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NonprofitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 24

Beverly, MA 01915

Touch Points is published by the Marketing department of Northeast Hospitals. Northeast Hospitals is a network of community-based hospitals and medical centers including Addison Gilbert Hospital,Beverly Hospital, BayRidge Hospital, the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center, and the Beverly Hospital Cable Center. For additional information call 978-922-3000 or visit nhshealth.org.

TOUCHPOINTS 6

CALL OUR HEALTH CONNECTION

REFERRAL AND INFORMATION LINE

AT 888-253-0800 FOR HELP IN

FINDING A PHYSICIAN AND TO

RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF OUR

PROVIDER DIRECTORY.

� Beverly Hospital Earns National Recognition forExcellence in Patient Care � Page 2

� Reduce the Risk of Vascular Disease � Page 3

� Protecting Newborns from Group B Strep

� Page 4

� Second Time Infertility � Page 5

� Beverly Hospital and Children’s Hospital BostonCelebrate 10 Years of Collaboration � Page 5

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT

NHSHEALTH.ORG TO MEET

OUR NEW PHYSICIANS, TAKE A

PERSONAL HEALTH RISK

ASSESSMENT OR SIGN UP FOR OUR

MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER.

85 Herrick Street, Beverly, MA 01915

I N T H I S I S S U ESPRING/SUMMER 2007

Medical Advisory Board:

Mark Allara, MDFamily Medicine Associates

Middleton, MA

David Danis, MDNorth Shore Pediatrics, Beverly MA

Patricia Grady, RNBeverly Hospital Lifestyle Management

Institute, Danvers, MA

Karen Gruskin, MDBeverly Hospital and Children's Hospital

Boston

William, Medwid, MDFamily Medicine Associates,

Hamilton, MA

Ian Sklaver, MDGarden City Pediatrics, Beverly, MA

David Smail, MDEssex Surgical Associates and the

Breast Health Center at the BeverlyHospital Hunt Center

IF YOU WISH TO REMOVE

YOUR NAME FROM OUR

MAILING LIST, PLEASE LEAVE

AN EMAIL MESSAGE

AT NHSHEALTH.ORG OR

CALL 978-236-1675.C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

MOST ADVANCED

PROSTATE CANCER

TREATMENTS AVAILABLE

AT BEVERLY HOSPITAL

Prostate brachytherapy, a treatment in whichradioactive seeds are implanted into theprostate gland to destroy cancer cells, is themost recent prostate cancer treatment availableto residents of the North Shore through BeverlyHospital’s growing relationship with cancerservices at Beth Israel Deaconess MedicalCenter (BIDMC). John S. Ledbetter, MD, chiefof urology at Beverly Hospital, says, “There area number of treatment options for men who arediagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, andnow they are all available right here at BeverlyHospital.”

According to the American UrologicalAssociation, prostate cancer is the mostcommon non-skin cancer among Americanmen, and one in six men will be diagnosed withprostate cancer during his lifetime. Marc B.Garnick, MD, BIDMC oncologist and medicaldirector of cancer services and programdevelopment at Beverly Hospital, says, “Weare pleased to be working with our colleaguesat Beverly Hospital to ensure that men havelocal access to a complete range of the mostadvanced prostate cancer preventative,diagnostic and treatment services.”

Brachytherapy lowers the risk of side effectssuch as impotence and incontinence that oftenresult from surgery and external radiation. Thepatient also experiences minimal discomfortduring the procedure, recovers quickly, anddoes not need an overnight hospital stay. Thebrachytherapy program at Beverly Hospitalincludes:

� Beverly Hospital ultrasound technologistswho complete a preplanning volume studyof the prostate and assist with ultrasound-guided seed placement during the actualprocedure;

� BIDMC radiation oncologists anddosimetrists who plan the number and typeof radioactive seeds and create a locationplacement map; and

� Beverly Hospital urologists who perform theseed placement therapy at Beverly Hospital.

BEVERLY HOSPITAL WOUND AND

HYPERBARIC MEDICINE CENTER

OPENS

he incidence of non-healing and difficult-to-heal woundscontinues to grow in this country. Non-healing woundsoften result from poor blood flow in the veins (venous

insufficiency), pressure ulcers or peripheral arterial disease(see related story on page 3). People who have diabetes areparticularly susceptible to developing non-healing wounds. Inthe North Shore area alone, it is estimated that close to12,000 people have some type of slow-to-heal wound or skinulcer. Non-healing wounds of the extremities can result incomplications such as pain and infection, and can eventuallylead to amputation.

Fortunately, an expert team of board-certified surgeons,certified wound nurses and hyperbaric technicians now worktogether at the new Beverly Hospital Wound and HyperbaricMedicine Center to provide consistent, individualized, state-of-the-art care for patients with slow-to-heal wounds. RandolphMaloney, MD, vascular surgeon and medical director of theBeverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center,says, “Significant advancements have been made in the fieldof wound care over the last decade, and this center providesthe best of the best. We offer an exceptional team of woundcare specialists, high-technology equipment, and the mostadvanced treatments.”

Patients at the center undergo a thorough diagnosticexamination to identify wound type and cause. A treatmentplan is designed and initiated after the initial evaluation.Cheryl Malmborg, MSN, CRRN, CWOCN, director of theBeverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center,says, “Communication with the patient’s primary carephysician is always a key element of the care plan. It isimportant for the patient, the primary care physician and allof us at the Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center to workas a team until the problem is resolved.”

“We are on the cutting edge of the latest treatment options,”says Dr. Maloney. Minimally invasive surgical techniquesallow us to improve blood flow quickly and easily. New devicesenable patients to undergo sophisticated treatment at home.Innovative products such as bioengineered skin replacements,special dressings and new medications are leading to muchhigher success rates.”

T

TOUCHPOINTS 3

REDUCE THE RISK OF VASCULAR DISEASE

SYMPTOMS OF PERIPHERALARTERY DISEASE

Many people do not realize they haveperipheral artery disease (PAD) or mistake itssymptoms for something else. Some symptomsinclude:

� Leg pain that develops while walkingand subsides after resting (intermittentclaudication)

� Cold feet or legs� Numbness or weakness in the legs� Discoloration of the legs or feet� Hair loss on the legs or feet� Sores on the toes, feet or legs that will

not heal� Toenail changes

If you experience any of these symptoms, seeyour doctor for an evaluation. He or she candiagnose the problem and develop a treatmentplan that may include lifestyle modifications,medications and special procedures to open ablocked or narrowed artery.

he condition in which arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque formed onartery walls is known as atherosclerosis. Kristyn Dayton, RN, manager of theBeverly Hospital Lifestyle Management Institute, says, “Most people are aware that

atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries may lead to heart attack and that atherosclerosisof the carotid artery may lead to stroke. The general population may be less aware of acondition known as peripheral artery disease, or PAD, in which the arteries of the legs orarms are narrowed or blocked. In fact, many people are not even aware they have thecondition.” According to the American Heart Association, as many as 8 to 12 millionAmericans have PAD. Nearly 75 percent do not have any symptoms, and those who dooften mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else.

The risk factors for developing PAD include:

� Smoking� High blood pressure� High cholesterol� Diabetes� Overweight� Age older than 50 years

Ms. Dayton says, “It is important to identify your personal risk factors for developingPAD. PAD can lead to problems such as difficulty walking and the development of non-healing sores. Perhaps most importantly, blocked peripheral arteries may be a sign thatthe arteries leading to the heart and brain are also narrowed or blocked. Once you identifyyour risk factors, you can take the steps necessary to reduce them.”

The Vascular Risk Reduction Service of the Cardiovascular Center at Beverly andAddison Gilbert hospitals and the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center is here to help. Thisservice is designed for people who have been diagnosed with PAD and who wish to be activeparticipants in their own care. After being referred by a healthcare provider, participantshave access to the service’s interdisciplinary team of physicians, registered nurses, nursepractitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, clinical exercise physiologists, registereddieticians and behavioral health specialists.

