Category
N ov e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 012
Duke Cardiology of Lumberton and Duke Cardiovascular Surgery of Lumberton
Efficient Expertise Is Central to Busy Practice That’s Saving Lives
T H E M A G A Z I NE F OR H E A L T H C A RE P RO F E S S I ON A L S
Also in This Issue Treating Endometriosis Effective Media Relations
november/december 2012
1
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Editor’s Note
Keeping Pace Duke Cardiology of Lumberton – our cover story this month – is making a difference in Robeson County. Since entering this underserved region in March 2011, more residents who suffer a heart attack have benefited from the practice’s close proximity of gold-standard treatment. Committed to maintaining Duke’s signature quality of care, the Lumberton practice is growing and enhancing its diagnostic and therapeutic services to keep pace with regional demand.
T H E M A G A Z I NE F OR H E A L T H C A RE P RO F E S S I ON A L S
This issue of The Eastern Physician also features two contributing editors. Dr. Andrea Lukes addresses the importance of identifying the underlying condition causing pelvic pain and the need for lifelong management in some endometriosis patients. She invites referrals to her study on the
Editor Heidi Ketler, APR
safety and efficacy of elagolix in patients with endometriosis-related pain. Amanda Kanaan presents
Contributing Editors
an overview of social media that helps clarify its appropriateness and usefulness for physicians.
Paul V. Brown Jr. Amanda Kanaan Andrea Lukes, M.D., M.H.Sc., F.A.C.O.G.
As the year quickly comes to a close, now is a good time to plan to include The Eastern Physician in your marketing mix next year. Our readership encompasses more than 6,000 physicians, doctors of osteopathic medical, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and hospital administrators in 42 eastern North Carolina counties.
Creative Director Joseph Dally
It’s important for these potential referrals to keep up with your practice and professional expertise, so send us your health care-related news and perspective, which runs at no cost to you. Consider also combining it with advertising for an especially cost-effective marketing message. We at The Eastern Physician would like to thank you for your support of, and interest, in a magazine serving the medical community within this fast-growing region. We look forward to keeping pace with all of its medical developments in the new year.
Heidi Ketler Contents 4 Duke Cardiology of Lumberton and Duke Cardiovascular Surgery of Lumberton
Efficient Expertise Is Central to Busy Practice That’s Saving Lives 8 Women’s Health
11 News
Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain: Understanding Causes and Management
9 Marketing
12 News
5 Reasons Why Online Marketing Should Be Part of Your Marketing Plan in 2013
The Value of Media Relations
- Carteret General Hospital Gets the Gold Quality Achievement Award
- State Approves Additional 28 Beds for FirstHealth Hospital in Hoke County - $100 Million-plus Health Pavilion in Hoke County Is Well Under Way
13 News
Welcome to the Area
Cover L to R: Scott Denardo, MD, Christopher Walters, MD, Kelly Allen-Evans, FNP, Allison Scott, FNP, Bob Everhart, MD, Melvin Echols, MD (slightly behind Dr. Short), Sydney Short, MD, Matthew Cummings, MD, Abi Ogunleye, FNP, Marla “Brien” Bryant, DNP, Sandy O’Brien – Health Center Administrator
2
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News and Columns Please send to info@easternphysician.com
Warm wishes for a great holiday season and year ahead
10 Marketing
Photography Bill Goode Photography
Advertising rates on request Bulk rate postage paid Greensboro, NC 27401 Every precaution is taken to insure the accuracy of the articles published. The Eastern Physician can not be held responsible for the opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Opinion expressed or facts supplied by its authors are not the responsibility of The Eastern Physician. However, The Eastern Physician makes no warrant to the accuracy or reliability of this information. All advertiser and manufacturer supplied photography will receive no compensation for the use of submitted photography. Any copyrights are waived by the advertiser. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission from The Eastern Physician.
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Cover Story
Duke Cardiology of Lumberton and Duke Cardiovascular Surgery of Lumberton Efficient Expertise Is Central to Busy Practice That’s Saving Lives By Rory Cullen
Despite encouraging declines in recent
clots, and we’d notify Duke. Then they’d
“We’ve had four cases so far this month.
years, cardiovascular disease remains the
send down a helicopter to fly the patient
They came in, 10 minutes later they were
leading cause of death in the United States.
up. That was an hour turnaround, at best. A
in the cath lab, and 10 minutes later the ar-
Particularly where catastrophic events are
huge amount of time,” says Robert G. Ever-
tery was open,” says Dr. Everhart. “The big
concerned, such as ST-elevated myocar-
hart, M.D., director of the Southeastern Re-
push nationally is for 90 minutes, and we’re
dial infarction (STEMI) heart attacks, a pa-
gional Medical Center cardiac services and
averaging around 50 minutes right now.
