S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 Owensboro Health
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®
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gavin Roberts, Chair Angela Thompson, Vice-Chair Vicki Stogsdill, Secretary Candance Castlen Brake Laura Chapman Robert Farmer Nick Hetman ®
ADMINISTRATION
Mark Marsh, President & CEO Russ Ranallo, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
A Message from Owensboro Health Owensboro Health wants to help you breathe easier - both literally and metaphorically. In this issue of Elevate, you’ll read about incredible new advances offered by our sleep medicine and pulmonology teams. A new implant is available to help those with severe sleep apnea get a restful - and safe - night’s sleep. Patients with COPD can have a better quality of life thanks to an innovative valve therapy Owensboro Health recently started offering. And in Muhlenberg County, patients are progressing toward recovery thanks to pulmonary rehab at the Coal Miner’s Respiratory Clinic. Our community can also breathe easy, knowing you’re in good hands if you ever find yourself in our care. This issue spotlights our incredible nurses who have won the coveted DAISY Award and information about how Owensboro Health is preparing future healthcare workers. These stories demonstrate our continued commitment to providing excellent care. You’ll also find a moving reflection on working in healthcare during a pandemic. We are forever grateful to our team members who showed up every day, throughout so much unknown, to keep our patients and community healthy. Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoy this issue of Elevate.
Francis DuFrayne, MD, Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer
®
Chris Love Jason Mills, MD Anthony McBride, MD Andrea Moore, MD Phil Riney Dave Roberts Michael Yeiser, MD
Gary Clark, Vice President of Analytics David Danhauer, MD, Vice President, Chief Medical Information Officer Ramona Hieneman, JD, Vice President, Associate General Counsel
Mia Suter, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer
Ruby Jacildo, Vice President, Accounting/Controller
Ward Begley, JD, LL.M, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
Steve Johnson, Vice President, Government & Community Affairs
Philip Smith, Chief Business Development Officer
Lisa Jones, Vice President, Ancillary Services
Ed Heath, Chief Executive Officer of Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital Ashley Herrington, Chief Executive Officer of Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center
Michael Kelley, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs James Tidwell III, MD, Vice President, Population Health Kathleen Myer, Vice President, Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer, Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital
Mack Howell, Chief Operating Officer Joni Sims, Vice President, Patient of Owensboro Health Medical Group Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Beth Steele, Chief Operating Officer of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Cathy Stewart, Vice President, Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Officer, Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Tim Belec, Vice President, Chief Medical Center Information Officer Bill Bryant, MD, Vice President, Chief Quality & Patient Safety Officer
Bart Darrell, Vice-President, Commonwealth West Healthcare Workforce Innovation Center
ELEVATE CREATIVE TEAM Editor: Jacqueline Russell Art Direction: Randa Pence Contributing Writer: Lauren Ford Layout and Design: Tanner+West
ON THE COVER An implant for patients with sleep apnea is making living (and sleeping) with the condition much easier. Learn more on page 4.
Photography: Charles Mahlinger, Tanner+West Digital: Katie Roberts Department Lead: Brian Hamby, Director of Marketing Somer Wilhite, Manager of Marketing
CONTACT CONNECT WITH US! OwensboroHealth.org/Elevate Discover the latest news at Facebook.com/OwensboroHealth Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/OwensboroHealth
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Owensboro Health S U M M E R 2 0 2 2
Main Line: 270-417-2000 24-Hour Health Info Line: 855-417-8555 Or visit OwensboroHealth.org Information in Elevate comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations.
