Author: News from Bloomington Hospital

Bloomington Hospital program looks to reduce community’s risk of skin cancer

Bloomington, Ind. (May 26, 2010) – Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Up to 90 percent of cases of the most dangerous form of skin cancer – melanoma – are caused by exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, light.  Fortunately, there are many ways you can protect yourself and your children from extra exposure to UV light, including wearing sunscreen.

Bloomington Hospital’s Operation Sun Safety is in its fifth year and provides free sunscreen to area pools and parks, in addition to 150,000 free sunscreen packets to groups and individuals.

“We know that using sunscreen year round, but especially during the spring and summer months when we all spend more time outside, is a great way to reduce your risk for developing skin cancer,” says Janice Ross, manager of Bloomington Hospital’s Olcott Center for Cancer Education.  “We want as many people in our community as possible to know about the risks for skin cancer, the importance of wearing sunscreen, and to have access to sunscreen for themselves and their families.”

Bloomington Hospital has worked with the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department to create sunscreen pump and information stations at City pools, including Bryan Park Pool and Mills Pool.  Free sunscreen is also available at the City’s Kid City summer camp, the Indiana University Outdoor Pool, McCormick’s Creek State Park and Lodge Pool, and the Indiana University Tennis Center.

“Part of our mission as the City’s Parks and Recreation department is to provide programs and facilities that promote healthy lifestyles in our community.  By offering free sunscreen through the hospital’s Operation Sun Safety program, we are able to educate the community on the importance of sunscreen use and skin cancer prevention. We are working together to improve the quality of life, safety and well-being of our community,” says Lindsay Buuck, Heath and Wellness coordinator.

Individuals may also request free sunscreen packets for their personal use and to take to smaller group activities, such as a Little League game, church picnic or your child’s summer camp.  All of the sunscreen provided by Operation Sun Safety is SPF 30 and child safe.

To request sunscreen packets, call Bloomington Hospital’s Olcott Center for Cancer Education at 812.353.HOPE or fill out the online request form by clicking Regional Cancer Institute, then Operation Sun Safety at bloomingtonhospital.org.  Individuals may request up to 250 sunscreen packets and they must be picked up at the Olcott Center for Cancer Education in Bloomington.  Sunscreen packets are available now as long as supplies last.

Tips for reducing your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer 

• Wear sunscreen anytime you’ll be outside exposed to the sun.  Sunscreens are rated in strength according to a sun protection factor (SPF), which ranges from 2 to 30 or higher.  Those rated 15 to 30 block most of the sun’s harmful rays.
• Whenever possible, avoid exposure to the midday sun (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
• Remember that protective clothing, such as hats and long sleeves, can also help block out the sun’s harmful rays.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

###

About Bloomington Hospital
Bloomington Hospital, a Clarian Health Partner, has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington). Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month 

Bloomington, Ind. (May 17, 2010) – It’s the leading cause of adult disability, the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and twice as many women die from this than breast cancer each year.  We’re talking about stroke.

Stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is stopped because of a blood clot or because a blood vessel in the brain breaks causing bleeding.  Almost instantly, brain cells begin to die without the normal flow of oxygen supplied by the blood.  Most often, this affects speech, movement and memory.  The severity of the loss depends on where in the brain the stroke occurs and how much of the brain is damaged.  The effects of a stroke can be devastating and the need for quick medical attention is very important.

“The American Stroke Association found that more than 75 percent of Americans cannot identify stroke’s most common symptom – sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body,” says Myron Lewis, executive director of Bloomington Hospital’s Regional Neuroscience Institute.  “With stroke occurring in the U.S. every 45 seconds, this lack of knowledge can be fatal.”

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke and seeking immediate care are key to preserving as much of the brain as possible, Lewis says.

Stroke symptoms include sudden:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Severe headache with no known cause.

“If just one of these symptoms exist, there is a 70 percent chance the person is suffering a stroke.  You can use the FAST method to check for these signs of stroke – Facial droop, Arm drift, Speech, and Time of onset,” Lewis explains.  “Ask the person to smile, and look for facial droop on one side.  Ask the person to hold their arms out and look to see if one drifts back down.  Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence to test their speech and comprehension.  And, notice what time the symptoms began or the last time the person appeared ‘normal.’”

