DuBOIS - The Heart Center of DuBois Regional Medical Center expanded in April 2001 to include interventional catheterization and open-heart surgical procedures, more commonly found in big city hospitals.

Over the years, local cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons have performed thousands of procedures in a local, hometown setting at The Heart Center. Patients have come from nearby communities throughout Clearfield, Jefferson and Elk counties, as well as approximately eight additional counties in the region to receive top-quality care at The Heart Center.

Now, The Heart Center is being recognized on a national level.

Thomson Reuters, a healthcare research and measurement company from Ann Arbor, Mich., released its annual study on Monday identifying the 100 U.S. hospitals that set the nation's benchmarks for inpatient cardiovascular services.

The study - 100 Top Hospitals: Cardiovascular Benchmarks - examined the performance of 971 hospitals by analyzing outcomes for patients with heart failure and heart attacks and for those who received coronary bypass surgery or percutaneous cardiovascular interventions (PCI) such as angioplasties.

"I'm extremely proud today, knowing that our physicians, nurses, all healthcare providers in The Heart Center and everyone at DRMC has worked very hard to achieve this honor for our hospital and for our patients," DRMC president Raymond Graeca said. "Being a community hospital doesn't have to mean that you can't do advanced procedures and keep pace with the larger hospitals. In fact, many of our patients would say that we even do things better than the larger hospitals because our caring and compassionate staff treats every patient like their family and friends."

The Heart Center of DRMC is the only community hospital from Pennsylvania to make the 2009 list. Five other larger Pennsylvania hospitals were also recognized.

The 100 Top Hospitals program is nothing new to DRMC. It is a five-time winner of the 100 Top Hospitals: National Benchmarks of Success, an award that list the top overall hospitals in the country. DRMC received this honor in 1993, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

The Heart Center has also been recognized many times by the American Heart Association for outstanding cardiac care, as well receiving annually, the Blue Distinction for Cardiac Care recognition from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

"We don't do what we do to receive awards," cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Norman "Chip" Hetzler, Jr., said. "We work hard and maintain excellence in quality and service for our patients. Because we live in DuBois, our patients are our friends and neighbors. The awards just show my colleagues and our staff that we are doing very good things at The Heart Center for the entire region."

Over the years, volumes have increased and cardiologists now perform nearly 2,700 cases annually in DRMC's cardiac cath labs while cardiovascular surgeons do several hundred procedures in DRMC's cardiovascular operating rooms.

“Cardiovascular disease is still the number-one killer in the United States so we look for the hospitals that provide the best care,” said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals programs of Thomson Reuters. “These hospitals set the national standard for cardiovascular disease outcomes, process of care, efficiency, and lower costs. They deliver significant value to their communities.”

The study, in its 11th year, found that 100 Top Hospitals cardiovascular winners have:

17 percent lower mortality rates for heart attack patients.

10 percent lower mortality rates for heart failure patients.

27 percent lower mortality rates for bypass surgery patients.

22 percent lower mortality rates for PCI.

Fewer post-operative complications - 99 percent of patients were complication-free.

Close to 12 percent shorter average hospital stay.

12 percent lower cost per case.

Cardiac services at DRMC started in 1993 with a small diagnostic cardiac catheterization lab. Cardiologists Scott Reese and Jay Ambrose were among the first to help build the program.

"I remember saying to a visitor at the open house of The Heart Center in 2001 that it was the fear of placing my patients in a helicopter on a stormy winter night that was my biggest apprehension of having a diagnostic heart program in a small town," Reese said. "Back then the closest surgical program was in Pittsburgh. Now when one of my patients needs heart surgery we are able to call Dr. Hetzler or Dr. (Stephen) Fall and in minutes, that patient is having life-saving surgery right here."

The goal of The Heart Center has always been to provide advanced cardiac services close to home, according to Dr. Gary DuGan, vice president of medical affairs at DRMC. Our cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, cardiovascular anesthesiologists and the entire support staff at DRMC strive to make this advanced care the highest quality care in the region, the state and the country.

"As we see more patients coming from surrounding communities like St. Marys, Punxsutawney, Clearfield and beyond, we hear that they are choosing us because it's easier to get to our hospital, more convenient because it's closer to their homes and more comfortable because they are able to send their families home at night and not worry about overnight accommodations," DuGan said. "It is assuring to know that the quality that they receive at The Heart Center is as good, if not better, than the quality they would receive at a larger facility in the city."

