‘It takes a village…’

The following interventional cardiologists (from left) perform invasive heart catheterization procedures: V. Janakiraman, M.D., Mukul Bahtnagar, M.D., George Jabbour, M.D., Haitham Hreibe, M.D., Hany Shanoudy, M.D., Mario Poon, M.D., and Alan Ford, M.D.

Health News & Information for Healthy Living

Her gastric bypass was ‘absolutely

worth it’

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A new era for heart cath

patients

Page 3

It takes teamworkTrauma Servicemarks 10 years of saving lives

Pages 4 & 5

P r o g r a m P l a n n e r : P u l l o u t c a l e n d a r i n s i d e

Healthy LivingAltoona Regional’s

Healthy Living

Magazine is published

four times a year by

the Marketing and

Communications

department.

President/CEOJerry Murray

Chief Operating OfficerRonald J. McConnell

Director, Marketing and CommunicationsDave Cuzzolina

Staff WritersPatt KeithAnne Stoltz

DesignerChip MockMock Creations LLC

For more information, please contact:

Altoona Regional Health SystemMarketing and Communications620 Howard Ave.Altoona, PA 16601-4899889.2271info@altoonaregional.org

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If you are not receiving Healthy Living Magazine in the mail and would like to,

you need to join the Healthy Living Club.

It’s Free, and the magazine is just one of

the many benefits!

Join online at www.altoonaregional.org

or call 889.2630 or 1.888.313.4665.

It’s a common complaint: “Bad teeth run in my family.” And now the complaint has some science behind it.

Research has shown that a mother passes along harmful bacteria to her children during their first months of life. But it doesn’t have to be that way, according to Donald J. Betar Jr., D.M.D., clinical director of Altoona Regional’s Partnering for Dental Services.

“This generational bacterium is primarily spread from mother to child because of their close relationship with each other, and is also spread among siblings,” Dr. Betar said. “It spreads through kissing, sharing bottles and toys.”

The solution to breaking the cycle of a less-than-brilliant smile starts before — or even during — the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

education needed

“If we can see women with noticeable dental problems at our adult dental clinic before they get pregnant or during pregnancy, then we can start educating the mother-to-be on how to properly take care of her own teeth, as well as the importance of dental care to both her and her child,” Dr. Betar said.

“If you have a healthy mouth in the mother, then you will have a healthy mouth in the child. We can also teach her the importance of bringing in her 1-year-old to the pediatric clinic for his first checkup.”

At that visit, parents learn how to care for the infant’s teeth properly. If children are not seen until they are 3 or 4, Dr. Betar said, they often have many cavities and need extensive treatment.

“Our ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease before we have to treat it,” he said.

And that is why it is so important to reach mothers-to-be like Tomaline Borden, 23, of Altoona, who is expecting her third child in late October.

checkup at adult clinic

Tomaline said she is fortunate her mother told her about the adult clinic because she needed to have her teeth checked after being without insurance for six months.

The dental staff cleaned Tomaline’s teeth and emphasized the importance of brushing, flossing and having checkups

while pregnant. Instructions on daily flossing made the greatest impact on Tomaline, and she is flossing daily.

Studies show that about 12 percent of adults age 20-64 have not been to a dentist in the last five years. Dr. Betar said it is his experience that a lack of money and/or insurance is the top reason for not visiting a dentist.

Other reasons adults say they avoid the dentist include:

• Fear

• The feeling that a healthy mouth is unnecessary to overall health

• Lack of time

Regardless of the roadblocks, Dr. Betar said, adults need to see a dentist.

“Proper brushing daily, especially before bedtime, flossing to remove debris after meals, and twice yearly dental visits are the cornerstones to a healthy mouth — no matter what the age,” Dr. Betar said.

Dr. Donald Betar discusses dental care with Tomaline Borden and talks to her about the services available to her and her children at the dental clinics.

