John Muir Health News

Outpatient Mammography Update

John Muir Health News — Fri, 02 May 2008 07:00:00 +0100

Both quality and safety are top priorities in our mammography departments and throughout John Muir Health. Before you walk in the door at one of our mammography facilities, it is important to know that we have are inspected and reviewed on a regular basis by a variety of accrediting agencies. Of those, here are two agencies and the numerous requirements we are obliged to meet to assure your safety and quality of care.

State of California Health Branch – inspections yearly include:

Machine testing
Physicists reports
Maintenance and Quality Control
Licensure and Credentialing of Radiologists, Physicists and Technologists
Audit of reporting systems, and clear communications of the results
Review of policies and procedures as dictated by Title 17 and the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA)

American College of Radiology Accreditation – inspection every 3 years includes:

Submissions of images from each imaging unit
Physicists report,
Maintenance and Quality Control
Licensure and credentialing of Radiologists, Physicists and Technologists

The violations that were listed on the NBC 11 news report on April 29th, 2008 were level 2 and 3, which are non technical and have no direct impact on the quality of patient care.

The minor deficiencies that were found were quickly resolved and had no effect on the quality of care delivered to our patients.

You can read more about the quality of our medical imaging departments here.

John Muir Health plans to provide digital mammograms at all of our locations by the end of 2008.

If you would like to get your mammogram but do not have a physician click here to find one.

John Muir Health Sponsors KidFest 2008

John Muir Health News — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:00:00 +0100

Grab some sunblock, round up the kids and join John Muir Health for a weekend of family fun at the 19th annual KidFest.

Scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 24, 25 and 26, 2008, at Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord, KidFest is a three-day, family-focused event that features entertainment and activities for families with children ages two to twelve. John Muir Health is proud to return to KidFest as presenting sponsor.

KidFest offers hundreds of activities including face painting, balloon twisting, karaoke, carnival games, sports and art activities and performances. Highlights include:

Patrick from Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants - KidFest visitors will have the chance to meet this year's special guest, SpongeBob Square Pants® best friend, Patrick
Community Center Stage - Features a wide variety of performances from groups including the children's choir of Uganda (Matsiko), Samantha Samuels Kabaret for Kids, Irish dancers, local gymnastics clubs, cheerleaders and more
Wildlife Wendy's Tropical Birds - Wildlife Wendy, who has been seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, will perform with her birds
Paul "Dizzy Hips" Blair - World Record holder for hula hoop performs on the KidFest Fun Stage and shows how exercise can be fun in the John Muir Health booth
Circus Imagination - Ringmaster Raintree turns kids into circus stars
Zappo the Magician - Zappo will amaze the crowds with his magic show
Hands-On Activity Centers - Offer a variety of hand-on activities for kids including art activities, sport activities and the chance to learn about our community

John Muir Health will have five booths at KidFest, with handouts, fun giveaways, and educational activities, encouraging everyone to lead a healthy lifestyle.

KidFest hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and tickets are only $5 per person, which includes all park activities and entertainment. Kids under age two and seniors 65+ are free. Visitors who bring a can of food for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties will receive a $1 discount on admission.

For more information and show times, call the KidFest Hotline at (925) 671-3287 or visit www.KidFestConcord.com.

Planning on Having a Baby?

John Muir Health News — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:00:00 +0100

(WALNUT CREEK, CA) -- Learn why more families are choosing the John Muir experience at Oh Baby 2008, Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. This free community event, sponsored by the John Muir Women's Health Center and the John Muir Health Network, is designed for those planning to become pregnant, are already pregnant or those parenting small children.

There will be tours of the John Muir Birth Center's newly renovated Birth Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric facilities. Participants can meet the medical center staff and familiarize themselves with the labor bed, monitoring equipment and newborn isolettes. Educators from the John Muir Women's Health Center will be on hand to share their specialized knowledge about breastfeeding, childbirth, prenatal and newborn care.

Four half hour lectures by local physicians and health system staff will cover Pain Relief Options for Labor and Delivery, How to Survive the First Week Home, the Pregnancy Disability Leave Act and an Overview of Obstetric and Pediatric Services at John Muir Health. Ongoing activities will include refreshments, raffle prizes and demonstrations.