Public notice of nondiscrimination and accessibility Owensboro Health, Inc. complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Owensboro Health, Inc., does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Owensboro Health, Inc.: 1. Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as: » Qualified sign language interpreters » Written information in other formats, based on an individual’s needs 2. Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: » Qualified interpreters » Information written in other languages If you need these services, contact a staff member or supervisor. If you believe that Owensboro Health, Inc. has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with the Office of Risk Management: Office of Risk Management Owensboro Health 1201 Pleasant Valley Rd. Owensboro, KY 42303
Saying Thank You OWENSBORO HEALTH RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING NURSES WITH THE DAISY AWARD The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide daily. The family of J. Patrick Barnes established the DAISY Foundation after he died from complications of the autoimmune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalization, they deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to say “thank you” to nurses in a very public way. In April, Owensboro Health delivered six DAISY awards to team members that were nominated by their peers, patients, visitors or organization leaders:
Phone: 270-691-7887 TTY: 270-688-3719 Fax: 270-417-4809 email riskmanagement@owensborohealth.org
You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email. If you need help filing a grievance, a Patient Relations specialist is available to help you. You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/smartscreen/main.jsf, or by mail or phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, D.C. 20201
Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.
Phone: 1-800-368-1019 TDD: 800-537-7697
Patricia Fulkerson, RN
Kiana Griffin, RN
Health Twin Lakes Medical Center
Muhlenberg Community Hospital
Lexi Roerk, RN
Sheila Swift, RN
Owensboro Health Medical Group
Twin Lakes Medical Center
Candice Schwartz, RN
Rosie Taylor, RN
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
Critical Care Unit at Owensboro
Medical Care Unit at Owensboro Health
English Translation/American Sign Language: Point to your language. An interpreter will be called. The interpreter is provided at no cost to you. Language Solutions: Over-the-Phone, Video Remote, and Onsite Interpreting/Bilingual and Interpreter Staff Testing and Training/Translation and Localization
Arabic
Mandarin
Bosnian
Nepali
Burmese
Oromo
French
Pennsylvanian Dutch
German
Russian
Hakha-Chin
Somali
Japanese
Spanish
Karen
Swahili
Behavioral Health at
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at
Karenni
Tagalog
Korean
Vietnamese
Medical Care Unit at Owensboro Health
Observation Medical Unit at
Help us celebrate the heart and skill of our extraordinary nurses by sharing your story. You can complete the nomination form online at OwensboroHealth.org/DAISY. S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 Owensboro Health
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C
hristy Kraus was on vacation with her daughter and best friend in 2017 when they noticed she wasn’t breathing correctly in her sleep. “Both of them thought I was going to die,” she said. “They
didn’t sleep that first night because they were scared to death.” After vacation, she went to the doctor and learned that she has obstructive sleep apnea so severe that she would stop breathing 47 times an hour.
Sleeping Safer With Inspire Therapy 4
Owensboro Health S U M M E R 2 0 2 2
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the upper airway musculature relaxes during sleep, to a point where it either partially or completely obstructs the airway. These events usually last at least 10 seconds or longer and are usually accompanied by drops in blood oxygen level, which affects brain activity and leads to poor sleep quality. Christy tried the typical sleep apnea treatment of wearing a
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, but it wasn’t effective for her. She was unable to wear the CPAP mask due to jaw problems, and a nasal mask didn’t help her as she breathed through her mouth. Luckily, an innovative treatment has her sleeping safe and sound. Inspire Therapy is an implantable upper airway stimulation device that creates an airway opening with each breath while they’re asleep, preventing obstruction. The implant consists of three parts: a neuro-stimulator located in a chest pocket, a breathing-sensing lead that detects the patient’s breathing and a lead that sends mild stimulation to the tongue nerve. And by stimulating the tongue and moving it forward, the airway remains open. Patients control the device with a remote control, which they turn on before going to bed to gently stimulate the throat muscles while sleeping. Christy decided it was time to learn more about Inspire when she began having heart problems that doctors attributed to her sleep apnea. “They did heart tests and the only thing they could find was that the sleep apnea was starting to cause some lower functioning in my heart,” she said. “That scared me on top of what I had already read (about the condition).” That was a year ago. Dr. Thomas Logan of Midwest Ear, Nose and Throat performed the implantation of the Inspire device, after performing tests to make sure it was appropriate, and Christy sees Owensboro Health Sleep Specialist Dr. Abinash Joshi to manage her condition.
