Community Health Care

up close, personal & progressive

by Shar Peters

Often, fighting Atlanta-area traffic to visit your doctor, seek a second opinion, receive specialized treatment or to join a health-related support group is not only time consuming, but can add stress to your medical treatment. Well, take note of the progress our area health care facilities have made. Your stress-filled journeys may be reduced.

To serve our growing population, area medical facilities are providing some of the latest health care testing and treatment technology. Plus, more top-notch physicians, technicians and other health care professionals are joining their staffs.

Today many patients become actively involved in decisions regarding their health care options. The population has also come to expect more regarding services, facilities and personnel.

Recognizing increased patient involvement, health care facilities are put in a situation where they must listen to their patients' demands and try to offer the services they need and expect. However, meeting these needs is neither easy nor simple. Difficult decisions must be made regarding personnel, services, growth and expenditures. Health care facilities must know their mission and realize their limitations.

Darrell Cutts, CEO of Fayette Community Hospital (FCH), says, "Our goal is to offer exceptional health care services provided by outstanding physicians and employees in order to serve our community."

FCH is currently undergoing physical expansion. Outpatient rehabilitation services such as physical therapy and speech-language pathology and the fitness center are relocating across the highway to the Fayette Professional Center. The move was implemented to free up more hospital space. Their plans include an increase in the number of private patient rooms. In addition, the Hospital has added occupational therapy as a new service and has added two new physicians to the Minor Emergency Care Center to handle patients.

"We appreciate the community's patience as we continue to grow in order to offer new services while providing the same outstanding services we have since 1997," Cutts goes on to say. "As we grow, we are committed to making our facility a true community hospital that serves the health-care needs of area residents. After all, we are treating our friends and neighbors."

Across the street from the Hospital, FCH has opened a four-bed outpatient Sleep Lab, providing full-service diagnostic capabilities for patients suffering from sleep disorders. The Lab is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team who evaluates patients who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling and/or staying asleep, snoring and other sleep-related maladies.

FCH's growth is not only physical, but is also technological. It includes the recent purchase of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner. This noninvasive, painless scan is used to detect small cancerous tumors, subtle changes in the brain and heart and other medical problems. The Hospital offers a range of comprehensive diagnostic services from simple chest X-rays to non-
invasive arterial studies.

FCH recently added a new multi-slice CT scanner for cardiac scoring. This non-invasive technology takes pictures of the heart and determines how much calcium build-up is in the arteries, a direct indication of heart disease. Calcium scoring helps
determine cardiovascular risk but is also used to evaluate heart disease treatment.

"Fayette Community Hospital is part of the larger Piedmont Medical family, " says Cutts. "Fayette is unique because it provides comprehensive health care, easy scheduling and it's close to home. We also have access to expanded resources through our sister hospital at Piedmont."

Expansion and change is also occurring in Coweta County. Newnan Hospital, a community institution since 1925, announced in October 2002 that it was acquiring the assets of Emory Peachtree Regional Hospital, also in Newnan.

At that time, John F. Gray, President of the Newnan Hospital Board of Directors said, "We believe the consolidation of the two hospitals will permit more comprehensive healthcare services for our community."

With that mission in mind, Newnan Hospital has worked throughout 2003, carefully coordinating between the Newnan Hospital East and West Campuses to meet all the needs of Coweta residents. In October 2003, the Board of Directors announced its decision to consolidate all patient care services into the Newnan Hospital West Campus, located at 60 Hospital Road.

"The West Campus will undergo renovations and some expansion as part of the consolidation process," says Glenn M. Flake, CEO of Newnan Hospital. "We've got compassionate and qualified employees united towards providing superior, comprehensive healthcare services, right here in Coweta County. Our patients will remain our top priority as we complete this important process."

According to Gray, concentrating all patient services to the West Campus is the most cost-effective and logical method of providing healthcare to the community. "Our goal is to have a state-of-the-art facility and the consolidation process will be conducted with a vision of a new hospital."

Another hospital serving area residents is Southern Regional Health System (SRHS) in Riverdale. The 406-bed medical/surgical unit is also updating its facilities and equipment.

"Southern Regional was founded to fill a vital need, so people could have quality, affordable healthcare in their community instead of traveling downtown or to the north side of Atlanta," says Rick Smith, director of public relations and marketing. "Our goal is still the same as it was back in 1971 when we opened our doors."