Dental clinics for chilDren & aDults

Altoona Regional’s Partnership for a Healthy Community-Partnering for Dental Services operates two dental clinics dedicated to improving the dental health of patients with Medical Assistance and for low-income families meeting the clinics’ criteria and financial guidelines. Of the 95 free or reduced-fee clinics on the Pennsylvania Dental Association’s Web site, Altoona was the only non-metropolitan center that offered both free pediatric and adult clinics.Please contact one of our clinics for information or to schedule an appointment:aDult Dental clinic • Partnering for Dental Services • 501 Howard Ave., Suite D103, Altoona • 889.64208 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday • For Blair County residents onlyOffering: • exams • X-rays • cleanings • fillings • extractions • dentures •partials • crownsAccepting: • ACCESS • Gateway • Unison-MedPlus • UPMC for You (Adult Basic)James W. Barner communitY PeDiatric Dental clinic • Partnering for Dental Services • 1500 4th Ave., Altoona • 946.89298 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through FridayOffering: • exams • X-rays • cleanings • fillings • extractions • parent educationAccepting: • ACCESS • Gateway • Unison-MedPlus • UPMC for Kids • UPMC for You (Children) • Aetna for Kids • Geisinger for Kids • United Concordia CHiP

Good DEnTAL HEALTH begins before birth

Program alert! Dental Health and You See calendar insert for details, date and time

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Heart catheterization remains the gold standard in diagnosing coronary artery disease.

With two new cardiac catheterization laboratory suites on the Altoona Hospital Campus, area residents have access to the very latest equipment, operated by experienced cardiologists and supporting staff.

“The new facilities place us on the leading edge of the newest technology available,” said Dr. V. Janakiraman, medical director for Cardiology. “The new space will increase patient satisfaction, with more privacy, and enhance the flow of patient care.”

The cath labs opened in May and will be followed by the opening of two more new labs in november to meet the demand of an aging population of baby boomers.

a $4 million investment

“The four labs represent a $4 million investment in cardiology services and show the health system’s continued commitment to the community,” said Sharon Ciccarella, administrative director of Cardiology.

Catheterization labs are for diagnostic catheterizations, coronary stentings and electrophysiology studies, such as device implants and ablations. nine cardiologists, called invasive cardiologists, have additional training to perform these advanced procedures.

Along with Dr. Janakiraman, the 27 members of the

“… the real benefit is to (patients’) health.”

cath lab team are also loving the beautiful construction and design of the new space, said Gan Pettenati, R.n., nurse manager, who said the team “is dedicated to providing excellent care to our patients.”

less radiation exposure

Chief technologist Amy Stevens, registered cardiovascular invasive specialist, said, “While patients will see and appreciate the modern look and feel of the rooms, the real benefit is to their health. And staff sees a major benefit in the new equipment.”

Technology coordinator Christopher Suomela,

registered cardiovascular radiologic technologist, agrees. “The X-ray system has a unique rotation scan that allows for one-arc imaging technology, which reduces the patient’s radiation exposure and decreases the contrast dosage needed. And we still get enhanced imaging.”

The system offers better image clarity and overall quality, and more tools to further enhance the image.

Cardiologist Hany F. Shanoudy, M.D., who practices with Cardiology Associates of Altoona, extols the system’s virtues for other reasons.

allows for Pad check

“For us, the cardiologists, everything is in one area and it is not as cramped to work in,” he said. “But most important, for our patients, we have a new feature on this updated equipment that was not

available before. It allows us to check for peripheral artery disease, also called PAD. We use this option for patients whose symptoms indicate there may be a problem. PAD is a growing trend, so this is a very good thing to have.”

The former Altoona Hospital installed the first dedicated cath lab in 1982. When open-heart surgery came to the hospital in 1989, the facility added a second cath lab. It added a third in 1999.

Sharon, who is retiring next year, has seen many innovations at the hospital during her 31 years in cardiology: open-heart surgery, electrophysiology, cardiac stenting and radial (through-the-wrist) caths.