Stroke is a medical emergency, and the sooner the person receives medical attention, the better the chance for a positive outcome.  Calling 911 if you notice signs of stroke in yourself or a loved one is an important first step in the treatment process.  After calling 911, the American Stroke Association recommends making sure you are taken to a hospital certified as a Primary Stroke Center.

Bloomington Hospital is the only Primary Stroke Center certified by the Joint Commission in south central Indiana and has put a focus on ensuring it offers comprehensive and coordinated stroke care.

“One of the most important aspects of caring for stroke patients is ensuring we have one standard of care.  This means that no matter when a patient comes into the hospital experiencing a stroke, whether is at 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning, that person receives the same quality of care,” says Lewis.  “We have worked diligently to ensure areas within Bloomington Hospital, from the Emergency Department to Radiology to our Ambulance Service, are all coordinated when it comes to providing care for a stroke patient.”

When patients are brought to the Emergency Department at Bloomington Hospital with signs and symptoms of stroke, they are assessed by a nurse and physician who draw blood for lab tests.  Patients are then sent for a CT scan to determine if and what type of stroke they are experiencing.  The CT scan is often done within 25 minutes of the physician’s order; an amount of time much shorter than the national recommendation of 45 minutes.

The CT is not only helpful in diagnosing a stroke, but also in defining treatment options for the patient.  If it is determined a patient is having an ischemic stroke (one caused by a blood clot in the brain), the patient is assessed to see if he or she is a candidate for a “clot-busting” medication called Tissue Plasminogen Activator, or tPA.  Along with other medical-history based criteria, one of the main criteria for being eligible to receive tPA is that the onset of symptoms was no more than three hours prior.  If the patient is eligible for tPA, a neurologist will administer the medication and stabilize the patient in the Emergency Department.  From there, the patient will likely be taken to Critical Care to be monitored.

“The main takeaway in stroke education is knowing stroke’s signs and symptoms, and calling 911 immediately,” Lewis says.  “We have the teams and processes in place at Bloomington Hospital to provide high quality stroke care, but it all starts with someone recognizing the stroke and calling 911 to get the person to us for care.”

###

Bloomington Hospital, a Clarian Health Partner, has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington). Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

Bloomington-based teen parenting group sees benefits of texting new teen moms 

Bloomington, Ind. (April 21, 2010) – Nearly half (47%) of US teens say they can text with their eyes closed. That’s how vital texting has become in their lives.

This trend sparked the new text4baby campaign, a free health education program from the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition that sends pregnancy tips directly to expectant mothers’ cell phones. The new service will send weekly text messages, timed to the mother’s due date or their baby’s birth date.

The messages, written by government and nonprofit health experts, deal with nutrition, immunization and birth defect prevention, among other topics. To sign up, mothers-to-be can just text “BABY” to 511411.

While the national text4baby campaign is new, Bloomington Hospital has already seen the benefits of texting to communicate with new moms.  Bloomington Hospital’s Gina Forrest began integrating texting into her Teen Parenting Group in 2008. Forrest sends tips and reminders directly to her teen mom’s cell phones through text messages.

“I communicate with the mothers through texting because that is the easiest and fastest way to do so. Texting has helped me build a relationship with them. They know that they can text me and I will answer,” says Forrest

For Natalie Wineinger, one of the teen moms in Forrest’s group, having texting as a communication option has been really beneficial.

“As a teen mom, I don’t really have time to pick up the phone. Texting is much more convenient for me,” says Wineinger.

Monroe Smart Start Birth to Five Coalition, a local group dedicated to coordinating existing resources to help children in their earliest years, also sees benefits in using texting to communicate with expectant and new moms.  Lois Hutter-Pishgahi, director of Monroe Smart Start, is happy to see this new communication method being used nationally and on a local level because of its effectiveness in sharing information about pregnancy and early parenting with young parents.

