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Monthly Archives: February 2015
Hays Medical Center > 2015 > February
Feb26
00

New Radiation Equipment Installed at HaysMed Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute

By Alan Wamser - Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute

AcceleratorWorkers prepare to remove the 14-year-old linear accelerator at the HaysMed Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute to make way for new equipment that includes Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy capability.

It often is no surprise to cancer patients when they hear radiation treatments will take nine weeks.
However, in the near future some may be surprised to learn treatment will take only one week thanks to new equipment at the Hays Medical Center Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute.

The 14 year old equipment was removed in late January and the new linear accelerator installed this week.
The advantages to its Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) capability include pinpoint precision, reduced cost and fewer treatments.

“The decreased number of treatments is especially appealing to patients and families,” said Dr. Babu Prasad, radiation oncologist. “Patients are busy with their lives and their jobs, and traveling for nine weeks is difficult.

“In some cases, five treatments that take only one week is the best course of radiation therapy,” he continued. “It will be much more convenient, less intrusive and less stressful emotionally and financially.”

SBRT uses rapid arc features for selected cancers. For example, selected lung, liver and prostate cancers, as well as highly selected brain cancers can be treated with SBRT.

“While this is not for everyone, patients that qualify may have their treatments condensed into one week,” Dr. Prasad said. “It is just as effective, maybe even more so, than other conventional treatments.

“In addition,” he noted, “SBRT causes no increase in toxicity or side effects, and the new machine can still do conventional treatments.”

During the next few weeks, it will be subjected to a series of rigorous tests and ready for the first patient in late March. In the interim, Dr. Prasad has continued to see patients for consultations and follow-ups. Patients needing treatment have been referred to a cancer center in Kansas, Nebraska or Colorado – whichever is geographically closest.

“With some low-risk cancers, however, a patient may be able to wait a few weeks until the new machine is up and running,” Dr. Prasad said.

Lindsey Fox, medical physicist, helps ensure the safety and quality of radiation treatments by managing the technical aspects. These include reviewing dose calculations, performing machine calibration and testing equipment routinely.

“Purchasing a new linear accelerator is similar to purchasing a new car,” Fox commented. “You don’t just choose the make and model; you also consider options that improve comfort and safety.

“We are upgrading treatment planning software, and investing in advanced imaging, positioning and testing equipment to improve the accuracy, comfort and safety of our treatments,” Fox explained.

With the advanced technology, come more rigorous testing and quality-assurance requirements.

“Equally important,” Fox said, “we have a caring, well-trained staff. Every person here is committed to excellence, as evidenced by our recent accreditation through the American College of Radiation Oncology.

“We will have state-of-the-art equipment that some larger institutes still don’t have,” Fox noted. “Western Kansans can receive the same or better care at HaysMed than at larger facilities far from home.”

Leo Elms, medical dosimetrist/operations manager, also is looking forward to the new linear accelerator and VisionRT equipment.

“The combination of these two pieces of equipment and additional software give us the ability to offer this advanced treatment,” Elms said. “The shorter courses of treatment are especially important because we serve such a large geographic area, which requires some patients to travel quite a distance to HaysMed.”

Elms mentioned the cancer institute’s radiation therapist has told patients about the new equipment. “They have voiced strong support for it,” Elms said. “We have even received thank-you cards from patients.

“Our department, the cancer institute and HaysMed are truly driven to provide the highest level of care,” he continued. “SBRT puts us on the leading edge of technology. Western Kansans are fortunate to have this level of technology and expertise available in their own backyard.”

The HaysMed Foundation is conducting a campaign called “Envision a Future Without Cancer” to raise funds for the $3 million project.

Donations are encouraged and HaysMed has committed to paying the balance.

Those who have made $100,000 contributions include Dr. Prasad and his family, Lillian Schumacher of Hays and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. The Hadley Foundation has donated $1 million.

Donations can be sent to the HaysMed Foundation, 2220 Canterbury Drive, Hays, Ks. 67601 or by visiting www.haysmedfoundation.org/envision.

Feb26
00

New Radiation Equipment Installed at HaysMed Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute

By Alan Wamser - HaysMed News

new-equipmentWorkers prepare to remove the 14-year-old linear accelerator at the HaysMed Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute to make way for new equipment that includes Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy capability.

It often is no surprise to cancer patients when they hear radiation treatments will take nine weeks.
However, in the near future some may be surprised to learn treatment will take only one week thanks to new equipment at the Hays Medical Center Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute. (more…)

Feb25
00

Dr. Vivek Sharma Performs Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at HaysMed

By Alan Wamser - HaysMed News

sharmaHays, Kansas – Feb 25, 2015) – As one of only a few orthopedic surgeons between Kansas City and Denver that performs specialized spine techniques, Vivek Sharma, M.D., treats a wide range of back-related conditions.

Dr. Sharma, an orthopedic surgeon at the HaysMed Orthopedic Institute, is specially trained in MIS, which stands for minimally invasive spine surgery.  In addition to the Orthopedic Institute, Dr. Sharma also sees patients in outreach clinics in Colby, Great Bend and Larned.

