Smokeout!

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. You are PSF’s most valuable and precious resource, and your health is of the utmost importance to our organization.

PSF is recognized as an organization of World Class health care, and it is essential that our associates lead healthy lifestyles by example, so they are at the forefront of us moving “upstream” to manage the health of our community.

In celebration of being a Tobacco Free organization for over one year, and in observance of the Great American Smokeout, I would like to recognize those who have made significant health improvements in their lives, starting with those who have quit smoking.

As stated by the U.S. Surgeon General, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and quitting has both immediate and short term benefits for you and your loved ones.

Quitting smoking is a monumental achievement, and we would like to celebrate and congratulate your significant achievement to quit smoking and staying smoke free!

If you have ever quit smoking, whether it was 30 years ago or three months ago, I would like to personally recognize and celebrate your success and victory by inviting you to one of the Tobacco Free Celebration Luncheons listed below.

According to the CDC, the average smoker incurs $1,623 a year in excess medical expenditures. Your attendance will assist PSF in quantifying the amount in health care costs both you and PSF have saved since you quit along with your personal financial savings in cigarette costs.

Additionally, you will be congratulated by members of the senior team, enjoy a healthy and delicious lunch, and listen to other inspiring stories from fellow co-workers who have also quit. Please attend and celebrate this exciting event with us at one of the times and locations listed on the flyer below.

Thank you for caring enough about yourself to make this change. I am proud of you!

Best in Health,
Margaret Sabin, President & CEO

Smokeout Invite

Click on the poster above for a larger, printable version.

Star Associate

The Rewards & Recognition committee chose to spotlight the Centura Pillar of Service for the Summer Quarter 2009. The following associates have been recognized by their peers because they demonstrate consistent behavior of Excellence by “demonstrating a willingness to go beyond their job description and go the extra mile for others”.

St. Francis Medical Center Star Associate: Kim Hansen, Emergency Dept
Nominated by: Pam Assid (on behalf of SFMC ED Leadership Team)
(photo unavailable)

No job is too big or too small for Kim! As an EMT, Kim fully embraces her patient care duties and is frequently thanked by patients for her caring attitude. She goes above and beyond every night she works to make sure general patient flow is efficient and effective. You will never hear her say “That’s not my job!” Kim helps clean rooms, assists the nurses with admission paperwork, helps the unit secretary put in orders, and gently reminds the nurses to consider collaborative practice so patient testing won’t be delayed. On top of this, Kim does her work with a smile and friendly attitude. Thanks to her effective methods, the ED throughput times are 2-3 times faster than national averages and patient satisfaction continues to rise!

Now Open!

Ronald McDonald Family Room Opens at SFMC

On Friday, November 6th, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado board members and staff, PSF executives, SFMC directors and Ronald McDonald attended a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the Ronald McDonald Family Room and those who helped make it happen. 

The room, located at on the thrid floor of St. Francis Medical Center, officially opens today at 9 a.m. for families of ill children in the NICU and pediatric unit. The room is a place to rest, relax and recharge from the hospital environment while allowing parents to remain near their child. Volunteers from the community staff the family room and make sure families have a warm, welcoming environment that feels like home. There are more than 100 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms around the world. The family room at St. Francis is the second family room in the state of Colorado.

The family room amenities include:

- Full kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, fresh coffee and sweet treats
- Bathroom with shower and linens
- Washer/dryer  
- Dining area for families to enjoy a meal together or quick snack
- Living room area with a sofa, recliners and a flat screen TV
- Computer workstations
- Children’s playroom with books, toys and DVDs
- Lockers to keep personal items secure

Tina Dewer, Family Room Manager and Nate Olson

The Ronald McDonald Family Room is open daily from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. as long as there is a family room trained volunteer present. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Tina Dewer, RMFR Manager by calling 571-3122. The phone number to the family room reception desk is 571-3120.



Mark Hartman gets a lesson in plate spinning from Ronald McDonald.

Candace Garko, Ronald and April McPike

Harvest Celebration

New Cancer Technology

Penrose Cancer Center Offers New Technology to Detect Lung Cancer Earlier
November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month

People with hard to reach lung lesions may be able to receive a diagnosis sooner, thanks to a new advanced navigation technology at the Penrose Cancer Center.

