KATHERINE SHAW BETHEA HOSPITAL

V IBRANT L IVING
Winter 2013
SUMMER ‘09
KATHERINE SHAW BETHEA HOSPITAL
healthy. happy. here.
www.ksbhospital.com | 1
PATIENT EXPERIENCE
New Technology Improves Chances For Stroke Victims
Nowhere is time more critical than
in treating a stroke victim, and now
KSB Hospital has technology that will
greatly enhance and improve outcomes.
Emergency Department staff and
other healthcare practitioners face a
narrow window of time to start treating
an acute stroke victim. KSB has turned
to a tele-stroke live video system in
its ED to assist in the diagnosis and
treatment of stroke patients.
KSB has partnered with OSF St.
Francis in Peoria to install JEMS
Technology’s tele-stroke system. It takes
real-time video of a stroke patient and
immediately transmits it to neurologists
to study and diagnose.
“When a patient comes in suffering
from an acute stroke, we have a
3-hour window to begin giving acute
medications, clot busters,” ED Director
Sue Prosch explained. “We now have a
system in place that sends live video to
the iPad or iPhone or smart phone of
the neurologist on call.
“They’re the experts, and we want
to use their expertise to benefit our
patients.”
The tele-stroke system has been in
use at KSB for about six months, and
Prosch estimated they have had to use
it on average about once a month.
Strokes, she said, are more common
than one might think.
“If you are feeling any of the
symptoms of a stroke, you should
immediately go to a hospital emergency
department,” she advised. “Our
goal is to educate the public about
the symptoms of strokes and how
important it
is to get here
as soon as
possible.”
A stroke
is defined as
sudden brain
damage from
lack of blood
flow to the
brain caused
by a clot or
rupture of a
blood vessel.
Stroke
Emergency Department employees Georgie Arquilla,
symptoms
RN (left), and Janessa Sharkey demonstrate the new
include
tele-stroke technology.
a sudden
and severe
headache,
soon as the call comes in from the
trouble seeing in one or both eyes,
ambulance that they are bringing in a
sudden dizziness or difficulty walking,
possible stroke victim.
sudden confusion or trouble talking or
“We get the machine out, plug it in
sudden numbness or weakness of the
and start dialing up OSF so that we’re
face, arm or leg.
ready to go as soon as the patient arrives.”
Stroke is the fourth leading cause
Even if the 3-hour window has passed
of death in the U.S., and 795,000
since a patient suffered a stroke, Prosch
people suffer strokes each year. Of
said the technology is still valuable.
that number, there are 133,000 deaths
“We can still use it to have the
annually from stroke.
neurologist help us determine whether
There currently are 7 million stroke
we can treat the patient here at KSB
survivors. On average, someone suffers
or whether they need to go to another
a stroke every 40 seconds in the U.S.
facility,” she added. “Stroke is one of
Facing these kinds of statistics, KSB
the CMS measures now
has acted to improve the chances for a
“It’s a new one, and they have
stroke patient.
established an accrual time for
“Any technology that allows us to
documentation of the CT results. We
diagnose a patient more quickly and
have 45 minutes to do this, so we want
accurately we welcome,” Prosch said.
to diagnose a patient as soon as possible
“We are able to act immediately as
for that reason too.”
Corporate Health Gets New Director, Location
Aaron Fox, Director
Nearly two decades after interning in KSB Hospital’s Corporate Health Department,
Aaron Fox is returning to his roots.
Fox, who was an intern at KSB in the mid-1990s, has been named Director of
Corporate Health. His previous responsibilities in the areas of Health, Safety and
Property Management are being reassigned within the organization.
“Since I did my interning here, everything has now come full circle,” said the 16-year
veteran of KSB. “Corporate Health was where I got my start, and I’m looking forward to
returning to it.
“It’s definitely grown and, just like anything, over there years there have been some
definite changes. It was a new department when I interned in it. It will be interesting to
get in there and evaluate things and reacquaint myself
with everything.”
continued on page 4
2 | Spring 2012 Vibrant Living
2 | Winter 2013 Vibrant Living
Patients who need a magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) exam but
feel uncomfortable in close quarters
now have an option.
As some area hospitals stop
providing open MRI tests primarily
because the machines are not
accredited by the American College
of Radiology (ACR), KSB Hospital
offers the best of both worlds.
KSB’s open-bore MRI has the
magnetic strength and quality of a
traditional machine but is roomy and
more comfortable like an open MRI.
“Our open-bore MRI has a bigger
opening and it’s shorter,” Director of
Medical Imaging Linda Mickelson
explained.
