CONEMAUGH HEALTH SYSTEM. Winter 2013 DEDICATED COMPASSIONATE RESPECTED

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1 PRIME CONEMAUGH HEALTH SYSTEM Winter 2013 DEDICATED COMPASSIONATE RESPECTED

2 It s PRIME time! Welcome to a special Conemaugh Physician Group edition of PRIME. We re glad to have this opportunity to introduce you to many of Conemaugh Physician Group s 116+ primary and specialty care physicians. We are proud to practice in more than 40 offices in communities throughout a five county region. Prime [prahym] adj.- of first importance; demanding full consideration noun - 1. most flourishing stage or state 2. the best choice or part of anything Primary Care Your first line of defense Half of all Conemaugh Physician Group physicians hold the important role of primary care physicians. Primary care is the frontline of healthcare. Our physicians are connected to one another and to the Conemaugh Health System hospitals by an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system that you will read about in this edition. The EMR helps us provide quick, accurate and up-to-date information. It s part of our commitment to providing the best technology and innovative services to our patients. There is no doubt having a relationship with a primary care physician is a benefit to the patient, says Dr. Mark Ratchford, Conemaugh Physician Group - Portage Rural Health Clinic. Dr. William Carney Medical Director Conemaugh Physician Group 2 Numerous national studies have shown that patients with a primary care physician have lower healthcare costs, increased satisfaction and better management of chronic diseases. Dr. Ratchford

3 CONEMAUGH PHYSICIAN GROUP DEDICATED COMPASSIONATE RESPECTED One of our major roles as a primary care physician is to handle coordinating a patient s care, says Dr. Lisa Casey, Conemaugh Physician Group Seward. Most of what the patient will need can be handled in the primary care setting, but if testing, therapy or a specialist is needed, we can help the patient get the care they need. Primary care physicians don t just help patients get well, they also help them stay well. We want to help our patients learn how to help themselves, says Dr. Bernard Leech, Conemaugh Physician Group - Seward. Patients need to know their numbers, like cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Paying attention to these numbers helps keep dangerous diseases like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension under control or prevent them all together. Like any good relationship, communication is key! Dr. Darius Pierko, Conemaugh Physician Group Somerset, suggests planning ahead for your appointment. Write down your concerns and prioritize important topics Know your medical and family history Know what medications you are taking Don t be afraid to ask questions or say you don t understand Keep in mind the best time to find a physician is when you are in good health and have the time and energy to find a physician that is the perfect fit, adds Dr. Pierko. Dr. Pierko Dr. Casey Dr. Leech Electronic Medical Records Shared Information Safer Care Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is an electronic or digital version of what used to be a paper chart. EMR focuses on providing continuity of care between physician offices and hospitals within the Conemaugh Health System, says Joseph Dado, Chief Information Officer, Conemaugh Health System. When a patient visits a Conemaugh Physician Group primary or specialty care physician, has a test such as an x-ray or blood work, or visits a Conemaugh MedWELL Urgent Care Center, all information documented at the visit and results of tests are captured in the electronic record. This allows all Conemaugh physicians to review patient records without manually transferring information from one office to another. Conemaugh Physician Group is leading the region in use of the EMR technology. Electronic Medical Records have been proven to increase efficiency, save money and most importantly improve patient safety! Dr. Brian Lieb, Conemaugh Physician Group - St. Benedict reviews the Electronic Medical Record with his patient. Advantages of the Electronic Medical Record Patient record is up to date, complete, and accurate Physician is able to make better decisions with more comprehensive patient information Instant access to medical history, allergies, and medications Ability to easily share information with other physicians involved in a patient s care Flag potentially dangerous drug interactions Verify medications and dosages Reduce the need for additional testing 3

4 DEDICATED CONEMAUGH PHYSICIAN GROUP Physician Specialists More than 26 medical specialties are provided by Conemaugh Physician Group doctors, including everything from Behavioral Medicine to Vascular Surgery. Despite their different specialties, all Conemaugh Physician Group doctors are committed to offering the latest technology, achieving great outcomes and making life better for patients. Here are a few examples. Commitment to Technology Dr. D Arcy Duke, Conemaugh Physician Group - Surgery, is using Robotic Assisted Surgery for general surgery and now has expanded to weight loss surgery. There is no doubt this is an exciting time to be a surgeon! When I first began my surgery career we did not have the minimally invasive options that we have today. There has been great advancement in the technology and combined with surgeon experience, the outcomes really are better for patients. Dr. D Arcy Duke Dr. Duke 4

