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Need more ZZZs? Schedule an in-home sleep study. See page 2

University Hospitals named the nation’s leader in qualityAmerican Hospital Association – McKesson Quest for Quality Prize 2012 – 13

UHBedford.org Fall 2013

THE CENTER FOR

HEALTHY AGING Programs to help older adults live longer, healthier livesPage 4

Specialized wound care helps 12-year-old girlPage 6

Relief for joint and bone pain, close to homePage 7

FdUCFA1303_Bedford2.indd 1 8/28/13 3:27 PM

WELCOME

Serving the Needs of Our Community

AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS BEDFORD MEDICAL CENTER, we are honored to care for people of all ages. The frail elderly, the active older adult, the adolescent in need of specialized care and everyone in between – we’re here to provide premium health care

at a convenient, neighborhood location.In addition to caring for you when you’re sick,

we’re also dedicated to prevention, early detection and wellness. Keeping our community healthy and providing each person with the tools and education to help manage his or her own health is a priority for us. Based on demographics, community research and the simple art of listening to our patients, we are continuously developing new and innovative programs to best serve you.

Two such programs are detailed in this issue. First, we are pleased to introduce the Center for Healthy Aging, which will launch this fall. With seniors as the fastest-growing population segment in Bedford and the surrounding communities, this initiative meets an essential need now and in the future. Turn to page 4 to read about the many components of the program and how we will address the physical, cognitive and social needs of an aging population.

Also new this year is our Diabetes Center, which opened in May. Given that the incidence of diabetes in Bedford and Northeast Ohio is higher than the national average, the need for this type of service is clear. The center offers blood sugar testing and monitoring, educational classes and personalized, one-on-one support to help patients successfully manage their disease. Learn more about the Diabetes Center on page 8.

I also invite you to read a heartwarming story about a little girl who came to our Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center. Twelve-year-old Kaitlin had almost run out of options when her pediatric oncologist recommended hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat chronic internal bleeding. Read about Kaitlin’s care – complete with a happy ending – on page 6.

As you page through this issue, I invite you to call us or visit UHBedford.org for more details about the many programs and services we offer to you, our neighbors and friends.

Laurie Delgado, PresidentUH Bedford Medical Center

Imaging Tests When You Need ThemNeed an imaging exam? What are you doing later today? The imaging center at UH Bedford Medical Center offers MRI, CT, ultrasound, digital mammography and bone density screenings, as well as traditional X-rays. It has convenient hours and often accommodates same-day appointments.

More good news for patients: “We have protocols in place that provide the lowest possible [radiation] dose for our patients,” says Kelly Mead, radiology manager at UH Bedford Medical Center. “Our certified radiation experts review those protocols on an annual basis to ensure that patients receive the safest, yet highest quality exam possible.”

Once you have a referral from your physician, you can schedule your imaging test by calling 440-735-3701. If you need a physician, call 440-735-3825. And to learn more about the screenings covered by Medicare, visit medicare.org.

EXTRAS IN THIS ISSUE These icons indicate bonus resources to deepen your knowledge throughconsultations, educational seminars and more.

Sleep Better Tonight

Ask your doctor if a home sleep study is right for you. If so, call 440-735-3901 to schedule an appointment.

Rest Easy with an In-Home Sleep StudyFor people who exhibit classic sleep apnea signs – loud snoring, pauses in breathing and daytime sleepiness – a new, easy-to-use diagnostic test can be performed in the comfort of your own bed.

These in-home sleep studies can help determine whether you might benefit from more advanced sleep disorder treatments at UH Bedford Medical Center.

“Here, we have the full support of the UH Sleep Disorders Center, with board-certified sleep specialists, respiratory therapists and psychologists who can

examine sleep disorders from all angles,” says Nizar Nader, MD, chair of the Department of Medicine and a specialist in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. “This puts UH ahead of so many others who might just do home sleep testing without a full-service sleep-disorders center and physician follow-up.”

2 Fall 2013 University Hospitals UHBedford.org


Specialized Therapy for Specialized NeedsYour primary care doctor is a great resource for a wide variety of ailments – colds, sprains and strains, ear infections and more. But sometimes you need specialty care for chronic pain, mental health issues or speech disorders.

That’s why UH Bedford Medical Center offers the following highly specialized therapy programs:

Pediatric speech. Comprehensive speech therapy services are available for children ages 4 and older. Speech therapy can help children who are coping with language and communication issues related to articulation disorders, autism spectrum disorders and neurological disorders.

