St. John's Lutheran
Hospital... Putting Community & Patients First
Our Mission is...
To provide "Excellent Healthcare Close to Home" by being a great place for employees to work, physicians to practice medicine, and patients to receive care.
Our Vision is...
To be the trusted centerpiece of our community healthcare, combining our passion for service with financially responsible planning.
>>> Cancer Support Groups: St. John’s Hospital sponsors free support and informational meetings - facilitated by Linda Matthews, Chemotherapy R.N., and Laura Sedler, B.S.W.- for people living with cancer and their friends and families. The combined Libby and Troy groups will meet in Libby on Monday, June 16th to share successes, ideas, and stories from the front lines. There will also be a picnic. The meeting will be at the Families in Partnership office, 83 Collins Ave. at 5:00 p.m. For a ride from Libby or Troy, or more information, call Linda @ 293-0121 or Laura @ 293-0183.
>>> Free to the Public Health Seminars at the Montana Athletic Club: On Thursday, June 19th @ 11:30 am, St. John’s Hospital Registered Dietitian, Nicole Kapan, will provide a program on “Smart Snacking”. Everyone is Welcome! Call the MAC @ 293-4131 for more information.
>>> Diabetes Awareness and Support Group: The regular meeting of Diabetes Support Group will be held on Tuesday, June 10th at 7:00 pm at Christ Lutheran Church , 200 West Larch St. in Libby. Nicole Kapan, RD, will be presenting “The Low Stress Diet : Eating for a Healthy Immune System in a Stressful World”. As part of the Diabetes Self-Care Education, St. John’s Nutrition and Diabetes Support Services will be presenting two classes. The first program, What to Eat? Carbohydrate Counting , will be Thursday, June 12th from 4:30 -5:30 pm, with the cost of $15. The second class, Keeping a Healthy Heart, will be held Wednesday, June 18th from 4:30 – 5:30 pm, with the cost of $15. There will also be a FREE class on “Exercise Tips for People Using an Insulin Pump” on Wednesday, June 4th at 4:00 pm. All classes will be held in the hospital’s Leigh Lake Room . Pre-registration is required for each class by calling 293-0124.
>>> Domestic Violence Support Group: Sponsored by Lincoln County Crisis Solutions and facilitated by Linda Parker. This group is for anyone who has experienced physical or emotional abuse in a relationship, past or present, and meets each Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at 105 W. Oak St. in Libby .For more information, please call the LCCS Help Line @ 293-3223.
>>> Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group: The North Valley Support Group, TBI is for people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, from any cause, and for their loved ones. The regular monthly meetings of the group will be as follows : Monday, June 19th, in Eureka at the Senior Center @ 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, June 20th, in Libby at the Families in Partnership offices at 83 Collins Ave @ 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, June 21st , in Troy @ the Troy Senior Center @ 6:30 p.m. Contact Laura Wilde at 295-9753, or Don Walker @ 293-6518 if you would like more information about the group.
>>> Alzheimer and Dementia Caregivers Support Group: This support group offers information and practical support to those caring for individuals with dementia of any origin. The group meets each Tuesday, at the Libby United Methodist Church @ 2:00 pm. On Thursday, June 5th at 2:00 p.m. there will be a special presentation for the public by Bob Maxim, the State Alzheimer Director. Call 293-4522 for more information.
>>> CARD Outreach for Recovery Assistance (CORA): Free information, referral and short term counseling services are available in Libby, Troy and Eureka for those with questions and concerns about asbestos exposure and how it is effecting individuals and their families. For confidential support in learning to cope with illness, regain control, and recognize and manage chronic stress, call Tanis Hernandez at the CARD clinic @ 293-9274, or e-mail: tanis@libbyasbestos.org.
>>> Resources for Breastfeeding Mothers: The La Leche League offers free guidance and information, and a monthly support meeting on the 2nd Thursday of each month @ 10:00 a.m. @ the Library. Call Kim Lee at 293-2013
>>> Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (F.A.) : This support group meets each Thursday at 7:00 pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 109 W. Poplar, Libby. You can read more about the F.A. program at www.foodaddicts.org or by calling Jackie at 293-4575 .
>>> For more community health information, go to www.sjlh.com and click on the quick launch to “Wellness & Health”, then choose the Community Resource Calendar.
Pictured: L-R First Row: KC Hoyer, Exec. Dir., Amy Bennett, Vice-President, Lora Ercanbrack Second Row: Susan Pugh-Cox, Secretary, Jody Apple Third Row: Dave Cox, Tony Rebo, Treasurer, Gene Chappell, Dr. Lance Ercanbrack and Bill Patten CEO
Digital mammogaphy Campaign Reaches Goal
In June of 2007, the Foundation Board at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital began a campaign to raise $250,000 to add Digital Mammography technology to the hospital’s Imaging Department. It was an arduous task, but on April 15th, just ten months later, they are celebrating success, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new equipment.
“The response to this campaign has been phenomenal,” stated Jerry Bennett, President of St. John’s Foundation. “This effort could not have been successful without the generosity of the residents of both Troy and Libby. We are so fortunate to live in an area where the hospital, and the communities they support, work collectively to maintain and improve the quality of our healthcare. Living in rural Montana does not mean that we have to live with sub-standard healthcare, and thanks to our collective effort--‘excellent’ will always remain the standard.”
Digital Imaging technology has changed the way rural hospitals provide care. It bridges the gap between larger medical centers and secluded rural hospitals. Not only do the images provide a higher resolution and more advanced techniques for better interpretation, they can be transmitted to other centers for real-time consults and advanced readings. Dr. Stephen Becker, Radiologist at St. John’s, agrees. “Digital imaging has brought us a long way in other areas such as X-ray, CT, and MRI these past six years. In order to provide the best care we possibly can, we needed to bring mammography up to the same level.”
The equipment should arrive and be installed within six to eight months. “We are as excited as our community to get this equipment up and running,” commented KC Hoyer, Executive Director of the Foundation at St. John’s. “However, like all other sought after technology, it will take some time to receive and implement.
Currently, we are looking at a six to eight month waiting period, scheduling us to receive the equipment in late summer or early fall. We will let our communities know when the equipment has arrived and is ready for use, but if you are scheduled for your annual mammogram, please do not put it off; get it done as scheduled.”
For more information about Digital Mammography call KC Hoyer, 293-0106.
Lyn Thompson, MT,SM, (ASPC), a 10 year member of the St. John's Laboratory team works diligently on the new Vitek 2 Compact Analyzer.
Laboratory Department at St. John’s Receives New Analyzer to Help Identify MRSA
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Laboratory Department has recently purchased a Vitek 2 Compact analyzer. This new machine is used to quickly identify microbiology organisms and perform antimicrobial sensitivity testing from cultures taken from infected sites of the human body. Sensitivity refers to how a microorganism will react to an antibiotic, allowing the lab to easily determine how to treat potentially pathogenic organisms.
What does that mean for the community at large? The laboratory at St. John’s can now identify and perform sensitivies on organisms faster than before, which means that infections, such as MRSA, (Methacillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), can now be detected much more quickly.
MRSA is a type of “staph” infection that has developed a resistance to methacillin, and other antibiotics like it. MRSA can cause mild to severe infections of the skin, lungs, bones, and blood. This germ can spread in the community among healthy children and adults, as well as in hospitals and long-term care facilities. When not treated properly, MRSA infections can become serious, and can even cause death. MRSA infection is usually spread through direct skin–to–skin contact. People who are otherwise healthy can have MRSA in their noses or on their skin, and even though these individuals are not sick themselves, they can spread the MRSA germs to others.
“The testing capabilities that the Vitek 2 Compact has will save us 24 to 48 hours when we are trying to identify MRSA, which will help immensely in our challenge to control the spread of the organism and treat patients quicker,” stated Russell Love, Laboratory Department Manager at St. John’s. “In the past, if we suspected MRSA, the patient was immediately put into isolation until we could get all of the testing completed. This new equipment will help to shorten or eliminate the isolation period. The testing will also help physicians know exactly what drugs the microorganism is resistant to, so they can select another, more effective drug for treatment. ”
Although MRSA can now be detected much faster, it is important to remember that prevention of MRSA infection is still key, and the single most important thing that everyone can do is good hand washing! Both inside and outside of healthcare settings, washing hands often with soap and water is the number one way to prevent the spread of infections, including MRSA. Using an alcohol-based hand gel cleanser that contains at least 60% alcohol is also a very effective way to eliminate germs.
The SJLH Laboratory microbiology staff has been well trained on the Vitek 2 Compact, and two technologists will be spending one week at the Vitek2 manufacturer, bioMeriuex, for further training. “With all the publicity surrounding MRSA, I think it is important to note that our hospital (St. John’s) has not had any more occurrences of MRSA infections than the national average for this organism,” said Love. “MRSA needs to be taken very seriously, which is why we purchased the Vitek 2 Compact. Currently our MRSA cases are significantly below the regional average, and we have been successfully managing all cases that we have seen here at St. John’s.”
