Volume 7,Issue 5,June2007

Continued on Pg. 2

(L-R) Kristine Rishmawi, RN, Assistant Nurse Manager PACU, and Diana Koviach, RN, Surgical Care Educator, transport a patient who is having a respiratory problem to get proper treatment.

County Disaster Drill Puts McLaren to the TestPlenty of Genesee County resources were put to the test on Wednesday, May 16, during the 2007 Genesee County disaster drill. These resources included 9-1-1 dispatchers, fire and police departments, ambulance companies, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Bishop Airport, HAM radio operators and all three Flint hospitals. The disaster drill started at Bishop Airport at 10 a.m. where, in a mock scenario, two planes collided on the runway. The mock crash resulted in a large fire and 150 victims. To enhance the drill McLaren’s Emergency Management Committee added the following to the scenario: a hospital’s census of 285; no available Ortho, ICU, CCU, or step-down beds; eight Psych beds and five Med/Surg beds are available; and, in the ED, there are four critical care holders waiting for beds.

Incident Command was set up in the dining room on the ground floor. Mock patients were triaged as they arrived and sent to the auditorium for simulated care and treatment. For the second time since it was revised in October, the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) was used to manage the activities of the drill. The documents available through the HICS provide tools and

“By using established tools such as the HICS system, updating

department emergency plans and consistently

testing those plans, we will be best

prepared.” – Kathy Sabat

A1641March 2005

meeting the challenge

AMERICA’S DISASTERS 2004

www.redcross.org

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County Disaster Drill Puts McLaren to the Test Continued from page 1documents that help the hospital’s Incident Command work. Binders have been made for each of the areas of responsibility to provide guidance and the opportunity to build a living document that captures lessons learned during each drill or event. Improvement plans are created according to any identified needs.

“By using established tools such as the HICS system, updating department emergency plans and consistently testing those plans, we will be best prepared,” stated Kathy Sabat, Emergency Management Coordinator.

During the drill, Kathy observed everyone who participated in treating the 26 mock patients brought to McLaren from the simulated crash. The patients were decontaminated, triaged and then treated accordingly. Ray Rudoni, M.D., Medical Director of the Emergency Department, took the lead in the auditorium.

The drill’s Incident Commander position was shared by Tim Srock, Vice President of Human Resources, and Pat Forrester, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy and Respiratory Therapy Services. Observing and facilitating this part of the drill was Don Adams, Emergency Management Committee Member.

“This drill was a good opportunity for us to understand our capabilities and opportunities for improvement,” stated Tim Srock.

Although the Emergency Management Committee maintains the HICS binders and meets year round to keep disaster preparedness in the forefront, each hospital department is responsible for having its own disaster plan. Many areas that were represented in the drill realized their plans were outdated or needed some updating. The only way to know this is to get involved. The participation for this drill was outstanding and the EMC hopes it will continue.

“We cannot possibly prepare for every potential disaster, but with a good system in place we will be prepared for a real crisis,” concluded Adams.

As patients began arriving Ray Rudoni, M.D., Medical Director of the Emergency Department at McLaren, makes sure they are being decontaminated and triaged properly.

Community Connection

Red Cross Blood DriveA total of 30 pints of blood were collected during the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, May 31 at MRMC’s Ballenger Auditorium. This is the most collected in recent drives and was only one pint short of reaching the Drive’s goal. The next Blood Drive at MRMC will be held on August 30, 2007. Please consider being a donor.

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Barry Dilsworth, 74, of Grand Blanc, is walking testimony that every minute counts when treating a stroke.

While some stroke victims experience a sudden severe attack, Dilsworth’s episode was subtle compared to most. On January 23, 2007, he walked down his driveway to get the paper and mail. He walked back up the driveway and began opening the door to reenter the house when he dropped the mail from under his left arm. He repeated the effort two more times, with his left arm collapsing each time. He finally got in the house and threw the mail down. He told his wife, Shirley, that his left arm was limp. Ten minutes later he still could not use his arm so the couple headed to McLaren’s Emergency Department. Dilsworth was admitted and remained hospitalized for two weeks.

After being admitted Dilsworth also had a seizure, complicating his condition. He suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by bleeding from a burst blood vessel. The stroke occurred on the back, right side of his brain, which affected the left side of his body. Dilsworth had no other warning signs, and his only risk factors were age and high cholesterol.

He began outpatient therapy at McLaren in March. He continued therapy three times per week until May 31, working with physical and occupational therapists to get his brain, hand and arm working properly. He continues his recovery by doing exercises on his own at home and following up with his neurologist.

“I can’t say enough good things about my therapists,” states Dilsworth. “ They see a lot of sick people, and it’s not an easy job. They put up with a lot of grief and frustration, but they remain cordial, happy and very encouraging. As a patient you have to realize it simply takes time to get better.”

Currently, Dilsworth, who is also a prostate cancer survivor, is focusing on his goals of being able to golf again and work more in his yard.

