***Lady of the Sea publishes the free La Dame de la Mer NEWSLETTER each quarter and distributes it throughout the South Lafourche community, as well as surrounding areas from Central Lafourche to Grand Isle. For Marketing information, please contact LaVelle Chiasson with the Lady of the Sea Marketing Department at 985-325-8434.
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| ACHOO!!! Don’t Let the Flu Catch You! There’s been much said about the novel H1N1 influenza, better known in its early days as Swine Flu, as well as some confusion on flu vaccines for this season. Know that you can trust the information coming from Lady of the Sea. Our Infection Control / Employee Health department is run by Helene Melancon, RN, CIC, certified in Infection Control and responsible along with our physicians and providers for educating our employees and our community on infectious diseases that could affect our area. In addition to Nurse Melancon, members of our staff have attended various trainings on pandemics and influenza this year so that we are prepared as a healthcare facility to provide the best in patient care to our community. A Pandemic is the spread of a single disease During a flu pandemic, such as the novel H1N1 influenza, the disease is spread quickly from person to person and affects many people in a short period of time. There are many flu viruses and they continually change. Usually the changes are slow and predictable, but if a flu virus changes a lot, it could result in a new kind of flu. A true global pandemic, like H1N1, is signaled by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is characterized by verified human – to – human transmission of a new strain of influenza able to cause community level outbreaks in a least 3 countries. Waves of influenza activity will usually continue to occur over the months following the initial pandemic declaration. Pandemic Flu VS Seasonal Flu Many people are looking for reliable information on the differences between H1N1 flu and seasonal flu. Seasonal flu goes around every year, usually in the fall and winter. It is not a completely new virus, so it strikes fewer people, since some have already gained immunity from being exposed in previous years. H1N1 influenza has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization as of June 11, 2009. It is expected that by the 2010 flu season, H1N1 will be included in the seasonal flu outbreaks. For up-to-date reliable information on influenza, see our website www.losgh.org or call our hotline at (985) 632-8200 to listen to a message on the latest information on flu. How is Influenza Spread? H1N1 influenza is spread much in the same way as the seasonal influenza virus – from person to person mainly through droplets of infection that are spread through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people become infected by touching something, such as a surface or object with flu viruses on it, and then touching their mouth or nose. Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on an environmental surface and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on that surface. This means that if someone sneezes and droplets of the virus are spread on a countertop, for instance, and another person touches that countertop within 2 to 8 hours and then touches their own mouth, nose or eyes, then that person could become ill with the flu without actually being in direct contact with a sick person. The fact that we continued to see flu illnesses during the summer months this year is directly related to the new strain of influenza. This fact should make us more aware of our regular seasonal influenza time frame and the amount of flu illnesses we are likely to see throughout the 2009 – 2010 flu season. Symptoms of Seasonal Influenza and H1N1 Influenza The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people infected with this virus have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. However, illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. Most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment. These are the same symptoms of the seasonal flu except that some people with the seasonal flu have a more severe and prolonged illness. As we enter the regular season for seasonal flu, we expect to see more people in our community sick with the flu, both seasonal and H1N1. If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, the CDC recommends that you stay home and avoid contact with other people. In addition, you should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, meaning your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medications. If you have severe illness or you are considered high risk for flu complications, then you should contact your health care provider. Your health care provider will then determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed. Who should get vaccinated this season, and with which vaccination? In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu should get vaccinated. It is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that certain people should get vaccinated each year. It is expected that an H1N1 vaccine will be available sometime this fall, although no information has been given as to who will qualify to receive these vaccines and how they will be distributed by press time. Seasonal Flu Vaccinations are available at all of our family medical clinics now and will continue to be administered as long as we have vaccines available. Turn to Lady of the Sea for the most up-to-date information on influenza as well as any other illnesses affecting our community. Remember that you can check our website (www.losgh.org) and flu hotline (985) 632-8200 anytime, day or night. |
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| Dialysis Clinic Award For three consecutive years, Lady of the Sea Dialysis Clinic has scored 100 percent for timely accurate reporting to ESRD Network 13. The purpose of Network 13 is to provide educational information and leadership to chronic dialysis and transplantation professionals in order for them to provide the highest quality of care to their ESRD (End-Stage Renal Dialysis) patients. As a reward for this feat, Lady of the Sea Dialysis Clinic has been recognized as a Certified Member of the Club 100! The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) mandated that all networks, like Network 13, must track all mandatory forms received by each provider for timeliness and accuracy. CMS expects a 90% compliance rate annually for timeliness and accuracy. “I’m very proud to report that Lady of the Sea Dialysis Clinic, under the direction of Holly Griffin, RN, has scored 100 percent for timeliness and accuracy for the past three years,” said Don Werner, CEO of Lady of the Sea General Hospital. “We’re very proud of the accomplishments of our dialysis unit employees and their constant commitment to patient care.” At Lady of the Sea, you can trust our promise of award winning healthcare, close to home. |
