A r i aDECEMBER 2011

Article and photo ideas, contact: Maria Cerceo Slade mcerceo@ariahealth.org 215-612-4952 Michael Hagarty michaelhagarty@ariahealth.org 215-612-5647 Maria Battaglia mbattaglia@ariahealth.org 215-612-2617

A R I A H E A L T H . o r g

INSIDE THIS ISSUE2011 Heart Walk ...................... 1

Sweepstakes Winners .............. 1

Community Outreach ............... 2

HALT Hunger Food Drive .......... 2

Wall-Breaking Ceremony ......... 3

5th Annual Quality Retreat ....... 3

Urologic Services Expansion .... 4

Lynn Doyle Speaks .................. 4

Staying Active .......................... 4

IT Update ................................. 5

CAring Neighbors ..................... 5

Facts about Linen .................... 6

The Stereotaxis System ........... 7

Orthopedic Care ....................... 7

Culture of Safety Update .......... 8

Free Bariatrics Semniar ........... 8

File setup as readers spreads

Aria’s Question of the Day Sweepstakes Runs through December 23The more questions you answer and share via email, Facebook or Twitter, the better your chances of winning one of eight great prizes awarded weekly!

Hundreds of Aria Health team members participated in the American Heart Association (AHA) annual Heart Walk on November 12 at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia.

The Aria team was organized to encourage employee participation in the event and raise funds in support of the AHA’s mission, which is to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. As of November 30, 2011, Aria has raised more than $10,000 toward this goal.

Thanks to all of the walkers and those who helped raise money for this worthy cause!

Aria Walkers Raise Money to Fight Cardiovascular Disease

Members from the Aria Health team pose before the beginning of the 2011 Heart Walk at Citizens Bank Park.

Don’t forget to play Aria’s “Question of the Day” Sweepstakes every day through December 23. The more questions you answer, the better your chances of winning one of eight great prizes awarded weekly!

Winners so far have included:

Upcoming prize packages include:• Amazon Kindle and Gift Card• Digital Camera with a Snapfish Gift Card• Home Improvement Gift Card

To play, simply visit ARIAHEALTH.org, join the YourAriaHealth community, and follow the quiz instructions.

Everyone 18 and older is welcome to participate in the sweepstakes. Don’t forget to play every day and share the questions with your family and friends!

Week 1Automotive TLC Package Janet R., Holmesburg

Week 2Sesame Place Holiday ExtravaganzaRoz H., Northeast Philadelphia

Week 5“Dinner and a Movie” gift cardDennis M., Holmesburg

Week 4iPod Shuffle and Free Gym Membership Sam R., Bensalem

Week 3iPod Touch Gerardo M., Frankford

2 Aria

Do You Have a “Good Catch” Story that You Want to Share?We encourage all Aria Health team members to email their “good catch” stories to EveryPatient-EveryTime@ariahealth.org. It will be reviewed for future posting to the team blog. A “good catch” is defined as an event or circumstance that has the potential to cause a minor or serious incident, but that did not actually occur due to corrective action and/or timely intervention.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPOTLIGHTAria Health and its employees are dedicated to the neighbors and neighborhoods we serve. This section highlights a small portion of the recent outreach and volunteer efforts that have been spearheaded by Aria employees.

Children’s Choice Holiday Party 2011Aria Health’s Frankford Campus once again hosted the Children’s Choice-Oxford Avenue Branch Holiday Party on December 15.

Founded in 1982, Children’s Choice is a non-profit organization that provides foster care and adoption services for children in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.

Aria Health HALT Hunger Food Drive

Aria Health’s Nurse Champions helped organize another successful year for the HALT Hunger Fall Food Drive. 765 donated food items were collected among Aria’s Frankford, Torresdale, and Bucks County campuses. The donations were distributed among three local organizations that provide food to members of the community that are in need: Holmesburg United Methodist Church, Calvery Chapel, and A Women’s Place.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

WBCB 1490 AM Broadcasts Live Radio Show to Celebrate Aria’s “Best of Bucks” Nomination and Toys for Tots Drive

Harry Emmerich, DO, Aria Health-Bucks County Campus Chief and Emergency Department Director and Clinical Director Ann Marie Reid were interviewed as part of the “Coffee with Kahuna” WBCB 1490 AM radio program, which highlighted Aria’s recent “Best of Bucks” nomination by readers of the Bucks County Courier Times and Aria’s participation in the Toys for Tots campaign.

In addition, George Washington was on hand to raffle off a prize to sit next to him during the annual reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day, in Washington’s Crossing, PA.

