ETMC Regional Healthcare System President/CEO Elmer G. Ellis cuts the ribbon at an open house celebrating the new ETMC First Physicians clinic in Frankston on Thursday, March 4.

The Frankston clinic, located at 580 N. Frankston Hwy., provides family medicine care through the services of Dr. Renee Bean and Cheryl Henderson, RN, FNP. Shown with Mr. Ellis are, from left: Larry Paxton, president of the Lake Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Henderson; Jack Endres, administrator of ETMC Jacksonville; Dr. Bean and Kim Pearson-Wahl, vice president of ETMC First Physicians.

When the idea was floated among members of the ETMC Athens WOW! team to raise money for Haiti by raffling off Valentine’s Day baskets, the expectation was “pretty good.”

“I knew we’d raise some money,” said Adam Willmann, assistant administrator at the hospital. “I figured we’d raise maybe $1,500. I was blown away by the results.”

In preparation, each department at ETMC Athens was provided with a basket, which team members were instructed to fill with “anything your heart desires for the raffle.”

Twenty-nine overflowing baskets – with themes ranging from hunting and family game night to spa day and baking needs – were put on display for two days in the Bush Board Room.
Hospital team members were then encouraged to purchase raffle tickets and place them in containers for the baskets he or she would like to take home. On drawing day, a winner for each basket was chosen.

The results? Just over $4,000 was raised and given to the American Red Cross toward the relief effort in Haiti.

“It was such an overwhelming success and showed just how well we can work together here at ETMC for a specific cause,” said Jennifer Rummel, director of human resources.
“It demonstrated the deep compassion each team member has for those who are less fortunate and facing hardships,” said Willmann. “The ETMC WOW! team is built on the foundation of treating guests of the hospital with compassionate care and exceptional service. We truly believe we’ve succeeded in fulfilling our mission in this fundraiser.”
Members of the surgical department were treated to a prize cake for garnering the most raffle tickets for their basket: “A Night in Athens.”

East Texans facing the challenges of cancer and heart disease have new opportunities

Honoring Mary and Wayne Poindexter and a lasting legacy for cancer care When the late Mary Poindexter of Tyler began care for her pancreatic cancer through the physicians of the ETMC Cancer Institute, the result proved momentous, generating hope for Mary and her husband, Wayne, as well as countless cancer patients to come. The Poindexters had become disillusioned with the care Mary was receiving at another cancer treatment hospital in Texas. Therefore, they were pleased when Dr. Arielle Lee, Tyler specialist in medical oncology, provided a new evaluation and implemented an aggressive treatment plan. In the months that followed, Dr. Lee supervised chemotherapy, which was followed by radiation therapy at the ETMC Cancer Institute in Tyler through Dr. James Kolker, radiation oncologist. Both the physicians and the Poindexters were pleased, as Mary’s condition improved. Mary and Wayne decided that they could best honor Drs. Lee and Kolker and support ETMC’s ongoing advancement of cancer services through a plan of giving to the ETMC Foundation and ETMC Cancer Institute. Therefore, the Poindexter Patient Care Fund was established in 2005 to assist cancer patients with financial hardships so that they may follow their treatment plan, especially regarding palliative care. This charitable funding was only the beginning, however, as the Poindexters listened to ETMC’s dreams for the Cancer Institute and those it serves. They elected to support the construction of the new 6-North patient care unit for cancer patients through an initial gift and a later estate gift, representing a contribution of $5 million. “We wanted to use our funds in some manner that would be greatly beneficial and truly help people at the individual level,” said Wayne Poindexter. “After what Mary went through, we saw how many people are affected by cancer. It was our desire to do something here at ETMC that would help cancer patients in our home community.” After her brave battle with cancer, Mary ultimately lost her life to other medical causes in 2007. However, her kindness and legacy continue through the new Mary and Wayne Poindexter Patient Care Unit, as it opens in January 2010. “The Poindexters truly exemplified the spirit of philanthropy, as they selected projects that will make a difference in the lives of so many patients and families in the years ahead,” noted Elmer G. Ellis, president/CEO of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. “We are grateful for this tremendous giving to ETMC’s mission of saving lives and improving the quality of life for cancer patients. This support is a blessing now and a lasting legacy for countless people, as well as our organization.”

for care and healing in two state-of-the-art units at ETMC Tyler.

