Specific measures ensure that every emergency department is kid-ready

Richmond, Va. (Aug. 5, 2013) — HCA Virginia recently completed a multi-phase quality improvement initiative to ensure that its emergency departments are fully prepared to provide effective care for children.

Known as the National Pediatric Readiness Project under the Emergency Medical Services for Children National Resource Center (NRC), it is the first national assessment of pediatric readiness in ED’s across the United States.

“By having a separate and dedicated pediatric ER, we are able to provide specific equipment, supplies and medications for children, in a safe and caring atmosphere,” said Kevin Connelly, M.D., pediatric emergency medicine physician at Chippenham Hospital. “Through our ongoing quality improvement measures, HCA Virginia is a leader in the National Pediatric Readiness Project and continues to strive to provide the best care possible to children when they need it most.”

There are eight pediatric-ready ERs throughout central Virginia, including Chippenham Hospital’s pediatric-specific ER, which is staffed 24/7 by pediatric board certified physicians, pediatric trained nurses, and other health care providers, who have the necessary skills, knowledge and training in emergency evaluation and treatment of children of all ages.

HCA Virginia began the survey process in February 2012 with on site meetings followed by a confidential web-based assessment earlier this year, where the hospitals were able to bench mark their readiness against other facilities in Virginia and the United States with similar pediatric patient volumes.

HCA Virginia hospitals continued to work on key measures throughout the year addressing areas such as administration and coordination; physicians, nurses and other ED staff; quality improvement and performance improvement in the ED; pediatric patient safety; policies, procedures and protocols; and equipment, supplies and medication.

One of the safety measures HCA Virginia implemented earlier this year is the Artemis System – a tool that allows medical professionals to instantly access proper pediatric dosing in acute preparation and administration of drugs, reduce medical errors and standardizes pediatric dosing so that they can safely provide young patients with high quality emergency care.

“Compared to adults, pediatric emergency needs are unique,” said Sheldon Barr, vice president of emergency services. “In any emergency situation, we want parents to feel comfortable knowing that their children, even from the youngest age, are going to receive the highest level and quality of emergency care possible.”

After completing the assessment, the average pediatric readiness score among HCA Virginia Hospitals was 97. In the state of Virginia, a total of 90 out of 93 EDs participated in the survey, and the state median readiness score was 76 percent.

Each year in Richmond, HCA Virginia hospitals have about 63,000 total pediatric cases including inpatient, outpatient and ED visits. Of these cases, 1,000 are NICU cases, while 47,000 are visits to the ED.

The National Pediatric Readiness Project is a partnership between the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Nurses Association. In addition, this project has received the support of such organizations as The Joint Commission and the Hospital Corporation of America.

The NRC was established in 1991 to help improve the pediatric emergency care infrastructure throughout the United States and its territories. The services the NRC provides are designed to proactively assist EMS for Children grantees, program partners and family advocates in their efforts to improve all aspects of children’s emergency medical care. For more information, visit http://www.childrensnational.org/EMSC/.
                                                                                                                             # # #

About HCA Virginia…As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive health care network, HCA Virginia operates 13 hospitals and more than a dozen outpatient centers and is affiliated with 3,000 physicians in Central, Southwestern and Northern Virginia. In addition to being one of Virginia’s largest employers, it provides approximately $100 million in charity care to uninsured patients each year and pays $100 million in taxes. In Central Virginia, HCA Virginia includes 4 imaging centers, 6 outpatient surgery centers, more than 50 physician practice locations and the 7 hospitals we are best known for – Henrico Doctors’, Parham Doctors’, Retreat Doctors’, West Creek Emergency Center, Chippenham, Johnston-Willis, John Randolph and Spotsylvania Regional.

On Saturday, June 8, 2013, they are hosting Great Days of CPR with free 30-minute, hands-only, non-certification CPR classes to teach core skills of CPR and AED. This can possibly mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.

