Apr18

HaysMed Welcomes Orthopedic Physician Assistant

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Orthopedic Institute News

(Hays, KS) – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is pleased to welcome Spencer Anderson, MPAS, PA-C to the Orthopedic Clinic.

Anderson completed his masters of physician assistant studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

“It’s always a good feeling to be able to recruit qualified staff to our orthopedic clinic,” said Bryce Young, chief operating officer, at HaysMed. “We serve patients from all over western Kansas and Anderson will be a great addition to our team of professionals.”

Anderson will be working with Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbo, Orthopedic Surgeon.

To make an appointment call 785-261-7599 or go to www.haysmed.com/orthopedic-institute/.

Jan7

00

HaysMed Offers Pediatric Orthopedic and Spine Clinic on January 29

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Orthopedic Institute News

HAYS, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System will offer a pediatric orthopedic and spine clinic on January 29 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. The clinic will be held at the Orthopedic Clinic, 2500 Canterbury, Hays, Kansas.

The clinic focuses on congenital orthopedic programs in pediatrics such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hip disorders (dysplasia), flat feet, toe walking, in toeing bowlegs (knock knees) and other spinal deformities often seen in children.

Rebecca Green, PA-C, under the supervision of Dr. Max DeCarvalho, orthopedic surgeon, will be evaluating and treating the patients at the clinic.

Congenital spine deformities are disorders of the spine that develop in a child before birth. Vertebrae don’t form properly very early in fetal development, causing structural problems in the spine and spinal cord. The problems can range from mild to severe and may cause other problems if left untreated.

You can schedule an appointment by calling 866-428-8221 or 785-261-7599. No physician referral is required unless it is required by your insurance company.

Oct4

00

HaysMed Recognizes 2018 Second Quarter Patient Satisfaction Award Winners

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Orthopedic Institute News

Hays, Kansas (Oct 4, 2018)—The OB Unit, Sleep Center, Orthopedic Clinic and Human Resources were recently named the patient satisfaction award winners for the second quarter of 2018 at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System.

Each quarter HaysMed recognizes the patient satisfaction award winners based on results from CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) surveys administrated by HealthStream. Health Stream is the research firm HaysMed contracts with to conduct the government required Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) hospital surveys on patient experience. The CAHPS survey is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care. The CAHPS Hospital Survey is a survey instrument and data collection methodology for measuring patients’ perceptions of their hospital experience. Four areas are recognized every quarter including an inpatient department, an outpatient department, a clinic and a non-clinical area.

The OB Unit was recognized for having the highest improvement in overall satisfaction from the first quarter to the 4^th quarter of FY2018. Last year they had 572 deliveries, 684 lactation consultations and triaged 638 lactation triage phone calls.

The Sleep Center, an outpatient department, had the highest improvement in overall satisfaction for FY2018. In 2017 the department did 439 sleep studies and 120 EEGs. They have 4 full times associates. The EEG studies, which began in December of 2017, are a direct result of a joint effort with The University of Kansas Health System Neurology department. The Sleep Center serves patients in Kansas, southern Nebraska and eastern Colorado.

The Center is accredited through the Academy of Sleep medicine. They also are involved in mobile testing which brings sleep testing to many of the area communities.

Garnering the clinic award was the Orthopedic Clinic. They had a 16% increase in overall satisfaction for FY2018 and are at the 99^th percentile. The clinic averages 1100 patients a month and they provider outreach clinics in Great Bend, Larned, Colby, Scott City and Hill City.

They are a certified hip and knee center of excellence and are the official orthopedic physicians for Fort Hays State University Athletics.

Human Resources received the Customer Service Award for their significant contributions to the mission, vision and values of HaysMed. The department has 7 full time Associates who provide services to a total of 1723 Associates. This includes all Associates at Hays, Larned and Great Bend. They process approximately 3000 application per year and last year hired 241 new Associates.

