SAMC Release For September 13, 2012

H&V EXPANSION NOW COMPLETE

SAMC's new 19-bed Interventional Unit (IU) opened on September 10, marking the completion of SAMC's $32 million Heart and Vascular Center expansion. The IU is now closer to the Cath Labs, Vascular Operating Room and Interventional Radiology. The new location is designed to help improve throughput and flow of our heart and vascular patients.

This phase completes a journey that began in 2009 to provide our patients with the most comprehensive Heart and Vascular Center in the region. In addition, the center is staffed with the most experienced team of Heart and Vascular physicians, nurses and clinical staff in the area.

CARDIAC REHAB EARNS CERTIFICATION

SAMC's Cardiac Rehab Program recently met strict standards of practice to earn certification through the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The three-year AACVPR certification demonstrates that the program is aligned with current guidelines for the effective early outpatient care of patients with cardiac or pulmonary issues.

Heart & Vascular Services Director Mike Williams congratulated the staff for their hard work.  "Denise Golden , Kaye Crawford, Sharon Harrell, Karla Phares and Wendy Press are committed to providing the very best in care to their patients," Williams said. "We greatly appreciate the support of our medical director Dr. Darius Aliabadi."

SAMC NURSE QUOTED IN NATIONAL CANCER PUBLICATION

Donna Yost, RN, OCN, of 3-East will be featured as one of the interviewees in the October 2012 Oncology Nursing Society Connect for the Up Front article titled "When Your Patients Die: Living With Cumulative Grief." In the article, Yost shares that she is more sensitive to loss because she is a breast cancer survivor who lost her mother to cancer. The writer of the article notes that nurses often feel connected to patients and their families after weeks or months of caregiving.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SEPTEMBER: PAIN AWARENESS MONTH

Pain is the number one reason people seek medical help. Improperly treated pain drives up the cost of healthcare: by extending the length of stay in hospitals, increased emergency room visits, and unplanned doctor visits. The cost of pain not only includes direct costs associated with doctor's visits, diagnostics and medication, but also indirect costs such as lost wages and productivity of both people with pain and their caregivers. The Southeast Pain Management Center at SAMC offers the only physicians in the region who are Board Certified in Anesthesiology, Board Certified in Pain Management, and Fellowship Trained in Pain Management.

SAFE SITTER CLASSES COMING SOON

Southeast Alabama Medical Center is offering Safe Sitter Courses for children and teens, ages 11-14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 on the 2nd floor of the Women's Center. The $35 course teaches child care essentials, injury management, CPR for infants and children, how to prevent problem behavior, home safety and more. To register, call 334-793-8956.

     Call Steve Pearce if you would like to interview our instructors or sit in on the class for a story.

SAMC SAYS "KEEP ALABAMA WORKING"

On September 18 Alabama voters will go to the polls to decide whether or not to allow the transfer of $145 million for three years from our state's "Rainy Day Savings Account" to the state General Fund to pay for Medicaid and other Alabama programs and services.

     Call Steve Pearce if you would like to an interview with a SAMC Administrator for a story.