On Jan. 12, a dedication ceremony was held for the Mary and Wayne Poindexter Patient Care Unit. The ceremony honored Mr. Poindexter and his wife for their contribution of $5 million to the new oncology (cancer care) unit on the sixth floor. The day also provided guests with tours of the new fifth floor unit dedicated to cardiology (heart care) patients and other medical specialties.

A $28 million expansion
The two new units represent a $28 million expansion project which adds a total of 72 new rooms and two stories to the north tower of the hospital. The building program began in 2008. ETMC Regional Healthcare System CEO/President Elmer G. Ellis noted that the bricks and mortar of construction illustrate the larger message of ETMC’s growing service to the people and communities of East Texas.

“Due to ETMC’s strength in specialized patient care, we have seen significant increases in patient census, including many periods when the hospital is essentially full,” said Ellis. “The addition of the 72 beautiful rooms that will comprise the new 5-North and 6-North units will have many positive effects for our facility as a whole and especially for the patients and guests during their stay.”

Part of the innovation
“Part of the innovation of the two new units is the fact that they are tiered out from the current north wings in a ‘reverse wedding cake’ design,” added Ellis. “This will expand the width of the units by 9 feet, allowing for larger patient rooms and corridors. The comfortable, visually appealing environment will be an important component of the healing process for our patients.”

Each of the units will include 36 private rooms with expansive windows and attractive furnishings, nursing work stations, glass conference rooms and guest waiting areas. ETMC Tyler will grow to a total of 536 beds with the new units. The two units that previously housed these patients (3-South and 6-South) will be used for overflow and also will be renovated in the future.

Positive outcomes of expansion
The positive outcomes of the expansion will include reduced congestion in ETMC Tyler’s Level I Trauma Center as emergency patients are admitted to inpatient care, as well as increased overall capability to accept patient transfers from ETMC’s regional network of hospitals and additional referring physicians and healthcare facilities. Most importantly, the all-private rooms themselves will be state-of-the-art, with large windows, comfortable furnishings and a separate couch/bed for the patient’s guest.

A seventh floor – with a lantern tower top – was also added to the hospital to house mechanical equipment. In addition to the main facility expansion, a new multi-level $20 million parking garage is under construction on Hospital Drive to help meet current and future parking needs. The skywalk is also being extended to reach the new garage. This project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2010.

Key firms involved in the construction project are Hammel, Green & Abrahamson – Architects, Engineers and Planners of Minneapolis, MN; Nori Umemoto Design Associates of San Jose, CA; and Vaughn Construction of Houston/College Station.

Dr. Shawn Pierce has passed his board examination for Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine which gives the ETMC Wound Healing Center, three board-certified physicians. Pierce has been with ETMC since 2005 and is also certified in family practice.

He completed medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and his medical residency at Texas Tech University Health Science Center.

He is married with four children and is a Scout Master with the Boy Scouts of America.

Dr. Stephen Rydzak and Dr. Evans Smith are also board-certified for Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine with the ETMC Wound Healing Center.

ATHENS, Texas -- The Athens Cancer Center, a radiation oncology center that has served cancer patients from Henderson County and beyond since 1998, has been purchased by the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, effective earlier this month.

While the name of the center will change to the ETMC Cancer Institute, ETMC officials said the approximately 20 patients each day who receive radiation therapy treatment at the Athens center should notice no changes; they will continue to receive the high quality care they have been receiving at the center.

“Our top priority is to ensure a seamless transition so that the patients of the center continue to receive the care they need,” said ETMC Cancer Institute Vice President Todd Sigmon. “Over the long term, we hope to enhance patient care with the addition of new technology and expanded services to this area.”

Sigmon explained that the Athens Cancer Center became available for purchase following the recent death of its primary owner and radiation oncologist, Dr. Mitchell Anderson.

“Dr. Mitch Anderson was a much-loved member of the Athens community, as well as the medical community throughout East Texas.” Sigmon said. “Over the years, the staff and physicians of the ETMC Cancer Institute were privileged to know and work with Dr. Anderson, and we want to continue his legacy of service and quality cancer care in Athens.”

The staff of the Athens Cancer Center – many of who whom have worked there for at least a decade -- have become employees of ETMC.

First Radiation Therapy Site Outside of Tyler
The Athens location of the ETMC Cancer Institute will become the system’s first site offering radiation therapy services outside of Tyler.

