March 29, 2004

MHA NewsWeekly Electronic Edition
March 29, 2004
Vol. 22, No. 12

In this week's edition...
1. Cardiovascular Health Symposium Set for May 1 at Medical Mall
2. Mississippi Health Policy Research Center Releases New Report
3. Baptist Seeks Mississippi’s Strong Women
4. Meet the Expert on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
5. Network 8, Inc. Vascular Access Conference
6. New veterans' clinic to open in Columbus
7. CDC issues guidelines for preventing health-care-associated pneumonia
8. Hospitals, public invited to 'listening sessions' on Quality Initiative
9. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Satellite Broadcast
10. Thompson to convene meeting on diabetes prevention
11. Public confused on cholesterol, cancer screening
12. CDC: ER visits, waiting times on the rise
13. Positions Available
14. People in the News
15. News Around the State
16. MHA Education Calendar

1. Cardiovascular Health Symposium Set for May 1 at Medical Mall
   Evolving changes in the treatment of heart failure and acute myocardial infarction will highlight a symposium set for May 1. The Cardiovascular Health Symposium will begin at 8 a.m. and continue through 3:30 p.m. at the UMC Conference Center at the Jackson Medical Mall.
 The symposium will feature topics of interest such as current pharmacologic interventions in treatment of AMI and heart failure addressed by leading authorities. Speakers slated to be a part of the symposium include Dr. Frederick  Masoudi, a Denver cardiologist; Dr. Barry Bertolet of North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo; Dr. Alan Penman, a State Department of Health epidemiologist; and Dr. Herman Taylor of the Jackson Heart Study.
 Partners presenting the symposium include the Mississippi State Department of Health, the Mississippi Hospital Association, the Jackson Heart Study, the University of Alabama School of Medicine/Division of CME, the Academy of Family Physicians and Information & Quality Healthcare (IQH).
 This activity is designated for a maximum of 5.5 Category 1 credits toward the AMA’s Physician’s Recognition Award. Call (601) 957-1575 for more info.

Return to Top

2. Mississippi Health Policy Research Center Releases New Report  
   The Mississippi Health Policy Research Center recently released a new policy report entitled Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in Incarcerated Mississippi Youth. The study was completed by Drs. Angela Robertson and Connie Baird Thomas, Associate Research Professors at the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University. 
 Studies of incarcerated youth show high rates of sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk behaviors such as early onset of sexual activity, inconsistent use of condoms and multiple sex partners. A study comparing adolescents involved in the Mississippi juvenile justice system with Alabama high school students found that the delinquent population reported considerably higher levels of sexual activity, more sexually transmitted diseases and greater numbers of lifetime sex partners.
   In a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the prevalence of STIs was examined among incarcerated youth in Mississippi. The study was based on information collected from 1,789 youth admitted to a juvenile detention facility from April 2002 through May 2003. The youth were ages 10 to 17; the majority were African American (89%) and male (70%). As part of the booking and admission procedure, all youth were asked to give a urine sample. These specimens were sent to a hospital lab and screened for Chlamydia and gonorrhea using LCR urine testing. (In Mississippi, youth are not routinely screened for STIs upon admission to detention centers.)
   Overall, 288 (16.1%) of the 1,789 youth tested positive for either Chlamydia (12.9%) or gonorrhea (3.2%), and some tested positive for both (.2%). When looking at the rates by gender, females were much more likely than males to have an STI. Youth in the study were much more likely than youth in the county in which this study was conducted to test positive for an STI.
   Sexually transmitted infections were found among even the youngest offenders. Approximately 22% of all positive results were for those ages 14 or younger. Between 25% and 27% of youth ages 15, 16 and 17 tested positive for at least one of the two STIs. Interestingly, the majority of youth in this study (91%) reported that they had never been told by a health care professional that they had an STI. This suggests that they either had no symptoms of the illness, or if symptoms were present, they did not seek medical attention.
 The health consequences of untreated Chlamydia and gonorrhea are serious and can lead to potentially life threatening illnesses/conditions for both males and females. The findings suggest that routine screening of incarcerated youth could help reduce current and future health problems related to untreated STIs in this population.
   This study is one of many being conducted by the Center to document the health of Mississippi’s children. The full fact sheet is available on the Mississippi Health Policy Research Center’s Web site here. 

Return to Top

3. Baptist Seeks Mississippi’s Strong Women

 Do you know a woman who has inspired you, encouraged you or helped you become a better person? Nominate her for one of five “Strong Women” awards being presented by Baptist Women’s Services on April 29, 2004, during the fourth annual Celebration of Strong Women!
 Nominations will be accepted through April 12 by visiting Baptist’s Web site at www.mbhs.org or call the Baptist Healthline at (601) 948-6262 or (800) 948-6262.
 A panel of distinguished women will select the honorees in the following categories:
Perseverance: One who has overcome personal adversity.
Leader: One who inspires others to act for the common good.
Mentor: One who invests herself in helping another as a counselor, role model, helper or encourager.
Defender: One who champions the cause of a disadvantaged person or group.
Promise: A young woman aged 14 to 18 who demonstrates a commitment to high personal standards.

Return to Top

4. Meet the Expert on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
   The Mississippi Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is hosting a Meet the Expert on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma symposium to bring patients and families together to learn about diagnosis, the latest treatments and living with the disease. Diva Thielvoldt, RN, MSN, Adult Nurse Practitioner, will present basic information on terminology, risk factors, diagnosis, staging and classification on Tuesday, April 6, from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. at Mississippi Blood Services, located at 1995 Lakeland Drive in Jackson.
 Experts will also discuss the role of clinical trials in the advancement of treatment. Continuing education units are available for nurses and social workers.
 Dinner will be provided to those who pre-register by Friday, April 3, 2004. To register or for more information, contact Fran Mobley at (877) 538-5364 ext. 14. This program is provided by an unrestricted educational grant from Genotech BioOncology and IDEC Pharmaceuticals.

Return to Top

5. Network 8, Inc. Vascular Access Conference
   In conjunction with Fistula First:  The National Vascular Access Improvement Initiative, Network 8, Inc. will present a vascular access workshop for Mississippi nephrologists, surgeons and radiologists, Saturday, April 24, 2004 at the Hilton Hotel in Jackson, Mississippi from 7:45am-1:00pm. 
  The conference, entitled Optimizing Hemodialysis Accesses: Placing Fistulas First , will include presentations regarding surgical and radiological approaches to AV fistula placement and maintenance and the nephrologist’s role in vascular access.CME credit will be provided. Pre-registration is preferred.  There is no registration fee.  For more information please contact Ann Pridgen at Network 8, Inc. at (601) 936-9260 or apridgen@nw8.esrd.net .

Return to Top

6. New veterans' clinic to open in Columbus
   Northeast Mississippi veterans will soon be able to receive health care at a clinic in Columbus.  U. S. Rep. Roger Wicker and Sens. Thad Cochran and Trent Lott said the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson has signed a contract with an Alexandria, VA., firm that will provide a wide range of health care services in Columbus.
   The veterans-only clinic will be located at 824 Alabama Street. The facility will offer preventive health care and screening, annual physicals, women’s health services, immunizations, management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and mental health services. The clinic is expected to be open in 90 days, the lawmakers said.
   Clinic enrollees will receive access to routine x-ray and laboratory services and emergency prescriptions. Patient records will be linked by computer to the Jackson VA Medical Center. Care that requires hospital stays, complex diagnostic tests and other specialty needs will be referred to the VAMC in Jackson.
   Veterans seeking care at the Columbus clinic should contact the VA at 800-949-1009. James Richardson, veterans service officer for Lowndes County, said the clinic “won’t be a hospital away from the hospital” but will save veterans travel time to Jackson.

Return to Top

7. CDC issues guidelines for preventing health-care-associated pneumonia 
   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week issued new guidelines for preventing health-care-associated pneumonia and other severe lower respiratory infections. The guidelines update and replace those issued by the CDC in 1981. In addition to the latest pneumonia and respiratory infection recommendations, the guidelines expand the list of recommended antiviral treatments for influenza patients and recommend that potable water be kept at temperatures above 124 degrees Fahrenheit or below 68 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce the risk of Legionnaire's disease. The guidelines can be found here.

