Thursday, May 24, 2012

Blessing Marks Opening of Franciscan Point Surgery Center

A blessing and dedication program May 23 marked the opening of Franciscan Point Surgery Center, an addition to Franciscan Point, which, since 2008, has offered a wide variety of health-related services.

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point president David Ruskowski, who hosted the program, thanked physicians, who have partnered with the hospital in the venture, as well as hospital staff and the city of Crown Point, for making "the dream become reality."

The 27,000-square-foot center, built at a cost of about $12 million, includes four surgical suites and two endoscopy/procedure rooms. It is under the auspices of Franciscan St. Anthony Health.

"Thank you for investing in this invaluable endeavor, this great expansion of services, which will benefit our increasingly growing community for years to come," Ruskowski told a large group of invited guests and staff members.

Other speakers, who echoed Ruskowski's sentiments, included Sister Jane Marie Klein, OSF, chairperson of the Franciscan Alliance Board of Trustees; Gene Diamond, CEO of Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana hospitals; Dr. Tom Galouzis, who helped spearhead efforts for the project; Judy DeMario, surgery center nurse manager; and Andrew Kyres, City Council president.

Following the remarks, Klein presided at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed by a blessing of each of the facility's rooms by the Rev. Anthony Janik, director of spiritual services for Franciscan St. Anthony Health.


The center's outpatient surgical services include:

  • Gastrointestinal
  • Orthopedic
  • Hand and plastic surgery
  • General surgery
  • Ear, nose and throat care
  • Colorectal services
  • Urology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pain management

The new services supplement those already offered at Franciscan Point, including the Sports Medicine Institute, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, which soon will include a new, open MRI unit; outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy, ExpressCare, which offers immediate assistance for patients who have non-life-threatening conditions, and Franciscan Physician Network offices.

"Those services, combined with the offerings of this venture, will offer patients the utmost in one-stop, quality care and convenience," Ruskowski said.

Franciscan Point is located at 12800 Mississippi Parkway.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Video: Pool and Water Safety

Memorial Day weekend traditionally signals the start of summer and the opening of many pools around the area. Always remember it's important to have fun, but play it safe!

Pediatrician Dr. Lisa Gold offers up some tips for parents and children when they in and around the pool this summer.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Free Seminar - "The Knee in Sport"

Join us for a free seminar "The Knee in Sport: Training, Care and Treatment of the Athletic Knee" on Thursday, May 24, 2012, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., at the Sports Medicine Institute (SMI), Franciscan Point, 12800 Mississippi Parkway in Crown Point.

The seminar will focus on a variety of topics including:
  • Common types of athletic injury
  • Structural and functional evaluation
  • Non-surgical and surgical treatment options
  • Injury rehabilitation
  • Return-to-play training
  • Training to reduce injuries and improve performance

Presenters include:
  • Ryan Plank, MD, Orthopedic Surgery
  • Timothy Mullaly, DO, Sports Medicine
  • Frank Eksten, Director, Athletic Development at SMI
  • Jennifer Bradsky, Physical Therapy, SMI
  • Tracy Hall, Certified Athletic Trainer, SMI

A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Refreshments will be served.

Registration is required. Please call (800) 931-3322 to reserve your place today!

Monday, May 14, 2012

WorkingWell on Journey to Baldrige Quality Award

WorkingWell, Franciscan Alliance's Northern Indiana Region network of occupational health care providers, recently received a High Level Bronze-Indiana State Malcolm Baldrige Award, which is a step toward qualifying to achieve the highly coveted Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

The Bronze award recently was announced by The Partnership for Excellence, the Baldrige-based awards program for Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. The group partners with organizations using the internationally based Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence.

Applicants are evaluated by an independent board of examiners in areas of work force focus, operations focus, leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, and results.

Tim Ross, WorkingWell regional administrative director, said the honor resulted from a team effort.

"I was humbled by how Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region leaders pulled together to support WorkingWell staff to achieve this prestige award. This was a team effort by all."

He added, "The journey started with WorkingWell's National Association of Healthcare Providers certification, which laid the foundation to achieve our International Organization for Standardization certification for all five WorkingWell clinics. The Baldrige award is the latest in achievements that WorkingWell has accomplished in our quest for high quality standards."

Ross said the next step in the journey for the ultimate Baldrige award will be earning the tri-state-level honor, which is the next goal.