The ETMC Cancer Institute in Tyler is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

Established in 1922, the Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to reducing the morbidity and mortality of cancer through education, standards-setting, and monitoring the quality of cancer care.

In 1990, ETMC’s Cancer Institute was the first oncology program in East Texas to be certified by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, placing it among the elite hospitals in the nation with approved cancer programs. 
Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer- approved cancer program ensures that patients have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
• A multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
• Access to cancer–related information, education and support
• A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
• Quality care close to home.

In addition, patients of the ETMC Cancer Institute benefit from weekly multidisciplinary prospective planning conferences. These cancer conferences involve up to 25 professionals, who assure that each patient’s case will be carefully considered by a team including radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, primary care physicians, pathologists, radiologists, technicians and other oncology professionals. Each treatment plan is designed specifically for that patient, and will be coordinated and closely followed by the team.

The East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System is East Texas’ largest healthcare system. ETMC facilities include hospitals in Athens, Carthage, Clarksville, Crockett, Fairfield, Henderson, Gilmer, Jacksonville, Mount Vernon, Pittsburg, Quitman, Trinity and Tyler, in addition to the ETMC Rehabilitation Hospital and ETMC Specialty Hospital.
 

ETMC Tyler Administrator Robert Evans, ETMC Neurology Institute Vice President Jeff Thompson, ETMC President/CEO Elmer G. Ellis, ETMC First Physicians Neurologist Dr. George M. Plotkin, and Director of the state Office of EMS/Trauma Systems Coordination pose during a presentation ceremony in which ETMC Tyler received its official designation as a primary stroke center.

ETMC Tyler is one of the first 14 hospitals in the state designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Texas Department of State Health Services. “The purpose of the stroke facility designation program is to establish a framework for developing a voluntary, statewide emergency treatment system for stroke victims,” David Lakey, MD, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, said. “Stroke designation will allow victims to be treated in appropriate stroke-treatment facilities.”

The state department of health services was in Tyler on Dec. 9 to present the certificate to ETMC Tyler.

“We are honored to receive this designation,” said Jeff Thompson, ETMC Neurological Institute vice president. “This program will allow us to improve the quality of care for stroke patients in Texas.”

ETMC Tyler is able to deliver stroke treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a special stroke team in place. (Story continues below our video report)

ETMC Tyler was the first hospital in East Texas to become a certified stroke center as designated by The Joint Commission. The designation indicates the hospital is dedicated to providing high-quality stroke treatment and care. ETMC’s stroke program has two neuro-interventionalists and also offers round-the-clock coverage for hemorrhagic stroke patients.

This year, ETMC was recognized by the American Heart Association as a silver annual performance award winner for the treatment of stroke patients.

“East Texans face one of the highest stroke mortality rates in our state, and we are working to change that by providing quality stroke care and also community education that urges individuals to seek care quickly if they show symptoms of stroke,” added Thompson. “The faster they seek care, the better their chance of survival and recovery.”

A stroke is an interruption of the flow of blood to the brain. The American Heart Association lists it as the number three killer in the United States.

Symptoms of a stroke include:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; especially one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

You should call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

Some risk factors such as age and family history can’t be changed, but if you work to control the areas you can affect by your choices, you can help reduce your stroke risk.
• Stop smoking.
• Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation.
• Eat healthy foods and avoid foods high in fat.
• Have your blood pressure monitored.
• Get moving. Regular exercise helps decrease your risk of stroke.

For more visit etmc.org/stroke

ETMC Henderson's military-themed Christmas parade float, "Celebrate Me Home," won first place in the commercial division of the annual Henderson Christmas parade. The parade was held on Dec. 3, with the theme "Home for the Holidays." Floats were judged on originality, theme observance and artistic appeal or beauty. The float was created by ETMC Henderson team members.

Over 100 volunteers attended the annual Christmas breakfast recently thrown by the hospital to honor ETMC Athens Auxiliary members. Pictured here are (from left) Jean Mettetal, Bill Turner, Wanda Kinney, Robert Allen, Imogene Higgs and Assistant Administrator Adam Willmann. For information about becoming an ETMC Athens Auxiliary member, please call the hospital gift shop at 903-676-1137.