“But this project is the capstone,” she said. “I know I am leaving with the patients receiving excellent treatment from an excellent staff.”

Powered

by latest

technology,

new cath labs

enhance

patient safety

and outcomes

Dr. V. Janakiraman (standing, left) simulates a cath lab procedure on

“patient” Dennis McArthur of Altoona. The state-of-the-art technology in the

new lab provides many advantages, especially clearer imaging.

Assisting him is cath lab technician Jennifer Zurin.

The following interventional cardiologists (from left) perform invasive heart catheterization procedures: V. Janakiraman, M.D., Mukul Bhatnagar, M.D., George Jabbour, M.D., Haitham Hreibe, M.D., Hany Shanoudy, M.D., Mario Poon, M.D., and Alan Ford, M.D. Other interventional cardiologists are Michael Larkin, D.O., and Craig Brandt, M.D.

Heartmuscle

Altoona Regional Health System’s Trauma Service touches lives every day. The program, which celebrates its 10th anniversary Oct. 1, has treated more than 11,000 patients, impacting not only their lives but the lives of all those close to them.

This anniversary is also an opportunity to recognize the people committed to providing optimal trauma care — a closely knit team of highly trained and dedicated trauma surgeons, specialty surgeons and many other health care professionals who pursue excellence in their own fields to better serve their patients.

“These highly trained and dedicated professionals go above and beyond to provide the full, comprehensive care we would want our own family members to receive,” said Simon Lampard, M.D., trauma surgeon and Trauma Service medical director. “We provide all these essential resources for every trauma patient, every day.”

staff make program work

He is quick to credit staff for the program’s success.

“Being a trauma center is not just about the trauma surgeons,” he said. “It’s about the huge cadre of people around you, like Trauma Service and ED staff, OR, PACU, 5E, T-11, T-14 Surgical, SPCU, STICU, Case Management, Occupational, Physical and Speech therapies, Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Laboratory Services, Blood Bank, Pharmacy, nutrition Service, Pastoral Care and Rehabilitation liaisons.

Putting bodiesService

thrives on teamwork,

training, dedication

“In addition, there is the exceptional teamwork between the trauma surgeons and all the local specialists, including emergency medicine, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, facial specialists (EnT and plastic surgery), vascular surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, radiology, anesthesiology and physiatry.

“Their support has been tremendous over the years. Without them, many of our trauma patients would have had to be transferred to trauma centers in Pittsburgh, Geisinger and Hershey.”

Volume exceeds projections

Denise Gdula, Trauma Service administrative director, said that when the center opened, projections indicated it would see 600-700 patients a year. The first year, it saw almost 900 and since then has averaged more than 1,100 patients a year.

While the faces change, the leading causes of injuries remain the same: motor vehicle crashes, falls, motorcycle crashes and all-terrain vehicle crashes.

Dr. Lampard recalls a recent patient from a motor vehicle crash who was flown in by STAT MedEvac, Altoona Regional’s air ambulance service. The patient suffered multiple life-threatening injuries when his car rolled over. He was bleeding from his spleen and heart and required immediate surgery.

‘golden hour’ criticalIn trauma situations, receiving care during the “golden hour” — the first hour after injury — is critical to survival.

and lives back together

ABOVe:Dr. Lampard leads a trauma simulation in 2001.

trauma at 10:

On THe COVer:On the Trauma Center helipad are representatives of the more than 30 hospital departments that have a hand in making the regional Trauma Service exceptional.

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5

Putting bodies“This patient sustained an incredibly rare injury to the left side of his atrium (a chamber of the heart),” Dr. Lampard recalled. “This injury, called a ‘blowout,’ happens during the millisecond when the heart is filled with blood and the injury occurs. Survival from this incredibly rare blunt force injury, in and of itself, is approximately 20 percent. Life-threatening injuries to his lungs and spleen further complicated his care.”