About the John Muir Birth Center

John Muir Health offers all of the elements for a memorable and healthy birth experience along with access to one of the region's most comprehensive medical centers. Specializing in low- and high-risk obstetrics, the John Muir Birth Center provides a full range of amenities in a warm, homelike setting, access to highly advanced technology and facilities and the care and expertise of experience, specially-trained physicians and nurses. Obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians are available in-house 24 hours a day along with 24-hour availability of neonatologists.

Caring Hands Volunteers Celebrate Nine Years

John Muir Health News — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:00:00 +0100

Volunteers Honored for Dedication

Walnut Creek, CA - On February 28th, the Caring Hands Volunteer Program celebrated nine years of providing "matches" between community volunteers and area seniors who need a helping hand. The milestone was marked with a festive appreciation dinner at John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus. More than 130 people were in attendance.

Caring Hands is a collaborative effort of John Muir Health, local congregations of various religious faiths, representatives from social service agencies and the community-at-large. Their mission is to enable frail, isolated and disabled seniors over the age of 60 to stay in their homes, and remain independent, as long as is safely possible by providing free non-medical in-home assistance.

In 2007, Caring Hands' 304 volunteers provided nearly 20,000 hours of service to the area's elderly and 364 seniors were served. Since 1999, when Caring Hands was first organized to meet a need in the community, the group has served more than 1,000 seniors and provided 40,000 one way assisted rides. Matches are made throughout Central, East and South Contra Costa County.

Carol Louisell, Caring Hands Program Manager, offered congratulations and sincere appreciation to all who have been involved with the program, which continues to change the lives of so many local seniors as it connects those who care with those in need.

Groups of volunteers trained in 2007 and who served more than 1000 hours were acknowledged at the event.

Ollie Anderson and Jo Quiggins, both of Martinez, shared how Caring Hands has enriched their lives. Ollie, 85, has been a caregiver with Caring Hands since 1999. A retired nurse, she has been matched with Jo since 2000, driving her to medical appointments, helping with shopping and errands and above all being a friend. Jo, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday, is thankful for the companionship and the help that Ollie and Caring Hands have provided.

Recognition

Walnut Creek Mayor Gwen Regalia, was also on hand to celebrate the achievements of Caring Hands. Contra Costa County Supervisor, Mary Nejedly Piepho spoke to the group, congratulating Caring Hands volunteers for their continued dedication to the community.

Pastor Bill Barrett of the Saint Mathew Lutheran Church Foundation, 2005 Caring Hands Vintage Review Honoree Dick Clancy of Security Pacific Real Estate and Bev Jones, Senior Vice President of Patient Services for John Muir Health were recognized for their financial support of Caring Hands alongside Walnut Creek Mayor Gwen Regalia, Devlyn Sewell from the city of Concord and Barbara, Larry and Hannah Schuh of Companion Care; Barbara was a 2007 Caring Hands Vintage Review Honoree.

About Caring Hands

Caring Hands volunteers provide social support such as transportation and escort, shopping and errands, friendly companionship, and non-medical care to help enable frail, isolated and disabled elders to remain independent as long as safely possible.

The next training session for those interested in becoming a Caring Hands volunteer is scheduled for May 30, 2008. Those interested in volunteering should call Caring Hands at the number below for a pre-registration interview and orientation.

For more information about the program, call (925) 952-2999 or visit, www.johnmuirhealth.com/caring_hands

John Muir Health Announces Board Members for 2008

John Muir Health News — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:00:00 +0100

Walnut Creek, CA - Six new members have been named to the 19-member John Muir Health Board of Directors for 2008.

Those newly appointed include management advisor Phillip J. Batchelor, former County Administrator of Contra Costa County; internist Janet E. Gaston, M.D.; business consultant David L. Goldsmith, former managing director of venture capital for RS Investment Management; radiologist William K. Hoddick, M.D.; cardiologist Patrick E. Kavanaugh, M.D. and emergency physician Stuart B. Shikora, M.D. Family practitioner Steven M. Kaplan, M.D., was reappointed as the board representative for the Muir Medical Group IPA.