The 100 Top Hospitals study focused on short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals that treat a broad spectrum of cardiology patients. Thomson Reuters researchers analyzed 2007 and 2008 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) data, 2008 Medicare cost reports, and data from other sources. They scored hospitals in key performance areas: risk-adjusted medical mortality, risk-adjusted surgical mortality, risk-adjusted complications, core measures score, percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use, procedure volume, severity-adjusted average length of stay, and wage- and severity-adjusted average cost.

DuBOIS - The leadership of both Clearfield Hospital and DuBois Regional Medical Center are considering a stronger partnership.

The boards of directors of both hospitals approved a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this week. The memorandum, which outlines a potential affiliation, gives the hospitals the opportunity to share detailed information and have formal discussions about partnership opportunities.

“Over the next several months, both boards will investigate ways to share expertise and improve services. The intent of Clearfield Hospital and DuBois Regional Medical Center is to move away from competition and cooperate for the benefit of the communities both hospitals serve,” stated David J. McConnell, president and chief executive officer of Clearfield Hospital.

Potential benefits of an affiliation include the ability of both hospitals to recruit physicians and other clinical professionals to the region, as well as improved access to more specialists for local residents.

"We believe this agreement will provide a way for both hospitals to meet the increasing demands placed upon rural health care organizations. We are both financially strong hospitals with long histories in the community. By teaming up, we can work together to provide quality, specialized medical care to the residents of this region. We can be stronger together than apart,” Raymond A. Graeca, president of DuBois Regional Medical Center, said.

McConnell added, “We want to assure everyone that any decisions made will be in the best interest of patient care. The boards and senior leadership of both hospitals believe that by working together, we can make great things happen for the patients of both hospitals.”

Dennis L. Merrey, chairman of Clearfield Hospital’s board, echoed those sentiments and said, “Three words capture our intent, and those words are secure, enhance and expand. Those words will be used frequently as we move forward with discussions.”

McConnell and Graeca said hospital personnel and the public will be notified about the outcome of the discussions.

This isn’t the first time the two hospitals have worked together. The most recent collaboration is the Nathaniel D. Yingling, M.D., Cancer Center, which has been an important asset to the community since its opening in 2006.

Clearfield Hospital, which has served the community since 1901, is a not-for-profit, acute-care hospital with a host of support services and community programs.

DuBois Regional Medical Center was formed in 1985 when DuBois Hospital and Maple Avenue Hospital joined together. Advanced health programs such as The Heart Center of DRMC and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit allow patients from a large section of west central Pennsylvania to receive specialized care close to home.

DuBOIS – DuBois Regional Medical Center recently announced that it will be ending a 15-year relationship with HealthSouth to run its inpatient rehab facility at its West Campus along Hospital Avenue in DuBois.

Hospital officials said that The Rehabilitation Center of DRMC will continue to provide high-quality rehabilitation services to the region but will be independently managing the center.

The Rehabilitation Center provides comprehensive physical rehabilitation services designed to return patients to maximum function and independence after amputation, brain injuries, hip fractures, joint replacements, multiple sclerosis, trauma, neurological diseases, nerve disorders, spinal cord injuries or stroke.

It uses a multidisciplinary team approach involving the patient, family and physicians who specialize in rehabilitation along with physical, occupational and speech therapists, rehab nurses, social services and is backed by all the services of DRMC.

The relationship with HealthSouth will end on Dec. 31. It will not change the way The Rehabilitation Center operates with the exception of administrative duties, which will now be conducted by DRMC personnel.

"We thank HealthSouth for working with us over the last 15 years but the time has come for DRMC to efficiently manage our rehab on our own," DRMC Chief Financial Officer Patricia Cressley said. "DRMC will now be able to position itself as the only dedicated inpatient rehabilitation unit in the DRMC service area."

Patient outcomes have helped set DRMC apart from other rehab facilities. For the past three years, DRMC has been recognized nationally for maintaining patient outcomes in the top 10 percent of all rehab facilities.

