Kentucky Ear, Nose, and Throat Joins Lexington Clinic
LEXINGTON On August 27, 2012, the Lexington Clinic announced the association of Kentucky Ear, Nose, and Throat as part of their strategic alliance to further enhance healthcare service delivery to patients.
Kentucky Ear, Nose, and Throat is an Otolaryngology physician group practice comprised of its founder Keith Alexander, MD; Gregory Osetinsky, MD; Kenneth “Tad” Hughes, MD; Alberto Laureano, MD; and Ray Van Metre, MD. The practice also includes Sharon Howard, APRN; five doctors of audiology and a total of 55 employees. Kentucky Ear, Nose, and Throat provides a wide range of services, including pediatric otolaryngology, adult otolaryngology, allergies, sinus disease, hearing loss, voice disorders, and head and neck tumors.
“We are pleased to become an associate practice of Lexington Clinic. By combining our efforts, we are better positioned to meet and exceed the challenges of a changing healthcare system and to provide the best care for our patients,” said Gregory Osetinsky, MD, president of Kentucky Ear, Nose, and Throat.
This association is expected to take effect on December 31, 2012 at which time Kentucky Ear, Nose, and Throat physicians will become members of Lexington Clinic’s Associate Physician Network.
Baptist Healthcare Announces Rebranding, New Addition
LOUISVILLE On September 5, 2012, Baptist Healthcare System, Inc. officials announced the rebranding of its health system to Baptist Health. The rebranding comes as the statewide system acquires an additional hospital, Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center in Richmond.
“We have for many years been much more than a system of hospitals, and the new name reflects the broad scope of services that Baptist provides throughout the state,” said Tommy J. Smith, Baptist Health president and CEO. “The addition of Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center means that we will be able to make our care more convenient to a greater number of Kentucky residents.”
The new brand is effective immediately, but changes on signs, the corporate website and each entity’s website will be made over the next few years.
The hospital acquisition comes as a result of a growing relationship with Pattie A. Clay and Baptist Health. In 2010, Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center and Baptist-owned Central Baptist Hospital entered a three-year management agreement which developed into ownership.
Central Baptist Hospital to Manage Russell County Hospital
RUSSELL SPRINGS Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Ky., has entered into an agreement to manage Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs, Ky., effective immediately.
The three-year agreement creates an opportunity to provide greater accessibility to a wider range of health services in Russell County, while exploring ways to reduce costs and maintain affordability of services. The management agreement will allow creation of a broader continuum of care, including enhanced alignment of physicians and hospital services.
The county-owned hospital has 25 critical-access beds, approximately 170 employees and 23 practicing physicians.
“Bringing together Russell County Hospital and Central Baptist Hospital provides us with an opportunity to create a comprehensive and high-quality health care system in Russell County that will be of great value to our patients, our employees and our community,” said Chris McQueary, Chairman of the Russell County Hospital Board of Directors. “This strategic partnership will allow us to work more closely with a leading health care system to provide high levels of care in the most cost-effective way.”
As part of the management agreement, McQueary announced the appointment of Robert L. Ramey as the Chief Executive Officer of Russell County Hospital, also effective immediately. Ramey has served in several capacities during his 17-year tenure at Central Baptist Hospital, most recently as administrator of Baptist-Physicians’ Surgery Center.
Neurological surgery group joins Baptist Surgical Associates
LOUISVILLE Steven Reiss, MD, FACS, is a 1982 graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, La. He completed his general surgery internship at University of Louisville Hospital in 1983 and his neurological surgery residency there in 1989.
Wayne G. Villanueva, MD, FACS, is a 1989 graduate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, N.Y. He completed his general surgery internship at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in 1990 and his neurosurgery residency there in 1995, serving as chief resident during the last year.
Sara Seifert, PA-C, is a 2003 graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine physician assistant program.
Laura Tudor, APRN, is a 2004 graduate of the University of Louisville School of Nursing advanced practice nursing program.
UK Becomes 5th Medical Center in U.S. to Receive Triple Designation for ECMO
LEXINGTON University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital and Kentucky Children’s Hospital have been awarded the Excellence in Life Support designation from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). The award recognizes UK’s commitment to using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for inpatients experiencing acute failure of the cardiorespiratory system.
UK becomes only the 5th medical center in the U.S. to receive a triple designation, recognizing UK’s comprehensive ECMO treatment of neonatal, pediatric and adult patient populations.
ECMO uses an artificial lung device that provides cardiac and respiratory support to patients whose heart and lungs are so severely damaged that they can no longer function. It can also serve as a bridge to transplantation, allowing patients to not only survive, but to become stronger and healthy enough to undergo the transplant surgery.
The Excellence in Life Support Award recognizes programs worldwide that distinguish themselves by having processes, procedures and systems in place that promote excellence and exceptional care in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. To earn the designation, programs must promote the mission, activities, and vision of ELSO; demonstrate their ability to provide outstanding patient care by using the highest quality measures, processes, and structures based upon evidence; and excel in training, education, collaboration, and communication that supports ELSO guidelines and contributes to a healing environment.
UK began using ECMO in 1994, starting with neonatal patients before branching out. In the past year, Kentucky Children’s Hospital has used ECMO to support 12 neonatal respiratory patients, six pediatric cardiac patients and two pediatric respiratory patients.
The UK adult ECMO program has supported 26 adult patients in the past year and represents a regional referral option for patients with end-stage heart and lung disease.
UK has always strived to be on the forefront of life-saving artificial lung technology. In 2009, UK HealthCare Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Jay Zwischenberger, in partnership with UK Artificial Organ Laboratory Director Dr. Dongfang Wang, received a patent on the double lumen cannula, a device they created which greatly improved oxygenation of the blood and expanded the potential application of ECMO.
Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center earns re-accreditation from the Joint Commission
DANVILLE Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (EMRMC) has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals. The re-accreditation award recognizes EMRMC’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
The Medical Center underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey in December. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors re-evaluated EMRMC for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
“In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, executive director, Hospital Programs, Accreditation and Certification Services, The Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process and I commend Ephraim McDowell for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”
The Joint Commission’s hospital standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of hospitals. The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.
U.S. News Ranks Baptist Hospital East #1 in Metro Louisville, #2 in Kentucky
WASHINGTON D.C. Baptist Hospital East has been ranked first in Metro Louisville and second in Kentucky in U.S. News Media & World Report’s 2012–13 Best Hospitals rankings, tying with Norton Healthcare in both categories.
Listed as the state’s top hospital is the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.
The latest rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Each is ranked among the country’s top hospitals in at least one medical specialty and/or ranked among the best hospitals in its metro area.
Baptist East was recognized for 11 medical specialties: diabetes and endocrinology, ear, nose and throat; gastroenterology; geriatrics; gynecology; heart and heart surgery; kidney disorders; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics, pulmonary and urology.
The complete rankings and methodology are available at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals.