News from Piedmont Mountainside Hospital

Piedmont Mountainside and Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers Present Dessert & Discussion:

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

“The Use of Physical Therapy for Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Other Common Ailments”

JASPER, Ga. (Jan. 26, 2010) – Physical therapists aim to help patients overcome physical challenges they might face due to an injury or illness, including many common conditions that inhibit people in their daily functions. As techniques become more advanced, many people may be unaware of the ways physical therapy could potentially enhance their quality of life.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital and Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers in Jasper, formerly Jasper Physical Therapy, invite Pickens County and surrounding area residents to a Dessert and Discussion titled “The Use of Physical Therapy for Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Other Common Ailments.” The Dessert and Discussion will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the Education Room, lower level, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital.

The Dessert and Discussion will address a number of physical therapy topics such as exercise and osteoporosis, hand therapy and its applications for common hand problems, needling techniques and trigger point therapy, and physical therapy as it relates specifically to women’s health issues. The panel will include Sara Bolden, DPT; certified hand therapist Martha Meier, OTR/L, CHT; Jay Potter, PT, MS; Larry Steinbeck, PT, MS; and Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers managing director and AMB Group’s director of business development, Dan Gordon, MBA.

“Physical therapists can work with individuals to prevent loss of mobility by developing fitness and wellness programs for healthier and more active lifestyles,” said Potter. “We want people to know that conditions such as osteoporosis can be significantly helped with exercise and proper therapy.”

Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers offer professional-quality physical therapy and occupational therapy to athletes and non-athletes. They recently acquired Jasper Physical Therapy, which has served the Jasper community since 1998 as an outpatient physical therapy practice providing a full range of rehabilitation services.
Physical therapy services offered at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital include orthopedic, neurological, and obstetric physical therapy, pelvic pain and incontinence therapy, and wound /ostomy treatment. Other services available include occupational therapy, certified hand therapy, lymphedema therapy, speech-language pathology and cardiac rehab.

There are more than 165,000 physical therapists in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor and roughly 3,690 physical therapists in Georgia. Physical therapy is considered a “hot job” by the U.S. Department of Labor and one projected for fast growth and high return. U.S. News and World Report also rank physical therapy as one of the best careers in 2009.

Registration is required for this free event as seats are limited. The dessert begins promptly at 5:30 p.m., and the lecture will follow. To register, please call 1-866-900-4321. To learn more about Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, please call 706-301-5372 or visit piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Names Folsom C. Proctor III, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (Dec. 04, 2009) – Piedmont Mountainside Hospital is pleased to announce that Folsom C. (Sonny) Proctor III, M.D., has been named the vice president of medical affairs (VPMA) effective January 1, 2010. Dr. Proctor will serve as a liaison between the medical staff and administration. In this role, he will be responsible for all aspects of hospital medical affairs including: the credentialing process, medical staff office and help lead quality management, infection control, Joint Commission readiness, inpatient medical service and medical staff development.

“Dr. Proctor has already worked closely with the Piedmont Mountainside family in various physician leadership roles,” said Mike Robertson, president and CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “We are excited to continue our work with him and have him serve in this new role as vice president of medical affairs.”

Dr. Proctor, a Piedmont Clinic member, was president of the PMH Medical Staff in 2008 and 2009, is a member of the Medical Executive Committee (MEC) and a founding member of the Piedmont Physician Advisory Cabinet. He also has been involved in the past two strategic plans for Piedmont Mountainside as an MEC member. Dr. Proctor has a private orthopaedics practice at Mountainside Orthopaedics in Jasper, Ga.

“I am honored to serve in this new role, which provides me with increased opportunity to impact the quality of care provided to our patients,” said Dr. Proctor.

Board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Proctor has been a member of the Advisory Board of Directors for the Good Samaritan Free Clinic and a physician member of the Pickens County Board of Public Health since 2004.

Dr. Proctor earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in biology at Wake Forest University. He is active in numerous medical associations including: the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, of which he is a Fellow, Georgia Orthopaedic Society, Michael Hoke Society – where he served as president-elect and past president – the American Medical Association and Medical Association of Georgia.