tient’s survival hinges on getting immediate
cardiac catheterization laboratory of Duke
This preserves heart muscle so the heart
medical attention. Any delay increases the
Cardiology of Lumberton and Duke Cardio-
doesn’t weaken as much, which can lead
amount of heart tissue affected and lowers
vascular Surgery of Lumberton.
to all kinds of complications.”
cardiologists and emergency responders is
Patients frequently ran dangerously close
Meeting Great Demand
“minutes mean muscle.”
to the 90-minute mark – the gold standard
Opening its doors in 2006, Duke Cardiolo-
the odds of recovery. The maxim among
for the treatment of heart attacks. But since
gy of Lumberton and Duke Cardiovascular
The situation was particularly bad for
Duke Cardiology of Lumberton and Duke
Surgery of Lumberton offered much-need-
Robeson County, where demographic cir-
Cardiovascular of Lumberton began treat-
ed services to an area without a local car-
cumstances were exacerbated by a dearth
ing these patients in March 2011, the differ-
diology program. The rate of heart disease
of local cardiac health care. “They’d get
ence has been staggering.
mortality for Robeson County residents
thrombolytic agents to try to dissolve blood
was 20 to 30 percent higher than North Carolina averages. Since then mortality rate has steadily dropped. In 2010, Robeson County’s statistics intersected with the state mortality rates, and Dr. Everhart is hopeful the trend will continue. “We’ve had people come in with heart attacks. Some of them die on the table, and we bring them back to life. The impact we’re having on the community, those are the true successes,” says Dr. Everhart. The program works in tandem with the Southeastern Regional Medical Center, just across the street, and has been growing since its inception, steadily offering a wider range of services. The staff, all Duke faculty
Lisa Booker, a Duke Cardiology of Lumberton echo sonographer, at work.
4
The Eastern Physician
physicians and Duke credentialed health care providers, have recently added an-
other partner, Lumberton native Matthew
Duke and his current position.
also performs a plethora of thoracic and cardiac surgeries, including coronary by-
S. Cummings, M.D., to assist with their increased volume and expand the services
“For me, it’s incredibly satisfying to have
pass, valve repair and replacement and
they offer. Construction has recently begun
been a part of the development of a new
aneurysm repair.
on another peripheral vascular laboratory
program in Wilmington, and now to do it
to maintain high-level care.
again within the Duke system,” says Dr.
“We can’t do everything we’d like,” says
“A lot of people here have cardiovascular
Everhart. “We started in Wilmington in
Dr. Denardo, admitting that some highly
disease, strokes and heart failure,” says
much the same way, nothing there at all,
specialized equipment and services simply
Melvin R. Echols, M.D., medical director of
and it’s now grown into a very successful
aren’t practical. “But we cover 95 percent
the clinic at Lumberton and a specialist in
program. It’s a lot of work, but it’s amazing
of cardio diagnostic and therapeutic pro-
chronic heart failure. With only two provid-
to be able to offer this level of care.”
cedures.” With the addition of Dr. Cummings to the staff, the program plans to
ers in the area, it was a struggle to keep up with demand, and it was very difficult to
The program’s success has been particu-
add peripheral vascular scanning (use of
manage caths and the outpatient setting.”
larly profound for Dr. Lowry, who has been
ultrasound to evaluate blood flow) and ad-
with the practice since its beginnings. “I
ditional vascular surgeries to its repertoire.
Duke Cardiology of Lumberton and Duke
grew up 15 to 20 minutes away,” he says.
With more services being offered, fewer
Cardiovascular Surgery of Lumberton has
After earning his degree at the University of
patients need to be transferred to another
since added support and blossomed. “2011
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he complet-
facility.
was the perfect year. We recruited a lot of
ed his residency at the University of Roch-
people who were interested in being here
ester School of Medicine and Dentistry be-
Dr. Everhart highlights one noteworthy
but who were also motivated,” says Dr.
fore returning to his roots. “It’s important
practice: radial artery catheterization. The
Echols.
because … it allows people to stay in the
majority of cardiac catheterization pro-
community instead of traveling.”
cedures utilize the femoral artery via an incision in the groin. This can be uncom-
The volume for the practice has increased 27 percent since 2011, and more than 1,200
Services
fortable for patients after the procedure is
procedures have been performed in the
The practice offers a multitude of ser-
completed: standard aftercare includes a
catheterization lab this year, according to
vices, including electrophysiology, con-
30-minute compression of the groin area,
Scott J. Denardo, M.D., director of the lab.
ventional angioplasty care and coronary
and two to four hours of rest is required
Terry S. Lowry, M.D., medical director of
interventions, including stenting and care
the cardiac intensive care unit, has over-
for peripheral vascular disease. Dr. Lowry
seen some 350 surgeries. Dr. Echols sees
conducts pacemaker and cardioverter
between 20-35 patients a day.