“Patients get better quicker when they have a positive attitude following a stroke,” states Helen Gerhardt, Occupational Therapist. “Mr. Dilsworth approached his recovery positively and with lots of humor. He was very motivated, and his wife was

very supportive. I feel confident he will continue his road to recovery.”

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particle. Because of this rupture or blockage, part of the brain doesn’t get the blood and oxygen it needs. Deprived of oxygen, brain cells in the affected area of the brain die within minutes.

“The stroke committee members at McLaren are promoting the FAST method of identifying strokes (see below),” states Stephanie Francart, Occupational Therapist. “We cannot stress enough that fast action at the time of a stroke can make all the difference in a patient’s recovery, which I see first hand working with stroke survivors.”

Surviving Stroke-Minutes and Attitude Count

A combination of Occupational and Physical Therapy were used to help Barry Dilsworth recover from his stroke. Physical Therapist Kelly Leavy was one of the therapists who worked with him during his outpatient treatments. The Warning Signs of Stroke

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Act FAST Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?Arms – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?Time – If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 9-1-1 or get to the hospital fast.Source: National Stroke Association

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Each year hundreds of patients receive cancer treatment at McLaren Regional Medical Center and the Great Lakes Cancer Institute-McLaren. The outcomes for surviving cancer continue to improve, thanks in part to early detection and treatment advances. There are now over 3,000 individuals who have undergone treatment for cancer at McLaren and are cancer survivors. On June 12, McLaren hosted its 13th Annual Cancer Survivor Celebration. The invitation-only event treated guests to deluxe ice cream sundaes, cake, and live music. Guests also enjoyed the featured speaker, Flint journal columnist and cancer survivor, Brenda Brissette Mata, who shared her personal experience with cancer with frank honesty and humor.

Cancer Survivors Celebrate

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Hesham Gayar, M.D. visits with guests.

5

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Sukamal Saha, M.D.

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Ronald B. Irwin, MD, a renowned orthopedic oncologist, has joined McLaren Health Care as Associate Director of the Great Lakes Cancer Institute. Dr. Irwin is the only orthopedic oncologist for the entire GLCI/McLaren network, which includes cancer centers in Flint, Lansing, Bay City, Mount Clemens and Lapeer.

Dr. Irwin will be working closely with orthopedic surgeons, general surgeons and oncologists throughout the McLaren network to assure that cases of bone tumor and soft tissue sarcoma receive his expert services when indicated.

One of the country’s top orthopedic oncologists, Dr. Irwin served most recently as Director of Orthopedic Oncology at William Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak. Dr. Irwin has held several positions at Beaumont including Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President and Medical Director and Corporate Director of Oncology Services.

Dr. Irwin specializes in evaluating and caring for patients with musculoskeletal tumors. He also teaches orthopedic pathology and musculoskeletal oncologic principles and techniques to medical students, nurses, post graduate physicians and orthopedic surgery residents throughout Michigan.

He is one of approximately 75 orthopedic oncologists worldwide who is a member of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society. In addition, he is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.

“Both Dr. Irwin’s medical expertise and extensive management background will be an asset to the Great Lakes Cancer Institute,” said Raymond Demers, MD, CEO of GLCI. “We are very fortunate to have one of

the country’s leading orthopedic oncologists join our team.”

Dr. Irwin’s practice is located at Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center, one of McLaren Health Care’s subsidiary hospitals, where he serves as Director of Orthopedic Oncology. Patients from McLaren Regional Medical Center who require Dr. Irwin’s expertise may be referred for surgery and return to their McLaren referring doctors for the remainder of their cancer care, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, as well as follow-up care.

Dr. Irwin is a member of the Detroit Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ivins Mayo Clinic Musculoskeletal Oncology Society and International Society of Limb Salvage. He has also served as a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Society of Surgical Oncology and on the Board of Directors of Beaumont Hospitals and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan.

In addition, he has written and co-written numerous publications about orthopedic oncology and contributed to the textbook, “Jaffe’s Bone Tumors in Children.”

Dr. Irwin received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Michigan. He completed his internship and residency at William Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak. He also completed a fellowship in orthopedic oncology at the Mayo Clinic and a limb salvage sabbatical at Harvard.

His office is located in Suite 305 of Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center’s Medical Office Building, 1030 Harrington Blvd., Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Dr. Irwin’s new office telephone number is: (586) 493-3860, fax: (586) 493-3870.

About the Great Lakes Cancer InstituteThe Great Lakes Cancer Institute (GLCI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of McLaren Health Care. It was

created to facilitate the integration of the oncology research and educational resources of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine with the physicians and facilities associated with the McLaren system. The result is the timely delivery of newly discovered treatment options to physicians and patients in communities throughout Michigan. GLCI has locations in Bay City, Flint, Lansing, Lapeer and Mount Clemens, MI.