For more information about Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, visit www.piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Celebrates National Radiologic Technology Week

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (Oct. 30, 2009) – Each year radiologic technologists around the country join in celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week, an event that commemorates the discovery of the x-ray and recognizes the dedicated professionals practicing in the radiologic sciences. This year, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital (PMH) wants to recognize its radiology staff for their exceptional work and patient care during the week of Nov. 8-14.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital offers interventional radiology, unique non-invasive techniques used to assess patients’ health conditions or treat pain. Interventional radiology can often be an option for patients that should not receive surgical treatments for health reasons, and can provide the same results as a surgery.

One example of interventional radiology is vascular scanning, which assesses the blood flow in arteries and veins throughout the body. Vascular scanning is used to detect plaque which may cause narrowing in the arteries that supply blood to the brain, and may lead to strokes or mini-strokes. Patients should consider this type of ultrasound if intense, cramping pains occur in the calves, thigh, buttocks or hips.

Kyphoplasty, which is a minimally invasive spinal surgery procedure used to treat pain, is also an interventional radiology procedure. It is most commonly performed for spinal compression fractures caused by osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bone, or other conditions that may have led to a spinal fracture.

“For true informed consent before surgery, patients should be aware of all of their treatment options,” said Roly Alvarez, radiology services manager at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “Patients considering surgical treatment should consider seeing an interventional radiologist to determine if he or she could benefit from a non-invasive procedure.”

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital wants to raise awareness in the community of the importance of radiology services such as mammography and sonography to be proactive in health conditions, as well as the option of interventional radiology for a patient that has been informed they must undergo surgical procedures.

The PMH Imaging Center offers a range of health services including routine x-rays, diagnostic radiology, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, mammography, bone density screening and ultrasound. For more information call 706-301-5401 or visit piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (Oct. 28, 2009) – Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women in the United States. Nearly 193,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Treatment and cure are possible but early detection is perhaps one of the most significant factors in their success. In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital is encouraging all women to get their mammograms.

In October of last year, Betty Sitten of Talking Rock, Ga., found a lump in her breast. She was 70 years old when she learned she had breast cancer.

Sitten underwent four chemotherapy treatments, surgery, and four additional chemotherapy treatments followed by 33 radiation treatments. But now, after all of the visits to doctors’ offices, treatments and therapies, Sitten is cancer-free.

Throughout her treatment, Sitten participated in the Look Good, Feel Better workshops held at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital.

“You go in with no eyebrows, hair or eyelashes and they show you how to look yourself again,” said Sitten. “We shared stories, were shown tips, given wigs, an outfit and even a kit to take home! When you left you not only looked good but felt good again. It was wonderful.”

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in October of 1985 in an effort to raise awareness about the disease in order to increase early detection and survival. After more than two decades, recent studies by the American Cancer Society show that breast cancer death rates are declining.

“It’s always easy for us to create an excuse to put off getting a mammogram,” said Rosa Langella, M.D., of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “But whether it’s lack of time, an ‘oh it won’t happen to me’ attitude, or fear, we want to encourage all women to take that step towards early detection and schedule a mammogram. It could potentially save your life.”

“I’d never had a mammogram,” said Sitten. “But I would certainly suggest everyone get one. If I had, they might have found my cancer earlier.”

To schedule an appointment for your mammogram, or for more information about Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Women’s Services, please call 706-301-5246 or visit piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Encourages Men to Get Screened During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (Sept. 24, 2009) – Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. More than 230,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Piedmont Mountainside Hospital would like to remind all men to get regular screenings.

Prostate cancer is dangerous because there is often no way to detect it in the early stages; however, surviving prostate cancer is greatly increased when diagnosed early. Because symptoms of prostate cancer may not occur until the disease is advanced, screening is the first step. Screening includes a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) done by a trained professional. Current recommendations of the American Urological Association are that all men begin screening at age 40 and be retested on a regular basis thereafter. Though there is debate over the use of PSA, the death rate from prostate cancer has steadily declined since its regular use in the 1990s.