N E W P RO C E D U R E HELPS
COPD Patients Breathe Easier Individuals
suffering
from
severe
emphysema, a progressive form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), have a new treatment option available at Owensboro Health – bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) using the Spiration Valve System (SVS). Placed in hyperinflated areas of the lung where air is trapped, the umbrella-shaped valve redirects air from diseased parts of the lungs to healthier areas. After valves
Today, Christy’s heart function is back to normal and
are placed in the correct locations, patients
her cognitive ability has improved because she’s able to sleep
should see improved breathing, allowing
without waking herself up. “It’s a big relief,” she said. “I went
them to suffer less from breathlessness and
on vacation for the first time since having it - again with my daughter - and no snoring. It didn’t scare her because she could tell I was resting comfortably.” Her experience is fairly common, with studies showing that 82 percent of bed partners reported a decrease in snoring. One clinical trial demonstrated a 68 percent decrease in the severity of sleep apnea for Inspire patients. “So, a significant drop in sleep apnea severity not only leads to less snoring and improved daytime functioning,” Dr. Joshi said, “It could potentially prevent serious consequences of sleep apnea like stroke, heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms.”
fatigue and enjoy an improved quality of life. Owensboro Health Pulmonologists say that unlike lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) which involves an open incision, BLVR is a minimally invasive procedure that is an alternative for patients that are not good surgical candidates. It also has far fewer complications than LVRS, and can be reversed if needed. Individuals with stage three or four (very severe) COPD can
a good candidate for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction therapy. While not everyone with COPD will qualify for a valve, Pulmonologist Dr. Thomas Waring suggests learning more about the option. “It’s a good idea that everyone who has COPD - that’s severe or very severe in nature - gets evaluated for valves because they could be a candidate for placement,” he said. Those who are candidates for valve placement can expect a 48-hour hospital stay after the short procedure, which happens under anesthesia. For those who aren’t candidates, an evaluation is still important. “There are a lot of other medications and therapies for COPD that maybe someone is not aware of,” pulmonologist Dr. Brad Brasher said. “That’s why you really want to come in and have a formal evaluation to ensure management of your COPD has been optimized.” If you’re interested in learning more
The condition is also underdiagnosed, he said,
have their lung function evaluated with
about the Spiration Valve System, ask
estimating that 25 million Americans have obstructive sleep
pulmonary function testing and if certain
your primary care provider for a referral
apnea and that around 26% of the general population may
criteria are met, a very specialized CT scan
to Owensboro Health Medical Group
have it without knowing. Thankfully, Dr. Joshi said, “more
will be performed to ensure the patient is
Pulmonology.
primary care physicians, cardiologists and neurologists are asking their patients about sleep, making that connection and having them evaluated.” If you think Inspire therapy might be right for you, or you have another sleep condition, contact the Sleep Medicine specialists at Owensboro Health Medical Group at 270-417-7515. The clinic’s physicians and nurse practitioners are versed in Inspire therapy and can discuss the option with current patients. If you do not have a sleep medicine provider, call the number above for a consultation appointment.