Some patients seek Dr. Sharma’s advice for nagging back pain. Others have had more traditional spine operations with negative results. And still others have sciatica, compression fractures or other issues. (more…)

Feb23
00

HaysMed Cardiologist Implants New Cardiac Device

By Alan Wamser - HaysMed News
fisherDr. Christine Fisher at Hays Medical Center implanted the first leadless defibrillator in Western Kansas. The Boston Scientific S-ICD (subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator) provides protection from sudden cardiac arrest while leaving the heart untouched.
“Sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening heart condition, and if not treated within minutes, leads to death,” Dr. Fisher said. “An electrode is placed under the skin along the breastbone and is connected to the device that lies beneath the skin on the side of the chest.”
 This system continuously monitors the heart’s activity and delivers a shock in a life-threatening situation.

(more…)

Feb9
00

CHI Earns Medical Fitness Facility Re-Certification

By Alan Wamser - HaysMed News,The Center News

Hays, KS – (Feb. 9, 2015) The Center for Health Improvement announced today that is has been re-certified by the Medical Fitness Association, the country’s leading organization dedicated solely to medically integrated wellness and fitness facilities. This certification is a significant step forward in providing for the health of the entire community and to the individuals taking responsibility for their personal healthcare.  Currently there are 34 United States certified facilities and 18 International facilities, Hays being the only one in Kansas.

“Our mission at The Center is To Help People Get Well Sooner and Stay Well Longer” says Stephanie Schaffer-Howie, Fitness Director at The Center for Health Improvement.  “Our medical fitness center integrates traditional medical treatment with fitness, disease prevention and health education allowing each individual to achieve lifelong wellness.  The staff is committed to helping members make life improvements through lifestyle change.  We work closely with physicians and other healthcare providers that cover all aspects of health and wellness in hoping to make Hays the healthiest rural community in America.”

This program is the first and only certification offered specifically to facilities in the medical fitness industry—an industry that serves over 4 million members worldwide. Based on the Medical Fitness Association’s internationally recognized Standards and Guidelines for Medical Fitness Facilities, the certification process involves an in-depth , on-site review of a facility’s adherence to the prescribed standards and guidelines. The certification process is an integral part of ensuring that facilities provide a high level of quality and safety in the programs and services they deliver in order for them to become fully integrated into the local continuum of health care. The Medical Fitness Association Facility Certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in the health and wellness industry.

“With the implementation of the Accountable Care Act and its impact on healthcare systems beginning to be realized, the industry is looking for ways to better manage and coordinate care for the communities they serve. As the incidence of chronic disease continues to rise, the need for more medically supervised, outcomes and accountability based exercise as medicine programs have never been more relevant in our industry than today. It is clear that the task to produce and deliver this revolution in the provision of healthcare with all its necessary components and guidelines is a herculean task. The Center for Health Improvement has taken an important step towards filling a gap in the current care delivery model. The Time is Now to implement these accountable models of health that reduce the severity of chronic disease and improve the quality of life for those who participate!” – Robert D Boone, FACHE, FMFA, President and CEO, Medical Fitness Association

The Center for Health Improvement opened its doors to the community in February 2002.  The facility houses a fitness center which includes state of the art equipment, aquatics area, the latest group fitness classes for all levels, full service juice bar and play center areas.  Fitness amenities include Personal Training, Massage, Health Coaching and Nutritional Consults.  The facility also houses Outpatient areas such as Cardiac Rehab, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Sleep Center as well as the Hays Orthopedic and SouthWind Surgical Clinics.  For more information, call The Center for Health Improvement at 785-623-6340 or visit our website at www.thecenter.haysmed.com.

Feb4
00

HaysMed Conducts Community Health Needs Assessment

By Alan Wamser - Community Health,HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas (Feb 4, 2015) – HaysMed is working with other Ellis County Kansas health providers to update the 2012 community health needs assessment.  Results of this update will be compiled and prioritized to help guide the hospital’s implementation plans to address health care needs and fulfill both federal and state requirements.

Starting the week of February 2nd, surveys will be mailed to 2800 randomly selected Ellis county residents with a deadline of Friday Feb 27th.  (Note: If you would like to participate and do not receive a mailed survey, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Hays15CHNA to complete the survey online.) Copies of the paper survey will also be available for pickup after February 10 at HaysMed at the Information Desks in the Miller Medical Pavilion Entrance B, Main Entrance C and at The Center for Health Improvement.

All Ellis County KS residents and business leaders are encouraged to participate.  Included in the 2015 CHNA surveys are questions dealing with community health regarding service delivery, fitness, nutrition, and access to care. All survey responses are anonymous and completing the survey takes less than 10 minutes.  VVV Research & Development LLC, an independent research firm from Olathe, Kansas has been retained to conduct this countywide research.

If you have any questions about the survey or survey process, please call 785-623-2300.

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