Stethoscoop - United Hospital Center Employment

STETHOSCOOP
A NEWSLETTER FOR UNITED HOSPITAL CENTER
William Rector named Associate of the Quarter
William M. Rector, Health
Information Management (HIM)
systems analyst in the information technology department at
United Hospital Center, was
named Associate of the Quarter for October, November and
December.
He was nominated by fellow Associate Kim Wray, HIM at
UHC.
“Trying to think of one instance where he goes above and
beyond is so difficult, as he does
this on a weekly basis,” Wray
said.
“He is never at a loss for
words, but more importantly he
is never at a loss for caring and
helping others.”
“Bill is a great customer advocate and he has made himself
available to assist colleagues
on numerous occasions while
on vacation,” said M. Owais
Rafique, director of IT at UHC.
“This nomination is very well
deserved.”
Rector began his career at
UHC in 1989, where he has been
in the IT department for the last
14 years. His prior experience
was in registration and IT help
desk.
In 1980, he graduated from
Washington Irving High School.
Later he received certification as a
Microsoft Certified Professional,
A-Plus and Network Plus. Rector
currently resides in Clarksburg.
“Everyone in the HIM department appreciates Bill Rector, as
he has received numerous endorsements from his colleagues,”
concluded Tina Williams, HIM
director at UHC. “His dedication
and customer service skills are an
inspiration to all of us.”
Pagers to be in utilized in Registration Department
By Melanie Chancey
Director of Patient Accounting
As most departments do,
the Registration Department is
continuously trying to improve
our services and make our
environment more customerfriendly.
At the end of each year, we
survey our patients to determine
what is important to them and
what changes they would like to
see us make.
Many of the comments on
our customer surveys were
March 2013
■ Reward and Recognition....... Page 2
■Fire safety........................... Page 12
■ Cancer program schedule.. Page 16
March_13.indd 1
related to our process of “calling
the patient” in the Registration
Department.
Currently, the Customer
Hospitality Associates, aka
Greeters, log the patient’s name
and have the patient sit in the
lobby area.
When a registrar becomes
available, the Greeter will call the
patient by his or her full name,
loudly and in earshot of any
other patients, family, visitors
who may be sitting in the lobby.
The patients have commented
that this can, at times, make
them feel uncomfortable.
This has been a common
practice for our department for
many years but in today’s age of
privacy and technology, we felt
there had to be a better way.
We determined a great
solution would be to implement
the use of pagers. Not the pagers
like the managers carry that
alarm a very loud beeping noise
when activated, but more along
the lines of a restaurant pager
that will vibrate and light up
when activated.
The Express Test area as
well as the Diagnostic Services
area would utilize the pager
Please turn to Page 8
March
Blood Drive Results
39 pints donated in honor
of David Wray, Cancer Survivor
Next Blood Drive
April 3
Classrooms 1 & 2
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3/20/13 2:41 PM
PAGE
2
MARCH 2013
STETHOSCOOP
Recognition, reward and reinforcement
Valerie Speller
Amy Skidmore
Floyd Hardy
Anna Scalise
Rebecca Blake
Jody Grady
March_13.indd 2
Valerie Speller, Anesthesia,
was nominated by a co-worker
(Patricia Ammar) for her team
commitment to excellence. The
nomination read, “Valerie was
kind enough to work my second
call shift at the last minute while I
was in the Emergency Room with
a painful kidney stone. This shift
was on a Saturday and she agreed
to work my shift late Friday night.
Valerie will forever be appreciated for stepping in for me when
I needed her most.” The nomination was endorsed by the director
of the OR.
Amy Skidmore, OR, was nominated by a co-worker (Patricia
Ammar) for her team commitment to excellence. The nomination read, “Amy sat with me in
the Emergency Room for several
hours and provided me much
needed comfort and distraction
while I was suffering with a
painful kidney stone. She even
called me at home the next day to
check on me. Amy is very compassionate and kind. Her selflessness on that night will always be
remembered. I am grateful for
her friendship.” This nomination
was endorsed by the director of
the OR.
Floyd Hardy, Facilities
Management, was nominated
by a supervisor in facilities
management (Kenny Sipe)
for his commitment to team
excellence. The nomination
read, “Floyd is the facilities
tech in the physician’s office
building. We were having a lot
of problems with the heating
and air conditioning. Since Floyd
has taken over the maintenance
there, he has eliminated a lot of
these problems. He makes sure
that everyone knows what the
problem is and what it takes to
fix it. He has received numerous
compliments from physicians
and staff regarding what a good
job he is doing.” Manager’s
endorsement: “Floyd has done
an excellent job. He goes out of
his way to make sure everyone
knows what he is doing. I have
had nothing but compliments on
his work.”
Anna Scalise and Rebecca Blake,
IV Therapy, were nominated
by a physician for excellence in
customer service. The nomination
read, “We had a patient in the OR
for surgery. Anesthesia was unable to get IV access and wanted
to cancel the surgery. Anna and
Rebecca stayed over and came
into the OR to place a PICC line
which prevented the surgery
from being cancelled.” Manager’s
endorsement: “I endorse this
nomination. The IV team have
always went the extra mile to the
benefit of our patients. Anna and
Rebecca exemplify this work ethic. Anna is new to the IV Team,
but has excelled in learning new
procedures. She has mastered the
skill of PICC line placement. My
hat is off to both of these nurses.”
Jody Grady, Outpatient Observation, was nominated by coworkers (Nickole Swiger, Carlyn
Sherrell, Deb Tate and Linda
Wiseman) for team commitment
to excellence. The nomination
read, “Our labor and delivery unit
was slammed and shorthanded.
We requested that the coordinator send help if available. Jody
Grady came with a smile and
willing to help in any way possible. He went above and beyond
to help us with four admissions,
vitals, meals, IV starts and blood
draws. He continued to ask what
he could do next, and did it with
a smile and willing heart. Jody
was a pleasure to have with us
and a great asset. He was pulled
from OPO to help us.” Managers’ endorsement: “Jody is a very
hard worker. He is a team player
and a leader in my department.
He always comes to work with a
smile on his face and takes excellent care of his patients. I endorse
this recommendation. Jody is an
important part of my team.”
Service awards
December-February
Gary Ammons, Behavioral Medicine, 10 years; Justin Armistead,
Food Service, 5 years; Malory
Barker, Respiratory Therapy, 5
years; Wendy Bartlett, Laboratory/Histology, 10 years; Amie
Casto, Barbour County Clinic, 5
years; Douglas Coffman, Administration, 20 years; Nancy Cottrill,
Case Management, 5 years; Jacqueline Dawson, Environmental
Services, 20 years; William Doukas, Orthopedics, 5 years; Katherine Ferrell, Administration, 10
years; Suzanne Grossman, Food
Service, 5 years; Linda Hall, Food
Service, 15 years; Pamela Hays,
Laboratory/Histology, 15 years;
Kristopher Jangrow, Anesthesiology, 5 years; Carl Jenkins,
Facilities Management, 5 years;
Tracy Jones, Behavioral Medicine,
5 years; John Karlen, Environmental Services, 25 years; Jeannie
Kirtner, Case Management, 10
years; Amanda Lamm, Health
Information Management, 10
years; Toni Marshall, Emergency
Department, 20 years; Samuel
Maynard, Radiology School,
15 years; B. Regina McElwain,
Business Office, 40 years; Ronna
Nuzum, United Home Health,
15 years; Jill Paletta, Facilities
Management, 25 years; CarPlease turn to Page 3
3/20/13 2:41 PM
STETHOSCOOP
MARCH 2013
UHC Health Insurance Education
As many of you are aware,
UHC provides as a major part
of the overall benefit program,
an excellent health insurance
plan for eligible Associates, their
spouses and eligible dependents.
UHC’s health plan costs are
approaching $18 million dollars
per year.
An important point to
remember is that our insurance
plan is a PPO (Preferred Provider
Organization) so it requires the
Associate to make sure they are
aware of the different network
coverages.
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the
UHC Health Insurance Plan has
included all of the West Virginia
United Health System (WVUHS)
facilities as Tier I facilities.
This means that after your
deductible and any applicable copays, most services will be paid
at the higher percentage at these
locations.