Dr. Brad Brasher
Owensboro Health Pulmonology
Dr. Michael Muzoora Owensboro Health Pulmonology
Dr. Thomas Waring Owensboro Health Pulmonology
S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 Owensboro Health
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Swim Safe This Summer Remember to practice these tips for safety around the water this summer:
Healthpark Pools Offer SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE For fun, low-impact exercise, take advantage of recreational and competitive aquatic programs for your whole family at the Owensboro Health Healthpark. Featuring a 10-lane, 25-yard competition-size lap pool, a warm-water therapy pool that offers healing for those with joint and mobility issues and aquatic classes of varying intensity, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
WARM WATER THERAPY POOL Get in shape, have fun and build friendships in various water group exercise classes in the therapy pool. Certified by the Aquatic Exercise Association, the instructors can help you meet your fitness goals through safe and effective activities. Charlie Sims, a 70-year-old retired barber, has been visiting the therapy pool at the Healthpark for 17 years. She attends a water aerobics class each morning and then walks on the treadmill afterward - a combination she believes has helped reverse her osteoporosis. “I go to two tough classes,” Charlie said. “It helps my mind stay young and I feel like it’s been a lifesaver.” It’s also helped her build relationships after moving to Owensboro from Paducah. “When I moved here, I had inlaws but no friends,” she said. “Our 8 a.m. class, the Morning Waves, are like a family. We go to lunch, celebrate special occasions and I’ve even won our Halloween costume contest twice!” Charlie recommends that anyone interested in water
Charlie Sims
aerobics give it a chance. “Give it one shot and be patient with yourself,” she said. “You’ll love it. Everybody is friendly and no one is better than anyone else.” “I haven’t tried anything at the Healthpark that I didn’t think was wonderful,” she added.
COMPETITION LAP POOL Healthpark members can enjoy lap swimming in the 10-lane, competition-size pool seven days a week. Jordan Loucks can vouch for the lap pool’s appeal. The 28-year-old accountant and swim team coach got a Healthpark membership as soon as he could – at age 13. He’s been an active member ever since. “I kind of started just recreationally going – swimming on my own, weightlifting, playing basketball,” he said. Eventually, he found himself on the Daviess County High School swim team, which he now coaches. Jordan said the facility is the only one large enough in the region to safely host large meets, like the regional swim meet, where they see as many as 17 teams. The space is also a blessing for a large team like Daviess County’s because they have room for everyone and don’t have to cut the number of kids wanting to be involved. From a personal fitness perspective, Jordan uses the pool a couple of times a week as he trains for triathlons. “I’ve been a Healthpark member for more than half my life,” he said. “It’s a convenient facility that’s very well maintained. If you’re interested in trying the pool, just ask a staff member to get you acquainted.”
For more information on the aquatic facilities at the Healthpark and the schedule of classes, visit OwensboroHealth.org/Healthpark. 6
Owensboro Health S U M M E R 2 0 2 2
• Those at risk should wear a life jacket or floatation device. Strong swimmers are not excluded from wearing a life jacket when being out on a boat or swimming in a lake. You may not think it looks cool, but it could save your life. • Taking part in formal swim lessons and water safety classes can reduce the chance of drowning by 88%. They can help individuals get comfortable in the water, and learning specific techniques, like how to get to a wall or exit the pool safely and efficiently, can keep you safe. • It’s always important to know how to respond to an emergency if something tragic were to occur. Early CPR and first aid before EMS arrive can be the difference between a life or death situation. The more you know about administering CPR and first aid, the better the outcome will be for everyone. This skill can help while swimming with friends and family, and it can also help in other social situations.
Jordan Loucks
I
n April, Grayson County high school
emergency room, and EMS professional.
students interested in the healthcare
Interactive demonstrations and training
industry got an inside look at career
education sessions were a part of the
options
students’ tour.
from
healthcare
workers
at Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center.
Career Exploration Day Inspires Students
“The Healthcare Career Exploration day was a great showcase of many diverse,
Deneace Clemons, VP of Operations
rewarding careers that are available
at OHTLMC, led the coordination of the
in
healthcare career exploration day, where
OHTLMC CEO, said. “There was a
team members highlighted specific careers
palpable excitement and positivity among
needed in Grayson County and outlined
our team members to share their personal
the time and education requirements, plus
stories and provide more information
potential salaries.
about the many opportunities available at
healthcare,”
Ashley
Herrington,
The event gave curious students a
our local hospital. It was such a promising
sneak peek into a day as a registered nurse,
experience to see the interaction between
surgeon, pharmacist, lab tech, respiratory
our team and the next generation of
therapist,
potential healthcare workers.”
