Article Date: 6/18/2013

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Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake is pleased to offer Stryker® Navigation image-guided surgery for orthopedic procedures on the hip, knee and spine. Image-guided surgery, also known as computer-assisted surgery, allows the operating physician to make the slightest adjustments during procedures that may help establish a more precise placement of the joint and help improve surgical results.

“This computer-assisted technology gives the surgeon comprehensive data about the patient’s anatomy that may result in more exact placement of the joint replacement,” said Paul Saadi, M.D., orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. “It also allows the surgeon to more accurately plan for the surgery with a partial three-dimensional model of the patient’s hip, knee or spine, and provides better visualization of anatomy, which is particularly important when minimally-invasive techniques are used.”

Computer-assisted surgery may allow for less-invasive surgical techniques that have several other potential advantages, including reduced blood loss during surgery, which lessens the need for a blood transfusion. Additional benefits associated with the procedure include reduced risk of dislocation and revision surgery, greater stability and range of motion, and improved overall function of the joint replacement.
Stryker Navigation technology uses special tracking devices that give the surgeon a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s joint mechanics in the operating room (OR). Armed with this information, the surgeon may make adjustments within a fraction of a degree, helping to ensure the new joint has the stability and range of motion needed for a successful replacement.

As the surgeon moves an instrument within the joint, special infrared trackers calculate its position and wireless instruments transfer the data to a computer in the OR. This information is then displayed on a monitor as an interactive model of the anatomy or “blueprint” that supplies the surgeon with all the angles, lines and measurements of each patient’s unique anatomy. The surgeon then determines the size and location of screws to be implanted for a spine procedure, or replaces the diseased bone with new, artificial joint components, often called prostheses or implants, for a hip or knee procedure.

For more information about Stryker Navigation image-guided surgery, call 866-764-3627. The risk factors associated with any surgery or conventional total joint replacement remain. In addition, surgery time may be extended.

Article Date: 6/10/2013

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Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake has received the Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The award recognizes Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted guidelines.

Get With The Guidelines–Stroke helps Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake’s staff develop and implement acute and secondary prevention guideline processes to improve patient care and outcomes. The program provides hospitals with a web-based patient management tool, best practice discharge protocols and standing orders, along with a robust registry and real-time benchmarking capabilities to track performance.

The quick and efficient use of guideline procedures can improve the quality of care for stroke patients and may reduce disability and save lives.

“Recent studies show that patients treated in hospitals participating in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program receive a higher quality of care and may experience better outcomes,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., chair of the Get With The Guidelines National Steering Committee and director of the TeleStroke and Acute Stroke Services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass. “Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake’s team is to be commended for their commitment to improving the care of their patients.”
Following Get With The Guidelines-Stroke treatment guidelines, patients are started on aggressive risk-reduction therapies including the use of medications such as tPA, antithrombotics and anticoagulation therapy, along with cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation counseling. These are all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients. Hospitals must adhere to these measures at a set level for a designated period of time to be eligible for the achievement awards.

“Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake is dedicated to making our care for stroke patients among the best in the country. The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program helps us to accomplish this goal,” said Jay Krishnaswamy, chief executive officer at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. “This recognition, as well as the Gold Seal of Approval™ by The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification program, demonstrates that we provide quality care for our stroke patients.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Article Date: 6/5/2013

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With less than three and a half miles separating Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake and Mission East Dallas all it took was the perfect opportunity to bring the two health care providers together in a partnership to benefit the community. Started through Project Access Dallas, a former initiative of the Dallas County Medical Society to provide compassionate care for the community’s uninsured, the collaboration between Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake and Mission East Dallas resulted in the sponsorship of a recent Chief on the Beat health and safety fair at Lake Highlands High School. Going forward, the combined efforts of the two organizations are anticipated to help provide much needed primary medical care in an appropriate setting for members of the East Dallas community who are underinsured or uninsured.

“We are excited to join forces with a clinic that focuses on an underserved patient population and creates a medical home to ensure they get the medical care they need,” said Jay Krishnaswamy, chief executive officer at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. “Ultimately, through this partnership, we will be able to provide quality, accessible health care in the appropriate setting for all patients.”

During the recent Chief on the Beat health fair, which was attended by more than 5,300 people, approximately 300 to 500 people had blood pressure checks and diabetic testing. Attendees also received information about primary medical care services provided in a family practice setting through Mission East Dallas. In addition to preventive care and early intervention, the medical clinic also provides chronic disease care, oral hygiene screenings, well woman exams, minor procedures, urgent visits, and health screenings and vaccinations for needy patients of all ages.

“For the best outcomes, people should have a medical home,” said Charles Wiltraut, chief executive officer at Mission East Dallas. “Emergency room care is expensive and not where patients need to go to have their care managed. We can be the first point of care by providing these services in a clinic setting.  We all have a role and a responsibility in the health care safety net. By working together, we can help each other fill in any gaps and make our community healthier.”

Mission East Dallas was established in 2002 by Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in collaboration with other local churches and volunteers in order to better meet the health needs of eastern Dallas County. The clinic delivers primary and preventive health care services and is a medical home for patients with chronic health problems. For more information about Mission East Dallas, visit MissionEastDallas.org.

Article Date: 5/18/2013

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You Don’t Have to Be Over 50 to Have a Stroke

Learn About Your Personal Stroke Risk Factors at a Free Screening Sponsored by Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

Rocker Bret Michaels was 47 when he had a stroke, actress Sharon Stone was 43, Delaware attorney general Beau Biden was 41, and New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi was 31. Find out more about your personal risk factors, prevention, symptoms and treatment at a free stroke clinic sponsored by Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. The screening includes evaluating total blood cholesterol, taking blood pressure, measuring weight, and assessing personalized stroke risk. The event will be held Saturday, June 15 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the West Tower/Rehabilitation Center at 9330 Poppy Drive (near Garland Road and North Buckner Boulevard). Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 866-764-3627 today to make your reservation.

Stroke accounts for the fourth largest number of deaths in the United States annually and is a leading cause of disability. But there is good news. There are about 7 million stroke survivors alive today and the death rate from stroke has actually declined over recent years. Want some more good news? You can control some risk factors and potentially prevent a stroke.
• Manage high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
• Stop smoking.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.

Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval™ by The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification program and named a Primary Stroke Center by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. To learn more about stroke risk factors, visit the free, online health library on the Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/StrokeRisk.

 

Article Date: 5/10/2013

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During the past year 518 health care workers have been trained at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake through a consortium grant with Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic and Vibra Specialty Hospital in partnership with El Centro College using a $1+ million Skills Development Fund grant.  The hospital provided 14,175 hours of training to employees as well as members of the community. Medical personnel who were trained included registered nurses, ancillary staff, physicians, emergency medical technicians, and office and administrative personnel.

“The main reason we chose to participate in the grant is that it brings so much more education to our facility,” said Denise Krajewski, RN, MSN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. “We have been able to provide education beyond the nursing staff and do more community outreach to better serve the needs of our area. We will be applying for the grant again in 2014 because it has been so successful.”

Since receiving $347,000 in grant funds, the hospital identified health care needs and developed targeted educational programs that included:
• An eight-hour symposium on chest pain and stroke for employees, and local emergency medical and fire department personnel.
• Leadership training for frontline managers.
• Wound care and diabetes training for clinical employees.
• Stroke education for employees and the community.
• Courses on effective time and change management for employees.
• Advanced certification training for operating room and chemotherapy staff.
• Support for physical therapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy staff members to attend external training conferences.
• Infection prevention courses for high school students.
• A four-hour healthy intervention and protection course that taught security staff how to interact with highly stressed patients or family members.

The Skills Development Fund is Texas’ premier job-training program providing training dollars for Texas businesses and workers. The Fund, which is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, provides financial support to a business, consortium of businesses, or trade unions that have identified a training need and then partnered with a public community or technical college to fill the specific needs. Businesses work with college partners to submit proposals, develop curricula, and conduct training. The Skills Development Fund pays for the training, the college administers the grant, and businesses create new jobs and improve the skills of current workers.

“We plan on presenting 10 more courses to finish out our grant, including classes for leadership training, minimally invasive spine care and workplace fatigue, as well as training physicians and employees using a simulation mannequin. Our goal is to have another 155 staff members trained by the end of May,” added Krajewski. “Now that we have all this experience in working with El Centro and providing these courses, we will be able to offer even more community and staff education going forward.”