S. Donley Ritchey will remain as chair of the John Muir Health Board of Directors. Also returning as officers are Vice Chair Howard L. Jenkins, Secretary Catherine O. Kutsuris, and Treasurer Malcolm J. McAuley. Other current board members include John Muir Health President and CEO J. Kendall Anderson, Burton H. Baker, M.D., Stephen L. Davenport, Marilyn M. Gardner, Peter D. Langley, Bernard J. Larner, M.D., Ronald K. Mullin, and Randall K. Wenokur, M.D.

The new Board term began on January 1, 2008.

Colon Cancer: Curable if Caught Early

John Muir Health News — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:00:00 +0100

As part of MARCH Colon Cancer Awareness Month John Muir Cancer Institute presents a talk for Men and Women interested in learning more about risk factors in colon cancer, screening and prevention

Leslie Martin, M.D. - Medical Oncologist
Will focus on the risk factors, screening and prevention of colon cancer

Margo Thelander, CGC - Genetic Counselor
Will present the hereditary risk factors for colon cancer

Monday, March 31, 2008
6:30 - 8:00 pm

1656 N. California Blvd. Suite 100
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

To Register call (925) 941-7900, option 3

John Muir Health Selected as Hearing Coordination Center

John Muir Health News — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:00:00 +0100

Walnut Creek - The California Department of Health Care Services has awarded John Muir Health the contract to manage the Hearing Coordination Center (HCC) for the California Newborn Hearing Screening Program. The John Muir Health HCC is one of three such centers statewide.

The contract for the Bay Area was originally awarded to John Muir Health in July 2005 and was expanded to include all of Northern California in October 2007. This expansion involves 45 counties, 120 hospitals with perinatal units and monitoring an excess of 220,000 births annually across California.

Mandated by the California State Legislature, the goals of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program include screening of infants by one month, identification of hearing loss by three months, and early intervention, if needed, by six months.

Permanent significant hearing loss is the most common congenital condition for which there is a screening program. It is estimated that the Newborn Hearing Screening Program will identify 1,200 infants statewide with hearing loss each year.

"It is important that these infants are identified early so that we can help their families get the access they need to the programs that can help," says Beth Lannon, director of the HCC at John Muir Health. "Early intervention is key. And recent research shows that infants with hearing loss, who have appropriate diagnosis, treatment and early intervention services initiated before six months of age, are likely to develop normal language and communication skills."

The HCC provides tracking and monitoring of infants who need follow-up hearing testing after discharge and provides advocacy and support for families of infants who have been diagnosed with hearing loss. In addition to monitoring the screening status of infants in Northern California, the HCC provides community outreach and education to physicians, county and state public health programs and agencies that provide support to families with infants who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Other HCC centers are located in Long Beach and Loma Linda. The John Muir Health HCC is staffed with three audiologists, two registered nurses and one clerk. The office is located in Pleasant Hill. For more information, call (925) 941-7933. For information about the California Newborn Hearing Screening Program, visit http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/Hearing.aspx

John Muir Health Breaks Ground for Concord Expansion

John Muir Health News — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:00:00 +0100

Concord, Feb. 7, 2008 - The start of a major expansion at John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus was celebrated this afternoon with a ceremonial groundbreaking event.

The new five-story, 174,000-square-foot patient tower at the medical center on East Street in Concord will house 61 new private rooms, an expanded emergency department, and the John Muir Cardiovascular Institute.

"Building on a long tradition of providing compassionate, technologically advanced care to the East Bay community, the new patient care tower is designed to meet the region's health care needs well into the future," says J. Kendall Anderson, president and CEO of John Muir Health.

The patient care tower will be the new home of the John Muir Cardiovascular Institute, long renowned as one of the Bay Area's most advanced and comprehensive resources for cardiovascular care. The medical center currently provides a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services for cardiovascular patients as well as a formalized program to speed the care of emergency patients experiencing chest pain.

"The new facility will support us in our continuing commitment to provide cardiovascular patients with the most advanced medical care available," says Thomas Harlan, president and CAO of John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus. "It will enable us to continue to attract the most highly skilled and trained physicians and clinical staff while enhancing the patient care experience."