But there’s more to enjoy on June 8, 2013. Great Days of CPR is just one thing happening at West Creek. You can also enjoy:

• Free health screenings
• Meeting first responder heroes – the ambulance, fire, and helicopter teams
• Kids’ activities
• And much more!

It’s a fun day for kids and a very important way for parents to learn about CPR and AED.

West Creek Emergency Center is located at 12720 Tuckahoe Creek Court, Richmond, VA 23238 (east on Tuckahoe Creek Parkway off of 288).

Visit this link for more information on West Creek Parkway.

If you’re not able to make it to West Creek Emergency Center, click here for an alternative location.

This is not a certification class!
For additional information, call 804-254-1147

HCA is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

We are staffed 24/7 by physicians and clinical staff with special training in pediatric and adult emergency care to serve all of your ER needs.  Our services include an on-site, full-service lab with point-of-care testing, a full range of imaging (x-ray, CT and ultrasound), and expedited transfers for those patients who need inpatient or specialty care at Henrico, Parham or Retreat Doctors’ Hospitals.

We welcome both ambulance and walk-in patients.

We’re all about you and your child.  Time is precious in today’s fast-paced world and the last place you want to be is in an ER.  But sometimes things happen – especially with children.

When your child needs medical attention, we offer the pediatric expertise they require in a warm, caring and less stressful environment.  Our team is certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) to ensure the most advanced care is given to your child.

A private, pediatric-themed room for our youngest patients provides families with a soothing atmosphere during their visit.  All of our treatment takes place behind closed doors ensuring complete patient confidentiality and a more serene ER experience.

In addition to emergency care, we are open 24/7 for your outpatient imaging and lab needs.  We provide walk-in or same-day services for most physician-ordered imaging and lab procedures without the ER fee.  Only normal insurance co-pay fees apply.  Our expert staff of board-certified radiologists and technologists work closely with your physician to get you on your way to diagnosis, treatment and good health so you can get back to your life.

You’ll notice from the second you enter our parking lot, we’re not your typical ER.  Come see us at 12720 Tuckahoe Creek Court, Richmond, Virginia  23238.  For more information, please call (804) 784-1010 or visit us online at WestCreekER.com.

HCA is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

HCA West Creek Emergency is making it even easier than ever too. They are offering a drive-thru drop off!

The Details

HCA Virginia’s West Creek Emergency Center is an official collection site for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The community can properly dispose of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs as well as sensitive documents in need of shredding.

A national Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led initiative, this year’s event also will include tech recycling and the opportunity for attendees to donate clothing to Goodwill.

The event will take place:

• Saturday, April 27
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West Creek Emergency Center, 12720 Tuckahoe Creek Court, Richmond

The public will be able to drop off medications and documents through a drive-thru set up. There is a limit of four boxes per automobile for shredding.

Click here for details on items accepted for recycling and Goodwill. Some acceptable items include:

Items acceptable by Goodwill include:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Furniture in good condition
• Domestics (e.g. sheets, towels)
• Collectibles, jewelry, antiques
• Books
• Household (e.g. dishes, housewares)
• DVDs, CDs, records, tapes
• Small electrical (e.g. radios, clocks, lamps)
• Accessories (e.g. handbags, belts, scarves)
• Computers, printers and monitors – Goodwill partners with Dell in Reconnect, a free environmentally responsible computer recycling program

For more information, visit here, or call 804-592-7804.

Click here to read our article with more information on the outstanding services provided by HCA West Creek Emergency Center. You may surprised at what you learn!

HCA is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

HCA Hospitals offer convenient locations throughout Richmond and now they're coming to Goochland.

None of us wants to require the services of an emergency room, urgent care center, or other healthcare services. But when we need them, we want them to be convenient, cost-effective, high quality and friendly! As wise health-care consumers, Richmond moms and families want choices when it comes to accessing the best healthcare services available.

HCA Hospitals provide all of that and more. And now they’re even more convenient than ever before.