A group of Aria Health-Bucks County Care Management employees pose for a photo with General Washington. From left to right: Beth Moran, Social Worker; Linda Hagan, RN (back row); Michelle Dimirsky, RN (front row); General George Washington (back row); Barbara Gehringer, RN, MBA (front row); Mary Lou Flores, Clinical Quality; Louise DeSimone, Social Worker.

Aria 3

“Wall-Breaking” Ceremony Kicks-Off Construction of New Emergency Department at Aria Health’s Frankford Campus

Legislators and Aria Health senior leadership took commemorative sledgehammer swings at the current business office wall on December 13, signaling the beginning of construction of the new Emergency Department at Aria Health’s Frankford Campus.

The $12.1 million renovation project, which was funded in part by the Commonwealth Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RCAP), will double the Emergency Department’s capacity (from 17-34 beds), and add 8,000 square feet of space, enabling it to serve approximately 60,000 patients annually.

As part of this expansion, Aria’s Physical Therapy and Outpatient Therapy Departments have been expanded and relocated to the Wakeling Building, across the street from the hospital. A ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating their opening took place immediately following the wall-breaking festivities.

Rendering of the new Emergency Department at Aria Health-Frankford, scheduled to open Spring 2013.

A mock Emergency Department room (pictured here) was developed with input from ED staff and will be incorporated into the design of the $12.1 million renovation project. From left to right: Gary W. Welch, DO, Campus Chief, Aria Health-Frankford; John Quinn, Executive Director, Aria Health-Frankford; Joshua Simon, MD, Emergency Department Director, Aria Health-Frankford; Karen Sobczak, Clinical Director, Aria Health-Frankford.

Aria Clinical Employees Guide Emergency Department Room Construction

Aria Health Hosts 5th Annual Quality RetreatAria hosted its 5th annual quality retreat on November 11 at the Radisson Hotel-Philadelphia Northeast in Trevose. Guided by the theme of “Come Fly with Us: A Focus on High Reliability Organizations and Key Performance Traits,” speakers included:• Gregory Bolton, MD, Chairman, Aria Health Department of Gynecology and Director of Aria’s Center for Gynecology and Women’s Health

• Shannon Sayles, RN, Healthcare Performance Improvement

• Procedural Areas-Special Presentation, Aria Health

Thanks to everyone who contributed to make this retreat a success!

Employee Health Matters Campaign Runs Through DecemberAs part of Aria’s Preventive Health and Wellness Department’s “Employee Health Matters” campaign, Aria employees have the opportunity to improve their health and wellness and enter into a grand prize raffle drawing to win a two-night hotel stay and an additional vacation day.

Running through December, a variety of health-related activities (listed below) will be made available to Aria employees. For each activity that you complete, you will gain an entry ticket into the grand prize drawing. The more you participate, the greater your chances are to win.

December—Holiday Health• Stress Management Classes• Healthy Cooking Classes• Keep Holiday Weight IN-CHECK

To learn more about the campaign including dates/times of the activities, visit the Aria Team Blog at www.ARIAHEALTHEXCHANGE.org.

4 Aria

Lynn Doyle Discusses “Balancing it All” at the Women’s Health Update

The Comcast Network’s Lynn Doyle interacts with the audience at the November 15 event.

Lynn Doyle, Host and Executive Producer of the Comcast Network’s “It’s Your Call”, was the keynote speaker at Aria’s Women’s Health Update, held at the Bucks County campus on November 15.

This free evening of health information included Doyle’s presentation on “Balancing it All”, a presentation by Elizabeth Renza-Stingone, MD, FACS, on Aria’s multidisciplinary approach to bariatric weight loss surgery and a skin care presentation by Aria Health Massage Therapist & Aesthetician, Anna Broggi.

Aria Expands Urologic ServicesAria Health is pleased to announce the expansion of its urological services. Through an affiliation agreement with Urological Associates effective January 1, 2012, the comprehensive care now offered by Aria’s Division of Urology can provide advanced, diagnostic and treatment technologies using minimally invasive procedures. Modern techniques are available for treating male and female incontinence through comprehensive urodynamic services. Prostate conditions, urologic cancers, kidney stones (through minimally invasive lithotripsy), infections, and sexual and reproductive conditions are among the services available.

Dr. Michael Stifelman provides minimally invasive and robotic-assisted urologic procedures that result in reduced trauma, less blood loss, less pain, and faster recovery. Sophisticated radiation technology for the treatment of prostate malignancies is also available.