“One out of every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and more than 25,000 men will die from it this year,” said Joel Rosenfeld, M.D., urologist at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “Our goal is to increase the number of prostate screenings per year, so we can help patients detect it early, when the survival rate is higher.”

The Prostate Cancer Education Council (PCEC) suggests the following tips to prevent prostate cancer:

Get screened – The best prevention against advanced prostate cancer is early detection.
Women speak up – As many as 60 percent of men screened say that their wives, girlfriends or another female encouraged them to get checked.
Diet makes a difference – A Harvard study showed that a diet high in dairy and fatty foods, particularly those of animal origin, increased the risk of developing prostate cancer by 80 percent. Supplements and food sources rich in anti-oxidants (vitamin E and selenium) have been shown to control cell damage and may prevent prostate cancer.
Get active – A healthy exercise program will increase circulation, lower stress and may decrease levels of prostate-stimulating androgens.

For more information on Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, visit piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

BREATHE EASIER: PIEDMONT MOUNTAINSIDE HOSPITAL OFFERS SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Jasper, Ga. (Sept. 24, 2009) -- Piedmont Mountainside Hospital along with the American Lung Association (ALA) is hosting an eight-week course designed to help smokers quit. The class, entitled “Freedom From Smoking,” will be led by an ALA trained facilitator and start at 6 p.m. in Piedmont Mountainside Hospital’s education room. Smoking Cessation classes are scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 5.

Come for both an informative and enlightening experience as you hear success stories from those who have quit and how they accomplished their journey. Seating is limited and registration is $75. The class will be held in the Education Room on the lower level of the hospital. For more information or to register, please call 706-301-5516 or visit piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Presents Dessert & Discussion

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

“Eating Right for Your Body’s Metabolism”

JASPER, Ga. (Sept. 08, 2009) – There are many myths surrounding healthy eating and metabolism. Your metabolism is a complex network of hormones and enzymes that both converts food into fuel as well as burns it, determining the rate at which you burn calories and, even more simply, how quickly you gain or lose weight.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital invites Jasper and surrounding area residents to a Dessert and Discussion titled “Eating Right for Your Body’s Metabolism,” led by Anil Yadav, M.D. September’s Dessert and Discussion will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 p.m. in the Education Room, lower level, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital.

“There are a number of factors which affect your metabolism including your age, sex and body mass,” said Dr. Yadav. “However, what you choose to eat can have the greatest impact on your body’s metabolism.”

The Dessert and Discussion will address and dispel the many myths surrounding the relationship between food and metabolism. For example, if you eat more will you lose more? Or if you eat spicy foods will your metabolism increase?

“There are certain foods that may impact the rate at which your body burns calories. For instance, proteins take longer to digest which means your body will be able to burn more calories,” said Dr. Yadav.

Here are some other ideas about foods that may have an effect on your metabolism level:

Eat Fiber – similar to protein, fiber allows your body to burn more calories, so eat your fill of beans, fresh fruits, vegetables and whole-grain breads.
Drink Green Tea - as opposed to many other kinds of tea, green tea increases your basal metabolism and even contains less caffeine.
Consume Less Alcohol – alcohol will lower your activity metabolism and tends to stimulate your appetite.

Dr. Yadav founded the Internal Medicine Associates of Jasper and has been a practicing internist in Jasper since 2004. Dr. Yadav is on staff at Piedmont Mountainside and is also medical director of Southercare Hospice and Healthfield Home Health Service in Cartersville and Canton, Ga., respectively. Dr. Yadav received his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine with the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons – The Stamford Hospital Program in Stamford, Conn. He is also board-certified in internal medicine.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Welcomes Keith A. Barrett, M.D., to its Medical Staff

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (Sept. 1, 2009) – Piedmont Mountainside Hospital welcomes Keith A. Barrett, M.D., FACS to its medical staff. Beginning Monday, Aug. 31, Dr. Barrett opened Piedmont Surgery Specialists at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital specializing in general, thoracic, and vascular surgeries.