Aquatic. The aquatic therapy program treats adults of all ages for chronic pain, arthritis, postsurgical rehabilitation and sports injuries.

Water provides two properties – buoyancy and resistance, says Brian Adams, manager of Rehabilitation Services. The buoyancy makes it easier to move because you feel lighter and your joints don’t have to carry your full weight. And therapists use the water’s resistance to help strengthen muscles.

Music. “Music can help to ease pain, anxiety, depression and trauma by providing an outlet for these feelings and emotions,” says Christine Young, board-certified music therapist at UH Bedford Medical Center.

Young says the music crowds out the negative stimuli and redirects the patient’s attention to a positive and joyful interactive experience. The evidence-based practice of music therapy also helps patients recover from addiction and stroke.

MEET THE SPECIALIST:

Noah Rosenthal, MD, Interventional CardiologistBoard-certified and fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist Noah Rosenthal, MD, is medical director of Cardiovascular Services and co-director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at UH Bedford Medical Center.

Dr. Rosenthal and his team offer minimally invasive and noninvasive tests and treatments in state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization and vascular diagnostic laboratories, all at a convenient neighborhood location. Conditions treated include abdominal aortic aneurysms, cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, hypertension and peripheral arterial disease.

Call 440-735-3825 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rosenthal.

Could Specialty Therapy Help You?

For more information on UH Bedford Medical Center’s aquatic or pediatric speech therapy programs, call 440-735-4748. And if you or a loved one is in the hospital, ask your nurse about arranging for a visit from our music therapist.

UH Bedford Medical Center offers free educational programs

and screenings throughout the year. Please call 440-735-4739 or visit UHBedford.org for more information and a list of upcoming events.

UHBedford.org University Hospitals Fall 2013 3


UH Bedford Medical Center is excited to announce the launch of a new and innovative program designed to help older adults live longer, healthier

lives – the Center for Healthy Aging. It will expand and enhance the existing, and impressive, list of services we already offer to the senior community, including our Senior ER, which opened in 2011, our Orthopaedic Care Center, the Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center and the Diabetes Center. We are also an accredited NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders) facility, which means our nurses have received specialized training to be sensitive and responsive to the unique needs of older people.

Age Is

Introducing the Center for Healthy Aging

NumberJust a



Stay Informed

to Age WellTo receive more information about the Center for Healthy Aging at UH Bedford Medical Center, call 440-735-4200. We will send you detailed information as it becomes available, including registration forms to sign up for the Age Well Be Well membership program.

Meet the SpecialiSt:

taryn lee, MD, GeriatricianWhen Taryn Lee, MD, completed her residency in internal medicine, she saw firsthand the need for specialized care.

“Geriatrics was a natural fit for me,” she says. “You develop special relationships, and I love participating in the care of older adults.”

When treating older adults, Dr. Lee also works with patients and their families on planning for the future and ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need.

“Sometimes families just don’t know there are services out there,” says Dr. Lee, who believes in addressing all aspects of a person’s health. “I am glad I can help.”

“Seventy percent of the patients seen at UH Bedford Medical Center are over age 65, so the center meets a very specific and pressing need in our community. We are working to address the unique needs of our population.”

– Jim Williams, chief nursing officer at UH Bedford Medical Center

a Growing NeedThe need for this type of specialized program is made clear if you look at the facts: Within Bedford and the surrounding communities, the 65-and-over age group is expected to increase by 8 percent in the next five years. Given that the largest segment of our population is already in the 65-plus age range, that’s a lot of people who will need care if they are to remain active and happy well into their golden years. And that is our goal – to offer assistance to older adults in all aspects of their lives.

We all know that as the years pass, the aches and pains begin to pile up. We may struggle with complex health problems, as well as social, emotional and financial issues. “As people age, they can become more frail and susceptible to injury and infections,” explains Taryn Lee, MD, a consulting geriatrician at the center. “They also may experience memory problems or rely on others for transportation and help with medications.”

personalized care The first phase of the Center for Healthy Aging will launch this fall with the outpatient Geriatric Assessment Program. This is an important starting point to gain a thorough understanding of the specific needs of each patient. Our interdisciplinary team of experts conducts a comprehensive evaluation, looking at a variety of health concerns, including balance issues, memory loss, depression, pain, chronic

illness and medications, and provides a personalized set of recommendations. These recommendations are then sent to the person’s primary care physician and shared with family and caregivers so they may better understand the person’s needs. For more information about the Geriatric Assessment Program or to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, call 440-735-4200.

expansion plansAdditional services to be added before the end of the year include a geriatric fracture program to streamline and accelerate care for patients seen in the ER for broken bones, which can be dangerous for older adults – particularly hip fractures. These patients will often receive lifesaving treatment within hours of a fracture diagnosis. Also coming soon: a palliative-care program, an inpatient unit devoted to the care of older adults, and expanded training for all of our clinical and nonclinical staff to ensure every employee knows how to best care for older patients.