Urological Associates • Milton E. Coll, MD, FACS, Chief, Division of Urology, Aria Health • Howard G. Altman, MD, FACS • Heather Gottlieb, DO, FACOS • Jay J. Handler, MD, FACS • Cadence A. Kim, MD, FACS • David J. Kraman, MD, FACS • Marc A. Lavine, MD, FACS • Michael Stifelman, MD, FACS (robotic-assisted urologic surgery)

Staying Physically Active During the HolidaysWhen the temperature drops, our motivation to be physically active often drops too. Fight the holiday bulge with these tips for keeping physically active when the weather gets chilly.

• Build a snowman, fort or castle. By packing, rolling and stacking snow, you’ll give your heart and muscles a good workout.

• Go sledding. Running up a snowy hill, sliding down and repeating is a great way to get the whole family physically acive. If you don’t have a sled, don’t worry - a cardboard box, trash can lid or skateboard without wheels will work great!

• Ice skate. This is a great workout for your legs and heart. You’ll also help strengthen your core, which is engaged when trying to keep you balanced.

• Shovel the snow. Someone has to do it, and it’s a great way to get the heart pumping and the other muscles working. But don’t overdo it!

• Go for an afternoon or evening walk, jog or run – and bring the dog! As long as you’re dressed warmly, any time of day can be enjoyable weather for taking a stroll or jog. Winter days are shorter, so start early enough to finish before it gets dark.

• Visit the community center for a game of indoor basketball with friends and family. This is also a great way to entertain out-of-town guests. Grab a ball, some jump ropes or a volleyball for a couple hours of fun physical activity!

*Source: American Heart Association

Urological Associates Office Locations

Northeast Philadelphia Bucks County 3998 Red Lion Road, Suite 305 Oxford Valley Medical Plaza Philadelphia, PA 19114 (OVMP) Phone: 215-632-8882 240 Middletown Boulevard Langhorne, PA 19047 1342 Cottman Avenue Phone: 215-464-7087 Philadelphia, PA 19111 Phone: 215-745-1612 2137 Welsh Road, Suite 2D Philadelphia, PA 19115 Phone: 215-698-7333

Aria 5

Share Your Photographs and Memories and Win Flyers Tickets

1980 Phillies World Series parade

Examples of “Caring Neighbors” Photograph Submissions:

Frankford Avenue, circa 1960

Aria Health Becomes One of the First “Meaningful Use” Certified Health Systems in Philadelphia and Bucks CountyAria Health has been recognized by the federal government and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for adoption of certified electronic health records systems (EHRs) to meet specific goals for quality, safe and efficient patient care.

“This achievement will give our healthcare providers access to integrated patient information,” said Tom Stride, Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Aria Health. “It will also facilitate clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes by obtaining meaningful data.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 included the HITECH Act and the Meaningful Use Final Rule, with over $19 billion to aid in developing effective information technology to help improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care for all Americans. These laws include incentive payments to hospitals and physicians utilize EHRs in the process of providing medical care to Medicare and Medicaid patients.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the states evaluate health care providers’ applications and award the incentive payments. To receive incentive payments, eligible health care providers must show that they are: using certified EHR in a meaningful way, for example, electronic prescribing; sharing information among the health care team to improve the quality of care; and reporting information about clinical quality to CMS or their states.

IT UPDATE

In the next few weeks, Aria Health will unveil a “Caring Neighbors” advertising campaign that will highlight the pivotal role our organization has played in shaping the history of Northeast Philadelphia and Bucks County for more than a century.

As part of the campaign, a “Caring Neighbors through the Years” feature will be added to YourAriaHealth, Aria’s newly launched social media site, that will feature Philadelphia and Bucks County photographs from your past. If you have a photograph or photographs that you would like to share in this online gallery, just follow the directions below.

Visit the Aria Team Blog (www.ARIAHEALTHEXCHANGE.org) and then follow the instructions for uploading your digital photograph.

If your photo(s) are hard copy, please send them via interoffice mail to the Marketing Department at the Torresdale Campus (ATTN: Maria Battaglia) where they will be electronically scanned and promptly returned.

Everyone that shares a photo memory through Friday, December 30, will be entered into a raffle to win a Flyers fan package, including two tickets to an upcoming game, including preferred parking, Flyers gear, and a gift card for dinner. Good luck!

Aria Employee to Participate in Chapter Review of Prestigious TextCongratulations to Shelley Schwartz BSN,RN, CNOR,RNFA, Aria’s Coordinator for Surgical Services, who has been invited to participate in a chapter review for the Neurosurgical Chapter of the 15th Edition of Alexander’s Care Of The Patient In Surgery which has historically been the gold standard text for Perioperative Nursing.