Members of this specialized team work with individuals and their healthcare providers todevelop a comprehensive plan – based on the individual’s needs, goals and abilities – tomanage PAD and modify personal risk factors. Ms. Dayton says, “This service is ideal forpatients who have been diagnosed with PAD who want to improve their quality of life andlead a more active lifestyle. We are here to support every participant by providing acomprehensive evaluation, educational sessions, exercise programs, nutritional counseling,behavioral counseling and medication management.”

For more information about the Vascular Risk Reduction Service of the CardiovascularCenter at Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals and the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center,please call 978-774-4400, ext. 2298.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, AS MANY AS 8 TO 12 MILLION

AMERICANS HAVE PAD. NEARLY 75 PERCENT DO NOT HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS, AND THOSE

WHO DO OFTEN MISTAKE THE SYMPTOMS OF PAD FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

T

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6

MOST ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTS AVAILABLE AT BEVERLY HOSPITAL

C O N T I N U E D F R O M C O V E R

Dr. Ledbetter says, “Prostate brachytherapy has proven effective as the initialtreatment when prostate cancer is diagnosed in its early stage and is confinedto the prostate. Short-term studies show radioactive seeds to be comparable inoutcome to surgical removal of the prostate and to external beam radiation inmen with low-risk prostate cancer.”

PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS

The most appropriate treatment for prostate cancer is determined on anindividual basis, taking into consideration the patient’s age at diagnosis, overallhealth, and the tumor’s grade and aggressiveness. In many cases, a combinationof treatments is the best course of action. Treatment options include:

� Watchful waiting (also called active surveillance) – If prostate cancer isdiagnosed early, if the tumor is small, and if the cancer is not aggressive,it is sometimes appropriate to monitor its progress with periodic digitalrectal exams, blood tests and biopsies. Watchful waiting allows patients toavoid the possible side effects of other treatments while alerting healthcareproviders to possible growth of the cancer.

� Surgery – Surgery may be performed to remove the prostate gland(prostatectomy). Surgical techniques include traditional open surgery andminimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Advances in prostate cancersurgery have led to a number of different surgical options that allowsurgeons to decrease the likelihood of side effects such as impotence andincontinence. The type of surgery required is determined based on thecancer’s location, stage and aggressiveness.

� Radiation therapy – Sometimes a combination of external radiation andbrachytherapy is recommended. External radiation is directed toward theprostate gland from outside of the body to kill cancer cells. Many newtechniques in external radiation therapy are available. Radioactive seedimplants (brachytherapy) may be placed within the prostate gland todestroy cancerous cells from inside the body.

� Hormonal therapy – Hormonal therapy is often used in all phases ofprostate cancer treatment to help block the production or action of themale hormones that have been shown to fuel prostate cancer.

SECOND TIME INFERTILITY

The “Fertility Gods” are not always smiling. Thousands of women spend yearstrying to decode their bodies and unlock the secrets of successful conception.They take vitamins, pay careful attention to their ovarian cycle by the day,sometimes by the hour, and even try herbal teas to tip the balance. For womenwho already have a child, the inability to conceive a second time causesfrustration, embarrassment and anxiety. If it happened once, why is it so hardnow?

One out of every six women will experience infertility with their first or secondattempts at pregnancy. Although a number of issues may come into play,age-related infertility remains one of the largest barriers to pregnancy. CaraChuderewicz, MD, OB/GYN physician at Beverly Hospital and Essex CountyOB/GYN, notes, “As more women delay child bearing for a career or to furthertheir education, the number of women who have difficulty conceiving continuesto increase. Much has changed in our society. In general, couples no longermarry immediately after high school or college and begin families in their early20s. The stereotypical 1950s stay-at-home mom has been replaced with womeninterested in arenas outside the home, as well. However, putting off child-rearinguntil your 30s or 40s can sometimes affect your ability to become pregnant.”

Infertility is generally defined by an inability to conceive after 12 months. Foryoung, healthy couples, fertility testing is usually recommended if conceptiondoes not occur within a year. For women age 35 and older, testing may beginafter six months because risk factors increase as a woman ages. Fertility beginsto decline in a woman’s early 30s and infertility spikes from age 35 to 40.“Women age 35 and older are considered to be at ‘advanced maternal age,’”says Dr. Chuderewicz. “This is the time at which the risks of miscarriage anddefects greatly increase.” For example, at age 35, the chance of having a babywith a chromosomal disorder is one in 200. At age 40, it increases to one in 65.At age 45, the risk is one in 20.

Women who are not able to become pregnant a second time may have acondition that developed or worsened since the first pregnancy. Dr. Chuderewiczsays, “There are several major areas we check through a series of tests. Are theovaries working optimally? Are they producing enough eggs? We then move onto hormones – we want to be sure that hormones in the brain are stimulatinghealthy egg production. We also look at the uterus. Is there a scar from aprevious C-section or a piece of placenta that prohibits a new embryo fromgrowing? We also use imaging tools to ensure that the uterine lining is cleanand that the fallopian tubes are open and free of scarring.”

Fathers are tested as well because approximately 30 percent of the time,infertility can be traced to the male. If testing fails to identify a definitivereason for infertility, doctors typically prescribe medication to assist with theproduction of healthy eggs. If that fails, the couple is referred to a specialist.

Second time infertility presents a difficult emotional package, regardless of awoman’s age. There are many questions and concerns. For some, the tests willprovide answers. For others, advanced options will be required. Dr. Chuderewiczsays, “For some women, the answer is simple. They need to relax. A hecticschedule, work-related stress, and the anxiety of trying to become pregnant canbe too much for reproductive organs. A healthy diet, vitamins, meditation or yogacan release these stresses. For some of my patients, I prescribe a vacation.”

xpectant parents do everything in their power to bring their baby into the worldin the best of health. To this end, they seek out prenatal care and discussnumerous questions and concerns with their healthcare provider.

Katrina Sanders, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist at Essex County OB/GYN and BeverlyHospital, says, “An important topic to discuss is how to protect a newborn fromdeveloping a condition known as group B streptococcus (group B strep). Althoughmany perfectly healthy adults have this common bacterium, it can lead to seriousinfections in newborns. Pregnant women should be screened for the bacteriumbetween weeks 35 and 37 of their pregnancies. If group B strep is present, giving themother intravenous (IV) antibiotics when her water breaks and throughout labor anddelivery significantly decreases the chances of the bacterium being passed on to thebaby.” Women who have had a urinary tract infection caused by group B strep duringtheir pregnancy and those with older children who developed group B strep after birthshould also receive IV antibiotics during labor and delivery.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for DiseaseControl, group B strep is relatively rare. A woman who has group B strep and whodoes not receive antibiotics during labor and delivery has a one in 200 chance ofpassing it to her baby. The risk of the baby developing group B strep decreases to aone in 4,000 chance when antibiotic treatment is administered to the mother duringlabor and delivery.

There are two types of group B strep for infants. Early-onset disease usually developswithin the first few hours or within the first week of life. Symptoms may include fever,difficulty feeding and lethargy. If not treated, early-onset group B strep can lead topneumonia (lung infection), meningitis (infection of fluid around the brain and spinalcord) or sepsis (blood infection). Late-onset disease – which may or may not be theresult of a mother carrying group B strep – develops within a week to a few monthsafter birth. Its symptoms and risks are similar to those of early-onset disease,but tend to be less severe. Meningitis is more common in infants with late-onsetgroup B strep.

Women who test positive for group B strep and thosewho are not sure if they are carriers of the bacterium(when labor occurs prior to week 35 of pregnancy)should not be overly anxious about their babiesdeveloping group B strep. Dr. Sanders says, "Forwomen who test positive, as well as those who havenot been screened, we reduce the risk significantlyby administering antibiotics." The baby is closelymonitored, as well.