Dr. Lampard said he and

one man’s storY:

Members of Altoona Trauma/emergency General Surgery include (from left): first row — Andrew Kennedy and Sheila Burk, physician assistants; Arthur DeMarsico, D.O.,

a registered physician in vascular interpretation and a fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, and Jeannette Capella, M.D., and Simon Lampard, M.D., both fellows of the American College of Surgeons; second row - Johannes Schokker, M.D.; eric Bridenbaugh, William Weikert and Vincent Capone, physician assistants, and Alex Guerrero, M.D.

another trauma surgeon, Dr. Arthur DeMarsico, and heart surgeon Dr. John Anastasi operated on the patient together.

“That patient walked out of here because of the availability of three highly trained surgeons,” Dr. Lampard said. “This would not have happened 10 years ago as we embarked on this program. These types of success stories happen because of the teamwork that develops as a trauma center matures.”

and lives back together

‘It takes a village...’The head of the accrediting body for trauma systems statewide says “it takes a village to heal a trauma patient” and has high praise for Altoona Regional’s Trauma Service, starting at the top.

“First and foremost, credit goes to the board and administration, who are willing to support the financial needs of a trauma program to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and recruit the right people,” said Juliet Geiger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF).

She also has high praise for Altoona Regional’s medical director and administrative director.

“A trauma program physician-leader such as Simon Lampard combines passion, integrity and clinical expertise to guide the team toward excellence,” she said. “This excellence is not just noted internally but on a statewide and national level.

“And a trauma program nurse-leader such as Denise Gdula supports every facet of the program, facilitating and guiding communications among all the physician subspecialists, nursing staff, support staff, EMS and outside facilities.”

Juliet added: “Each member of a trauma team is invested in healing the injured patient and in helping each other do that. Being part of a highly functioning trauma team means not only caring for the patient but caring for your fellow team members, which Altoona excels at.”

‘The trauma team...made a real difference’ Charging up a hill on his two-rider ATV was normally uneventful for Craig Rowland.

But the ride up a hill at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 6, was different. Craig lost control of the 800-pound ATV and it ran over him, breaking 12 of his ribs and knocking him unconscious.

“I woke up badly hurt,” he recalled. “There were tire tracks across my chest.”

Craig, who hails from the state of Indiana, was vacationing at Treasure Lake in DuBois when the accident occurred. First responders had to carry him down the hill so he could be flown to Altoona Regional’s Trauma Center by Stat MedEvac.

double breaks in two ribs

“In less than two hours, I was being assessed at Altoona’s Trauma Center,” he said. “Turns out I had double breaks in two of the ribs. Dr. Lampard said I earned extra credit for that!”

To alleviate his pain, Craig was put on a morphine drip and was later given a spinal epidural. He was admitted to the hospital’s Surgical Progressive Care Unit for close monitoring and waited for his wife of 30 years, Sue, to arrive from home.

“On Day 3, I began to experience excruciating pain,” Craig said. “I couldn’t breathe without it hurting. I thought I was going to die.”

This setback — a common one with rib fractures — resulted in his transfer to the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) for more specialized care.

“They put me on a BiPAP machine that forced me to breathe through the pain,” he said. “Fortunately, the machine (and the staff) did its job. I never had to be put on a ventilator.”

steadily recovering

Craig underwent respiratory therapy for three days in the STICU before he was well enough to be moved to a regular nursing floor. He was discharged on Day 10, and reports being on a steady road to recovery.

“Personally, I think I’m doing phenomenal,” he said. “I am convinced the trauma team impacted my outcome and made a real difference in my recovery.”

As a vice president of a medical malpractice insurance company, Craig has been working with health care providers for nearly 30 years. He recognizes when staff go above and beyond, and in his opinion, represent the best-in-care standard.

“Those clinicians — all 20 of whom I met during my stay — they really set a benchmark for quality of care,” he said. “Not one of them didn’t know my name; didn’t have a basic appreciation of my injury; were unhappy with what they were doing.

