Quint Studer of the Studer Group presents Southern Regional with the "Firestarter Award" for January 2005

Medical Makeovers

Southern Crescent Hospitals Spruce Up for 21st Century

By Collin Kelley

Throughout the Healthcare industry, makeovers are happening all the time--and they're critical to maintaining and improving the health of everyone in the community. Medical procedures and technology are continually being developed; the hospitals, physicians and other healthcare facilities throughout Coweta and Fayette counties are keeping pace and bringing the best in treatment options to residents here.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital

Part of a good makeover is all the compliments you receive, and Piedmont Fayette Hospital has accomplished that by being named one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals by Solucient, a healthcare information company.

Piedmont Fayette and Piedmont Hospital were the only hospitals in the state of Georgia to earn the distinction; the award recognizes hospitals that have achieved excellence in quality of care, operational efficiency, financial performance and adaptation to the environment. This is the second time both hospitals have been recognized. Piedmont Hospital was one of 20 recognized in the large community hospital category and PFH was selected as one of 20 in the medium community hospital category.

"These recognitions uniquely belong to employees, physicians and volunteers at both hospitals who are dedicated to the performance standards evaluated by Solucient," says Darrell Cutts, president and CEO of PFH.

Another makeover aspect is Piedmont Fayette's commitment to keeping up with trends in technology. PFH was among the "Most Wired" hospitals in the nation according to the 2005 Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study. Most Wired hospitals--those that have invested significantly in health information technology--have lower mortality rates than other hospitals, according to the study's results released in the July 2005 issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. According to the magazine, the Most Wired facilities use a wider array of IT tools to address quality and safety as well as decrease mortality rates.

In April, PFH opened the Women's Imaging Center, the first facility of its kind in Fayette County. The center provides a range of women's health services, including screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasounds, breast biopsies and bone density screenings.

The center's team of board certified radiologists, specialized technologists, patient representatives and support personnel provide personal, compassionate care. The hospital's Auxiliary contributed $100,000 to the Women's Imaging Center to create a welcoming ambiance, including artwork and décor as well as blanket and gown warmers for the comfort of patients.

PFH continues to grow and provide quality care and convenient access to services for patients, visitors and physicians. In January 2005, the west wing of the 3rd floor was completed adding 12 private patient rooms. PFH expanded its cardiovascular care with the addition of adult diagnostic cardiac catheterization services; cardiac cath measures blood flow within the heart, oxygen in the blood and the heart muscles pumping ability.

Construction on the clinical expansion continued throughout 2005 to expand laboratory services including blood bank, cardiac catheterization lab and the patient and family waiting area for emergency services. Other interior projects, scheduled to be completed in early 2006, include relocation of the dining room, relocation and expansion of patient registration, and the addition of two operating suites along with additional pre-operative and recovery support space. With nearly 1,000 parking spaces and current plans for over 1,300 spaces, the hospital's Auxiliary volunteers began operating a campus transportation shuttle service with golf carts and a dispatcher located in the hospital lobby.

Equipment has continually been added and updated. PFH was one of the first eight hospitals in the nation to acquire a 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner which can detect strokes, head injuries, herniated discs, fractures and bone and soft tissue damage in trauma patients. The scan also may be used for diagnosing heart disease and early stage cancers, including lung and colorectal cancer.

Newnan Hospital

Newnan Hospital's dramatic leap forward has it on par with any of the big hospitals you'd find in Atlanta, and even offers a few programs the big boys don't. Newnan Hospital has an obstetrics and pediatrics department on site and can also perform MRIs and CT Scans right at the hospital.

A very important addition at Newnan Hospital is their new cardiac catheterization lab.

While Newnan Hospital has provided a mobile cath lab service since 1994, the Newnan Hospital Board of Directors declared Cardiology Services as a Center of Excellence and applied for the Certificate of Need to build an in-house cardiac catheterization lab in 2003. There were some initial obstacles, but the CON was ultimately approved in September 2004. A year later, the lab was in operation.

"It was a long process, but well worth it," says Darlene Evans, Vice President of Patient Care Services for Newnan Hospital. "Through this in-house lab, we will be able to provide better quality and more comprehensive care."

The lab features the AXIOM Artis FA Silver, developed by Siemens--a technologically advanced cardiac and vascular imaging system. With this system, physicians quickly get high-quality images and can provide faster, more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments for patients.