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| Home Health Agency Quality Award Lady of the Sea Home Health Agency has received a Bronze 2008 Louisiana Home Health Agency Quality Award presented by Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc. (LHCR), the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana. The award was announced at the second Louisiana Health Care Quality Summit hosted by LHCR in Baton Rouge in May 2009. With this award, Lady of the Sea Home Health Agency is one of only 16 Home Health Agencies in the state to receive a Bronze 2008 Louisiana Home Health Agency Quality Award. The Louisiana Home Health Quality Award is presented to home health agencies that have achieved defined levels of health care quality improvement of up to 39% in Acute Care Hospitalization (ACH), with a 30% or greater improvement in 4 clinical outcomes as defined by CMS by December 2008. Louisiana Home Health Quality Awards were given for excellent performance and improvement (Home Health Award continued from page 3) in Acute Care Hospitalization (ACH) and other outcomes.The topics measured for the awards have been designated as national care priorities by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Staff members from Lady of the Sea Home Health Agency have been working with quality improvement specialists from LHCR to use proven, evidence-based practices to improve patient care and decrease acute care hospitalization visits. “Our Home Health staff here at Lady of the Sea is providing the very best in patient care and our efforts have been enhanced through our quality improvement partnerships with LHCR. We are extremely proud to be a recipient of this distinguished award,” said Suzanne Cheramie, Home Health Manager at Lady of the Sea. “Louisiana Health Care Review is pleased to recognize home health agencies such as Lady of the Sea Home Health Agency for achieving measured improvement in patient care. More importantly, we know that utilizing proven standards of care can save lives and we applaud the work of these home health agencies in their dedication to quality patient care for the people of their community,” said LHCR Chief Executive Officer Gary Curtis. “As the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana, we are committed to working with providers in all health care settings to improve the health and health care of Louisianans.” |
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| Hospital Quality Award Lady of the Sea General Hospital has received a Gold Level 2008 Louisiana Hospital Quality Award, presented by Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc. (LHCR), the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana. The award was announced at the second annual Louisiana Health Care Quality Summit hosted by LHCR in Baton Rouge in May. Lady of the Sea General Hospital was presented the award for improving the quality of health care for our patients in the clinical areas of heart failure, pneumonia and acute myocardial infarction. This is the fourth year these awards have been given to hospitals in Louisiana. LHCR established the award to recognize Louisiana hospitals that successfully implement quality initiatives directed toward improving patient care in the hospital setting, specifically in the areas of: Acute Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, Pneumonia, and Surgical Care. These topics have been designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The quality improvement efforts at Lady of the Sea General Hospital are led by Lloyd Guidry, Jr., Pharm.D., Director of Quality Control. Our entire Medical staff and Clinical Resources Management staff have been instrumental in our successfully attaining gold level status. “Our hospital average over the last 8 quarters for heart failure and pneumonia was 95%, and during the calendar year of 2008, 5 of the 10 indicators reported reached the top 10% level for all hospitals reporting. This is something we’re all very proud of at Lady of the Sea” said Don Werner. “Our goal is to reach the top 10% in all indicators as reported by CMS.” “We use proven, evidence-based practices to assure that consistent medical care for all patients is carried out,” said Lloyd Guidry, Jr. “Our combined efforts were successful in improving the quality of care provided to our patients.” “We are proud of the quality improvement initiatives being carried out at Lady of the Sea. We are realizing direct benefits as patient health improves and lives are saved,” said Karen Collins, RN, Director of Patient Care Services. The Louisiana Hospital Quality Award is based on select criteria and measured improvements in the specified clinical areas. To be eligible for the award, hospitals must have achieved improvement of at least 25% for each applicable topic or maintain a high level of performance greater than 90% during the 2007 calendar year. There were 93 hospitals in the state that received 2008 Louisiana Hospital Quality awards. |
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| Lady of the Sea Announces Partnership with CIS Beginning October 5th, Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) will begin providing Cardiology services at Lady of the Sea General Hospital. “We are excited to bring CIS services to our patients here in Galliano,” said Don Werner, CEO of LOSGH. “This association will bring world-class physicians, state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities and the latest technology to detect and treat heart and vascular disease to our facility.” Medical services available will include both cardiac and vascular evaluations and treatments, EKG, treadmill stress testing, echocardiography, nuclear medicine studies, CT scanning, and cardiac related patient counseling. Call 1-800-425-2565 today to schedule an appointment at the newest CIS Clinic location at Lady of the Sea General Hospital. |