The technology, called the inReach™ System, by superDimension, provides electromagnetic navigation and guidance to distant regions of the lungs in a minimally-invasive manner, enabling physicians to locate, test and plan treatment for lung lesions and lymph nodes that are difficult to access with traditional bronchoscopy. Penrose-St. Francis Health Services is one of the first hospitals in Southern Colorado to make this technology available to its patients. 

“We are pleased to be able to offer our patients a technology that extends the reach of standard bronchoscopes and potentially offer more conclusive diagnoses,” said Dr. Alan Eid, pulmonologist at the Penrose Cancer Center.  Similar to Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, the inReach System provides a three-dimensional virtual “roadmap” of the lungs, generated from CT images.  Once the patient’s lungs have been mapped, physicians use inReach guiding catheters with standard bronchoscopes to reach the targeted lesion.

“Because the system is minimally-invasive, it enables us to safely diagnose patients whose medical conditions don’t allow us to perform higher-risk surgical procedures” Dr. Eid added.

Currently, patients experiencing symptoms of lung disease or those who have suspected lesions can be examined and treated with standard bronchoscopes, needle aspiration, or surgery.  By providing electromagnetic navigation, the inReach System increases the chances that a patient will safely get a diagnosis and begin treatment. And, not only does inReach allow access to lesions that the bronchoscope cannot reach, it also enables cancer staging in the lymph nodes.

The month of November is National Lung Cancer Awareness month.  Lung cancer is the most common cancer-related death in American men and the most common in women, claiming more lives than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer combined. 

According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2007 alone, more than 200,000 Americans were diagnosed with lung cancer, and only 16 percent will live another five years. Earlier diagnosis and treatment may increase the chance that patients live longer.  The inReach System has the potential to help reduce the mortality rate for lung cancer by helping physicians diagnose and recommend treatment for the disease in its early stages.

The innovation of the inReach System rests in its creation of a three-dimensional lung image and real-time navigation to masses on that image. During a planning phase, a physician uses a pre-acquired CT scan to prepare a three-dimensional map of the lungs using the inReach software, which is used to mark the target lesion(s). During the procedure, an electromagnetic localization system tracks the real-time position of a unique set of catheters (navigation catheter and guide catheter) on the pre-planned three-dimensional map and assists the physician in the guidance to the target lesion area in the lungs. The navigation catheter is then removed and the guide catheter provides a channel for diagnostic or therapeutic tools.

Kick Butts

Legacy of Caring

The Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation's annual Legacy of Caring Dinner was held Oct. 30 at the Broadmoor International Center.  Over 200 guests attended the Western theme event dinner given in appreciation to all the donors who support Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. 

Jon Karroll, news anchor for KRDO News Channel 13, was the emcee for the evening, while the invocation was given by Sr. Barbara Counts.  Margaret Sabin, PSF President and CEO, and Diane LeBlanc, President of the Penrose-St. Francis Health Services Foundation, made remarks and presentation.  
 
The 2009 Sister Myra James Bradley Award Honoree was Thelma Morici, a former nurse who may have retired from her profession, but certainly not from caring for others.  She volunteers in the Emergency Department of Penrose Hospital at least two days a week, and has devoted over 6,500 volunteer hours since she started with PSF 17 years ago in October 1992.  She finds comforting patients and helping nurses most rewarding, always finding time to console a patient, and stocking rooms and other things making the job easier for the nurses.  She is also the Team Leader for volunteers in the Emergency Department, and trains all volunteers in that area.
 
Thelma not only gives generously of her time and professional expertise, but also of her resources as a long-time friend of the Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation.  She helped build the Penrose Hospital Intensive Care Unit and the John Zay Guest House, and has provided vital services and valuable benefits to PSF’s patients through her support of Flight For Life, leading-edge surgical technology, and the Emergency Department and cancer programs. 
 
Diane LeBlanc presented a special award to Jerry Bagg for his 20 plus years of dedication, in directing, developing and leading the Penrose-St. Francis Health Services Foundation.  Jerry is now the President of the CHI Foundation and is working to bring the same success to 72 CHI hospitals and foundations across the United States.  Jim Bocian, Vice President of CHI Foundation West Region and National Support Services, accepted the award of behalf of Jerry.
 