radiology
tech,
maternity,
S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 Owensboro Health
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Healthcare Workers Reflect On Pandemic
In March 2020, Owensboro Health treated our first COVID-19 patient and the pandemic officially reached our communities. Since then, our doctors and team members have faced a challenge unlike any we’ve seen in our lifetime, with a willingness to adapt, a resolve to heal our community and bravery through unprecedented times. We’ve asked a few of those individuals to reflect on their experience during the pandemic and compiled their answers here.
MEGAN SULLIVAN BSN, RN PATIENT FLOW SPECIALIST What was the biggest change in your role during COVID-19?
In the emergency department, our patient volumes and our patient acuities have increased; therefore, our workload is much greater. We have had to remain flexible and diligent to meet our patients’ needs. Nurses have had to adapt to an ever-changing environment as new information and protocols were brought forward rapidly.
What kept you going through such a difficult time?
A lot of prayers, an incredible team of coworkers, and a passion for helping those that are sick and hurting kept me going.
What do you want the community to know?
Our emergency department nurses, physicians and staff strive daily to provide the best possible care to you and your families. Thank you for continuing to put your faith and trust in our ED. We truly appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have been shown from the community over the last few years.
HEATHER MOORMAN, GUEST RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE What was the biggest change in your role during COVID-19?
The biggest change in my role was managing all the safety precautions while ensuring the public felt the same warm welcome we offered before the pandemic. We wanted the public to be safe, but at the same time, let them know it was our pleasure to provide them with the services they were seeking at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital.
What kept you going through such a difficult time?
What kept me going during the pandemic was a need for the greater good. It wasn’t a time to give up. It was a time the public needed us more than ever. When you have a calling to help, that’s something that comes naturally. It’s nothing you have to second guess; you just do what you can to be there for the public. That’s what Owensboro Health is all about - public service.
What do you want the community to know?
We went through all of this together. We’ve lost lives, but we’ve also gained some lives. We couldn’t have done it without your cooperation with the rules and regulations to keep everyone safe. Thank you for being patient, kind, and, most importantly, choosing Owensboro Health.
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RAY FOREMAN, NURSING SUPERVISOR CCU What was the biggest change in your role during COVID-19?
Gaining the trust of both the patient and family was vital to my role before COVID-19. Patient, family and staff emotions ran high during the pandemic because the unknown was frightening. Due to the virus, we had to adapt to the immediate changes and policies to protect patients, visitors and staff. Visitation was very limited for COVID-19 patients, and there were so many fears and questions from both patients and their families. You recognize your role as the link between the patient and their family on a larger scale. The balancing of comfort and reassurance was very challenging and, at times, heart-wrenching. To the isolated patient, you are their only source of human interaction, and they depend on you to provide care and companionship. To families, you are the deliverer of their hugs and words of endearment.
What kept you going through such a difficult time?
There were some days I would go home and not say a word. There were also days when I cried my eyes out. My family supported my emotions, which I needed more than anything. The resilience of my coworkers was admirable and kept me focused. We had each other’s back. We laughed, we cried. They all fearlessly fulfilled their duty to COVID-19 patients, which further inspired me to give my all towards the care of COVID-19 patients.
What do you want the community to know?
To all the family members who lost loved ones to COVID-19, we prayed with them, wiped their tears, and held their hands at the bedside—and we continue to pray for you. As we continue to move past the pandemic, the community’s well-being and health will continue to be our priority.
CHELSEA SULLIVAN, REGISTERED NURSE, MOTHER-BABY UNIT What was the biggest change in your role during COVID-19?