St. John's Paramedic Receives Airway Training
Shawn Thrasher, EMT with St. John’s Lutheran Hospital and the Troy Volunteer Ambulance Service recently traveled to Portland, Oregon where he received extensive training on emergency airway techniques. This training, “The Difficult Airway Course”, provided several hours of intense lecture, as well as hands-on training for some of the most challenging patient scenarios. Thrasher learned simple steps for diagnosing and treating several of the emergency airway problems that he often finds himself confronted with both in the field as a member of the ambulance crew, and in the emergency room at St. John’s.
“The training provided us with a systematic approach to airway management. We were able to train and practice new techniques with the most advanced equipment; equipment we intend to implement here at St. John’s,” stated Thrasher. “As with most training, an extremely vital benefit is the ability to bring the information back to our hospital and implement the procedures within our own Emergency Department.
Some of the techniques provided during Thrasher’s training included prediction of difficult airway, oral intubation, airway blockage, pediatric airway management, digital and nasal intubation, and carbon monoxide detection. Thrasher has been an EMT for 4 years, and has been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Hospital emergency department for 3.5 years.
St. John's Paramedic Re-Certifies to Train ACLS
Jay Moody, EMT with St. John’s Lutheran Hospital and the Libby Volunteer Ambulance Service was recently re-certified as an instructor for Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). This training enables Moody to provide other medical providers with ACLS certification.
Moody has been an ACLS instructor for several years, and has been part of the team working hard to keep St. John’s Lutheran Hospital personnel up-to-date on their ACLS certification, which is required in many of the departments. “Because I am a certified instructor, I am able to bring ACLS training back to Libby for local medical staff, nursing staff, and EMS personnel. This provides training for our own without the burden of traveling to Kalispell, Missoula, or Spokane,” stated Moody. “This training also allows me to pass along new knowledge that the American Heart Association is using to increase the survival rate of patients with cardiac problems,” added Moody.
Jay Maloney, M.D., Emergency Department Medical Director at St. John’s, and Medical Director of the Libby and Troy Volunteer Ambulances stated, “Most communities our size to do not have the benefit of advanced life support services. St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, Libby Volunteer Ambulance, and Troy Volunteer Ambulance’s dedication in this regard saves countless numbers of lives each year.” Moody has been a paramedic for 15 year, and has spent 8 and a-half years as a paramedic in St. John’s Lutheran Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Pre Healthfair Health Screening Tests Available
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital’s annual Health Fair will be held on April 5, 2008 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Memorial Center in Libby. The fair --popular for it’s interactive health/wellness related booths, kid friendly activities, free bone density testing, and more-- is once again offering free and discounted health screening tests (cholesterol, PSA, glucose, thyroid, etc.) before the fair. This advance testing is beneficial to participants because the lab results will be available at the fair, where local medical providers will be on-hand to answer questions and provide more information concerning the results.
“Last year, many fairgoers took advantage of the medical providers who donated their time to answer health related questions and explain screening results,” commented Susan Horelick at St. John’s. “Our motivation is to offer folks attending the fair the information and guidance they need, to understand which are normal results, and which results indicate the need to see their medical providers for diagnosis and treatment.”
St. John’s will be giving away 250 no cost Lipid Panels (Cholesterol) and Glucose tests, (a $71 value) the weeks of March 17- 21 and March 24 - 28, 2008, in addition to their normal discounted screening tests. You must call 293-0164, beginning on March 10th, to register for the free screenings, which will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis. There will be no early registration; the hospital asks that you do not call before March 10th. In addition to the 250 free lipid and Glucose tests, St. John’s will also be offering other significantly discounted screenings including PSA (prostate) $15.00, A1C (diabetes) $15.00, Hemogram (anemia) $5.00, and TSH (thyroid) $15.00 each during the weeks of March 17-21 and March 24-28, 2008. After the 250 free Lipid Panels are filled, that test will also be offered for $15.00. Registration is required for all of the free screenings and highly recommended for the other discounted screenings (call Susan at 293-0164 beginning March 10). On the days of the screening all parties must check in at the front desk of the hospital, before they proceed to the lab. Twelve hours fasting is required for Lipid and Glucose testing. Payment for the discounted screenings will be required at the time of service and insurances will not be billed. There are no fasting requirements for the other discounted screening tests. . “Making the commitment to regular health screening tests is one of the most important things you can do to protect your good health,” said Horelick. “Because they don’t cause recognizable symptoms until they are already a problem, disorders such as hypertension –or high blood pressure-- osteoporosis, and diabetes are often called the “silent stalkers” of your good health. A simple blood test, heel scan, or finger stick can often alert us to a potential problem before serious disease is present, and while the condition is most easily treated. An out of range test result can be a lifesaving wake up call and a great motivator to seek advice and treatment.”
“By offering these important screening tests before the fair, instead of at the fair, we can give folks two entire work weeks to get in and get their blood drawn,” added Horelick ” On the day of the fair, they can take advantage of the medical provider booths that will be available for test result consultations and the opportunity to pick up lots of great health information from over 60 booths at the fair. Vouchers for the discounted screenings will be available at the fair, for those folks who can not make it into the hospital before the fair for the blood draws.”
The Health Fair, April 5, 2008, will be open from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and it is free to the public.
Pictured L-R: Bill Patten CEO, Florence Larson, Bonnie Larson, Ove Larson and KC Hoyer, Foundation Executive Director
Digital Mammography Campaign Kicks off the Final Fifty Push
It looks like Digital Mammography is going to become a reality for the residents of Lincoln County. St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Foundation is kicking off the final leg of a fundraising campaign to complete their goal of $250,000 in an effort to bring a higher quality of medical technology to the residents of Lincoln County. “We are within $50,000 dollars of reaching our April 1st goal,” said Gene Chappell, President of the Foundation. “The community response has been outstanding.” Ove, Florence and Bonnie Larson, of Larson Lumber in Troy, helped the final fifty push by providing $2,500.00 to kick off the campaign. “I have a special place in my heart for St. John’s Lutheran Hospital and its excellent team of medical experts,” noted Bonnie Larson. “My husband, Daniel Larson, received the finest medical care at St. John’s. We appreciate the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ by helping the Foundation meet their financial goal to bring digital mammography to our area.” Ove and Florence Larson, long-time hospital supporters, believe in local quality healthcare. “All of the Larson family is pleased to be able to participate in the Digital Mammogram Fundraiser,” said Ove Larson. “St. John’s is an excellent medical facility with well educated, capable, cordial workers and the newest of technology. We lost two sons to cancer and other relatives have, and are battling cancer—mammograms helped to identify some of those cancers. We are proud and happy to help the hospital purchase newer mammography equipment.” With little less than two months to raise the final $50,000, the Foundation Directors remain confident. “We have always been able to count on our community to help us meet our goals,” commented Amy Bennett, Treasurer for St. John’s Foundation. “The community sees how hard our volunteer board and hospital staff work to bring them the best medical care possible, and they show their appreciation through their tremendous support. The overall health benefits of this campaign have been its driving force, and the campaign has been nothing short of amazing.” It is no secret that mammograms are the key to the early detection of breast cancer. Early detection, along with advanced technology and improved treatment, is credited with the steady decline in breast cancer related deaths since 1990. The statistics are eye opening. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this year in America alone, more than 212,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. One woman in eight either has, or will develop, breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Betty Textor, RT, (R, M, CT), Mammography Technologist at St. John’s, reinforces the need for a technology upgrade. “In 2006, we performed nearly 1500 mammograms, 200 of which required additional work-ups,” said Textor. “Digital mammography provides a higher resolution, and the ability to manipulate, magnify, and change contrast to digital images which allows us to better interpret them. This is important for two reasons. First, the Radiologist can better diagnose cancers that they may not have detected with basic mammography. Second, in some cases, the technology can be used to identify questionable films without requiring the patient to come back in and have additional work-ups. This will be a great saving to our patients financially and emotionally.” “The families of Lincoln County deserve the best screening and detection tools that technology has to offer,” noted KC Hoyer, Executive Director of the hospital’s Foundation. “The statistics for women diagnosed with breast cancer on a yearly basis are staggering. Those figures alone make it imperative that we improve our service to provide patients with the best possible screening technology, and have it right here, close to home.” According to Hoyer, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital invests all of its revenues after operating expenses into retaining excellent staff, maintaining capital equipment, and ensuring quality services. “The Hospital and the Foundation are absolutely committed to continuing to address the healthcare needs of Lincoln County with a futuristic approach. The industry is constantly changing and improving, and we intend to do the same. Advancements in technology come at a price, but we are confident that we can make the Mammography purchase possible,” she added. For more information about the Digital Mammography Campaign and/or the St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Foundation, please call KC Hoyer at 293-0106.