Trailriders provided the entertainment for the evening.  The group specializes in folk music of the American West and has a repertoire that ranges form the songs of the old West to the more contemporary music of the likes of John Denver and the Oakridge Boys.  The Trailriders are all classically-trained musicians and employ a variety of musical styles in presenting their renditions of this style of American music.  Members of the Trailriders are Jerry Teske, Rob Ryder (Interim CEO at St. Mary Corwin Hospital), Nick Rossi and Tracy LaGuardia.

Rad Tech Week

National Radiologic Technology Week- Nov. 8-14
“R.T.’s: Improving Health Care One Image at a Time.”
By Dan Angeles, CNMT
PSF Imaging Services

On Nov. 8, 1895, Wilhelm Roentgen discovered the x-ray.  Now 114 years later, even though much has changed, we celebrate his discovery by recognizing the professionals who work in the radiology field and who truly “Improve the Health Care Field One Image at a Time.” 

National Radiologic Tech Week, Nov. 8-14, is an annual, nationally celebrated event to help increase awareness and to acknowledge the contributions and hard work of radiologic technologists to

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

health care.  This is sponsored by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), and was first celebrated on July 22-29, 1979. 

A Radiologic Technologist defined by the ASRT “is an individual that has been educated in a specific field to create quality, diagnostic images or to administer treatments for radiation oncology.” 

Technologists work under the supervision of Radiologists and/or Radiation Oncologists, and are made up of many different modalities such as Nuclear Medicine, Positron Emission Tomography (aka PET), Ultrasound, Computerized Tomography (aka Computerized Axial Tomography, CT Scan, CAT Scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (aka MRI), Mammography, Interventional Radiology (aka Special Procedures), Radiation Therapy, Fluoroscopy, or Diagnostic Radiography (aka X-Ray). 

A Radiologic Technologist is educated in an accredited two or four year college or university, an accredited military program, or an accredited two year hospital based program.  After completion of one of these programs, the graduate must then pass a board exam to become nationally certified.  To remain certified, the technologist must earn continuing education credits on a yearly basis.  

This year’s theme is “R.T.’s: Improving Health Care One Image at a Time.” A very appropriate theme given the fact that almost every person seen at the hospital has at least one type of radiologic study to help with diagnoses, treatment, and a proper, efficient health care plan.  It also stresses the importance of the R.T.’s role in the overall health care of each patient we serve. 

So this Nov. 8-14, please take the time to thank the technologists, therapists, nurses, and support staff in Imaging Services and Radiation Oncology for their hard work and contributions to health care, to Penrose-St. Francis, and the people of our community. 

Below are definitions of the modalities that make up radiology.
• Diagnostic Radiography -The examination of internal organs, bones, cavities and foreign objects with the use of X-rays. 
• Interventional Radiology -The subspecialty of radiology that uses fluoroscopy, computerized tomography, and ultrasound to guide percutaneous procedures such as performing biopsies, draining fluids, inserting catheters, or dilating or stenting narrowed ducts or vessels.
• Ultrasound- The use of high frequency sound waves to delineate, measure, or examine internal body structures or organs.
• Computerized Tomography -The use of a 360 degree X-ray beams and computer technology to create cross-sectional views (slices) of the body.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging-The use of a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional views (slices) of the body. 
• Nuclear Medicine/Positron Emission Tomography – The measuring, preparation, and administration of radioisotopes to patients to check the function/metabolic activity of specific organs for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
• Radiation Therapy-The use of high-energy radiation from X-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons,  and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.  Radiation may come from a machine outside the body or from a material placed in the body.
• Mammography – The use of X-ray to image breast tissue.

Theme Meal

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Marathon

Denver Marathon and Half Marathon
By Erin Heberlein, HIIP Assistant, A.C.E Certified

A group of PSF associates had sore feet in October because they were kicking asphalt!

That asphalt was along the scenic streets of Denver in the Denver Marathon & Half Marathon Oct. 18.