“We believe it makes sense to utilize existing services rather reinventing them. We realized that this is a very effective way of sharing information about pregnancy and early parenting,” says Hutter-Pishgahi.

Because four out of every five teens have a mobile device, Forrest and Hutter-Pishgahi know texting is an effective means of reaching teens like the ones in the Teen Parenting Group.

Forrest texts the mothers to send them reminders about upcoming appointments or meetings. This keeps them updated and less likely to miss appointments. Members of the Teen Parenting Group agree that texting is a convenient way for them to receive information.

“If I don’t know the date for my next appointment, I just text Gina and she can look it up for me. It’s as simple as that,” says Wineinger.

Text messaging represents an enormous yet unused channel for delivering vital health information to those who need it most. Over five billions text messages are sent daily, with texting use higher among women of childbearing age.

“Anytime they might have a question, they can just text me. And I can text back quickly with an answer for them,” says Forrest.

Forrest says she also often sends out simple messages such as “Good Morning!” just to let the mothers know someone out there is thinking about them.
 
“Sometimes I ask Gina things through text message that I don’t feel comfortable discussing them with my mom. I know that she’s there for me and she always has a quick response,” says Wineinger.

Hutter-Pishgahi says Monroe Smart Start hopes more parents take advantage of the exciting new service.

“I think the beauty of this service is that it pertains to all parents – class, culture, and income don’t matter – we can all use more information when it comes to having a healthy pregnancy and caring for an infant,” says Hutter-Pishgahi.

###

About Bloomington Hospital
Bloomington Hospital, a Clarian Health Partner, has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington). Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

Bloomington, Ind. (April 20, 2010) – On May 15, Bloomington Hospital’s Regional Neuroscience Institute will host Latest Advances in Neuroscience Care, a day-long conference for health care professionals who care for patients with neuroscience diagnoses.  Topics covered during the conference will include stroke, movement disorders, spine surgery, rehabilitation, and pharmacological treatments.

Pre-registration is required by calling 812.353.5252 or click Events at bloomingtonhospital.org

Latest Advances in Neuroscience Care 

When: Saturday, May 15; 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Where: Bloomington Hospital, Wegmiller Auditorium, 601 W. Second Street, Bloomington

What: A day-long conference for health care professionals who care for patients with neuroscience diagnoses hosted by Bloomington Hospital’s Regional Neuroscience Institute.

Cost: $25
    
For more info: Register by calling 812.353.5252 or clicking Events at bloomingtonhospital.org. 

###

About Bloomington Hospital
Bloomington Hospital, a Clarian Health Partner, has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington). Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

April is Occupational Therapy Month 

Bloomington, Ind. (April 19, 2010) – Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. It is a practice deeply rooted in science and is evidence-based, meaning that the plan designed for each individual is supported by data, experience, and “best practices” that have been developed and proven over time.

“Occupational therapy is about helping people live the best life they can, as independently as they can,” says Rachael Norton, MS, OTR, occupational therapist with Bloomington Hospital’s Rebound.  “As occupational therapists, we work with clients ranging from toddlers who need help developing their fine motor skills to seniors who are looking for assistance in adjusting activities of daily living to fit their abilities.”

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on “doing” whatever occupations or activities are meaningful to the individual. It is occupational therapy’s purpose to get beyond problems to the solutions that assure living life to its fullest. These solutions may be adaptations for how to do a task, changes to the surroundings, or helping individuals to alter their own behaviors.

In south central Indiana, Bloomington Hospital offers occupational therapy in a variety of settings.  Dedicated occupational therapists work with inpatients during their hospital stay as needed in the hospital’s Orthopedics & Neuroscience Unit as well as the Acute Rehabilitation Unit.  Bloomington Hospital’s Rebound provides occupational therapy on an outpatient basis in five locations, while Bloomington Hospital’s Home Health & Hospice provides occupational therapy services in the client’s home for those unable to travel.  And, for the youngest patients, the hospital’s Children’s Therapy Clinic offers occupational therapy.

“We see children from infants through adolescents.  During occupational therapy, we help them develop functional skills, which could include activities of daily living like dressing and feeding, developing motor skills or even working on appropriate social interactions,” says Pam Felts, OT, manager of the Children’s Therapy Clinic.