St. John's Rehab Team
ST. JOHN’S REHABILITATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECEIVES PATIENT SATISFACTION AWARD
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Rehabilitative Services Department has won the SJLH inaugural Quarterly Patient Satisfaction Award, for their consistently high patient care performance scores. The award is based on surveys that are completed by patients who have utilized services at St. John’s Hospital over the past quarter.
Scoring a 98% on patient satisfaction for the months of July, August, and September of 2007, St. John’s Rehabilitation Department was awarded the traveling patient satisfaction trophy, a $100 team award, and individual employee certificates of appreciation for their hard work, and dedication to their patients and their profession.
The St. John’s Rehabilitative Services Department is staffed with 6 certified therapists, 1 assistant therapist, 2 technicians, 2 receptionists, and a department manager. Services are offered in Troy as well as in Libby, and both offices incorporate all disciplines of rehabilitative care. In addition to Physical Therapy, the department also offers Speech and Occupational Therapy, educational workshops and forums, and most recently, a non-invasive incontinence program called Beyond Kegels. All disciplines are offered in Libby and in Troy, as well as on an in and outpatient basis.
“We are so honored to receive this award, and it means a great deal to me and my staff,” stated Ahyoung Huff, Rehabilitative Services Manager at St. John’s. “This has been a motivator to improve and expand our services even more and win the award again next quarter.” “The key to our success is definitely our wonderful staff. They are compassionate, and their hearts are in the right place. They thrive on helping others and making a difference in people’s lives. They take pride in their work, and are willing to go the extra mile to make each one of our patients feel special. We are all fortunate to be in a field where we get to spend every day helping people feel and function better. It is very rewarding to see patient’s progress, and to be part of the successful transition from a debilitated to an independent state. Many of our patients leave the rehabilitation program with the feeling that they have made many new friends!”
Barb Dumont, RN, Vice President of Community Services, Quality Risk Manager at St. John’s stated, “The Quarterly Patient Satisfaction Award was developed to reward and recognize a department that achieved the highest patient satisfaction scores for the quarter. The staff of the winning department demonstrates our hospital’s values, especially ‘We provide compassionate, patient-centered care’.”
Teri Beebe, RN
St. John's Nurses Complete Sexual Assault Training
Teresa Beebe, RN, Emergency Department Coordinator and Amy Hayes, RN, Emergency Room nurse with St. John’s Lutheran Hospital recently traveled to Great Falls, MT for training in sexual assault nursing.
“Sexual assaults are largely unreported, and I think if perhaps victims know that there are safe, educated people to aid them in their time of crisis, they may feel more comfortable about coming forward,” stated Hayes when asked why she feels this training is vital to St. John’s Emergency Department.
“This training, along with my Forensic Nurse certification has given me the knowledge and training to look at sexual assault patients who come in to the Emergency Department and assess them from a legal aspect, as well as a medical one,” stated Beebe. She later added, “I wanted to get this certification because I primarily work in the Emergency Room, and I have always had an interest in the legal side of what I do. I want to be able to better serve and better help the patients that come through our doors.” Both nurses are confident in knowing that they will be able to collect forensic evidence more appropriately and more accurately to assist law enforcement officers, and victims of this crime.
There will be a certification exam in November of 2008, which both women are eagerly looking forward to completing, making them Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). SANE nurses are well recognized by law enforcement agencies as first line forensic evidence collectors in sexual assault cases, and an integral part of the legal/medical system.
“St. John’s is setting the example for rural medicine by having certified nurses in a number of specialty applications, sexual assault being one of them,” added Kelly Williams, RN, Acute Care/ER Manager. “This training is very important because of the delicate nature of these cases and patients who walk through those Emergency Room doors. Teri and Amy’s training will help them to determine and obtain a chain of evidence that may assist the case from the legal perspective. It is an honor to work with a team of nurses who are passionate about what they do, and who strive for more training in the areas of specialty that interest them. Other certifications that St. John’s nursing staff has to offer include specialty certifications in obstetrics, critical care, chemotherapy, surgical nursing, and forensic nursing.” Beebe has been employed as a nurse at St. John’s for 15 years, and in the ER Coordinator position for 6 months. Hayes has been employed as a nurse at St. John’s for 3 years.
Amy Hayes, RN
St. John's Nurse Completes Pediatric Trauma Training
Amy Hayes, RN, Emergency Room nurse with St. John’s Lutheran Hospital recently traveled to the Denver Children’s Hospital in Aurora, CO for pediatric trauma training. This three day conference included hands-on training with over 10 faculty physicians, review of current recommendations for managing pediatric traumas, treatment of sports injuries, burn pattern recognition, mass casualty training, evaluation and treatment of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, and signs and symptoms of child abuse. At the end of the conference, Hayes was asked to demonstrate her proficiency of pediatric emergency/trauma skills. “Pediatric emergencies are infrequent, but do occur, in our emergency department, and I feel it is important to continue and maintain education specific to this fragile demographic,” stated Hayes Hayes has been a nurse at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital for 3 years, and works primarily in the Emergency Room. “St. John’s is very proactive in educating our staff, and we are always looking for additional training. It is a great asset to have a nurse at St. John’s who has completed pediatric trauma training,” added Kelly Williams, RN, Acute Care/ED Manager. “This training is vitally important to our department. When a pediatric case comes through the emergency room doors, tension and emotions are generally high. Additional training and education is always beneficial when working through those stressful situations. Other extensive training programs and certifications held by St. John’s nursing staff include Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, Forensic Nursing, Oncology, Critical Care, Triage, Surgical, and Obstetrical Nursing.”
CAG Community Survey
What is the CAG? The CAG is a community advisory group made up of a diverse collection of community representatives. Its purpose is to provide a public forum for community members to present and discuss their needs and concerns related to the Superfund decision-making process.
The current members of the CAG are concerned that the group may not be meeting the community's needs. Because of this, the group developed a survey to gauge the community's knowledge about the CAG and to determine what changes local residents would like to see in their scope of service and mission.
Please take a minute to click on the link below. You will find a brief synopsis on the CAG's intent for this survey. Then just click on "next" to take the survey. Thank you!
FESTIVAL OF TREES
It’s time to ring in the Holidays once again! The 13th annual St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees will be held on December 7th and 8th bringing holiday dazzle and cheer to the communities of Libby and Troy.. The Festival of Trees, which is held at the Libby Memorial Center, is an enchanting exhibit of beautiful holiday trees, hand-decorated and displayed by local merchants and organizations demonstrating their zeal for the holidays, as well as their commitment to family and community. Friday night is Festival Community/Family night. “In the spirit of giving and holiday traditions, there is no admission charge to the Friday night Festivities,” commented KC Hoyer, Foundation Director at St. John’s. “In addition to viewing some of the season’s most dazzling trees, you can enjoy a local fair of entertainment, including the Treasure Tones, Select Choirs, and the Libby High School Jazz Band, while the kids visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with their Elves. Remember to bring your cameras because we encourage families to use that evening to make holiday memories. The plus is, you can do it all in the warmth of the Memorial Center!” The doors will be open from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, with the delicious SJLH Auxiliary Chili Feed from 3:00pm to 7:30pm for only $3.50 a person, and live entertainment beginning at 5:15pm. Saturday, December 9th is the day to slip into your finery. Saturday evening the Festival is transformed in to a shimmering Holiday Fundraising Gala celebration, a one of a kind in our area. Join in the fun as our communities dance and merry-make the night away at the most celebrated Holiday Gala in the County. Dance to the lively music of Little Elmo and the Mambo Kings while you take in the shimmering trees and excitement of the auction and raffles. Mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres, incredible music, and the dazzling ambiance make this evening the most romantic and exciting of the season! “Our communities really look forward to this Holiday Tradition. This year is no exception as the tickets are flying out the door,” added Hoyer. “It is such an exciting, elegant, and entertaining way to raise money for healthcare services with this year’s proceeds going to add Digital Mammography to St. John’s Imaging Department.” The doors open at 6:00pm, with dancing till midnight. Tickets are $40.00 and available at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. .For more information or for tickets, please contact KC Hoyer at 293-0106
Schedule of Events Friday, December 7, 2007 3:00-8:00 pm Doors open! 3:00-7:30 pm Chili & Cornbread Dinner ($3.50) 5:00-8:00 pm Santa & Elves 5:15-5:30 pm Magician-Juggler Kevin Pucket-Montana Wonder Theater 6:00–6:30 pm Libby Children’s Choir 6:30-6:45 pm High school Show Choir 7:00-7:30 pm Treasure Tones 7:30-8:15 pm Libby High School Jazz Band Libby Memorial Center
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN HOSPITAL CELEBRATES NATIONAL DIABETES MONTH
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital and the American Diabetes Association(ADA) bring to light the fastest growing health care crisis of the 21st century with American Diabetes Month. Nearly 75 million Americans have, or are at risk of developing, this disease.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors, such as obesity and lack of exercise, appear to play roles.