On the lighter side, we will soon introduce our Age Well Be Well membership program for active older adults. Through member health screenings, educational sessions and social events including local travel, the program will help our members stay active, socially engaged and involved with friends and community. The program will be free to join.



The Healing Power of OxygenHyperbaric medicine offers hope for people with hard-to-heal wounds

Leukemia.It’s a word no parent wants to hear. But the diagnosis was just the beginning of a long road for Kaitlin Hayward. Now 12, Kaitlin was 5 years old when she was diagnosed. After several rounds of chemotherapy to treat the cancer in her blood, she went into remission until last summer, when her family learned the disease was back.

Kaitlin’s doctor recommended a bone marrow transplant to boost her blood cells, but the procedure took its toll on the girl’s body.

Among other complications, Kaitlin had transplant-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (severe bladder inflammation with uncontrolled bleeding). Her doctors tried everything they could think of to treat the bleeding, but nothing worked. Just to keep her alive, Kaitlin required one or two blood transfusions every week. In a final effort to save Kaitlin and restore her quality of life, her pediatric oncologist, Rolla Abu-Arja, MD, referred her to the experts at the Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at UH Bedford Medical Center.

UH Bedford Medical Center is the only University Hospitals facility to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves people breathing pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The high concentrations of oxygen in the bloodstream boost the body’s natural ability to heal itself by making new blood vessels and improving circulation. “It is an

advanced cellular-healing technology,” says David Rowe, MD, medical director at the center. “It has very specific uses but can be a last option when nothing else works.”

Kaitlin’s case was unique. She didn’t have a traditional, external wound, but her doctor recognized the possibility that hyperbaric oxygen therapy might help to stem the bleeding she was experiencing on the inside – the uncontrolled bleeding that was keeping the 12-year-old from living her life. Tied to a regimen of transfusion after transfusion, Kaitlin’s prognosis was not positive. Her family realized that hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be her last hope and brought her to see Dr. Rowe and his team.

UH Bedford Medical Center’s specialists worked together to provide the best possible care for Kaitlin, Dr. Rowe says. “She became part of our tight-knit family,” he adds.

Kaitlin’s mother, Kelly Hayward, noticed the closeness on the first day she brought her daughter to the center. “Everybody was wonderful,” she says. “When we came in for the consultation, we were surrounded by a sea of smiling faces. Kaitlin’s comfort was important to them.”

Doctors treated Kaitlin with a combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and KGF (keratinocyte growth factor), which was given through an IV to repair her bladder.

Treatments take about two hours each and were given daily during the week. Kaitlin had 40 treatments over eight

weeks, and her mom knew it was likely their last hope. It worked.

Today, Kaitlin’s bladder is healed, and she’s enjoying the activities a 12-year-old should – swimming, spending time with friends and watching movies. The Haywards see her recovery as more than just great care. To quote Kaitlin’s mom, “It’s a miracle.”

Help with HealingIf your wound has not begun to heal in two weeks or is not completely healed in six weeks, or you just want someone to “take a look,” call the Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at UH Bedford Medical Center at 440-735-4755. You do not need a referral from your physician to schedule a consultation.

award-Winning Wound CareThe Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at UH Bedford Medical Center recently earned the Center of Distinction award from Healogics Inc., the world’s leading wound care management company.

The award is based on patient satisfaction scores and wound-healing rate.

In the past year, the center has received a 91 percent wound-healing rate and a patient satisfaction rate of 92 percent.

Kaitlin Hayward now enjoys bike riding and other favorite activities.



Joint ResolutionsGet back to an active lifestyle with quick and convenient treatment options for joint pain

Whether you’re experiencing pain from arthritis, a sports injury or a motor vehicle accident, the Orthopaedic Care Center at UH Bedford Medical Center can help.

The center, which opened earlier this year, provides care for patients of all ages suffering from fractures, arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, osteoporosis or sprains.

Experiencing Bone or Joint Pain?

