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Fourth child for couple from Middleport arrives in ambulance headed to UMMC

By Howard B. Owens

A Middleport couple welcomed a new child into their family at 11:15 p.m. Monday in an ambulance somewhere between Lewiston Road in Oakfield and North Street in Batavia. 

Betty Lee Bruning is doing well after the unusual arrival in the world of a baby weighing 8 pounds and 13 ounces, according to Stacey Pastuszynski for UMMC.

Emergency dispatchers received a call of a woman in labor in a car at the side of the road at 7616 Lewiston Road, Oakfield shortly after 11 p.m. A deputy and a trooper along with a Mercy EMS ambulance and Oakfield fire arrived within minutes. 

Jenna Roberts Bruning was placed in the ambulance while still in labor and gave birth a short time later.

Betty is the fourth child for Gabe and Jenna Roberts Bruning. 

Their newborn daughter will grow up on the family farm in Middleport.

(Initial Report)

UMMC Wound Care Center threepeats on treatment and care award

By Howard B. Owens

For the third-straight year, the UMMC Wound Care Center has been recognized by Healogics with the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Center of Excellence Award.

UMMC's median heal time is 22 days, well below the 30-day standard set by Healogics, said Michelle Rector, the director of clinical operations. The Wound Care Center also achieved a patient satisfaction rate of 92 percent and a healing rate of 91 percent.

"At the end of the day, all the numbers set aside, it really is about people the who work here," Rector said. "Their dedication to the patients and the level of collaboration that they have with each other, whether it be providers, nurses, techs, as well as our vascular counterparts, radiology, and infectious diseases, so it's not just an individual's award. It really is a team effort."

The center offers highly specialized wound care and hyperbaric medicine to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds that have not healed in a reasonable amount of time. Some of the leading-edge treatments offered at the Wound Care Center include negative pressure wound therapy, debridement, application of cellular-based tissue or skin substitutes to the wound, offloading or total contact casts and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

“It never gets old receiving this award, especially knowing how hard everyone on this team works to provide the best possible wound care in Western New York,” remarked Joseph Canzoneri, DPM, medical director for the Wound Care Center. “We continue to be the only wound care center in the state west of Syracuse, and one of only 30 percent of the facilities in the nation, to share this distinction.”

This year, patients Lowell Melvin and Ron Drock were on hand for the award to talk about their experience being treated by the staff at the center.

Both said they were impressed by the care and skill of the staff.

Melvin had serious, long-lasting wounds on his legs that other doctors had been unable to treat. He didn't have high hopes for a cure when he first arrived at the center, he said. He expected his legs would need to be amputated.

“Dr. Joe (Joseph Canzoneri, DPM) made the same promise probably twenty other doctors had made, but the big and different thing was, he kept it. When he said he could heal them, he did,” Melvin said.

Top photo: Dr. Samar Alami, Dr. Joseph Canzoneri, Stacey Banker, from Healogics, and Lisa Albanese, program director at the center.

Ron Drock, Lowell Melvin, and Melvin's significant other, Leigh Squiels.

The wound center staff with their three annual awards.

Dr. Samar Alami, Dr. Joseph Canzoneri, Sharon Grimes, and Dr. John Wickett.

Reminder: St. Jerome Guild's 'Step into Spring' Fashion Show Weekend

By Steve Ognibene

The St. Jerome Guild prepares the annual “Step into Spring” fashion show, basket raffle, and luncheon prepared by Michael Tomaszewski, on Sunday, May 5.

 The Guild and Genesee Community College will host "Fashion Show Weekend" with Genesee’s annual fashion show, “Limitless” scheduled on Saturday, May 4.  

The Guild is excited to highlight several clothing stores in Batavia: JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Marshalls. More than 20 models will feature the Jerome Jewelry Collection and fashions for toddlers, teens, women, men and seniors.

The event will be held at Fr. Slomba Hall, 19 Sumner St., Batavia, at noon. Presale only tickets are available for $20 at the Jerome Center Gift Shop, 16 Bank St., Batavia. For more information call 585.343.6030, ext. 4198.

The Guild continues to support UMMC/Rochester Regional Healthcare as a corporate donor giving thousands of dollars to capital fundraising initiatives over the years and has contributed countless volunteer hours on a variety of fundraising events. The proceeds in the amount of $5,000 from last year’s fashion show purchased four natal bassinets.