There are “many faces of diabetes.” Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States are living with diabetes, and another 54 million people are at-risk. Locally, there are hundreds of people with diabetes; most are adults, but there are some children as young as six years old who must take multiple daily injections of insulin and check their blood sugars several times a day.
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious, sometimes life-threatening complications. Good diabetes management can help reduce risk of complications. However, many people are not aware that they have diabetes until they develop one of its more serious complications. Heart disease and stroke account for about 65 percent of deaths in people with diabetes, and adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes. The risk for stroke also is 2 to 4 times higher, and the risk of death from stroke is 2.8 times higher among people with diabetes. In women with diabetes, deaths from heart disease have increased 23 percent over the past 30 years compared to a 27 percent decrease in women without diabetes. 73 percent of adults with diabetes have blood pressure, or use prescription medications for hypertension. Uncontrolled diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases in 2002. In the same year, 44,400 people with diabetes began treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and a total of 153,730 people with ESRD due to diabetes were living on chronic dialysis, or with a kidney transplant. About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage. The results of such damage include impaired sensation or pain in the feet or hands, slowed digestion of food in the stomach, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other nerve problems. Almost 30% of people with diabetes aged 40 years or older have impaired sensation in the feet (i.e., at least one area that lacks feeling), and severe forms of diabetic nerve disease are a major contributing cause of lower-extremity amputations. More than 60 percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes. In 2002, about 82,000 amputations were performed in people with diabetes. Those with diabetes are more susceptible to many other illnesses, and once they acquire these illnesses, they often have worse outcomes. For example, they are more likely to die with pneumonia or influenza than people who do not have diabetes.
The good news is that working together, people with diabetes along with their health care providers, can reduce the occurrence of these complications, and others, by controlling the levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids, and by receiving other preventive care practices in a timely manner.
The people of Lincoln County are fortunate to have an American Diabetes Association certified Diabetes Education Program with two Certified Diabetes Educators and a Registered Dietitian at St. John's Lutheran Hospital who can help patients make decisions to improve their diabetes control. For information, or for an appointment, call Becky Brundin, RD, CDE at 293-0175 or Joan Bush, RN, CDE or Nicole Kapan, RD at 293-0124.
Final Numbers in on Paint It Pink Jean’s Day Community Fundraiser for Breast Health Awareness
The first annual Paint It Pink Community Fundraiser for Breast Health Awareness was a total success. Over 39 businesses and hundreds of individuals participated in the jean’s day event raising over $4,000. “We would have reported sooner, but the dollars just kept coming in,” commented Gary Spencer, Manager of Glacier Bank and co-sponsor of the event. “If you bring a good cause to this community, you just know that it will be well received and supported. Breast Health Awareness, specifically the digital mammography campaign at St. John’s, was no exception.”
Libby High School students also jumped on the bandwagon by contributing over $180 to the Jean’s Day Event. Dezarae Dodd spearheaded the high school group. “I did this because I have a connection with breast cancer victims,” stated Dodd. “My aunt had it twice and I remember feeling helpless because I couldn’t do anything to help her. This was my way of giving back.”
Paint It Pink sponsors, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital and Glacier Bank, intend to make this an annual event. “We want to make sure that our community has the resources they need for the breast health screening and education,” added KC Hoyer, Marketing Manager at St. John’s. “It will be a slow start, but if we work as a team to get the word out, I believe that this event will continue to grow to benefit the women of Lincoln County.”
Paint It Pink is a Jean’s Day fundraiser for Breast Health Awareness that will be held annually on the last Friday in October, which is the National Breast Health Awareness Month. Funds raised in the 2007 event will be used to help purchase Digital Mammography equipment at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.
Machelle Brossman, CMA, QRMA
UTILIZATION REVIEW TRAINING NEW TO ST. JOHN’S
Libby/Montana – Machelle Brossman, CMA, Quality Risk Management Assistant with St. John’s Lutheran Hospital recently traveled to San Francisco, CA to receive a certification specific to utilization review. According to Brossman, the primary objective of Utilization Review is to certify that inpatient health care services meet the payor’s definition of medical necessity for payment of benefits. This two day training session reviewed the impact of legislation, regulation, and accreditation on the utilization review process; the different types of healthcare delivery systems; strategies to help our utilization review program be more effective; and our hospital’s legal requirements associated with the process of utilization review. After two days of concentrated education, Brossman successfully completed the examination and holds the title of “Certified Professional in Utilization Review Clinical Data Specialist”.
“This was a great opportunity for me to enhance my skills in utilization review. This program sets the bar for professional certification in this field, and is nationally recognized,” stated Brossman who has been an employee at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital for 4 years. Brossman’s other job duties include discharge planning and clinical data abstraction.
“I am very excited that Machelle has achieved this professional certification,” added Barb Dumont, RN, Vice President of Community Services/Quality Risk Manager. “Her studies have verified that we have an excellent utilization review program at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.”
Calling all Christmas Trees
Business owners, local merchants, organizations, individuals and families are encouraged to promote their cause this holiday season by displaying a decorated tree at the St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Foundation’s 13th Annual Festival of Trees at the Libby Memorial Center on Friday, December 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8. There is no cost to display a tree.
“This two-day event has become a holiday tradition in our community and we hope more folks will join in the fun. Most of the community walks through the doors of the Memorial Center at some point over that weekend, so it’s a great way to advertise and bring awareness to your organization,” commented KC Hoyer, Foundation Director at St. John’s. “We have lots of fun activities planned for Friday night, including the Treasure Tones and other live entertainment, a chance to visit Santa and his Elves played by the Kootenai Karacters (bring your camera), ornament making, face painting and other fun events for the kids. No-one will go hungry either, because we’ll have the SJLH Auxiliary’s famous chili feed available for purchase. There will be no charge for admission to this fun-filled Friday night!”
If you would like to enter a tree for the Festival of Trees or get more information on the event, call KC Hoyer at 293-0106.
HOSPITAL MASTER PLANNING UNDERWAY
If you have visited St. John’s Lutheran Hospital lately you can see that it is bustling with activity. In the last year St. John’s has added 30 new employees and brought on a multitude of services and equipment including MRI, expanded Laboratory services, Operating Room upgrades, Chemotherapy Room Upgrade, and two new physician practices in Orthopedics and Obstetric/Gynecology just to name a few. Today’s healthcare environment is exploding with the challenges of an increase in an aging population, rapidly changing technology, and a high demand for quality healthcare services. “These demands do not change at the rural level,” stated Bill Patten, CEO at St. John’s. “In fact, the demands are even more pressing, because when you are isolated you have to be committed to have the staff, services, and technology on hand, or lives will be lost.”
In an effort to prepare for the future of healthcare in this area, St. John’s has begun a master planning process that will help secure quality healthcare for the South Lincoln County area for many years to come. “We have brought on the Hammes Company to assist us in our planning,” said Patten. “In 1983 when the hospital was remodeled, I am sure the powers that be would never have imagined the growing pains our hospital is experiencing just 24 years later. This is why we feel that long-term master planning is a necessity to ensure that our hospital will be fiscally and clinically responsible to our communities for many generations to come. The Hammes Company is going to help us develop a facility plan that is operationally and financially feasible, and provides a sound framework for future decision-making at St. John’s.” The Hammes Company is a national healthcare consulting and real estate services firm that is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 1991, Hammes Company works exclusively with healthcare systems and hospitals in the United States. Among many service lines, Hammes Company assists clients with strategic market assessments, master facility plans, and project management services. The Hammes staff from the Denver office will be working with St. John’s. The firm is very proud of their strong portfolio of rural, critical access hospital clients that they have worked with across the nation. “Hammes Company is excited to embark upon this important initiative for St. John’s Lutheran Hospital,” commented Project Manager Ann Adams. “Bill Patten and the other members of the project committee have tasked the Hammes Company team with helping to identify strategies and the related facility solutions that will allow SJLH to continue to offer leading edge healthcare and to respond to the needs of a changing community well into the future.”
As part of the study, Hammes Company will interact with the staff and leadership of the hospital, as well as many members of the community, to learn what the perceived needs of the hospital are. The Denver office staff will be making their first site visit on November 7th and 8th. These investigations will be considered along with the financial constraints and a detailed analysis of the historical and projected volumes of discharges by service line for the hospital. The strategic planners will help determine service lines (procedures) that area residents require and where there is a good chance of increasing market share or reversing out-migration (loss of nearby patients who seek care outside of the area) trends. The final step will be to begin to lay out the actual campus design alternatives that will serve as the platform to achieve the strategic business goals of SJLH. Included in this assessment will be an analysis of the infrastructure of the existing hospital to determine if it can support the likely renovations or expansions or if it is more fiscally and strategically sensible to pursue a full replacement alternative.