Dr. Barrett earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine in Augusta, Ga. He then completed his internship at the Memorial Medical Center Department of Surgery in Savannah, Ga., and his residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Department of Surgery in Newark, N.J. Prior to joining Piedmont Healthcare, Dr. Barrett held Barrett Surgical Services, a private practice in Vidalia, Ga., and then Barrett Surgical Clinic of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, Ark. Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Barrett join the Piedmont Healthcare family,” said Mike Robertson, president and CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “Adding the new general surgery practice at Piedmont Mountainside will mean even more access to high quality surgical services for the north Georgia community.”

Dr. Barrett accepts most forms of insurance and is available for appointments beginning Monday, Aug. 31. The office is located at 620 J.L White Drive, Suite 140, Jasper on the Piedmont Mountainside Hospital campus. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 706-253-2430.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Encourages Community Members to Take Control of Their Cholesterol

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

September is Cholesterol Education Month

JASPER, Ga. (Sept. 2, 2009) - According to the American Heart Association 98.6 million adult Americans are considered borderline high-risk for high cholesterol. This statistic can not be ignored, considering cholesterol is one of the main contributors to heart disease, stroke and various other health hazards.

September is Cholesterol Education Month, and Piedmont Mountainside Hospital (PMH) is reminding north Georgia residents the importance of being educated about cholesterol and how to obtain and maintain good cholesterol levels.

A number of factors affect cholesterol levels. Some uncontrollable risk factors for high cholesterol include age, gender and family history. There are, however, many controllable factors including diet, weight and physical activity.

If not properly controlled cholesterol can build up and form plaque in our arteries. This can narrow the openings and can cause tremendous strain on the heart.

“Cholesterol education is a vital step in learning to live a healthier lifestyle,” said Kenneth Austin, M.D., of the Piedmont Heart Institute. “It is important to see your physician for regular cholesterol screenings in order to properly diagnose and treat potential problems.”

Louise Brown, RD, LD, Nutrition Services manager at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, encourages her patients to make small changes that can make in order to help lower their cholesterol everyday, such as maintaining a good diet. Try to incorporate some of her heart-healthy food selections and preparation tips:

Pay attention to nutrition labels – be cautious of saturated fat and trans fat on the nutrition labels, because these types of fats are linked to raising blood cholesterol levels.
Limit foods that contain “hydrogenated” shortenings noted on the ingredient label.
Eat more plant foods high in soluble fiber, such as apples, carrots and oatmeal.
Use vegetable oils high in monounsaturated fats such as canola, sunflower and olive, in place of solid shortening, margarine and butter whenever possible.
Try whole-grain flours to enhance the flavors of baked goods.
Replace whole milk with low fat or nonfat milk in puddings, soups and baked products.

For these and more tips on lowering your cholesterol, health screenings, or to find a physician in your area call Piedmont Mountainside Hospital at 706-692-2441

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Ranks No. 2 in Metro Atlanta Patient Satisfaction Survey

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (Aug. 26, 2009) – Piedmont Mountainside Hospital once again ranked second in patient satisfaction among metro Atlanta hospitals, according to the recently-released, publicly-reported HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey. When asked to rate the overall quality of care during their hospital stay on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst and 10 is the best, 75 percent of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital patients responded with a nine or 10. Piedmont Mountainside’s survey results were 11 percent higher than the national and state average of 64 percent, tying for second place in greater Atlanta for patient satisfaction.

In addition, two other Piedmont Healthcare hospitals received top ratings in the survey among hospitals within a 50-mile radius of Atlanta. Piedmont Hospital ranked No. 1 with 78 percent of patients responding with a nine or 10. Piedmont Fayette Hospital, a 143-bed acute-care community hospital in Fayetteville, tied for fifth with 71 percent of patients reporting favorable marks.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital’s latest ranking repeats the success it had during the last survey period of July 07 to June 2008 (released in March 2009).