-30-

Jun18

00

HaysMed Offers Pediatric Spine Clinic

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Orthopedic Institute News,Pediatrics

HAYS, Kansas (June 18, 2018)— Beginning in July, HaysMed, part of the University of Kansas Health System will offer a quarterly pediatric spine clinic. The first clinic will be held Tuesday, July 31 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Orthopedic Clinic 2500 Canterbury, Hays Kansas.

The clinic will focus on congenital orthopedic problems in pediatrics such as scoliosis, club feet, hip disorders (dysplasia), flat feet, toe walking, in toeing bowlegs (knock knees) and other spinal deformities often seen in children.

Rebecca Green, PA-C, under the supervision of Dr. Max DeCarvalho, Orthopedic Surgeon, will be evaluating and treating the patients at the clinic.

“It is exciting to offer this specialized clinic for our patients in western Kansas,” said DeCarvalho. “We are always looking for opportunities to provide our patients more services closer to home.”

Congenital spine deformities are disorders of the spine that develop in a child before birth. Vertebrae don’t form properly very early in fetal development, causing structural problems in the spine and spinal cord. The problems can range from mild to severe and may cause other problems if left untreated.

You can schedule an appointment by calling 866-428-8221 or 785-261-7599. No physician referral is required unless it is required by your insurance company.

May14

00

HaysMed Welcomes New Orthopedic Surgeon

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Orthopedic Institute News,The Center News

Hays, KS (May 14, 2018) –Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbo, Orthopedic Surgeon has joined the medical staff of HaysMed as a full time physician. Dr. Akinbo has served as a locum in the HaysMed Orthopedic Clinic for the past 8 months.

Dr. Akinbo completed medical school at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Akinbo completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC where he served as the administrative chief resident during his final year of residency. He also served on the house-staff executive council and the orthopedic education committee.

He also completed a fellowship in hip and knee replacement surgery at the world-renowned New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. His primary areas of focus include primary and revising hip/knee replacement, fracture management and general orthopedics.

Dr. Akinbo has been published in multiple peer reviewed journals and serves as a peer reviewer for multiple orthopedic surgery journals.

Dr. Akinbo is now accepting new patients. Please call 785-261-7599.

Mar20

00

HaysMed Offers Dry Needling for Pain Management

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Orthopedic Institute News

Hays, Kansas (March 20, 2018) HaysMed is excited to offer expanded services in its Rehabilitation Department and also expanded dry needling at the Orthopedic Institute. Dry Needling, a form of therapy, is an additional tool available to qualifying patients who suffer from muscle pain.

Dry needling is a technique that providers use to treat myofascial pain and/or trigger points in muscles. Trigger points are shortened bands of muscle fibers that can cause pain, limit strength and impede normal range of motion. The benefits for patients are decreased muscular pain, decreased muscular tightness, improved range of motion, improved strength and improved functional use of a body part.

The dry needling uses a very thin, single use needle to relive the trigger points. “Most patients feel little to no pain when the needle is inserted,” said Lindsey Dreiling, Physical Therapist at HaysMed. “But they may feel a muscle twitch or cramp as the trigger point is treated.”

Dreiling is certified Level 1 in dry needling which enables her to treat arms, including shoulders and upper trapezius, legs including hips/posterior pelvis and low back from L3-L5 and neck from C7-T1. She also can treat the two trigger points at the base of the skull which help with headaches.

Dr. Wally Walstrom, who also performs dry needling, uses a hypodermic needle to break up the scar tissue and bring blood flow back to the damaged tissues. This form of dry needling uses ultrasound to direct the visual guidance of the practitioner. The needle makes small holes and slices in a tendon or scared muscle which increases blood circulation to the area. It is the first step of the healing process that will ultimately repair/heal the degenerated tissue. It is used to treat tendinopathy, tendon-related pain and chronic scaring in muscles.

“This process will ultimately repair/heal the degenerated tissue.” Said Walstrom. “Many people with chronic pain due to scar tissue of the muscles or tendinopathy can benefit from ultrasound assisted dry needling.”

Dry needling is not acupuncture. It focuses on intramuscular stimulation. The only commonality is that both processes use the same type of needles.