Visit ETMC's H1N1 Page

Plenty has been written and said about the H1N1 flu virus: don’t panic, it’s treated the same as seasonal flu, wash your hands, cough into your arm, stay home if you’re sick. What’s seldom discussed is the impact of the so-called swine flu on besieged healthcare workers and facilities.

Despite the best intentions, many hospitals have been caught flatfooted. A finite number of doctors, nurses and space set against an escalating number of patients is, quite simply, a problem – a problem for which ETMC Athens was prepared.

“We were ready,” said Dr. Dan Bywaters, the medical director of the hospital’s emergency department. “We put together a surge plan before it hit.”
A surge plan is a pre-existing guideline on how to handle a sudden and dramatic increase in the number of patients. That dramatic increase is precisely what happened at ETMC Athens.

In early September, the number of patients per day coming into the ER averaged 82. By the end of September, that number had jumped to 116. That’s a 42-percent increase within a few weeks’ time. As of this writing, the average number of ER patients per day has dropped slightly, to 100. But that’s still well above the pre-flu season norm.
“As far as we can tell, this hospital has never experienced this sustained 100-plus volume through the emergency department,” said Brit Watts, a clinical consultant with Compirion Healthcare Solutions.

Consultant team
It was the foresight of ETMC Athens Administrator Pat Wallace which brought in a team of consultants this past April from Compirion, a healthcare consulting firm focusing on improving hospital performance.

“We know, for the time being, we’re limited in terms of the space available in the ER,” said Wallace. “But we aren’t limited in terms of streamlining the process of moving people through the emergency department as efficiently as possible. We knew we could do better, and we’ve done so.”

This past April, the team from Compirion began working hand-in-hand with existing staff under the leadership of Bywaters and Emergency Department Director David Williams.
One of the first decisions made was to improve the way patients move through the emergency department. As patient movement became more efficient, physician hour coverage was increased, and a special area was dedicated to see less acute patients, including those with flu-like symptoms. These changes were made in August and September.

“Those changes significantly reduced the amount of time patients spent in the ER and helped the hospital handle the surge in patient volume,” said Wallace.
“It’s a credit to this hospital and its people that we put an effective surge plan together in relatively short order,” said Bill Scarnato, SVP of Operations for Compirion. “When you talk about a 42-percent increase inside 30 days – where would we be today if we hadn’t put that plan together?”

Patient vists and patient stays
Remarkably, though the average number of daily patients has skyrocketed, the average length of visit for those patients has dropped by just over an hour. In early 2009, the average length of visit was 233 minutes. As of this writing, it’s 165 minutes (2 hours and 45 minutes) and improving.

How has that been possible? Thanks to two main components: the creation of a temporary triage treatment area which converted existing non-patient space into five treatment spots, and an overhaul of the process by which patients are seen through an ER visit.
Technically, the emergency department has 15 rooms. When needed, four hallway beds are also utilized. In addition to that, as part of the surge plan, are the five treatment areas in triage (just off the waiting area) designated to handle patients with flu and flu-like symptoms. A physician and nurse staff the triage treatment area during peak hours.
The triage treatment area is not intended as a permanent fixture. When the impact from the flu lessens, those areas will no longer be used for treatment.

“The sustainable part of what we’ve done, what will not be changing, is the new process developed by the existing team here in the emergency department,” explained Watts.
“The commitment to overhauling the process has been outstanding,” agreed Scarnato. “What we’ve experienced is that the medical and nursing staff has been very committed to improving the way things are done. They’ve bought into the change, and that’s what’s made it successful.”

That success couldn’t come at a more critical time. While the impact of flu patients has slackened somewhat of late, healthcare workers are being warned of another surge in H1N1 patients. And, Dr. Bywaters pointed out, “We haven’t even seen regular seasonal flu hit yet.”

So get vaccinated, wash your hands and wait for this season to pass.

Read our previous report about H1N1 preparation at ETMC Athens

Residents of Henderson and surrounding areas now have access to medical specialists close to home at the ETMC Henderson Specialty Clinic.

“This is one of many advantages our affiliation with a regional system like ETMC brings,” Mark Leitner, ETMC Henderson administrator, said. “We are offering local citizens quality specialty medical care right here in our hospital.”