The Cardiovascular Institute will feature 4 cardiac catheterization labs, 12 pre-operative/recovery beds, a dedicated 12-bed cardiovascular ICU, 49 telemetry beds, and a separate entrance and waiting area.

The patient care tower will also house a new, expanded emergency department to accommodate more than 45,000 emergency patients annually. Private treatment rooms will increase from 26 to 32. A medical imaging suite will be located nearby, featuring a new state-of-the-art CT scanner, digital X-ray and ultrasound for speedy diagnosis of critically ill patients.

Patient rooms in the tower - 61 new private rooms in all - were designed to prioritize optimal space planning, noise reduction and privacy. The rooms incorporate natural elements and well-planned choices in lighting, colors and textures - all features now known to contribute to improved health and patient satisfaction.

The highly sophisticated, technologically advanced features of the new patient care tower have been carefully balanced with attention to creating a comfortable and healing environment for patients and their families and with an eye to flexibility as community needs change over time. When it opens, the new eco-friendly facility will be as paperless, filmless and wireless as possible.

The groundbreaking for the Concord expansion follows the start of a major expansion project on the Walnut Creek campus. In mid-January, John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus broke ground on a five-story, 347,000-square-foot tower that will house 230 new private rooms, a 24-bed ICU, a 35-bed intensive care neonatal nursery, 12 spacious surgical suites and a greatly expanded space for trauma and emergency services.

John Muir Health Breaks Ground on Walnut Creek Building Project

John Muir Health News — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:00:00 +0100

Walnut Creek, Jan. 16, 2008 - Culminating years of meticulous planning, John Muir Health is breaking ground today on a new five-story, 347,000-square-foot facility - The Thomas J. and Muriel T. Long Patient Care Tower - at John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus.

"This exceptional facility has been designed to meet the region's growing health care needs - now and for generations to come," says J. Kendall Anderson, president and CEO of John Muir Health. "Design plans incorporate current and anticipated innovations in medical care."

At the same time, the building has been designed around patients and their families. "Central to the planning of this comforting, healing environment is recognition of the patient as a person. We've considered, and built into our plans, new knowledge about the promotion of health and well-being of patients in the hospital setting," explains Jane Willemsen, president and CAO of John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus.

To meet increasing community needs, particularly among the area's aging population, the new facility will increase the number of beds at the medical center by 27 percent, for a total of 416. This includes the addition of 230 new private rooms, a 24-bed intensive care unit and a 35-bed intensive care neonatal nursery.

The new building will also house 3 new surgical suites to accommodate innovations well into the future, and a dramatic enhancement of emergency services, including replacement of one existing trauma room with four new, spacious trauma rooms and double the number of non-trauma emergency stations from 22 to 44.

"Planners have kept a mind's eye on flexibility and adaptability to change in all clinical areas," explains Willemsen. "For example, the column-free space from the perimeter of the building to the center of the patient care units will allow a future shift in design and location of rooms, if we discover we need to make changes down the road.

"Likewise, in the surgery department," she adds, "operating rooms have been designed to accommodate prolific advances in guided imagery and other surgical innovations on the near and far horizon."

The new facility will be nearly paperless, filmless and wireless. Current initiatives, such as electronic medical records and computerized physician order entry, will have matured, and use of laptop computers and tablets at the bedside will be widespread. These and other related initiatives have been purposefully designed to improve patient safety - a leading priority of the building project.

New patient rooms, mostly private, are built around optimal space planning, noise reduction and privacy, incorporation of natural elements, and well-planned choices in lighting, colors and textures - all features now known to contribute to improved health and patient satisfaction.

Careful attention to patient care, safety and comfort is most eloquently demonstrated in plans for the new 35-bed intensive care neonatal nursery. Noise control, lighting conducive to newborn well-being, and all aspects of the bonding experience between parents and high-risk newborns have been incorporated into the plans. Specific measures are also being taken to ensure an environment free of dioxins, phthalates, mercury and halogenated fire retardants.

Sustainability has been another important priority in the planning process. Sustainable materials will be used in ceilings, walls, casework and flooring. Construction will employ use of recycled steel and drywall made of recycled newspaper, phone books and corrugated cartons. The new building will be eco-friendly and will meet or exceed all local, state and federal regulations for new construction.