The biggest change in my role during COVID-19 was the extra need for precautions. As a Mother-Baby nurse, I work with healthy moms and babies. I also take care of mothers with newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is of great importance to protect our patients. This meant an increase in the need for extra staff and supplies and the need to isolate myself from the population that was not COVID-19 positive, while caring for those that were. I had to learn to use new equipment to assist in isolating newborns from potential exposure, while continuing to promote bonding. I adjusted to doing daily care with airborne precautions. I also continued to advocate and assist in developing new processes for the positive patient population.
What kept you going through such a difficult time?
During this difficult time, I volunteered many shifts to take care of COVID-19 positive patients. I worked with upper management to create resources to help fellow coworkers care for this population during their hospital stay. Continuously seeing the symptoms become milder and the number of positive cases declining kept me going. I strive to learn and love to provide education to my patients to help decrease the spread of this virus.
What do you want the community to know?
Owensboro Health has taken many precautions to protect and care for our patients during this pandemic. As a Mother-Baby nurse, my coworkers and I make great efforts to provide excellent care. Please continue to take precautions and help decrease the spread. S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 Owensboro Health
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STEPHEN NOFSINGER, RESPIRATORY THERAPIST What was the biggest change in your role during COVID-19?
I went from working throughout the hospital to working almost solely with COVID-19 patients. Also, I worked a lot more.
What kept you going through such a difficult time?
I don’t give up. Never. So stopping never entered my mind. My battle was in and for my community. I was able to take some small trips mid to late last year that helped with refreshing my energy.
What do you want the community to know?
I want everybody to know that a wonderful team gave a maximum effort to fight a deadly disease. It was mentally, physically, and emotionally taxing, and I’m very proud of the work that was done.
DR. BRAD BRASHER, PULMONOLOGY What was the biggest change in your role during COVID-19?
I had very little time to learn what normal even was. Coming out of fellowship in 2019, I never dreamed I would be stepping right into a full-blown pandemic. I had barely gotten my feet wet as a new physician out of training before the pandemic started. Most of our training programs are designed to give us a strong knowledge base and critical thinking skills to look for patterns of disease and implement evidence-based medicine with the most current data built on years of research. Unfortunately, when dealing with a new disease, we don’t have the luxury of published data and expert recommendations to guide our management. The problems we faced were so unique and large scale that even our closest mentors from our university training programs could give us little guidance. Early on, we would come home from work and spend half of the evening reading journal articles as they were being published and the other half on the phone discussing what we were seeing at the bedside with our peers and colleagues across the country. Nothing you learn in school can prepare you for that.
What kept you going through such a difficult time?
Watching everyone work together. Early on during the pandemic, before vaccination, and when little was known about the risk of exposure and transmission, my coworkers inspired me each day. From the nurses who sat in the rooms and cared for and held the hands of patients when loved ones could only watch from the window or talk on the phone, to the respiratory therapists who stood by our side when someone needed to be placed on the ventilator and would spend countless hours in and out of rooms ensuring patients were getting an adequate amount of oxygen, down to the support staff drawing labs, getting chest x-rays and transporting patients on quarantine throughout the hospital, it was an honor working by their side. I will always be grateful to have had so many individuals stick it out through the long hours and staff shortages to help take care of this community. And for me personally, I’m not sure I could have kept it together if not for my wife, Ansley. She not only had to care for three young children but also made sure I wasn’t neglecting my own mental and physical health during the worst, emotionally draining months of the pandemic.
What do you want the community to know?