Aria Health Given “Gift of Life Award”

Michelle Conley, RN, BSN, MBA, FABC, Chief Nursing Officer, Aria Health, (Center) accepted the Gift of Life

Award from Stephanie Conners, Chief Nursing Officer, Hahnemann University Hospital, (left) and Howard Nathan, President and CEO, Gift of Life Donor Program.

The Gift of Life Award recognizes hospitals that provide superior support to patients and their families throughout the organ donation process.

6 Aria

The Facts About LinenPublished by the Infection Prevention Department of Aria Health

Occasionally the Infection Prevention Department gets calls related to linen concerns.

Questions like, “Where does it go if it’s bloody, soiled, ripped, from an isolation room, etc.?” So we thought it best to touch base with the Materials Management Department and answer all those concerns.

The most important thing to remember about linen is…DON’T TRASH IT!

There is no clinical or infection prevention reason to discard linen as red bag waste or regular trash. Regardless of what is on it, put it in the linen bag. All soiled linen is processed to the highest standard of infection control guidelines, as recommended by OSHA and CDC.

The 2003 CDC Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities recommend:

• Handling contaminated textiles and fabrics with minimum agitation to avoid contamination of air, surfaces, and persons.

• Bag or otherwise contain contaminated textiles and fabrics at the point of use. • Use leak-resistant containment for textiles and fabrics contaminated with blood

or body substances.

Throwing linen out, regardless of its soiled condition, or if it is ripped, affects our hospital in many ways. It increases our carbon footprint. It adds to our linen cost. It adds to the solid waste removal cost.

We found out some interesting facts about our linen while speaking with Susan Mitchell, the Director of SPD. We use over 1 million pounds of linen each year between the 3 campuses, and out patient locations. That’s 2740 pounds a day, which includes bed linen, hospital gowns and bottoms. That does not include scrubs.

We rent linen from a company. Since it is not our product, it is not ours to do with as we please. Therefore we should never:

• Alter or cut it.• Write on it.• Over use it (frequently changing beds).• Give it to fire rescue or ambulance companies (there is a 1:1 exchange).• Throw it away (regardless of the reason).• Give it to patients.• Keep the scrubs.

There has been a dramatic rise in the price of manufacturing cotton linen (over 300%), and this cost is passed along to the consumers in our rental fees.

There is a new Linen Committee forming in 2012. If you feel you have a great linen idea or want to join, contact Susan Mitchell. This is your chance to help with cost reductions and at the same time be environmentally responsible. Please remember:

• Place ALL soiled linen in the hampers.• Please, don’t trash it! Ever.• Return every piece of linen to the laundry.• Put ripped/torn linen in the mesh bag.

Justin Fleming, DPM, FACFAS, Named Program Director of Aria’s Podiatric Medicine & Surgery ResidencyAria Health is pleased to announce that Justin J. Fleming, DPM, FACFAS, has been named Program Director of Aria’s Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Residency.

This 36 month program emphasizes comprehensive surgical manage-ment of foot and ankle disorders and focuses on complex injuries for both adult and pediatric reconstruction. Aria Podiatric Medicine & Surgery residents are also required to write and publish research and are given the opportunity to speak on a national level.

Board-certified in foot and ankle surgery, Dr. Fleming completed a three year comprehensive Podiatric residency program and specializes in complex foot and ankle trauma and post-traumatic reconstruction. Dr. Fleming has been a member of the medical staff since 2003.

Aria 7

A growing number of abnormal heart rhythm disorders are treatable with heart catheterization procedures, thanks to the technological advances now available to patients at Aria Health.

The Epoch system, housed at Aria’s Torresdale Campus, allows cardiologists to perform robotic-driven catheter ablation procedures to treat many types of arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders.

The system offers major advantages over conventional treatment methods, says Scott Spielman, MD, Director of Aria’s Electrophysiology Laboratory. While standard catheters used for ablation are fairly stiff, making them difficult to guide and raising the risk of perforating heart tissue, Stereotaxis employs a soft, floppy catheter. The electrophysiologist, a heart rhythm disorder specialist, guides the catheter through the heart using a remote control console, which directs magnets to pull the tip of the catheter along, millimeter by millimeter. This allows for greater precision in diagnosing and treating abnormal heart rhythms, Dr. Spielman points out, and studies have shown that procedures can be accomplished in a shorter time period with greater safety. “The Stereotaxis system allows you to tackle much more complex arrhythmias,” he adds, noting that the technology also makes it easier for the cardiologist to treat areas of the heart that are difficult to reach with a standard catheter.