Chief of Cardiology, Dr. George J. Vellanikaran, has practiced in Newnan since 1991. When he began, he was the only Cardiologist in Newnan. "Now, my practice has grown to include 6 other Board Certified Cardiologists," he says. "With Newnan Hospital's new in-house lab, we are caring for our patients who previously had to go to Atlanta for treatment."

Makeover is the word for what's happening at the Labor and Delivery department at Newnan Hospital. The department is getting a new look and added services that are drawing more new and expecting moms; currently, the hospital averages 70 births a month.

The five labor, delivery and recovery (LDR) suites and bathrooms are receiving new flooring, wallpaper and deco; the physician's lounge has been redone.

"We hope to renovate the nursery, nurses station and all other public areas of the unit," says Sheila VonBerge, RN, Director of Women Children Services.

To help new mothers' throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery, Newnan Hospital offers several prenatal classes. Prenatal nurse educators teach everything from Childbirth Preparation to Sibling Classes to help make the transition easier as families expand.

In Spring, Newnan Hospital added a Lactation Center, complete with two board certified lactation consultants on staff, to provide both inpatient and outpatient services and serve as a source for pump rental and/or purchase.

"This additional service has proven to be a very popular one," adds VonBerge. "Because of such high demand, we are continually adding pumps to our supply."

Another service that is in the works is a midwife program. "We currently have one midwife who works with my practice," says Dr. Heide Moeling, the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. "With the growing number of requests from patients, we are looking to add one more so that this can be an ongoing service that could be provided to all patients at Newnan Hospital."

One of the hospitals most popular new departments is the Sleep Center. Whether caused by stress, depression, excess weight or medication, sleep disorders can put a damper on your own personal makeover.

A sleep study is the best way to diagnose many sleep disorders. Doctors often recommend an overnight stay in the hospital's sleep laboratory, where brain activity, body position, oxygen levels, muscle movement, heart rate and airflow are measured.

Once you've had a good night's sleep, get a good workout in Newnan Hospital's state-of-the-art health and fitness center. The center is open visitors and employees; no membership is required. Guests can purchase a $5 daily pass to work out on the treadmills, bikes, elliptical trainers, stair climbers and cardio theatre.

Instructors and coaches are also on hand to answer questions. Free exercise instruction is available to senior citizens.

Southern Regional Medical Center

Hospitals are often the heart of a community. Clayton County's Southern Regional Medical Center is taking that to a new level as they become one of only 20 Georgia hospitals that will provide coronary angioplasty procedures with backup surgical support for patients having an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) or those with blocked arteries.

Angioplasty is a medical procedure that opens a narrowed or blocked section of the coronary artery with a balloon catheter; it's less invasive and has a far shorter recovery time than open-heart surgery. In the past, only hospitals with on-site open-heart surgical support were able to perform the procedure.

The service is scheduled to start at SRMC in the first quarter of 2006. "In an evolving myocardial infraction, time is of the essence," says Dr. Robert Hamilton, Southern Regional's Senior Vice President of medical Affairs. "Patients will be able to receive this care closer to home, saving valuable minutes and heart tissue."

SRMC continues to grow in services and in size. Southern Regional Health System, the parent company of SRMC, has purchased 92 acres of land on Georgia Highway 138 with plans to build an outpatient medical campus.

According to SRHS CEO Edward Bonn, the property was purchased as a part of a long-term strategy to meet the increased demand for services to citizens throughout the Southern Crescent. The preliminary plans for the land include an ambulatory campus that will provide a full range of state-of-the-art outpatient services, and medical office space to accommodate area physicians' practices.

Back at Southern Regional, the hospital opened its Inpatient Hemodialysis Unit in May, 2005. The 4-bed unit will provide centralized dialysis care on the second floor of the medical center.

"The leading cause of renal failure is high blood pressure and diabetes," says Laura Fisher, RN, clinical nurse manager for hemodialysis at SRMC. "There is a huge need for dialysis services, and this new unit will help us immensely with patients needing dialysis."

Currently, SRMC provides approximately 230 dialysis treatments a month. Patients in the hospital who are stable enough to move will be brought to the new unit to receive dialysis treatment. The unit will accommodate four patients at a time with the assistance of two RN's. Each treatment takes about 5 hours per patient.

Prior to the unit opening, SRMC nurses were mobilized throughout the hospital, providing in room care to all dialysis patients. The unit will still provide mobile services to patients in the critical care department.

Also new is the third-floor Rehabilitation Center at Southern Regional, a 20-bed comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program for people who have suffered a loss of ability to function as a result of accident, injury, illness or surgery. Some of these losses may result in difficulty dressing, bathing, eating, walking, swallowing, communicating, speaking and thinking.