The Guild has offered an annual Health Career Professional Scholarship to hospital employees and high school seniors for decades. Currently, the scholarship is being awarded to outstanding employees who are continuing their education in the medical field.  

The Guild’s volunteerism has served the medical community for more than 100 years. In years past, the Guild sponsored fundraisers for St. Jerome Hospital; such as, casino nights, formal dances, fashion shows, and Mother’s Day breakfasts to name a few.

Pictured above modeling for the fashion show, back row is (from left): Mariah Ognibene, Alyssa Ognibene; front row, Lena Ciszak and Mia Ognibene.  Photo below at Jerome Center Gift Shop: Debbie Pellegrino gift shop volunteer, and Annette Labarbera, president of St. Jerome Guild.

Submitted by, Marilyn C. Dickinson, secretary St. Jerome Guild Inc. Board of Directors. If you have questions, contact 585.356.9398.

UMMC's severe maternal morbidity rate low compared to state, nation

By Howard B. Owens

According to data compiled by the Center for Disease Control, a federal agency, and compiled by USA Today, United Memorial Medical Center has one of the best rates of mothers avoiding serious complications during childbirth in New York and the nation.

UMMC's severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rate for births to all mothers is 0.09 percent, compared to 1.8 percent for New York and a 1.4-percent rate nationwide.

SMM includes unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in significant short- or long-term consequences to a woman’s health, according to the CDC.

The rate for UMMC is based on 2,341 deliveries from 2014 through 2017.

Dr. Tara Gellasch, chief medical officer for UMMC, and a physician at Batavia's Women Care Center, said UMMC's rating reflects the hospital's commitment to quality care and the support of the Rochester Regional Health system.

"Due to a myriad of potential conditions that can increase risk, maternal mortality is a growing concern in New York State and throughout the country," Gellasch said. "At United Memorial Medical Center, our providers and staff are trained to identify patients at risk so we can work with our Rochester Regional Health experts in high-risk obstetrics to provide these patients with the prenatal care they need.

"Our team is proud that we have kept maternal mortality rates consistently low and, as we do in all areas of care, we continue to evaluate our work and find ways to raise the bar for the future."

The severe maternal morbidity rate "is a composite measure of things that can go wrong at the hospital before, during or after delivery – heart attacks, strokes, blood transfusions, hysterectomies and other perilous emergencies that can permanently harm or even kill a new mother," reported USA Today.

Because the SMM rate is especially a concern for black mothers, the newspaper also reported on the rate and deaths for black mothers at UMMC during the study period.

The rate of episiotomy, an incision made in the vagina to assist during difficult births but not recommended by most health care experts, is 1.2 percent at UMMC compared to 7.8 percent at hospitals in 13 other states. 

The cesarean rate at UMMC is 18.5 percent compared to a national rate, among hospitals that report the rate -- some do not disclose it -- is 19.9 percent.

UMMC earns prestigious 'Baby-Friendly' designation for support of breastfeeding

By Billie Owens

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) has received prestigious international recognition as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility.

Baby-Friendly USA Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (“BFHI”), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

There are more than 500 baby-friendly hospitals across the nation. UMMC and Rochester General are the only two recognized hospitals in Western New York.  

Earning the designation is a lengthy process that requires years of planning and preparation, followed by an on-site survey that ensures the hospital is practicing the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.” UMMC is recognized for providing breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

“It has been a tremendous journey on the path to Baby-Friendly designation and I couldn't be more proud of our team,” said Emily Callari, RN, CLC, EFM-C, who played a key role in the designation process. “The process challenged us to examine policies and procedures and transform maternity and infant feeding care.

"Our facility is now a pillar for breastfeeding support. This designation truly represents UMMC's commitment to providing the best evidence-based care to our community.”

There are numerous health benefits for both mother and child when it comes to breastfeeding. Research shows that babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of asthma, type 2 diabetes, eczema, infections (gastrointestinal, ear and respiratory), obesity and more.  

“We aim to ensure every mother is fully informed of the importance of breastfeeding and consistent care is afforded to each of our patients regardless of their feeding preference.  As part of the Baby-Friendly initiative, all healthy newborns at UMMC have skin-to-skin contact with their mothers immediately following delivery and receive ongoing breastfeeding support from a Registered Nurse (RN), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)”, said Linda Lee Stoiber, RN, BSN, IBCLC.

United Memorial Medical Center is also a recipient of the New York State Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NYSPQC) Safe Sleep Project’s Quality Improvement Award. This award was given in recognition of the hard work and dedication to improve safe sleep practices for infants. As a participant in the NYSPQC Safe Sleep Project, UMMC committed to modeling a safe sleep environment and providing caregiver sleep education during birth hospitalization.

These recognitions exemplify United Memorial Medical Center’s focus on fostering the most supportive environment possible for each family, while providing them with exceptional care and a personalized experience that honors their individual needs.

For more information about the U.S. Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, visit www.babyfriendlyusa.org and to learn more about the New York State Perinatal Quality Collaborative visit www.nyspqc.org. For details about UMMC’s Women’s Care and Maternity services, visit RochesterRegional.org.

Visitor restrictions implemented at UMMC due to flu

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

To help reduce further transmission of influenza, Rochester Regional Health is instituting visitor restrictions for the following hospitals:

  • United Memorial Medical Center
  • Rochester General Hospital (Rochester) 
  • Unity Hospital (Greece)

Visitor restrictions:

  • Visitors will be limited to no more than two people per patient at a time;
  • All visitors must be at least 14 years old;
  • Please do not visit a patient if you feel you are ill, including sore throat, fever, runny nose, coughing, sneezing or other flu-like symptoms - even if you have been vaccinated against the flu.

NOTE: The Batavian spoke briefly with Paul Pettit, county health director, and he said flu reports this season are above average -- about 40 cases -- but well below the 200 or so that were reported by this time last year.

Hospital and Blue Pearl Yoga team up to offer discounts on yoga classes for UMMC workers

By Billie Owens

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center and Blue Pearl Yoga have joined together to bring the benefits of yoga to their employees. This week is designated as UMMC week at Blue Pearl Yoga Studio, 200 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Employees who show their UMMC work badge will receive deep discounts for yoga classes, promoting the hospital’s overall intention to support their employees' health and personal wellness goals.

The health benefits of yoga are very real. Much more than a trend in America, this 5,000-year-old practice has withstood the test of time, and modern scientific studies has proven its effectiveness. Yoga can increase flexibility, build strength and improve balance.

There’s a vast and growing body of research on how yoga improves health concerns including: chronic pain, obesity, fatigue, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and high blood pressure, to name a few.

Because of the mind-body connection in yoga, it is a wonderful practice for stress relief, relaxation and focus. It is essentially, self-care.

Burnout is common among healthcare workers, and the hospital has offered a variety of healthy activities and tips for team members this month. The focus is on recharging and caring for themselves as they care for patients and our community.

To find out about what is offered at Blue Pearl Yoga, click here.

Photos: Pink hatters celebrate cancer survival at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Once again, more than 400 cancer survivors and friends turned out at Batavia Downs for UMMC's annual Pink Hatters dinner.

The annual event, started more than 15 years ago, honors those who have survived cancer, primarily breast cancer, and supports those facing cancer and their friends and families.

The guest speakers this year included Lisa Lavrey, a physical therapist who spoke about lymphedema and reducing risks and managing symptoms, and Debbie Weiss, a cancer survivor.

The event also included vendors and a basket raffle.

Pink Hatters & Friends Night Out is tomorrow at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Cancer Services Program of Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Niagara Counties along with United Memorial Medical Center are proud to once again host the annual Pink Hatters & Friends Night Out.  

In recent years, this special event has expanded beyond breast cancer awareness month to recognize and inspire those affected by all types of cancer.  An evening of education, personal stories, and entertainment is set to lift the spirits of those battling cancer, honor the survivors, and pay tribute to those we have lost.

When: Thursday, Oct. 25

Where: Batavia Downs -- 8315 Park Road, Batavia

Time:

4 p.m. -- Doors open

6 p.m. -- Buffet dinner 

7 p.m. -- Program begins

Schumer vows to restore federal funding that helps fund patient care at UMMC, other rural hospitals

By Howard B. Owens

Sen. Charles Schumer made his annual visit to Genesee County (he visits every county in the state at least once a year) to pledge to the local medical community and the citizens who depend on that medical community that he will do everything he can to restore funding for the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

The 340B program was enacted in 1992 provides qualifying hospitals -- hospitals that tend to serve more low-income patients -- with deep discounts on medications used in the treatment of cancer. The intent of the program is to allow hospitals to treat more patients and provide comprehensive services.

Dan Ireland, CEO of United Memorial Medical Center, said the program has allowed the hospital to reinvest $2 million annually into better patient care.