 

Article Date: 5/9/2013

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Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. The high score was awarded in the latest update to the Hospital Safety Score, the A, B, C, D or F scores assigned to U.S. hospitals based on preventable medical errors, injuries, accidents and infections. The score was compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading experts on patient safety and is designed to give the public information they can use to protect themselves and their families.

“This A score was made possible thanks to the continued efforts of all our physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and support staff to offer quality care in a safe environment,” said Jay Krishnaswamy, chief executive officer at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. “Our patients deserve nothing less than this high level of care, which we are honored to provide for the benefit of our East Dallas community.”

To see Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake’s scores as they compare nationally and locally, visit the Hospital Safety Score website at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

“Hospitals that earn an A have demonstrated their commitment to their patients and their community,” said Leah Binder, president and chief executive officer of The Leapfrog Group. “I congratulate Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake for its safety excellence, and look forward to the day when all hospitals will match this standard.”

Article Date: 4/4/2013

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The Dallas and Fort Worth Dermatological Societies, Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society are offering Metroplex residents an opportunity to have their suspicious skin spots checked during the Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening. This free screening is Saturday, April 27, 2013. One in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Incidence rates for melanoma, one of the deadliest types of skin cancer, have been increasing for at least 30 years. Melanoma is about 98% curable if caught in its earliest stages and treated. Most basal and squamous cell cancers can be cured, especially if the cancer is detected and treated early.

Skin Cancer Screening Information

What:   FREE Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening – dermatologists will be available to check moles and other spots for signs of cancer and to determine if further analysis is necessary.  
 
When:   Saturday, April 27, 2013, 8 am – noon 
Children 18 years or younger must have a parent/guardian present.

Where:  Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake, 9440 Poppy Drive, Second Floor, Dallas, TX 75218

To make a reservation call 866-764-3627.

 

Article Date: 4/5/2013

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For the fifth consecutive year Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake has earned the prestigious award for Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), a membership organization representing more than 50,000 health professionals involved in respiratory care nationwide. This national program was started in 2003 to help patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of respiratory care services available in hospitals. About 700 facilities out of the 5,000 hospitals in the United States have been named a Quality Respiratory Care institution.

The QRCR program was developed as a way to help consumers identify those facilities using qualified respiratory therapists to provide respiratory care. Hospitals earning the QRCR designation ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services. To qualify for the recognition, Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake ensures that:
• All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services or hold the CRT or RRT credential.
• Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours.
• Other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures and the amount of supervision required for personnel to carry out specific procedures must be designated in writing.
• A doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.
• Hospital policy prohibits the routine delivery of medicated aerosol treatments utilizing small volume nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, or intermittent positive pressure treatments to multiple patients simultaneously. Circumstances under which this practice is permitted is defined by policy.
• A process is used that periodically compares performance of the hospital’s respiratory department on efficiency and quality metrics with similar departments for the purpose of identifying and achieving best practice.

Respiratory therapists are specially trained health care professionals who work under physician's orders to provide a wide range of breathing treatments and other services to people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, AIDS, and other lung or lung-related conditions. They also care for premature infants and are key members of lifesaving response teams charged with handling medical emergencies.

Hospitals that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines, and should be commended for their commitment to quality care. A list of QRCR hospitals is maintained at the AARC consumer website at www.YourLungHealth.org.

Article Date: 4/1/2013

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Older adults are more likely to stay healthy, live on their own, and incur fewer health care expenses if they follow healthy behaviors, stay engaged with family and friends, and take steps to prevent chronic diseases. To help today’s 55+ age group be proactive in maintaining good health, Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake is offering a free monthly lecture series so baby boomers can share memories of bell bottoms, tie-dye shirts and transistor radios with their grandchildren for many years to come.

The free, informative classes will be held in the hospital’s West Tower at 9330 Poppy Drive, Suite 206. A light continental breakfast will be served at no charge. Registration is required and space is limited. Call 866-571-5633 today to make a reservation.