“They were compassionate. They kept my family informed. Their continuity of care was impressive,” he said. “Each helped me maintain a positive attitude after my initial setback. Altoona Regional really has a good thing going on.”

About the trauma physician practiceAltoona Trauma/Emergency General Surgery is a unique physician practice that provides care to trauma patients and general surgery patients, especially those who need acute surgical care resulting from medical/surgical disease or injury.

This service also manages the critical care of patients in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit. The 24/7 in-house availability of the service’s exceptionally

trained trauma/general surgeons, along with the service’s physician assistants, provides immediate care for trauma/emergency general surgery patients as well as the ongoing management of their care throughout their inpatient hospitalization and beyond.

Altoona Trauma/Emergency General Surgery strives to improve not only the timeliness of care but also overall patient care and outcomes.

This photo was provided by trauma survivor

Craig rowland, who wrote: “This is the bike that rolled over on me, allowing me to meet all

the good people at Altoona regional. Maybe we could have picked a different way.”

to find out more about the weight loss procedures available at altoona regional’s Bariatric surgery center, call 889.7300 or visit www.altoonaregional.org/bariatric.

Lora said. “I can ride a horse for over two hours now and not experience pain in my knees.

“I take daily walks on my lunch break and joined an archery league — I finished in third place! And last fall, I was able to climb into a tree stand to shoot a seven-point buck with my bow.”

surgery only a ‘tool’

Lora would recommend gastric bypass surgery to anyone who is ready and willing to make a change in his or her life. Her job at Altoona Regional’s Surgical Pretesting department allows her to share her success story with other bariatric patients before their own surgeries.

“I emphasize that you must make an effort and change your lifestyle to ensure a good outcome,” she said. “The surgery is only a tool. You have to be compliant, but it is absolutely worth it.

“now when I climb into a roller coaster, I find myself thinking back to that day at Six Flags,” she said. “As humiliating as it was, it’s exactly what needed to happen to push me in a healthy direction.

“Someday soon, I plan on returning to Six Flags to ride that very same roller-coaster. I want to smile as I buckle that belt!”

scot a. currie, d.o., Facosmatthew e. newlin, m.d., Facs

Program alert! Is gastric bypass surgery for you? See calendar insert for details, date and time

MEET OUR TEAM matthew e. newlin, m.d., Facs • Medical Director, Bariatric Surgery • Surgeon

scot a. currie, d.o., Facos • Surgeon

tama rice, r.n., B.s.n. • Bariatric Coordinator

Altoona regional’s Bariatric Surgery Center counsels patients through a support system of physicians, clinicians, dietitians and psychologists. Patients can also attend monthly support group meetings at Altoona Hospital Campus.

Lora Caretti of Loretto doesn’t take the thrill of riding a roller coaster for granted. When she was in her late 30s and at her all-time high in weight, she faced the awkwardness of not being able to fit into a coaster’s seat at Six Flags and had to leave the ride.

“That was really what did it,” recalled Lora, now 41. “Obviously, I was embarrassed. I started feeling helpless about my health. I made up my mind that I was too young to let this be happening.”

Lora had unsuccessfully fought obesity since college. In June 2008, she had Roux-en-Y (pronounced ROO-en-why) gastric bypass surgery performed by Dr. Matthew newlin, medical director of Altoona Regional’s Bariatric Surgery Center. In the short span of a year, she lost approximately 120 pounds, and her appearance rapidly changed.

“I felt like I exhausted my options,” she said. “I had tried everything. I’d get down 20 pounds and couldn’t go any further. And I’ll be the first to admit I don’t enjoy typical exercise.”

‘controlling my life’

With a background in medicine (Lora has been a registered nurse with Altoona Regional for more than 20 years), she knew that the excess weight she carried increased the likelihood she would develop health problems in the not-so-distant future.