5 COMPASSIONATE RESPECTED Dr. Sodagam Dr. Everett-Brumberg Patient Comfort and Convenience Conemaugh Physician Group has added new services and locations for patients to receive nationally recognized cardiac care. Patients can now receive cardiac care at eight convenient locations, including the Conemaugh Medical Park, where they can see their physician and have testing done in the same visit. Conemaugh Physician Group has also added a new state-of-the-art Electrophysiology Lab so patients do not have to leave home for advanced care. Patients like the bright and airy exam rooms and the fact that they can see their physician and have diagnostic testing done at the same location. Dr. Archana Sodagam, Conemaugh Physician Group - Cardiology Patients used to have to travel for Electrophysiology services. Now we are able to diagnose and treat arrhythmias and other heart rhythm disorders in our new, state-of-the-art electrophysiology suite. Dr. Genevieve Everett-Brumberg, Conemaugh Physician Group - Cardiology Higher Standards Conemaugh Physician Group doctors are continually evaluating outcomes and improving patient care. They have helped Conemaugh Memorial receive the following 5-star recognitions from HealthGrades, the nation s leading independent healthcare ratings organization HealthGrades 5-Star Recognitions Treatment of Heart Attack - 4 Years in a Row ( ) Treatment of Respiratory Failure - 4 Years in a Row ( ) Treatment of Heart Failure - 2 Years in a Row ( ) Treatment of Bowel Obstruction - 3 Years in a Row ( ) Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism - 5 Years in a Row ( ) Treatment of Pancreatitis Appendectomy Prostate Removal Surgery Spinal Fusion Surgery We have been a recipient of HealthGrades Maternity Care Excellence Award for five years in a row! This is something we are very proud of and it reflects how hard we work to provide the best results for our patients. Dr. Adib Khouzami, Perinatologist Conemaugh Physician Group - OB/Gyn Rest Rest Easy, Easy, C O N E M A U G H H E A L T H S Y S T E M C O N E M A U G H H E A L T H S Y S T E M Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center s Conemaugh Maternity care Memorial is among Medical the best Center s in the Nation... Maternity care is among the best in the Nation... 5 years years in in a row! row! Learn more at Learn more at 5

6 CONEMAUGH PHYSICIAN GROUP Hospitalists DEDICATED A new generation of physicians COMPASSIONATE RESPECTED H ospitalists are physicians specially trained to care for patients while they are in the hospital. It is a fairly new specialty in the medical field, says Dr. Sandeep Yarlagadda, one of five hospitalists who work as a team at Conemaugh Memorial. Hospitalists became more popular within the past 10 years as a way to provide more efficient and speedy care for patients. With no office location or appointment hours, Hospitalists are able to respond faster to any inpatient problems or concerns that arise. They are also very familiar with the hospital s policies and procedures resulting in quick turnaround on tests, treatments and consults with other specialists. We are not meant to replace the patient s primary care physician but rather to manage the patient s care while they are in the hospital, says Dr. Dennis Glover. In fact, communication with the primary care physician is one of our priorities so when the patient is ready to go home there will be a smooth transition. Dr. Yarlagadda Dr. Glover 6

7 Is it a cold or the FLU? It can be a tricky question, even for physicians, because so many of the symptoms of flu and cold overlap. This time of year upper respiratory tract infections, like the cold, are something we see commonly. Patient symptoms include sore throat, cough, runny nose and congestion, says Jessica Masser, DO, Conemaugh Physician Group - Family Medicine, Conemaugh Memorial s Family Medical Center. The flu is similar to many other infections but is much worse with more severe symptoms. SYMPTOM COLD FLU Fever Rare Can be high and last for several days Headache Rare Often Body aches Slight Often severe Tiredness Slight Extreme Stuffy nose More likely with a cold than the flu Dr. Masser So what can you do to feel better? Get plenty of rest Your immune system works best when you are sleeping. Drink plenty of water If your urine is dark yellow you may be dehydrated. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol Both may prolong your illness. Even with the flu, most people will recover on their own without any trouble, adds Dr. Masser. The people we worry about most are children, the elderly and individuals who already have chronic health conditions. The best advice we can give our patient is to get the flu shot each year. Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Purple or blue discoloration of the lips Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen Sudden dizziness Confusion Severe vomiting Seizures The flu vaccine is your best defense against seasonal flu. Everyone six months and older should get the flu vaccine yearly. Conemaugh Physician Group physician offices and MedWELL have been providing flu shots beginning early fall. If you have not yet received your flu shot, please contact your physician office as soon as possible to protect yourself this flu season. 7

8 1086 Franklin Street Johnstown, PA SPECIAL EDITION Conemaugh Physician Group Need help finding a physician? You can find a physician by name, location or specialty by visiting Each physician page includes a photo, information on the physician s training, credentials and contact information. We are also happy to mail you a FREE Conemaugh Physician Group Physician Directory. Call today. Dr. Narahari Dr. Wilson Dr. Ratchford Dr. Manjunath Dr. Trimeloni ON THE COVER: Dr. Bowles Dr. Gvozden Dr. Chan Dr. Ratchford Dr. Rohannna