Welcome HCA to Goochland

A brand new  medical complex is being constructed for HCA in West Creek (Goochland County) and it will open before the end of the year. This is a much-needed healthcare facility that will be located just minutes from Short Pump and within easy access to Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield and other Greater Richmond areas.

The new state-of-the-art healthcare facility and complex will include:

• 12 patient treatment centers
• CT scanner
• Ultrasound equipment
• X-ray equipment
• Medical laboratory
• Pharmacy services

The complex is also planned to eventually include:

• Medical office buildings
• A hospital
• Geo-thermal underground well system to use energy transfer to heat and cool the building

The site of the new HCA facility in Goochland is located at Route 288 and Tuckahoe Parkway East. Once again, HCA is leading the way for healthcare in the Richmond area!

Richmond moms and families now have more choices when it comes to convenient, affordable, high-quality healthcare services for their families.

Trust me when I say, you are so not alone.

Just this morning I was looking for my keys yet again because I can never remember where I left them, when suddenly standing there I couldn’t even remember what I was doing. Did I eat breakfast or was I going to get it? Was I going to check Kaleb’s school backpack or did I do that already? Was I looking for my phone?…long clueless pause…oh, yeah.. my keys! Sound familiar?

With all the chaos in the lives of many families this is all too common. Most often there is no pathologic reason for these memory hiccups. The simple fact is that we are being pulled in too many directions and something has got to give.

Your mind can only take so much before it needs a rest and time to process. As always our bodies give us signals like memory lapses to say…”TAKE A BREAK, MAMA!” So, what can you do to help improve your memory and overall state of well being?

First and foremost be sure you are getting plenty of rest, hopefully 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Now, I do realize for some of you with little ones this may not be realistic now, but that will change in time. Just do your best to share the load and alternate sleeping with your partner.

Second, fuel your body with healthy foods and limit caffeine, sugar, and refined processed foods that can interfere with your body’s own natural rhythm. You may feel energized with those 6 cups of Starbucks but in the long run too much coffee can create a mind altering effect. So keep it to 2-3 cups throughout the entire day. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Third, take time for yourself! If you are a monthly reader you may start to see a theme. I cannot stress enough the importance of this. Many mothers suffer with feelings of guilt if they take time for themselves as if they are in some way neglecting their children or partners. This could not be farther from the truth.

When I had my first son I was the biggest martyr ever seen by mankind. I would respond to his every whim, go out of my way all day for him and his father, never take 5 minutes to even think about what I wanted or needed because all that mattered was being Kaleb’s mother and being the best mother in existence. Do you know where that got me? Well, if you guessed into a long battle with postpartum depression and constant feelings of worthlessness, you hit the nail on the head.

With my daily actions I showed that who I was and what I needed did not matter anymore, so they did not to anyone else. It was expected for me to cater to everyone else, meanwhile I had lost who I was. The Rebecca who had Sex in the City nights with girlfriends, went scuba diving with sharks, and loved to stand eyes closed with the wind blowing across her face during a storm… was gone.

Years later I was able to rediscover myself but it was not easy and the first steps were like a leap of faith off a very steep cliff. I have never regretted that leap, because now when my children look at me they don’t look through me anymore. They know their mother is happy and fulfilled, living out her dream, and I know I can now more effectively nurture their growth toward who they will become as they journey through life, leading by example.

With all of that said, there can be medical reasons like thyroid imbalance or anemia that would interfere with thought processes and memory, so be sure to have annual checkups with your primary care doctor to ensure all of those things are checked. Depression can greatly affect memory and concentration so if you think you may be depressed I implore you to get help; there is never a time when you should not ask for help if you need it. Knowing when to ask for help is a strength, not a weakness.

As always ladies, I will shout it form the mountain top…..TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF! If you don’t take care of yourself first you cannot take care of others. Taking care of your body, mind, and spirit will teach your children to do the same as they grow into accomplished fulfilled adults.