The facilities within the
Tier I services include United
Hospital Center, West Virginia
University Hospital, Camden
Clark Memorial Hospital in
Parkersburg, City Hospital in
Martinsburg, and Jefferson
Memorial Hospital in Ranson.
This managed care health
plan places some decision
Service awards
Continued from Page 2
rie Peck, Food Service, 5 years;
Priscilla Pierce, 5 South, 10 years;
John Pulice, Rehab, 25 years;
Melissa Roy, Critical Care, 10
years; Eunice Smith, EEG/EMG,
15 years; James Sommersville,
Facilities Management, 30 years;
Margaret Stephens, Patient
Registration, 15 years; Blake Stevenson, Anesthesiology, 5 years;
Timothy Thompson, Environmental Services, 25 years.
March_13.indd 3
making with the participants.
Some questions come up
periodically regarding whether
the services they are searching
for is available within the
WVUHS network.
You can contact Highmark
Blue Cross – Blue Shield of
West Virginia for assistance to
determine if particular services
are offered within the WVUHS.
Highmark BCBS of WV will
assist you in finding a BCBS
provider; however, it is your
responsibility to determine if
they are within the WVUHS
network (UHC, WVUH,
Camden Clark, City and
Jefferson Memorial).
If Associates receive
eligible services at one of the
WVUHS facilities, the services
are covered at 100 percent
after deductibles and/or any
appropriate co-pays in most
cases.
For example, if someone
needs treatment with a pediatric
cardiac specialist, this service
is generally available at West
Virginia University Hospital.
The office visit will be
processed at 80/20 after any
deductibles or appropriate copays. If this specialist performs
PAGE 3
any diagnostic procedures or lab,
then these services will be paid at
100 percent after any deductibles
and/or co-pays.
If covered individuals need
services that the WVUHS
facilities do not provide, they
can request an “Exception Form”
from Human Resources. This
form will be completed by you
with assistance from the referring
physician.
If approved, these services
at another outside BCBS facility
will be processed at 100 percent
after deductibles and/or any
appropriate co-pays as if you
were receiving the service at a
WVUHS facility.
There are times when
Associates choose to go to other
facilities to receive their medical
services.
When this happens, and
the services could have been
provided at one of the WVUHS
facilities, the service will not be
covered at 100 percent.
In these cases, the services
will be covered (after larger
deductibles and co-pays) at 50
percent.
An example would be if a
participant would seek services
at Fairmont General Hospital for
an appendectomy.
Please turn to Page 8
UHC and WVUH Retail Pharmacy
Generic Drugs — Greater of $4 or 25%
Formulary Drugs — Greater of $8 or 25%
Non-Formulary Drugs — Greater of $10 or 45%
All Other Express Scripts Pharmacies
Generic Drugs — Greater of $5 or 50%
Formulary Drugs — Greater of $10 or 50%
Non-Formulary Drugs — Greater of $25 or 60%
Specialty Drugs
$100 Co-Pay
Speciality Drugs
20% or $300 Co-Pay, whichever is greater
90 Day Script - Maintenance Drugs
Generic Drugs — Greater of $4 or 25%
Formulary Drugs — Greater of $8 or 25%
Non-Formulary Drugs — Greater of $10 or 45%
90 Day Script - Maintenance Drugs
Not Available
3/20/13 2:41 PM
PAGE 4
MARCH 2013
STETHOSCOOP
On the move at United Hospital Center
New Hires
December-February
Vickie Rome
Lab/Hematology
35 years
Jim Sommersville
Facilities
Management
30 years
Jackie Dawson
Environmental
Services
20 years
March_13.indd 4
Terri Ashcraft, Floater, Food
Service; Cristy Baker, Registered
Nurse, People’s Hospice; Sandra
Bennett, Unit Secretary, United
Home Health; Kimberly Bland,
Housekeeper, Environmental
Services; Ernest Caynor, Patient
Care Assistant, 6 South; Diana
Clutter, Floater, Food Service; Michelle Coon, Registered Nurse,
Operating Room; Laura Carothers, Physician Assistant, Urology; Timothy Crowe, Laundry
Worker, Laundry & Linen Services; Melissa Cunningham, LPN
II, United Home Health; Todd
Donovan, Registered Nurse, 6
North; Melissa Dulaney, Patient
Registrar/Biller, ENT Clinic; Lee
Fulton, Registered Nurse, Recovery Room; Brittany Gladwell,
Registered Nurse, Pediatrics/4
North; Elaina Godfrey, Emergency Department Tech, Emergency
Department; Rodney Hannah,
Director, LTC Services, 5 North/
UTCC; Christie Hart, LPN, Operating Room; Hannah Hutson,
Unit Secretary, 6 South; Nancy
Ice, LPN, Operating Room; Roger
Isaacs, Patient Care Assistant,
Pediatrics/4 North; Macy Kelley,
Registered Nurse, Critical Care;
Heather King, Registration/
Insurance Specialist, Patient
Registration; Autumn Knight,
Nuclear Imaging Tech, Nuclear
Medicine; Jason Kovalck, Computer Support Tech Trainee,
Information Technology; Christian Love, Floater, Food Service;
Carolyn Luthringer, Registered
Nurse, Emergency Department;
Michael Maddix, PAT Manager,
Outpatient Surgery; Brenda
Martin, Housekeeper, Environmental Services; Jennifer Mayle,
Medical Assistant II, Orthopedics; Shayla Mayle, Home Health
Aide, People’s Hospice; Elizabeth
Meade, Registered Nurse, People’s
Hospice; Ashley Morris, Registered Nurse, 7 North; Shiv Navada, Medical Director, Sleep Lab;
Suzanna Nicholson, Patient Care
Assistant, Pediatrics/4 North;
Shauna Palmer, Registered Nurse,
Pediatrics/4 North; Leslie Perine,
Registered Nurse, Outpatient
Chemo/Infusion; Sarah Perine,
Registered Nurse, Recovery
Room; Michael Preteroti, Certified
Occupational Therapy Assistant, Rehab/Bridgeport; Heather
Prince, Patient Care Assistant,
Pediatrics/4 North; Jessica Pritt,
Clerical Clinical Tech, Pediatrics/4
North; Nicole Riblet, Patient Care
Assistant, 7 North; Cherie Riley,
Registered Nurse, 6 South; Patrick
Roccio, CRNA, Anesthesiology;
Diane Rogers, Patient Registrar,
PC Orthopedics; Sally Snoderly,
Registered Nurse, Operating
Room; Shianne Stire, Patient Care
Assistant, 6 North; Alyssa Talbott,
Patient Care Assistant, 6 South;
Donnetta Talkington, Floater,
Food Service; Mark Welling,
Registered Nurse, 6 North; Karen
Whiteman, Registered Nurse,
Emergency Department; Reina
Wilson, Registered Nurse, Maternal Child/4 South; Amy Wolford,
Registered Long Term Care Nursing Assistant, 5 North/UTCC.