When working with an occupational therapy practitioner, strategies and modifications are customized for each individual to resolve problems, improve function, and support everyday living activities. The goal is to maximize potential. Through these therapeutic approaches, occupational therapy helps individuals design their lives, develop needed skills, adjust their environments (e,g., home, school, or work) and build health-promoting habits and routines that will allow them to thrive.

By taking the full picture into account—a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup as well as their environment—occupational therapy assists clients to do the following:

• Achieve goals
• Function at the highest possible level
• Concentrate on what matters most to them
• Maintain or rebuild their independence
• Participate in daily activities that they need or want to do.

To learn more about occupational therapy through Bloomington Hospital, visit bloomingtonhospital.org.

###

About Bloomington Hospital
Bloomington Hospital, a Clarian Health Partner, has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington). Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

Bloomington Hospital urges lawn mower safety

Bloomington, Ind. (April 14, 2010) – It’s springtime in Indiana and that means Hoosiers are eager to get outside, enjoy the warmer weather and work in their yards. The change in seasons however poses an inevitable risk to children working or playing outside.

“Every year, we see children admitted to the hospital due to carelessness when operating lawn equipment,” says Dana Watters, RN, executive director of Bloomington Hospital’s Regional Center for Women & Children. “Many of these injuries are crippling and yet, preventable.”

Indiana children are not alone. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, each year approximately 9,000 children under the age of 18 are injured by power lawn mowers nationwide.

Bloomington Hospital wants the public to be aware. Common lawn mower injuries can include:

• Amputation of body parts (fingers, toes, arms or legs)
• Deep cuts, damaging skin, muscle and bone
• Fractures of hand, feet, arms or legs
• Head, facial and eye injuries
• Burns from hot mower parts

“Adults and children need to exercise caution and common sense when operating any type of machinery, especially lawn mowers. Good advice is to expect the unexpected and keep children under the age of 12 away from lawn mowers and the mowing area,” adds Watters.

To help prevent injury or even death, Bloomington Hospital recommends the following:

• Never allow a child under the age of 12 to operate a push or riding lawn mower, or a tractor pulling a brush mower.
• Never allow a child to ride on the lap of the driver, on the seat, on the fender or on the housing of a riding mower or a tractor pulling a brush mower.
• Read the operator’s manual for the mower – particularly any safety precautions.
• Never leave a power mower unattended while the engine is running.
• Protect against flying objects by keeping children more than 50 feet (15 meters) away from the operating mower.
• NEVER allow a child in the yard of a riding lawn mower. Too often, a mower can inadvertently back-over and maim a child in the yard.

###

About Bloomington Hospital
Bloomington Hospital, a Clarian Health Partner, has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington). Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

Bloomington, Ind. (March 18, 2010) – Today, the American Nurses Credentialing Center announced that Bloomington Hospital has achieved Magnet designation.  This is among the highest honors in nursing; only six percent of U.S. hospitals have achieved this designation.

The Magnet Recognition Program provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of care that they can expect to receive.

More than 100 people gathered this morning in Bloomington Hospital’s Wegmiller Auditorium to receive the call announcing the hospital’s Magnet designation.  Team members from across the organization, representing nursing, leadership, non-clinical departments and administration, came together to celebrate.

“Magnet designation is the gold standard of patient care.  This is a great accomplishment for our nurses and our entire Bloomington Hospital team,” says Ruth Ann Morris, chief nursing officer at Bloomington Hospital.  “Magnet designation is a learning and growth journey.  It recognizes our excellence in nursing, but also the excellence that spans our entire hospital culture.”

To qualify for Magnet designation, organizations submit an extensive application demonstrating how they exemplify excellence in nursing.  If the application is accepted, Magnet surveyors come on-site for three full days and interact with nurses and other employees throughout the organization.  The surveyors look to ensure the 14 Forces of Magnetism, everything from nursing leadership to quality care and community outreach, are demonstrated across the organization.

“The Magnet surveyors witnessed our values in action.  This is truly a team accomplishment and I am so proud of our team,” Morris says.

Bloomington Hospital will hold Magnet designation for four years and will then undergo the application and survey process again.

###

Bloomington Hospital, a Clarian Health Partner, has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization serving 10 counties in south central Indiana (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington).  Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

Bloomington, Ind. (January 27, 2010) – Bloomington Hospital has lifted the visitor restrictions in place for the flu season.  The current level of flu in our community and state is low, lessening the need for restrictions.  It is important to remember, however, to always clean your hands, cover your cough and stay home if you’re sick to prevent the spread of germs.

For the comfort and wellbeing of patients, general visiting hours at Bloomington Hospital are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Family may stay with patients outside of these hours, however.  Some units within the hospital may have more structured visitor hours, so please check with the nursing staff for appropriate visiting times.

Bloomington Hospital implemented visitor restrictions last fall to keep its patients safe during an unpredictable flu season.

###

Bloomington Hospital, a Clarian Health Partner, has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Orange and Owen.) Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

Bloomington, Ind. (January 7, 2010) – Today, leaders from Bloomington Hospital, Bloomington Hospital of Orange County, Clarian Health and Bedford Regional Medical Center came together for a ribbon tying ceremony to officially celebrate the integration between the facilities. 
 
Bloomington Hospital President & CEO Mark Moore opened the ceremony by welcoming guests and introducing the leaders from Bloomington Hospital of Orange County, Bedford Regional Medical Center (already a Clarian Health Partner) and Clarian.  Brief comments about the significance of the integration and its benefits were made by Moore; Michael McRobbie, president of Indiana University; Brad Dykes, CEO of Bedford Regional Medical Center; Larry Bailey, incoming CEO of Bloomington Hospital of Orange County; and Dan Evans, president & CEO of Clarian.
 
This event is the culmination of more than two years of research, planning and discussion that makes Bloomington Hospital and Bloomington Hospital of Orange County a part of Clarian’s statewide system of hospitals and health centers.
 
“When we made the decision to talk with another organization about integration, Clarian was the natural choice and best fit for Bloomington Hospital and the patients we serve,” says Moore.  “Clarian is a not-for-profit organization, has strong ties to Indiana University, a reputation for high quality care and service, and treats the majority of patient cases outside the scope of Bloomington Hospital’s services.”
 
The integration of Bloomington Hospital with Clarian became official January 1, following approval by Bloomington Hospital’s and Clarian’s boards of directors.  Now work begins on aligning facilities and resources to better support the needs of the patients in south central Indiana and develop a seamless continuum of care.
 
“Clarian will support Bloomington Hospital to ensure it continues as the region’s preeminent health care provider,” says Evans.
 
“I am very pleased and excited to celebrate our integration with Clarian today,” says Moore.  “This is a very positive step for health care in our region.  We’re looking forward to working with Clarian and Bedford Regional Medical Center to enhance patient access, streamline patient flow, and create a preeminent health care system for the people of south central Indiana.”

###

About Clarian Health
As a preeminent leader in clinical care, education, research and service, Clarian Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive academic medical center and one of the busiest hospital systems in the United States. Based in Indianapolis, Clarian owns or is affiliated with multiple hospitals and health centers throughout the state and maintains a strong partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine – the nation’s second largest medical school and a global leader in medical education and research.
 
 
About Bloomington Hospital
Bloomington Hospital has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Orange and Owen.) Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

Practice to help address nationwide physician shortage

Bloomington, Ind. (November 20 2009) – Today, the Southern Indiana Medical Group (SIMG) held a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest primary care practice to be located in Bloomington.  The practice, set to open in summer 2010, will be located at 1302 South Rogers Street, near the intersection of Rogers and Patterson Streets.

“Nationally, our health care system faces a shortage of primary care physicians.  Estimates say in 2010 the shortage will be approximately 54,000 physicians.  By 2025, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) says the physician shortage will grow to between 124,000 and 159,000 physicians,” says Mark Moore, president & CEO of Bloomington Hospital.  “Today’s groundbreaking is moving our community one step closer to increasing the number of primary care physicians available in Bloomington and Monroe County.  We are excited to be able to offer a new primary care practice in this redevelopment area.”