Return to Top

8. Hospitals, public invited to 'listening sessions' on Quality Initiative
   The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, AHA and other collaborators in the voluntary national hospital quality reporting initiative on April 27 will co-host the first of five listening sessions to discuss next steps in the development of an expanded set of performance measures for public reporting on the quality of hospital care. Health care providers, payers, consumers and any other interested parties are invited to attend the session, in Boston. Opinions and alternatives provided during the sessions will be used in identifying what should be included in an expanded set of measures for hospital public reporting. For more information, including how to register and submit written comments for the session, see the Federal Register notice here under Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Return to Top

9. Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Satellite Broadcast
  The University at Albany, Schoolof Public Health Centerfor Public Health Preparedness will present a satellite broadcast titled Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication on April 15 at 9-10 a.m.and rebroadcast at 4-5 p.m. EST(program offered in collaboration with T2B2: Third Thursday Breakfast Broadcast) .To downlink this program at your facility, site coordinator must complete registration form.Satellite coordinates will be sent to registrants no later than Monday, April 12th. For additional information about these programs, email cphp@uamail.albany.edu or visit   www.ualbanycphp.org.

Return to Top

10. Thompson to convene meeting on diabetes prevention
  HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson will host a town hall meeting on March 29 in Cincinnatito discuss what government, communities, health care providers, businesses and individuals can do to prevent and reduce diabetes in the U.S.and region. Thompson plans to use the community input to develop a national diabetes action plan. More than 18 million Americans have diabetes and another 20 million have pre-diabetes. To register to attend the forum, click here or call (866) 245-8080.

Return to Top

11. Public confused on cholesterol, cancer screening
   Is cholesterol screening only for folks over 40? What does the Pap smear test for, anyway? Don't feel odd if you don't know the answers: neither does a large percentage of Americans surveyed in a recent Galluppoll.
   Most people aren't getting tested, either. While 98 percent of those polled believe screening for cancer or cholesterol does save lives, a much smaller percentage actually go out and get the tests, according to the survey, which further found that doctors aren't urging people to get tested. The findings were released March 24.
  Telephone interviews with nearly 1,500 U.S.adults in late 2003 uncovered serious misconceptions about several common tests aimed at the early detection of disease, pollsters report. First of all, there seems to be a serious "age gap" in cholesterol screening awareness. While most adults over 40 now get their blood cholesterol checked regularly, most under 40 do not -- even though experts advise that all individuals over 20 get tested every five years. Moreover, 42 percent of men and 29 percent of women under 40 think they need never get the test, the survey found. When asked by pollsters whether their doctor had suggested getting a cholesterol test, 71 percent of men under 40 and 67 percent of women under 40 replied "no."
  The American public seems confused when it comes to tests for colon cancer as well. Even though 91 percent of men over 50 said they knew they should undergo some form of colon cancer screening, just 54 percent had ever done so, according to the poll. Current guidelines recommend that all men and women aged 50 and over get stool-based screening annually and undergo full colonoscopy once every 10 years, to check for precancerous polyps in the colon.
  Advocates for mammography got better news from the poll. Seventy percent of women over 40 -- the recommended age at which to begin screening -- said they did, in fact, get a mammogram every year. Many were confused, however, regarding the age at which such screening should begin, with 53 percent guessing the threshold was set at 30 years of age or younger.
  Women also expressed confusion about one of the oldest and most reliable early-detection tests of all: the Pap smear, used to spot cervical cancer or precancerous lesions of the cervix. A lot of women didn't quite know what the Pap test was for. They're having it done, but a lot of them think they are being screened for STDs. In fact, just 48 percent of women surveyed understood the Pap test is specific to cervical cancer, while 13 percent believed it was used to detect STDs or ovarian or uterine cancer.

Return to Top

12. CDC: ER visits, waiting times on the rise
   The nation's emergency departments logged 110.2 million visits in 2002, an increase of 2.7 million compared with 2001, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, patients generally spent more time waiting for and receiving treatment. In 2002, 41% of visits lasted 2 to 6 hours compared with 37% a year earlier. On average, patients spent 3.2 hours in the ER, up from 3 hours in 2001. The increase in length of visits is likely to continue, especially as the population ages, said Brian Hancock, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. "Emergency department overcrowding is a growing and severe problem in the United States, and we all should be concerned," said Hancock. "As dedicated as emergency physicians and nurses are to caring for our patients, we may not have the resources or the surge capacity to respond effectively." Though recent attention has focused on the number of people seeking emergency care for routine medical problems, the biggest jump in volume in 2002 was among patients classified as needing care immediately or urgently--55% compared with 50.4% in 2001. Patients classified as nonurgent rose to 10.2% in 2002 from 9.1% the previous year. Read the report here.

