Adena News and Press Releases

Dear Friends,

In recent days, Adena has appeared on TV news because of a wrong-site surgery that occurred last month. This negative news coverage may continue for reasons beyond our control. I want to take this opportunity to explain our position and the actions that have been taken to date.

The laws, rules and regulations surrounding patient-record confidentiality (HIPPA) have limited our ability to comment on the stories that have aired. There are heavy sanctions for disclosing confidential patient information. The media, of course, knows this, but rarely mentions it. We comply with the law.

We have been in contact with the TV station and it has offered us the chance to respond, but its questions require disclosure of confidential, protected patient information. The station has moved forward with stories, which it is entitled to do. We have cooperated as much as possible by offering a formal statement and even escorting the station's news team on the Chillicothe campus for external footage.

In addition to our own rigorous internal review, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has visited the medical center and has conducted its own independent investigation, as it does when requested. We were fully engaged during the ODH visit, providing access and the information requested. The ODH's formal investigation began on Thursday, March 3, and formally ended on Friday afternoon, March 4.

The department will report its findings to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which requested the investigation. We should receive a report with their findings in approximately three to four weeks. We will take whatever steps are necessary to prevent similar events from occurring again.

We do plan to make additional statements and continue to be transparent with media inquiries, providing information we are permitted to share. Please keep this in mind as future stories appear and as we grant media interviews and on-camera responses.

We will provide the most up-to-date information to keep you informed as we address this issue. We will be posting updates on the Adena website regarding this matter. Being transparent with everyone is important. Posting to the website will allow the public to review the facts surrounding the wrong-site surgery and how that event is being addressed.

Every day at Adena, we demonstrate extraordinary levels of patient care excellence and offer advanced medical care options, with compassion and commitment, to those we serve across the region. That's our real story and one each of us can take enormous pride in achieving.

Sincerely.

Mark Shuter President and Chief Executive Officer Adena Health System ...Read More

Looking at Gina Davis, you would never imagine the challenges she faced in the past four years.

But the determination of this youthful-looking 41-year-old cancer survivor has enabled her to reach out to others – urging people to become more aware of their health, more receptive to health screenings and more open to seeking medical help.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a great time for men and women to consider their risk for cancers of the colon and rectum, she said.

Months ago, Davis was instrumental in organizing a support group for people with ostomies – like her. Her "lifelong friend," as Davis calls the device, has allowed her to remain active with family and friends, and in the community. An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the body for the discharge of body wastes.

The mother of two daughters, whose husband died several years ago, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 37. "I was the youngest patient my doctor ever had to tell," said the licensed practical nurse.

Following surgery in July 2007 at the Adena Medical Center, "I was told I was Stage 1, which was very good. There was a 90 percent chance of never having another resection or complications."

But months later, some of her earlier symptoms returned. Another colonoscopy was done, another tumor was found and her surgeon warned she may need a colostomy.

Fortunately, the surgery went well and a colostomy was not needed. Like an ostomy, a colostomy is an opening in the body, but specifically in the colon, or large intestine.

While undergoing chemotherapy following the surgery, a CT scan revealed nodules in her lungs. Although they were shrinking with the help of chemotherapy, she was experiencing troubling side effects. Eventually, the chemo was stopped and she underwent radiation therapy at Adena.

In July 2009, after developing a persistent cough and runny nose, tests revealed the lung nodules were present again and growing. Dr. Ralph Roach, a medical oncologist at Adena, referred Davis to Ohio State University, hoping she might be eligible for a clinical trial and the use of new drugs still in the experimental stage. Unfortunately, no such trials were available.

At the same time, she was dealing with the after-effects of two colorectal surgeries. "I was fighting a losing battle because I was constantly trying to get to the bathroom on time and I couldn't do it. And going to the store was emotionally a wreck because I had to wear an adult diaper."

In April 2010, she agreed to have a colostomy – something she had fought so hard against. There was no alternative, she said. "The incontinence was unreal and the problem was taking an emotional toll on me and my kids."

The colostomy went smoothly, but a small bowel obstruction meant another surgery – her fourth abdominal surgery in three years. And because of the extent of the obstruction, the colostomy that Davis hoped would be temporary, became a permanent part of her life.

Today, rather than dwell on her problems, she has redirected her efforts. She speaks to groups about the importance of cancer screening and treatment, and is trying to enlist more people in the Ostomy Support Group sponsored by Adena.

"There's more than just me who have questions and are looking for answers," she said.

(The Adena Ostomy Support Group provides education, information, support and advocacy for people with ostomies, as well as opportunities to share experiences and learn from others. The group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the second Thursday of every month in Adena Room of the Adena Medical Center. To register, or for more information, contact Tammy McManus at 740-779-7240.)