Toward that goal, cutting-edge equipment has been added. In June 2003, a breakthrough computed tomography (CT) scanner was purchased. This scanner provides detailed images of the human body in minutes, allowing the speed and accuracy medical staff need for quick diagnosis, especially in emergencies.

The Radiology Department at SRHS has added a new dual head nuclear medicine gamma camera, which can adjust to provide direct imaging of ambulatory, pediatric, wheelchair and gurney patients, while giving the best view possible of a patient's medical condition. They also acquired a Computer-Aided Detection system (CAD) for mammography.

Respiratory therapists have new ventilators with graphical interfaces that allow clinicians to synchronize the ventilator to a patient's specific breathing needs.

The Cadwell digital neurodiagnostic computer is a 3-in-1 wonder for the Neurodiagnostics Division. This lightweight big-screen laptop computer can check brainwaves and nerve pathways as well as test for hearing and visual problems. It also secures electronic transfer of testing to physicians for immediate readings. During back surgeries, Cadwell "assists" physicians by alerting them if they're getting too close to a nerve. Before Cadwell, a surgery team would need to haul three different pieces of equipment around for testing and surgical procedures.

The improvements involve staff, too. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit received its own neonatal nurse-practitioner and clinical pharmacist. With them on board, the NICU will continue its team approach to caring for its smallest patients.

"We want to impact our community and bring healthy living to everyone," says Smith.

Radiation Oncology Services, Inc. (ROS) operates five radiation therapy centers in the Atlanta area and has long been recognized as the referral of choice by oncologists throughout the area. With the re-opening of their Newnan Regional Radiation Therapy Center (NRRTC), more patients can take advantage of highly advanced equipment and a dedicated, professional staff in a private, peaceful setting.

NRRTC installed a Varian Clinac® Linear Accelerator in the summer of 2003. Their Linear Accelerator delivers Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), an advanced technology that allows doctors to deliver high doses of radiation directly to cancer cells in a targeted way that protects surrounding healthy tissue and allows for fewer side effects.

"From initial treatment planning to patient outcome studies, we have redesigned the facility with our patients' complete care in mind," says J. Warner Ray, MD. "With the addition of IMRT, we now offer the same treatment
programs available in major medical centers but in the private setting of a neighborhood, outpatient facility."

The expanded array of radiation oncology services and treatments available at NRRTC also include B Mode Acquisition Tomography (BAT) and a new Computerized Tomography suite with state-of-the-art treatment planning systems. In addition, ROS has an affiliation with the Atlanta Brachytherapy Center, a treatment center that offers a discipline of using radioactive material for direct patient implants on a temporary or permanent basis. Through a sophisticated
computer network, there's high-speed access to affiliate ROS treatment centers that ensures rapid transfer of important clinical and patient data.

The entire staff is certified in their specialty. NRRTC is one of the first non-hospital based radiation therapy facilities in the US to be accredited by the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations. "Thanks to the dedication and talent of our professional staff, we now enjoy a national reputation for excellence," adds Ray.

One of the newer facilities in Newnan that focuses on health, pain management and wellness is The Summit Healthplex. Under the roof of this 82,000 square foot building is housed a variety of medical, surgical and rehabilitative offices and services, as well as a pharmacy, and the Summit Family YMCA.

The PAPP Clinic, also a multi-
specialty medical care facility, has six locations in the Newnan area. Begun over 80 years ago and incorporated in 1961, the PAPP Clinic has added numerous new technologies to aid in diagnoses and treatment of their patients. One of these technologies is the nuclear stress test, which allows doctors a view of the heart while resting and after exercise. Doctors can then determine how well the heart is pumping, the size of the heart chambers and whether there is heart damage or an artery affected by disease.

PAPP will be updating and improving current radiological and diagnostic equipment to aid in delivering state-of-the-art health services.

Increased medical technology and more patient volume results in a sometimes overwhelming demand for record keeping. Extensive record keeping and the new Privacy Act requirements call for new and upgraded computer
systems and software, as well as record storage equipment. Many administrators comment that people just don't realize the regulations that govern medical facilities, and the cost and time involved maintaining these records.

Fayette Community Hospital is one of the first in the state to implement an electronic medical record system that focuses on providing the information needed to improve the accuracy and precision of clinical decision making. This sophisticated technology makes healthcare safer and more efficient in the delivery of outstanding quality healthcare by creating a paperless medical record.