Tuesday, April 9 at 7:30 a.m.
Hip and Knee Pain: Total Joint Replacements presented by Marc S. Goldman, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon

Tuesday, May 7 at 8:00 a.m.
Vaccines for Seniors Age 65 and Older: Immunizations for Better Senior and Elderly Health presented by Jorge Ontiveros, M.D., Internal Medicine

Wednesday, June 12 at 7:30 a.m.
Hearing Loss presented by Dwight Lee, M.D., Otolaryngologist

Article Date: 3/21/2013

Article Date: 3/8/2013

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Drew Shea has been named the new chief financial officer at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. Shea joined the hospital after serving in numerous financial positions of increasing responsibility at other Tenet Healthcare Corporation facilities across the country. He most recently served as chief financial officer and assistant chief financial officer at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Prior positions include controller at Centennial Medical Center in Frisco, Texas, and senior accountant at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

“Drew’s extensive health care financial management experience and strong fiscal leadership will contribute to the overall strategic success of the hospital,” says Jay Krishnaswamy, chief executive officer at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. “We are pleased he has joined our administrative team as we continue to further expand our presence and leadership role in the east Dallas community.”

Shea received his Master of Business Administration degree in accounting and Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Nichols College.

Article Date: 2/25/2013

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Jay Krishnaswamy has been named chief executive officer (CEO) at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake where he has served as interim CEO since November 2012. In this position, Krishnaswamy will be responsible for providing overall strategic direction and leadership to ensure the operation and success of the hospital.

Krishnaswamy started his career in health care as a quality consultant at Kaiser Permanente. Throughout his 10-year tenure at Tenet hospitals, he has served in a number of leadership roles, including associate administrator and chief quality officer at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, California, and most recently as chief operating officer at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital in Houston.

“We are confident that with Jay’s experience in healthcare leadership he will continue to meet the hospital’s main goal, which is to deliver high quality healthcare to our patients and their families,” commented Tim Adams, Regional Operations Senior Vice President for the Central States Region at Tenet Healthcare.

Krishnaswamy received his Master of Business Administration degree specializing in health care administration from Cleveland State University and Master of Science degree in health services research from Case Western Reserve University.

Article Date: 2/1/2013

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There are a number of steps involved in caring for wounds, even small ones. Stop the bleeding, rinse the wound with clear water, clean around it, remove any debris such as splinters, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover the wound with a bandage. It should heal, right? Most of the time, it does. But sometimes wounds become chronic, lasting for days, weeks and even months.

The Wound Treatment Center at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake offers advanced care for chronic wounds so a person’s entire quality of life is not disrupted. “Some patients with complicated or acute wounds will need more attention,” says Marie Dinh, M.D., internal medicine physician on the medical staff at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake who specializes in wound care. “We assess what is delaying wound healing, such as poor circulation or infection, and facilitate the healing process by caring for the wound and educating the patient about the importance of their overall health. When they understand how managing diabetes or eating a healthy diet impacts their wound, patients are more motivated to control these factors.”

The Wound Treatment Center provides precise diagnosis and proper treatment for a wide variety of chronic wounds, such as infections, diabetic foot ulcers, post-surgical non-healing, gangrene, skin breakdown from incontinence or radiation treatment, and venous and arterial leg ulcers. A comprehensive wound evaluation is done that includes assessment of infection, nutritional status and vascular supply. A review of the patient’s understanding of and ability to care for their wounds also is done, and home care is arranged if necessary.

“Depending on the patient, treatment can include using a variety of dressings such as silver impregnated foams or collagen dressings, specialized offloading therapy like a total contact cast that improves the environment around the wound so it can heal, or bioengineered skin grafting,” says Dr. Dinh. “Our advanced, personalized wound care services are designed to minimize pain and discomfort, and expedite healing.”

Chronic wounds that may need medical attention are those that are ongoing, last longer than three months, or come back regularly. Most patients at the Wound Treatment Center are assessed by a physician once a week, and receive daily or regularly scheduled dressings by an experienced nurse. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A physician referral is not required for services. For more information about the Wound Treatment Center, visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/WoundCare.

Article Date: 1/23/2013

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Free Lecture Series for Active Adults 55+ Hosted by Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

Baby boomers may be passing the half a century mark, but don’t call them old. Instead, throw out the rocking chair and get ready to witness a generation that gives new meaning to the term “senior.” To help today’s 55+ age group be proactive in maintaining good health, Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake is offering a free monthly lecture series so the teens of the psychedelic 60s and disco 70s can enjoy a good quality of life as they look forward to their golden years and beyond.