About McLaren Health Care McLaren Health Care is a fully integrated health network committed to meeting the health care needs of Michigan residents throughout its 27-county service area. Components of the McLaren system include 7 acute care hospitals, outpatient facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, freestanding dialysis centers, an employed primary care physician network, assisted living facilities, commercial and Medicaid HMOs, home health care, durable medical equipment, allopathic and osteopathic graduate medical education programs and a wholly-owned medical malpractice insurance company.

Orthopedic Oncologist Brings Expertise to GLCI

Ronald B. Irwin, M.D.

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Researchers Present at Annual MSU/FAME Research ForumResearchers representing McLaren Regional Medical Center took top honors at the recent community research forum. Genesee County’s three major teaching hospitals collaborated for the ninth juried medical research forum on behalf of Michigan State University/Flint Area Medical Education on May 23. The MSU/FAME Community Research Forum included 170 oral and poster presentations. Medical staff and resident physicians from the Genesys, Hurley, and McLaren healthcare systems, as well as students from Michigan State University/College of Human and Osteopathic Medicine, conduct original research for these presentations. McLaren representatives accounts for 44 submissions, including 29 posters and 15 oral presentations.

Receiving Accolades for Their Original Research Were the Following MRMC Physicians and Staff:

(Right) The orthopaedic surgery residents share in the success of Dr. Zielinski’s Specialty Award in the category of Orthopaedic Surgery. Front row l to r: Dr. John Molidor, Professor/Assistant Dean and CEO/President of MSU/FAME; Maher Bahu, MD; Otto Wickstrom III, M.D.; Julie Zielinski, M.D.; John Papakonstantinou, M.D. Back row l to r: John Houghtaling, M.D.; Andrew Fras, M.D.; Casey Beran, M.D.; Ajay Srivastava, M.D.; David Martineau, M.D.

Best Study Oral Presentation-First Place, Julie Zielinski, MD (MRMC) presented by Abd Alghanem, M.D.

Best Study Poster Presentation-First Place and Specialty Award-Internal Medicine, Mehul Patel, MD

Paul Romanelli, Ph.D., Director of Medical Education, introduces the award presenters at the 2007 MSU/FAME Research Forum

Also awarded: Best Case Poster Presentation-Second Place, James Chalk, MD, MS

Radhika Kakarala, M.D., received the Faculty Investigator Award and Sreenivasa Chandana, M.D., received the Resident Investigator Award

Nurse Investigator Award, Ragni Bundesmann, RN, Ph.D., MPH

Specialty Award-Psychology, Jared Skillings, Ph.D.

MISSION: McLaren Health Care Corporation, through its subsidiaries, will be Michigan’s best value in healthcare as defined by quality outcomes and cost.

VISION: McLaren Regional Medical Center will be the recognized leader and preferred provider of primary and specialty healthcare services to the communities of mid-Michigan.

Visit our website and view Connection online: www.mclaren.org

A monthly publication for employees and friends of McLaren Regional Medical Center.

Donald Kooy, President and CEO,McLaren Regional Medical Center

Managing Editor: Laurie Prochazka,Director of Marketing Communications, McLaren Health Care Corporation

Editor: Ellen Peter

Contributing Authors:Sherry Stewart, Ellen Peter, Laurie Prochazka

Photography: Ted Klopf and contributions from McLaren employees

Design: Shamiah Specht,McLaren Art Department

Printing: McLaren Graphics Department

We welcome comments, suggestions, and ideas: ellenp@mclaren.org or call (810) 342-4478

Student Nurse Tech ProgramMcLaren recently welcomed its class of 2007 Student Nurse Techs. This year 16 students are joining McLaren’s Student Nurse Tech Program (SNTP). They represent the nursing programs at Mott Community College, the University of Michigan-Flint, Saginaw Valley State University and Baker College of Flint.

Entry into the program is competitive, and the application deadline is January 31 each year. The applications are reviewed and offers are extended in mid-April.

The SNTP provides nursing students a paid educational opportunity to expand on the skills learned in the classroom and clinical settings provided by their respective college, with a comprehensive preceptor program. During the 16-week program students participate in a variety of nursing activities that combine additional classroom education and hands-on orientation to: IV starts, insertion of urinary catheters, monitoring EKG’s, managing wounds, insertion and management of nasogastric tubes, assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification planning, potential risk and problem identification, prioritization, implementation and evaluation of patient care

The students are employed as casual employees with full-time hours during the program. The SNTP is a win-win situation for the Medical Center and students. While the students get real world, hands-on experience, the nursing staff has the opportunity to influence where they may want to work once they graduate. If you know of someone who may be interested in the 2008 SNTP, please contact Yolanda Lemmer in Human Resources at (810) 342-2533.

Sarah Bankics Elizabeth Bender Nicole Dewitt Denise Hnilica

Justin Pyle Tina Shepherd Amanda Talarico

Student Nurse Techs not pictured are: Pamela Carpenter, Glory Gaber, Rachel Higgins-Mensah, Amy Keys, Carrie Matthews, Mickey Murphy, Maureen Wilson, Robyn Brisbane, Sojourner Green.