With the help of their Patient Safety Committee, Southern Regional launched the Speak Up! Program last Spring. "With the attention given to patient safety concerns throughout the nation recently, we are committed to making patient safety a top priority within our organization," says Susan Nemchik, chairman of Patient Safety Committee.

According to Carol Alexander, PAPP Clinic Director, they will also be adding a new information system and will be working at improving their electronic medical records.

Because of access to medical sites on the Internet and increased health
coverage by the media, residents are becoming more educated regarding their health and treatment choices. They are not only seeking medical treatment, but are also researching information regarding health maintenance and disease prevention. And, many people are looking for ways to take an active part in their own well being.

As a result, several local facilities and community programs have expanded their services to include exercise and diet information and classes, preventive medicine education, healthy lifestyle tips and health care education. Classes, seminars and support groups cannot only give you the information you need, but can help you take a proactive role in your health care and treatment.

Southern Regional offers and/or sponsors more than 30 different classes and support groups, including several programs with the local American Cancer Society. SRHS also sponsors Southlake Mall's MallWalkers program and hosts an average of 35 health fairs a year.

Fayette Community Hospital has just doubled the size of its fitness center and is opening memberships up to the community. In addition, the Hospital offers nutrition counseling, cardiac rehabilitation, joint replacement pre-op classes and diabetes education along with partnerships with local support groups.

Dr. Andrew T. McDonald, president of the PAPP Clinic applauds patient aggressiveness. "We welcome the challenge of providing service to a more sophisticated patient who actively participates in their healthcare decisions."

At a time when health care is at the forefront of the news and the concern of so many people, we need to recognize and appreciate that our community is taking an up close, personal and progressive approach to meeting our growing health care needs. It can only result in a win-win situation.

OutPatient Imaging

OutPatient Imaging provides the latest state-of-the-art in medical imaging. Superior diagnostic radiology at OPI includes digital fluoroscopy, vascular and general ultrasound, CT (Computed Tomography) and a high field MRI. The interpretations and details of each exam are rendered by board certified radiologists; subspecialty radiologists are also on staff to provide additional expertise.

Equally important to providing the best medical imaging is the convenience and comfort of the exam. Scheduling is done with the patient's convenience as the priority. The staff is considerate and helpful and the setting is relaxed and comfortable, without long waits.

Overall, OPI is providing the Southern Crescent with advanced and expert medical imaging in a comfortable and relaxed setting. They promise short waits, convenient appointment times and rapid reporting of exams.

CARDIAC DISEASE SPECIALISTS, P.C.

Cardiac Disease Specialists (CDS) is committed to delivering high quality cardiovascular care using the full range of clinical, non-invasive, and interventional services available. They provide the best possible service to all patients, referring physicians, employers, managed care companies and other parties.

Since 1980, CDS has served patients in metro Atlanta. Now they've grown to serve patients in communities throughout Georgia, with physicians, nurses, technologists and physician assistants who are highly-trained in nuclear cardiology, echocardiography and other specialized procedures.

Diagnostic services at CDS include EKG and exercise/treadmill EKG, echocardiography, vascular ultrasound testing, stress echo, transesophageal echocardiography, nuclear cardiac imaging, and cardiac catheterization. Therapeutic services include coronary angioplasty, coronary atherectomy, pacemaker and pacemaker monitoring, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) and coronary stents.

CDS is committed to wellness and disease prevention accomplished through personalized screenings and patient-tailored risk reduction programs. They also have a cardiac research center, staffed by specialized nurses, which provides access to new developing drugs, products, and procedures.

Newnan MRI

Newnan MRI gives a great value to patients - the newest technology with old-fashioned care. They've been providing imaging services to the southwest Atlanta corridor since October of 2001.

Newnan MRI uses the Philips Intera short bore magnet, representing the highest advances in MRI technology. They also employ the most recent diagnostic software upgrades. These upgrades allow them to perform any exam for your physician - ranging from neuro, musculoskeletal and abdominal imaging to advanced cardiac studies. And the Philips MRI is designed to make patients feel at ease with its spacious design.

Newnan MRI takes pride in making the imaging experience comfortable and pleasant for the patient, as well as providing superior service, quality and support for the referring physician. They guarantee their performance to both the patients and their physicians.