defibrillator implants at SRMC, whereas, patients previously were sent to Duke Hos-
“We’re building a very successful program
pital in Durham for implants. Dr. Lowry
here,” says Dr. Everhart. “We’re growing at a time when a lot of cath labs are actually decreasing their procedural numbers. And we’ve greatly improved the degree of care offered in this county.” Lumberton’s cardiology program is not the first Dr. Everhart has helped to expand. Formerly an interventional cardiologist at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C., Dr. Everhart performed the hospital’s first coronary angioplasty in 1988. Dr. Everhart was involved in the development of acute care for STEMI patients, and served as the primary investigator for national and international cardiac trials. These studies led to his transition to
Front row, from left: Matthew Cummings, M.D.; Angela Anthony, R.N.; Gladys Hayes, C.R.T.; Melissa Lewis; Melissa Hood, R.N.; Tiana Lowery, C.S.T.; Annette Carter, R.N.; and Shannan Wilcox, echo sonographer. Back row, from left: Bryan Hilbourn, R.N.; Sydney Short, M.D.; and Marla “Brien” Bryan, D.N.P.
november/december 2012
5
before the patient can resume normal ac-
Other research involves the study of micro-
that patients come from South Carolina on
tivities. By contrast, the radial artery, via the
vascular dysfunction (abnormalities in the
a regular basis. “We get plenty of people
wrist, offers a far speedier recovery – In 10
coronary arteries that often lead to heart
coming from everywhere,” he says.
minutes, the patient is able to leave. Only
disease) and investigation of the links be-
11 percent of hospitals nationwide employ
tween blood pressure fluctuations and
“What makes the program work is that we
this method.
later complications. “In people with heart
have a really good group of people, from
failure, their (blood) pressures can change
environmental services all the way up to
“It’s been done worldwide for 20 years. It
in abnormal ways, (and) they’re at risk
surgery,” says Dr. Lowry. “The teamwork
never really caught on in the United States,
for further complications in the following
from Duke and SRMC makes everything
but a study from Duke three years ago re-
year,” says Dr. Denardo.
work and turns out well for the patient.”
“It’s technically a little more challenging.
Dr. Echols pursues research on peripheral
Not about to rest on their laurels, Dr. Echols
But with this, people get up and walk off
arterial disease, noting its deleterious im-
reiterates the staff’s dedication to achieving
the table. It’s a lot more convenient for the
pact on other medical conditions. “PAD is a
ever-higher levels of care.
patient. They love it.”
huge issue. We’re trying to do more nonin-
For more information about Southeastern
vasive studies that will help the doctors do-
Regional Medical Center cardiology ser-
There are also fewer complications to con-
ing peripheral cath interventions. Because
vices visit www.srmc.org.
sider. “The major advantage is that you
peripheral procedures are becoming more
have much easier control of the bleeding
utilized, we’re having to make sure the clin-
after the procedure,” says Dr. Everhart.
ic and outpatient system is keeping up with
ally put it over the top,” says Dr. Everhart.
the latest diagnostic modalities.” Dr. Echols utilizes myocardial perfusion imaging, also called a nuclear test to inves-
Ongoing Excellence
tigate damaged heart muscle and diagnose
“We started with low-risk patients,” says Dr.
heart disease. A safe, radioactive tracer
Lowry of Lumberton’s beginnings, “and
injected into the bloodstream provides a
built our experience. As our program de-
clear image of blood flow throughout the
veloped we’ve added to the amount of risk
body with minimal patient discomfort.
we’re willing to accept. We are continuing
With patient activity (exercise such as run-
to expand the number of services we offer
ning on a treadmill), Dr. Echols can ana-
while maintaining a high quality (of care).”
Matthew Cummings, MD
Scott Denardo, MD
Melvin Echols, MD
Robert Everhart, MD
Terry Lowry, MD Cardiovascular Surgeon
Sydney Short, MD
lyze the heart’s response to physical stress and blood flow to peripheral areas.
As a result, in 2012 Duke Cardiology of Lumberton and Duke Cardiovascular Sur-
Moving Forward
gery of Lumberton was ranked first in the
While the expansion of practice services
state for its cardiology services, second for
has been remarkable in itself, the staff of
overall cardiac services and sixth for coro-
Duke Cardiology of Lumberton is continu-
nary interventions, and it remains among
ally looking to implement new services
the top 10 percent in the nation. Five-star
and procedures to better care for their pa-
ratings in treatment of heart attack, heart
tients. “We’re always trying to make things
failure, and in coronary interventions and
even better,” says Dr. Denardo.
cardiology services further attest to the quality of the staff. Dr. Lowry himself was
When he’s not in the catheterization lab,
named Surgeon of the Year by Surgical
Dr. Denardo is working with medical re-
Products magazine, with quality indica-
searchers at Duke or the University of
tors well below the Society for Thoracic
Florida to continue to improve treatment
Surgery percentages and zero mortalities
options. His latest research has been on
in 2012. Drs. Denardo, Everhart and Echols
blood-thinning agents and stents. “We’re
have similarly stellar numbers.
looking for something that will prevent heart attacks and blockages but won’t lead
“I’ve had people follow me from Wilming-
to bleeding issues,” he says.
ton,” says Dr. Everhart. Dr. Echols notes
6
The Eastern Physician
Christopher Walters, MD
Women’s Health
Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain:
Understanding Causes and Management By Andrea Lukes, M.D., M.H.Sc., F.A.C.O.G.
