Health News

Harris recognized by Newsweek

Harris Regional Hospital was named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The distinction recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of Newsweek’s Best Health Care series, powered by data from The Leapfrog Group.

“To see firsthand the level of care that is provided to our patients every day, this designation is only fitting,” said Steve Heatherly, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital. “The amount of passion, focus and teamwork spanning from the physicians at Harris Women’s Care to the skilled nursing staff within the New Generation Family Birthing Center along with the resources and technology available result in our team delivering care at a level above the rest.”

Read the entire article at www.newsweek.com/best-maternity-care-hospitals-2020.

VA gets top marks for patient experience

When it comes to patient experience, Charles George VA Medical Center is on the short list of top performers nationwide according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Out of the 3,478 hospitals rated by CMS, the medical center’s five-star rating was among the best, along with only 265 other hospitals.

CMS, the federal administrator of the nation’s major healthcare programs, assigned a patient experience star rating — ranging from one to five stars, with five being the best — to the hospitals based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores collected from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019.

HRMC recognizes Peripheral Artery Disease

September is Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month. PAD is a condition that develops when the arteries, that supply blood to the internal organs, arms and legs, become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis.

It affects between 8 and 12 million people in the U.S., contributes to difficulty healing wounds and is associated with amputation. Though the symptoms may be serious, an astonishing 40 percent of people with PAD do not experience any symptoms.

“In our Wound Care clinic, we see patients who have had injuries and patients who are dealing with wounds that develop on their feet or legs. We first establish the cause of a wound and establish factors that might affect healing. In doing so we evaluate the arterial and leg vein status. Thereby, we are able to diagnose PVD (peripheral vascular disease of the arteries) and chronic vein disorders of the legs,” said Dr. Joseph Miller, Haywood Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Wound Center Program Director.

For more information on managing PAD and treating chronic or infected wounds, contact Haywood Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center at 828.452.8594. The center is located in The Homestead at 127 Sunset Park Drive, Clyde, 28721.

Harris, Swain hospitals partner with PT Solutions

Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital have partnered with PT Solutions Physical Therapy, a national provider of physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and sports medicine services including athletic training.

The partnership will expand the hospitals’ services in Western North Carolina and provide additional opportunities for the clinical team of therapists caring for patients and student athletes in Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham, Cherokee, and Clay counties, and Rabun County, Georgia. Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital also have a longstanding partnership with Western Carolina University Athletics and operate a physical therapy and sports medicine clinic at the College of Health and Human Sciences.

The same team of therapists and athletic trainers will serve in the same capacities and at the same locations as always. The team consists of more than 40 therapists and athletic trainers providing evaluation and treatment for patients, and practice, competition, concussion prevention, and injury management for student athletes.

“PT Solutions is a company that we feel shares our values and can provide a focused environment for growth and employee development for rehabilitation services,” said Steve Heatherly, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital. “Our therapy and athletic training team is the best in the region, and we are excited to forge a partnership that will provide limitless growth and development opportunities for our staff and organization, all focused on serving patients and our communities.”

For more information on rehabilitation and athletic training services, call 828.586.7235.

September is Suicide Prevention Month

September is the annual Suicide Prevention Month and the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System wants to remind veterans and their loved ones through the Be There campaign that small actions can make a big difference to Veterans experiencing difficult times.

During this and every month, the Health Care System — comprised of Charles George VA Medical Center and community based outpatient clinics in Rutherford County, Hickory and Franklin — remains committed to spreading awareness of suicide prevention to Veterans and their supporters and connecting them to the resources they need.

For more information and resources visit BeThereForVeterans.com. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention. Call 800.273.8255 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net/chat.

Swain Summits focuses on health

To demonstrate this commitment to wellbeing, Swain County Health Department and Swain Community Hospital have partnered (along with support from MountainWise) once again, to bring you Swain Summits, a community-wide wellness initiative.

Swain Summits is a one of a kind community endeavor available to all residents of Swain County or full-time employees in Swain County age 18 years or older. The current program has 233 participants and the goal is to inspire and nurture the healthy spirit among Swain residents one challenge and one step at a time.

Swain Summits will be kicking off again this month with health screening dates starting Sept. 1. The health screenings will look different this year, they will be by appointment only and following all COVID-19 screening and infection control protocols. Checkout the events sign-up link on Facebook to register for a screening or contact Trish Hipgrave at trish.hipgrave@swaincountync.gov or 828.488.3198.

Harris offers lung screenings

Harris Regional Hospital is now offering a lowdose computed tomography (CT) screening program to help detect lung cancer in patients who meet specific criteria.

In order to qualify for a lung screening, a patient must be between 55-77 years old; smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years; a current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the past 15 years; show no signs of lung cancer; have a physician order the test; and undergo an educational session with the prescribing physician.

For more information, visit www.myharrisregional.com/our-services/lung-cancer-screening or call 828.586.7950.

HRMC publishes annual report

Haywood Regional Medical Center recently published its annual community benefit report, which showcases the broad scope of the hospital’s contributions to the Haywood County region and illustrates the many ways the organization invests in the region’s physical and economic health.

“Our mission of Making Communities Healthier is deeply rooted in all that we do,” said Chris Fensterle, interim CEO of HRMC. “We are proud to contribute to the health and vitality of our community by providing quality care close to home and creating places where people choose to come for healthcare, physicians want to practice and employees want to work.”

In 2019 alone, HRMC added 31 providers including interventional heart care, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology, behavioral health and family medicine; and made more than $3.8 million in capital improvements, including a telemetry system, a navigation system for the cath lab, new vein clinic equipment and upgraded fitness equipment. Additionally, with the fundamental belief that everyone deserves high quality care regardless of their ability to pay, the hospital provided more than $33 million in charity and other uncompensated health services to those in need. The hospital distributed more than $67 million in salaries, wages and benefits for its more than 860 employees.

View the entire report at www.myhaywoodregional.com.