Associates who ran the half marathon, which is 13.1 miles, included Calvin Eisenach, SFMC Pharmacy; Erin Heberlein, HIIP; Rafael Holguin, Cytogenetics; Christina Thompson, Physical Therapy; and Victor Zayac, Laundry. And if 13.1 miles wasn’t far enough several associates ran the full marathon- a whopping 26.2 miles: Phil Redinger, PH Pharmacy, and Anne Smith, wife of Jamie Smith from Administration and a nurse at St. Anthony’s Central.

“I liked being part of a team that was competitive,” said Victor Zayac. “We all had times under two hours. I felt like we were good representatives for PSF and we took pride in running a good race and being healthy examples for our organization.”

The length of the course was cleverly concealed by the beautiful highlights of the mile high city, including the Capitol, the Pepsi Center, Union Station, Coors Field, the Denver Zoo, City Park, Cheesman Park and the full Marathon, circled all the way around Wash Park.

Webb Library

Dr. Jeff Oram-Smith, PSF Chief Medical Officer, drew the winning name, Alan Filippi, from Spiritual Care, for the $25 Barnes and Noble gift card that the library was giving away in honor of National Medical Librarian’s Month. 

To enter the drawing, people just needed to visit the library between October 12 – 22. If you missed seeing the articles in earlier issues of the Penrose Pulse about the drawing, don’t let that stop you from visiting Webb Library and checking-out the many available resources.

Also, as announced in the October 26 Penrose Pulse, Webb Library’s Intranet site is now “live.”  Log into MVW and under the Reference Tab find a link to Webb Memorial Library.  From this site, associates and physicians will have access to information about the library and our resources as well as links to many online databases.

If you have any questions about the library or our Intranet site, contact Casey Welch, the medical librarian, 776-5288 or e-mail webblibrary@centura.org.

Lunch N Learn

Health Learning Center

Check out these community health and wellness classes at the Health Learning Center.

All classes require pre-registration / cancellation a minimum of 24 hours prior. A $20 no show fee will be billed to the participant if registration not cancelled 24 hours in advance. To register or for more information, please call the Penrose Health Learning Center at 776-3600.

Essential Core Training - Core strength and stability is essential in maintaining functional ability for activities of daily living.  Core training is not just sit ups and crunches but incorporates stability muscles from your chest to your knees to create a foundation for all movement.  Come and join us for great workouts and “take home” information. Mondays, Nov. 16 – Dec. 7, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.  The cost is $30.

T’ai Chi – A form of ancient Chinese martial arts that works to improve body awareness, strength and coordination. Offered monthly, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning the first Tuesday of each month, 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 1-17 (three weeks only). The cost is $40 for the 4-week session (or discounted session rate as applicable).

New!  Creating Healthy Food Gifts – Healthy food is always a great gift idea. Join us in creating items such as soups, teas, basket ideas, cookies or other treats to personalize your holiday giving.  An economic way to please even the most difficult person on your list.  5:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.,  Tuesday, Dec. 1. The cost is $30.       

Join The Health Learning Center Gym – Did you know that a one month membership at the HLC gym is equal to one class option through Colorado Springs Utilities?  Join us for one or more months and get your workouts kick started under the guidance of our fitness experts.  Call the registration number for an exercise intake appointment.  By appointment only. Contact 776-4761 to schedule your intake to initiate your membership. The cost is $46 per month / no contracts – month to month membership.

New!  Individual Fitness Assessment – Measure your fitness levels against the national averages and note areas in which you excel and potential areas of need. A sub-max VO2 treadmill test as well as evaluations for flexibility, strength and strength endurance will be performed.  Results will be reviewed and discussed with a fitness expert to help direct you in your future fitness goals.  By appointment only; contact 776-3600 to schedule your appointment .  The cost is $50. 