Transfers
December-February
Kelli Beverlin, Registered Nurse,
Critical Care to Recovery Room;
Paula Armstrong, Registered
Nurse, Recovery Room to
Application Support Analyst,
Information Technology;
Alyson Benson, Team Leader,
Operating Room to Registered
Nurse, Outpatient Surgery;
Wendy Bound, Registered
Nurse, Outpatient Surgery to
Clinical Supervisor, Maternal
Child; Vicki Brescoach, PET/CT
Tech to MRI Tech & CT Tech,
MRI/CT Scan; Janice Carroll,
Floater to Café Worker, Food
Service; Melissa Clark, Patient
Care Assistant to Medical
Records Specialist, Central
Billing Office; Mickie Cottrill,
Galley Tech, Food Service to
Housekeeper, Environmental
Services; Cindy Cox, Customer
Hospitality Specialist, Patient
Registration to PBX Operator,
Tele-Communications;
Robin Curtis, LPN, ENT to
Bridgeport Physicians Care;
Nancy Dye, Registered Nurse,
6 South to Case Manager,
United Home Health; Dennis
Evans, Floater to Food Service
Worker, Food Service; Rachel
Glaspell, Customer Hospitality
Associate, Patient Registration
to Housekeeper, Environmental
Services; Cathy Griffith, Patient
Care Assistant to Clinical
Clerical Technician, 4 North/
Pediatrics; Misty Harlow,
Education Supervisor to Nurse
Manager, Maternal Child/4S;
Ashley Heffinger, Charge
Nurse, People’s Hospice
to Case Manager; Melissa
Hinterer, Registered Nurse,
Operating Room to United
Home Health; Jackie Holbert,
Clinical Supervisor, Emergency
Department to Team Leader,
Outpatient Surgery; Russell
Holbert, Registered Nurse, 7
North to Emergency Department;
Alisha Honaker, Galley Tech to
Trayline Floater/Food Service
Worker, Food Service; Marsha
Hustead, Registration/Insurance
Specialist, Patient Registration to
Patient Registrar, Orthopedics;
Patricia Jennings, Floater to
Galley Floater, Food Service;
N. June Jett, Nurse Manager,
Maternal Child to Nurse
Recruiter, Human Resources;
3/20/13 2:41 PM
STETHOSCOOP
Sarah Jones, Clerical Clinical
Tech, 4 North/Pediatrics to
Observation Unit; Travis
Kennedy, Registered Nurse,
OPO to Critical Care; Tamara
Knotts, LPN, 4 North/Pediatrics
to LPN, ENT; Cindy Kontak,
Housekeeper, Environmental
Services to Customer Hospitality
Associate, Patient Registration;
Dianne Lau, Registered Nurse,
People’s Hospice to 5 North;
Michael Maddix, Assistant
Administration Project Manager,
Administration to PAT Manager,
Outpatient Surgery; Melissa
McGahan, Registered Nurse to
Clinical Supervisor, Emergency
Department; Rachel Mead,
Registered Nurse, 4 North/
Pediatrics to Operating Room;
James Miller, Patient Care
Assistant, 5 South to 6 North;
Sierra Miller, Speech Therapist,
United Home Health to Rehab
Services; Betina Montgomery,
Galley Tech, Food Service to
Customer Hospitality Associate,
Patient Registration; Ashley
Morris, Nurse Tech to Graduate
Nurse, 7 North; K. Lynn
Newhouse, Registered Nurse,
Emergency Department to
Recovery Room; Carrie Peck,
Trayline Float to Galley Tech,
Food Service; Sharon Povroznik,
Registered Nurse, United Home
Health to Recovery Room; Helen
Queen, Registration/Insurance
Specialist, Patient Registration
to Receptionist/Scheduler,
Diagnostic Services; Hanna
Reese, Registered Nurse, Float
Pool to Emergency Department;
Amanda Rexrode, Registered
Nurse, People’s Hospice to 5
North; Teresa Robinson, Galley
Floater to Galley Tech, Food
Service; Scotti Rogers, Nurse
Tech to Graduate Nurse, 5 South;
Brittany Ross Nurse Tech to
Graduate Nurse 7 North; Sarah
Rucker Floater Food Service to
Housekeeper Environmental
Services; Kimberly Rundle Nurse
March_13.indd 5
MARCH 2013
Tech to Graduate Nurse 7 North;
Heather Schneider Registered
Nurse 7 North to Operating
Room; Jaclyn Sears Registered
Nurse 7 North to Operating
Room; Linda Smith Patient Care
Assistant/Unit Secretary 7 North
to Float Pool; Janet Southern,
Nurse Manager, Outpatient
Surgery to Registered Nurse,
Maternal Child/4S; Elizabeth
Spillson, Occupational Therapist,
United Home Health to Physical
Therapy; Kimberly Valentine,
Registered Nurse, Operating
Room to Outpatient Surgery;
Amy Walls, Application Support
Analyst to Network Analyst,
Information Technology; Julie
Williams, Registered Nurse, 5
South to Maternal Child/4S; Jim
Winebrenner, Patient Transport
Aide, Diagnostic Services to
Housekeeper, Environmental
Services; Marlene Yeager, Medical
Records Specialist, ENT to Patient
Registrar.
Departures
December-February
Stephanie Abel, Home Health
Aide, United Home Health; Olivia
Adams, Volunteer Coordinator,
People’s Hospice; Sara Arbogast, Registered Nurse, 7 North;
John Barberio, Contract Agent,
Purchasing; Thomas Barbus,
Pharmacy Tech 1, Pharmacy;
Jeffrey Bennett, Housekeeper,
Environmental Services; Patricia
Bentley, Histology Tech, Laboratory; Richard Blanier, Physical
Therapy Assistant, Rehab/UTCC;
Kathleen Booth, Patient Care Assistant, 6 South; Constance Boyles,
Office Manager, Bridgeport Clinic;
Delbert Britton, Housekeeper,
Environmental Services; Samantha Brown, Registered Nurse, 6
North; Rachel Caruso, Registered
Nurse, 5 South; Dale Chambers,
Housekeeper, Environmental
Services; Julia Coleman, LPN II,
Emergency Department; Patricia
Corwin, Housekeeper, Environmental Services; R. Kay Cottrill,
Director, LTC Services, 5 North/
UTCC; Melissa Crigler, Registered
Nurse, 6 North; Joseph Crites,
Clinical Engineering Tech 4, Clinical Engineering; David Scott Croston, Registered Nurse, Emergency
Department; Heather Cutlip,
Registered Nurse, 7 North; Kathleen Daniels, Reg/Ins Specialist,
Patient Registration; Beth Dodds,
Registered Nurse, Emergency
Department; Mallerie Duensing,
Registered Nurse, Pediatrics/4
North; Brenda Dumire, Biller,
Barbour County Clinic; Gary
Farley, Registered Nurse, Critical
Care/2 North; Tara Frost, Registered Nurse, Operating Room;
Alice Frush, Laundry Worker,
Laundry and Linen Services;
Judith Gaston, Pharmacy, Tech 1
Pharmacy; Kayla Gray, Registered
Nurse, 7 North; Sheila Greaver,
C & P Float, Food Service; Terri
Greenough, Registered Nurse,
Recovery Room; Stevie Hall, Registered Long Term Care Nursing
Assistant, 5 North/UTCC; Nancy
Hannah, Facility Secretary, 5
North/UTCC; Rae Ann Harbert,
Computer Tom Tech, Cat Scan;
Diana Harris, Patient Care Assistant, Pediatrics/4 North; Karen
Hart, Registered Long Term Care
Nursing Assistant, 5 North/
UTCC; Emily Haws, Registered
Nurse, Maternal Child/4 South;
Justin Hayes, Registered Nurse, 7
North; Sarah Heater, Floater, Food
Service; Christina Hoskinson,
Cancer Registrar, Tumor Registry;
Amanda Ice, Registered Nurse, 5
South; Sarah Jafri, Receptionist,
Outpatient Surgery; Lee Jenkins,
Housekeeper, Environmental
Services; Jung Kim, Registered
Nurse, 7 North; Sharon Knight,
Cafeteria Worker, Food Service;
Christin Lemasters, Registered
Central Service Technician, Central Services; Cassandra Lenhart,
Housekeeper Environmental
Please turn to Page 9
PAGE 5
John Pulice
Rehab
25 years
John Karlen
Environmental
Services
25 years
Regina McElwain
Business Office
40 years
3/20/13 2:41 PM
MARCH 2013
PAGE
6
STETHOSCOOP
Area residents join United Hospital Center board
Three area residents have
joined the board of directors for
United Hospital Center: James A.
Harris, Brian Jarvis and Mary Lou
Jones.
n James A. Harris
United Hospital Center
welcomes James A. Harris to
the board of directors. Harris is
a lifelong resident of Harrison
County and a graduate of
Bridgeport High School, who
later attended Fairmont State
University, West Virginia
University and DeVry University. Employed by the Harrison
County Commission for 27 years,
he worked in emergency services
telecommunications and was the
Harrison County 9-1-1 coordinator
responsible for planning and
implementing the county-wide
enhanced 9-1-1 system in 1989. Harris was also appointed
as the first Harrison County
administrator in 1991 and served
in that position until 2004 when
he became contracts manager
for Healthcare Management
Solutions, LLC, a Fairmont-based
healthcare consulting firm.
In January 2008, Harris was
invited to become executive
director of Health Access,
Incorporated, a free primary care
medical clinic providing services
to low income, uninsured adult
patients from communities in
Harrison and Doddridge counties.