"We will utilize Baldrige criteria to continuously improve quality objectives to become the best occupational health clinics."

Ross also credited Moulay Alaoui, regional business transformation specialist, for providing information that matched WorkingWell processes to Baldrige criteria.

WorkingWell clinics are located in Crown Point, Hammond, Michigan City, Munster and Valparaiso. To learn more, visit workingwell.org.

About the Award
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recognizes U.S. organizations in the business, health care, education, and nonprofit sectors for performance excellence. The Baldrige Award is the only formal recognition of the performance excellence of both public and private U.S. organizations given by the U.S. president. It is administered by the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which is based at and managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Up to 18 awards may be given annually across six eligibility categories -- manufacturing, service, small business, education, health care, and nonprofit. As of 2010, 91 organizations had received the award.

The Baldrige National Quality Program and the associated award were established by the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act of 1987. The program and award were named for Malcolm Baldrige, who served as United States Secretary of Commerce during the Reagan administration, from 1981 until Baldrige’s 1987 death in a rodeo accident.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Cancer Programs Receive National Accreditation, Excellence Recognition

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point's cancer treatment program has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, while the American College of Radiology has designated the hospital a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

The American College of Surgeons three-year accreditation followed on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor, during which the hospital demonstrated a commendation level of compliance with eight of eight standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program.

Karin Kolisz, Franciscan St. Anthony Health vice president of clinical services, praised the commitment of the hospital staff for earning the designation.

"The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Accreditation requires the commitment of considerable resources to the care of cancer patients. We are proud of our staff and physicians for this achievement. Together, they coordinate a full spectrum of cancer care, including prevention, early detection, staging, treatment, rehabilitation, psychosocial support and long-term follow-up."

According to the commission, an accredited cancer program assures a patient will have access to:

  • Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
  • A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate best treatment options.
  • Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.
  • Access to cancer-related information, education and support.
  • A cancer registry.
  • Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
  • Quality care, close to home. 
The American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation is presented when a health care facility becomes accredited in mammography, breast ultrasound and breast biopsy.

The following areas are evaluated:

  • Mammography
  • Ultrasound
  • Radiology
  • Physicist
  • Equipment, imaging and processes
According to the American College of Radiology, "The Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation is awarded to breast imaging centers that achieve excellence by seeking and earning accreditation in all of ACR's voluntary breast-imaging accreditation programs and modules, in addition to the mandatory Mammography Accreditation Program."

Kolisz of Franciscan St. Anthony Health also lauded the effort. "While we have always been very proud of the care provided in our Breast Care Center, obtaining this recognition demonstrates the dedication of our staff and physicians, as well as our commitment to quality breast care."

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Stroke Awareness Month: Remember to Act FAST

The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember signs of stroke and what to do if you think a stroke has occurred. However, it is important to always keep in mind that the most important thing to do is to immediately call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.

FAST stands for:

  • (F)ACE. Ask the person to smile. Check to see if one side of the face droops.
  • (A)RMS. Ask the person to raise both arms. See if one arm drifts downward.
  • (S)PEECH. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Check to see if words are slurred and if the sentence is repeated correctly.
  • (T)IME. If a person shows any of these symptoms, time is essential. It is important to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Call 9-1-1. Act FAST.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health, offers up an award-winning video to build awareness about the signs of stroke and the need to call 911 to receive immediate medical treatment. The video includes information on stroke symptoms, treatment, and risk factors, and features medical experts, stroke patients and their families. Take a look:

Monday, May 7, 2012

Happy Nurses and Hospital Week!

In today's specialized world, we are often tempted to compartmentalize our lives, putting our professional interests in one corner and our spiritual concerns in another.

To Florence Nightingale - the founder of Nursing - fragmenting one's life in this way would have been unthinkable. Nightingale's life work of social action was her way of honoring God. As she put it, "My work is my must." She was and still is an icon of wholeness, an emblem of a united, integrated life. In fact, the integrity of her nursing practice depended on this holistic approach.

In 1875, Mother Maria Theresia - the founder of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration - accepted an invitation to send Sisters to America. Religious persecution in Germany did not stop her from following the One who led her. Like Florence Nightingale, Mother Maria Theresia was determined to keep nursing and hospital ministry as a mission.

As we celebrate National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week, may their examples inspire us!