Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center News

CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OPENS AT PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTE...

Provena Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 CST

NOW OPEN – Only Children’s ED serving Will and Surrounding Tri-County Area

On March 16, PSJMC opened the doors to its 5,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Children’s Emergency Department (ED) – the only one of its kind in Will and the surrounding tri-county area, open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Dedicated to serving infants, toddlers, young children and adolescents to age 17, the new facility meets a major need in the community.

“Children are not small adults; they have unique and special needs, “said PSJMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Beth Hughes. “They need a different type of medical care, p

DEDICATED TEAM STAFFS PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER'S NEW CHILDREN'S ...

Provena Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 CST

DEDICATED TEAM STAFFS PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER’S NEW CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Only Children’s ED serving Will and Surrounding Tri-County Area March 16, 2010, JOLIET, IL

Unlike other facilities with rotating shifts of physicians and nurses from the adjoining hospital, the new Children’s Emergency Department (ED) at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC) has a dedicated staff – board-certified pediatric trauma specialists and nurses whose expertise in emergency care is matched only by their passion for serving the unique needs of children.

At the helm of the new Children’s ED is Medical Director Rao Kilaru, MD, an emergency medicine physician with advanced training in pediatric trauma care who has been on staff at PSJMC for 28 years. “Until now, there has not been an emergency facility in the community spec

NOW OPEN - THE CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDI...

Provena Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 CST

NOW OPEN – THE NEW CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT PROVENA SAINT JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER

Only Children’s ED serving Will and Surrounding Tri-County Area March 16, 2010, JOLIET, IL –

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC), a Level II trauma center treating 72,000 patients including nearly 18,000 pediatric cases annually, is making it easier and faster for children in Chicago’s southwest suburbs to receive specialized care. On March 16, PSJMC opens the doors to its 5,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Children’s Emergency Department (ED) – the only one of its kind in Will and the surrounding tri-county area, open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Dedicated to serving infants, toddlers, young children and adolescents to age 17, the new facility meets a major need in the community.

“Children are not small adults; they have unique and special needs, “said PSJMC Executive Vice President and Provena’s mission, vision and values in day-to-day work, especially in the area of ethics,” shared Father William Grogan, System

Provena Medical Group Physician Talks about Bedtime Accidents

Provena Health — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 CST

Bedtime Accidents

As seen in the Herald News, March 10, 2010 By Jeanne Millsap

Parents frequently mark the time when a child stops having "accidents" at night as another milestone, judging the achievement as a mark of maturity. But when a child stops wetting the bed at night can be highly variable, experts say, and has a much wider range of "normal" than, for example, walking or talking.

Having accidents at night is very common up until the age of 6, says pediatrician Reyna Trevino with Provena Medical Group of Lockport, and is not uncommon even later than that. After age 6, she says, it's called bed-wetting.

"It's natural to have accidents," Trevino said. "Initially, all children go through this stage as their nervous system matures. Their bladders are still small, as well, and they are just learning what toilet training is all about."

Training time

A new study in the Journal of Pedia

Hospitals Caring for Their Communities

Provena Health — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:00:00 CST

Hospitals Caring for Their Communities - As Seen in AHA NEWS NOW, March 08, 2010

Every year the Illinois Hospital Association (IHA), like many other state, metropolitan and regional hospital associations across the country, releases an annual report that describes the many ways in which its hospitals help build healthier communities. The IHA's community benefits report, "Illinois Hospitals Caring for Their Communities: More Than You See," is available at http://www.iha.org. These "Community Connections" stories are reprinted with the hospitals' and IHA's permission, and are offered as an example of how hospitals and hospital associations are telling their story to the public. Through its "Community Connections" initiative, the AHA seeks to ensure that people see the full picture of services that hospitals provide to their communities. AHA members can learn more by visiting http://www.caringforcommunities.org.

Partners for Healthy Families

When studies revealed that obesity was fast becoming one of the biggest health th

Kids" Care Close to Home

Provena Health — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:00 CST

Kids' Care -- Close to Home

As seen in JOLIET HERALD NEWS, February 28, 2010

When your child is sick, you want to get the best possible care, but it's not always convenient to leave the area for doctors' appointments or treatments, especially when you have other children at home vying for your attention and care. That's why Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center brought family practice and pediatrician offices to your neighborhood and pediatric specialists right to Joliet, just minutes away.