The new specialists now visiting ETMC Henderson on a weekly basis include a urologist, an oncologist and a cardiologist – all of whom are board-certified in their specialties.
“These doctors aren’t just conducting consultations with patients in their offices here. They are performing procedures and providing follow-up care on site,” Leitner said. “This helps patients and their families avoid the hassle and stress of traveling out of town for specialty care.”

New specialists and specialties
Dr. Michael Ashigbi, board-certified oncologist, completed his residency at Columbia University and sees patients in Henderson on Fridays. Dr. Andrew Roberts, a graduate of Tulane University and the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, is a board-certified urologist. He practices at ETMC Henderson on Tuesdays. Board-certified cardiologist Dr. Wayne Cooper graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and treats patients at ETMC Henderson on Mondays and Wednesdays.

“We think we’ve put together an impressive line-up of doctors and specialties for the people of this community,” Leitner said. “We hope this is just the beginning. Our plans for the future are to expand the ETMC Henderson Specialty Clinic to continue to meet the needs of our patients.”

The specialty clinic is located on the third floor of ETMC Henderson, and appointments can be made by calling (903) 657-7541.

ETMC Henderson is part of East Texas’ largest healthcare system, the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. ETMC is a not-for-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life in communities throughout East Texas.

Tyler will join thousands of other cities across the U.S. on Saturday, Sept. 26, to raise awareness of the disease of obesity in the annual “Walk from Obesity,” set to begin at 10 a.m. at Rose Rudman Park at 450 Shiloh Road.

 “Obesity is a serious health epidemic that affects one in three Americans,” said Dr. Hugh Babineau, medical director of the ETMC Bariatric Center of Excellence. “More than 93 million Americans are obese and that number is expected to climb. East Texas has a high percentage of obese residents because of diet and lack of exercise,” added Babineau.

The obese are at increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. The walk will raise money to help fund research, increase education and awareness and support community initiatives.

This is the first time for Tyler to participate in the event. To register for the walk or for more information please contact Natalie Carter Pair at 903-531-8169 or Lindsey Turner at 903-593-0230 or email tylerwalkfromobesity@yahoo.com

Register online

The public is invited to a ribboncutting ceremony for the new ETMC fitness center in Jacksonville at noon on Friday, September 11.

The new center is located at 414 S. Main St., one block north of ETMC Jacksonville. Tours will be offered after the ribboncutting until 7 p.m., and membership information will be available. The new facility will open to members at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, September 14.

A $3.5 million investment
The center is a $3.5 million investment in the health and fitness of the area.
“The Nan Travis Foundation has been involved in this effort from the beginning and we are very grateful for the generous donation they have made toward this project,” said Jack Endres, ETMC Jacksonville administrator.

The facility offers:
• A 20’ by 40’ saltwater rehabilitation and exercise pool
• A separate exercise studio with aerobics floor
• A racquetball court
• Locker rooms with showers
• More than 4,600 square feet devoted to exercise equipment and free weights.
• Private treatment rooms for outpatient therapy, including physical and occupational therapy
• Cardiac Rehab classes

Members will benefit from more than 13,000 square feet of space, filled with the most modern exercise equipment available and staffed by fitness experts trained in wellness, exercise physiology, personal training, aerobic instruction and more.

Location
The new center, located in a completely renovated building that once housed Central Baptist Church’s Family Life Center, extends the campus of ETMC Jacksonville an additional block to the north. The facility’s entrance is located on the west side of the building, with convenient access to parking.

“Our members will enjoy all of the latest, greatest fitness equipment, including elliptical exercise machines, treadmills and cycles with integrated TVs and iPod compatibility,” noted Eddie Howard, vice president of the ETMC Rehabilitation Center. A broad selection of Life Fitness strength and cardio equipment has been installed at the facility, in addition to several pieces of free weight equipment.

ETMC's fitness centers provide a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for people of all fitness levels. “The staff at each ETMC Olympic Center is highly-trained and qualified, and always available to help our members when they need it. We maintain a high priority on customer service and personal interaction with our members,” Howard said.

The saltwater pool offers many advantages, Howard noted. “Once they’ve experienced it, most people prefer saltwater over chlorine or bromine pools, because it doesn’t burn the eyes or irritate the skin. It also doesn’t damage hair or bathing suits as the others can.”
The new Olympic Center will offer a variety of exercise classes, including aerobics, water aerobics and yoga. Personal trainers will also be available to help members meet their fitness goals.