The new building has been named The Thomas J. and Muriel T. Long Patient Care Tower to honor the generosity of the Thomas J. Long Foundation. The Foundation's gift of $9.5 million continues the Long Family's support - spanning more than 50 years - of John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus.

Dovetailing the groundbreaking of the Walnut Creek facility on Jan. 16 will be start of another major building project being initiated by John Muir Health. On Feb. 7, John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus will break ground on its five-story, 174,000-square-foot patient tower, which will include an expanded emergency department and also house the Cardiovascular Institute.

The two building projects represent an $800 million investment in the health of the East Bay community. Funding for the projects is covered by health system reserves, hospital bonds and philanthropy.

Walnut Creek Campus Receives American Heart Association "Get With The Guidelines" ...

John Muir Health News — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:00:00 +0100

John Muir Medical Center's Walnut Creek Campus has received the "Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)" Bronze Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association for coronary heart disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF).

The award recognizes John Muir Health's commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for patients with coronary heart disease and/or heart failure.

To receive the bronze coronary heart disease award, the Walnut Creek Campus demonstrated for at least 90 days that 100 percent of its eligible coronary patients (without contraindications) are discharged following the American Heart Association's recommended treatment guidelines; the American Heart Association requires 85 percent. The American Heart Association's GWTG's CAD program helps hospitals increase the use of and adherence to the association's secondary prevention guidelines for coronary artery disease. Developed to assist healthcare professionals follow proven standards and procedures before patients are discharged, GWTG CAD can help John Muir Health reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks and death in treated patients.

The recognition also signifies that John Muir's Walnut Creek Campus has reached an aggressive goal of treating heart failure patients for at least 90 days with 100 percent compliance to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology; the guidelines require 85 percent compliance. According to GWTG's Heart Failure treatment guidelines, heart failure patients are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, diuretics, and anticoagulants in the hospital. They also receive alcohol/drug use counseling as well as referrals for cardiac rehabilitation before being discharged.

"The American Heart Association applauds John Muir Medical Center's Walnut Creek Campus for its success in implementing the appropriate evidence-based care and protocols to reduce the number of recurrent events, disability and death in cardiovascular and heart failure patients," says Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., National Chairman of the Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee and Director of Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. "John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus has achieved a high level of performance in terms of implementing these life-prolonging treatments," he adds.

"John Muir Health is dedicated to making our hospitals among the best in the country by providing leading-edge care in a compassionate environment," says Jane Willemsen, President and CAO for John Muir Medical Center's Walnut Creek Campus. "The American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines program is helping us accomplish that by making it easier for our professionals to improve the long-term outcomes of our cardiac patients and prolonging the lives of those in heart failure. We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in these areas."

Statistics: According to the American Heart Association, approximately 565,000 people suffer a new heart attack and 300,000 experience a recurrent heart attack each year. Statistics also show that within one year of a heart attack, 18 percent of men and 23 percent of women will die. Within five years after an attack, about 33 percent of men and 43 percent of women will die. Additionally, five million Americans are living with heart failure; 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

New Radiation Therapy System Offers More Accurate Treatment of "Moving Targets"

John Muir Health News — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:00:00 +0100

Overcoming the challenges of tumor movement with normal breathing

John Muir Health now provides more accurate delivery of treatment to tumors that move during breathing. The Exac Trac® Gating system, a new feature of the Novalis Shaped Beam Stereotactic Radiosurgery system, adds an adaptive gating capability that is critical for treatment of patients with lung and liver disease.

By matching advanced X-ray imaging of the internal target with the external infrared tracking markers, tumor movement can be continuously monitored in a three dimensional (3-D) manner. As a result, a beam of radiation is turned on only when the tumor is on target. Gating allows this beam to be synchronized with the patient's breathing frequency, enabling physicians to interrupt the treatment beam in milliseconds and only continue to deliver precise treatment when the tumor is located exactly in the path of the beam. Studies have shown that up to 50 percent of normal tissue can be spared from radiation using adaptive gating, which translates into reduced side effects and better treatment outcomes.