Return to Top

13. Positions Available
   Hancock Medical Center has a full-time opening for a Med Tech Supervisor. MT (ASCP) with a minimum of five years of experience. Management experience preferred. Must be flexible to work off shifts as needed. Interested parties should apply at Hancock Medical Center, 149 Drinkwater Blvd., or mail resume to Human Resources, P.O. Box 2790, Bay St. Louis, MS 39521-2790.
*******************************************
 H. C. Watkins Memorial Hospital has an immediate opening for a Director of Pharmacy. Applicants should be registered pharmacists. Resumes may be sent via e-mail to swilliams@watkinshospital.org or via mail to Stephanie Williams, HR Director, 605 S. Archusa Avenue, Quitman, MS 39355.
*******************************************
 H. C. Watkins Memorial Hospital is seeking a Surgical Tech or LPN with scrub experience for a critical access hospital surgery department. Resumes may be sent via e-mail to swilliams@watkinshospital.org or via mail to Stephanie Williams, HR Director, 605 S. Archusa Avenue, Quitman, MS 39355.
*******************************************
 South Mississippi State Hospital has openings for full-time RNs, 3-11:30 PM and 11 PM-7:30 AM shifts. For more information, contact Gwen Kelly or Ruthalyn Thomas at (601) 794-0100.
*******************************************
   Baptist Health Systems is seeking an Education Coordinator. Must have RN with master’s degree. Teaching, critical care experience, CPR and ACLS instructor preferred. Apply at www.mbhs.org or call (800) 844-1084 ext. 3363 or (601) 960-3363 for more information.
*******************************************
 Mississippi State Hospital is seeking an individual for immediate hire as Volunteer Program Manager. Preference will be given to applicants who possess strong leadership and communication skills. Resumes may be faxed to Kay Harrell at (601) 351-8222. For more information about the facility, visit www.msh.state.ms.us.
*******************************************
 Natchez Regional Medical Center has an immediate opening for a full time Unit Manager in the Behavioral Health Unit (Geri-Psych). Two years relevant management experience required. MSN and certificate in psychiatric nursing preferred. Send resumes by mail to Natchez Regional, Attn: Human Resources, P.O. Box 1488, Natchez, MS 39121; by fax to (601) 443-2891; or by e-mail to lpugh@natchezregional.com.
*******************************************
 North Mississippi State Hospital is currently accepting applications for Registered Nurses for our Tupelo campus and for our Crisis Intervention Center in Corinth. Must be licensed in the state of Mississippi. For an application or information, contact Human Resources at (662) 690-4200.
 For a listing of additional health care jobs available in Mississippi, visit www.mshealthjobs.com.

Return to Top

14. People in the News
   Mississippi State Hospital in Whitfield recently named three employees Employee of the Year for their work in the service areas of direct care, licensed clinical and support. Jerry Carter, a mental health technician in the Nursing Services Department was named the Employee of the Year for Direct Care Services. Robbie Robbins of the Rehabilitation Services Department was named the Employee of  the Year for Licensed Clinical Services. And Reed O’Brien, director of press relations and publications, was named the Employee of the Year for Support Services.
*******************************************
 Sheila Cantrell, PharmD, has joined Mississippi State Hospital’s Pharmacy Department as a pharmacist. Cantrell earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Mississippi.
*******************************************
 Elissa Plastino has joined Mississippi State Hospital’s Public Relations Division as publications manager. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, Plastino comes to MSH from the Government of Ontario where she worked as a senior communications officer at the Ministry of Education.
*******************************************
 Timothy Quinn, MD, a family medical practitioner, has joined the active medical staff at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Dr. Quinn obtained his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He completed a residency in family medicine at Martin Luther King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif. A captain in the United States Army Reserve, Dr. Quinn is a veteran of the Desert Storm War and recently returned from serving in Bosnia. He practices at Quinn Healthcare, PLLC, located in Suite 420 of the Medical Office Building at 5903 Ridgewood Road in Jackson, with his wife Chemene Quinn, MD, a dermatologist. The Quinns are holding an Open House on Friday, April 2, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The pubic is invited.
*******************************************
 Dr. Lee Kesterson, a neurological surgeon, has joined the active medical staff of Singing River Hospital System and is in practice with The Neurosurgery Center in Pascagoula. Kesterson received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas, where he also performed an internship in general surgery and a residency in neurological surgery. He performed a fellowship in neurology at National Hospitals for Nervous Disease in London, England, and fellowship in neurological surgery at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Massachusetts. He is board certified in neurological surgery.
*******************************************
 Dr. Alva Dillon, a gastroenterologist, has joined the active medical staff of Singing River Hospital System and is in practice with the Digestive Health Center in Ocean Springs. He received his medical degree from State University of New York in Buffalo. He performed an internship in Internal Medicine at Letterman Army Medical Center in California and a fellowship in gastroenterology at Graduate Hospital - University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in internal medicine and board eligible in gastroenterology.
*******************************************
 John Holyfield, a file clerk in Health Information Management at Ocean Springs Hospital, has been chosen as the Employee of the Month for March. John grew up in Philadelphia, Miss., where he graduated from Philadelphia High School. He then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, where he survived 35 combat missions. He is retired from International Paper, where he worked for 27 years. He started with OSH in 1999 as a part-time employee in Health Information Management and became full-time shortly after.