“So people who require more room
for whatever reason – their body type
or the fact they become anxious if
they’re in a close setting – will like
the feeling of an open-bore MRI.
“The unit has a high magnetic field,
and higher magnetic field equals
higher quality images.
“Our MRI unit is also ACR-
accredited, so patients have the
confidence of knowing we’re a stateof-the-art facility with the highest
standards.”
Roominess is important because a
patient exam can typically last as long
as 30 or 40 minutes, depending on
the area of the body being examined.
One reason hospitals are electing
to eliminate the use of their open
MRIs is the fact that the traditional
“sandwich-shaped” open units are
lower magnetic strength, and hence,
lesser quality images.
They also are more difficult, if not
impossible, to earn accreditation by
the ACR and other governing bodies.
“With the open MRI units out
there, the magnet comes down really
close and tight to the patient, so
all you can do is see out the side,”
Mickelson explained.
“So even though it is termed ‘open,’
it really is just open on the side. For
some patients, it doesn’t help relieve
anxiety or discomfort since you still
have something very close to your
healthy.
face and body.
“Our open-bore unit provides
plenty of room but with a stronger
magnetic field. The patient gets the
best of both worlds.”
Another benefit to KSB patients is
convenience. Open-bore MRI units,
because of their costs, are typically
found in imaging centers or larger
hospitals.
But the Dixon hospital has this
leading-edge technology, so patients
are not required to drive to the
suburbs, Rockford or the Quad Cities
for an MRI.
“Our hospital’s administration and
board have made the commitment
to offer an open-bore MRI because
it fits our community’s needs,”
Mickelson added.
“Our patients can have the
utmost confidence in the test results
because of the high quality and ACR
accreditation.
“Plus it’s more convenient for them
to come to our facility than to drive a
long distance.”
PATIENT EXPERIENCE
SUMMER ‘09
Open-Bore MRI Adds Comfort To Quality
PATIENT EXPERIENCE
SUMMER ‘09
KSB Now Offers Pain Management Services
“Pain is such an uncomfortable feeling that
even a tiny amount of it is enough to ruin every
enjoyment.”
So said American humorist and actor Will
Rogers a century ago, and the healthcare
profession has spent the better part of the last
100 years trying to figure out how to lessen
the pain of others.
KSB Hospital now offers pain management
services to those who suffer from chronic
pain. A partnership with Medical Pain
Management Services, Ltd., offers chronic
pain treatment provided by board-certified
anesthesiologists.
The treatment is delivered at the newly built
Day Surgery Department at KSB Hospital in
downtown Dixon.
“We began offering pain management
services at KSB in November,” said Jill
Scheffler, RN, Director of Day Surgery. “Our
patients have been very pleased with the
experience and have had positive results.”
Pain management is a growing service line
that seeks to treat and manage chronic pain.
Patients may need pain management services
if they suffer from back or neck problems,
post-operative or post-amputation pain,
cancer pain, neuropathy, fibromyalgia or
arthritis, among other conditions.
Pain management services are based on the
belief that no person should have to suffer
from chronic pain. Patients can find some level
of relief from chronic pain by receiving the
latest treatments, including epidural steroid
injections, nerve blocks, disc decompression,
and other interventional remediation.
KSB Hospital opened a $16 million
expansion of the Emergency Department
and Day Surgery unit in October 2011.
The completely new Day Surgery area offers
improved privacy and better accessibility for
patients.
“When patients come in for pain
management, they’ll first have a consultation
with a physician,” Scheffler said. “If a
procedure is needed, we take them to a
procedure room, administer the treatment
and then take them to a private room for
monitoring before they go home.”
The addition of a pain management service
at KSB is in direct response to feedback
received during the formation of a strategic
plan, according to hospital President and
CEO Dave Schreiner.
“As a part of our strategic planning process,
we asked physicians and business leaders about
what service lines we could add to better serve
the community’s need,” Schreiner said. “Pain
management was specifically identified in our
focus groups as a needed service.”
Schreiner said KSB Medical Group
leadership worked to add pain management
services to fill a community need and fulfill
the hospital’s mission of providing local
healthcare.
Pain management services are available twice
a month at KSB Hospital by Mark Cirella,
MD, Stephen Minore, MD, and Howard
Weiss, MD, of Medical Pain Management
Services, Ltd. Patients should talk to their
primary care physician to find out if pain
management services are right for them.
A 30,000-square-foot expansion project, completed in late 2011, doubled the space of KSB’s Emergency and Day Surgery Departments. The latter is now home to the hospital’s new pain management program.
continued from page 2
Fox is a graduate of Dixon High School and Illinois State University with a degree in exercise science.
He holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from St. Francis University.
As Director of Corporate Health, Fox will work with area companies on their wellness, workers’ compensation and
occupational medicine programs.
“A couple of them have our nurses on-site every day and some have them for two or three days,” Aaron said. “I will be calling on
companies to see how we can strengthen our partnership or in some cases form a new partnership with them.”
Fox’s office will be at Town Square Centre, 102 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon, which is the new home of the Corporate Health
Department. It was relocated from Commerce Towers in the fall of 2012 to allow for remodeling and expansion of physician
services.
Among Fox’s new duties will be overseeing Corporate Health’s daily operations in its prompt care clinic, community wellness
and healthcare education through the Northwestern Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) office in Polo.
Reporting to Fox are Community
4 | Winter 2013 Vibrant Living
Mythological legend has it that
Greek warrior Achilles died because of
a small wound he suffered on his heel.
Thus came the term “Achilles heel” to
describe a person’s or organizations’
point of weakness.
How ironic is it, then, that one of
KSB Hospital’s greatest strengths is its
Foot and Ankle Center?
stronger, the graft (tendon repair) is
tighter and recovery time has been
decreased.”
Yeager and Gumbiner spent several
months studying how to improve the
Achilles tendon procedure and then
perfected the three-anchor solution on
their patients.
The results have been very positive
“Our results have been
exceptional. Our patients
have done exceptionally
well and the recovery
time for non-weight
bearing has been reduced
from six weeks to four
weeks.”
– Brandon Gumbiner, DPM
And the irony is further enhanced
by the fact that KSB podiatrists David
Yeager, DPM, and Brandon Gumbiner,
DPM, have developed a revolutionary
new surgical procedure to remove
painful heel spurs on the back of the
heel while being able to repair the
Achilles tendon.
The two surgeons have adapted
existing technology to the repair and
reattachment of the Achilles tendon
in patients, especially after more
conservative treatments have failed.
“We’re using existing anchors that
we’ve used in repairing heel spurs,”
Yeager explained. “They are inserted
into the back of the heel and serve to
hold the Achilles tendon as we reattach
it.
“Rather than using one anchor, as
has been done before, we are using
three anchors. It makes the bond
and the cost of using three anchors
is still cheaper than using a single
titanium anchor.
“The anchors have been around
for two years and were being used on
shoulders and other areas,” Gumbiner
explained. “We played around with
the anchors and came up with a much
stronger configuration.
“Our results have been exceptional.
Our patients have done exceptionally
well and the recovery time for nonweight bearing has been reduced from
six weeks to four weeks.”
The procedure that KSB’s two
podiatric surgeons have perfected uses
two smaller soft tissue fixation implant
anchors that are 2.8mm in size and one
larger 3.5mm knotless fixation implant
anchor.
The smaller anchors utilize a tiny
insertion diameter that provides greater
happy.
surface area for tendon healing.
The larger anchor features a
Knotless Cinch ring suture-locking
mechanism that allows for optimal
tendon tensioning to prevent overtensioning and strangulation.
“I guess you could say that this is
a cutting-edge procedure,” Gumbiner
conceded. “But what we’ve really done
is take existing products
and improved upon the
technology in the way that
we have used them in the
surgery.
“Because we can move
the tendon out of our way,
it gives us direct access to
the bone spur so there’s less
trauma to the area and, as
a result, a shorter recovery
time.”
Yeager added that the
surgical procedure they
have developed provides a
workable solution for patients
who have tried other forms
of treatment with little or no
success.
“Achilles tendon repairs
are not that common,” he
added. “This type of bone
spur is very painful, but
in the past it was difficult to remove
because of the effect it would have
on the Achilles since we have to cut
directly through it. Fortunately, we
keep the majority of the tendon intact.
“But now that we have come
up with this procedure using three
anchors, we can remove the bone spur
and reattach the tendon and in the
process make it stronger and better
than ever. Before, we could not assure
the patient of that.
“Now we have complete confidence
that the patient is going to recover
faster, return to full use of the foot
without pain and won’t have to worry
about the tendon being compromised
at all. It is a win-win situation
not only for us but also, and more
importantly, our patients.”
FOOT & ANKLE CENTER
New Procedure Anything But Achilles Heel
PATIENT NAVIGATOR
SUMMER ‘09
Patient Navigator Helps Keep People Out Of Hospital
Although only a few months
old, KSB Hospital’s new Patient
Navigator position already is making
a difference in the lives of people.