Ian Sklaver, pediatrician at Garden City Pediatricsand Beverly Hospital, says, "If the baby developssymptoms of infection, or if blood tests indicate aninfection may be present, antibiotics are given toprevent the development of serious infection."

TOUCHPOINTSTOUCHPOINTS the PARENTS PAGE4TOUCHPOINTS 2

Among the novel therapies offered by the Beverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric MedicineCenter is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The center is the first facility betweenNewburyport and Boston to offer HBOT to chronic wound sufferers. Ms. Malmborg says,“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygenunder pressure. The high concentration of oxygen delivered to the bloodstream assists in thewound healing process and is effective in fighting certain types of infection. It also stimulatesthe growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation.”

HBOT is used to treat a variety of conditions including:

� Diabetic wounds of the lower extremity� Skin grafts and flaps� Osteomyelitis� Necrotizing soft tissue infections� Radiation tissue damage� Crush injuries� Acute traumatic injury

Dr. Maloney says, “The wide array of services offered at the Beverly Hospital Wound andHyperbaric Medicine Center is impressive. We look forward to helping patients – some ofwhom may have struggled with chronic wounds for years – gain access to the treatments theyneed to improve their quality of life.”

The Beverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center is located at 500 CummingsCenter in Beverly. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 978-921-1210.

THE CENTER’SSERVICES INCLUDE:

� Wound assessment

� Individualized treatment plans

� Pain management

� Surgical interventions

� Vascular testing

� Debridement

� Infection control

� Hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT)

� Specialized topical treatments

� Bioengineered skin replacement

� Referrals to other specialists, ifneeded

� Community seminars

BEVERLY HOSPITAL

EARNS NATIONAL

RECOGNITION FOR

EXCELLENCE IN

PATIENT CARE

Beverly Hospital has once again beennamed as one of the nation’s 100 TopHospitals® by a leading nationalhealthcare institute, Solucient. BeverlyHospital – which includes Addison GilbertHospital, the Beverly Hospital HuntCenter and BayRidge Hospital – is oneof only two community hospitals inMassachusetts to be included on thisdistinguished list. This is the fifth time inthe past seven years that the hospital hasachieved this prestigious honor, whichrecognizes hospitals that have achievedexcellence in clinical outcomes, patientsafety, financial performance, efficiencyand growth in patient volume.

Stephen R. Laverty, president and CEOof Northeast Hospital Corporation, says,“This award is recognition and validationof the expertise, hard work anddedication of our staff and physiciansin providing the highest level of patientcare and service. It also demonstratesjust how important the care that weprovide is to the citizens of the NorthShore.”

BEVERLY HOSPITAL WOUND

AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE

CENTER OPENS

C O N T I N U E D F R O M C O V E R

PROTECTING NEWBORNS FROM GROUP B STREP

E

5

ONE OUT OF EVERY SIX WOMEN WILL EXPERIENCE INFERTILITY WITH THEIR

FIRST OR SECOND ATTEMPTS AT PREGNANCY.

BEVERLY HOSPITAL AND

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL BOSTON

CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF

COLLABORATION

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Beverly Hospital’spartnership with Children’s Hospital Boston. Karen Gruskin,MD, Children’s Hospital Boston pediatric emergency physicianand director of pediatrics at Beverly Hospital, says, “Therelationship between Children’s Hospital Boston and BeverlyHospital is thriving. We are here at Beverly to ensure that ouryoung patients get the specialized, expert attention they need.”This unique collaboration differentiates Beverly Hospital as theonly hospital on the North Shore with Children’s Hospital Bostonpediatric specialists on site and Children’s Hospital Bostonneonatologists on staff in our Level II Special Care Nursery.

Dr. Gruskin says, “Beverly Hospital has an exceptional networkof pediatricians and family medicine physicians who provideexcellent pediatric primary care. The additional expertise ofChildren’s Hospital Boston specialists further enhances thepediatric care available to families in this community.”

For more information on the Children’s Hospital BostonPhysicians at Beverly Hospital program, call 978-922-3000,ext. KIDS (5437).

SPEAKERS’ BUREAU

OFFERS FREE PROGRAM TO

COMMUNITY

ORGANIZATIONS

Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals’ Speakers’Bureau program is designed to bring timelyinformation on a variety of health-related topics tocommunity groups and organizations. Our speakersinclude physicians, registered nurses, dietitians,physical therapists and other healthcare providersand administrators, who will provide informationto the members of your organization about healthyliving and illness prevention.

The Speakers’ Bureau offers a variety of subjectheadings under which a host of programs areoffered. Topics include: Addictions; Aging; BreastHealth and Mammography; Cancer; Depression;Men’s and Women’s Health Issues; and updates onthe hospitals as well as Beverly Hospital atDanvers (opening in the fall of 2007). Presentationscan also be custom-designed to address yourgroup’s specific areas of interest.

To request a complimentary brochure on ourSpeakers’ Bureau program, please call thecommunity and public affairs department at978-236-1650.

Northeast Health System mammography facilities possess avalid license and certificate of inspection by theMassachusetts Department of Public Health.

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UN

ITIE

S O

F TH

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OR

TH S

HO

RE

NonprofitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 24

Beverly, MA 01915

Touch Points is published by the Marketing department of Northeast Hospitals. Northeast Hospitals is a network of community-based hospitals and medical centers including Addison Gilbert Hospital,Beverly Hospital, BayRidge Hospital, the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center, and the Beverly Hospital Cable Center. For additional information call 978-922-3000 or visit nhshealth.org.

TOUCHPOINTS 6

CALL OUR HEALTH CONNECTION

REFERRAL AND INFORMATION LINE

AT 888-253-0800 FOR HELP IN

FINDING A PHYSICIAN AND TO

RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF OUR

PROVIDER DIRECTORY.

� Beverly Hospital Earns National Recognition forExcellence in Patient Care � Page 2

� Reduce the Risk of Vascular Disease � Page 3

� Protecting Newborns from Group B Strep

� Page 4

� Second Time Infertility � Page 5

� Beverly Hospital and Children’s Hospital BostonCelebrate 10 Years of Collaboration � Page 5

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT

NHSHEALTH.ORG TO MEET

OUR NEW PHYSICIANS, TAKE A

PERSONAL HEALTH RISK

ASSESSMENT OR SIGN UP FOR OUR

MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER.

85 Herrick Street, Beverly, MA 01915

I N T H I S I S S U ESPRING/SUMMER 2007

Medical Advisory Board:

Mark Allara, MDFamily Medicine Associates

Middleton, MA

David Danis, MDNorth Shore Pediatrics, Beverly MA

Patricia Grady, RNBeverly Hospital Lifestyle Management

Institute, Danvers, MA

Karen Gruskin, MDBeverly Hospital and Children's Hospital

Boston

William, Medwid, MDFamily Medicine Associates,

Hamilton, MA

Ian Sklaver, MDGarden City Pediatrics, Beverly, MA

David Smail, MDEssex Surgical Associates and the

Breast Health Center at the BeverlyHospital Hunt Center

IF YOU WISH TO REMOVE

YOUR NAME FROM OUR

MAILING LIST, PLEASE LEAVE

AN EMAIL MESSAGE

AT NHSHEALTH.ORG OR

CALL 978-236-1675.C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

MOST ADVANCED

PROSTATE CANCER

TREATMENTS AVAILABLE

AT BEVERLY HOSPITAL

Prostate brachytherapy, a treatment in whichradioactive seeds are implanted into theprostate gland to destroy cancer cells, is themost recent prostate cancer treatment availableto residents of the North Shore through BeverlyHospital’s growing relationship with cancerservices at Beth Israel Deaconess MedicalCenter (BIDMC). John S. Ledbetter, MD, chiefof urology at Beverly Hospital, says, “There area number of treatment options for men who arediagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, andnow they are all available right here at BeverlyHospital.”