In New Lenox, at the intersection of Illinois Highway and Cedar Road, there is a new Provena Medical Group office where two board-certified pediatricians bring different backgrounds and interests into their treatment of young patients. Meet the doctors Dr. Megan DeFrates, who completed her residency at the University of Chicago, is also a mother so she understands what it is like to

Actually It Is Brain Surgery And It Is All About Progress

Provena Health — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:00:00 CST

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center’s Neuroscience Institute Provides World-class Care as seen in the Herald News, February 21, 2010, JOLIET, IL

Actually It Is Brain Surgery - And It Is All About Progress

In April of 1994, Health Care News featured an article that focused on doctors leaving Illinois. The author wrote, “I tell people all the time there are certain areas where you don’t want to get in a car crash, because there is no neurosurgeon in that area.” He said Joliet was such a place. That was then – More than a decade ago, head trauma/brain injury victims had to be airlifted to Chicago or Peoria for treatment.

But this is now — Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC) has assembled an outstanding team of neurosciences professionals, bringing world-class neurosurgery to the southwest suburbs, to Will County and surrounding areas.

Leading the team are neurosurgeons and neuroendovascular surgeons who

BOTANICALS Art Exhibit Opens at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center

Provena Health — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:00:00 CST

Thoughts of Spring Come to Life Through Art

The public is invited to view the new Botanicals painting exhibition at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, 333 North Madison St. (use the free and conveniently located Springfield Ave. parking deck & entrance) in Joliet. The paintings will be on display daily through April 30.

Friends of Community Public Art (FCPA) artists have assembled a collection of oil and pastel paintings featuring flowers and trees. The beautiful rich colors of the paintings in Botanicals are sure to lift your spirits. They are a reminder that spring is just around the corner and these cold dreary winter days will soon come to an end.

These painting were done in a Renaissance oil painting technique that uses multiple layers of transparent color glazes to achieve a beautiful luminous effect. FCPA offers classes in this technique. Joliet area artists Beverley Smutnak, Gloria Moses, Barbra Newberg and Terri Lesnak created the Botanicals paintings. The paintings and affordable “Giclee” prints of the paintings are available

Update on Relief Efforts for Haiti from Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach

Provena Health — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:00:00 CST

Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach is a Springfield, Illinois-based Catholic ministry which works with healthcare organizations to recover and responsibly redistribute medical equipment and supplies to people in need around the world. Mission Outreach has long served the people of Haiti through their humanitarian efforts. Provena Health's ministries have long supported Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach through donations of surplus medical equipment and supplies and have contributed over $500,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment since 2006.

In reponse to the relief efforts in Haiti, our ministries have supported Mission Outreach's relief efforts. Below is an update from Bruce Compton, President and CEO of Mission Outreach, on their efforts one month after the earthquake.

Dear Friends of Mission Outreach,

One month after the earthquake that devastated Haiti and drew the attention of the world, Haiti mourns its losses and pl

Beds Help Deliver Better Care

Provena Health — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:00 CST

New Beds Help Nurses Deliver Better Care - CHICAGO NURSING TODAY - February 11, 2010

All beds within the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC) in Joliet were recently replaced by Stryker® InTouch™ critical care hospital beds that incorporate leading-edge technology and an ergonomic design, resulting in maximum benefit for both patients and caregivers.

“As a hospital nationally recognized for clinical excellence, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center knows how very important it is to deliver the very best possible care to every patient, every time,” says Leslie Barna, RN, MSN, CNRN, Neuro/Stroke Program Coordinator at PSJMC. “The InTouch product is just one more enhancement to our comprehensive array of leading-edge technology that helps us do just that.”

Technology incorporated into InTouch bed design serves to m

Nursing Profile

Provena Health — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:00 CST

Chicago Nursing Today - Nurse Profile: Rosemary Waitkus, RN, BSN, MS Written by Diana Mirel on January 29, 2010

When Rosemary Waitkus, RN, BSN, MS, retired after an impressive 41-year nursing career, she was still a nurse to the core. Determined to have an active and fulfilling retirement, Waitkus set out to give back to the profession that had given her so much. Between spending time with her children and grandchildren, Waitkus is a volunteer nurse at the Will Grundy Free Clinic and a volunteer nurse in Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center’s Retired Nurses Volunteer Program.

The Provena program is open to retired nurses who have maintained their state licenses. Volunteer nurses in the program assist staff nurses on the medical unit and have direct contact with patients. Waitkus had always planned to do volunteer nursing once she retired. “I wanted to get back to the bedside. That was a

PSJMC Starts Program for Retired Nurses

Provena Health — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 CST

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Starts Program for Retired Nurses as it appeared in Advance for Nurses

Darlene Downey, RN, of Romeoville, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of her graduation from nursing school. Although she officially retired in 1994, she still cares for patients through Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center's Retired Nurses Volunteer Program. The program, which began in October 2009, allows retired nurses to assist staff nurses on the medical unit.

The program is open to retired nurses from any specialty who have maintained their state licenses. Participants provide basic care such as assisting patients with meals, answering call lights and educating patients and their families about the patients' medical conditions and treatments. Although the volunteers cannot start or remove IVs or administer medication, they can perform other technical skills such as checking patients' blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiratory rate.