“The weight was controlling my life,” she said. “I experienced constant knee pain. I tired easily, and it was hard to do the things I wanted to do with my husband, Tony, and our three

“… [gastric bypass] is absolutely worth it.”

daughters — Hayley, Jody and Rachel.

“I love horses, and enjoy riding and showing them,” she continued. “As my weight increased, I spent less and less time riding. I got tired of not being able to do it. I had too much I wanted to accomplish. I chose the weight-loss option that I believed would work for me.”

Although gastric bypass surgery reduces stomach size and limits the calories that can be absorbed, becoming slim and healthy is not a guarantee. But Lora was prepared for the challenge.

doing it for herself

“Before I went into surgery, I made a commitment to myself that I was going to change the way I approached food,” she said. “First and foremost, I was doing this, losing the weight, for myself!”

Lora returned to work just a week and a half after the bypass surgery, which Dr. newlin performed using laparoscopic instruments through six small incisions. Her careful attention to eating well-balanced meals and getting her vitamin and mineral levels checked ensured that she didn’t suffer from malnutrition. And as time went by, her excess weight (and knee pain) began to disappear.

“Before I knewit, I was literally back in the saddle again,”

Embarrassment at theme park leads to a life-changing decision

Before

after

to find out more about the weight loss procedures available at altoona regional’s Bariatric surgery center, call 889.7300 or visit www.altoonaregional.org/bariatric.

Program alert! Is gastric bypass surgery for you? See calendar insert for details, date and time

Consider Altoona regional in your year-end giving

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In a world that offers an uncertain tomorrow, people search for certainty today. A charitable gift annuity gives you the security of knowing you will receive fixed payments for as long as you live. reliable payments are only the beginning. You will also receive an income tax deduction this year for part of the funding amount. If you fund your gift annuity by transferring an appreciated asset such as stock, there are also capital gains benefits. Finally, after a lifetime of payments to you, the remaining funds go to support our mission.

For more information on the possible benefits of a charitable gift annuity, call the Foundation office at 889.6406 or go to our Web site at: http://altoonaregional.giftlegacy.com.

A life without worry: Consider a charitable

gift annuity

giFt annuity

donor

The Altoona Regional Health System Foundation for Life is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which exists to inspire gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations and other entities to support the preservation of health care for the well-being of community members in Central Pennsylvania. Because the Foundation for Life is a qualified charitable organization, donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Please contact the Foundation for Life at 889.6406 if you have questions or would like additional information. Additional information is also available at http://altoonaregional.giftlegacy.com.

As 2011 nears an end, you may be considering year-end giving, including a charitable donation to Altoona Regional.

Gifts to the Foundation for Life are invested in equipment, facilities and services that all members of our community may one day need.

“Gifts are increasingly important to Altoona Regional’s efforts to provide exceptional health care for our community,” said Fred Thursfield, Foundation president. “And there are many ways to give.”

cash giFtsMost donations received by the Foundation are by check or credit card. If you wish to honor or pay tribute to a loved one, just let us know who should be notified of your gift. You can donate online by visiting www.altoonaregional.org and clicking on Give a Gift. It’s quick and secure.

giFts oF securitiesStocks, bonds, mutual funds or other securities may be the ideal gift for you to make to a charity, especially if they have appreciated in value. You receive credit for the value of your gift on the date of its receipt. Plus, by making such a gift, you avoid capital gains taxes and broker fees. Foundation staff can work with you and your broker to arrange electronic transfer of your securities.

ira donationIf you are over 70 ½, you may want to consider giving a portion of your IRA account to a charity. The federal government again this year permits you to roll over a portion of your IRA without increasing your taxable income or paying additional tax. Tax-free rollover gifts can be made for up to $100,000. You only need to contact your IRA custodian and request that an amount be transferred to the Foundation for Life.

liFe insurance As your family grows up, you may find you have more life insurance than you need. Donation of a paid-up or whole life insurance contract would be a truly meaningful gift to the Foundation. And you get a tax deduction equal to the cash value of your life insurance contract.

in-kind donationsThe Foundation will acknowledge an in-kind gift upon acceptance. Under IRS statute, determining its value is the responsibility of the donor and may, at times, necessitate an appraisal.

giFt oF land or real estateIn some instances, a gift of real estate may provide benefit to both the donor and the charity. Your tax adviser or financial adviser can help you determine whether such a gift might be of benefit to you. If you are considering such a gift, please contact us as soon as possible so we can provide information on substantiating ownership and estimating property value, and on the acceptability of the gift.