According to the American UrologicalAssociation, prostate cancer is the mostcommon non-skin cancer among Americanmen, and one in six men will be diagnosed withprostate cancer during his lifetime. Marc B.Garnick, MD, BIDMC oncologist and medicaldirector of cancer services and programdevelopment at Beverly Hospital, says, “Weare pleased to be working with our colleaguesat Beverly Hospital to ensure that men havelocal access to a complete range of the mostadvanced prostate cancer preventative,diagnostic and treatment services.”

Brachytherapy lowers the risk of side effectssuch as impotence and incontinence that oftenresult from surgery and external radiation. Thepatient also experiences minimal discomfortduring the procedure, recovers quickly, anddoes not need an overnight hospital stay. Thebrachytherapy program at Beverly Hospitalincludes:

� Beverly Hospital ultrasound technologistswho complete a preplanning volume studyof the prostate and assist with ultrasound-guided seed placement during the actualprocedure;

� BIDMC radiation oncologists anddosimetrists who plan the number and typeof radioactive seeds and create a locationplacement map; and

� Beverly Hospital urologists who perform theseed placement therapy at Beverly Hospital.

BEVERLY HOSPITAL WOUND AND

HYPERBARIC MEDICINE CENTER

OPENS

he incidence of non-healing and difficult-to-heal woundscontinues to grow in this country. Non-healing woundsoften result from poor blood flow in the veins (venous

insufficiency), pressure ulcers or peripheral arterial disease(see related story on page 3). People who have diabetes areparticularly susceptible to developing non-healing wounds. Inthe North Shore area alone, it is estimated that close to12,000 people have some type of slow-to-heal wound or skinulcer. Non-healing wounds of the extremities can result incomplications such as pain and infection, and can eventuallylead to amputation.

Fortunately, an expert team of board-certified surgeons,certified wound nurses and hyperbaric technicians now worktogether at the new Beverly Hospital Wound and HyperbaricMedicine Center to provide consistent, individualized, state-of-the-art care for patients with slow-to-heal wounds. RandolphMaloney, MD, vascular surgeon and medical director of theBeverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center,says, “Significant advancements have been made in the fieldof wound care over the last decade, and this center providesthe best of the best. We offer an exceptional team of woundcare specialists, high-technology equipment, and the mostadvanced treatments.”

Patients at the center undergo a thorough diagnosticexamination to identify wound type and cause. A treatmentplan is designed and initiated after the initial evaluation.Cheryl Malmborg, MSN, CRRN, CWOCN, director of theBeverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center,says, “Communication with the patient’s primary carephysician is always a key element of the care plan. It isimportant for the patient, the primary care physician and allof us at the Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center to workas a team until the problem is resolved.”

“We are on the cutting edge of the latest treatment options,”says Dr. Maloney. Minimally invasive surgical techniquesallow us to improve blood flow quickly and easily. New devicesenable patients to undergo sophisticated treatment at home.Innovative products such as bioengineered skin replacements,special dressings and new medications are leading to muchhigher success rates.”

T

TOUCHPOINTS 3

REDUCE THE RISK OF VASCULAR DISEASE

SYMPTOMS OF PERIPHERALARTERY DISEASE

Many people do not realize they haveperipheral artery disease (PAD) or mistake itssymptoms for something else. Some symptomsinclude:

� Leg pain that develops while walkingand subsides after resting (intermittentclaudication)

� Cold feet or legs� Numbness or weakness in the legs� Discoloration of the legs or feet� Hair loss on the legs or feet� Sores on the toes, feet or legs that will

not heal� Toenail changes

If you experience any of these symptoms, seeyour doctor for an evaluation. He or she candiagnose the problem and develop a treatmentplan that may include lifestyle modifications,medications and special procedures to open ablocked or narrowed artery.

he condition in which arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque formed onartery walls is known as atherosclerosis. Kristyn Dayton, RN, manager of theBeverly Hospital Lifestyle Management Institute, says, “Most people are aware that

atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries may lead to heart attack and that atherosclerosisof the carotid artery may lead to stroke. The general population may be less aware of acondition known as peripheral artery disease, or PAD, in which the arteries of the legs orarms are narrowed or blocked. In fact, many people are not even aware they have thecondition.” According to the American Heart Association, as many as 8 to 12 millionAmericans have PAD. Nearly 75 percent do not have any symptoms, and those who dooften mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else.

The risk factors for developing PAD include:

� Smoking� High blood pressure� High cholesterol� Diabetes� Overweight� Age older than 50 years

Ms. Dayton says, “It is important to identify your personal risk factors for developingPAD. PAD can lead to problems such as difficulty walking and the development of non-healing sores. Perhaps most importantly, blocked peripheral arteries may be a sign thatthe arteries leading to the heart and brain are also narrowed or blocked. Once you identifyyour risk factors, you can take the steps necessary to reduce them.”

The Vascular Risk Reduction Service of the Cardiovascular Center at Beverly andAddison Gilbert hospitals and the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center is here to help. Thisservice is designed for people who have been diagnosed with PAD and who wish to be activeparticipants in their own care. After being referred by a healthcare provider, participantshave access to the service’s interdisciplinary team of physicians, registered nurses, nursepractitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, clinical exercise physiologists, registereddieticians and behavioral health specialists.

Members of this specialized team work with individuals and their healthcare providers todevelop a comprehensive plan – based on the individual’s needs, goals and abilities – tomanage PAD and modify personal risk factors. Ms. Dayton says, “This service is ideal forpatients who have been diagnosed with PAD who want to improve their quality of life andlead a more active lifestyle. We are here to support every participant by providing acomprehensive evaluation, educational sessions, exercise programs, nutritional counseling,behavioral counseling and medication management.”

For more information about the Vascular Risk Reduction Service of the CardiovascularCenter at Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals and the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center,please call 978-774-4400, ext. 2298.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, AS MANY AS 8 TO 12 MILLION

AMERICANS HAVE PAD. NEARLY 75 PERCENT DO NOT HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS, AND THOSE

WHO DO OFTEN MISTAKE THE SYMPTOMS OF PAD FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

T

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6

MOST ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTS AVAILABLE AT BEVERLY HOSPITAL

C O N T I N U E D F R O M C O V E R

Dr. Ledbetter says, “Prostate brachytherapy has proven effective as the initialtreatment when prostate cancer is diagnosed in its early stage and is confinedto the prostate. Short-term studies show radioactive seeds to be comparable inoutcome to surgical removal of the prostate and to external beam radiation inmen with low-risk prostate cancer.”

PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS

The most appropriate treatment for prostate cancer is determined on anindividual basis, taking into consideration the patient’s age at diagnosis, overallhealth, and the tumor’s grade and aggressiveness. In many cases, a combinationof treatments is the best course of action. Treatment options include:

� Watchful waiting (also called active surveillance) – If prostate cancer isdiagnosed early, if the tumor is small, and if the cancer is not aggressive,it is sometimes appropriate to monitor its progress with periodic digitalrectal exams, blood tests and biopsies. Watchful waiting allows patients toavoid the possible side effects of other treatments while alerting healthcareproviders to possible growth of the cancer.

� Surgery – Surgery may be performed to remove the prostate gland(prostatectomy). Surgical techniques include traditional open surgery andminimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Advances in prostate cancersurgery have led to a number of different surgical options that allowsurgeons to decrease the likelihood of side effects such as impotence andincontinence. The type of surgery required is determined based on thecancer’s location, stage and aggressiveness.

� Radiation therapy – Sometimes a combination of external radiation andbrachytherapy is recommended. External radiation is directed toward theprostate gland from outside of the body to kill cancer cells. Many newtechniques in external radiation therapy are available. Radioactive seedimplants (brachytherapy) may be placed within the prostate gland todestroy cancerous cells from inside the body.