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| Lady of the Sea Emergency Department Receives Triage Toolbelt Training In an effort to improve patient throughput while enhancing patient safety with more accurate and reliable triage, Lady of the Sea Emergency Department recently completed the Emergency Triage Toolbelt training. Triage is the process used to determine which patients receive medical care first based on severity of trauma or illness. The Triage Toolbelt training provides personnel with a quicker, more effective way of providing patient assessment. Accredited as continuing education by the American Nursing Credentials Center’s Commission on Accreditation, the Emergency Triage Toolbelt training takes place throughout the country. Lady of the Sea was a host facility for this training, which included participants from around the country. “With the training taking place on our campus, our staff was able to participate together as a group and benefit from this training as a department,” said Buffy Lafont, RN, BSN, CEN, Emergency Department Manager at Lady of the Sea General Hospital. The training explains the triage process, systems and acuity levels and discusses the various roles of the triage nurse. It gives a clearly defined tool to implement the 5-level triage process that predicts resource use and acuity of patients for a quicker triage system. Emergency department patients are treated in the order of severity of illness and need for immediate attention as opposed to a first come, first served basis. “We are always looking at ways to improve the patient experience as we strive to deliver excellence in care.” said Lafont. Taking the patient care experience to the next level – Lady of the Sea Emergency Department. |
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| Radiology Earns Mammography Accreditation Lady of the Sea Radiology Department has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in Mammography as the result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology (ACR). To receive ACR Accreditation, evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who assess the qualifications of the personnel and the adequacy of facility equipment. The ACR is a national organization serving more than 32,000 members. The Lady of the Sea Mammography team has been receiving grant funds from the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Bayou Region Affiliate since 2003 amassing approximately $125,000 over the 7 year period. These grant funds allow us to provide services for uninsured patients in need of breast cancer screening. In the past 7 years, an estimated 400 patient visits were covered, with 7 patients identified with positive findings of breast cancer, thankfully allowing an opportunity for early interventions. If you are an uninsured patent in need of breast cancer screening, please contact your physician and request our radiology services today. Let 2009 be the year you decide to take your breast health seriously. Speak to your physician about scheduling a mammogram and request Lady of the Sea Radiology Department. You can rely on us to provide expert, quality care in a family-type atmosphere where you can feel comfortable and understood. |
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| The Royce J. Doucet Memorial Walking Trail Dedication On August 6, 2009, family, friends and business associates gathered to honor the memory of Royce J. Doucet, recently deceased Lady of the Sea Board of Commissioner. Royce made many contributions to our community, one of which was introducing the concept of the walking trail at Lady of the Sea. In his memory, Lady of the Sea Board of Commissioners passed a resolution renaming the walking trail the Royce J. Doucet Memorial Walking Trail. One sure sign of Royce’s effect on his community was the large number of people that gathered together to witness the dedication of the trail and remember our dear friend. Heartfelt memories were shared, and the new memorial trail sign was unveiled. The walking trail is available for anyone interested in fitness, relaxation or rejuvenation. One lap around the trail measures one-eighth of a mile and is open 24 hours a day. Come by and join us sometime! |
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| Welcoming Ochsner St. Anne OB-GYN Lady of the Sea General Hospital welcomes the physicians and staff of Ochsner St. Anne OB-GYN Clinic to Cut Off. Recently, Ochsner St. Anne OB-GYN clinic started seeing patients in the Lady of the Sea Specialty Clinic located at 195 West 134th Street. The Women’s Clinic provides a broad range of services that meet the specific needs including annual wellness exams, obstetric exams, evaluation and treatment of hormonal disorders, and contraceptive consulting. The Ochsner St. Anne Women’s Clinic is a full-service obstetrical and gynecological facility. Ochsner St. Anne OB-GYN medical staff practicing in our clinic are Dr. James F. Cardwell, Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Certified Menopausal Practitioner, Dr. Charles H. Faucheux, Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Dr. Gregory P. Morris, Obstetrics and Gynecology and the two newest members of their team, Dr. Margaret Miklic, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dr. Simone Pitre, Obstetrics and Gynecology. The staff of Lady of the Sea welcomes our newest partners and looks forward to providing excellence in healthcare, close to home. Call 1-866-939-6193 and request an appointment at our Cut Off facility. |
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| What is the best way to avoid getting the flu? 1. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Sure, it sounds too simple, and too good to be true – but it is a proven fact that hand washing is the most effective way of limiting your contact with germs and viruses. It’s as simple as washing your hands often throughout the day, especially after you sneeze, touch surfaces, prior to preparing something to eat or drink, or when you leave your environment or return from some activity outside of your normal areas. 2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away in the trash immediately after you use it. 3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. 4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. |