"To some folks, this is about money but really what it is about is the investment that's made for people, for health care, for our friends and our neighbors and our loved ones," Ireland said. "That $2 million gets reinvested in programs to help support cancer care as we talked about and the emergency room and outpatient clinics so folks can access care close to their homes in a timely manner."

He added, "This will change the lives of people if these cuts continue. It will change the lives here at the hospital will change lives throughout our communities. So I'm grateful for the support."

The cuts to WNY regional hospitals add up to millions of dollars a year, Schumer said, and he considers it critical that the funding is restored.

"I always defend our rural hospitals because people in rural areas should get the same health care as people in urban areas," Schumer said. "First, the people have to come greater distances. But second, it's not the density of population. So when you have to use one of these expensive machines, a CAT scan or an MRI, it is very expensive. If you're in Rochester or New York City, that machine can be used almost 24/7, so it can pay itself back. But here, not so, but you still want the person here to have the same CAT scan or an MRI or whatever so they get the same health care."

Not all funding was cut to UMMC. So far, it's been about $600,000 a year.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enacted the cuts, which makes the cuts merely a matter of policy, so Schumer said he has tools to use to try and restore the funds. As minority leader, he can work to restore the funding through the budgetary process or he can pursue legislation to restore the funding.

He said his effort would receive bipartisan support because there are both Republicans and Democrats who represent rural areas and about 1,000 rural hospitals are lobbying for the funding.

"We are going to do everything we can to get 340B back to the way it was and get Noyes (a hospital in Livingston County) and UMMC and all of our hospitals the help they need."

Critics of the program -- which include pharmaceutical companies -- say that too many hospitals abused the program. Those hospitals, they say, did not use the cost savings to improve patient care. Instead, they say, they padded their bottom line.

Private oncologists have also been critical of the program, saying that it gives hospitals a subsidized, unfair price advantage in providing treatment.

"I'm trying to get lower drug prices across the board so we would try to help them as well, but because you're not getting it doesn't mean you go after somebody who is getting it," Schumer said in response to a question about the oncologists' complaint. "These are hospitals that need the help."

Before discussing the 340B program at UMMC, Schumer reflected on the upcoming World Series and explained why he hates the Red Sox. Listen (mp3).

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Sen. Schumer and Dan Ireland.

Bereaved mother working to create foundation in memory of stillborn daughter

By Maria Pericozzi

Kayla Martinez and her 7-year-old daughter Adela Martinez. Photo courtesy of Kayla Martinez.

After giving birth to a stillborn female, Kayla Martinez has come out stronger, and is trying to start a nonprofit foundation in memory of her daughter Yuliana Esmeralda Martinez, born on Dec. 14, 2016.

Martinez, a Bergen native, lives in Alden and gave birth to Yuliana at United Memorial Medical Center.

After Yuliana died, it took Martinez awhile to figure out what she wanted to do to honor her daughter. Martinez decided to start a support group in Yuliana’s memory. The group was originally called “Justice for Yuliana” but later turned into “For the Love of Yuliana.”

“I really wanted more love to come out of everything, than anything else,” Martinez said. “I wanted to spread her love throughout the community.”

Martinez is working on creating an official nonprofit organization, but in order to do that she needs funds to pay for legal paperwork, so more things can be done in Yuliana’s memory.

In August, Martinez held a basket raffle at the Community Church in Alden to start raising funds for the foundation. She is beginning to put together a bottles and cans drive to raise funds to create care packages for other bereaved parents and babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. From there, Martinez has also thought about doing memory boxes.

“I wanted something in honor of her and I want to keep her alive through me,” Martinez said.

Martinez asked her now 7-year-old daughter Adela Martinez what she wanted when Yuliana passed away, and her response was a locket. So she came up with the idea of doing Lockets of Love from Yuliana, giving the families something to put a momento of their child in.

When Martinez lost Yuliana, she said she felt alone and felt like she had no one to talk to or reach out to.

 “When I lost Yuliana, I had to wait for somebody to contact me,” Martinez said. “I want to make sure other mothers out there know they are not alone and they have someone they can reach out to.”

Stillborn babies are always kept in the dark, Martinez said.

“Our babies did exist, and our babies should be remembered,” Martinez said. “The only way to do that is to spread their love.”

Being a bereaved mother is one of the hardest and loneliest journeys in life, Martinez said.