� Hormonal therapy – Hormonal therapy is often used in all phases ofprostate cancer treatment to help block the production or action of themale hormones that have been shown to fuel prostate cancer.

SECOND TIME INFERTILITY

The “Fertility Gods” are not always smiling. Thousands of women spend yearstrying to decode their bodies and unlock the secrets of successful conception.They take vitamins, pay careful attention to their ovarian cycle by the day,sometimes by the hour, and even try herbal teas to tip the balance. For womenwho already have a child, the inability to conceive a second time causesfrustration, embarrassment and anxiety. If it happened once, why is it so hardnow?

One out of every six women will experience infertility with their first or secondattempts at pregnancy. Although a number of issues may come into play,age-related infertility remains one of the largest barriers to pregnancy. CaraChuderewicz, MD, OB/GYN physician at Beverly Hospital and Essex CountyOB/GYN, notes, “As more women delay child bearing for a career or to furthertheir education, the number of women who have difficulty conceiving continuesto increase. Much has changed in our society. In general, couples no longermarry immediately after high school or college and begin families in their early20s. The stereotypical 1950s stay-at-home mom has been replaced with womeninterested in arenas outside the home, as well. However, putting off child-rearinguntil your 30s or 40s can sometimes affect your ability to become pregnant.”

Infertility is generally defined by an inability to conceive after 12 months. Foryoung, healthy couples, fertility testing is usually recommended if conceptiondoes not occur within a year. For women age 35 and older, testing may beginafter six months because risk factors increase as a woman ages. Fertility beginsto decline in a woman’s early 30s and infertility spikes from age 35 to 40.“Women age 35 and older are considered to be at ‘advanced maternal age,’”says Dr. Chuderewicz. “This is the time at which the risks of miscarriage anddefects greatly increase.” For example, at age 35, the chance of having a babywith a chromosomal disorder is one in 200. At age 40, it increases to one in 65.At age 45, the risk is one in 20.

Women who are not able to become pregnant a second time may have acondition that developed or worsened since the first pregnancy. Dr. Chuderewiczsays, “There are several major areas we check through a series of tests. Are theovaries working optimally? Are they producing enough eggs? We then move onto hormones – we want to be sure that hormones in the brain are stimulatinghealthy egg production. We also look at the uterus. Is there a scar from aprevious C-section or a piece of placenta that prohibits a new embryo fromgrowing? We also use imaging tools to ensure that the uterine lining is cleanand that the fallopian tubes are open and free of scarring.”

Fathers are tested as well because approximately 30 percent of the time,infertility can be traced to the male. If testing fails to identify a definitivereason for infertility, doctors typically prescribe medication to assist with theproduction of healthy eggs. If that fails, the couple is referred to a specialist.

Second time infertility presents a difficult emotional package, regardless of awoman’s age. There are many questions and concerns. For some, the tests willprovide answers. For others, advanced options will be required. Dr. Chuderewiczsays, “For some women, the answer is simple. They need to relax. A hecticschedule, work-related stress, and the anxiety of trying to become pregnant canbe too much for reproductive organs. A healthy diet, vitamins, meditation or yogacan release these stresses. For some of my patients, I prescribe a vacation.”

xpectant parents do everything in their power to bring their baby into the worldin the best of health. To this end, they seek out prenatal care and discussnumerous questions and concerns with their healthcare provider.

Katrina Sanders, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist at Essex County OB/GYN and BeverlyHospital, says, “An important topic to discuss is how to protect a newborn fromdeveloping a condition known as group B streptococcus (group B strep). Althoughmany perfectly healthy adults have this common bacterium, it can lead to seriousinfections in newborns. Pregnant women should be screened for the bacteriumbetween weeks 35 and 37 of their pregnancies. If group B strep is present, giving themother intravenous (IV) antibiotics when her water breaks and throughout labor anddelivery significantly decreases the chances of the bacterium being passed on to thebaby.” Women who have had a urinary tract infection caused by group B strep duringtheir pregnancy and those with older children who developed group B strep after birthshould also receive IV antibiotics during labor and delivery.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for DiseaseControl, group B strep is relatively rare. A woman who has group B strep and whodoes not receive antibiotics during labor and delivery has a one in 200 chance ofpassing it to her baby. The risk of the baby developing group B strep decreases to aone in 4,000 chance when antibiotic treatment is administered to the mother duringlabor and delivery.

There are two types of group B strep for infants. Early-onset disease usually developswithin the first few hours or within the first week of life. Symptoms may include fever,difficulty feeding and lethargy. If not treated, early-onset group B strep can lead topneumonia (lung infection), meningitis (infection of fluid around the brain and spinalcord) or sepsis (blood infection). Late-onset disease – which may or may not be theresult of a mother carrying group B strep – develops within a week to a few monthsafter birth. Its symptoms and risks are similar to those of early-onset disease,but tend to be less severe. Meningitis is more common in infants with late-onsetgroup B strep.

Women who test positive for group B strep and thosewho are not sure if they are carriers of the bacterium(when labor occurs prior to week 35 of pregnancy)should not be overly anxious about their babiesdeveloping group B strep. Dr. Sanders says, "Forwomen who test positive, as well as those who havenot been screened, we reduce the risk significantlyby administering antibiotics." The baby is closelymonitored, as well.

Ian Sklaver, pediatrician at Garden City Pediatricsand Beverly Hospital, says, "If the baby developssymptoms of infection, or if blood tests indicate aninfection may be present, antibiotics are given toprevent the development of serious infection."

TOUCHPOINTSTOUCHPOINTS the PARENTS PAGE4TOUCHPOINTS 2

Among the novel therapies offered by the Beverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric MedicineCenter is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The center is the first facility betweenNewburyport and Boston to offer HBOT to chronic wound sufferers. Ms. Malmborg says,“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygenunder pressure. The high concentration of oxygen delivered to the bloodstream assists in thewound healing process and is effective in fighting certain types of infection. It also stimulatesthe growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation.”

HBOT is used to treat a variety of conditions including:

� Diabetic wounds of the lower extremity� Skin grafts and flaps� Osteomyelitis� Necrotizing soft tissue infections� Radiation tissue damage� Crush injuries� Acute traumatic injury

Dr. Maloney says, “The wide array of services offered at the Beverly Hospital Wound andHyperbaric Medicine Center is impressive. We look forward to helping patients – some ofwhom may have struggled with chronic wounds for years – gain access to the treatments theyneed to improve their quality of life.”

The Beverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center is located at 500 CummingsCenter in Beverly. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 978-921-1210.

THE CENTER’SSERVICES INCLUDE:

� Wound assessment

� Individualized treatment plans

� Pain management

� Surgical interventions

� Vascular testing

� Debridement

� Infection control

� Hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT)

� Specialized topical treatments

� Bioengineered skin replacement

� Referrals to other specialists, ifneeded

� Community seminars

BEVERLY HOSPITAL

EARNS NATIONAL

RECOGNITION FOR

EXCELLENCE IN

PATIENT CARE

Beverly Hospital has once again beennamed as one of the nation’s 100 TopHospitals® by a leading nationalhealthcare institute, Solucient. BeverlyHospital – which includes Addison GilbertHospital, the Beverly Hospital HuntCenter and BayRidge Hospital – is oneof only two community hospitals inMassachusetts to be included on thisdistinguished list. This is the fifth time inthe past seven years that the hospital hasachieved this prestigious honor, whichrecognizes hospitals that have achievedexcellence in clinical outcomes, patientsafety, financial performance, efficiencyand growth in patient volume.

Stephen R. Laverty, president and CEOof Northeast Hospital Corporation, says,“This award is recognition and validationof the expertise, hard work anddedication of our staff and physiciansin providing the highest level of patientcare and service. It also demonstratesjust how important the care that weprovide is to the citizens of the NorthShore.”