There are exciting developments in the
Once diagnosed, the management of en-
treatment of endometriosis, a common
dometriosis can be challenging. Surgical
gynecological problem.
interventions with the most effectiveness include ablation (laser) of the disease. At
Endometriosis is defined as the presence
six months after surgery, pain is significant-
of endometrium (lining of the uterus) that
ly improved in those receiving laser com-
occurs outside of the uterus. The most
pared to those within a control group, 62.5
common symptoms associated with endo-
percent versus 22.6 percent2. Other surgi-
metriosis are painful menses (dysmenor-
cal options, such as laparoscopic uterosa-
rhea), pain with sexual intercourse (dys-
cral nerve ablation (LUNA) and presacral
pareunia) and non-menstrual pelvic pain.
neurectomy, are technically challenging and not as commonly performed.
Approximately 70 percent of women with chronic pelvic pain have endometriosis1.
Most treatments of pain associated with en-
Diagnostic laparoscopy provides a defini-
dometriosis are medical. These treatments
tive diagnosis.
range from NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), hormones (progestogens only or combined oral contraceptives), danazol (synthetic testosterone), GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) agonists, or more recently, the levonorg-
After earning her bachelor’s degree in religion from Duke University (1988), Dr. Andrea Lukes pursued a combined medical degree and master’s degree in statistics from Duke (1994). Then, she completed her ob/gyn residency at the University of North Carolina (1998). During her 10 years on faculty at Duke University, she cofounded and served as the director of gynecology for the Women’s Hemostasis and Thrombosis Clinic. She left her academic position (2007) to begin Carolina Women’s Research and Wellness Center, and to become founder and chair of the Ob/Gyn Alliance. She and partner Amy Stanfield, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., head Women’s Wellness Clinic, the private practice associated with Carolina Women’s Research and Wellness Clinic. Women’s Wellness Clinic welcomes referrals for management of heavy menstrual bleeding. Call (919) 251-9223 or visit www.cwrwc.com.
estrel intrauterine system. At Women’s Wellness Clinic, we have experience with each of these medications and review all of
productive tract and ovarian and/or tubal
them in our management of endometriosis
masses. In addition, it is not always due to
and pain.
gynecological conditions. Pelvic pain can be due to gastrointestinal, urinary, neuro-
See if you may qualify for the Violet Petal Study — a medical research study for women with moderate to severe pain caused by endometriosis.
Our team is conducting an on-going study
logic, psychological, as well as psychiatric,
called “A Clinical Study to Evaluate the
disorders. We encourage a thorough work-
Safety and Efficacy of Elagolix in Subjects
up of all etiologies relating to pelvic pain.
with Moderate to Severe Endometriosis-
It is also important to understand that en-
Associated Pain.” We welcome calls about
dometriosis is a chronic disease that often
this study to our office at (919) 251-9223 or
requires a lifelong management plan.
by e-mail to janet@cwrwc.com or atiya@ cwrwc.com. Lastly, pelvic pain can be caused by a number of conditions, not only endometriosis: pelvic adhesions, pelvic inflammatory disease, congenital anomalies of the re-
8
The Eastern Physician
1) Spaczynski RZ, Duleba AJ. Diagnosis of endometriosis. Semin Reprod Med 2003; 21:193-208. 2) Sutton CJ, Ewen SP, Whitelaw N, Haines P. Prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial of laser laparoscopy in the treatment of pelvic pain associated with minimal, mild, and moderate endometriosis. Fertil Steril 1994; 62:696-700.
Marketing
5 Reasons
Why Online Marketing Should Be Part of Your Marketing Plan in 2013 By Amanda Kanaan
The month of December is often a time of
range of demographics. The fact that
reflection, planning, and goal-setting for the
you cater to a geriatric population is no
upcoming year. For most practices, as with
longer an excuse. The 70-75 year-old age
any small business, these goals usually in-
group is the fastest growing demograph-
clude increasing the amount business from
ic of Internet users (2009 study by Pew
the year before. When discussing marketing
Internet & American Life Project).
strategy every medical practice, regardless
5. Targeted Approach: If you are a plastic
of size or specialty, should consider invest-
surgeon who wants to do more mommy
ing in online marketing in 2013. Here are five
makeovers, for example, you can easily
reasons why…
use online marketing to target specific
1. Cost-Effective: The cost is lower than
keywords and demographics related to
traditional media such as TV or radio and
this service. It’s a great way to establish a
can often have a greater ROI due to the
niche or at least bill more of a particular
long lasting effects.
service.