“Knowing that you aren’t alone and that you have someone to lean on for strength makes the world of difference.”

One resource she discovered belatedly is the WNY Perinatal Bereavement Network, which aids families in the community facing perinatal death, the death of a baby from miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or early infant death. They offer support for families and their website is located here.

Martinez thinks the more help and comfort for bereaved families, the better.

"This has been a real learning experience," Martinez said, adding that she would greatly appreciate anyone who could help her set up the nonprofit and move forward.

She can be reached at:   proudmama112210@gmail.com

Photos: The Big Latch On sponsored by UMMC

By Howard B. Owens

Alicia Forti with her daughter, 12-week-old Paisley during the Big Latch On, a celebration of breastfeeding moms sponsored by the Healthy Living Team at UMMC, at Cary Hall on Friday.

About 40 mothers participated in the event, which included an opportunity to learn about various programs that may assist mothers, as well as fun activities such as a selfie station. Parents could also have firefighters check the installation of their child car seats.

Thomas Greenwald encourages daughter Lilly, 5, to make an angry face with a mask in the selfie station.

Jessica Thomas-Heizyk with Klara completing paperwork at the child safety seat check.

Chris Bobo, City Fire, checking the base of a car seat.

Idea of integrating Senior Center with new Healthy Living Center floated at legislative meeting

By Howard B. Owens

As the YMCA and UMMC have developed their plans for a new Healthy Living Center at Main and Bank streets they've found they could have available as much as 7,000 square feet to accommodate new space for the Genesee County Senior Center and the Office of the Aging.

County staff, led by County Manager Jay Gsell are working with the Y and UMMC on determining if such a merger of operations would be feasible.

Rob Walker (top photo), director of the Genesee Area YMCA in Batavia, and Dan Ireland, CEO of UMMC, brought the plan to members of the Legislature during the Human Services Committee meeting on Monday as part of a review of the progress on the Healthy Living Center plans.

"What we want to do is have a meaningful discussion with Jay and the team about what option does that present," Walker said. "How can that space be filled? How can it integrate with the community living area?"

The facility will be 85,000 square feet and contain community space, exercise space, a pool, a gym, meeting rooms and an interior walking/running track.

There will also be what Walker and Ireland called a "community living room" in the middle of the building with access from Main Street that will be open to all members of the community, without requiring a Y membership or the services of UMMC. The community living room will be a hub to access services at the facility or just meet with other community members.

The UMMC portion of the building will provide primary care, Ireland said, as well as a residency teaching program, behavioral health and crisis intervention, telemedicine, cancer prevention outreach services such as breast and colon cancer screenings, diabetes, cardiac conditions, dietary education, education services for team members and community.

The goal, Ireland said, is to increase the integration of services across the spectrum of needs for community members, and partnering with the Office of the Aging will help enhance that integration.

"A fully integrated network doesn’t just mean us getting other doctors or other specialists," Ireland said. "It means integrating services within the community. It’s integration with the YMCA and sharing resources and services to touch the community. It means integrating with the Senior Center and the Office of Aging."

Construction on the new YMCA portion should begin in 2019 and once the new Y portion of the building is open, the existing Y can be torn down and the UMMC portion of the building can be added.

If the county decides to integrate its senior, and perhaps its youth, programs, with the Healthy Living Center, it would be up to the county to decide what to do with the existing Senior Center building on Bank Street. Walker acknowledged it is a county asset.

Walker addressed the future of the building while answering questions about access to the new building for seniors using county services.

"Does the current building need to exist?" Walker said. "If it does, it does. But if it doesn't, that helps the flow of access."

The legislature is not being asked to take any action at this time and members were comfortable with letting Gsell and staff continue the discussions.

UMMC receives award in recognition of its commitment to quality stroke care

By Billie Owens

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® -- Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

UMMC earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period.

These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients.

Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

“We are dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said UMMC Stroke Director, Dr. Sara Connolly. 

“The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the United States suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Photos: Preschoolers at annual Teddy Bear Clinic

By Howard B. Owens

Preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first-graders were able to attend the annual Teddy Bear Clinic in UMMC's Cary Hall Auditorium on Wednesday with their favorite stuffed toy and learn about medical care through several interactive stations.

The children went through the clinic set up to resemble hospital departments such as the emergency room, radiology and dietary. If necessary the “patient” received a bandage, cast or stitches. 