“We are thrilled to again rank second in patient satisfaction among metro Atlanta hospitals,” said Mike Robertson, president and CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “This HCAHPS data shows that our staff continues to provide the highest quality of care to our patients, living the Piedmont Promise. When patients come to Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, we want to be sure every one of them feels they have been treated by the best medical professionals around, with the utmost respect and kindness.”

HCAHPS is a standardized survey that reflects a patient’s perspective of hospital care, and data is posted quarterly on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare website, at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov. The recently-released local HCAHPS results are from October 2007 to September 2008, and show data for hospitals across the country.

The HCAHPS survey was created with three primary goals. First, it was designed to produce data about patients’ perspectives of care that allows comparisons of hospitals on topics important to consumers. Second, public reporting of the survey results creates new incentives for hospitals to improve quality of care. Third, public reporting serves to enhance public accountability in healthcare by increasing transparency of the quality of hospital care provided in return for the public investment.

The survey asks a random sample of patients from over 2,500 U.S. hospitals 27 questions about their hospital experience, including 18 items about key aspects of the hospital experience including communication with nurses and doctors, the responsiveness of hospital staff, cleanliness and quietness of hospital environment, pain management, communication about medicines, discharge information, overall rating of hospital and recommendation of hospital.

“While this is only a glimpse of patient ratings, we continue working to improve our quality of care and are proud of how Piedmont Mountainside compares to other hospitals in the Atlanta area,” said Robertson.

For more information on Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, visit www.piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

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Close Care at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Helped Save Patient with Heart Distress

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (Aug. 12, 2009) - Cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer of Americans according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The American Heart Association’s 2008 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report estimates that one in three American adults suffers from one or more types of cardiovascular disease.

Big Canoe resident Jon Coffman is no exception to this statistic. The 64-year old retiree, who underwent triple heart bypass surgery 10 years ago, thought he was having a heart attack in his home last December. After he collapsed on the floor, his wife Carol called for an ambulance.

Coffman was taken to Piedmont Mountainside Hospital (PMH), the nearest hospital.

“I remember thinking, ‘I don’t want to go to a small community hospital,” Coffman says. “However, it was the best thing that could have ever happened.”

PMH cardiologist Roberto Pereira, M.D., decided to take a closer look at Coffman’s condition after detecting he had a different pulse on each side of his body. Dr. Pereira ran an EKG, which looked like a heart attack, but then looked at chest X-rays, which did not. He followed up with an ultrasound and CT scan, and discovered that Coffman was suffering from a dissected aorta, which can be fatal. He was immediately airlifted to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, where he underwent open-heart surgery.

Coffman was able to return home a week later, but was not clear of heart trouble. The day after he returned home, Coffman suffered a heart attack. Once again, he was airlifted to Piedmont Hospital for immediate care, where they unclogged Coffman’s right and left arteries and inserted several stents.

“If we were in Key West or sailing on our boat and I had heart trouble, I would never have made it. I’m so grateful that I was just a short ride to Piedmont Mountainside,” says Coffman.

“This experience further raised my level of awareness,” said Dr. Pereira. “Even when symptoms look obvious, it’s so important to take a step back and consider all the possibilities.”

Regular check-ups can help detect early signs of cardiovascular disease. One of the most important steps to help deter cardiovascular disease is to quit smoking. Implementing a regular exercise regimen and healthy diet along with controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol can also decrease your risk. Family medical history can also affect an individual’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Discussing this topic with your doctor can aid in finding the best treatment options for you.

“I’m one lucky guy to have been in the care of these doctors – such gems,” said Coffman.

The Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Cardiac Imaging Centers in Jasper, Ellijay and Canton provide diagnostic services, consultations and interpretations by board certified cardiologists. PMH’s cardiac services include echocardiograms, nuclear stress testing, carotid ultrasound and endovascular ultrasound. A physician referral is required. For more information on Piedmont Mountainside Hospital’s Cardiac Imaging Centers and cardiology services, please call 706-301-5401, or visit piedmontmountainside.org.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Named 2009 Most Wired

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (July 14, 2009) –Piedmont Mountainside Hospital has been named one of the nation’s Most Wired hospitals, according to the results of the 2009 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. Three of the five Georgia hospitals named to the list are part of the Piedmont Healthcare system.