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First, COVID-19 shined a light on the overall poor health of our country. We saw worse outcomes and higher hospitalization rates among patients with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and smokingrelated lung disease. I encourage everyone to challenge themselves, their friends, and their families to pay more attention to the foods we are putting in our bodies, make this the year you stop smoking or finally commit to an exercise program. If you need a little motivation to jumpstart a routine, consider Exercise is Medicine, our 8-week supervised exercise program at Owensboro Health’s Healthpark. Secondly, for those patients still suffering from symptoms of the post-COVID condition, sometimes referred to as long-COVID, which include fatigue, shortness of breath and brain fog—you are not alone. Nearly three-quarters of patients who developed these prolonged symptoms were never hospitalized, and a significant portion of our community is affected. There is ongoing research happening across the county to help better understand this disease. Although we do not have all the answers, I can say that the majority of the patients I have seen in clinic do slowly improve over time. Do not be discouraged and stay active. We have observed that these patients are severely deconditioned, and daily cardiovascular exercise will lead to a faster recovery. Owensboro Health S U M M E R 2 0 2 2
From COVID-19
To Recovery
W
hen James Clardy came to the Emergency Department at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital, his situation was dire. A
severe case of COVID-19 landed him in the Intensive Care Unit for 11 days, but thanks to an excellent care plan, he’s back on his feet. For patients like James, discharge from the hospital is not the end of their treatment. He received Kindred Home Health Care for six weeks after returning home and then started pulmonary rehab at the Coal Miners’ Respiratory Clinic. The Coal Miners’ Respiratory Clinic has been operating in Greenville since 1975 and works to rehabilitate individuals with pulmonary impairment. The clinic not only serves coal miners but patients from all walks of life who suffer from pulmonary disease. Through the CMC, patients can receive targeted therapies for their condition through rehabilitation services, medication management, educational services, smoking cessation assistance and more. During his 36 pulmonary rehab sessions, James completed a series of workouts on the treadmill and arm ergometer and worked on his breathing using a spirometer. From the time he entered to the time he graduated, he increased his speed on the treadmill from 1.5 MPH to 3.5 MPH - a pace most would equate with a brisk walk to a light jog. “They push you and make you exert yourself, but that is exactly what you need,” he said. He notes that while he still gets winded on long walks or climbing stairs, he is at a level close to his pre-COVID normalcy. He’s back to participating in the things he used to enjoy, such as mowing the lawn and spending time with his wife of 49 years, his two children, five grandchildren and their new cat - which he states they are “just having a ball with.” As he looks back on his battle with COVID-19, James said he was very thankful for the interactions with the kind nurses, doctors, housekeeping crew, and other healthcare
“
providers he could see during his time of isolation from others. Before this illness, he had never been in the hospital.
If I have to, I know where to go to receive the best care possible.
While he hopes he doesn’t need to return, he says, “If I have to, I know where to go to receive the best care possible.” James still practices breathing exercises he started in the ICU and pulmonary rehab and is a fantastic example of the power of healing and hard work. If you think you might benefit from the services of
the
Coal
Miners’
OwensboroHealth.org/Coal
Respiratory to
learn
Clinic, more
or
visit call
270-338-8300.
S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 Owensboro Health
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®
1201 Pleasant Valley Road Owensboro, KY 42303
®
®
Page 6
Healthpark Pools Offer Something For Everyone
Piano Brings Arts In Healing To OHRH Lobby
F
or several years, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital visitors have enjoyed live music in the lobby during the holiday season. With the arrival of a permanent baby grand piano, patients, visitors and team members can now enjoy the uplifting sound of piano melodies year-round. Thanks to a grant from Owensboro Heath Foundation, made possible by the generosity of donors, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital now has its own piano. And because it’s a player
piano, it can be programmed to play music even when a musician is not physically there to perform. This new addition to the lobby aligns with Owensboro Health’s focus on Arts in Healing, which offers patients access to music, performances and visual art to promote the healing process. “We’re just thrilled to be able to have this here in our lobby,” Debbie Zuerner, Owensboro Health Director of Community Engagement,
said. “The impact on our patients, caregivers and our providers is going to be so tremendous. It’s just another piece of the journey as the Arts in Healing program further develops.” The new piano was celebrated in May with a small event, featuring Owensboro Symphony pianist Diane Earle and guest musicians, Mark Hatlestad, Michael Chu and Randy Lanham. To learn more about Arts in Healing, visit OwensboroHealth.org.