Both Dreiling and Walstrom also perform “deep” needling. This form of dry needling targets deep muscles, such as those that attach directly to the spine or pelvis and can’t be accessed with traditional physical therapy.

Insurance coverage of dry needling varies. The costs of dry needling done with Dreiling in the HaysMed Outpatient Rehabilitation department are $35 per 15 minute treatment. The frequency is a once per week treatment. Dry needling treatments with Walstrom are done in the Orthopedic Institute due to the use of ultrasound and the costs vary depending on the number of sessions required. Neither treatment option requires a physician’s referral.

To schedule an appointment with physical therapy or for more information call 785-623-5691.

Jan15

00

HaysMed Welcomes New Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Orthopedic Institute News

Hays, KS (Jan 15, 2018) – Dr. Max Franco De Carvalho, Spine Surgeon, has joined the Medical Staff of HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System.

Dr. De Carvalho received his medical degree from the Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil. He completed an orthopedic residency at the National Institute of Trauma and Orthopedics in Rio de Janeiro. Dr. De Cavalho completed fellowships in spine surgery at the Klinikum Karlsbad Langensteinbach in Germany and a minimally invasive spine surgery fellowship at Wooridul Spine Hospital in South Korea. He completed Advanced Fellowship training in Orthopedics Trauma at the New Mexico University in Albuquerque, New Mexico; spine surgery at Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Pediatric Orthopedics at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He has conducted research in Brazil and the United states and has published extensively in orthopedic books and journals.

When away from the office, Dr. DeCarvalho enjoys many physical activities including tennis and swimming. He also enjoys studying foreign languages and is fluent in English, Portuguese, German and Spanish.

Dr. DeCarvalho’s areas of focus include Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma, Pediatric Orthopedics and General Orthopedics. He joins Dr. Gulraiz Cheema, Dr. Timothy Wright and Dr. Wally Walstrom at the Orthopedic Institute.

To schedule an appointment call 785-261-7599.

Oct23

00

HaysMed’s Low Infection Rates Recognized With National Certification

By Gayla Wichman - Breast Care Center,DeBakey Heart Institute News,Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute,Emergency Department News,Family Medicine,HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Orthopedic Institute News,Pediatrics,Urology,Women-Infant Services,Would Healing & Hyperbaric Center News

Hays, Kansas (Oct 23, 2017) – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is the only hospital in Kansas that has earned a prestigious certification because of its low infection risk. And it is one of only four hospitals in the United States to receive the Management of Infection Risk (MIR) certificate.

“HaysMed goes above and beyond current standards to prevent patients from acquiring an infection while they are in the hospital,” said Kim Koerner, BSN, RN, infection prevention officer/associate health nurse. “As a result, we are at or below national hospital-acquired infection rates.

“Every department here works to decrease infection risk by reviewing processes and practices,” Koerner continued. “High-risk areas became focal points for each department, which has resulted in decreased infection risk and increased patient safety at HaysMed.”

Koerner cited just a few examples of areas in which safety has been enhanced.

They include: decreased hip/knee surgical site infection risk; decreased surgical site infection risk in colon procedures and hysterectomies; decreased device-related infections with urinary catheters and central lines; and decreased infections related to the environment.

“This certification validates the importance of decreasing infection risk and increasing patient safety to every single person at HaysMed,” Koerner commented. “Eighteen primary factors that cover the entire facility are considered in certification.

“And it’s not only doctors and nurses that are involved,” she added. “Processes in maintenance, dietary and environmental science also are reviewed.”

Melanie Urban, BSN, RN, HACP, patient quality services director, said Koerner has empowered all HaysMed employees to enhance safety. “It takes the motivation of everyone here to identify vulnerabilities, re-design systems and efficiently manage resources,” Urban said. “The Management of Infection Risk Committee has been diligent in getting everyone engaged.”

The committee includes clinical and non-clinical associates, as well as Dr. Kayla Gray, Hospitalist. “Attainment of this distinguished award demonstrates Hays Medical Center’s continued commitment to excellence in both patient and community healthcare. “ Gray stated.