An active member in his
community, Harris has served as
a volunteer firefighter, emergency
medical technician and mobile
intensive care paramedic. He
has been involved in United
Way Campaigns for several
years and has been a member
of the Clarksburg Kiwanis and
Clarksburg Lions clubs. He
previously served on the boards
March_13.indd 6
of the Clarksburg Mission, North
Central WV Homeless Coalition
and Criss-Cross, Incorporated. Harris resides in Anmoore
with his family and he is a
member of the Northview United
Methodist Church.
n Brian Jarvis
United Hospital Center
welcomes Brian Jarvis to the
board of directors. He is the
president of The ExponentTelegram, an independent
news source for north central
West Virginia. Jarvis is also a
practicing attorney in the areas
of estate planning and corporate
mergers and acquisition.
He grew up in Clarksburg
and graduated from Robert C.
Byrd High School in 2001. Jarvis
received a bachelor’s degree in
business administration from
Furman University in Greenville,
S. C. In 2008, he received his
doctor of jurisprudence from
West Virginia University College
of Law.
Jarvis worked for Jackson
Kelly, PLLC for two years before
receiving a master of laws in
taxation from the University of
Florida Levin College of Law in
2010. He has been admitted to the
practice of law in West Virginia
and Florida.
Jarvis resides in Clarksburg
with his family.
n Mary Lou Jones
United Hospital Center
welcomes Mary Lou Jones to the
board of directors. Jones attended
Marshall University and began
her career in real estate in 1988.
She has been a partner and owner
of Homefinders Plus Real Estate,
Inc., since 1993.
Jones is a member and past
president of the Harrison County
Association of REALTORS®, a
member of the West Virginia
Association of REALTORS®,
the National Association of
REALTORS®, a member of
the National Association
of Professional Women’s
organization and a member
of the Presidential Who’s
Who Among Business and
Professional Achievers.
Having earned numerous
awards and honors throughout
her career, Jones is the winner
of the highly acclaimed Athena
Award, which is presented
for business and professional
excellence, community service
and especially for mentoring
to others. It is an international
network of business
professionals.
She is a past president of the
Friends of the West Virginia State
Bar; a member and past president
of the Harrison County Student
Achievement Association. Jones
is a board member and past
president of the Harrison County
Chamber of Commerce and has
served on its Membership and
Government Affairs committees.
She is a life member of the
National Registry of Who’s Who, a
highly recognized biographical
publication for professionals,
in recognition of exemplary
service to community and to
profession; published in Who’s
Who of American Women; and
Continental Who’s Who Registry of
global business leaders. She was
named the 2007 Honorary Italian
Woman of the year by the West
Virginia Italian Heritage Festival
Committee. An avid reader, she
also enjoys bridge, painting and
cooking.
She is married to Jerald
Jones, an attorney with West &
Jones. They are the parents of
three children and have four
grandchildren.
3/20/13 2:41 PM
STETHOSCOOP
MARCH 2013
PAGE 7
Two join United Health Foundation board
Two area residents have
joined the United Health
Foundation board of directors.
n Catherine Ann Goings
United Health Foundation
(UHF) welcomes Catherine Ann
Goings to the board of directors.
Goings is the owner and
operator of four prominent area
businesses — Embellishments,
Wicked Sisters Clothing Boutique
and The Fifth Floor Lounge
located in Clarksburg and
Embellishments, Too located in
Bridgeport.
As a businesswoman and
entrepreneur, she is very
involved in her community
and county, serving as a board
member of Clarksburg Uptown,
Clarksburg City Council, vice
mayor of Clarksburg and
a former board member of
the Clarksburg Chamber of
Commerce.
Thomas Gorrell joins two boards
Thomas H. Gorrell has joined
two boards — United Hospital
Center and United Health Foundation.
He began his professional
career by joining Northwestern
Mutual in 1979.
In 1995 he marked his introduction into management as a
field director and was appointed
managing director of the Clarksburg Financial Group in 1998.
Gorrell graduated from West
Virginia University with a B.S. in
forestry.
He has received the professional designation of Chartered
Life Underwriter (CLU).
Having earned numerous
awards and honors throughout
his career, Gorrell has received
the Million Dollar Round Table,
National Quality Award and National Sales Achievement Award
designations.
Gorrell is a member of the
National Association of Insurance
and Financial Advisors, the Association for Advanced Professional
Studies and North Central West
Virginia Estate Planning Council.
He is equally involved in
his community by participating
as a Harrison County Chamber
of Commerce board member,
United Way of Harrison County
board member and Oral Lake
Fishing Club member.
He resides in Bridgeport with
his three sons, Harrison, Patrick
and Luke. He enjoys fly fishing,
swimming, WVU sports and
spending time with family.
WVUHS CEO announces retirement
J. Thomas Jones, CEO of the West Virginia United Health System,
(WVUHS), told the group’s board that he intends to retire at the end of
2013 after a 41-year career in healthcare.
“This has been my dream job,” he said. “My first job was in the food
service department at the original University Hospital in Morgantown.
After graduate school, I returned to work as an administrative resident.
I’m now bringing it to a close as a part of the team that provides
healthcare to more people in West Virginia than anyone else. You can’t
March_13.indd 7
Goings is a graduate of
Washington Irving High School
and Robert Morris University
in Pittsburgh. She resides in
Clarksburg with her husband
Rick.
n John Schirripa
United Health Foundation
(UHF) welcomes John Schirripa
to the board of directors.
Since 1984, he has spent his
professional career in the north
central West Virginia banking
industry. Schirripa is president
and CEO at MVB Central, Inc.
He graduated cum laude
from Fairmont State University
with a bachelor’s degree in
business administration.
Schirripa attributes his
success to the valuable
experience he gained while
at Lowndes Bank, CB&T,
Huntington National Bank and
Chase.
He has held several key
banking positions throughout
his tenure in the industry as a
vice president of relationship
management, senior vice
president of relationship
management and community
president.
Schirripa resides with his
family in Bridgeport.
beat that. I have been privileged to work with an outstanding group of
staff and board members.”
He is only the second person to hold the CEO post since WVUHS’s
founding in 1996. When he came to the group in 2002, it included only
two hospitals, WVU’s Ruby Memorial in Morgantown and the original
United Hospital Center in Clarksburg.
Since then, it has expanded to include City Hospital in Martinsburg;
Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson (operated together as WVU
Hospitals-East); and Camden Clark Medical Center, on two hospital
campuses in Parkersburg. The System also includes United Physicians
Care and the Health Partners Network.
3/20/13 2:41 PM
PAGE
8
MARCH 2013
UHC Health Insurance Education
Continued from Page 3
This service would result in
a $500 deductible and after any
co-pays would be reimbursed at
50 percent.
Associates need to be aware
and ask questions whenever they
are referred to other facilities
for tests, treatment, or any other
aspects of medical care.
You may find that the
services are provided at one of
the WVUHS facilities and you
would then be responsible for
more out of pocket expenses
if you decide to go to another
provider.
Depending on where the
services are provided, you could
see different levels of coverage.
For example, if your medical
provider refers you to another
facility for a specific procedure,
you should discuss this referral
with your doctor and/or
Highmark Blue Cross – Blue
Shield of West Virginia.
If the service is in fact not
available at any of the WVUHS
facilities, please contact Human
Resources to request an
“Exception Form.”
The final decision of where
you will receive the necessary
care will then be yours to make.
You are also encouraged
to utilize the United Hospital
Center and West Virginia
University Hospital retail
pharmacies for the highest
reimbursement.
The chart on Page 3 details
the coverage’s. FYI – The Medco
Health Pharmacy Benefit
Manager was purchased by
Express Scripts Pharmacy
Benefit Manager.
This transaction has not
changed any of the prescription
benefits.
A summary of Benefits for
2013 is available on the UHC
STETHOSCOOP
Intranet under Bulletin Board for
your convenience.
The Highmark Blue Cross
– Blue Shield of WV certificate
booklet that goes into more
detail is located on the UHC
Intranet under Associate
Handbook, then Section B:
Summary Plan Descriptions for
Benefit Plans and then Section
VII: Associate Health Benefit
Plan.