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A huge, inflatable colon – large enough to walk through–is one of a number of tools that Adena Health System is employing to bring attention to National Colorectal Awareness Month, in March.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the U.S., and the second leading cause of cancer death. Just as disturbing are the 140,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed each year, and the approximately 56,000 deaths that occur as a result of this cancer.

March has been chosen nationally to bring attention to the risk for diseases of the colon and rectum.

Among the events planned locally is the inflatable colon, which will be on display in Yoctangee Park from noon to 3 p.m. March 27. A walk/run also will be held at the park, with registration beginning at noon.

Visitors will have an opportunity to walk through the inflatable, to view polyps and cancers. The colon is on loan from Guernsey County, which leases it throughout the state as an educational tool.

The local health observance kicks off March 1 with "Paint The Town Blue." Blue ribbons will be placed in downtown Chillicothe to symbolize colorectal cancer. Also, beginning at 10 a.m., coffee, hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the entrance to Yoctangee Park, along with balloons and educational information.

Here are other events planned for the public:

March 2: Dr. Michael Fealk, a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon at Adena, will appear on WKKJ during a live broadcast talking about colorectal cancer awareness and treatment.

March 3: "A Dinner To Make A Difference" will be held in the PACCAR Medical Education Center to honor cancer survivors. Dr. John Gabis, a colon cancer survivor himself, will be the keynote speaker. There is a fee for dinner and pharmaceutical companies will be represented.

March 13: Blue Ribbon Sunday will be marked by the distribution of educational material to local churches for placement in their bulletins – helping to promote colorectal awareness and treatment options at Adena.

March 27: A Colorectal Awareness walk/run begins at 1 p.m. in Yoctangee Park. Registration for the event begins at noon.

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Lometa Smith was honored this month for submitting the best of the brightest in last year's Bright Ideas competition, which enables Adena Health System employees to suggest ways of saving money and improving service.

A gala was held in the PACCAR Medical Education Center to recognize the top winners in the 2010 competition. This marks the second year for Bright Ideas.

Smith, the Nurse Manager of 2A and CPCU, discovered that cardiac rhythms can be printed on ordinary printer paper, rather than on the special and more expensive cardiac strip paper that has been traditionally used.

It's an especially notable discovery when you consider that cardiac rhythms are taken every four hours for each patient on 2 North/CPCU, where she works. Other floors also conduct cardiac monitoring.

"We spend about $48,000 a year on this (cardiac strip) paper," she said. But if every unit with cardiac monitors was to use ordinary paper, and that's now in the works, Adena could save a tremendous amount of money, she said with a smile.

Following close behind the first-place winner was Matt Hayes, a Maintenance Technician at PACCAR, for his idea to purchase fish that eat grass and insect larva for the center's pond – eliminating the need for chemicals to be added each month. The one-time purchase of fish, at a cost of $900, resulted in a cost savings of $14,350 annually.

"We saw some fantastic ideas," said Candice Kennedy, who oversees Bright Ideas. "And in this program, everybody is a leader."

Here are the other winners: Karen Pearson, third place; Natalie Di Ionno: fourth place; Sherman Hawk: fifth place; Sarah Garrison, sixth place; Pam Ramsey, seventh place; and Sherri Cox, eighth place. Honorable mentions went to Stacey Clagg, Tobi Cox and Brian Young.

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The Gus Macker Road Show, featuring the Gus Macker mascot, will be in Chillicothe Friday, Feb. 18, visiting students at Worthington Elementary School and Allen Elementary School.

Adena Sports Medicine is hosting this year's Gus Macker 3-On-3 Basketball Tournament, which will be held July 16 and 17 on the grounds of the Chillicothe High School/Middle School.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Adena Sports Medicine athletic trainer program. As part of Adena Health System's community outreach, the health system supplies athletic trainers, at no cost, to schools in Jackson, Pike and Ross counties, with other services offered in Adams, Fayette, Highland, Pickaway and Scioto counties.

For more information about the tournament, visit www.macker.com.

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Adena Health System welcomed Michael Timothy Jackson into the world during the wee hours of Jan. 2. The son of Ashley and Kevin Jackson was the first baby born in 2011 at the health system.

Michael Timothy was due on Jan. 16, but decided not to wait. To celebrate the event, area businesses provided the family with a long list of items.