Private treatment rooms will allow people who need outpatient rehabilitation, such as physical or occupational therapy, to receive it in a comfortable environment.
“The new Olympic Center in Jacksonville provides a perfect complement to the services at ETMC Jacksonville,” Endres said. “In addition to the fully equipped fitness center, ETMC Jacksonville patients who need outpatient rehab services after their hospital stay can also benefit from this excellent facility.

The facility will employ approximately nine people, staffing it Monday through Saturday. Hours will be 5:30 a.m.- 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 5:30 a.m.- 7 p.m., Friday; and 8 a.m.- 2 p.m., Saturday.

For membership information, please call 903-541-5520.
ETMC Jacksonville is part of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System’s network of hospitals throughout East Texas.

Not even two weeks into the school year, at least seven Murchison ISD students have been diagnosed with type A influenza – though whether they suffer from the seasonal variety of influenza or the much-talked-about novel H1N1 strain is unknown.

Whichever it is, says Murchison ISD School Nurse Jessica Stephenson, RN, there’s no difference in the treatment. Both H1N1 (which has erroneously been referred to as swine flu) and the seasonal variety of influenza are treated with the same antivirals and good, old-fashioned home remedies like rest and plenty of fluid. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control, most people who have been diagnosed with novel H1N1 have recovered without needing medical treatment.

For more on H1N1 visit our swine flu links page

 According to Vicki McAlister, the public health preparedness coordinator for Henderson County, as of Thursday, no other school districts had reported any influenza cases among their students.

ETMC Athens prepares for H1N1
The cases at Murchison ISD only sharpen the resolve of members of the Emergency Management Task Force at ETMC Athens. Members of that committee have been meeting alongside city, county and state officials for weeks to prepare for the possibility of a surge of flu patients in coming months.

 A recent report by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology advises public health officials that it is “plausible” 20 to 40 percent of the U.S. population could contract H1N1 this fall and winter. Even so, there’s no cause for panic, said Debbie Gardiner, director of risk management and performance improvement at ETMC Athens.

“H1N1 is treated just like any other flu,” she said, “and the majority of people who get it will recover without complications.”

High-risk groups
Gardiner and other healthcare workers do point out, however, that pregnant women and children younger than five years old – especially children under 2 – are more at risk for health complications related to the H1N1 flu strain. Therefore, pregnant women and mothers of young children should speak to their physicians about the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available, most likely sometime in mid-October, along with individuals who are chronically ill or have compromised immune systems.

Everyone, health officials are urging, should be vaccinated for the seasonal flu as soon as possible. Some pharmacies and clinics already have seasonal influenza vaccines available.

Steve Lowe, director of engineering at ETMC Athens and head of the hospital’s emergency management task force, said though hospital staff and administrators are hoping for the best, they’re preparing for the worst.

ETMC Athens is a 117-bed facility, but in the event of an influx of patients suffering complications from the flu (typically dehydration), the emergency management team is preparing to be able to convert private rooms into semi-private rooms to expand to at least 175 rooms, if not more.

Planning also includes the best method of keeping flu patients separate from the general population in the hospital to prevent spreading the influenza virus internally. In August, Gardiner and others distributed posters to schools and daycares throughout Henderson County, reminding everyone how important it is to wash hands frequently and sneeze or cough into a sleeve.

In fact, good hand hygiene is the first line of defense against the spread of any type of virus. State and schools to partner Once the H1N1 vaccine does become available, starting in October, it is likely the state will partner with schools to inoculate children. “We are working closely with school districts to prepare for the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine,” said McAlister, the county’s public health preparedness coordinator. “It is all voluntary. There is no mandatory vaccine.

 So it will be up to the parents to decide whether their children receive the vaccine or not.” Though clinical trials are still under way, it appears the H1N1 vaccination will be administered in two doses, 21 to 28 days apart. “The most important message we can deliver right now,” said McAlister, “is prevention.”

ETMC Tyler has been recognized as a silver annual performance award winner for the treatment of stroke patients. The American Heart Association is spotlighting ETMC and other hospitals in the July issue of U.S. News and World Report. Listed hospitals have successfully utilized the AHA’s “Get with the Guidelines” program for coronary artery disease, heart failure or stroke. 

ETMC was recognized in the stroke category for 12 consecutive months at 85 percent or higher adherence to all performance measures.