2. Increasing Demand: We are in the
Amanda Kanaan is the president and founder of WhiteCoat Designs, a North Carolinabased marketing agency catering specifically to physicians. WhiteCoat Designs offers doctors affordable marketing solutions to help them grow their practices. Services include website design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media management, online reputation monitoring, brochure and collateral design, branding makeovers and physician liaison services to build patient referrals. Ms. Kanaan can be reached at amanda@whitecoat-designs. com or (919) 714-9885. To learn more, visit www.whitecoat-designs.com.
midst of an “e-patient” revolution (pa-
Whether you invest in search engine op-
tients whose number one source of
timization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) ad-
health information is the Internet). As
vertising, or social media, the first step in
more and more health care organiza-
an effective online marketing strategy is a
tions realize this, the market space will
good website. The goal of online marketing
become increasingly competitive.
is to bring people to your website; the goal
on to your competitor’s site. Therefore, on-
3. Highly Trackable: Unlike some market-
of your website is to bring people to your
line marketing won’t be nearly as successful
ing strategies, the results of online mar-
practice. On average, your website has seven
without a great website and a great website
keting are highly trackable. Most Inter-
seconds to make an impression on a patient.
won’t be nearly as successful without online
net marketing agencies provide monthly
Otherwise, it’s back to the search engine and
marketing.
reports showing how your
search
engine
One of the great qualities
rankings are increasing
of online marketing is that
and the direct correla-
it’s an even playing field.
tion to your number
Whether you are a solo fam-
of visitors, as well as
ily practitioner or a 10 physi-
the number of visitors
cian cardiology practice, you
you are converting (i.e.
each have the opportunity to
number of online ap-
compete online. So as you
pointment
enter into budget discussions
requests,
etc.).
this month and consider your
4. Wide Appeal: Online
goals for next year, consider
marketing is a highly
online marketing as a cost-
effective marketing tool
effective approach to growing
that caters to a wide
your practice in 2013.
november/december 2012
9
Marketing
The Value of
Media Relations By Paul V. Brown Jr.
You’re a skilled and compassionate physician.
You
have
an
health in the hands of someone they trust.
established
practice. And while you could always use
Why might a physician resist enlisting
a few more patients, it’s not like you have
media to their cause? One reason, in my
loads of free time on your hands. So why
view, is modesty. Most caregivers get into
do you need to reach out to the media for
the business simply to help people. There’s
coverage?
a natural – and laudable – tendency to want to stay in the background, to resist
It’s a smart question to ask, especially since
shouting your credentials and successes
interaction with reporters and bloggers
from the housetops. But the business
may require you to develop a few new
side of medicine requires marketing your
skills, and since hiring a media relations
services and experience.
or public relations company is another business expense.
Paul V. Brown Jr. founded PB Media, a media relations company, in 2008, after three decades as a reporter, bureau chief, editor and editorial writer at big and small newspapers in North Carolina. His list of clients includes government agencies, politicians and nonprofit groups, as well physician practices. He can be reached at (919) 698-7871 or at paul@pbmediacompany.com.
as the has-been practice tomorrow. Surely good, competent physicians will get word-of-mouth patient referrals. Their
Health is a person’s most valuable asset, and most people would rather put their health in the hands of someone they trust.
names (and reputations) will reach the ears of referring physicians. But that’s rarely enough in this digital age, with information flooding your customers from the Internet, smart phones, niche publications and traditional media. You probably know of
But in today’s constantly changing and
Then there are the issues of cost and time.
“reforming” medical market, practices do
Media relations can be expensive. Big
well to set themselves apart in the eyes of
public relations firms command the biggest
patients, referring physicians and hospital
fees. But smaller shops and consultants
and insurance concerns. Otherwise, they
that offer media relations specifically
risk being overshadowed by a practice
(instead of the full array of public relations
across town.
services) often are more affordable.