Stay tuned to the Pulse and the Aria Team Blog

(www.ARIAHEALTHEXCHANGE.org) to learn more about the new Epoch system at Aria Health-Torresdale.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS

Aria Health electrophysiologists (from left to right) Roger A. Marinchak, MD, FACC; Scott Spielman, MD, FACC; and Bradley Bacik, DO, FACC, are the first on the East Coast to utilize Epoch, the latest generation of the Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation System, to perform robotic ablation of heart arrhythmias.

The Stereotaxis GentleTouch Magnetic Treatment System – Coming Soon to Aria Health

Comprehensive Orthopedic Care with a Personal TouchAt the Aria Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center of Bucks County, patients in need of orthopedic care will find comprehensive, leading-edge surgical and non-surgical treatment in a comfortable, caring setting.

You’ll be treated with a much more personalized approach, says Christopher Aland, MD, who specializes in arthroscopic treatment of shoulder and knee injuries. “You’re not going to go in and get triaged to someone else,” he says. “It’s highly individualized care.”

Only about 10 percent of patients seeking orthopedic care at Aria Health-Bucks County will require surgery. Most can be taken care of effectively with medical treatment, injections, and physical therapy. One focus of the program, Dr. Aland notes, is to treat patients with arthritis aggressively, and non-surgically, with the goal of helping them to put off the need for joint replacement—or even make this kind of surgery unnecessary. “Our goal is to restore function and decrease pain,” he added.

Patients who do need hip or knee replacement can be confident of receiving excellent care that begins well before the surgery, and getting plenty of support through the recovery process. Aria offers pre-surgery educational sessions on joint replacement and postoperative rehabilitation to patients and their families.

Non-surgical orthopedic specialist Jason Torrente, DO, spends many of his fall days treating orthopedic injuries on the sidelines of Council Rock North and Pennsbury High School football games. Dr. Torrente also helps out during wrestling tournaments and other major athletic events.

One unique aspect of the orthopedic program, Dr. Torrente says, is the wide variety of specialties represented by the physician team. “Everyone has their niche thing that they like to do, so it’s good to have that diversity, I think it’s a plus.”

Check out January’s issue of the Pulse to highlight Aria’s Makefield Orthopedics practice.

Christopher Aland, MD

Jason Torrente, DO

8 Aria

FREE Bariatrics Seminar at Aria Health in January and February

Are you considering weight loss surgery? Learn about the multidisciplinary approach offered by Aria Health’s Comprehensive Center for Bariatric Surgery at our FREE seminars. These informative lectures will be led by fellowship-trained and board certified minimally invasive surgeons, Luca Giordano, MD, FACS, and Elizabeth Renza-Stingone, MD, FACS, who will discuss the role of minimally invasive bariatric surgery in a weight loss program. In addition, the Center’s registered dietitian and clinical psychologist will review diet and psychological factors affecting weight loss.

The presentations will explain how Aria’s Center works with patients to carefully evaluate each individual’s history, experience, condition, and objectives to find a customized solution that more effectively controls weight. Following

the lectures, the panel will be available for a question and answer session.

Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Place: Aria Health – Torresdale, Mansion House Conference Room 10800 Knights Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Place: Aria Health – Bucks County, Main Conference Room 380 North Oxford Valley Road, Langhorne, PA 19047

To register for the seminar, please call 1-877-808-ARIA (2742).

CULTURE OF SAFETY UPDATE Medical and Radiation Oncology Departments Host “Steppin’ Out” Party

Aria’s Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology Departments hosted the annual “Steppin’ Out” party for cancer patients on October 28.

Thank you to everyone who worked to make another successful event.

Help Ward Off the Sniffles This Winter

Now that winter is here, let’s take a look at a few tips from the American Heart Association that can help all of us ward off the sniffles.

Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue instead of your hand.Remember to throw away your tissue and wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Wash your hands.This is one of the best ways to avoid catching a cold or giving one to someone else.

Drink up!Be sure to stay hydrated; drink plenty of water.

Get some shut-eye.Stay a step ahead of illness by getting plenty of sleep (about eight hours per night).

Daily Safety Huddles Coming to Aria HealthBeginning in December, each Aria Health hospital campus will host safety huddles every day.

Led by each Campus’ Executive Director, these in-person meetings will occur Monday to Friday at 8:30 a.m. and will highlight any safety concerns or issues that have arisen during the previous day.

To learn more about the daily safety huddles, visit the Aria Team Blog at www.ARIAHEALTHEXCHANGE.org.