HaysMed is accredited by DNV Healthcare, which is the entity that awarded the MIR certification. “This is a world-leading certification entity,” Urban said. “It helps us achieve excellence by improving quality and patient safety.”

MIR certification builds on three important pillars, Urban noted. These are: being proactive instead of reactive; developing a safety culture that is transparent and accountable; and engaging all staff in a systems-driven approach to safety.

“Therefore, our certification lets our community and region we serve know we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible care while managing infection risk,” Urban said.

DNV GL – Healthcare, which operates in more than 100 countries, surveys HaysMed annually. Patrick Horine, chief executive officer of DNV GL – Healthcare, said “achieving certification shows commitment to excellence. And it helps demonstrate to your community that you are performing at the highest level.”

Oct16

00

Let’s Talk Series presents “Varicose Veins Slowing You Down?”

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Orthopedic Institute News

HAYS, Kansas (Oct 16, 2017)— The Hays Orthopedic Institute will sponsor Let’s Talk on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the HaysMed Center for Health Improvement (CHI) Education Room, 2500 Canterbury Drive, Hays Kansas. Participants are asked to use Entrance F – South Entrance to CHI.

The program will feature a presentation followed by a question and answer discussion with Dr. Wally Walstrom, Sports Medicine/Family Medicine and Aron Splichal, MD, from HaysMed. Topic for the discussion is “Varicose Veins Slowing You Down?” If you suffer from venous problems such as spider veins, varicose veins, leg pain, swelling, heaviness, restless legs and cramping there are resources to help treat the cause, not the symptoms.

The program begins at 6:00 pm with registration and healthy snacks followed by the presentation.

There is no registration fee but space is limited. Please RSVP to
www.haysmed.com/event/lets-talk-october-2017/ or 623-5500 by October 23.

Aug14

00

HaysMed Establishes Vein Clinic

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Imaging,Orthopedic Institute News

Hays, Kansas (Aug 14, 2017) – HaysMed has recently established a vein clinic for treating varicose veins, spider veins and other venous problems. People who suffer from leg pain, welling, heaviness, restless legs and cramping are also candidates for vein treatment.

Veins in your legs carry blood back to the heart through one-way check valves. When the veins become diseased, the valves no longer work properly, and a backflow or “reflux” of blood leaks backward down the leg causing the veins to bulge or balloon. These dilated or bulging veins are called varicose and may occur on or under the surface of the skin.

Tiny red or blue bursts on your legs are called spider veins. Often seen on the thighs, around the knees, on the calves and at the ankles, they are a result of dilated venous capillaries that fill with blood and become visible.

Although heredity plays a role in 80 percent of all venous disease cases, other causes can include aging, obesity, leg trauma, hormones, pregnancy and occupations that require prolonged standing or sitting.

There are several treatment options available at the vein clinic including phlebectomy, endovenous laser therapy and sclerotherapy. Phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove varicose veins on the surface of the leg that local anesthesia and tiny skin incisions that do not require stitches and are barely visible when they heal.

Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) offers patients a minimally-invasive choice for treating varicose veins and provides them with quicker recovery and a return to normal daily routines, as compared to surgical stripping. Under local anesthesia with the aid of ultrasound, a catheter is placed and preciously delivers laser energy to the vein wall, causing the vein to close and seal shut. EVLT treatment is usually reimbursed by Health Insurance.

Sclerotherapy is the preferred method of treatment for spider veins. In this simple procedure, veins are injected with a solution that produces an irritation to the inner lining of the vein, causing scar tissue to form that seals off the unwanted veins. The number of treatments varies depending on the extent of the condition; the average number of treatments is six to ten treatments.

Patients will receive an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan to address each of their specific needs. Consultation will begin with a visit at the Orthopedic center, which typically follows with an Ultrasound to assess the severity of the issue. After this, your procedure will be scheduled to take place in the HaysMed Imaging Center.

For more information or to schedule a consultation please call 785-261-7599 or 1-866-428-8221 or go to https://www.haysmed.com/vein-clinic/