How important is it to get your name and
Busy doctors don’t have the time to sit for
expertise into the public consciousness –
interviews or write op-ed pieces. A good
coverage on TV news spots, a mention in
media relations expert does the advance
blogs and a quote in newspaper stories?
work needed to minimize a client’s time
Well, ask yourself why hospitals have large,
away from patients.
costly public relations departments. Or why the American College of Rheumatology
The fact is, unless your practice is bursting
devoted an entire session to developing
out of its examining rooms and will stay
media relationships at its annual meeting
that way, you will need the public to know
last year (and a session on marketing).
that you exist and are good at what you do. Advances in your field and changes in the
Health is a person’s most valuable asset,
larger medical landscape are constant. A
and most people would rather put their
cutting-edge practice today may be viewed
10
The Eastern Physician
cases where a patient didn’t receive the best care because they were attracted to a doctor in your field with less expertise – but much greater visibility. What can media relations get you? Well, what do you want? It may be to attract more patients, to establish your practice, to position yourself as a primary expert in your field, to present your uniqueness compared to your competition. All of these aims are sound and can be accomplished through an effective outreach plan. Indeed, you’ll first want to decide your specific aim or aims for media, and then make sure your media relations consultant tailors your campaign to achieve those aims. As a practitioner, you want to interact with your patients. As a business person, you’ll want to interact with the media.
News
Carteret General Hospital Gets the Gold Quality Achievement Award Carteret General Hospital was one of nine
National Steering Committee and director
making our care for heart failure patients
hospitals in the state to earn the Get With
of the TeleStroke and Acute Stroke Services
among the best in the country and imple-
The Guidelines–Heart Failure Gold Quality
at Massachusetts General Hospital in Bos-
menting the American Heart Association’s
Achievement Award from the American
ton, Mass. “The goal of the American Heart
Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure
Heart Association.
Association’s Get With The Guidelines
program will help us accomplish this goal
program is to help hospitals like Carteret
by making it easier for our professionals to
The recognition signifies that Carteret
General implement appropriate evidence-
improve the long-term outcome for these
General has reached an aggressive goal of
based care and protocols that will reduce
patients,” said Cindy Jones, director of
treating heart failure patients with 85 per-
disability and the number of deaths in
quality, accreditation, and case manage-
cent compliance for at least 24 months to
these patients. Published scientific studies
ment at Carteret General Hospital. “As we
core standard levels of care as outlined by
are providing us with more and more evi-
work to make Carteret General even better
the American Heart Association/American
dence that Get With The Guidelines works.
for you and your family, our recognition for
College of Cardiology secondary preven-
Patients are getting the right care they need
heart care is another example of how we
tion guidelines for heart failure patients.
when they need it. That’s resulting in im-
are committed to your health.”
proved survival.” Get With The Guidelines is a quality improvement initiative that provides hospital
Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure “Carteret General Hospital is dedicated to
helps Carteret General Hospital’s staff de-
staff with tools that follow proven evidencebased guidelines and procedures in caring for heart failure patients to prevent future hospitalizations. Carteret General Hospital was previously recognized in 2010 with the Bronze Award and in 2011 with the Silver Award as recognized in the US News & World Report. Under Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure, heart failure patients are started on ag-
Partnering with patients and providers for a healthier community.
gressive risk-reduction therapies, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, diuretics and anticoagulants, while in the hospital. They also receive alcohol/drug use and thyroid
Meet Dylan...
management counseling as well as refer-
Lost: 135 lbs Found: A New Lifestyle
rals for cardiac rehabilitation before being discharged. “The full implementation of national heart
Joseph C. Moran, MD, FASMBS 2801 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 101 Raleigh, NC 27607
failure guideline-recommended care is a critical step in preventing recurrent hospi-
P: 919.781.0815 F: 919.781.0816
talizations and prolonging the lives of heart failure patients,” said Lee H. Schwamm,
www.alasurgery.com
M.D., chair of the Get With The Guidelines
november/december 2012
11
News velop and implement acute and second-
protocols, standing orders and measure-
heart failure patients, save lives and ulti-
ary prevention guideline processes. The
ment tools. This quick and efficient use of
mately, reduce healthcare costs by lower-
program
quality-improvement
guideline tools will enable Carteret General
ing the recurrence of heart attacks.
measures, such as care maps, discharge
to improve the quality of care it provides
includes
State Approves Additional 28 Beds for FirstHealth Hospital in Hoke County The North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation has con-
ordinating specialist visits to enhance the scope of offerings avail-
ditionally approved FirstHealth of the Carolinas’ 2012 certificate of
able to Hoke County residents.
need request for 28 beds and a second operating room to be added to its Hoke Community Hospital. “We are pleased the state saw the merit in our applications,” said FirstHealth CEO David J. Kilarski. “The building of FirstHealth Hoke Community Hospital is well under way, and we are looking forward to opening the doors of the new hospital. Because we are eager to complete construction and give Hoke County its first hospital, we
$100 Million-plus Health Pavilion in Hoke County Is Well Under Way
hope this certificate of need approval will move forward without
Cape Fear Valley’s $100 million-plus investment in bringing compre-
delay and the costly burden of appeals.”
hensive healthcare to Hoke County is continuing to make progress.
