dr. Eric Thomson Cholesterol Medications – High cholesterol may require some patients to use medications, however the medications themselves can have their own problems. A lot of the synthesis of cholesterol takes place in the liver, therefor these medications are targeted at processes in the liver and can cause stress to the organ. If you are on cholesterol medications you need to have blood work done at least twice a year to ensure the liver is not being damaged. Fortunately, if it turns out the liver is being effected by these medications it rarely is a sudden significant issue. Typically if an upward trend is measured through testing, the medication can be changed or the dose can be adjusted.
Employee of the Month Congratulations Sherry Biggerstaff, Respiratory Therapist, for being named the SCKMC Exceptional Service Award winner for the month of March. Sherry was nominated by a patient for taking the time to discuss the treatments being provided and listening to all concerns. If you would like to nominate someone for next month's award or view all of our past exceptional service nominees, visit us at www.sckmc.org.
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. The FDA has expanded the use of Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). DR is the leading cause of blindness in adults and the most common diabetic eye disease. DR is damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to diabetes. It is administered as a once a month injection into the affected eye. Common side effects include bleeding of the conjunctiva, eye pain, and increased eye pressure. The FDA has granted Lucentis with breakthrough therapy designation which means it has demonstrated substantial improvements over current treatments. For more news & updates like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/sckmc.
March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month
Colon cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, and screening is easy! Schedule your colonoscopy during National Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March and pay no physician fees for the procedure, plus receive a free prep kit. If you're over 50, high risk or symptomatic, don't put it off, call today.
Call Dr. Tyson Blatchford to discuss your colonoscopy, (620) 441-5796! *Physician’s fee waived for screening colonoscopies performed by Dr. Tyson Blatchford in March 2015 only. Discount does not apply to the required pre-procedure physician consultation, additional procedures, or other visits. Free prep kit provided during pre-procedure consultation. Some restrictions may apply.
Find out more about our services at www.sckmc.org