Temple Cancer Center recently earned a three-year approval and three commendations from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). Only 39.9 percent of programs nationally have received CoC approval with commendation.

 

In addition to demonstrating a commitment to quality care and public accountability, the commendations recognized Temple Cancer Center for good participation in clinical trials, availability of multiple screening and early-detection programs, and multiple cancer related improvements implemented by the program.

 

"We are pleased with these commendations for the quality of care we provide our patients," said Curtis Miyamoto, MD, Medical Director for Cancer. "This recognition is a tribute to the hard work of our physicians, nurses, and staff whose collaboration represents true multidisciplinary care." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In January, Riyaz Bashir, MD, Director of Vascular and
Endovascular Medicine at TUH, performed Temple’s first two "orbital atherectomy" procedures using an innovative new tool to grind away plaque deposits obstructing blood flow in the arteries of the leg. This procedure is effective in relieving symptoms caused by blockages in the leg arteries-a condition called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). This disease affects as many as 12 million Americans and is associated with a high risk of death from heart attack or stroke.

During the procedures, Bashir inserted a device - called the Diamondback 360°TM - into each patient's affected arteries via a catheter through the groin. When activated,
the device begins to rotate within the artery and a special "crown" embedded with diamond chips grinds away the plaque into particles smaller than a red blood cell.

"While this local treatment of the disease is a positive symptomatic benefit, the greater victory is that these patients are now being treated for global atherosclerotic
vascular disease," said Bashir. "Such a comprehensive-care approach will reduce the mortality in these patients." "Unfortunately PAD is highly underdiagnosed and
under-treated by the medical community," he added. According to a study of 350 primary care centers, more
than half the patients with PAD are not diagnosed and, of those who are diagnosed, only one-half are being treated according to the currently recommended guidelines. 

While our baristas are still working on perfecting the double

mocha chai latte, Information Systems recently launched at TUH

another perk of chic coffee shops - free wireless Internet. Available

to inpatients, outpatients, and their families, the system is similar to

Internet hotspots found in trendy places like Starbucks. Those who

bring their laptops to TUH need only call Patient Relations at 2-2273

to obtain a password and log in. To protect the privacy of patients,

the wireless system runs completely independent of TUH’s clinical

computer network.

 

 

On January 5, Jeanes Hospital took the wraps off a new, state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Equipped with the latest tools and technology, the expansive 960-sq.-ft. space establishes full-service cardiovascular services
at Jeanes.

Among the new features is a "biplane" imaging system that provides surgeons and interventionalists with clearer images of the heart and blood vessels. The new system also enhances the ability of electrophysiologists to map the electrical conduction system of the heart, which helps facilitate therapeutic interventions such as cardiac ablations. In addition, new laser technology will aid in the removal of plaque more effectively from blocked coronary and peripheral blood vessels.

This new equipment is linked to a pair of giant, flat-panel monitors that offer high-definition views of tests and procedures, which can be broadcasted directly to off-site
classrooms or seminars.

"This new lab greatly enhances our ability to diagnose and treat a wide range of cardiac conditions, from the simplest to the most complex," said Ted Parris, MD, Medical Director of the new Cath Lab. "It also significantly expands our educational capabilities."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier this month, Temple University Health System (TUHS) won five 2009 Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA). These TUHS marketing and public relations efforts were chosen from nearly 1,200 entries submitted.

Hosted annually, the SIAA Awards are the only advertising awards to specifically recognize the achievements of the service industry. A national panel of judges evaluates projects for creativity, quality, and consumer appeal.

Awards won by TUHS include:

~ Silver - Temple Lung Center television advertisement campaign
~ Silver - Temple Lung Center radio advertisement campaign
~ Silver - Temple Lung Center direct-mail campaign
~ Bronze - Temple Neuroscience Center pocket folder program book
~ Merit - Capsule, TUHS employee newsletter.

 

 

Several months ago, a significantly improved Family First Program was re-launched to TUH and TUP employees on the Health Sciences campus. Since then, more than 98 percent of those initial users reported a positive patient-care experience.

The redesigned Family First Program has now been expanded to include all TUHS Corporate employees.

In its new format, Family First guarantees to schedule an initial visit with a Temple physician within seven (7) days for non-emergency care. To schedule an initial appointment for yourself or an eligible dependent, call (215) 707-5300 - the designated Family First number within Temple's Call Center.
Follow-up appointments should be made at "point of service" - which means that they should be scheduled by you, with your doctor's assistant, immediately after being seen by your physician. Should you use the Call Center to arrange a follow-up appointment, it will be scheduled within a clinically appropriate timeframe.

Temple is committed to its role as a provider of superior care, and equally committed to ensuring that our Family First Program works for employees and their dependents.
We encourage and invite employees to use Family First for easy, convenient access to great care - at Temple, by Temple physicians.

  

 

 

Starting this month, NEH will begin a process to convert all "291" and "425" exchanges at NEH to "926." The conversion is necessary to accommodate newer phone equipment that will better enhance NEH's ability to stay in touch with patients, customers, and colleagues. One of the benefits of the new system is that TUHS employees may now reach their NEH colleagues more easily. Simply dial "7," followed by the last 4 digits of the phone number being called. This feature also provides for a savings of 7 cents per call that was paid previously when employees had to dial the area code and telephone number.

As part of the hospital's comprehensive planning process for this conversion, NEH will share this vital information with all key internal and external stakeholders - including all TUHS physicians and employees, community leaders and key legislators, the Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments, and all EMS personnel. As the change-over unfolds, NEH's telephone company will automatically forward calls from its existing most commonly used numbers
(such as the main hospital number) to their corresponding new numbers.

 

 

 

The Episcopal campus recently earned a 2008 Press Ganey Summit Award, which honors healthcare providers for excellence in patient satisfaction. Of the three winners in the Behavioral Health category, Episcopal was the only comprehensive behavioral health program in the nation to win. It was also the only healthcare provider in Pennsylvania to be honored with a Summit Award.

The Summit Award is the most challenging Press Ganey award to attain. To be considered for the competition, healthcare providers must rank in the 95th percentile or above in Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores for a minimum of three consecutive years. Episcopal has remained in the 99th percentile for more than three years.
"This was a team effort from the beginning," said Doris Quiles, RN, Director of Behavioral Health. "It required the total cooperation of every department at Episcopal - from dietary to clinical care."