Let Us HelpCall 440-735-4775 to schedule an appointment at the Orthopaedic Care Center.

What You Can ExpectAt your first visit, you will meet with Matthew Levy, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and medical director for the center. He will ask questions about your pain and your medical history and may order diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of your problem.

Fortunately, a lot of injuries and painful conditions can be treated with physical therapy or other conservative options, such as steroid injections.

“We exhaust every option before discussing surgery,” Dr. Levy says. “But when surgery is the only option, procedures like arthroscopy and minimally invasive total joint replacement (for the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle) are available.”

Get the Treatment You NeedWhen you’re in pain, getting prompt treatment and relief is your top priority. At UH Bedford Medical Center, our patients can usually get their physician-ordered diagnostic imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRIs, on the same day as their initial consultation. And when physical therapy is required, our Rehabilitation Services Department is conveniently located right across the hall from the Orthopaedic Care Center. What does this mean for you? Quick, convenient, high-quality care for your bone and joint problems.

It’s more than just convenient, says Michelle Giltner, director of Clinical and Ambulatory Services for UH Bedford Medical Center. “When you seek care at our center, your unique orthopaedic problem will be diagnosed and a comprehensive care plan established quickly, often in one visit. Left untreated, bone and joint problems can continue to worsen and cause more damage,” she says. “The sooner the problem is identified, the sooner we can begin to work together to improve your quality of life.”

At the Orthopaedic Care Center, you have access to high-tech care right in your community. “You’ll get the comprehensive care you need, close to home,” Giltner says.



Now priNted oN recycled paper!

Through successful management, people who have diabetes can live long, healthy lives. The Diabetes Center at UH Bedford Medical Center, which opened earlier this year, can help people do just that.

“One of the goals of the program is to help people prevent and manage the complications that may arise from diabetes,” says Gina Nemecek, a dietitian and program coordinator for the center. Complications include heart disease, stroke, decline of kidney function, eye problems, foot wounds and loss of limbs.

The Diabetes Center offers blood sugar monitoring, educational classes and personalized support. We can also assist you with scheduling the annual screenings recommended for all diabetics, including foot, dental and eye exams.

Monthly education classes teach proper diet and exercise and focus on self-management. Based on surveys collected by UH Bedford Medical Center, patients consistently rank the program as excellent in the following six categories: class presentations and handouts, courtesy of instructors, concern shown for personal needs, easy to understand content, likelihood to recommend to others, and overall rating of care.

“A wealth of information was presented in a relaxed atmosphere by knowledgeable individuals,” says Ray Brown, who attended the first series of classes at the Diabetes Center. Qubie Rowe, another attendee, agreed, saying, “I enjoyed the classes. The nurse educator was very good at answering questions.”

“We are here to educate,” Nemecek adds. “We give people the tools they need to self-manage their diabetes successfully.”

Healthy from Head to ToeIf you have diabetes, it’s important to think about your feet, skin, eyes and mouth. Diabetes can do harm to these parts of your body. Here are ways to keep them healthy:

EYES: Make sure your blood pressure is under control. High blood pressure can make eye problems worse. See your eye doctor at least once a year.

MOUTH: Brush your teeth and floss after a meal. Make sure dentures fit well, and clean them daily. See your dentist every six months.

SKIN: Keep your skin clean and dry. But don’t let it get so dry that it itches or cracks. Use body cream. Don’t take hot baths or use drying soaps.

FEET: Wear shoes that fit well. Trim your toenails straight across. Wash and check your feet daily. Are they sore or cut? If so, call your doctor.

Concerned About Diabetes? Call for an Assessment

if you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes or need help managing your disease, call 440-735-4700 to schedule an assessment with a nurse practitioner today.

Tools to take controlThe Diabetes Center has the resources you need to manage your disease

Non-profit org.U.S. poStaGe

PAIDUNiVerSity HoSpitalS

University Hospitals Bedford Medical center44 Blaine ave.Bedford, oH 44146

My UH Bedford Care is a publication of University Hospitals Bedford Medical Center. President: Laurie Delgado; Senior Marketing Strategist: Mary Hamilton. University Hospitals Bedford Medical Center, 44 Blaine Ave., Bedford, OH 44146, 216-767-8644. Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved. Information in this publication is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or advice contained in this publication. If you are receiving multiple copies, need to change your mailing address or do not wish to receive this publication, please send your mailing label(s) and the updated information to: My UH Bedford Care, PO Box 17910, Phoenix, AZ 85011-9867.


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