“It is important for our community to know that we are including them in this process and that absolutely no decisions have been made as to the direction we will take,” added Patten. “That is precisely why we have teamed with the Hammes Company, to look at our options and make the best decision for the future of healthcare for our communities.”
MRSA: What you should know.
With the recent news media stories about the increase in a “new infection”, Methacillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA), many people in our local community may want to have more information. The purpose of this brief article is to provide basic information about MRSA that you may not have received through the national news stories. As always, if you have any specific questions about individual concerns, you should address those concerns to your own healthcare provider.
Staphylococcus areaus is a common bacteria , often called “staph” , that can cause mild to severe infections of the skin, lungs, bones and blood. People can have staph germs on their skin normally. Infections caused by staph were once easily treated with common antibiotics, such as methacillin. However, over the last several years, one type of staph infection has developed a resistance to methacillin (and other antibiotics like it), and therefore has been named MRSA. This germ can affect people in hospitals and long-term care facilities, but can also be spread in the community among healthy children and adults. When not treated properly, MRSA infections can become serious, and can even cause death.
Anyone can get an MRSA infection. However there are factors that make people more likely to develop an MRSA infection including: · A current or recent stay in a hospital or long-term care facility · A recent operation or wound treatment · The elderly · Having a weakened immune system or serious illness · Playing contact sports or sharing towels or athletic equipment · Living or having close contact with someone who has a MRSA infection
MRSA infection is usually spread through direct skin–to–skin contact. People who are otherwise healthy can have MRSA in their noses or on their skin. Even though these individuals are not sick themselves, they can spread the MRSA germs to others. In hospitals and other healthcare settings, MRSA can be spread from infected patients on the hands of healthcare workers or on objects the infected patient may have touched. Outside healthcare settings, MRSA is again usually spread through direct contact through shared towels or athletic equipment, or through close contact with an infected individual.
What does a MRSA infection look like? Frequently, MRSA infections start as small red bumps on the skin that look like pimples or spider bites. These can turn into a more serious infection quickly. MRSA can also start in other ways and it can spread deeper into the body causing infections in bones, muscles, other tissues, the lungs and blood. If you have any concerns about a suspicious skin problem or infection, you need to consult your healthcare provider. You might have samples of blood, urine or infected tissue taken for lab testing to see if it is MRSA. If it turns out that you do have an MRSA infection, treatment is usually an antibiotic that is given through a vein in your arm.
Prevention of MRSA infection is the key, and the single most important thing that everyone can do is good hand washing! Both inside and outside of healthcare settings, washing hands often with soap and water is the number one way to prevent the spread of infections, including MRSA. Using an alcohol-based hand gel cleanser that contains at least 60% alcohol is also a very effective way to eliminate germs. Other things you should do to help protect yourself include: · Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered until they heal · Avoid contact with the wounds or bandages of others · Avoid sharing towels, razors, clothing or athletic equipment
In healthcare settings, all healthcare workers routinely receive education outlining basic infection control procedures to be followed for all patients. Staff also receives more specific education about ways to protect patients who may have more serious infections such as MRSA. Everyone in healthcare takes seriously their responsibility to prevent the spread of infections, not only for the protection of patients, but also for themselves and their own families, as we are all part of the community.
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital: Dedicated to Quality, Devoted to Caring, Committed to Community.
GLACIER BANK AND ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL PAINT IT PINK!
Traditionally black and orange were the colors for the month of October. Our attention turned to jack-o-lanterns, ghouls, goblins, and dozens of children trick-or-treating at our doors. Times are changing, and so too is the color of the autumn season. Now, during the month of October, while the leaves paint the landscape in yellow, green, orange, and red, and pumpkins are transformed to jack-o-lanterns, a new color is surfacing--that color is Pink. Pink is the signature color for the fight against Breast Cancer. Each October healthcare providers and local businesses and organizations celebrate Breast Health Awareness Month. Events are held and dollars are raised, throughout the month, in support of prevention, research, and education. Glacier Bank and St. John’s Lutheran Hospital are teaming up to send Breast Health Awareness Month out in style.
On Friday, October 26th, they are asking the communities of Libby and Troy to join them in their fight against Breast Cancer. According to Gary Spencer, Manager of the Glacier Bank-Libby Branch, they are teaming up with the hospital to raise dollars for the Breast Health Awareness, by holding a community wide Jean’s Day Fundraiser. “The hospital has been holding Jean’s Days for a number of years to raise funds in support of local, health related, not-for-profits; the largest of which was for the Susan Komen Foundation,” noted Spencer. “We have always supported the hospital with their fundraising efforts, but we wanted to find a way to use the funds raised to more directly benefit our communities. We met with a representative at St. John’s, put our heads together, and came up with Paint It Pink, a community fundraiser in support of Breast Health Awareness in this area.”
Here is how it works. Individuals, businesses and organizations can participate. For a $5.00 donation, you can join the other supporters, by wearing jean’s and something pink, on Friday, October 26th. Donations will be taken at Glacier Bank. All who participate are encouraged to be a part of the “Paint It Pink” community picture which will take place in front of the hospital at 10 am on the 26th. In case of rain the picture will be taken at the Memorial Center.
This year the funds will go to help bring Digital Mammography to the Imaging Department at St. John’s. “We were very ecstatic to partner with Glacier Bank to raise funds for breast health awareness and are pleased that they have chosen Digital Mammography as a source for the funds,” commented KC Hoyer, Executive Director of the Foundation at St. John’s. “In future years, we hope to build a Paint It Pink fund to help individuals receive the mammography screening and breast health awareness education that they need. Prevention is one of the key ingredients to good health and no one should go without it. Teaming up with Glacier Bank, to build this signature event, has been a great experience and a true test to the old adage, there truly is strength in numbers. We both hope to continue to build on Paint It Pink, far into the future, and really want our communities to stand out in this first effort; so let’s paint our communities pink on the 26th!
For more information on how to participate please call KC Hoyer at 293-0106 or Cara Ballard at 293-4109.
Pictured L-R are Len Haas, RTR, Anna Dlask, RTR, David Broderick, RTR (all MRI technologists at St. John's Lutheran Hospital)
MRI TECHNOLOGY CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY
October 12th marked one year since St. John’s Hospital added MRI Technology to their list of imaging services. “It is a monumental task to bring a new imaging modality to a small rural hospital, let alone something as extensive as an MRI,” commented David Broderick, RT and Manager of the Imaging Department at St. John’s.
“The research, planning, construction, implementation, and training, that went into this project, were done with such great success that a film and journalism crew from GE Healthcare came to Libby to do a feature on St. John’s as a “Best Practices” site for introducing MRI into a rural hospital.”
Bringing this type of advanced technology, to a rural setting, takes months of preparation and research. Hospital administrators painstakingly researched the prospect of adding an MRI to St. John’s list of services, and concluded that the new equipment would be a welcomed addition. “When exploring a purchase of this magnitude, our first consideration is the overall benefit to our patients in terms of testing quality and expedience,” added Broderick. “The patient response to having an MRI locally has been remarkable and a total buy-in by all hospital departments has brought this dream to fruition. Over the past year the equipment has proven its worth, reliability, and benefit to our patients. To date, the numbers have far exceeded the projections; with the first year’s total exam count nearly 2˝ times what was anticipated.” According to Broderick, a number of factors have led to the success of the new technology including the addition of Dr. Joshua Urvater, Orthopaedic Surgeon, the support of our local physicians, the quality of the images, the convenience for the patients, and the extensive training and professionalism of the technologists.
“Dr. Wickersham, the director of the radiology group which reads our MRIs, called just last week and praised the quality of work coming out of Libby,” added Broderick. “He was ‘amazed and proud’ of our technologists Len Hass, RTR and Anna Dlask, RTR; how quickly the they have mastered the technology, and the level of competency they show. We are truly blessed to have this level of technology and technologists here in Libby.”
Local Radiologist, Dr. Stephen Becker, agrees. “The current group of x-ray technologists is by far the best group that I have worked with through the years,” commented Becker. “Anna and Lenn have done an exceptional job with the MRI, and they continue to expand their knowledge, and expand the capabilities of what we can do with the current MRI equipment. I'm very proud to be a part of such a stellar team. The SJLH x-ray department has grown tremendously since I started work here in 1988, and that can be attributed to many things from the support of the Board of Trustees and the hospital administration, to the great team players that work in our department.”
The Imaging Department at St. John’s provides 7 modalities in addition to MRI, including ultrasound, CT, Mammography, Intravenous Pylegram, Flouroscopy, Echocardiogram, and regular X-ray exams. They are currently working with the Foundation at St. John’s to raise the funds needed to add Digital Mammography to their list of services.
“We continually search to improve our services and provide what our patients and physicians need,” added Broderick. “Imaging is one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare. In order to serve our community, physicians, and hospital, we need to continually train and upgrade our equipment and technology. We are very fortunate to have a proactive hospital that sees the need to expand to provide the best possible healthcare services that we can, locally.”