Special thanks go to those businesses:

Ivy's Home and Garden

Domino's Pizza

Precision Jewelers

Adena Gift Shop

Adena Lactation Services

Praises Family Books and Gifts

Donatos

Pizza Chef

Bob's Bootery

Sunshine Tanning

Pizza Hut

Cristy's Pizza

Comfort Inn

Chillicothe Floral

Hampton Inn and Suites

Bernie and Max Stained Glass Window

Lady Bug Jewelry

Neff's Hallmark

E M Smiths jewelry

Lloyd Co

Be Well

Max and Erma's

Casa del Taco

Scioto Shoe Mart

Book World

Shear Delight

State Farm-Susie Natoli

Ross County Vital Statistics

The Boulevard Hair Salon and Day Spa

Affinity Floral and Gifts

The Old Home Place ...Read More

CHILLICOTHE, OH (Jan. 17, 2011) — Vicki Hankins has joined Adena First Capital as a Family Nurse Practitioner – a new role for the longtime nurse. After 20 years as a nurse with Adena Health System, Hankins graduated in June from the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Ohio University. She continued to work as a Nurse Case Manager in the health system's Occupational Health department following graduation until the new opportunity surfaced. "I'm looking forward to many more years with Adena, in my new role," she said. Hankins began at Adena as a floor nurse before moving to the Intensive Care Unit. She also worked in ICU at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. In 2000, she took a position with Adena's Occupational Health Department. With her children growing up and her working day-shift hours, Hankins decided to return to school – again and again. In 2007, she completed her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree and three years later she completed her Master's of Science in Nursing Degree, and was certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. "With my many years of bedside nursing, then more years as a nurse case manager, I felt the move to Nurse Practitioner was a logical next step," she said. ...Read More

CHILLICOTHE, OH (Jan. 14, 2011) — When Whit Streicher had an opportunity recently to take photographs from a helicopter, he couldn't pass up the chance to shoot a few shots of the Adena Medical Center, where his Dad worked for decades.

After arriving home from the photo shoot, he began wondering what to do with the pictures of the medical center. It didn't take long for him to decide. Last week, a large and colorful aerial photograph was placed in the North Entrance of the medical center as a tribute to Gordon Streicher, who started what is now Adena's Laboratory in 1952 and died in 2002.

"It's all for my Dad," said Whit Streicher, who donated the photo to Adena Health System. The photo includes a plaque honoring his Dad.

Looking closely at the photograph, you might notice the word "framing" is misspelled in the lower left corner. It's part of a joke that the father and son shared.

"My Dad was always telling me I was the worst speller in the world," the younger Streicher said with a wide grin and a subtle acknowledgement. "Originally I was going to fix it, but decided not to because it really meant something to the two of us."

His relationship with his Dad was special, he said.

"I was very lucky that I got to work with him every day for 23 years. We owned Chillicothe Camera together and we were partners. When Dad would get done at the hospital, every day about 4 or 4:30, he would come into the store… And he was there every Saturday."

When his father retired from Adena in the early '90s, he continued to work in the camera shop, from about 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day. The elder Streicher's interest in photography blossomed when he began taking photos of infants born at the medical center. As his lab workload increased, leaving less time for photography, his son took up the interest.

Whit Streicher was a teenager when he suggested his Dad start a photo shop. His father, however, insisted they open the shop together, which they did. After 28 years of service, the business was closed by the younger Streicher in 2006 because of health issues.

Years after the death of Gordon Streicher, physicians and laboratory employees, with the assistance of Adena Health Foundation, started a memorial scholarship endowment fund on behalf of the former lab director. The money goes to college students training to become laboratory technicians.

That fund has grown to more than $69,000 since then and donations are still being received, said Ralph Metzger, Foundation Executive Director. ...Read More

CHILLICOTHE, OH (Jan. 10, 2011) — Allison Burner and Douglas M. Smith recently joined Adena Health System, helping to bolster the health system's staff of allied health professionals.

Smith, a Circleville native, joins Adena Hospitalists Group as a Certified Nurse Practitioner. He becomes part of a team of hospitalists employed by the health system, who provide care to hospitalized patients, but do not work in outside practices.

The Certified Nurse Practitioner received his Master's Degree in Nursing from Ohio State University and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Smith has a special interest in HIV/AIDS, Oncology, Infectious Disease, Communicable Diseases, Palliative Care and End of Life care needs.

Smith said he joined Adena to be close to family and friends, as well as to become part of "a dynamic and rapidly growing regional care center offering the clinical interests I desire." Prior to returning, he practiced in southern Florida.

Burner, meanwhile, has joined the health system as a Physician Assistant with Adena Bone & Joint Center. She completed her Master's of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at King's College in Wilkes Barre, PA and is certified with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, or NCCP.

Prior to studying to become a Physician Assistant, Burner was employed as an EMT in Columbus. She also is a graduate of Denison University in Granville.

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