You can contact Human
Resources at 681-342-1650 or
Highmark Blue Cross – Blue
Shield of WV at 1-877-770-6991 if
you have any questions.
Pagers
Continued from Page 1
information as well so that after
the patient has been registered,
they will also page the patient as
opposed to yelling in the lobby.
We are very excited at being
able to offer this solution for our
patients.
We have been testing the
paging modules over the last
few weeks and anticipate
implementation very soon.
We look forward to the
Registration Department and the
main lobby being a much more
tranquil space.
Associate picnic
UHC Associate picnic will be
on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at
VA Park from 11 a.m to 7 p.m.
Watch postings for additional
details.
Warm hearts, warm feet . . . Due to the kindness of the Associates at United Hospital Center, 174
pair of new shoes and 154 packages of new socks will be donated to Health Access Free Clinic, the
Clarksburg Mission and Hope Domestic Abuse center. This type of community drive at UHC is only
possible when our Associates work together to help those less fortunate. Thank you; your donations
will touch the lives of others!
March_13.indd 8
3/20/13 2:41 PM
STETHOSCOOP
MARCH 2013
PAGE 9
HeathSouth Mountainview to lease space at UHC
HealthSouth MountainView
Regional Rehabilitation Hospital
will lease a vacant space on the
seventh floor of United Hospital
Center (UHC). “The addition of this space
will allow us to provide highquality and cost-effective
inpatient rehabilitation services
to more patients in the Bridgeport
area and the surrounding
communities,” said Vickie
Demers, CEO at HealthSouth
MountainView.
“It is exciting to be able to
offer more patients access to the
therapy they need to be able to
get back to living their lives.”
“The agreement between
UHC and HealthSouth
will provide a tremendous
opportunity for both healthcare
providers to focus on their core
business,” said Bruce Carter, CEO
of UHC. “We originally designed the
new UHC to accommodate such
future growth.”
HealthSouth MountainView
intends to use the leased space as
an acute inpatient rehabilitation
unit. The space will be remodeled
and provide additional staffing.
The project is expected to
generate approximately 30 new
professional jobs.
Plans call for HealthSouth to
admit patients to the unit, while
UHC will provide diagnostic,
dietary and laboratory services
on a fee-for-service basis. On the move at UHC
Department; Brandy Rinehart,
Registered Nurse, 6 South; Gerald
Services; Caroline Long, Sane
Robey, Boiler Operator, Facilities
Nurse, Emergency Department;
Management; April Sauerwein,
Jennifer Lyons, Patient Care AsStaff Radiographer, Diagnostic
sistant, 6 North; Helen McCray,
Imaging; Lois Sherman, Patient
Laundry Worker, Laundry and
Linen Services; Brittany McHenry, Care Assistant, 5 South; Ashley
Shroyer, Registered Nurse, RecovNurse Tech, 6 South; Deborah
McNeal, Registered Nurse, Pediat- ery Room; Ravi Singh, Physician
rics/4 North; Rikki Miller, Patient Assistant, Urology; Nancy Smith,
Registrar, Bridgeport Clinic; Julie Registered Nurse, 5 North/
UTCC; Heather Somers, Unit
Mitchell, Registered Nurse, 7
Secretary, United Home Health;
North; Seyed Mohammad,, PET/
CT Technologist, PET Scan; Raven Kenya Starcher, Registered Nurse,
Maternal Child/4 South; Breanna
Moran, Housekeeper, EnvironStitzel, Pharmacy Tech 1, Pharmental Services; David Pauley,
Housekeeper, Environmental Ser- macy; April Stutler, Trayline Float,
vices; Brittany Pratt, Nurse Tech, 5 Food Service; Malissa Thomas,
Computer Tom Tech, Cat Scan;
South; Jennifer Pratt, Unit SecreKimberly Thrower, Biller, Bridgetary, Critical Care/2 North; Tina
port Clinic; Stephanie Vankirk,
Reed, Registered Nurse, 7 North;
Lorie Renick, Registered Nurse, 5 Staff Radiographer, Diagnostic
Imaging; Sariah Waldron, Nurse
South; Kelli Rhoades, Registered
Tech, 6 North; Jennifer Wamsley
Nurse, 5 North/UTCC; Amy
Registered Nurse, 6 North; EthelRichards, Lead Central Services
dean Yanero, PBX Operator, TeleTech, Central Services; Joseph
Communications; Omar Zapata,
Michael Richards, Emergency
Housekeeper, Environmental
Department Tech, Emergency
Services.
Continued from Page 5
March_13.indd 9
“The goal will be to return
patients to the community at
the highest level of function
possible,” Carter concluded.
“We look forward to working
with HealthSouth to provide for
the future healthcare needs of
north central West Virginia.”
Intercepted message
Geoff Marshall earns
CHC designation
This letter was sent to Bruce Carter acknowledging the accomplishments of Geoffrey Marshall.
The American Hospital Association (AHA)
Certification Center is pleased to inform you that
Geoffrey Marshall, a member of your staff, has
earned the designation of Certified Healthcare
Constructor (CHC).
The CHC is a national credential that distinguishes an individual as being among the elite in
the healthcare construction profession.
To earn the CHC, an individual must satisfy
eligibility requirements that incorporate a blend of
work experience and education, agree to adhere
to AHA Professional Standards of Conduct, and
pass the CHC Examination.
The CHC Examination tests knowledge required of a competent healthcare constructor in
the areas of Healthcare Industry Fundamentals;
Planning, Design and Construction Process;
Healthcare Facility Safety; and Financial Stewardship.
The CHC Program supports the community
of healthcare constructors and is designed to
provide an objective and rigorous assessment of
professional knowledge.
Thank you for your continued support of
Geoffrey. Earning the CHC is a mark of distinction.
Congratulations to you on employing such a
distinguished individual.
3/20/13 2:41 PM
PAGE 10
MARCH 2013
STETHOSCOOP
People’s Hospice achieves
We Honor Veterans Partner Level Three status
People’s Hospice, a
department of United Hospital
Center, has reached Partner
Level Three Status with the We
Honor Veterans campaign just
a little more than a year after
becoming
a program
participant.
People’s
Hospice has
developed
and
integrated
specialized
care plans
for veterans
and their
families,
created veteran-specific
educational material and
provided outreach to staff,
volunteers and the community.
For Liz Pigg, RN and nurse
manager of People’s Hospice, the
honor has a sentimental value as
she is the daughter of a Marine
who served during WWII and a
Purple Heart recipient.
“I am honored to care for
our veterans and their families,
at People’s Hospice we are
committed to ensuring veterans
have access to quality end-of-life
care.”
People’s Hospice is able to
recognize the unique needs
of veterans who are facing a
life-limiting illness; therefore,
guiding veterans and their
families toward a more peaceful
ending.
“There are many issues to
consider when working with
veterans,” said Pigg. “We find it
important to know their branch
of service and their experience
because it helps us to provide
them with the resources and
tools appropriate to their needs.”
March_13.indd 10
The resources of We Honor
Veterans focus on respectful
analysis, compassionate listening
and grateful acknowledgement,
coupled with veteran-centric
education of health care staff
caring for veterans.
“By achieving Partner Level
Three Status, People’s Hospice
has demonstrated our continued
promise to help our staff and
volunteers understand and
serve veterans at the end of life,”
said Linda Carte, RN, BSN and
People’s Hospice director. “Veterans are a significant
part of the communities that
we serve in north central West
Virginia and we are proud to
participate in this distinguished
program that is responsive to
their needs during a difficult
time.”
If you are a veteran or active
duty military personnel and
would like to learn more about
volunteering for People’s Hospice,
please contact us at 1.800.339.9896.
The Veteran-to-Veteran
Volunteer Program aims to pair
recruited veterans with military
experience with hospice patients
who have been identified as
veterans.
Once paired with hospice
patients who also have military
experience, Veteran Volunteers
have the unique ability to relate
and connect with each patient
thereby creating an environment
where life review and healing
may occur.
They also honor patients
who are veterans by presenting
certificates and pins. This simple
act has a profound impact on
veterans nearing the end of life. “I am excited that People’s
Hospice has achieved another
milestone within the We
Honor Veterans program,” Pigg
concluded. “People’s Hospice
team of experienced experts
continues to help propel our
program forward.”