“Gifts are increasingly important ...

to provide exceptional

health care.”

stock or

cash

Come celebrate the seasonJoin us for the Foundation for Life’s annual Holiday Splendor event at The Calvin House on Friday, Nov. 11.

This seasonal fund-raising event features champagne, great food, delicious desserts, festive entertainment and the opportunity to bid on sensational auction items, holiday trees and baskets.

Proceeds from this year’s Holiday Splendor will help buy equipment for diagnosis and management of diabetes, a significant problem in this area.

For ticket information or information on sponsorship packages, please call Shirley Hoyne at 889.7673.

giFt

communication about medicines, discharge information, overall rating of hospital, and would they recommend the hospital.

The survey is administered to a random sample of adult patients across medical conditions between 48 hours and six weeks after discharge. The survey is not restricted to Medicare beneficiaries.

How do Altoona Regional’s scores stack up?

Altoona Regional has consistently scored above both the Pennsylvania and national averages. As a matter of fact, Altoona Regional’s scores have been higher than the Pennsylvania average in all 10 core areas and higher than the national average in nine of 10.

Patient satisfaction has always been a priority at Altoona Regional. We have been tracking HCAHPS scores since 2006 and making necessary

non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PaidAltoona Regional Health System

Altoona Hospital Campus620 Howard AvenueAltoona, PA 16601-4899

A nonprofit community health care system Change Service Requested

Bob strawser is executive director of mission services at altoona regional, a role that also includes responsibility for customer service and patient satisfaction.

a s k t h e s P e c i a l i s t

What is HCAHPS?

HCAHPS (pronounced “H-caps”) stands for Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems.

P r o f i l e

Bob has a master’s in Health Administration from Penn State and a background in behavioral health administration. He joined Bon Secours-Holy Family in 1998 and has been with Altoona regional since the merger in 2004.

It is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ opinions of hospital care.

The survey is conducted on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Until HCAHPS, there was no national standard for collecting and publicly reporting information about patient satisfaction that allowed valid comparisons to be made across hospitals locally, regionally and nationally.

Why is HCAHPS important?

The HCAHPS survey can produce data that helps people make objective and meaningful comparisons of hospitals on topics that are important to them. It helps them become more-informed consumers.

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The public reporting of survey results makes information available about the quality of hospital care and creates new incentives for hospitals to improve their quality of care. The signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act established a value-based purchasing plan whereby reimbursement for services can be increased or reduced based on how well hospitals do in the survey.

What kinds of questions do they ask?

The survey asks discharged patients 27 questions about their recent hospital stay. It includes 18 questions about critical aspects of patients’ hospital experiences that are grouped into 10 core areas — communication with nurses and doctors, responsiveness of hospital staff, cleanliness and quietness of the hospital environment, pain management,

adjustments to ensure they demonstrate that we exceed patient expectations.

Because of reform, the survey demonstrates that hospitals must not only provide exceptional clinical care but an environment where patients feel their total experience was satisfying.

Are HCAHPS scores available to the public?

CMS publishes participating hospitals’ HCAHPS results on the Hospital Compare Web site (www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov) four times a year, with the oldest quarter of patient surveys rolling off as the most recent quarter rolls on.

A downloadable version of HCAHPS results is also available through this Web site. Additional HCAHPS results can be found on HCAHPS On-Line, (www.hcahpsonline.org), including a summary of state and national results.