South Fulton Medical Center

East Point-based South Fulton Medical Center has cornered the market in the South Metro with more than $45 million in improvements over the past 4 years. These improvements, initiated when Tenet Healthcare Corporation acquired the facility in 2001, have focused on improved patient care, improved technologies and facility renovations.

The makeovers have been drastic--and welcome. In 2004, SFMC completed, and celebrated, a major overhaul of their Emergency Department. The department's $8.5 million expansion doubled its square footage. A "Fast Track" system was designed and implemented to efficiently treat and release patients with minor illnesses and injuries.

In 2005, SFMC opened its Senior Care Clinic, located in the Medical Arts Building beside the hospital. The clinic offers Diabetes/Nutrition Education, Outpatient Cardiology Services, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Outpatient Radiology Services and Outpatient Respiratory Services.

Eleven specialties, including Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Urology and Women's Health are all in one convenient location. And to make it even more convenient, patients just have to make one call for all their outpatient procedure scheduling. The Senior Clinic even provides complementary door-to-door transportation.

"We've recognized the ever-growing older population," says Christopher Hummer, CEO of SFMC. "That's why we're pleased to offer this clinic for
seniors needing outpatient services." Hummer hosts monthly Lunch & Learn events, inviting the community to learn what's happening at South Fulton and tour the facility.

Technology improvements since 2001 include a new Cardiac Catheterization lab, a GE Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system and digital imaging
system. Other improvements include a new outpatient radiology center for greater customer convenience and ease of access and the recent installation of the Pyxis MedStation 3000 to improve the safety and timely delivery of medications to all patients.

SFMC has even begun to extend its renovations beyond the hospital doors. The hospital launched a major initiative in conjunction with the hospital's Community Advisory Board--the Cleveland Avenue Revitalization Study. This initiative includes a comprehensive planning, re-design and zoning master plan for the Cleveland Avenue corridor. Working in conjunction with the cities of East Point and Atlanta, the hospital hopes to be a proactive partner in the explosive revitalization.

Southwest Christian Care

Nestled on a beautifully-landscaped hillside in Union City, Hope House Children's Respite Center, part of the ministry of Southwest Christian Care, provides respite care for families of medically fragile children, ages birth to 21. At Hope House, parents trust trained professionals to provide loving care for their children while they take much-needed time for themselves.

The staff at the child-friendly facility puts a great deal of energy into making medically fragile children feel at home and many special features enhance their visits with opportunities for new experiences and favorite activities.

One of the best features of Hope House, as well as the other services of Southwest Christian Care, is that the care is offered at no cost to the family.

Southwest Christian Care also provides hospice care for terminally ill patients. The goal of hospice is to support the patient and family physically, emotionally and spiritually. For families facing end-of-life issues, Southwest Christian Hospice is a haven that does all of this and more.

The Hospice offers both homecare and center-based care. If around-the-clock assistance is needed, the Hospice Care Center, a 12-bed facility with a home-like environment, is available. A team of physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, clergy, volunteers and home health aides are there to provide for every need.

Spiritual support is a very important component of care at Southwest Christian Hospice. In fact, Spiritual Care Counselors are available, at no cost, to the entire community. The Spiritual Care Team shares God's love and respects the beliefs of each individual patient and family, regardless of their faith.

Southwest Christian Care depends solely on the gifts of individuals, churches, civic groups, businesses, corporations and foundations. To learn more about Southwest Christian Care and the many ways you can help, visit www.swchristiancare.org. If you or someone you know is in need of their services, call Myrna Bond, Associate Director and Director of Nursing, at 770-969-8354.

Fitness Lady Express

A healthy retreat designed especially for women, Fitness Lady Express combines the best aspects of a personalized gym and a relaxing spa. You can work out with a personal trainer, use the cardio room for cross conditioning or get energized with some circuit training.

For stress relief, indulge yourself with a personalized serenity massage or take advantage of the infrared sauna therapy. All of this is available in a tastefully decorated atmosphere.

Georgia Cancer Treatment & Hematology

Georgia Cancer Treatment and Hematology Center specializes in the care of oncology and hematology patients, with office locations in Fayetteville, Riverdale, Stockbridge, Atlanta and Marietta. The Center meets the challenges of managing cancer and blood disorders with a team effort approach. Every treatment plan is personalized, incorporating the latest in medical advances with a mind/body philosophy and nutrition.