People’s Hospice is a not-forprofit organization dedicated
to providing comprehensive,
compassionate care where you
live in the last months of a
terminal illness.
We neither hasten nor
postpone death, but affirm life,
emphasizing quality and comfort.
People’s Hospice health care
team of professionals includes
your physician, registered
nurses, home health aides, social
workers, physical, occupational
and speech therapists; as well
as volunteers, clergy and
bereavement counselors.
We are available 24 hours
a day, seven days a week and
serve Harrison, Marion, Lewis,
Doddridge, Taylor, Upshur,
Barbour, Wetzel and Monongalia
counties.
To find out more about
People’s Hospice please call
1.800.339.9896.
We Honor Veterans is a
pioneering campaign developed
by the National Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization
(NHPCO) in collaboration with
the department of Veterans
Affairs.
For more information about
We Honor Veterans, please visit
www.wehonorveterans.org. 3/20/13 2:41 PM
STETHOSCOOP
MARCH 2013
PAGE 11
Physicians join UHC Medical Staff
n Dr. Matthai
Koshy Mathews Mathai,
MD, joins Corinne Stuart, DO in
providing a means to diagnose
and treat acute and chronic pain,
as part of the United Hospital
Center/WVU Healthcare
Neurosurgery, Spine and Pain
Center at UHC.
Dr. Mathai earned his
medical degree at the University
of Texas Southwestern Medical
School in Dallas, TX. He
completed his fellowship
training in Pain Medicine and
residency in Anesthesiology
at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center in Pittsburgh,
Pa.
He has been active in a
number of clinical research
projects centered around pain
management and has made
a number of professional
presentations on the subject.
n Dr. Hansen
United Hospital Center welcomes Adam J. Hansen, MD, to
its group of specialty physician
practices. Dr. Hansen comes to
UHC from Tucson, Ariz.
Dr. Hansen received his medical degree from the University of
Arizona College of Medicine in
Tucson where he also received his
post graduate training in general
and cardiothoracic surgery. His research and clinical focus
is on diseases of the lung, mediastinum, esophagus and chest
wall that are amenable to robotic
and minimally invasive thoracic
surgery.
He will work closely with oncologists, pulmonologists, general
surgeons and gastroenterologists who care for patients with
lung cancer, esophageal cancer,
lymphomas involving the mediastinum and great vessels of the
chest, gastric reflux disease not
amenable to other treatments and
other clinical problems.
Dr. Hansen is board qualified in both general surgery and
cardiothoracic surgery. He is certified in the use of the
da Vinci Robotic Surgical System,
EIBUS technology for endoscopic ultrasound guided biopsy
techniques used in lung cancer
and mediastinal disease staging
processes.
His research has been published in numerous medical
journals and scholarly papers and
he was the recipient of numerous
educator and teaching awards
while in his surgical training
program. Dr. Hansen’s office is located
at 1370 Johnson Avenue, Suite
201, Bridgeport above the location of Med Express across from
Sheetz. His office phone number
is 681.342.3730.
Dr. Mathai
Dr. Hansen
Quality News: Re-engineering care of diabetic patients
Dr. Mark D. Povroznik
VP - Quality/CQO
A large Quality Team has
been focused on how to improve
insulin delivery and education
provided to our diabetic population. It goes without saying,
glucose control is one of the
top five factors for readmission
prevention.
The group identified the following as focus areas:
• Limited guidance for ordering insulin other than the
“UHC Sliding Scale”
• Glucose testing is not in
concert with insulin administration and/or meal time
delivery
• The use of both short acting
and rapid acting insulin is a
factor to consider
March_13.indd 11
•
•
Variances in nursing and
physician practices of when
to hold insulin
Fragmented patient education
Solutions forthcoming:
1. New Insulin I-form – A
physician friendly tool
to incorporate basal,
nutritional and correctional
meal-time insulin
2. Formulary Insulin – To
facilitate the improvement
process, the Pharmacy &
Therapeutics committee
approved removing
“Regular” insulin when
ordering sliding scale
insulin. Humalog or
Novalog will be the
standardized replacement.
3. Mealtime Delivery
Schedule – Meal times
will be standardized to
allow for finger sticks and
insulin administration to be
performed more in concert.
4. Diabetes Nursing
Assessment – The admission
history will include more
information relative to
diabetes and the patients
last HbA1c.
5. Transition Care
Coordinators – In addition
to helping with readmission
prevention, these
coordinators will also help
with the diabetic education
process.
6. Ordering of HbA1c levels
– New quality guidelines
require diabetics to have a
HbA1c within the previous
90 days of their admission
Please turn to Page 14
3/20/13 2:41 PM
PAGE 12
MARCH 2013
STETHOSCOOP
Occupational Safety and Emergency Management
By Brandon Knotts, GSP, MS
Occupational Safety
In light of the recent fire that
occurred on Feb. 25, the Safety
Management department would
like to take the opportunity to
review the fire response plans
(“Code Red”) for the hospital.
Whenever an actual fire has
been discovered in the building,
it is the responsibility of the
Associate who discovered the fire
to activate the fire response plan.
All Associates are taught
during New Associate
Orientation, during fire drills, as
well as annually via Computer
Based Learning modules the
acronym “RACE.”
This acronym walks you
through responding to a fire.
The “R” stands for rescue. If
the fire is in a patient care area,
staff should rescue the patient
who is in the immediate danger
area; this is the room where the
fire is located.
To rescue the patient, remove
the patient from the room by
using a wheelchair, bedside chair,
or the actual bed as long as the
fire is not in the bed.
If necessary, get the patient
onto a sheet or cover and drag the
patient out of the room.
If the patient is ambulatory
and can walk on his or her own,
assist the patient in walking out
of the room.
If the fire is not in a patient
care area, rescue co-workers, staff,
visitors, etc. by asking them to
leave the immediate area.
Once the patient has been
removed from the area of the fire,
the staff member who discovered
the fire should alarm the hospital.
The “A” stands for alarm. Do
not be afraid to pull the alarm
during an actual fire or if you
believe a fire is somewhere in
the building. Once the alarm has
March_13.indd 12
been pulled, the charge nurse
or secretary of the department
should call the operator at X2222
and report “Code Red” and the
specific location of the fire.
If the fire is not in a patient
care area, someone in the
department should call and
report the specific location of the
fire.
As the person who discovered
the fire is rescuing the patient
and going to pull the fire alarm,
he or she needs to contain the
fire as they are leaving the room.
This simply means to close the
door(s).
The “C” stands for contain.
By containing the fire and smoke
to one specific room, you are
helping to prevent the fire and
smoke from spreading into other
areas.
Finally, the “E” stands for
extinguish. As department staff
and other hospital staff respond,
it is important they bring a fire
extinguisher.
Before opening the door to
enter the room where the fire is,
feel the door with your hand. If
the door is hot, do not enter the
room.
If the door is not hot, open the
door carefully. If the sprinkler
heads have activated and are
spraying water, shut the door and
do not enter the room.
After opening the door, if the
smoke is very thick in the room
and you cannot see, do not enter
the room.
Shut the door immediately
and wait for the fire department
to respond.
However, if you can safely
enter the room and the fire is
small enough to extinguish with
an extinguisher, responders
should enter and begin to
extinguish.
When the fire is too large to
extinguish and smoke is starting
to threaten the safety of patients,
visitors, and staff, the unit must
evacuate. Patients and staff
should relocate to the other-side
of the nearest set of double fire
doors.
This is done by horizontal
evacuation (example, if 6 North
has to evacuate, it would relocate
to 6 South until instructed to
relocate elsewhere which would
then be a vertical evacuation).
There is an additional
acronym that explains how to use
a fire extinguisher. That acronym
is “PASS.”
The “P” stands for pull the
pin. There is a small pin on above
the handle that you must pull.
The “A” stands for aim the
hose at the base of the fire.
The “S” stands for squeeze the
handle, and the final “S” stands
for sweep side-to-side.
All of this information is
reviewed with staff during our
frequent fire drills.
It is important for staff to
remember that when the alarm
sounds and a “Code Red” has
been called, all patient room
doors should be shut, hallways
should cleared (this includes
patients and visitors), and a head
count must be taken of patients,
staff and visitors.
