Volume 13 of the Healthy Living Newsletter is here!

In This Issue:

• Concrete Cardiac Care
• A Note From The CEO
• Department Spotlights: Respiratory Therapy: COPD Update
• Family Health Centers of Community Memorial
• Radiology: Women’s Health Services
• Department Spotlights: The Emergency Room Update

 Read the full issue by clicking here!

Concrete Cardiac Care

October 26th may have started like any other day for Gary from Chittenango, but it quickly changed course. While at a job on the Colgate University campus, installing concrete curbs, Gary’s co-worker saw him suddenly drop to the ground. CPR was performed until the ambulance arrived, and Gary was then taken to the Emergency Room of Community Memorial Hospital.

“I still don’t have much memory of anything before or during this terrifying ordeal, but I later learned I had a ‘lethal cardiac event’, and I was technically dead for 60 minutes,” remarked Gary. “The ER team at Community Memorial had to use the defibrillator on me, shocking me multiple times to get my heart back to a normal rhythm.”

Serving the region for nearly 70 years, Community Memorial’s Emergency Department is prepared at all times for dire situations, like Gary’s. “I arrived to the ER, finding him intubated and unconscious, but alive,” stated Kathy, Gary’s partner. “I witnessed the phenomenal care provided by the entire ER crew – I’ve never seen such a rock-solid team work so well together. What they did for us went beyond healthcare; it was true compassion.”

Medication, defibrillation, and intubation were all part of Gary’s emergent care, as Dr. Spangenberg, Director of Emergency Provider Services, led the ER team to stabilize Gary for transfer. Seen by his cardiologist not long before this scary ordeal, Gary thinks of himself as ‘pre-wired’ to collect plaque in his arteries. “I have had cardiac care in the past, as heart conditions seem to run in my family,” added Gary. “I was cleared to be back at work, but may have pushed myself too soon – I’m so thankful that Community Memorial was there, so close, in this community.”

Community Memorial’s ER team performed CPR and vital lab tests to determine the cause of Gary’s cardiac arrest, and a central line had to be placed for medication administration, as medications could have harmed Gary’s veins. Once stabilized, Gary was rushed to St. Joseph’s in Syracuse, and went directly to the catheterization lab – a treatment space with equipment used to visualize the arteries and chambers of the heart. There, Gary had ECMO – Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. “This treatment, for inadequate heart and lung function, provides adequate gas exchange to sustain life,” remarked Bernie Casscles, Director of Emergency Services at CMH. “When time is of the essence for a case like Gary’s, it’s imperative to get the heart back to a normal EKG rhythm, allowing the patient to be transferred so they can get into the cath lab sooner.”

“I witnessed the phenomenal care provided by the entire ER crew – I’ve never seen such a rock-solid team work so well together. What they did for us went beyond healthcare; it was true compassion.”

On the mend and out of commission for at least 3 months with cardiac rehab ahead of him, Gary and Kathy are still amazed both that he’s alive, but also at the care he received at Community Memorial. “Every single person I encountered at Community Memorial was amazing. It may be a smaller hospital – but never underestimate the team here – in those absolute critical moments, they are who save you or your loved one. They worked flawlessly together, and they saved my Gary. Thank you, Community Memorial.”

For almost 70 years, Community Memorial Hospital’s mission has been to provide quality and caring healthcare to thousands of patients throughout nearly 30 Central New York communities located throughout Madison County and beyond. Again named the only hospital in the state named a 5-star facility for patient experience, Community Memorial provides primary care services with a network of five Family Health Centers (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, and Waterville), an after-hours urgent care clinic available in the evenings and weekends, and 24/7 emergency medicine services.

A Note From The CEO

Stepping into my new role as CEO of Community Memorial in November, I was anxious to meet the people that make the services offered in Hamilton and surrounding communities so successful. Since then, I have met many of the providers and staff and have been overwhelmed with the pride and commitment of these healthcare professionals. While I have more to learn about the people serving our patients, it has been an honor to work with the leadership team to support our community while the latest COVID-19 surge places an unprecedented strain on the people providing care here. The medical staff and all employees once again banded together to care for every patient that comes through the doors. As national, state, and county COVID-19 infection rates increased, Community Memorial (CMH) continued to operate at the highest level of safety, and informed the public that the organization remained prepared to respond to the healthcare needs of our community.

Our response the pandemic included the opening of a COVID Triage Center in late 2020, with the added curbside COVID testing, in an effort to care for every resident that needs us. We also have every service open in the organization, including Urgent Care Center and Operating Room, to provide essential services in a clean and safe environment.

As if this wasn’t enough excitement for 2020, Community Memorial has been successfully providing care as the largest renovation project in our history continues – uninterrupted. In fact, the first phase of construction on a hospital-wide renovation project was completed on time before the end of December. Phase I included the temporary relocation of the Emergency Department to the rear of the building and the unveiling of the new private inpatient rooms that feel more like a fine hotel than a hospital.

I am honored to be part of the CMH family and thankful for the individual hard work and loyalty that has carried us through some of the most stressful times we could imagine. While there are still COVID positive cases locally, we remain hopeful that the continued vaccine distribution is our next weapon against this virus.

We encourage every community member to utilize our services and stress the importance of not delaying medical care due to concerns of exposure to the virus. I stand with every employee here as we continue to provide you all with safe, quality healthcare, close to home.

Department Spotlights:

Respiratory Therapy: COPD Update

The Respiratory Therapy Department of Community Memorial is looking forward to some exciting changes in 2021, as they are incorporating COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) tracking into the Performance Improvement Plan of the Respiratory Therapy Department.