BEVERLY HOSPITAL WOUND

AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE

CENTER OPENS

C O N T I N U E D F R O M C O V E R

PROTECTING NEWBORNS FROM GROUP B STREP

E

5

ONE OUT OF EVERY SIX WOMEN WILL EXPERIENCE INFERTILITY WITH THEIR

FIRST OR SECOND ATTEMPTS AT PREGNANCY.

BEVERLY HOSPITAL AND

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL BOSTON

CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF

COLLABORATION

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Beverly Hospital’spartnership with Children’s Hospital Boston. Karen Gruskin,MD, Children’s Hospital Boston pediatric emergency physicianand director of pediatrics at Beverly Hospital, says, “Therelationship between Children’s Hospital Boston and BeverlyHospital is thriving. We are here at Beverly to ensure that ouryoung patients get the specialized, expert attention they need.”This unique collaboration differentiates Beverly Hospital as theonly hospital on the North Shore with Children’s Hospital Bostonpediatric specialists on site and Children’s Hospital Bostonneonatologists on staff in our Level II Special Care Nursery.

Dr. Gruskin says, “Beverly Hospital has an exceptional networkof pediatricians and family medicine physicians who provideexcellent pediatric primary care. The additional expertise ofChildren’s Hospital Boston specialists further enhances thepediatric care available to families in this community.”

For more information on the Children’s Hospital BostonPhysicians at Beverly Hospital program, call 978-922-3000,ext. KIDS (5437).

SPEAKERS’ BUREAU

OFFERS FREE PROGRAM TO

COMMUNITY

ORGANIZATIONS

Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals’ Speakers’Bureau program is designed to bring timelyinformation on a variety of health-related topics tocommunity groups and organizations. Our speakersinclude physicians, registered nurses, dietitians,physical therapists and other healthcare providersand administrators, who will provide informationto the members of your organization about healthyliving and illness prevention.

The Speakers’ Bureau offers a variety of subjectheadings under which a host of programs areoffered. Topics include: Addictions; Aging; BreastHealth and Mammography; Cancer; Depression;Men’s and Women’s Health Issues; and updates onthe hospitals as well as Beverly Hospital atDanvers (opening in the fall of 2007). Presentationscan also be custom-designed to address yourgroup’s specific areas of interest.

To request a complimentary brochure on ourSpeakers’ Bureau program, please call thecommunity and public affairs department at978-236-1650.

Northeast Health System mammography facilities possess avalid license and certificate of inspection by theMassachusetts Department of Public Health.

SECOND TIME INFERTILITY

The “Fertility Gods” are not always smiling. Thousands of women spend yearstrying to decode their bodies and unlock the secrets of successful conception.They take vitamins, pay careful attention to their ovarian cycle by the day,sometimes by the hour, and even try herbal teas to tip the balance. For womenwho already have a child, the inability to conceive a second time causesfrustration, embarrassment and anxiety. If it happened once, why is it so hardnow?

One out of every six women will experience infertility with their first or secondattempts at pregnancy. Although a number of issues may come into play,age-related infertility remains one of the largest barriers to pregnancy. CaraChuderewicz, MD, OB/GYN physician at Beverly Hospital and Essex CountyOB/GYN, notes, “As more women delay child bearing for a career or to furthertheir education, the number of women who have difficulty conceiving continuesto increase. Much has changed in our society. In general, couples no longermarry immediately after high school or college and begin families in their early20s. The stereotypical 1950s stay-at-home mom has been replaced with womeninterested in arenas outside the home, as well. However, putting off child-rearinguntil your 30s or 40s can sometimes affect your ability to become pregnant.”

Infertility is generally defined by an inability to conceive after 12 months. Foryoung, healthy couples, fertility testing is usually recommended if conceptiondoes not occur within a year. For women age 35 and older, testing may beginafter six months because risk factors increase as a woman ages. Fertility beginsto decline in a woman’s early 30s and infertility spikes from age 35 to 40.“Women age 35 and older are considered to be at ‘advanced maternal age,’”says Dr. Chuderewicz. “This is the time at which the risks of miscarriage anddefects greatly increase.” For example, at age 35, the chance of having a babywith a chromosomal disorder is one in 200. At age 40, it increases to one in 65.At age 45, the risk is one in 20.

Women who are not able to become pregnant a second time may have acondition that developed or worsened since the first pregnancy. Dr. Chuderewiczsays, “There are several major areas we check through a series of tests. Are theovaries working optimally? Are they producing enough eggs? We then move onto hormones – we want to be sure that hormones in the brain are stimulatinghealthy egg production. We also look at the uterus. Is there a scar from aprevious C-section or a piece of placenta that prohibits a new embryo fromgrowing? We also use imaging tools to ensure that the uterine lining is cleanand that the fallopian tubes are open and free of scarring.”

Fathers are tested as well because approximately 30 percent of the time,infertility can be traced to the male. If testing fails to identify a definitivereason for infertility, doctors typically prescribe medication to assist with theproduction of healthy eggs. If that fails, the couple is referred to a specialist.

Second time infertility presents a difficult emotional package, regardless of awoman’s age. There are many questions and concerns. For some, the tests willprovide answers. For others, advanced options will be required. Dr. Chuderewiczsays, “For some women, the answer is simple. They need to relax. A hecticschedule, work-related stress, and the anxiety of trying to become pregnant canbe too much for reproductive organs. A healthy diet, vitamins, meditation or yogacan release these stresses. For some of my patients, I prescribe a vacation.”

xpectant parents do everything in their power to bring their baby into the worldin the best of health. To this end, they seek out prenatal care and discussnumerous questions and concerns with their healthcare provider.

Katrina Sanders, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist at Essex County OB/GYN and BeverlyHospital, says, “An important topic to discuss is how to protect a newborn fromdeveloping a condition known as group B streptococcus (group B strep). Althoughmany perfectly healthy adults have this common bacterium, it can lead to seriousinfections in newborns. Pregnant women should be screened for the bacteriumbetween weeks 35 and 37 of their pregnancies. If group B strep is present, giving themother intravenous (IV) antibiotics when her water breaks and throughout labor anddelivery significantly decreases the chances of the bacterium being passed on to thebaby.” Women who have had a urinary tract infection caused by group B strep duringtheir pregnancy and those with older children who developed group B strep after birthshould also receive IV antibiotics during labor and delivery.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for DiseaseControl, group B strep is relatively rare. A woman who has group B strep and whodoes not receive antibiotics during labor and delivery has a one in 200 chance ofpassing it to her baby. The risk of the baby developing group B strep decreases to aone in 4,000 chance when antibiotic treatment is administered to the mother duringlabor and delivery.

There are two types of group B strep for infants. Early-onset disease usually developswithin the first few hours or within the first week of life. Symptoms may include fever,difficulty feeding and lethargy. If not treated, early-onset group B strep can lead topneumonia (lung infection), meningitis (infection of fluid around the brain and spinalcord) or sepsis (blood infection). Late-onset disease – which may or may not be theresult of a mother carrying group B strep – develops within a week to a few monthsafter birth. Its symptoms and risks are similar to those of early-onset disease,but tend to be less severe. Meningitis is more common in infants with late-onsetgroup B strep.

Women who test positive for group B strep and thosewho are not sure if they are carriers of the bacterium(when labor occurs prior to week 35 of pregnancy)should not be overly anxious about their babiesdeveloping group B strep. Dr. Sanders says, "Forwomen who test positive, as well as those who havenot been screened, we reduce the risk significantlyby administering antibiotics." The baby is closelymonitored, as well.

Ian Sklaver, pediatrician at Garden City Pediatricsand Beverly Hospital, says, "If the baby developssymptoms of infection, or if blood tests indicate aninfection may be present, antibiotics are given toprevent the development of serious infection."