Primary care physicians, most often specializing in family medicine or internal medicine, provide patients with a “medical home” and are often the entry point into the health care system for many patients.  The primary care physician is the person who helps patients coordinate their care among specialists as needed, and follows them throughout their lifetime.  And, as the population ages, the need for additional primary care physicians will continue to grow.

“Primary care medicine is now taking center stage locally and nationally to provide some of the missing pieces in our national health care system. This includes a return to having the patient at the center of attention, in a setting that facilitates partnerships between patients, their physicians and their families,” says Lee McKinley, M.D., a Bloomington physician board-certified in internal medicine and critical care medicine who will practice at the new facility.

The Southern Indiana Medical Group’s new practice will have four to five primary care physicians in addition to nurse practitioners, nurses and other health care professionals.  First Capital Group is developing the new space, which was designed by Bynum Fanyo and will be built by Fox Construction, both local firms.

Bloomington Hospital operates four primary care physician practices through the Southern Indiana Medical Group.  For more information about the Southern Indiana Medical Group, please visit bloomingtonhospital.org/simg.

###

Bloomington Hospital has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Orange and Owen.) Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.

Policy put in place for patient safety

Bloomington, Ind. (October 20, 2009) – Beginning Thursday (10/22), Bloomington Hospital will implement a temporary visitor restriction policy due to the increasing number of flu-like illnesses in the community.

Bloomington Hospital will restrict patients to having two healthy adult (18 years or older) visitors at a time.  Healthy adult means those not experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, tiredness, body aches, diarrhea or vomiting, and those who have not been exposed to the flu virus in the last week.

This policy is temporary, but will be in place throughout flu season.

“The health and safety of our patients, employees, providers and volunteers is of highest priority.  Because of the increasing number of flu cases we’re seeing in the community, we believe now is the right time to begin restricting visitors to proactively help stop the spread of the virus,” says Amanda Roach, spokesperson at Bloomington Hospital.

While the number of hospitalizations for the flu have been low in Monroe County compared to other locations in Indiana, the time to act is before the situation becomes a crisis.  Since the beginning of September, Bloomington Hospital has admitted seven patients with a diagnosis of flu.  In addition, its Emergency Department is seeing more and more patients each day with flu symptoms.

“The weeks of September 20 and September 27, about 12 percent of the patients coming into our Emergency Department were there because of flu-like symptoms,” says Roach.  “The week of October 4, this jumped to 19 percent, and last week (the week of October 11), the number was 21 percent.”

Roach asks for the cooperation of the community following the visitor restriction policy and in screening yourself for the flu before visiting the hospital.

“If you have flu symptoms, please stay home.  You can keep your loved one in the hospital safe and not spread the flu virus to others by isolating yourself at home if you’re sick,” says Roach.  “You can keep in touch with your hospitalized loved one in ways other than seeing them in person.  Telephone calls, texting, e-mail, social networking sites and sending cards all show you care and are thinking about the person.”

The flu virus is spread when droplets from coughs or sneezes come into contact with another person’s eyes, mouth or nose.  For mild flu, it is best to stay home and treat symptoms with rest and a fever-reducing medication like Tylenol.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people ill with the flu stay home and stay away from others until they are fever-free for 24 hours without taking a fever-reducing medication.

If you’re at high risk for flu complications, see your primary care physician.  Emergency medical help may be needed if you have the flu and experience additional symptoms such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; or flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

For more information about the flu, please visit bloomingtonhospital.org/flu.

###

Bloomington Hospital has been innovative in providing quality care to south central Indiana communities for more than a century. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, Bloomington Hospital is a not-for-profit organization and has a patient base of 413,000 in 10 counties (Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Orange and Owen.) Bloomington Hospital currently operates two hospital campuses (Bloomington and Orange County) with regional specialty offerings for Heart and Vascular, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Women and Children, Neurology and Orthopedic services.  As a leading hospital in Indiana, Bloomington Hospital enhances health by advancing the art and science of medicine through the use of new technologies, procedures and care.