"From a quality standpoint, nothing will change at The Rehab Center," DRMC Vice President for Medical Affairs Dr. Gary DuGan said. "Our excellent physiatrists, Drs. Laun Hallstrom and Lynn Myers, will continue to monitor and work with patients on a daily basis. Our experienced staff of physical, occupational and speech therapists will not change and our skilled nursing staff will continue to provide compassionate care to our inpatient rehab patients. They will all continue to be backed by all the advanced services of DRMC."

For more information about the services offered at The Rehabilitation Center of DRMC, please call 375-3058.

ST. MARYS – DuBois Regional Medical Center Psychiatric Medicine – St. Marys – is now open.

Staffed by Peter W. Coffman, MD, psychiatrist, it is located at 20 N. Michael St., Suite 1, St. Marys. Coffman will be available to see patients for adult psychiatry, mood disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, anxiety disorders and personality disorders.

His office can be reached at 781-3875 or call 375-INFO or 1-888-920-INFO (4636) for an appointment.

Coffman received his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kty. He then trained at the University of Louisville School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, serving as chief resident. He is board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

He has practiced psychiatric medicine since 1994, most recently as medical director of Dickinson Mental Health Center, Ridgway and Helpwise, Inc., located in St. Marys. He is a long-standing member of the DRMC medical staff and the Behavioral Medicine Department.

He has been an instructor/coordinator, supervisor and lecturer for students and interns, both in his residency and when he served as medical director of Cardinal Health System’s Bell Memorial Hospital‘s inpatient psychiatric unit and the CHS Center for Psychiatric Medicine.

Coffman is a resident of Ridgway.

DuBOIS – What’s the best defense against the H1N1 influenza virus? Common sense and common courtesy, according to Kathy Lemmon, registered nurse and certified in infection control, manager of Infection Prevention and Control at DuBois Regional Medical Center.

There is a lot of information being published about the H1N1 virus, and it can be overwhelming. To help, here are the top things to remember to do for the H1N1 flu:
• Stay home. Don’t spread your germs to others. Wait until you have been fever free for 24 hours – without taking fever-reducing medicines – to return to work or school or to attend any public function.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizers often. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and face.
• Always cover your sneezes and coughs. Use a tissue and throw it away immediately in a trash can (or put it in an empty pant pocket until you can get to one). If you can’t use your hands at the time, sneeze or cough into your elbow. Just cover it. And then wash your hands!
• Do not go to the Emergency Department with the flu. It is not an emergency to have it. Call your family doctor to discuss symptoms and for advice. Like other flus, most people will get through this with no problems. It’s just not fun. (Read below to see when the flu turns into an emergency.)

What is the H1N1 virus?
The H1N1 virus is a contagious influenza virus sometimes called the swine flu. It is spread the same way seasonal flu does – by people coughing or sneezing around others who breathe in the droplets or by people coughing or sneezing their germs onto surfaces that others touch before touching their eyes, noses or mouths.

The symptoms of H1N1 are not unusual. They include:
• Fever;
• Cough;
• Sore throat;
• Runny or stuffy nose;
• Body aches;
• Chills;
• Fatigue;
• Possibly diarrhea and vomiting.

But remember, anyone is contagious one day before any symptoms show up.

How to lessen the spread of the flu at home
If you are sick, stay home and keep away from others as much as possible. If you have your own bedroom, stay in it and keep the door closed. If you share a bedroom, one person should move to a spare bedroom or the healthy person should move to the couch.

If you are sick and must be in a common area in the home, wear a mask over your face and nose. Common areas should have good ventilation. Open a window to have air flow through.

Do not accept visitors. It is better to talk on the phone (and don’t forget to disinfect it afterwards).

If you are not sick, try to avoid close contact with sick people. Keep at least 6 feet away when possible, and wash your hands after providing care. If a child is sick, it is recommended that only one adult care for the child. Hold a child so his chin is on your shoulder instead of face-to-face to avoid sharing germs.

Keep things clean. Flu viruses can survive on surfaces for 2-8 hours. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth after touching any object. The virus can be destroyed by heat, chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, soaps, iodine-based antiseptics and alcohol.

If you use common towels to dry your hands at home, switch to paper towels or give each person his or her own towel. This will cut down on germ sharing.

What medicines might you need?
When sick with the flu, you will need fever-reducing medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) or naproxen (Aleve). Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers with the flu. It could cause Reye’s syndrome. Children under age 4 should not be given over-the-counter cold medicines without first consulting a health care provider.