This is the second year for Piedmont Mountainside Hospital to be named in the small and rural category. In 2006, it was named among the Most Improved. Piedmont Fayette Hospital has been recognized for five consecutive years, while Piedmont Hospital has been named for six consecutive years.

“We are proud the Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study has recognized Piedmont Mountainside Hospital for the second time as a Most Wired hospital, after being recognized as a Most Improved hospital three years ago,” said Mike Robertson, president and CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “This recognition demonstrates Piedmont Mountainside’s commitment to using the latest information technology to improve quality and patient care.”

The Most Wired Survey is conducted annually by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine, the journal of the American Hospital Association, which uses the results to name the 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems. It focuses on how the nation’s hospitals use information technologies for quality, customer service, public health and safety, business processes and workforce issues.

“The economic slowdown is forcing hospitals to look closely at IT spending,” says Alden Solovy, executive editor of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. “Most Wired hospitals are doing their best to stay the course.”

To complicate matters, the great unknown of healthcare reform looms in the near future and a number of regulatory changes are already heading down the pike, including the shift to ICD-10, which hospitals use to code the signs, symptoms and causes of injury or diseases.

“As the health reform debate continues, it’s clear that IT will play an even more important role in the health system of tomorrow,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). “Most Wired hospitals help illustrate IT in action—improving efficiency, quality and safety of care while helping to control costs.”

Hospitals also continue to invest in IT that supports quality and safety initiatives. Investment in electronic medication management is considered one of the fundamentals of using IT to improve care. The 2009 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study shows an overall increase in both provider order entry of medications and electronic bedside matching at the time medications are administered.

Hospitals & Health Networks conducted the 2009 survey in cooperation with McKesson Corp. and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com.

Piedmont Mountainside Welcomes New Physicians

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

JASPER, Ga. (June 19, 2009) – Piedmont Mountainside Hospital has expanded its medical staff with the addition of several new physicians in the fields of cardiology, internal medicine/family practice, urology and neurology. These physicians joined the medical staff in the spring of 2009.

“At Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, we strive to attract physicians with the highest credentials, ensuring the best quality of care for our patients,” said Mike Robertson, president and CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “We're thrilled to have each of these new physicians on our team, and we're excited about the work they'll do for the north Georgia area.”

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital welcomes John Hurst Jr., M.D., Shailesh Malla, M.D., and Sara Mobasseri, M.D., to its cardiology team. These three physicians are all members of Piedmont Heart Institute, the first integrated cardiovascular healthcare delivery program affiliated with a community health system in greater Atlanta. Dr. John Hurst Jr. received his undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta and his medical training from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. Dr. Sara Mobasseri received her undergraduate training at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., before attending medical school at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo. Dr. Shailesh Malla received his medical training from Tribhuvan University, the premier Medical School of Nepal, prior to completing his residency in internal medicine at Jacobi Medical Center in New York.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital welcomes Khadeja Johnson, M.D., Jayuasri Mallavarapu, M.D., Nicole Nunga, M.D., and Sanja Serrao, M.D., to its internal medicine team. Dr. Johnson received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and completed her internship and residency at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. Dr. Mallavarupu received her medical degree from Osmania Medical College in India and completed her internship and residency at Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Ga. Dr. Nunga received her medical degree from Freie Universitat Berlin in Germany and completed her internship and residency at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Serrao received his medical training at Grant Medical College in India and completed his internship and residency at the University of Connecticut, School of Medicine.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital also welcomes Charles Kaplan, M.D., to its urology team. Dr. Kaplan received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine before completing his internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Center. He then went on to complete his residency at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington DC.