It is also important to treat
every “Code Red” as if it were a
real fire; drills are unannounced
so there is no way of knowing
whether it is a real fire or not.
Once the fire is extinguished,
the drill is over, or the “Code
Red” has been determined to be
a false alarm, the operator will
page “Code Red All Clear.”
As always, feel free to
contact the Occupational Safety
department whenever you have
questions or concerns.
3/20/13 2:41 PM
STETHOSCOOP
MARCH 2013
PAGE 13
Kudos: Patient safety is essential responsibility
Every day UHC Associates
are reminded about why we are
here.
While there are many important reasons, keeping patients
safe is an essential one.
Monday, Feb. 25 was a typical
day for the Associates of 4N —
providing care to those who were
ill and discharging home those
who were better.
On this day, the “typical”
changed to “atypical” a few short
minutes before 3 p.m.
That is when PCA Brandy Evans discovered a piece of equipment on fire in a vacant patient
room.
The pull station was engaged,
the operator promptly notified
and fire extinguishers retrieved
to extinguish the fire. Dr. Hrko,
who was rounding on his surgical patients, immediately assisted
with an extinguisher.
Smoke billowed from room
4110 quickly filling the hallways
and setting forth the need to
evacuate patients on the unit.
By the calm guidance of
Nurse Manager Annetta Payne,
each Associate knew what to do
and where to take the patients.
All involved performed to
the expectations of past training exercises, quickly moving
patients horizontally away from
the smoke.
Associates on 4 South received these patients within
moments of being notified and
safely transitioned patients to
available empty rooms.
UHC Associates responded
from multiple areas and assisted
in the transfer of 12 patients and
13 visitors, providing for their
comfort and safety.
Staff knew how to keep
patients safe because of the
watchful eye of our safety officer,
Brandon Knotts.
March_13.indd 13
His commitment to ongoing
training exercises allowed for the
staff to execute when the alarm
sounded. All staff and patients
were safely evacuated from the
area, except for Brandy receiving
first degree burns to her face.
The clean-up came next. We
would be amiss not to acknowledge the team efforts by Environmental Services and Facilities
Management.
By 6 p.m., every inch from
ceiling to floor had been cleaned
to remove any evidence of a fire
(except room 4110) and patient
care resumed as normal. Our
housekeeping staff pulled together seamlessly.
Everyone understands that
in healthcare, this is our job. But
this historical moment should
not pass without a well-deserved
“Thank You” to all who were involved and responded, especially
the staff of 4 North.
Thank you for joining together to show how UHC takes care
of their patients . . . safely!
4 North Associates were
Patty Cook, Brandy Evans, Robin
Godfrey, Alyssa Jenkins, Debbie
Nutter, Jessica Pritt, Stephanie
Radcliffe, Case Manager Ashley
Rockhead, Cindy Shaffer, Mary
Southern, Zania Thomas, Erica
Weese and Samantha Loudin
(student intern).
Wings of Hope makes generous donation
A new organization has formed to provide support to cancer patients by assisting
those receiving care and addressing their everyday need. Wings of Hope is a group of local
volunteers who plan to strengthen area patients with an infusion of donations.
“The goal is to provide emotional and financial support to cancer patients, their
family members and health care professionals as they move forward in their cancer
experience,” said Debbie Thompson, group coordinator for Wings of Hope. “Our
organization wants to ensure that most of the proceeds stay in the north central West
Virginia region and we are happy to mark the occasion of our launch by providing a
donation of $2,500 to the cancer center at UHC.”
Wings of Hope selected the Cecil B. Highland, Jr. & Barbara B. Highland Cancer
Center at UHC for its board-certified medical and radiation oncologists, and the fact that
it offers patients access to the latest in cancer treatment.
The center provides the entire continuum of cancer related services from prevention/
early detection screening and education to surgery, medical and radiation oncology,
inpatient and outpatient therapies, home care and, when appropriate, hospice services.
The cancer center also offers specialized radiation treatments using the most up-to-date
IMRT techniques; breast brachytherapy and prostate implants are also available as part of
the center’s services.
“UHC appreciates the community spirit displayed by the Wings of Hope volunteers,”
said Linda Carte, RN, MSN, AOCN and director of oncology at UHC. “Cancer knows
no bounds and the patients at the Cecil B. Highland, Jr., & Barbara B. Highland Cancer
Center will feel even more hopeful that tomorrow will be bright when they learn their
friends and neighbors are ready to help them in their cancer journey.”
Leading the cancer center medical staff are medical oncologists Paul M. Brager,
MD, Yaser Homsi, MD, and Salman S. Osman, MD, and radiation oncologist Michael
Stewart, MD. The Cecil B. Highland, Jr. & Barbara B. Highland Cancer Center at
UHC is recognized by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer
as a Community Comprehensive Cancer Program and has granted its Outstanding
Achievement Award to the UHC cancer program during its recent accreditation survey.
3/20/13 2:41 PM
PAGE 14
MARCH 2013
STETHOSCOOP
Program offers help for those with Type 2 diabetes
The Group Lifestyle Balance
National Diabetes Prevention
Program at United Hospital
Center will help north central
West Virginians avoid the
personal and financial toll of
Type 2-diabetes, a costly chronic
disease that has increased
dramatically in the region over
the past two decades.
“Medical costs for people
with diabetes are 2.3 times
higher than for people without
the disease,” said Mary Frances
Students and volunteers
serenade patients
Sundus and Soofia Lateef, volunteers at UHC and
violinists, joined Susie Godfrey, RN and harpist, Dec.18
in a performance of Christmas music in the OPS waiting
room.
The performance was enjoyed by patients, staff and
visitors.
Joining the group from the Bridgeport High School
orchestra were violinists Taylor Swan, Jenna Hooks, and
Nina Graziano, and cellist Ashley Driscoll, as well as Tricia
Price, conductor
Some of the songs played were Pachelbel’s Christmas,
Santa at the Symphony, a Charlie Brown Christmas, and
songs featuring solos:
n Taylor Swan — The Bells of Christmas
n Jenna Hooks and Sundus Lateef — Joy to the World,
Deck the Halls, and We Three Kings.
n Susie Godfrey offered traditional carols from the harp
with Ashley Driscoll joining with her cello.
Many thanks to these young ladies for generously
giving their time and talent to UHC.
March_13.indd 14
Veltri, RN and diabetes nurse
educator at UHC.
“The number of Americans
with diabetes has more than
tripled in the past two decades.”
The West Virginia Division of
Health Promotion and Chronic
Disease and the West Virginia
Diabetes Prevention & Control
Program are working with
community-based organizations,
insurers, employers and health
care organizations to make the
Group Lifestyle Balance Diabetes
Prevention Program available
throughout the state.
Classes offered through the
prevention program combine the
power of group support with a
curriculum proven effective in
a research study to help people
with pre-diabetes make lasting
changes to protect their health.
The Group Lifestyle Balance
program is a partnership with
the WVU Extension Service of
Harrison County and UHC.
The course will begin Tuesday,
April 16, at UHC from 5:30 p.m. to
6:30 p.m.
It is a 10-month, 22 session
evidence-based program in
which participants work toward
achieving two primary goals:
Increase physical activity to 150
minutes weekly and lose five to
seven percent of body weight.
A lifestyle coach will work
with participants by providing
education and assistance to
achieve these goals.
Participants are monitored and
required to attend group sessions.
To be eligible for the program you
must be at least 18 years of age or
older, have a BMI greater than 24
kg/m2, no previous diagnosis of
diabetes, be able to participants
in at least 150 minutes physical
activity per week and have prediabetes or be at high risk for
pre-diabetes.
Pre-diabetes is a serious
condition that often leads to Type
2-diabetes.
People with pre-diabetes
also have a higher risk for heart
disease and stroke.
Their blood sugar is higher
than normal, but not high enough
to be classified as diabetes.
Without lifestyle changes,
25 to 50 percent of people with
pre-diabetes will develop Type
2-diabetes within five years.
Quality News
Continued from Page 11
and to be informed of the
result. A new test does not
need to be ordered with
each admission, but the
medical record for that
admission must contain
the information. At the
September meeting of the
Med-Exec Committee, the
approval was passed for
Nursing, Pharmacy and
Clinical Dieticians to order
a HbA1c in diabetic patients
when there is no evidence of
one in the previous 90 days.