The doctors and nurses were high school seniors from throughout the county enrolled in the Health Career Academy, a college-credit program that gives the seniors a chance to learn about every aspect of the healthcare career field.

Also participating were staff from UMMC, members of the United Memorial League, United Memorial Guild and Mercy EMS.

UMMC to host Teddy Bear & Doll Clinic Wednesday, putting a friendly face on medicine

By Billie Owens

Press release:

For more than 20 years the Teddy Bear & Doll Clinic has provided an innovative, hands-on opportunity to educate young children about what it’s like to visit a heath care professional when they’re sick or hurt — and to serve as a healthy reminder that there is nothing to fear. 

More than 200 children will transform their favorite doll or stuffed animal into a “patient” at United Memorial Medical Center's Cary Hall Auditorium on Wedesnday, May 23. The children take them through various hospital stations, resembling areas such as: registration, stitching, x-ray, respiratory therapy, emergency, laboratory services, and nutrition.

UMMC's Cary Hall Auditorium is located at 211 E. Main St., Batavia.

The morning attendees are preregistered preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first-graders. The second session from noon to 1:30 p.m. is open to the public.

This event is made possible by UMMC Healthy Living, Health Careers Academy, Mercy EMS, and UMMC volunteers.

Dan Ireland: UMMC making great strides in health care

By Howard B. Owens

Dan Ireland, CEO of United Memorial Medical Center, had a steady stream of accomplishments to share with local health care leaders gathered Friday morning at Terry Hills for his annual State of UMMC presentation.

Ireland discussed the awards won by UMMC and staff members, the financial health of the organization, its successes in saving lives and preventing the spread of infections, and future plans for growth.

The hospital, now part of the Rochester Regional Health network, employes 880 full-time, part-time, and per-diem staff members.

In 2017, there were 22,000 emergency room visits, and nearly 100,000 medical visits total.

There were 576 births at the hospital.

"We’re touching our community in many different ways," Ireland said. "We’re making a difference to many patients."

He shared the story of Paul Boylan, a well-known figure in the local legal community as well as the UMMC community. Boylan was diagnosed with prostate cancer and chose the Lipson Cancer Institute for treatment.

After 28 rounds of radiation, Moylan, 78, is now cancer free.

"Paul credits Dr. Meri Atanas and all of the team at Lipson for the care he received right here at home, high-quality care, care that takes you through some of the biggest battles of your life," Ireland said. "Paul is very happy to be back practicing law, enjoying life and doing what he needs to do."

Ireland also shared the story of a staff member whose job includes educating portions of the population on health care. He found to talk with some people about health care, he needed to speak Spanish, so he learned Spanish.

"He did that on his own," Ireland said. "He made sure he had the right tools to give the right care to patients," Ireland said.

Then there is Andrea Sherwood, winner of the Josie King Hero Award. Josie King died in a hospital in Baltimore as the result of a medical staff mistake. Her mother, Sorrel King, created the Jose King Foundation, dedicated to helping hospitals eliminate mistakes that cost lives.

After Sorrel King spoke with UMMC staff at an event last year, she learned of actions Sherwood took to catch a mistake. She may have saved a patient's life.

It was Sherwood's job to administer contrast media to a patient for an MRI. As is the procedure, she reviewed the patient's lab results. Some patients, based on lab results, shouldn't receive contrast media. While an initial review of the results seemed to indicate it was fine to proceed with the procedure, Sherwood's instincts told her something wasn't right so she took extra steps to double check the lab results. It turned out, the wrong lab results had been provided for the patient. That patient could have been seriously injured or killed by the contrast media.

Other awards for the hospital have gone to the Wound Care Center, ICU, and the emergency room for stroke treatment.

UMMC has also received an award from Univera for taking steps to reduce hospital-acquired infections.

"About 10 years ago when they put this tool in place it seemed like it would be impossible to beat, to get that number down to where the benchmark should be," Ireland said. "Last year, Univera said, 'you not only got that number down, you beat the benchmark and now have the lowest (score) in Western New York.'”

In November, the Joint Commission on Accreditation initiated a surprise four-day inspection of UMMC, looking, Ireland said, around every corner and "under every rock." They do everything the can, he said, to find issues, what they call "findings."

"They also told us that they never come in without some findings," Ireland said. "They have to find something. So they did. They found 18 items they wanted us to work on, to make some corrections. As an administrator, of course, I asked the surveyor, '18, good, bad?' 'Well, we did the math and most organizations your size have about 40. You had 18 and we worked really hard to find those 18.'"