TOUCHPOINTSTOUCHPOINTS the PARENTS PAGE4TOUCHPOINTS 2

Among the novel therapies offered by the Beverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric MedicineCenter is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The center is the first facility betweenNewburyport and Boston to offer HBOT to chronic wound sufferers. Ms. Malmborg says,“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygenunder pressure. The high concentration of oxygen delivered to the bloodstream assists in thewound healing process and is effective in fighting certain types of infection. It also stimulatesthe growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation.”

HBOT is used to treat a variety of conditions including:

� Diabetic wounds of the lower extremity� Skin grafts and flaps� Osteomyelitis� Necrotizing soft tissue infections� Radiation tissue damage� Crush injuries� Acute traumatic injury

Dr. Maloney says, “The wide array of services offered at the Beverly Hospital Wound andHyperbaric Medicine Center is impressive. We look forward to helping patients – some ofwhom may have struggled with chronic wounds for years – gain access to the treatments theyneed to improve their quality of life.”

The Beverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center is located at 500 CummingsCenter in Beverly. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 978-921-1210.

THE CENTER’SSERVICES INCLUDE:

� Wound assessment

� Individualized treatment plans

� Pain management

� Surgical interventions

� Vascular testing

� Debridement

� Infection control

� Hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT)

� Specialized topical treatments

� Bioengineered skin replacement

� Referrals to other specialists, ifneeded

� Community seminars

BEVERLY HOSPITAL

EARNS NATIONAL

RECOGNITION FOR

EXCELLENCE IN

PATIENT CARE

Beverly Hospital has once again beennamed as one of the nation’s 100 TopHospitals® by a leading nationalhealthcare institute, Solucient. BeverlyHospital – which includes Addison GilbertHospital, the Beverly Hospital HuntCenter and BayRidge Hospital – is oneof only two community hospitals inMassachusetts to be included on thisdistinguished list. This is the fifth time inthe past seven years that the hospital hasachieved this prestigious honor, whichrecognizes hospitals that have achievedexcellence in clinical outcomes, patientsafety, financial performance, efficiencyand growth in patient volume.

Stephen R. Laverty, president and CEOof Northeast Hospital Corporation, says,“This award is recognition and validationof the expertise, hard work anddedication of our staff and physiciansin providing the highest level of patientcare and service. It also demonstratesjust how important the care that weprovide is to the citizens of the NorthShore.”

BEVERLY HOSPITAL WOUND

AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE

CENTER OPENS

C O N T I N U E D F R O M C O V E R

PROTECTING NEWBORNS FROM GROUP B STREP

E

5

ONE OUT OF EVERY SIX WOMEN WILL EXPERIENCE INFERTILITY WITH THEIR

FIRST OR SECOND ATTEMPTS AT PREGNANCY.

BEVERLY HOSPITAL AND

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL BOSTON

CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF

COLLABORATION

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Beverly Hospital’spartnership with Children’s Hospital Boston. Karen Gruskin,MD, Children’s Hospital Boston pediatric emergency physicianand director of pediatrics at Beverly Hospital, says, “Therelationship between Children’s Hospital Boston and BeverlyHospital is thriving. We are here at Beverly to ensure that ouryoung patients get the specialized, expert attention they need.”This unique collaboration differentiates Beverly Hospital as theonly hospital on the North Shore with Children’s Hospital Bostonpediatric specialists on site and Children’s Hospital Bostonneonatologists on staff in our Level II Special Care Nursery.

Dr. Gruskin says, “Beverly Hospital has an exceptional networkof pediatricians and family medicine physicians who provideexcellent pediatric primary care. The additional expertise ofChildren’s Hospital Boston specialists further enhances thepediatric care available to families in this community.”

For more information on the Children’s Hospital BostonPhysicians at Beverly Hospital program, call 978-922-3000,ext. KIDS (5437).

SPEAKERS’ BUREAU

OFFERS FREE PROGRAM TO

COMMUNITY

ORGANIZATIONS

Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals’ Speakers’Bureau program is designed to bring timelyinformation on a variety of health-related topics tocommunity groups and organizations. Our speakersinclude physicians, registered nurses, dietitians,physical therapists and other healthcare providersand administrators, who will provide informationto the members of your organization about healthyliving and illness prevention.

The Speakers’ Bureau offers a variety of subjectheadings under which a host of programs areoffered. Topics include: Addictions; Aging; BreastHealth and Mammography; Cancer; Depression;Men’s and Women’s Health Issues; and updates onthe hospitals as well as Beverly Hospital atDanvers (opening in the fall of 2007). Presentationscan also be custom-designed to address yourgroup’s specific areas of interest.

To request a complimentary brochure on ourSpeakers’ Bureau program, please call thecommunity and public affairs department at978-236-1650.

Northeast Health System mammography facilities possess avalid license and certificate of inspection by theMassachusetts Department of Public Health.

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NonprofitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 24

Beverly, MA 01915

Touch Points is published by the Marketing department of Northeast Hospitals. Northeast Hospitals is a network of community-based hospitals and medical centers including Addison Gilbert Hospital,Beverly Hospital, BayRidge Hospital, the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center, and the Beverly Hospital Cable Center. For additional information call 978-922-3000 or visit nhshealth.org.

TOUCHPOINTS 6

CALL OUR HEALTH CONNECTION

REFERRAL AND INFORMATION LINE

AT 888-253-0800 FOR HELP IN

FINDING A PHYSICIAN AND TO

RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF OUR

PROVIDER DIRECTORY.

� Beverly Hospital Earns National Recognition forExcellence in Patient Care � Page 2

� Reduce the Risk of Vascular Disease � Page 3

� Protecting Newborns from Group B Strep

� Page 4

� Second Time Infertility � Page 5

� Beverly Hospital and Children’s Hospital BostonCelebrate 10 Years of Collaboration � Page 5

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT

NHSHEALTH.ORG TO MEET

OUR NEW PHYSICIANS, TAKE A

PERSONAL HEALTH RISK

ASSESSMENT OR SIGN UP FOR OUR

MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER.

85 Herrick Street, Beverly, MA 01915

I N T H I S I S S U ESPRING/SUMMER 2007

Medical Advisory Board:

Mark Allara, MDFamily Medicine Associates

Middleton, MA

David Danis, MDNorth Shore Pediatrics, Beverly MA

Patricia Grady, RNBeverly Hospital Lifestyle Management

Institute, Danvers, MA

Karen Gruskin, MDBeverly Hospital and Children's Hospital

Boston

William, Medwid, MDFamily Medicine Associates,

Hamilton, MA

Ian Sklaver, MDGarden City Pediatrics, Beverly, MA

David Smail, MDEssex Surgical Associates and the

Breast Health Center at the BeverlyHospital Hunt Center

IF YOU WISH TO REMOVE

YOUR NAME FROM OUR

MAILING LIST, PLEASE LEAVE

AN EMAIL MESSAGE

AT NHSHEALTH.ORG OR

CALL 978-236-1675.C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2

MOST ADVANCED

PROSTATE CANCER

TREATMENTS AVAILABLE

AT BEVERLY HOSPITAL

Prostate brachytherapy, a treatment in whichradioactive seeds are implanted into theprostate gland to destroy cancer cells, is themost recent prostate cancer treatment availableto residents of the North Shore through BeverlyHospital’s growing relationship with cancerservices at Beth Israel Deaconess MedicalCenter (BIDMC). John S. Ledbetter, MD, chiefof urology at Beverly Hospital, says, “There area number of treatment options for men who arediagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, andnow they are all available right here at BeverlyHospital.”