The Brainlab Novalis Shaped Beam Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy System at John Muir Health provides a highly accurate and precise method of targeting tumors and brain malformations with radiation using stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy. This treatment is highly effective in sparing normal or unaffected brain tissue. The Novalis can also treat areas outside of the brain with the same high precision. It is ideal for small tumors in the spine and prostate, for example. The addition of adaptive gating now makes it possible to treat tumors that move while a patient breathes with a high degree of accuracy.

For more information on John Muir Health's advanced treatments with shaped beam stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy, and adaptive gating, call (925) 947- 3250.

Newer Alternative to Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery

John Muir Health News — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:00:00 +0100

For those who are more than 80 pounds overweight and have tried a variety of other weight-loss methods without lasting success, weight-loss surgery (also called bariatric surgery) can provide permanent weight loss for many. The John Muir Weight Loss Surgery Center offers a variety of weight-loss surgery procedures including the newer sleeve gastrectomy.

The sleeve gastrectomy procedure involves laparoscopic removal of about 75 percent of the stomach, leaving a narrow pouch that holds less than a cup of food. No intestine is bypassed, so some of the potential problems and risks associated with gastric bypass are eliminated. Patients who follow a prescribed eating pattern after sleeve gastrectomy usually see a significant improvement in their health and comfort level as they lose weight. Many are eventually able to discontinue medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and discontinue nighttime breathing support for sleep apnea.

The John Muir Weight Loss Surgery Center offers sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, and duodenal switch performed by laparoscopic bariatric surgical specialists. A multi-disciplinary team provides extensive patient evaluation, teaching, support and follow-up. Outcomes and patient satisfaction have been better than national benchmarks and are available for review.

The John Muir Weight Loss Surgery Center offers free monthly seminars the second Wednesday of every month at the John Muir Weight Loss Surgery Center, 2540 East Street, Concord, 6-7:30 p.m. A special seminar for East County residents is being held in Brentwood, Wednesday, September 19, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the John Muir Outpatient Center, 2400 Balfour Rd., Brentwood.

For more information about surgical procedures at the John Muir Weight Loss Surgery Center, or to register for a free, no-obligation monthly seminar given by the surgeons, call (925) 674-2121.

Public Notice Magnet Recognition Program® Site Visit

John Muir Health News — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:00:00 +0100

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus, has applied to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for the prestigious designation of Magnet. The Magnet designation recognizes excellence in nursing services.

Patients, family members, staff, and interested parties who would like to provide comments are encouraged to do so. Anyone may send comments via e-mail, fax, and direct mail. All phone comments to the Magnet Program Office must be followed up in writing.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND NEVER SHARED WITH THE FACILITY. IF YOU CHOOSE, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE ANONYMOUS, BUT MUST BE IN WRITING.

YOUR COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY November 27, 2007.

Address:
AMERICAN NURSES CREDENTIALING CENTER (ANCC)
MAGNET RECOGNITION PROGRAM OFFICE
8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
Fax: 301-628-5217
E-Mail: magnet@ana.org
Phone: 866-588-3301 (toll free)

John Muir Medical Center has submitted information for the appraisers to review. That information is available, twenty-four hours a day, to you for review in the Medical Library. Contact the Administrative Coordinator at (925) 941-5005 after hours.

EBUS: New Technology at John Muir Diagnoses and Stages Lung Cancer Without Incisions View our video.

John Muir Health News — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 07:00:00 +0100

A first in Northern California - new ultrasound-guided biopsy results in highly accurate diagnosis and staging of lung and other thoracic cancers.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in America, more than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Early detection and aggressive multi-modality treatment are key components that are pushing the odds in our favor against this terrible disease. Now, the latest technology allows for rapid assessment with minimal recovery so that patients can begin their definitive treatment in a very timely fashion.

Appropriate candidates with lung, esophageal or other thoracic cancers may be able to receive accurate diagnoses and staging of their cancer without so much as an incision on their skin, thanks to John Muir Cancer Institute's new EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) system. John Muir Health is one of only a handful of medical centers in the nation that posses this technology, and the first medical center in northern California.