Spring N2 Summer with The Science Museum of VA and, HCA Virginia and the VA and the 529 College Savings Plan!

Here’s the “scoop” on this fun day which includes loads of ice cream:

-Launch water balloons from a giant Trebuchet

-Live Music

-Kids Arts & Crafts

-Face painting, robots and more!

Where: The Science Museum of VA

When: Saturday, June 18 2011, 9:30am-5pm

Admission is FREE for members, $10 for general admission tickets.

HCA provides excellent healthcare services throughout Richmond.

I remember the day well.

My young daughter’s doctor walked into the room, pulled up a chair, and sat quietly for what seemed like forever, but it was probably only 5 seconds. He put his hand on her knee as he laid down her chart.

“We’re going to have to perform surgery to get your kidneys working. It’s a very detailed and intricate surgery and hopefully we can save your right kidney. If not, your left kidney will take over for both of them.”

Through blurred vision and shaking hands, she turned to me as if to say, “Why me? Why now?”

Amanda was a junior in college at James Madison University. She had been through several urinary tract and kidney infections over the years, but until now, we had no idea how bad it really was. Apparently she was born with a genetic problem that had caused kidney damage over the years and it was gradually getting worse. The surgery would potentially help correct a blocked tube and save part of the kidney — but not without some serious rerouting and reshaping of the tube .

She now had less than 40% functionality in the kidney, but her doctor said it was still worth saving with the surgery – which was good news.

“How do you do this? How long will the surgery take and what does it involve? What are the chances of success? Is she in danger?”

The questions poured out of my mouth without giving the doctor time to respond. My nerves were shattered and although Amanda was 19, she was still my baby and my heart hurt for her.

The surgery proceeded within a couple of weeks at Chippenham Hospital. Her surgery took place in the heart surgery unit where her doctor could use a state-of-the-art laser surgery equipment – gamma knife equipment. The surgery went well and Amanda recovered with extraordinary speed — mainly because she was so anxious to return to school. She had a little more than 33% functionality remaining in her kidney which was still good news. She went on to complete her junior year at JMU as planned.

I think about that day often and the pain I felt when we heard the news. But I also remember how caring and compassionate she was treated by her doctor, his staff, and the entire staff of the HCA Hospital System. It was one of the most stressful situations of our lives, but the medical system did everything possible to make it easier.

Now, I have a friend who is facing a similar situation with her daughter and it brings back the memories of those days. I can honestly look her in the face and tell her that the Richmond healthcare system, and especially the HCA Hospital System, is definitely on her side — and they will do everything possible to ease the pain and stress of the situation while taking excellent care of her daughter.

When it comes to our children, it always helps to know that others know what you are going through when health issues occur. I’m glad that I am able to tell her that her daughter is in great hands at HCA!

HCA Spirit of Women Network offers 9 convenient locations for mammograms in the Richmond area.

Nothing hits home as much as learning that you have a potentially life-threatening illness. A friend of mine recently learned that she has breast cancer, which was detected during a routine annual mammogram. She had avoided a mammogram for more than 2 years before finally making the appointment. Although the diagnosis was devastating for her, the options for treatment and cure were very encouraging.

That’s because early detection offers the best possible outcomes. In my friend’s case, a partial mastectomy was necessary, but the chances of recurrence are now minimal. Without early detection, the outcome would have been much worse.

This the second friend I’ve had in the past two years who has been diagnosed with breast cancer thanks to a routine mammogram. I cannot imaging how many women’s lives are saved because of this simple test. And if you have daughters, this is a great way to set an example about the importance of preventive screenings.

Stay Healthy

For all women — moms and grandmoms — please take advantage of preventive screening and stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Mammograms, colonoscopies, pap tests, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, and other tests just take a few minutes — but they can save your life. And staying healthy is much easier than “getting healthy” – just like maintaining a healthy weight is easier than losing weight.

If you haven’t already scheduled your annual check-up and preventive tests, do it now. It’s one of the most important things you have to do as a mom, grandmom, and spouse. Ensuring your own health will make you feel better too.