"We noticed that the recent generation of retired nurses wants to take more active role

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Ranked Top Five Percent in Nation

Provena Health — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:00:00 CST

Recognized for Outstanding Clinical Performance by HealthGrades^®, the Leading Independent Healthcare Ratings Organization

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center announced today that a new study ranks its clinical quality among the top 5% in the nation for the last three consecutive years. The study by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, analyzed patient outcomes at each of the nation’s 5,000 nonfederal hospitals over the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 and named hospitals in the top five percent as HealthGrades Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence™.

“We are very pleased to be recognized again this year in an independent study showing that our clinical outcomes are among the best anywhere. The greatest recognition truly comes from the patients’ experiencing excellent outcomes. It is our goal to provide the highest quality care and return each patient to the fullest life possible.

Experts Assess Nuances of Compliments

Provena Health — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:00:00 CST

Experts Assess Nuances of Compliments

As seen in the Herald News - January 24, 2010 By DENISE M. BARAN-UNLAND For Sun-Times Media

Barb Matthews, 34, of Joliet, said she often hears, "You're the nicest friend I ever had," because she always tries to helpful and supportive when they need her.

According to experts, such compliments go a long way toward keeping those friendships healthy. Compliments are more than the social niceties parents teach us to bestow on others. A report published in Psychology Today story called compliments "little gifts of love" that motivate praiseworthy efforts, transform feelings, and cement bonds between human beings.

Research backs those claims. In the early 1980s, researchers J. Manes and N. Wolfson studied the structure and function of compliments and concluded that, although compliments develop and maintain relationships, they primarily establish a mutual ground between individuals.

Builds self-esteem

Giving and receiving compliments not only make people feel good, they may enhance treatment for depression. This is important if a child struggles

Da Vinci Prostatectomy Puts Pastor Back at the Pulpit

Provena Health — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:00:00 CST
Da Vinci Prostatectomy Quickly Puts Pastor Back at the Pulpit January 5, 2009, JOLIET, IL - As a maintenance engineer working 45 to 50 hours a week in a manufacturing facility, and pastor of an independent Baptist church, Steven Holdren, 51, of Lockport, doesn't have much spare time. So when he underwent a da Vinci prostatectomy last March, he was pleased to return to work in just 30 days. "I was getting a little antsy before the 30 days were up," Holdren recalled. "But I was soon back to my maintenance job, although I took it easy on the lifting for a while. And I was back at my church on Sundays, preaching and teaching religious studies." The convenience of a quick recovery wasn't the only reason Holdren chose to have a da Vinci prostatectomy. As he developed the slow-growing cancer at a relatively young age, he wanted a procedure that would eliminate it. "The chance of the cancer eventually killing me was greater than if I had developed it at age 70," Holdren said. "My diagnosis was a real eye-opener and I needed all the information I could get on my treatment options." Holden's prostate was enlarged so he wasn't a

A Fast Response Is Key to Survival

Provena Health — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:00:00 CST

January 12, 2010

By BRIAN STANLEY bstanley@scn1.com

JOLIET -- While Capt. Dave Hausmann has responded to plenty of fires during his career, he admits he has never had "the 'Backdraft' moment of pulling anyone from a burning building."

"But I've gone on thousands of ambulance calls and had the opportunity to save lives nearly every time. If we can rush somebody to the hospital to start treatment sooner, they've got a better chance. It means something. It isn't just another run," he said.

Joliet Fire Department EMS Coordinator Lt. Chuck Willard shows the medications that are carried with advanced life support equipment on all nine Joliet fire engines. The medications and equipment enable firefighter/paramedics to start emergency care immediately upon arriving at a scene. Willard shows vials of nitro

New Board Members Announced

Provena Health — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00:00 CST

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Announces New Board Members

Experienced Business and Community Leaders Add Depth

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center welcomes two new members to their Board of Directors. Thomas Vana and Barton Kramer began serving their first three-year terms on January 1, 2010.

Thomas Vana is President and CEO of Kurtz Ambulance Service, Inc.; Kurtz Paramedic Service, Inc.; Kurtz Paramedic Service, Inc.; Kurtz Industrial Fire Services, Inc.; Provena St. Mary’s Ambulance Service; and Guardian Critical Care, LLC. He also oversees Kurtz Memorial Chapel; Kurtz Memorial Chapel; Goodale Memorial Chapel; Anderson Memorial Chapel; and Heartland Crematory located in New Lenox, Frankfort, Lockport and Romeoville respectively. With more than 20 years of experience managing the family businesses, trained and experienced as a funeral director and paramedic, Vana now oversees a total of 31 emergency service vehicles and Kurtz Paramedic Service, Inc.; provides paramedics, EMT-B’s, and firefighters to 19 municipalities, villages and fire protection districts.