"Team captain" Dr. Gerald Goldklang has been practicing Hematology and Oncology in the Atlanta area for 20 years. "At our center, we tailor each patient's treatment to address their physical, nutritional and psychological needs," he says. "It's important to bring all aspects together as part of the healing process."

OutPatient Imaging

Coweta and Fayette residents have the advantage of receiving advanced medical imaging in a friendly setting, close to home. At OutPatient Imaging, the skilled staffís considerate attitude assures that each patient has a relaxed and comfortable experience. Their superior diagnostic radiology includes digital xrays and fluoroscopy, vascular and general ultrasound, CT (Computed Tomography) and a high field 1.5 T MRI. Board certified and sub-specialized radiologists provide interpretations and details of each exam.

PAPP Clinic

Area residents know that the physicians and healthcare specialists at PAPP Clinic combine a long history of service to the community and the latest in medical technology and expertise. PAPP has six neighborhood locations in Coweta County where patients are treated by over 40 highly trained physicians in eleven areas of medical specialties and sub-specialties.

The clinic offers the benefits of key medical specialties including Cardiology, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/ Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryn-gology, Pediatrics, Pulmonary Medicine and Urology ­ all within one organization. They also provide a full range of diagnostic testing services and treatments.

Peachtree Smile Spa

After a few visits to Peachtree Smile Spa, you'll be proud to share your beautiful smile with the world.

"There are several ways your smile can be improved ­ by bleaching, recontouring or a complete smile makeover with laminate veneers," says Shrenna L. Clifton, DDS, General Member of the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

As an experienced cosmetic dentist, Shrenna can advise you on the best and safest ways to bring out the full beauty of your smile. The friendly, knowledgeable staff at Peachtree Smile Spa makes every visit enjoyable.

Radiation Oncology Services

The fully-accredited Radiation Oncology Services (ROS) is one of only a few freestanding radiation oncology services. ROS employs the most up-to-date, computerized instrumentation and participates in national clinical trials.

With a full-time Quality Improvement Coordinator and active financial counselors, the healthcare team at ROS puts patients' needs and comfort at the forefront. There are five facilities conveniently located throughout Atlanta ­ one right in Newnan.

Summit Healthplex

Total health for the whole person ­ that's the concept that has driven Summit Healthplex since it opened. The 82,000 square-foot facility on Highway 34 in Newnan is an affiliate of Newnan Hospital and offers a full range of health services, from preventive care to pain management.

Some of the services available at the Healthplex are Georgia Bone & Joint, Georgia Rehabilitation Center, Summit Occupational Medicine, Summit Urgent Care, Summit Family YMCA, Southern Crescent Pain Center, Summit Care Pharmacy, Newnan Medical Imaging and PAPP Clinic Internal Medicine. Patients have a one-stop location with all the individual services working together for optimum care.

West Georgia Sleep Disorders Center and Neurology Associates

Over 40 million people suffer from some sort of sleep disorder. West Georgia Sleep Disorders and Neurology Associates can help. The credentialed staff evaluates and treats children and adults suffering from the symptoms of sleep disorders and neurological conditions. Physicians and technologists are trained in sleep disorders medicine and neurodiagnostics.

They also specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord and muscles. The diagnostic treatment facility has three locations ­ Peachtree City, Carrollton and Douglasville.

Living Lens-free

Wouldn't it be nice not to squint at the alarm clock every morning? Or fumble for your glasses? Or worry about cleaning your contact lenses?

You can eliminate some of the complications in your life by having your eyesight corrected through laser vision correction (LASIK). You'll not only be free from the cost and upkeep of glasses and contacts, you'll also see clearly 24/7 ­ even when you're running, swimming or playing soccer.

If you're over 21 years old, currently wearing contacts or glasses and considering LASIK, the eye doctors at Peachtree City Eye Center will be happy to discuss LASIK with you. They're experts who've been helping area residents maintain their eye health and clear vision since 1975. They'll consult with you and determine whether you're a candidate for LASIK.

Once they recommend you for the surgery, you can feel confident. And the whole experience will be stress-free. The doctors at Peachtree City Eye Center can perform all the pre-op and post-op work right in their office on Peachtree Parkway; you'll only need to travel into Atlanta on the day of surgery.

LASIK is a tried-and-true procedure. More than 10 million of the procedures have been performed and over 1.3 surgeries will be scheduled in the upcoming year. To schedule a consultation, call Peachtree City Eye Center at 770-487-8900.