Pictured are: L-R Amy Bennett, SJLH Foundation Board Treasurer, Marion Craig, Manager of Pamida, and Corinne Bergmann, Community Relations Specialist for Pamida
PAMIDA SUPPORTS DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY CAMPAIGN
Marion Craig, Manager of Pamida, and Corinne Bergmann, Community Relations Specialist with Pamida, present St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Foundation board member, Amy Bennett with a $500 donation in support of their Digital Mammography Campaign. “At Pamida, corporate citizenship is more than a responsibility, it is a privilege,” said Marion Craig, Manager of the Libby Pamida. “We are proud to support a variety of charitable, family, and children’s organizations and community events.”
Over the past year Pamida has demonstrated their commitment to the community by contributing similar donations to a variety of organizations including the Food Pantry, Bike Rodeo, Pets for Life, Heritage Museum, Troy Volunteer Fire Department, and Libby Public Schools.
“Pamida is a long-time supporter of the hospital foundation’s fundraising efforts,” said Bennett. “It is inspiring to see a successful business give back to the communities who support them. And, now that our fundraising deadline has been moved up to July 08, the donation definitely comes at a good time.”
St. John’s Foundation board has until July of 2008 to raise the $250,000 dollars necessary to add Digital Mammography to its list of hospital services. “The community is definitely 100% behind our efforts,” added Bennett. “We have raised over $120,000 so far, and are receiving more donations every day. It would be difficult not to get behind a life-saving technology like this one.”
Digital imaging, including digital mammography, is the new standard for all types of diagnostic imaging. It provides better clarity, contrast, zoom and 3-D capabilities. In addition to its advanced diagnostic capabilities--digital imaging also provides the ease of sharing, storing and comparing images across the miles. For many women, it can mean earlier diagnosis, which means a better chance of surviving breast cancer.
St. John’s is celebrating Breast Health Awareness Month through out October. The annual Breast Health Awareness Dessert sponsored by St. John’s Hospital will be held on Tuesday, October 23 at the Memorial Center and the “Paint It Pink” Jean’s Day Fundraiser sponsored by Glacier Bank and St. John’s Hospital will be held Friday, October 26. For more information on either event, call KC Hoyer at 293-0106.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S
October 6 - 12 is Physician Assistant Week, and St. John’s is saying thank you to those that work so hard to help keep our community in good health!
Physicians Assistants (PAs) play a critical role in the delivery of health care, especially in rural areas where physician staffing is a challenge. “Having PAs on staff in our emergency department allows our physicians to concentrate their time and efforts on the most critically ill patients, without doing a disservice to the other patients who come in seeking medical attention,” commented Bill Patten, CEO at St. John’s. “With the additional medical professionals, we are able to bring you so much more in regard to the number of patients and the quality of healthcare we deliver.”
According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Physicians assistant profession began in the mid 1960s when physicians and educators recognized there was a shortage and uneven distribution of primary care physicians. In 1965, Dr. Eugene Stead of the Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina put together the first class of Pas in an effort to expand the delivery of quality medical care. He selected Navy corpsmen who received considerable medical training during their military service, and during the war in Vietnam, but who had no comparable civilian employment. He based the curriculum of the PA program in part on his knowledge of the fast-track training of doctors during World War II. Now, PAs are licensed health care professionals. The role of the PA is to practice medicine, under the supervision of a physician. Because of this close working relationship the PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Their education consists of classroom and laboratory instruction in the basic medical and behavioral sciences, such as anatomy, pharmacology, and clinical medicine, followed by clinical rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and geriatric medicine. Upon graduation, PAs take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners. To maintain their national certification, PAs must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for re-certification every six years. Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the national certifying exam are required for state licensure. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise independence in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. To top that off, PAs are found in all areas of medicine. They practice in the areas of emergent, urgent, and primary care medicine, as well as assisting in surgery and surgical subspecialties.
St. John’s currently employees two PAs, Rosie Bergroos, PA-C and Tony Fantozzi, PA-C who practice emergent and urgent care medicine in the Emergency Department/Prompt Care Clinic, and one PA who works closely with Dr. Urvater in his Orthopedic practice. “I just love my job! I love the people that I work with, and the challenge. Every day is something new,” stated Rosie Bergroos PA-C at St. John’s Prompt Care when asked about her day-to-day life as a physician assistant.
“St. John’s is very fortunate to have these medical professionals in our employ,” added Patten. “They definitely add value to our delivery system and provide such a great service to this community.”
Libby resident Bernice Yahvah (right), was the lucky winner in the recent drawing for a hand quilted lighthouse wall hanging by Jan Sanderson (left). Sanderson crafted the quilt as a “Thank You” to St. John’s Hospice, in appreciation of the care given her late husband Robert by the hospice staff. Hospice volunteers sold tickets for the raffle at events over the summer, with the goal of purchasing hand held lights for their annual Tree of Life Memorial, which will be held on Friday November 30th at the Memorial Center.
Lyn Thompson, MT, SM
ST. JOHN’S LABORATORY TECHNICIAN BRINGS IN NEW CERTIFICATION
Lyn Thompson, MT, SM, a 10-year member of St. John’s Laboratory team, was recently certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Specialist in Microbiology. The ASCP certifies individuals who meet the academic and clinical prerequisites, and who achieve acceptable performance levels on examinations. The ASCP Specialist examination requirements include certification as a Medical Technologist, a Bachelor of Science degree, and 3 or more years of clinical experience in the field. Thompson applied for and was accepted to take the Specialist in Microbiology exam in June, and since then has spent every free moment with her nose in a microbiology book. “The day before I left to take my exam, I called the ASCP to see how many Medical Technologist are Specialists in Microbiology. The only information they gave me was that in the United States in 2006, 22 people took the exam, and only 13 passed. I quickly realized that being a Specialist in Microbiology is an honor, a member of an elite team, not only in Montana, but in the entire United States,” stated Thompson.
The microbiology department at St. John’s is a very busy department, processing and reading over 4,000 cultures a year in order to look for bacterial infections in their patients. Once a potential pathogen is isolated, the laboratory performs sensitivity testing to give the physician treatment choices that will kill the organism and rid the patient of infection. “Microbiology is an ever-changing area, with bacteria that have become resistant to multiple antibiotics and patients that are more susceptible to infections. Now that I am certified as a Specialist in Microbiology, I feel more confident in giving the physicians information they need to better treat their patients,” added Thompson.
In addition to studying for and passing the Microbiology test, Thompson was also submerged in a project to implement a computer system in the St. John’s Blood Bank department. This past spring, she was the key operator in the installation of a new Chemistry analyzer in that branch of the department. “Even though we are a small lab, we have the capability of performing tests in all branches of our department, and our staff is competent in all of those areas!” Thompson exclaimed.
Thompson is currently the lead technologist for the Microbiology, Chemist, and Laboratory Information Systems branches of the St. John’s Laboratory Department.
Don’t Miss the Bus!
St. John’s diabetes support group is sponsoring a bus to the national conference on Diabetes: Take Control of your Diabetes (TCOYD) conference & health fair at the Outlaw Inn in Kalispell, Saturday, October 20th. The conference brings national, as well as local medical experts specializing in diabetes care. Leading experts will discuss new developments in the treatment of diabetes including complications, psychological barriers, nutritional issues, practical advice, and much more. St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Diabetes and Nutrition program developed the quality diabetes support group program in an effort to meet the needs of people who want current information to better manage their diabetes. The vision of this program comes from the dedicated members who want to enhance their self-care and disease management. The Diabetes Support Group is also funded through the Combined Campaign. This year, the Combined Campaign funds are being used to offset travel expenses for conference goers. “We elected to use the funds to make the conference more affordable for anyone who wants to attend,” said Becky Brundin, Manager of the Diabetes and Nutrition Department at St John’s. “This type of educational opportunity does not present itself very often; offering the travel for $5.00 a person should open it up to many more people.” Support Group members are really ramping up for this conference. “TCOYD is like one-stop shopping for all your diabetes needs,” commented Sally Sprecher, President of the Diabetes Support Group. “The 25 informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related companies will be open throughout the day and are just too important to miss.”
“Support group activities are a key extension of formal classes, as patients need ongoing support to keep themselves motivated,” added Brundin. “Studies have shown that with increased knowledge and social support, people with diabetes can improve their glucose control. It can be overwhelming to understand all the terms, research, and products available. Monthly meetings help reinforce current diabetes management guidelines.” Medical professionals statewide recommend attending. “The Take Control Conference is a fantastic way for people to help educate themselves on the multiple aspects of diabetes. I really believe that knowledge is power when it comes to managing one’s health,” states Dr. Michele Danicich of Endocrinology Associates in Missoula, MT
Pre-registration must be completed by October 9th. The cost of the conference is $15 per person if you pre-register. After October 9th, the cost is $25.00 for registration. There is also a $5 fee for those riding the bus. Financial aid is available for those who need assistance. For more information, call 293-0175.