According to the American UrologicalAssociation, prostate cancer is the mostcommon non-skin cancer among Americanmen, and one in six men will be diagnosed withprostate cancer during his lifetime. Marc B.Garnick, MD, BIDMC oncologist and medicaldirector of cancer services and programdevelopment at Beverly Hospital, says, “Weare pleased to be working with our colleaguesat Beverly Hospital to ensure that men havelocal access to a complete range of the mostadvanced prostate cancer preventative,diagnostic and treatment services.”

Brachytherapy lowers the risk of side effectssuch as impotence and incontinence that oftenresult from surgery and external radiation. Thepatient also experiences minimal discomfortduring the procedure, recovers quickly, anddoes not need an overnight hospital stay. Thebrachytherapy program at Beverly Hospitalincludes:

� Beverly Hospital ultrasound technologistswho complete a preplanning volume studyof the prostate and assist with ultrasound-guided seed placement during the actualprocedure;

� BIDMC radiation oncologists anddosimetrists who plan the number and typeof radioactive seeds and create a locationplacement map; and

� Beverly Hospital urologists who perform theseed placement therapy at Beverly Hospital.

BEVERLY HOSPITAL WOUND AND

HYPERBARIC MEDICINE CENTER

OPENS

he incidence of non-healing and difficult-to-heal woundscontinues to grow in this country. Non-healing woundsoften result from poor blood flow in the veins (venous

insufficiency), pressure ulcers or peripheral arterial disease(see related story on page 3). People who have diabetes areparticularly susceptible to developing non-healing wounds. Inthe North Shore area alone, it is estimated that close to12,000 people have some type of slow-to-heal wound or skinulcer. Non-healing wounds of the extremities can result incomplications such as pain and infection, and can eventuallylead to amputation.

Fortunately, an expert team of board-certified surgeons,certified wound nurses and hyperbaric technicians now worktogether at the new Beverly Hospital Wound and HyperbaricMedicine Center to provide consistent, individualized, state-of-the-art care for patients with slow-to-heal wounds. RandolphMaloney, MD, vascular surgeon and medical director of theBeverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center,says, “Significant advancements have been made in the fieldof wound care over the last decade, and this center providesthe best of the best. We offer an exceptional team of woundcare specialists, high-technology equipment, and the mostadvanced treatments.”

Patients at the center undergo a thorough diagnosticexamination to identify wound type and cause. A treatmentplan is designed and initiated after the initial evaluation.Cheryl Malmborg, MSN, CRRN, CWOCN, director of theBeverly Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center,says, “Communication with the patient’s primary carephysician is always a key element of the care plan. It isimportant for the patient, the primary care physician and allof us at the Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine Center to workas a team until the problem is resolved.”

“We are on the cutting edge of the latest treatment options,”says Dr. Maloney. Minimally invasive surgical techniquesallow us to improve blood flow quickly and easily. New devicesenable patients to undergo sophisticated treatment at home.Innovative products such as bioengineered skin replacements,special dressings and new medications are leading to muchhigher success rates.”

T

TOUCHPOINTS 3

REDUCE THE RISK OF VASCULAR DISEASE

SYMPTOMS OF PERIPHERALARTERY DISEASE

Many people do not realize they haveperipheral artery disease (PAD) or mistake itssymptoms for something else. Some symptomsinclude:

� Leg pain that develops while walkingand subsides after resting (intermittentclaudication)

� Cold feet or legs� Numbness or weakness in the legs� Discoloration of the legs or feet� Hair loss on the legs or feet� Sores on the toes, feet or legs that will

not heal� Toenail changes

If you experience any of these symptoms, seeyour doctor for an evaluation. He or she candiagnose the problem and develop a treatmentplan that may include lifestyle modifications,medications and special procedures to open ablocked or narrowed artery.

he condition in which arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque formed onartery walls is known as atherosclerosis. Kristyn Dayton, RN, manager of theBeverly Hospital Lifestyle Management Institute, says, “Most people are aware that

atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries may lead to heart attack and that atherosclerosisof the carotid artery may lead to stroke. The general population may be less aware of acondition known as peripheral artery disease, or PAD, in which the arteries of the legs orarms are narrowed or blocked. In fact, many people are not even aware they have thecondition.” According to the American Heart Association, as many as 8 to 12 millionAmericans have PAD. Nearly 75 percent do not have any symptoms, and those who dooften mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else.

The risk factors for developing PAD include:

� Smoking� High blood pressure� High cholesterol� Diabetes� Overweight� Age older than 50 years

Ms. Dayton says, “It is important to identify your personal risk factors for developingPAD. PAD can lead to problems such as difficulty walking and the development of non-healing sores. Perhaps most importantly, blocked peripheral arteries may be a sign thatthe arteries leading to the heart and brain are also narrowed or blocked. Once you identifyyour risk factors, you can take the steps necessary to reduce them.”

The Vascular Risk Reduction Service of the Cardiovascular Center at Beverly andAddison Gilbert hospitals and the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center is here to help. Thisservice is designed for people who have been diagnosed with PAD and who wish to be activeparticipants in their own care. After being referred by a healthcare provider, participantshave access to the service’s interdisciplinary team of physicians, registered nurses, nursepractitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, clinical exercise physiologists, registereddieticians and behavioral health specialists.

Members of this specialized team work with individuals and their healthcare providers todevelop a comprehensive plan – based on the individual’s needs, goals and abilities – tomanage PAD and modify personal risk factors. Ms. Dayton says, “This service is ideal forpatients who have been diagnosed with PAD who want to improve their quality of life andlead a more active lifestyle. We are here to support every participant by providing acomprehensive evaluation, educational sessions, exercise programs, nutritional counseling,behavioral counseling and medication management.”

For more information about the Vascular Risk Reduction Service of the CardiovascularCenter at Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals and the Beverly Hospital Hunt Center,please call 978-774-4400, ext. 2298.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, AS MANY AS 8 TO 12 MILLION

AMERICANS HAVE PAD. NEARLY 75 PERCENT DO NOT HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS, AND THOSE

WHO DO OFTEN MISTAKE THE SYMPTOMS OF PAD FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

T

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6

MOST ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTS AVAILABLE AT BEVERLY HOSPITAL

C O N T I N U E D F R O M C O V E R

Dr. Ledbetter says, “Prostate brachytherapy has proven effective as the initialtreatment when prostate cancer is diagnosed in its early stage and is confinedto the prostate. Short-term studies show radioactive seeds to be comparable inoutcome to surgical removal of the prostate and to external beam radiation inmen with low-risk prostate cancer.”

PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS

The most appropriate treatment for prostate cancer is determined on anindividual basis, taking into consideration the patient’s age at diagnosis, overallhealth, and the tumor’s grade and aggressiveness. In many cases, a combinationof treatments is the best course of action. Treatment options include:

� Watchful waiting (also called active surveillance) – If prostate cancer isdiagnosed early, if the tumor is small, and if the cancer is not aggressive,it is sometimes appropriate to monitor its progress with periodic digitalrectal exams, blood tests and biopsies. Watchful waiting allows patients toavoid the possible side effects of other treatments while alerting healthcareproviders to possible growth of the cancer.

� Surgery – Surgery may be performed to remove the prostate gland(prostatectomy). Surgical techniques include traditional open surgery andminimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Advances in prostate cancersurgery have led to a number of different surgical options that allowsurgeons to decrease the likelihood of side effects such as impotence andincontinence. The type of surgery required is determined based on thecancer’s location, stage and aggressiveness.

� Radiation therapy – Sometimes a combination of external radiation andbrachytherapy is recommended. External radiation is directed toward theprostate gland from outside of the body to kill cancer cells. Many newtechniques in external radiation therapy are available. Radioactive seedimplants (brachytherapy) may be placed within the prostate gland todestroy cancerous cells from inside the body.

� Hormonal therapy – Hormonal therapy is often used in all phases ofprostate cancer treatment to help block the production or action of themale hormones that have been shown to fuel prostate cancer.