Aquatics Classes – The Penrose Health Learning Center in cooperation with Colorado Sports and Spine. A structured class two to three times per week, concentrating on range of motion, overall strengthening and general cardiovascular conditioning.  All Aquatics classes are located at 1625 Medical Center Point (Union and Templeton Gap).  The cost is $46 per month for 2x / week or $66 per month for 3x / week.
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Monday/Wednesday: 5-6 p.m.
- Monday/Friday: 12:30-1:30 p.m
- Tuesday/Thursday: 8:30-9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Lung Cancer Awareness

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HIIP News

NOVEMBER LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN: “LOVING YOURSELF AT ANY SIZE- BODY IMAGE AND U”
Appreciate the unique body you were given!  Join Sharon Jacob, RD to help understand how your perceptions and feelings about your body affect the choices you make in life.  Learn tools to love your body again and look your best for the holiday season.  Your power to change your body image is far greater than your power to change your body.  Allow your inner beauty to shine!
Nov. 12, PH/E-Tower Basement Gala Room, 12:05-12:35 p.m.
Nov. 18, SFMC/2nd Floor North Care Bldg, Julie Penrose Auditorium, 12:05-12:35 p.m.

FY10 HIIP EDUCATION CLASSES
Digital Scrap Booking: Nov. 9 from 5-5:45 p.m. at SFMC-North Care/Julie Penrose Center
 *Please note updated time.
Growing Your Own Garden: Nov. 17 from 5-5:45 p.m. at PH/E-Tower Basement Gala Room

PSF EXTENDED FITNESS CLASSES
Pick up a schedule at HIIP Wall pockets at all sites for registration form

Penrose Hospital
Belly Dancing: Session 2: Starts Nov. 9 from 5-6 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 weeks
Body toning: Session 3a/b: Starts Nov. 9 from 11:45-12:50 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 weeks
Pilates: Session 4: Starts Nov. 11 from 5-6 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 5 weeks      

WELLNESS CENTER ORIENTATIONS
Please register for orientations via HealthCalc on My Virtual Workplace or call 776-5839, ext 2.
SFMC Wellness Center- Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.
SFHC Wellness Center- Nov. 20 at noon
Anyone over 40 years old must have a physician’s form signed giving permission to use Wellness Centers.
*SFMC Wellness Center Orientations: Please note that if you used to have access to the PCH Wellness Center, you must attend an orientation at SFMC in order to gain access to that facility.

WALKING CLUBS
PH Walking Club: Every Thursday at 7:15-7:50 a.m. outside of valet. Contact Michelle Somers x5034
SFHC Walking Club:  Every Monday at 11:30 a.m. outside of the Foundation building. Contact Tracy x7085
SFMC Walking Club:  Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. meet outside 1st floor/valet entrance- Winter season- the group will walk the stairs indoors. Contact Rox x11064

Cafeteria Menu

For the SFMC menu, please call the daily menu phone line 571-1001.

Penrose Hospital daily breakfast and lunch menu.

MONDAY
Breakfast: Western Breakfast Skillet, Eggs Florentine
Lunch: Chicken Teriyaki, Shepherd’s Pie, Garlic Salmon Cakes, Mac & Cheese, Baked Potato Bar, Blackberry Cobbler

TUESDAY
Breakfast :French Toast, Sausage Egg Muffin Sandwich
Lunch: Beef Fajitas, Beef Taco Bowl, Santa Fe Chicken Rolls, Beef Chimichanga, Roast Turkey, Jalopeno Poppers, Churros

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Fruit Topped Pancakes, Breakfast Burritos
Lunch: Grill Chicken Spinach Jack Sandwich, Meatball Marinara, Scallop Seafood Saute over mini Shells ,Chocolate Lava Cake

THURSDAY
Breakfast: Denver Omelet, Waffles, Sausage Gravy & Biscuit
Lunch: Turkey Bacon Swiss Sandwich, Fresh Veggie Stir Fry, White Wine Butter Salmon, Apricot Pork Chops, Pistachio Cake

FRIDAY
Breakfast: Bagel Breakfast Sandwich, Green Chili Omelet
Lunch: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Catfish, Beef Bacon Cabernet Stew, Chicken Marsala, Spicy Chicken Wings, Cran-Apple Crisp.

SATURDAY
Breakfast: Minnesota Egg Casserole, Chipped Beef & Biscuit
Lunch: Meat Lasagna, Beer Battered Fish, Popcorn Chicken, Rosemary Roasted Potato ,Beef Chili,  Apple Dumpling.

SUNDAY
Breakfast: Belgium Waffles, Red Potato Home Fries, Mac & Cheese
Lunch: Fried Chicken, Cabbage Rools, Patty Melts, Garlic Mashed Potato, Green Peas, Cherry Apple Cobbler