St. John's Occupational Therapist Cindy Sullivan helps 5th grader Andrew Obst understand the importance of back pack safety.
WHEN IT COMES TO BACKPACKS…PACK IT LIGHT, WEAR IT RIGHT!
St. John’s Occupational Therapist Cindy Sullivan and a team of area occupational therapists joined forces with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to weigh in on the issue of school backpacks and child health. On September 20, 2007 Libby Middle School held a school backpack “weigh in” to encourage fifth grade students to “lighten up”. This effort is part of the National School Backpack Awareness Day held nationwide to education children, parents, teachers, and communities about the serious health problems children may have from backpacks that are too heavy or worn improperly. Occupational therapy practitioners advise a backpack strategy of Pack it Light, Wear it Right.
“St. John’s has held this ‘Weigh In” event in past years, and we are consistently seeing more children with stooped shoulders, sore necks, and aching backs from carrying school backpacks; we can’t afford to put our children at risk for a lifetime of problems,” say St. John’s Occupational Therapist Cindy Sullivan. “We are joining AOTA’s commitment to move this public health issue forward today. Our children’s future well-being is in jeopardy.” More than 40 million children in the United States carry school backpacks, and more than half of them may be carrying too much weight. Children carrying overloaded backpacks and improperly worn packs, according to U.S. and international studies, are likely to experience neck, shoulder, and back pain; adverse effects on posture and the developing spine; and compromised breathing and fatigue. The U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission estimates that more than 7,000 emergency room visits in 2001 resulted from injuries related to backpack and book bags – half of those occurred among children between the ages of five and 14, the ages of elementary and middle school students. The growing awareness of potential long-term problems to children has resulted in increased medical research and proposed legislation in at least two states to address the issues of backpack weight in relation to student health. AOTA is urging parents, students, and occupational therapy practitioners to reduce the risks from improper use of school backpacks. Strategies for loading and wearing backpacks:
· Backpacks should weigh no more than 15% of body weight (15-pound pack on a 100 pound child):
· Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back:
· Wear both shoulder straps for an evenly balanced load:
· Adjust shoulder and waist straps to distribute the burden more evenly along the child’s back; and
· Suggest that teachers consider the total weight of each day’s assigned class work – not only in content, but also in terms of textbook weight.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are trained in helping children with a broad range of issues in addition to ergonomics, such as handwriting skills and developmental and behavioral problems. The American Occupational Therapy Association, founded in 1917, is the membership organization of more than 35,000 health care professionals.
For more information on occupational therapy, visit www.aota.org.
Kalispell to Host Premier Diabetes Educational, Motivational Conference
Nationally Renowned Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference Heads to Montana
Taking Control of Your Diabetes, 501(c)3 (TCOYD) conference and health fair will be held October 20, 2007, bringing national and local medical experts in diabetes care to people with all types of diabetes, those at risk for diabetes, and their loved ones for a day of highly informative and motivational programs.
Leading specialists will discuss practical advice and developments in the treatment of diabetes, the complications of the disease, psychological barriers to controlling diabetes, nutritional issues and much more. Health professionals from Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Woodland Clinic and Glacier Eye Clinic, all of Kalispell, MT; Diabetes and Endocrinology Associates in Missoula, MT, Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinic in Orofino, ID, and a host of other diabetes specialists have partnered with Taking Control of Your Diabetes, a San Diego-based 501(c)3 diabetes education organization, to hold this premier conference and health fair.
“Approximately 6.4% of Montanans are diagnosed with Diabetes, based on 2006 statistics, and approximately 23.7% of Montanans are at risk of getting this deadly disease” states Jennifer Janetski, Diabetes Management and Lifestyle Coach at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Janetski also states that “diabetes is unique in that daily decisions made by the patient have an immediate impact on their health. Education is critical to overcoming this disease and this conference will arm the diabetes patient with the tools to fight back.”
TCOYD participants can hear lectures, participate in screenings, and speak one-on-one with diabetes specialists including physicians, exercise specialists, psychologists, researchers, attorneys, dietitians, diabetes educators, podiatrists, pharmacists and opthalmologists. Dr. Michele Danicich of Endocrinology Associates in Missoula, MT states “This conference is a fantastic way for people to help educate themselves on the multiple aspects of diabetes. I really believe that knowledge is power when it comes to managing one’s health, and TCOYD is like one-stop shopping!” A health fair with 25 informational exhibits from national and local diabetes-related companies and organizations will be open throughout the day.
Pre-registration is recommended and financial aid is available for those who need assistance. Early registration fees are $20 for one person, or $15 per person when two or more people register together. Registration fees include lunch, healthy snacks and all conference activities. Onsite registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and costs $25. The conference is from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To register or get more information, call 800-998-2693 or visit www.tcoyd.org.
Steven V. Edelman, MD, founder and director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. Edelman, an internationally recognized leader in diabetes treatment, research and education, says, "It is my conviction, that health care in this country will improve when the people living with diabetes themselves are informed and empowered to take an active role in their own condition."
Pictured from left to right are Bill Patten, Red Munsel, Robert O'Rourke
St. John’s CEO, Bill Patten and Robert, O’Rourke, OT and Manager of the Respiratory Therapy Department at St. John’s honored Red Munsel for his dedication and contribution to one of the newer programs at the hospital.
“Red was the first patient to go though the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program when it started in April of 2006,” said O’Rourke. “He enjoyed the class and the people so much that after graduating in July, Red volunteered to help out with the class on a regular basis. He has volunteered approximately 200 hours of his time to the program. Red keeps track of and records patient’s blood pressures, heart rate, perceived exertion, and blood sugars. He also participates in the strength training, and keeps everyone entertained with his humor and stories.”
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at St. John’s is a multi-disciplinary program of care for patients with chronic respiratory impairment. The program is individually tailored and designed to optimize physical and social performance and independence of individuals with Chronic Respiratory Diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Asbestos Related Disease, and other conditions.
For information call St. John’s Respiratory Department at 293-0179.
ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL PHYSICAL THERAPISTS COMPLETE CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING ON URINARY INCONTINENCE
Urinary incontinence (UI) isn’t just a malady of age and childbirth. It is a physical condition that affects millions of Americans of all ages, most of them women. Unfortunately, 50-70% of the people suffering with incontinence do not seek the help they need, sometimes living with this condition for as long as nine years before reporting it to a health care provider.
The truth is, urinary incontinence is not a consequence of aging, and at least 80% of UI cases can be cured, or significantly improved, with a little education and exercise.
The staggering number of individuals who are affected with urinary incontinence and do not know that it can be cured or greatly improved is what prompted Ahyoung Huff, MPT, Manager of the Rehabilitation Department at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital and Lori Benson, MSPT, Physical Therapist to seek specialized training to treat this problem.
In June of 2007, Huff and Benson attended the “Biofeedback and Beyond Kegels for Bladder and Bowel Health” training session in Seattle, Washington. “The course gave us new insight into the gravity of the incontinence problem in America,” said Huff. “We had no idea that it affected so many people and that the commonly used Kegel method was not effective in treating incontinence. The training focused on effectively treating incontinence with simple exercises, lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques and biofeedback.” Biofeedback is a method that uses electronic instruments to accurately measure, process and “feed back” information in the form of auditory and/or visual feedback signals. This method has proven to be very effective in treating incontinence. Using biofeedback, therapists can assess the strength of the pelvic floor muscles and use it to help patients perform the exercises correctly.
“We are excited to put our new skills to practice,” added Huff. “Lori and I are the only Physical Therapists in our area, including Kalispell, that currently provide biofeedback treatments. We are proud that St. John’s recognized the need in our community and invested in this training and biofeedback equipment. We hope that those community members who suffer from uncontrolled bowel or bladder leakage see their health care providers who can offer options, including a referral to physical therapy for evaluation and treatment if needed. No one should have to live with this malady.”
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital will be offering a workshop for anyone interested in learning more about incontinence and easy ways to maintain bladder and bowel health. “Beyond Kegels” will be held on October 9, 2007 at the SJLH Conference Center at 7pm. There is a minimal charge for the course to cover educational materials and exercise supplies.
For more information, or to register, please call KC Hoyer at 293-0106.
ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL PHYSICAL THERAPISTS COMPLETE CONTINUING EDUCATION TRAINING ON URINARY INCONTINENCE
Urinary incontinence (UI) isn’t just a malady of age and childbirth. It is a physical condition that affects millions of Americans of all ages, most of them women. Unfortunately, 50-70% of the people suffering with incontinence do not seek the help they need, sometimes living with this condition for as long as nine years before reporting it to a health care provider.