Over-the-counter medicines should be used according to package directions to lessen symptoms, such as coughing and congestion. Check the labels to be sure the medicine does not already contain acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen as a fever reducer to avoid overdosing.

Check with your doctor or pharmacists if you are take other medications that could interact.

What else can you do?
If you are sick with the flu, you stay home. Get the medicines, tissues and hand sanitizer that you think you will need now. Be sure to have food items for the family in stock and any other supplies so no trips are necessary.

If you have friends and neighbors – especially if they live alone – help them now to get their supplies together. Make plans now about how to provide care if they need it later.

When you are out, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. This is how you get the germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you sneeze or cough. Or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Try to improve your immune system by eating a balanced diet, exercising and getting enough rest. If you are well but have sick family members, you can still go to work, but monitor your health daily and take precautions.

What about medical care?
The H1N1 virus should be treated like other flus. You won’t need to make an Emergency Room/Department visit unless there is a complication. Here are the warning signs that need urgent medical attention:
• Fast or troubled breathing or shortness of breathe;
• Bluish or gray skin color in children;
• Not drinking enough liquids, especially in children;
• Severe or persistent vomiting;
• Not waking up or interacting, especially in children;

Keep informed
Follow the news to know the latest information. This virus may be around for a long time.

Should you get the vaccine?

With so much talk about the vaccine in the news, it can be difficult to sort out.
The list of those who should be first in line is simple:
• Pregnant women;
• People who live with, or take care of infants less than 6 months;
• All people age 6 months to 24 years with those age 9 and under receiving two doses,
four weeks apart;
• Health care workers and EMS personnel;
• Age 25-64 with health problems - such as asthma, diabetes, immune system disorders,
heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive disorders (i.e. Alzheimer’s) and
neuromuscular disorders (i.e. multiple scorosis) - that pre-disposed them to having
more problems if they get the flu.

Infants under 6 months cannot be vaccinated. Their parents and caregivers should take care to stay flu-free and protect the infant from the virus.
When all else are vaccinated, the rest of population will be offered a chance to get it. This flu will affect children and young people more than the elderly and adults.
What is the H1N1 vaccine?

The H1N1 vaccine was made with help from the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC isolated the H1N1 flu virus and modified it to be used by vaccine manufacturers to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is made using the same process that the seasonal vaccine is made; there have been no short-cuts.

There are two types of the vaccine being made – a nasal spray and a shot. What one gets is decided based on a person’s age and health situation.

Coming out first is a vaccine mist nasal spray, and it is already being used in Tennessee and Indiana. Called the live attenuated 2009 H1N1 vaccine, it has the actual live, but weakened, virus in mini-dose that one’s body can fight, kill and create antibodies from. In the future, the antibodies would fight off the H1N1 virus if a person is exposed.

Only healthy people between ages 2-49 can get this vaccine. People with sinus problems cannot receive it. Anyone who is pregnant or has asthma or any other health issue cannot get it. This would be OK for healthy children, healthy childcare workers, health care workers and EMS personnel to use.

The inactivated 2009 H1N1 is the other type of vaccine. It is a shot just like all the other seasonal flu shots, and it can be administered at the same visit as any other vaccine, including the pneumonia vaccine. This is good for anyone who is pregnant or over 49 with health issues.

People with an egg allergy cannot get the vaccine, as it is developed using eggs. These people need to concentrate on hand hygiene, cough etiquette and staying away from others who are sick.
What if I already had the flu?

Was it H1N1? Do you really know? The symptoms of H1N1 are similar to those caused by many other viruses. Even when influenza viruses are causing large numbers of people to get sick, other viruses are also causing illnesses, according to Lemmon.

To know if a virus is H1N1, a specific test called the RT-PCR test is needed. This test is different from rapid flu tests that doctors can do in their offices. Since most people with flu-like illnesses will not be tested with RT-PCR this season, the majority will not know whether they have been infected with 2009 H1N1 flu or a different virus. However, according to the DOH, the vast majority of circulating flu virus this year is H1N1.

If one does not know, it will not cause a problem to get vaccinated if recommended by a doctor.
When can one get their H1N1 flu shot locally?

DRMC and its physician offices, like many, are working on a process with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to obtain enough vaccine. Only after the announcement is made in the media that the vaccine has arrived, anyone who wants to receive the H1N1 vaccine should call their doctor’s office.