A disease that is both preventable and treatable, COPD effects more than 16 million people, with many more undiagnosed. With COPD, the airways in the lungs become inflamed and thicken, and the tissue where oxygen is exchanged is destroyed. The flow of air in and out of lungs decreases. When that happens, less oxygen gets into body tissues, and it becomes harder to get rid of the waste gas carbon dioxide. As the disease gets worse, shortness of breath makes it harder to remain active.

“This implementation will aid our therapists in tracking of COPD-patient admissions into our hospital, their length of stay at our facility, and current home medication regiments,” stated Kyle Marchese, Director of Respiratory Therapy. “We will also be able to see when patients had their last pulmonary function test, and patients will be informed as to who the pulmonologist is that they’ll be seeing.”

Still in the information preparation phase, look for more Respiratory Therapy updates this year!

In support of the Respiratory Therapy services at Community Memorial, The Dale and Florence Slate Endowed Fund for Pulmonary Services (COPD) has been established. Visit https://www.communitymemorial.org/foundation/ for more information.

Family Health Centers Of Community Memorial

The New York State Department of Health collaborated with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the creator of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) program in developing a transformation model that encompasses all eligible primary care providers in New York State. The NYS Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Program’s goal is to expand access to high-performing primary care, which drives improved health and wellness in the communities served.

The PCMH model of care enables CMH teams to put the focus on the patient, creating a symbiotic relationship across the care continuum. The providers and staff in the family health centers strive to provide every patient with quality care and a great patient experience. “The NYS PCMH accreditation recognizes the dedicated efforts of the Community Memorial Family Health Centers and their commitment to providing quality improvement with a patient-centered approach to care” stated Dawn Sampson, Vice President of Operations.

All primary care practices that have earned recognition through NCQA have made a commitment to improving primary care by promoting the Triple Aim: better health, lower costs and better patient experience. Congratulations to all of the teams on their hard work and commitment to excellence. Congrats to our entire Family Health Center team!

Radiology: Women’s Health Services

Continuously striving to offer vital services, the Radiology Department of CMH looks at different modalities available to offer for referring providers and their patients, surrounding radiology services and the enhancements available. In 2020, ultrasound service hours were expanded to better accommodate patients and their busy schedules. Additionally, the contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the liver and kidney was added, as this was recognized this as an important service needed.

In 2020, through funding provided from The Dr. and Mrs. Jackson Thro Endowed Fund for Women’s Health, in conjunction with the CMH family health centers we were able to purchase 5 Deluxe Breast Self-Exam models from Health EDCO. The breast self- exam model is a resource for healthcare providers that assists in teaching women how to perform self-exams and the importance of maintaining overall breast health. These lifelike models are an important part of the women’s health services program at Community Memorial, and aim to educate women on the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

The future of Radiology is bright at CMH; in 2021, the organization will be upgrading to a brand-new 80-slice CT Scanner, allowing for added services for providers and patients. This advanced technology will allow for additional imaging such as the capability for CT angiogram of the head and neck, along with vital vascular scans. With the installation set for early fall, the team is excited

to collaborate with referring providers on the new opportunities the CT will bring to our hospital. The organization is also planning to install a new MRI unit in the near future increasing our ability to serve patients with cardiac implantable devices. This machine will allow the capability of scanning patients with pacemakers, and utilize breast imaging at an all-new level, among other imaging services.

The largest renovation and expansion project in our history is currently unfolding. Our all- new Radiology Department, set to be complete in the fall of 2022 will continue to serve your needs in a brand new expanded location in the hospital, and will also feature a state-of-the- art Women’s Imaging Suite.

Stay tuned for more Radiology Department updates as we move forward!

In support of the Women’s Health Services at Community Memorial or to learn more about The Dr. and Mrs. Jackson Thro Endowed Fund for Women’s Health, visit https://www.communitymemorial.org/foundation/.

The Emergency Room Updates

Driving by the Emergency Department of Community Memorial Hospital you will notice fencing and the foundation for your new Emergency Department. While under construction, the ER is still open and seeing patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Beginning in June 2020, Community Memorial Hospital began renovating the former skilled nursing wing – but that work was on the backside of the facility, with a majority of it happening internally and not visible. Then, the demolition of the exterior stone wall out front of the hospital began in August. “Yes, our exterior did begin changing rapidly, once the former ambulance bay changed and the longtime stone wall was torn down,” stated Jeff Coakley, President and CEO of Community Memorial. “However, our patient capacity has not changed – we are still welcoming patients for all services at the facility, and encourage those needing emergent care to come in.”

As part of the three year hospital renovation and expansion project, the Emergency Department is one part, undergoing some major, but nonetheless exciting, changes. “We currently see approximately 10,000 patients per year in our ER,” stated Bernie Casscles, Director of Emergency Services. “This renovation and expansion will allow for increased capacity as we expand from a seven-bay to a ten-bay department, and we’re excited to bring our Emergency Department to the same level of the 5-star care provided within it. We’ve also made changes to include additional negative-pressure treatment spaces, which are critical in caring for any COVID-positive patients.”

The interior renovation of the ER has now begun, and there is a temporary ER location, still on the CMH campus, allowing the organization to treat patients at the same level. The new location is behind at the back of the building, and patients simply drive straight ahead upon entering the parking lot. “It’s imperative for patients to know that they should not delay care in emergent situations,” added Casscles. “While we understand the fear COVID has placed in everyone’s minds, we have every precaution in place to ensure you and your family a safe visit to the ER, and we’re here for you when you need emergency treatment.” Signage is available for direction to the new location – and any employee is more than happy to direct patients needing assistance. CMH will provide updates as they’re available – check our Facebook page for info: https://www.facebook.com/Communitymemorial/