The truth is, urinary incontinence is not a consequence of aging, and at least 80% of UI cases can be cured, or significantly improved, with a little education and exercise.
The staggering number of individuals who are affected with urinary incontinence and do not know that it can be cured or greatly improved is what prompted Ahyoung Huff, MPT, Manager of the Rehabilitation Department at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital and Lori Benson, MSPT, Physical Therapist to seek specialized training to treat this problem.
In June of 2007, Huff and Benson attended the “Biofeedback and Beyond Kegels for Bladder and Bowel Health” training session in Seattle, Washington. “The course gave us new insight into the gravity of the incontinence problem in America,” said Huff. “We had no idea that it affected so many people and that the commonly used Kegel method was not effective in treating incontinence. The training focused on effectively treating incontinence with simple exercises, lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques and biofeedback.” Biofeedback is a method that uses electronic instruments to accurately measure, process and “feed back” information in the form of auditory and/or visual feedback signals. This method has proven to be very effective in treating incontinence. Using biofeedback, therapists can assess the strength of the pelvic floor muscles and use it to help patients perform the exercises correctly.
“We are excited to put our new skills to practice,” added Huff. “Lori and I are the only Physical Therapists in our area, including Kalispell, that currently provide biofeedback treatments. We are proud that St. John’s recognized the need in our community and invested in this training and biofeedback equipment. We hope that those community members who suffer from uncontrolled bowel or bladder leakage see their health care providers who can offer options, including a referral to physical therapy for evaluation and treatment if needed. No one should have to live with this malady.”
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital will be offering a workshop for anyone interested in learning more about incontinence and easy ways to maintain bladder and bowel health. “Beyond Kegels” will be held on October 9, 2007 at the SJLH Conference Center at 7pm. There is a minimal charge for the course to cover educational materials and exercise supplies.
For more information, or to register, please call KC Hoyer at 293-0106.
Pictured from Left to Right: Tom Thompson, Julie MacDonald, Chef Antonio DiCiocco, Jeannie Gilder, and Sandie Johnson
ST. JOHN’S DIETARY STAFF SPICES THINGS UP WITH CHEF ANTONIO
The 15 member dietary staff at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital is broadening their horizons, and has begun taking cooking lessons from Chef Antonio Diciocco. Chef Diciocco was born and raised in Agnone, Italy, and attended chef school in Europe before he came to the United States where he has worked in, and managed, kitchens in several five star restaurants. He later moved to Montana and worked at a variety of Flathead Valley area restaurants before retiring in the Libby area.
Julie MacDonald, Dietary Department Manager at St. John’s, stated that she asked Chef Diciocco to come and give lessons to her staff in an effort to improve the patient culinary experience by gaining priceless knowledge from a Master Chef. “Hospital food has taken on a negative tone over the years,” said MacDonald. “Chef Antonio’s experience and knowledge helped us think of new ways to make the meal, and the experience, extra special for the patients that we are serving.” stated MacDonald. MacDonald and her staff, are very excited about this learning experience, and can’t wait to try out their new recipes, including Baushumel Sauce, a white sauce that is used over chicken, fish, rice, and pasta. “He (Chef Antonio) wants to pass on his knowledge to the next generation, and he genuinely cares about what he does. It is an honor to learn these wonderful recipes from such a talented and spirited man,” added MacDonald.
Chef Antonio lives in Libby with his wife Thelma, and continues to share his cooking talents through individual workshops and classes at Flathead Valley Community College-Lincoln County Campus.
Pictured: L-R Jada Schnetter, RN; Pat Cohan, RN; Eric Kapan, RN; and Teri Beebe, RN
New Positions at St. John's
In an effort to improve the patient the experience, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital has expanded its nursing services to include four new nurse coordinator positions in Obstetrics, Intensive Care, Medical-Surgical Unit and the Emergency Room. Left to right: Jada Schnetter, RN Obstetrics Coordinator; Pat Cohan, RN Critical, Intensive Care Unit Coordinator; Eric Kapan, RN Medical/Surgical Unit Coordinator; and Teri Beebe, RN Emergency Room Coordinator.
Pictured are:
Top Row Left to Right: Tony Rebo, Jerry Bennett, Vice-President and Russ Love Bottom Row Left to Right: KC Hoyer, Executive Director, Dr. Lance Ercanbrack, Amy Bennett, Treasurer, Mike Rooney, Gene Havens, Susan Pugh, Secretary, Gene Chappell, President and Dave Cox. Board members not pictured: Beth Schweitzer, Lora Ercanbrack, and Diane Blakemore
HOSPITAL FOUNDATION REACHES THE $60,000 MARK IN THEIR CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER
The Foundation Board at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital is more than motivated to add Digital Mammography to the available services of their Imaging Department. “Thanks to the generosity of this community and the hard work of our volunteer board, we have already raised over $50,000 toward our $250,000 goal,’ said KC Hoyer, Executive Director of the Foundation at St. John’s. “We are firmly committed to raising the funds in the shortest possible time. Our community deserves the highest level of care that we can offer and getting digital mammography on board, as soon as possible, is a part of that equation.”
The Foundation originally announced that the project would take two years to complete, but, with the hospital’s current mammography equipment approaching its 14th year, the project has taken on more immediacy. “In the past three months, the community has demonstrated that this project has their full support, and that’s all we need to know to move forward on this,” added Hoyer.
According to Hoyer, the equipment will cost approximately $500,000. The Foundation plans to raise $250,000, taking part of the financial burden off the hospital and helping expedite the purchase of the Mammography Equipment. “In keeping with our mission to offer the best quality of appropriate services ‘close to home’, we are taking our preventive care choices one step further by offering technology that markedly improves the quality of the mammography images, and has been proven to detect breast abnormalities in their earliest stages,” said Hoyer. “The overwhelming response to the campaign is clear evidence that the community is completely behind this project.”
It is no secret that mammograms are the key to early detection. Early detection, along with advanced technology and improved treatment, is credited with the steady decline in breast cancer related deaths since 1990.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this year, more than 212,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Over the years, St. John’s has promoted early detection of cancer through the use of baseline and regular mammograms in a variety of ways. For example, from 2004-2006 St. John’s Lutheran Hospital partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to offer free baseline mammograms to women under 50, in hopes that more women would break that first mammogram barrier, and add this vital test to their annual routine. In addition, St. John’s continues to keep their charges for basic mammography services as low as possible, making the test as affordable as possible.
Dr. Lance Ercanbrack is 100% behind the effort to bring the digital mammography equipment to St. John’s. “As technology in healthcare evolves, so too should the providers who work directly with the patients,” said Ercanbrack. “The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in our area continues to rise each year. The women in South Lincoln County deserve the very best that healthcare has to offer, Digital Mammography is simply a must.”
For more information on St. John’s Lutheran Hospital or how you can become involved in this campaign to fight breast cancer “close to home” call KC Hoyer 293-0106.
NEW FINANCIAL COUNSELOR AT ST. JOHN’S
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital recently added a new Financial Counselor to their staff. Pennie Gustin, joins the hospital as the Patient Financial Resource Counselor. Gustin is no stranger to healthcare, having spent the last three years in the billing department at the Libby Clinic. “My new position allows me the opportunity to work with people who are having a difficult time meeting their medical financial responsibilities. We realize that healthcare is an expensive necessity and that not everyone can afford the full cost of the care we provide. Every patient we see has his or her own unique financial situation. Even those that are insured may still not be able to meet their medical financial responsibilities.,” Gustin said. “In an effort to address those concerns, St. John’s developed a program called SharePay.”
SharePay is a sliding scale financial program, developed by St. John’s in 2004. The Program is designed to help individuals, with limited financial resources, receive a discount off of the self-pay portion of their bill for health care services. Under this program, some individuals may qualify for discounts on the care they receive from St. John’s. The discount is based on a sliding scale, taking into account income level, debts, assets and family size. Even if an individual has health insurance or belongs to a Federal assistance program they may still qualify for SharePay. Not all procedures and programs at St. John’s qualify for SharePay discounts.
“The program is an effort by St. John’s to make sure that everyone gets the necessary healthcare services that they require,” said Gustin. “Helping people, help themselves is a very gratifying”. Gustin lives in Libby with her twin sons Tyler and Bryce.
For more information about the SharePay Program at St. John’s, please call Pennie at 406-293-0129 or visit St. John’s website at www.sjlh.com.
Pictured are:
Lois Osteen, Treasurer SJLH Auxiliary; Bill Patten, CEO SJLH; Jan Kendall, Auxiliary President
ST. JOHN’S AUXILIARY DONATES $9,000 FOR HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary Treasurer, Lois Osteen hands a check to Bill Patten, Hospital CEO for $9,000 while Auxiliary President, Jan Kendall looks on. The donation will be used to purchase a knee holder exerciser and a much needed patient lift.
Copyright 2005-08 St. John's Lutheran Hospital, Libby, Montana