UMMC is also undertaken other steps to improve patient safety, including a meeting every morning among senior staff to review the previous day's safety alerts.

The process, because of the extra attention to identifying potential safety problems, has meant in 2017, the number of safety issues identified has gone up.

That creates more opportunities to correct problems, Ireland said. The goal is to get it down to zero.

Anybody can alert the hospital to a safety event, including every member of staff and patients who have access to the patient portal online.

As of Friday, it had been 71 days since a serious event was reported, and it had been 200 days before that without a serious event (the longest streak yet under the new reporting system).

A serious event is defined as one that increases the length of a patient's stay or changes the course of care.

In the area of fighting infections, the hospital also tracks infections as a result of using an IV in a patient's neck -- a very rare procedure because of the health risks associated with it. It's only used when absolutely necessary.

There have been no infections as a result of the procedure since 2013.

C-Diff infections have also been greatly reduced. While the trend across the nation is for C-Diff infections to increase at hospitals, it has declined dramatically at UMMC, Ireland said.

As for UMMC's future, there are plans a new $18 million ICU/Radiology wing, a new urgent care clinic in Le Roy, an improved urgent care in Batavia, and the partnership with the YMCA for a healthy living campus in Batavia.

Photo: Wound care unit wins second award for patient treatment

By Howard B. Owens

The second consecutive year, the team in the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center at UMMC received the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Center of Excellence Award.

UMMC achieved patient satisfaction rates of higher than 92 percent and a healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 30 median days to heal. The award was presented by Healogics, the nation's largest provider of advanced wound care services.

Pictured are: Emily Casaceli, Dr. Samar Alami, Lisa Albanese, Monika Ghise, Alicia Ryan and Holly Siverling in the first row. In the back, Alecia Grandy, Teresa Conti, Dr. Joseph Canzoneri, Dr. John Wickett and Sharon Grimes.

UMMC recognized for second year in a row with national award for excellence in wound healing

By Billie Owens

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center physicians, leaders, and clinicians will gather together Wednesday to celebrate the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Center of Excellence Award, which is being presented to the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center.

For two consecutive years, UMMC has achieved patient satisfaction rates of higher than 92 percent and a healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 30 median days to heal. The Center is being awarded this prestigious honor by Healogics, the nation's largest provider of advanced wound care services.

Out of 340 eligible Centers, 268 were honored with this award. The award is named for Dr. Robert A. Warriner III, a pioneer in wound care and the former Chief Medical Officer for Healogics.

Lisa Albanese, program director, announced the achievement today.

“This is the second consecutive year the center has received a distinction from Healogics. It is a direct reflection of the team’s ongoing commitment to patient-focused care and clinical excellence for our patients, the community and to our hospital partners.”

UMMC’s Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center is a member of the Healogics network of nearly 700 Wound Care Centers®, with access to benchmarking data and proven experience treating approximately 2.5 million chronic wounds.

The Center offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds which have not healed in a reasonable amount of time. Advanced treatments included negative pressure wound therapy, bio-engineered skin substitutes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, biological and biosynthetic dressings and growth factor therapies.

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Healogics and its affiliated companies manage a network of 700 outpatient Wound Care Centers® across the United States and multiple locations in the United Kingdom. Healogics currently has more than 3,000 employees, including nearly 300 employed providers (Healogics Specialty Providers). In addition to the company’s network of outpatient Wound Care Centers, Healogics providers partner with over 400 skilled nursing facilities to care for patients with chronic wounds. More than 300,000 patients were treated by Healogics providers in 2017. For additional information, please visit Healogics.com.

Rochester Regional Health is an integrated health services organization serving the people of Western New York, the Finger Lakes and beyond. The system includes five hospitals; primary and specialty practices, rehabilitation centers, ambulatory campuses and immediate care facilities; innovative senior services, facilities and independent housing; a wide range of behavioral health services; and ACM Medical Laboratory, a global leader in patient and clinical trials. Rochester Regional Health is the region’s second largest employer. Learn more at RochesterRegional.org.

United Memorial Medical Center is a 131-bed acute care hospital that serves the residents of Genesee County and surrounding communities. The medical staff of more than 250 primary care physicians and specialists offers primary medical care and a broad range of specialties. The hospital is also the largest private employer in Genesee County with over 700 employees.

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