EBUS allows for accurate diagnosis and staging. Confirming spread of tumor to the lymph nodes has traditionally been obtained by performing a biopsy through a variety of surgical procedures. With the EBUS system, biopsies are performed through the trachea using ultrasound rather than surgical incisions. The level of sedation necessary is much less than with more invasive procedures, and is usually completed in less than an hour. In many cases, a preliminary pathology report is available at the completion of the EBUS procedure, although final pathologic evaluation still requires 48 - 72 hours. The benefits of the EBUS system to patients with thoracic malignancies are very significant.

"The treatment and prognosis of lung and esophageal cancer is directly related to the extent of the disease, also known as the 'stage,'" says Michaela Straznicka, M.D., medical director of the John Muir Thoracic Oncology Program. "Accurate staging is essential to plan the most effective treatment and optimize patients' survival rates," she adds. Thoracic malignancies can spread via the lymph glands (nodes) that interconnect within the center of the chest. Confirmation of tumor invasion into these nodes dramatically changes the initial stage, and therefore the initial treatment options. The EBUS system is an exceptionally reliable and minimally invasive method to biopsy these lymph nodes.

Performed by thoracic surgeons and pulmonologists, the EBUS is a bronchoscopic evaluation of the windpipe (trachea) and airways (bronchi). The ultrasound tip allows physicians to "see" through the wall of the airways and locate abnormal lymph nodes. A biopsy needle is passed under constant guidance of the ultrasound image into the abnormal node, and a sample is obtained. Several nodes can be biopsied during the same procedure with minimal added risk. The procedure can be repeated in the future to assess for treatment response or to document recurrence without any added technical difficulty or risk.

The John Muir Cancer Institute is a leading provider of cancer care for adults and children, offering technologically advanced screening and diagnostic tools, leading edge treatment capabilities and a medical team dedicated to individualized care and support at both our Walnut Creek and Concord campuses. In keeping with our commitment to the communities we serve, we also offer a wide range of cancer-related public services that promote prevention awareness, early detection and treatment of cancer.

For more information about EBUS at John Muir Health, call (925) 947-3322.

John Muir Health Spearheads Initiatives Encouraging Healthier Lifestyle

John Muir Health News — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:00:00 +0100

Walnut Creek - To raise awareness about health, the environment and the importance of using locally sustainably produced foods, John Muir Health is embracing several new initiatives to help create healthier lifestyle choices for employees, patients and visitors.

Under the direction of the Healthy Food in Healthcare Committee, comprised of John Muir Health staff, food service representatives, physicians, and select community members, John Muir Health is taking several steps to provide access to the healthiest food options available for patients, employees and visitors.

Among those steps, is participation in the "Healthy Foods in Healthcare" program. The program provides a framework that outlines steps to be taken by the health care industry to improve the health of patients, communities and the environment.

This initiative was spearheaded by "Health Care Without Harm," an international coalition of more than 440 groups working in 55 countries. Their focus is to transform health care into an ecologically sustainable industry. There are currently several hospitals nationwide participating in the "Healthy Food in Healthcare" program.

The "Healthy Food in Healthcare Pledge" is part of the "Healthy Food in Healthcare " program and includes eight objectives that range from procurement from local farmers, community-based organizations and food suppliers to increase the availability of locally-sourced food, to supporting the use of food packaging and products which are ecologically protective. Senior leaders from John Muir Health recently signed the pledge, further highlighting John Muir Health's commitment to healthier lifestyles.

Other initiatives

John Muir Health also offers other initiatives designed to improve the well-being of staff, visitors and patients. These include:

Increased offering of fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season and locally grown, including an increase in whole grain foods.
Use of trans-fat free oil in cooking.
Employee participation in the "Farm Fresh to You" program at John Muir Medical Centers in Walnut Creek and Concord as well as other John Muir Health facilities. Capay Farms delivers a box of organically grown fruits and vegetables weekly to participating employees. Program encourages increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and supports this local farm.
Healthier options in vending machines, replacing foods with trans-fats and high fat content with items that are low in fat and sugar and higher in whole grains.
Partnership with Mt. Diablo High School. Students learn hands-on about sustainable gardening.
Aromatherapy Garden. Students at Mt. Diablo High School cultivate and tend to an aromatherapy garden at John Muir Medical Center
Walnut Creek Campus, providing an opportunity for rehabilitation patients to actively participate in gardening as part of therapy.