7. TV Media Education – The
patient TV’s are equipped
with LodgeNet. This is an
educational tool that works
similar to a hotel’s TV
system. It is interactive, but
instead of allowing them to
pick their own movie, the
patient/family can view a
myriad of education options.
For diabetes, some will be
assigned to the patient upon
admission then assessed
throughout the stay.
New Meal Delivery and Insulin
Schedule
Finger sticks will be 30
minutes before meal delivery and
insulin administration will be at
the time of tray delivery.
3/20/13 2:41 PM
STETHOSCOOP
MARCH 2013
PAGE 15
Skin cancer screening May 17
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United
States.
Each year there are more new
cases of skin cancer than the
combined incidences of cancers
of the breast, prostate, lung and
colon.
The American Cancer Society
provides that more than one
million cases of skin cancers are
diagnosed annually. Summer is just around the
corner, the best way to lower
your risk of skin cancer is to
practice good sun safety and
have your skin examined on a
regular basis.
United Hospital Center will
be offering free skin cancer
screenings on Friday, May 17
from 1 until 3 p.m. in the Cecil B.
Highland, Jr. & Barbara B. Highland Cancer Center.
“This is one of UHC’s most
successful annual screenings,”
said Linda Carte, RN, MSN,
AOCN and director of oncology
at UHC.
“We are delighted to provide
this important free service. We
hope to reach even more people
this year and continue to educate
the public on the importance of
prevention.”
Pre-registration for this program is required and the screening is limited to the first 48 callers. To register for this screening
or for more information, contact
800.607.8888.
This free skin cancer screening is being offered as a community service of the Cecil B. Highland, Jr. & Barbara B. Highland
Cancer Center at UHC, which is
fully accredited by the American
College of Surgeons. Oral, Head and Neck Cancer
Awareness Week is April 14
through April 20. The Cecil
B. Highland, Jr. & Barbara
B. Highland Cancer Center
at United Hospital Center, is
offering a Head and Neck Cancer
Screening from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00
p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at UHC
ENT & Audiology located at 527
Medical Park Drive (next to the
new UHC).
“Oral Head and Neck Cancer
Awareness Week is a national
initiative aimed at raising the
understanding of this cancer
and getting as many patients,
especially high-risk patients,
screened as possible,” said Linda
Carte, RN, MSN, AOCN and
director of oncology at United
Hospital Center. “Our goal at the
Cecil B. Highland, Jr. & Barbara
B. Highland Cancer Center at
UHC is to help to lower the rate
of diagnosed cases and deaths
in north central West Virginia
through this screening.”
The American Cancer Society
provides that head and neck
cancers represent the sixth most
common form of cancer in the
United States, with more than
50,000 cases diagnosed annually,
and more than 12,000 deaths.
Oral, head and neck cancer
refers to a variety of cancers that
develop in the head and neck
region such as the mouth, throat,
sinuses, voice box and the skin of
the face and neck, and the lymph
nodes in the neck.
Typical symptoms include a
lump or sore that does not heal, a
sore throat that does not go away,
trouble swallowing and a change
or hoarseness in the voice. When
these cancers are diagnosed
early, the chances of survival are
greater.
The March blood drive at
United Hospital Center was dedicated to David Wray, a 4th year
medical student at West Virginia
School of Osteopathic Medicine
who is currently doing a rotation
at UHC. He lives in Shinnston
with his wife, Lindsay. In 2004
he was diagnosed with cancer, undergoing surgery,
chemotherapy and radiation and receiving numerous
blood transfusions, making the American Red Cross and
blood donations causes important to him. He continually encourages people to donate blood because of his
personal experience and now becoming a physician.
Unable to give blood for a period for some time after
the treatment, he doesn’t miss an opportunity now to
donate. David mentions that when you experience first
hand the gift of blood, it makes you want to pay it forward.
Next blood drive: April 3
Head and neck cancer screenings offered April 16
March_13.indd 15
Tobacco and alcohol use
are the most important risk
factors for oral, head and neck
cancers; however, research has
attributed the increase of oral
cancer incidence in young adults
– a group traditionally at low
risk – to the rise of the humanpapillomavirus (HPV).
The face, inside and outside of
the mouth, tongue and neck area
will be part of the examination.
Adults 18 and older are eligible to
schedule an appointment. Using
tobacco or alcohol increases your
risk.
In fact, 85 percent of head and
neck cancers are linked to tobacco
use, including smoking and
smokeless tobacco.
Screenings on Tuesday, April
16, will take place in the UHC
ENT & Audiology, Suite 501 of the
Physician Office Building. Please
call 800.607.8888 to schedule an
appointment.
3/20/13 2:41 PM
MARCH 2013
PAGE 16
STETHOSCOOP
2013 Program Schedule
n Getting Through the Holidays
A program for those who have lost a loved one
in the past year – grief workshop. For more
information or to register, call Leigh Ann Ritter,
681.342.3259.
n Learning to Live with Cancer
Your choice of an informational video or DVD.
To obtain a copy, call Judy Dye, Oncology
Program Coordinator, 681.342.1804.
n Community Support Groups*
For more information call Judy Dye,
681.342.1804.
n Cancer Survivorship Workshop
For all cancer survivors/family and friends.
Important topics will be discussed which may
include the following: communication, nutrition,
spirituality, rehabilitation needs, financial issues,
thoughts and feelings, and survivorship panel.
For more information, contact Judy Dye,
Oncology Program Coordinator, 681.342.1804.
nButterfly Kiss
A group for those with breasts cancer and their
families/friends. For more information, call Peggy
Johnson, RN, BSN, Clinical Navigator for Breast
Health, 681.342.1810.
n Bereavement Support Group
To register or for more information, call Leigh
Ann Ritter, 681.342.3259.
n FreshStart*
A 4-session program to help individuals stop
smoking or using smokeless tobacco. For more
information or to register, call American Cancer
Society, 1.800.ACS.2345.
Stethoscoop is published
monthly by the
Human Resources Department
of United Hospital Center,
327 Medical Park Drive,
Bridgeport, WV 26330,
telephone 681.342.1650
n Skin Cancer Screening
Skin screening available at no cost; preregistration required. For more information or to
register, call 1.800.607.8888.
n Look Good, Feel Better*
A program where women with cancer can
receive tips on makeup, hair, wigs and turbans.
Call Ryann Moore, 681.342.1818.
nCelebration of Life
Annual cancer survivor program; invitations are
sent to those patients treated at UHC. For more
information, call Linda Carte, 681.342.1830.
n Men’s Cancer Screening
Manual Prostate/Testicular exam and colorectal
screening at no cost. PSA blood tests will be
made available for high risk males (prostate
family history) and those currently experiencing
symptoms of concern. For more information
Judy Dye, Oncology Program Coordinator,
681.342.1804.
United
Hospital
Center
nNutrition Information*
Get answers or suggestions for your questions
on nutrition. Call Judy Dye, Oncology Program
Coordinator, 681.342.1804.
n Women’s Cancer Screening
Breast exam, pap test, colorectal screening
and mammogram at no cost; pre-registration
required. For more information Judy Dye,
Oncology Program Coordinator, 681.342.1804.
n Let’s Talk About Cancer with Kids
For kids who have a close relative who has
been diagnosed with cancer. Tour Infusion
Center, Radiation Oncology and inpatient unit
as well as discuss feelings and emotions with
a therapist. For more information or to register,
call Judy Dye, Oncology Program Coordinator,
681.342.1804.
n Cancer Genetics Testing
Discuss with your physician whether you
would benefit from genetic testing. For more
information or to register, call Judy Dye,
Oncology Program Coordinator, 681.342.1804.
n Clinical Trials
For information on the clinical trials currently
open and enrolling, call Judy Dye, Oncology
Program Coordinator, 681.342.1804.
*Program offered in conjunction with American
Cancer Society
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. Postage
PAID
Clarksburg, WV
Permit #117
Bruce C. Carter
President
W. Henry Lawrence
Chairman
Board of Directors
Paul D. Davis, MD
President, Medical Staff
March_13.indd 16
3/20/13 2:41 PM