Jason Brusky, RN, who became
KSB’s first Patient Navigator earlier
this year, has worked with 223
chronically ill patients to raise
awareness, educate them and help
them stay out of the hospital.
“The patient is the only one who
can change their life,” said Katie Van
Stedum, Director of Home Health
Care. “Jason follows patients for a
few weeks after discharge, doing a lot
of teaching and follow-ups.
“Until the patient understands
the importance of lifestyle changes
and taking control of their situation,
they won’t change. They need
to understand why they should
be taking their medications as
prescribed, adhering to their diet,
following up with their doctors.”
The goal of the Patient Navigator
is to help patients improve their
quality of life so that they do
not need to be readmitted to the
hospital. Brusky first began working
with patients suffering from
congestive heart failure (CHF).
Now he also is administering to
pneumonia patients and individuals
who suffer from myocardial
infarction (MI), or heart attacks.
So far, Brusky has seen 146
patients with congestive heart
failure, 65% of his total patient
load. Another 47 patients have had
pneumonia and 30 have suffered
from acute myocardial infarction, or
heart attacks.
“Heart failure is the most common
condition, so it’s the biggest one
he sees,” Van Stedum pointed out.
“There are a lot of different heart
problems that can be lumped into
that one category.
“For instance, a lot of people
who may have had heart problems
when they were younger eventually
Jason Brusky, RN
progress to heart failure if they don’t
take care of themselves.”
Later this year, the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid
(CMS) will begin to measure
hospital readmissions and base
reimbursement on a hospital’s
results.
Of Brusky’s 2012 patients,20%
have been readmitted to the hospital
within 30 days of discharge. That
readmission rate is down from 29%
last year.
“We want patients to see that
just because they suffer from heart
failure, they don’t have to be in the
hospital every month,” Van Stedum
said. “But we are more interested in
quality of life.
“Most patients don’t want to be in
the hospital. For the most part, they
want to be home; they like feeling
better.”
Through the first six months
of the program, Brusky gained
patients from a variety of sources.
Some were referred to him by
KSB physicians, some are patients
in the Cardiopulmonary Rehab
Department and some have been
identified off the daily hospital
census.
Van Stedum said more and more
physicians are starting to utilize the
resource.
“Clinic doctors can refer, too” she
reminded. “Patients don’t have to
be hospitalized to be able to benefit
from the Patient Navigator. Jason is
going to the hospital every day, and
he spends the majority of his day
there.
“He looks at the census in the
morning and talks to the nurses on
the unit and then he stops in and sees
the patients. He tries to introduce
himself when they’re still in the
hospital so they’re more comfortable
when he calls them and visits them
after they have been discharged.”
Van Stedum said it’s very satisfying
to come to the assistance of a patient.
“There’s a sense of accomplishment,” she added, “like, ‘wow, I really
helped this person from having to go
back to the hospital.’ It’s because of
what the Patient Navigator did that
they were able to stay at home.”
KSB’s Home Health Care
6 | Winter 2013 Vibrant Living
Patients looking for a KSB Medical
Group physician will now have the
added assistance of a nationwide
referral system.
KSB has begun using the nationally
recognized 1-800-DOCTORS (1800-362-8677) telephone number as
part of our physician referral service.
“We are excited about the
partnership KSB has entered into
with 1-800-DOCTORS,” Chief
Practice Officer Kevin Marx said.
“Our goal is to make it convenient
for patients to find the right doctor.
“Providing patients with an easyto-use toll-free number is a big help.
We will be able to connect with
newcomers to our community, folks
who maybe don’t have a doctor
and those seeking a specific type of
specialist.”
By dialing 1-800-DOCTORS,
callers will be connected to a live
KSB employee who can provide
information about KSB Medical
Group physicians available in our
service area, according to the caller’s
needs.
Callers can have their questions
answered and be connected directly
to a physician’s office to make an
appointment.
Because KSB Hospital is the
exclusive 1-800-DOCTORS licensee
in the area, callers seeking a physician
will automatically be directed to
KSBMG doctors.
Callers simply need to input their
zip code and the system routes calls
from our service area to a KSB
representative.
“This number will make it easy
for anyone looking for a quality
doctor in the community to choose
KSB Medical Group physicians,”
Marx said. “1-800-DOCTORS is a
powerful brand and has proven to be
highly effective in generating clinic
office traffic.
“Because of its very high recall rate,
we expect the use of this number to
significantly increase the number of
calls we get from consumers looking
for physicians.”