Initial plans for FirstHealth’s Hoke Community Hospital included a
The first phase slated for completion is Health Pavilion Hoke. Lo-
24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week emergency room, as well as inpa-
cated on 60 acres across the highway from Paraclete XP SkyVenture
tient beds, an overnight observation unit and an operating room,
on U.S. 401, the outpatient center will bring much-needed compre-
full laboratory services, state-of-the-art imaging technology, diagnostic cardiology and transport options via critical care transport or helicopter. The original hospital strategy also included the option for expansion involving additional inpatient beds, medical office space, and other health care-related services and facilities on a 30-acre medical complex site located on Highway 401. These 28 beds and additional operating room fit right into that strategy. “Speaking as a longtime resident of Hoke County, I think it’s exciting to see that Hoke County’s first hospital will soon be a reality, and I know these additional beds will serve our community well,” said Julian King, chair of the FirstHealth of the Carolinas Board of Directors. “A hometown hospital strengthens the sense of community, and I am pleased residents will have FirstHealth-quality health care in Hoke County. FirstHealth has honored its commitment to Hoke County, and our services will be even more accessible with these additional beds.” FirstHealth began providing health services in Hoke County, with physician practices, in the early 1990s and soon afterward built a multi-million-dollar Family Care Center and Center for Health & Fitness in Raeford. Dental care services were added for Medicaid and low-income eligible children, and FirstHealth eventually began co-
12
The Eastern Physician
News hensive diagnostic services to Hoke County, including: • Imaging services, with digital X-ray, digital mammography and ultrasound • Urgent care for minor inju-
Welcome to the Area
Physicians Nathan Gene Miller, DO 120 Newcastle Dr Jacksonville
Robert James Allen Jr., MD Physical Medicine & Rehab - Pain Medicine
ries and illnesses that don’t
Cape Fear Pain Treatment Center Fayetteville
require emergency depart-
Lilian Andries, MD
ment treatment
New Hanover Regional Medical Center Wilmington
• A new family practice to supplement [not replace] the thriving Hoke Family Medical Center • Offices for medical special-
Internal Medicine, Hospitalist
Kenneth Bunning, D.O. Urologist
Anna Blair Hatchett, MD
Lauren Elizabeth Finley, PA
Abdominal Surgery, Critical Care Surgery, General Surgery, Surgical Critical Care
Family Practice
Vidant Medical Center, GME Greenville
Justin Arman Haynes, MD Emergency Medicine
Vidant Medical Center, GME Greenville
Edwin Houng, MD Family Medicine, Family Practice
Southern Regional AHEC Fayetteville
Janie Louise Jacobs, MD
Carolinas Center for Surgery Morehead City
Pediatrics
John Gerome Bertolino, MD
Satya Naga Sai Sowjanya Mantripragada, MD
Administrative Medicine, Family Medicine
Premier Pediatrics Southern Pines
ties so that residents of Hoke
Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Camp Lejeune
County won’t have to leave
Ajit Kumar Bisen, MD
Hope Mills Pediatrics, PC Fayetteville
their community for consul-
Internal Medicine
Noha Mataoui, MD
Hope Mills
Pediatrics
Joel Health & Dental Clinic, Fort Bragg
Dale Herd, PA Orthopedic - Surgery of the Hand, Sports Medicine, Surgery, Adult Reconstructive, Trauma, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, General Practice
Womack Army Medical Center Fort Bragg
Robert Allan Hodge, PA Cardiovascular Surgery, Critical Care Surgery
First Health of the Carolinas Pinehurst
Paul Edward Kelley II, PA Cardiovascular Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Hospitalist, Internal Medicine, Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery
Greenville
Claudine Polley Lamanna, PA Cardiovascular Surgery, Critical Care Surgery, Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery, Thoracic Surgery
Family Medicine
East Carolina Heart Institute, Greenville
Family Medicine
New Hanover Regional Medical Center Wilmington
Linda Sax, PA
ence of the patients being
Davis Regional Hospital Statesville
Frieda Menzer, M.D.
seen at Health Pavilion Hoke
Robert Christopher Brock, MD
tation with a specialist
Miranda Elizabeth Blevins, MD
• A pharmacy for the conveni-
Emergency Medicine
Vidant Medical Center, GME Greenville
Hospital To Come This is just the first phase of a
Ambrose John Joseph Chazhikattu, MD
medical campus that will even-
Internal Medicine
tually bring more than 300 jobs to the area, as well as a new 41bed full-service hospital. The first-class, acute-care facility, will include:
Joshua David Dobstaff, MD
Fayetteville
Azeem Elahi, MD
• 4 Birthing Suites
Internal Medicine - Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Sleep Medicine, Geriatric, Pulmonary Disease, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, General Preventive Medicine
Vidant Medical Center Greenville
Shanti Priya Eranti, MD
new
Family Practice
Rocky Mount
hospital is slated to begin af-
Urvi D Gandhi, MD
ter Health Pavilion Hoke is
Internal Medicine
opened, tentatively set for early 2013. When complete, both facilities will continue our efforts to bring comprehensive health care closer to all residents of southeastern North Carolina.
Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Geriatric
Carolina Cardiology P.A. Fayetteville
Carolina East Medical Center New Bern
Pediatrics
the
Michael Volk Stewart, PA
Ashwin Viren Patel, MD
Carteret General Hospital Morehead City
• 9 Observation Beds
on
Fayetteville
Audrey Martin Thornberg, PA
Amira Aly El Sherif, MD
Construction
Cape Fear Valley Health System Fayetteville
Emergency Medicine, Surgery (general)
Vidant Medical Center, GME Greenville
Oncology
• 16-bed Emergency
• Imaging Services
Emergency Medicine
Aaron Michael Scheib, PA
Luis Cuevro, M.D.
Wilmington Health, PLLC Wilmington
• 2 Operating Rooms
Ogheneochuko John Oteri, MD
Franklin
Wilmington
• 41 Inpatient Beds
• 4-bed Intensive Care Unit
Sound Medical Family Practice Morehead City
Rajen Sudhir Patel, MD
Internal Medicine
Department
Internal Medicine
Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, Pediatrics
Vidant Internal Medicine Washington
Zelalem Atakilt Gebreananya, MD
Family Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Wilmington
Jeffrey Howard Perlman, MD Endocrinology, Internal Medicine
The Regional Diabetes and Endocrinology Fayetteville
Zaneta Yeungjoo-Chung Strouch, MD
Village Internal Medicine Fayetteville
Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Allergy/Immunology, Diagnostic Lab, Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, Clinical Neuropathology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Critical Care Pediatrics, Critical Care Sugery
Nash General Hospital Rocky Mount
Cary
Bradleigh Rose Zito, PA
Ramya Thota, MD
Radiology
Hospitalist, Internal Medicine
Vidant, Greenville
Eastern Radiologists, Inc. Greenville
Allison L. Scott, NP
Steven Roger Turley, MD
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Nephrology, Internal Medicine
Vidant Medical Center, GME Greenville
Duke Cardiovascular Surgery of Lumberton and Southeastern Heart Center
Brook Rene Wager, MD Emergency Medicine
The Outer Banks Hospital Nags Head
Lumberton
West End
Gary McCoy Toppin, P.A. Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Urgent Care, Geriatric Medicine Wilmington
Physician Assistants/ Nurse Practioners
Richard Conrad Westmoreland, P.A. Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Family Practice (and OMT) Southern Pines
Sarah Wistran Young, MD Internal Medicine
Cape Fear Valley Health System Fayetteville
Internal Medicine
Valorie Anne Van Houten, PA
Anesthesiology
Hospitalist, Internal Medicine
Solomon Tewolde Ghebregziabiher, MD
Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Urgent Care
Kimberli Anne Alcaino Dement, PA Family Medicine
Joel Health Clinic Fort Bragg
november/december 2012
13
Duke Medicine and Southeastern Heart Center Offering world-class care, close to home Duke Medicine is proud to be the exclusive provider of heart services at Southeastern Heart Center. A full-time team of eleven Duke experts ensures that Southeastern Heart Center patients get the world-class care they need—every day of the week.
The Very Best in Heart Care Offering invasive and noninvasive services for high blood pressure, cholesterol diseases, peripheral artery disease, arrhythmia, heart disease, heart valve disease, and heart failure PHySiCiANS:
NurSE PrACtitiONErS:
Matthew Cummings, MD Scott Denardo, MD Melvin Echols, MD Robert Everhart, MD Sydney Short, MD Christopher Walters, MD
Kelly Allen-Evans, FNP Marla Brien Lewis-Bryant, DNP, RN, ACNP-C Abi Ogunleye, FNP
The Very Best in Heart Surgery Specializing in adult heart and chest surgeries including traditional open-heart bypass, chest and lung surgeries, and minimally invasive procedures
Clinic Services
Stress Tests Echocardiography Nuclear Stress Tests Pacemaker Monitoring ICD Monitoring ABI’s Future testing in early 2013 will include peripheral vascular ultrasound studies.
PHySiCiAN:
NurSE PrACtitiONEr:
Terry Lowry, MD
Allison Scott, FNP
together with the rest of Duke’s top-ranked heart team, we are committed to bringing our friends and neighbors in southeastern North Carolina the most advanced care available. Now seeing new patients in Clarkton, Red Springs, Gray’s Creek, and Pembroke. Duke Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery of Lumberton 2936 N. Elm St., Lumberton, NC 28358 (Across the street from Southeastern Regional Medical Center)
For an appointment please call: 910-671-6619 9700