Vana , who resides in

Lose Weight the Right Way

Provena Health — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:00:00 CST

As seen in the New Lenox Patriot on Jan, 6, 2010 by Laura Michaels

Lose Weight the Right Way - Local Physician Shares Tips to Shed Pounds Without Harming your Health

The excitement of New Year's Eve has come and gone. And in addition to the leftover champagne bottles, many people are left with the feeling that maybe they ate just a bit too much during the past month. Then comes the barrage of fad diets and promises of fast, easy weight loss.

But as you prepare to tackle your resolution to shed a few pounds, Dr. Joan Covault would like people to keep one thing in mind: It's still simple math. "Calories in equal calories out," said Covault, a physician with Provena Medical Group in New Lenox. "No matter how you look at it, the bottom line is still simple math." One pound of body fat equals about 3,500 calories, so to take off one pound per week a person would need to eliminate 500 calories per day. But rather than attempting to do so just through exercise or solely by skipping meals, Covault said t

Primary Care Physician Numbers Dwindling

Provena Health — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

As seen in the Herald News - December 30, 2009

By JEANNE MILLSAP For Sun-Times Media

Reforms under debate by Congress requiring nearly every American to carry insurance could create a crisis at the doctor's office. The number of primary care physicians has been dwindling over the last few years. Combine that with an increased number of patients should government health care reforms be approved. It's estimated that 43.8 million Americans had no health insurance in 2008, according to data from Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

Many in the health care industry worry that the lack of enough frontline doctors -- primary care physicians -- will bottleneck medical care, with patients waiting weeks or even months for an appointment for basic medical care or for direction to a specialist. Fifty years ago, half of all physicians were primary care general doctors. Today, only a quarter are, and surveys of today's medical students indicate only 2 percent are pursuing general internal medicine.

Local impact

The trend worries
Traditional wisdom

If true, that theory would fly in the face

Visitor Restrictions Lifted at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center

Provena Health — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Children younger than 12 years of age are once again allowed to visit patients at Saint Joseph Medical Center when accompanied by an adult. Restrictions had been implemented when the incidence of seasonal and H1N1 or swine flu was steadily increasing, but the prevalence of H1N1 has decreased significantly within the Will County community. Under the recommendation of Ahmed Quraishi, PhD, and Behnam Zakhireh, MD, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center’s Infection Control Specialists, the visitation restriction has been lifted. Resurgence of the flu is not expected until mid-January.

“If conditions change and we experience an influx of influenza, we may again implement restrictions,” but as long as we remain at low alert levels, we encourage family members to visit their loved ones while they are hospitalized,” said Jeffrey Brickman, FACHE, System Senior Vice President and President and CEO of Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center.

Provena Health Receives $30,000 Grant From Hospira

Provena Health — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:00:00 CST

Grant dollars to be allocated toward education of critical care teams

Provena Health has been awarded an unrestricted $30,000 educational grant from Hospira, Inc., a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company. The six-hospital health system plans to utilize the funding to continue education of its critical care teams on weaning protocols for intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring ventilator support.

The grant monies will support Provena’s new “Wake Up and Breathe” quality program which was launched earlier this year after months of diligent preparation. This evidence-based initiative is led by a steering committee of physicians and clinical leaders from across the Provena system, as well as the Provena Health eICU Connection, which provides round-the-clock remote monitoring of each adult ICU patient. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to decrease the number of hours patients receive ventilator support in Provena ICU’s in order to reduce risk of ventilat

Provena Health Celebrates Annual Mission Week With "Powerful People" Theme

Provena Health — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 CST

Each year, the more than 10,000 employees, over 1,800 physicians and hundreds of volunteers across all Provena Health ministries join together to celebrate “Mission Week” during the week that includes December 1st, the health system’s founding anniversary day. The celebration marks a time of reflection on the organization’s Mission, Vision and Values and its identity as a Catholic health care ministry.

“At Provena Health, it takes all of our diverse gifts to fulfill the promise of our Mission, which is to build communities of healing and hope by compassionately responding to human need in the spirit of Jesus Christ,” says Tom Nehring, System Senior Vice President, Mission Services. “Our Mission has always been more than a saying we hang on the wall. It’s reflected in the loving guidance from our sponsoring religious congregations, the quality and expertise of our care givers, the tireless commitment of our support teams and the selfless service of our volunteers - all of whom we consider to be ‘powerful people’.”

Provena Health’s theme this Mi

H1N1 Hotline 866-848-2094

Provena Health — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 CST

The Illinois Poison Center has established a hotline for the general public to call for information regarding H1N1/Swine Flu. The statewide number for residents seeking H1N1 information is 866-848-2094.