In addition to the obvious increase
in referrals that KSB Medical
Group physicians receive, use of
the 1-800-DOCTORS service also
benefits callers. Those advantages
include:
• Free service
• Confidential to callers
• Doctors have been prescreened
• You can be directly connected
to make an appointment
here.
Residents of the Sauk Valley have
begun to see the 1-800-DOCTORS
referral service phone number on
billboards, in radio ads, on printed
materials, and through online
advertising.
“Local residents looking for
a doctor will now have an easily
memorable toll-free number,”
Director of Marketing and Strategic
Planning Tom Demmer explained.
“We intend to use the logo on as
many different marketing vehicles
as we can. We still plan to feature
local office phone numbers, however,
1-800-DOCTORS when we
promote individual physicians or
service lines.
“One of the most effective
ways of marketing this service,”
Demmer added, “is by word of
mouth. We encourage everyone
who uses this service to tell their
family members and friends
about 1-800-DOCTORS and to
encourage them to start using it.”
KSB’s 1-800-DOCTORS meets
all of the safe harbors provided by
the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services for hospital-based
physician referral programs.
PHYSICIAN SERVICES
SUMMER ‘09
Finding A Physician Just A Phone Call Away
Winter 2013
SUMMER ‘09
VIBRANT LIVING is published as a community service
for the friends and patrons of KATHERINE SHAW
BETHEA HOSPITAL, 403 E. First St., Dixon, IL 61021,
phone 815-288-5531, www.ksbhospital.com.
KATHERINE SHAW BETHEA HOSPITAL
403 E. First St.
Dixon, IL 61021
David L. Schreiner, President & Chief Executive Officer
Mark Myers, M.D., Medical Staff President
Bill LeFevre, Board of Directors Chairperson
Tom Demmer, Director of Marketing & Strategic Planning
Nonprofit Org.
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Copyright © 2013 KSB Hospital.
Succession Plan
LeFevre Becomes New Board Chair
Just as the chairperson of the KSB
effects, Curia said.
Hospital Board of Directors hands the
“Decreasing reimbursement from
reins to his successor, more changes
all payers – the State of Illinois,
are in the future of the local healthcare
different insurance companies, the
provider.
federal government – will be the
Rick Curia’s 2-year term as chairman
biggest challenge facing the hospital,”
came to an end in December, and he
the past chairman said.
handed off the gavel to Bill LeFevre,
“But KSB has done enough under
who has been the vice chair for the last
Dave’s leadership to adapt to these
two years.
changes. He has done an outstanding
“Rick and I joined the hospital
job of planting the seed in order
board at the same time eight years ago,
to be competitive under these new
and the past two years we have both
conditions.”
served on the Hospital Credentials and
The board, working with the
Finance Committees,” LeFevre said.
hospital administration, has
“I have learned much from Rick
developed a strategic plan that
during his term. Working closely with
focuses on achieving lean, sustainable
Rick has prepared me well to become
operations, investing in technology
the chairman.”
to improve the patient experience
Curia, who became chair of the
and clinical quality, embracing
KSB board in January 2011, said it
patient-centered care models, and
New board chairman Bill LeFevre
was his goal to govern with LeFevre at
building the best team.
(left) accepts the gavel from outgohis side, keeping in mind the eventual
LeFevre said one of his jobs in
ing chair Rick Curia.
succession that has now taken place.
the next two years will be to fully
“I felt it was important for him to
support that plan.
be included in some of the committees and meetings that he
“My vision for KSB is identical to the strategic plan that was
would be on as chairman,” Curia explained, “such as Medical
developed in 2012,” LeFevre said. “The challenge for KSB, as
Staff and Executive Committee. He sat in for me when I was
well as for all hospitals, is to provide quality healthcare within
out of town and couldn’t attend the meetings.
the guidelines of the Affordable Care Act as this massive
“He had a lot more accessibility that I did, which will help
healthcare law is enacted within the next few years.”
him transition more smoothly. Plus, Bill and I communicate a
While Curia’s 2-year term as chairman came to an end, an
lot. I will be there for him just as he’s been there for me.”
even longer era passed as Board of Directors member Sylvia
Other than the change in chairmanship, probably the
Montavon retired effective with the December board meeting.
biggest impact in the coming two years will be the challenges
Montavon had served on the KSB Board of Directors
posed by a shrinking reimbursement level from all payers.
since 1998, and was board chairperson in 2009-10.
To his credit, President and CEO Dave Schreiner already
A successor to Montavon will be announced soon.
has begun to put processes and plans in place to lessen the
healthy. happy. here.