Finally, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital welcomes Faiz Niaz, M.D., to its neurology team. Dr. Niaz received his medical degree from Dow Medical College in Pakistan and completed his internship and residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital will continue to raise its level of quality care by consistently adding top-level physicians. For more information about Piedmont Mountainside Hospital or to find a physician in your area, please visit piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

June Dessert and Discussion

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

“Back to Basics - Healthy Living 101”

JASPER, Ga. (June 5, 2009) - Do you ever feel confused by the abundance of specialty health care topics? Do you often wonder what a normal healthcare routine should consist of? Piedmont Mountainside Hospital (PMH) invites residents in Pickens County and the surrounding communities to learn about everyday healthy lifestyle habits and to ask our doctors questions about their health at its quarterly Dessert and Discussion series. June’s Dessert and Discussion will be held on Thursday, June 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Education Room, lower level, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital.

Drs. Moiz Master and Sanjay Serrao will lead this month’s topic, “Back to Basics-Healthy Living 101.” Drs. Master and Serrao, both internal medicine practitioners, are here to help you learn some basic principles to help you lead a healthy lifestyle. Participants should come ready with questions for this interactive session.

As internists, both Drs. Master and Serrao provide general care and aid in preventative healthcare measures for adults. Their goal is to bring their patients to a better understanding of overall wellness, which includes disease prevention. This workshop is an excellent way for patients to begin taking a greater role in improving their health with everyday measures.

Dr. Master joined PMH in 2003. He earned his medical degree in India and completed his residency in primary care internal medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Dr. Master was named Chief Resident during his time in the program. He is board-certified in internal medicine and is a member of the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Serrao joined PMH in 2008. He earned his medical degree and completed his internship in India. Dr. Serrao completed his residency in primary care internal medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine

Registration is required for this free event as seats are limited. The dessert begins promptly at 5:30 p.m., and the discussion will follow. To register, please call 1-866-900-4321. To learn more about Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, please call 706-301-5372 or visit www.piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Encourages Community to Check Their Bones

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month

JASPER, Ga. (May 21, 2009) – May is Osteoporosis Awareness Month and Piedmont Mountainside Hospital (PMH) is encouraging members of the community to learn more about osteoporosis and bone health. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an estimated 10 million Americans are afflicted with osteoporosis and another 34 million are estimated to have low bone mass.

Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. It is referred to as the “silent disease” since many patients are often not aware of their condition until after a fracture occurs.

“Osteoporosis can have a debilitating effect on the lives of patients, if not properly treated. We are here to help our patients develop a personalized treatment plan that will help them to lead an active lifestyle,” says Linda Stead, Chief Nursing Office, PMH. “In fact, my mother has osteoporosis and had a spontaneous fracture of her pelvis due to the osteoporosis before it was discovered. We are now careful to make sure she has her screening exams and has follow-up check-ups with her physician to monitor her medications he prescribed for osteoporosis."

This preventable and treatable disease affects women and men. However, women are more susceptible to osteoporosis due to changes that occur during menopause. This disease can only be diagnosed with a physician administering a bone mineral density (BMD) screening.

Warning signs may include collapsed vertebra which may initially be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height, or spinal deformities such as kyphosis, or severely stooped posture. Taking the time to meet with your physician and to get a BMD screening can help to decrease your risk of developing osteoporosis. Knowing your risk and taking essential steps to prevent the disease can have a major effect on treating or even preventing the disease. Some common risk factors of osteoporosis include age, gender, family history and certain medications.

While many risk factors are non-modifiable, there are a few lifestyle changes that can be made to lower your personal risk for osteoporosis:

Feel the burn: Adapting a regular exercise routine improves bone health and increases muscle strength, coordination and balance.
Take your vitamins: Calcium and Vitamin D help build strong bones.
Stop Smoking : Smoking is bad for your bones as well as for your heart and lungs.

All of these changes will not only help you to decrease your risk for osteoporosis, but they will also aid your overall health. For more information about preventing and treating osteoporosis, call Piedmont Mountainside Hospital at 706-692-2441 or visit www.piedmontmountainsidehospital.org.