HCA Medical Facilities Offer Help

Henrico Doctors’ Hospital was named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2011, and they are Among the Top 1% in the Nation for the Fifth Consecutive Year. What better place to consider for your healthcare needs.  Henrico Doctors’ is part of the community of HCA Virginia Health System facilities with 13 acute care hospitals and 13 outpatient centers conveniently located throughout the state of Virginia — many of them right here in Richmond.

Check them out if you don’t already have a doctor and healthcare facility. They offer everything you need to stay as healthy as possible.

Like my friend did, make the call and take care of yourself. I did today.

Rebecca A. Muminovic, M.D. A cool mom and a great doc.

Fatigue has reached epidemic proportions.

Parents often hear, “Oh yes you have kids so , you are suppose to be tired.” Hog and wash! Undoubtedly there is some level of fatigue that that goes along with being a parent. Let’s look at my household for a second just to illustrate a typical busy family’s schedule: Up at 6 am; cartoons on and brew coffee; get ready for work; breakfast; leave for work; work all day; come home and feed kids their dinner; before going to the gym, come home and eat my dinner; play with kids; bath kids; put kids to bed; clean up the A bomb that was dropped in the playroom; check email; fall into bed; roll over at 3 am into my 4 year old son who has crawled into the bed at some point; place him with all the love in my heart on daddy’s side of the bed and go back to sleep; repeat daily. Whoowee be right back, I need a nap…

So yes some level of fatigue may be normal, but not unrelenting fatigue that clouds your mind and interferes with your daily life.  There are many medical reasons for fatigue and if you have been experiencing this unrelenting fatigue you need to look for reasons other than simply being a crazy busy parent.  First, the most obvious reason is simply not getting enough sleep. The ideal sleep duration for optimal body functioning is 8 hours. Those with babies and toddlers know that this is often an unobtainable goal, but tag team with your significant other to try and get as much sleep as you can. If you have a new baby, sleep when the baby sleeps. Try to hit the sack early especially if you know your children will be up in the night.

Not enough fuel in the tank? If you don’t put gas in your car it dies by the side of the road, and this is also true for your metabolism. You have to eat for your body to function properly. The best way is to eat 5-6 small meals in a day. Small frequent meals keep your engine running at a consistent level and prevent cravings and swings of hunger. In addition don’t overload on sugar or caffeine. They may give you an immediate high but your lows will come and cause both mood alterations and metabolic shifts. Be sure you are not dehydrated as well, especially with summer not far away.

Drink to your level of thirst and keep your cup filled with good old fashion water! In addition be on the lookout for food allergies or sensitivities that may influence your energy levels. Always feeling poorly after eating certain foods? Keep a food dairy and see if there is a trend. Listen to what your body may be trying to tell you!

Feeling down?  Depression can cause fatigue as well. Be on the lookout for other signs like hopelessness, excessive sleeping, tearfulness, lack of joy for things you normally love, amongst others. If you feel that 2 or more of these may apply to you, see your doctor for help. Postpartum depression is a serious form of depression that can be devastating if left untreated. Becoming a new parent in itself is difficult much less adding all of the hormonal changes to boot, and combined with exhaustion and isolation it can be deadly.  There is no shame in asking for help if you need it. Wouldn’t you help someone in need and think none the less of them?

Anemia, diabetes, heart disease, hypothyroidism, urinary tract infection, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia are other medical conditions that often present with fatigue. The point is that if you have been exhausted for some time, you need to be sure that there is not another treatable reason for your fatigue.

As always ladies, I will shout it form the mountain top…..TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF! If you don’t take care of yourself first you cannot take care of others. Taking care of your body, mind, and spirit will teach your children to do the same. Live well and show your children how to do the same.

Dr. Rebecca Muminovic is a real Richmond mom and doctor at HCA Hospitals who “gets it”–we love her style.