Return to Top

15. News Around the State
   The 3rd Annual Farmer Jim Neal Charity Golf Event is scheduled for April 16 at Whisper Lake Country Club in Madison. Proceeds from this charity event will benefit Friends of Mississippi State Hospital, Inc. This tournament is a four-person scramble. Tee times are 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The player’s fee is $125 and includes lunch, dinner and prizes. For more information, contact Belvia Ferguson at (601) 351-8018.
*******************************************
 Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg recently donated $1,000 to the Junior Auxiliary of Hattiesburg for their Total Reality outreach program. The check was given to honor Wesley medical staff members on Doctor’s Day 2004. The Total Reality program provides inspirational and real life presentations regarding the negative and far-reaching effects of alcohol and drug abuse.
*******************************************
 Hospice of Light, Singing River Hospital’s program to provide in-home care for the terminally ill, is celebrating its 10th anniversary during the month of March. The program opened for patients on March 1, 1994, and admitted its first patients two days later. It was the first hospice program to serve all of Jackson County, as well as parts of Harrison and George Counties. It has served approximately 1,640 patients since its opening.
*******************************************
 Singing River Hospital Gift Shop is now accessible online. Now anyone with Internet access can send a bouquet of flowers, balloons or other gift to a loved one in the hospital without having to come to the hospital or to the SRH Gift Shop. The online shop is accessible through the SRHS Web site at www.srhshealth.com or directly through www.srhgiftshop.com. Customers can also place orders by calling (228) 809-5350 or e-mailing srh_giftshop@srhshealth.com.
*******************************************
   Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg purchased the Dunhopen Inn, located on Veterans Memorial Drive near I-59, for $1.15 million. The former bed and breakfast will become a substance abuse treatment center for women. The addition allows Forrest General's Pine Grove psychiatric and chemical dependency program to expand from its Renaissance Center on Arlington Loop near the hospital's main campus on U.S. 49. Renaissance Center will continue to operate, but will focus on women with eating disorders. Built in 1997, the 11,800-square-foot Dunhopen Inn will retain its name. After remodeling is completed, 25 to 30 women will be able to stay in the 90-day treatment program. Pine Grove officials hope to move into the facility by June 1.
*******************************************
   The Sunshine Guild Hospital Auxiliary at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Biloxi is now accepting applications for three $1,000 scholarships to be used during the Fall 2004 semester or Spring 2005 Spring-Summer semesters. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have completed at least one year of college in a medical-related field. For more information, call Rosie Livingston at (228) 388-0480.
*******************************************
   Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville recently admitted the first patient to its new intensive care unit. The unit's capacity is six patients.
*******************************************
   North Mississippi Medical Center's Center for Digestive Health is offering area patients new technology in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The new Enteryx procedure is an alternative for patients with small hiatal hernias who have demonstrated a good response to medications. The new procedure is minimally invasive and is performed on an outpatient basis.
*******************************************
   Claiborne County Hospital in Port Gibson will present a weekly column in the Port Gibson Reveille on health-care related topics. They have invited readers to submit comments and suggestions on topics to Mr. Jeff Phillips at (601) 437-5141.
*******************************************
   North Sunflower County Hospital in Ruleville has developed a new outpatient program for senior citizens with a mental illness diagnosis. The program will bridge the gap between inpatient care at the hospital and outpatient visits to a psychiatrist. The target number for each group is between five to 10 participants. Plans are to offer psychotherapy groups, arts and crafts, music expression, physical exercise, reminiscence therapy, reality orientation and cognitive exercise. Services provided will include limited nursing, medication assistance, lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, limited transportation and individual and family therapy. The program will be overseen by Dr. Kea Cassada, the medical director for the North Sunflower County Hospital Senior Care Unit. Larry Evans will serve as the director of the program.

Return to Top

16. MHA Education Calendar

Home | Back to Top