The free, informative classes will be held in the hospital’s West Tower at 9330 Poppy Drive, Suite 200. A light continental breakfast will be served at no charge. Registration is required and space is limited. Call 866-571-5633 today to make a reservation.

Thursday, January 31 at 9:00 a.m.
Weight Loss and Wellness presented by Todd McCarty, M.D., General Surgery

Wednesday, February 6 at 7:30 a.m.
55 and Over: Heart-healthy Tips for Preventing Heart Disease presented by Robert Brockie, M.D., Cardiology

Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 a.m.
Leg Pain: How to Sort It Out presented by James Kohn, M.D., Vascular Surgery

Article Date: 1/17/2013

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As a woman, do you know what your risk is for developing heart disease? You might be surprised. Heart disease is not just for men. In fact, it is the leading cause of death for American women. Want to learn about how to prevent and treat heart disease? Attend the free Healthy Heart Event hosted by Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake on Saturday, February 2 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the hospital’s Rehabilitation Center in the West Tower, 9330 Poppy Drive, for a heart screening just for women. The event is free, but reservations are required. Call 866-764-3627 today to make an appointment.

The free screening includes a blood cholesterol check, blood glucose test, blood pressure monitoring, weight evaluation, and personal health assessment with a nurse. Cardiologists on the medical staff at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake will be available to answer questions about the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Each participant will have the opportunity to meet with them one-on-one to ask specific questions about this disease and how she can take steps to improve her heart health.

Women run a higher risk of developing heart disease after menopause because the body’s production of estrogen drops. But women can take an active role in preventing cardiovascular disease by managing certain risk factors.
• Don’t smoke.
• Lower cholesterol.
• Maintain a normal weight.
• Exercise.
• Manage diabetes (if diagnosed with the condition).

Having even one of the risk factors for heart disease can be dangerous. But having multiple risks is even more serious because risk factors tend to intensify the effects of others and increase the chances of developing a heart condition.  To learn more about heart disease risks for women, visit DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/WomenandHeartDisease.

Article Date: 1/11/2013

Text Area 1: Make a fashion statement on Friday, February 1! Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake is encouraging people to don their favorite red shoes, cherry scarf, crimson shirt, burgundy pants, ruby belt, or scarlet socks (but not all at the same time) in honor of National Wear Red Day, a day when Americans can wear their favorite shade of red to show their support of women and the fight against heart disease. The hospital also is offering a free Red Dress lapel pin in recognition of Go Red for Women, a nationwide movement created by the American Heart Association that celebrates the energy, passion and power that women have to band together and wipe out heart disease. Spreading the Go Red For Women message by wearing red on National Wear Red day empowers women to love – and save – their hearts through lifestyle choices and actions.

“More than one-third of women do not perceive heart disease as a health concern even though it is the number one killer of American women,” says Gregory Redish, M.D., cardiologist on the medical staff at Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake. “Raising awareness of heart health issues ultimately enhances the level of wellness within the community.”

Women can take care of their heart with five simple steps:
1. Be active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.
2. Eat smart. Opt for fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
3. Know your risks. Age, gender, race, family history and other medical conditions can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
4. Pay attention to your heart. Be aware of warning signs and visit a doctor early to avoid serious complications.
5. Read all about it. Learn about heart disease to be better prepared to prevent and fight it.

“Every woman should be aware of the signs of a heart attack because heart problems are not just for older people and men,” adds Dr. Redish. “A woman who experiences unshakeable fatigue, sleeplessness, shortness of breath, unexplained nausea, uncomfortable chest pressure, or pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms should seek emergency medical assistance because she could be having signs of heart disease.”

Women can learn more about heart health, warning signs of a heart attack, and preventing heart disease for women on Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake’s website at DoctorsHospitalDallas.com/GoRedForWomen. They also can take an online risk assessment quiz, and download tip sheets and guides with information about how to make better, healthier lifestyle choices. For a free Red Dress lapel pin, call 866-764-3627 (offer good while supplies last).