Get with the Guidelines improvement program
“Get with the Guidelines” is the premier hospital-based quality improvement program for AHA and the American Stroke Association. It empowers healthcare provider teams to consistently treat heart and stroke patients according to the most up-to-date guidelines.
“ETMC implemented the AHA’s Get with the Guidelines program to expand and improve the care we provide in treating and preventing stroke,” said Bob Evans, administrator/CEO of ETMC Tyler. “We are very proud of this recognition.”

ETMC Tyler was the first hospital in East Texas to become a certified stroke center as designated by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The designation indicates the hospital is dedicated to providing high-quality stroke treatment and care. ETMC’s stroke program has two neuro-interventionalists and also offers round-the-clock coverage for hemorrhagic stroke patients.

To qualify
To qualify as a certified center, a facility must establish standardized protocols to assure consistent care. Physicians and staff must be educated in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, and systems for continuous quality improvement must also be in place.

“East Texans face one of the highest stroke mortality rates in our state, and we are working to change that by providing stroke care and also community education that urges individuals to seek care quickly if they show symptoms of stroke,” Evans said.  “The faster they seek care, the better their chance of survival and recovery.”

East Texas Medical Center Tyler has joined a growing number of cutting-edge Texas businesses by becoming designated as a Mother-Friendly Worksite.

Created by the Texas legislature in 1995 and administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), this designation recognizes companies that allow new mothers returning to work a place and time for lactation.

“ETMC believes in the benefits of breast-feeding and has a lactation room for employees to pump breast milk,” said Lisa Burkhalter, RN, ETMC Family Birthplace clinical manager. “We have a private room on our Family Birthplace unit where the employee can pump or nurse with access to a sink and a refrigerator to store their milk. We also have accommodations for employees at our off-site locations in Tyler including behavioral health, the wound healing center and ETMC South Broadway.”

To become Mother-Friendly, ETMC developed a policy reflecting its support of breast-feeding and submitted an application to DSHS.

East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System screened 1,572 East Texas men during the 11th annual free prostate cancer screening.  

Every summer during June, ETMC offers free PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood tests to East Texas men at risk.  The blood test identifies the level of PSA in the blood.  An elevated level can be an early sign of prostate cancer.  During the past 11 years, ETMC has screened more than 28,500 men during these screenings.

“Of the 1,572 men screened, 63 of the tests came back with abnormal values,” said Todd Sigmon, vice president of the ETMC Cancer Institute. “We have contacted those patients and advised them to have a follow-up with their physician or urologist.”

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer kills 28,660 men each year in the U.S.  This year 186,320 new cases will be found.  If you missed this year’s screening or have any symptoms, don’t wait. Contact your physician for a prostate screening test.

An overview of the ETMC campus reveals construction work that's progressing on two sites. Two cranes can be seen working on the projects, which are moving forward as anticipated. The blue crane is dedicated to ETMC's new parking garage.

Construction of 72 new rooms for ETMC Tyler is right on schedule.

 “The two new patient wings being added to the fifth and sixth floor of ETMC Tyler are starting to take shape,” according to Robert Layton, ETMC corporate director of plant services. “Workers are painting the façade on the outside and soon the crane over the hospital will come down, as the construction moves to the inside of the floors with electrical, plumbing and drywall.”

The $28 million addition is scheduled to be completed in January of 2010. The new 5 North will house cardiac patients and the new 6 North will be used for oncology patients.

The two units that previously housed these patients (3 South and 6 South) will be used for overflow and will also be renovated in the future.

Parking garage
A new $20 million parking garage is also under construction on Hospital Drive. The garage will have six-levels with an estimated 1,000 new parking spaces.

 “The skywalk is also being extended this summer to reach the new garage, “added Layton. Emergency department expansion begins The ETMC Tyler emergency department is getting a $4.6 million facelift. Over the next 18 months, three new trauma rooms will be added with state-of-the-art technology including digital X-rays in the room. “We are also remodeling the waiting room and will have three triage rooms instead of one,” according to Art Chance, ETMC vice president of operations. ED West will now be open 24 hours a day to handle emergency patients. The waiting room, registration and triage will also take place in ED West during construction.

 ETMC Tyler is also updating another set of operating rooms in surgery in the basement. It takes about four months to complete this modernization which includes new floors, walls and lighting and integrated electronics for each room.

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