Community Building Wellness through Excellent Care

Transcription

1 JULY issue 2013 YEAR u u Hepatitis on the Rise p3 HIV Testing Recap p6 Community Building Wellness through Excellent Care health watch: Minority Mental Health What is mental health? Do you know? Mental health can be viewed as the state of being able to function in a reasonable and rational way that is not disruptive to our daily lives or that of those around us. We all have difficult life events, highs and lows, and we all experience some level of personal stress at some point or another. But learning to tell the difference between these experiences and a mental illness or disease is key to improving overall mental health. Acknowledging mental health issues in minority communities (in particular African American communities) can be met with several challenges including stigma, confusion with effects of substance abuse, difficulty accessing and financing care, and disparities in diagnosis and treatment of minorities by healthcare professionals (Cothran, DL, 2012; Dixon, L et al, 2001). The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health provides the following statistics about the African American community: Poverty level affects mental health status. African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are 3 times more likely to report psychological distress. African Americans are 20% more likely to report having serious psychological distress than Non- Hispanic Whites. u continues on page 6 INSIDE u MAKING NEWS CARNIVAL OF HOPE HEALTH FAIR 4 u MAKING NEWS Summer Youth Employment Program 7

2 u from the interim ceo UMC COMMUNITY HEALTH p.2... we are committed to being an important part of our community... One of the hallmarks of a community hospital is the special commitment that the hospital has and the connection to the community it serves through the pride and trust both employees and patients place in it. UMC is no different we are committed to being an important part of our community and building trust with our patrons so that the service and care they receive at UMC is the best possible. To demonstrate our commitment, throughout the month of July UMC will be launching the In the Community campaign, where we ll be participating in a number of community events around Wards 7 and 8 to promote the hospital, its role in the local community, and the services we offer. I m particularly excited to partner with the Matthews Memorial Baptist Church for the 2013 Carnival of Hope on Saturday, July 6th. UMC doctors and medical staff will be on-site promoting upcoming programs and initiatives, and we ll also be providing blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol screenings and HIV testing for our neighbors. Here at UMC, we re dedicated to the care and service of our patients, and thus, the communities of Wards 7 and 8 and Prince George s County. We like to think of ourselves as a good neighbor in the community we re here for you, whenever you need us, and believe in providing top-notch services and consistent communication. We continually strive to meet the needs of residents and ensure we are doing the best job possible for you. Our pledge is to provide Exceptional Care, by Exceptional People for Every Person, Every Day, Every Time. David R. Small David R. Small Interim CEO, United Medical Center We invite you to SHARE YOUR STORIES... The UMC Community Health newsletter detail latest news, programs/events, and health information related to the hospital and the surrounding community. We welcome pictures and links to additional, related resources. The deadline for submissions to the newsletter will be the 15th (or the next business day) of every month. All submissions must be ed to the Office of the Secretary of the Corporation,attention Yolanda Raine, yraine@united-medicalcenter.com. Submissions may be edited for content and allotted space. This publication is produced by: Not-For-Profit Hospital Corporation 1310 Southern Avenue, SE, Washington DC All rights reserved. Managing Editor Natalie Williams, Corporate Secretary / Hospital Spokesperson Office of the Secretary of the Corporation nwilliams@united-medicalcenter.com (202) Editor Yolanda Raine, Administrative Assistant Office of the Secretary of the Corporation yraine@united-medicalcenter.com (202) Contributing Writers David Small, Interim CEO Lisa G. Gordon, MD

3 u feature FEATURED story STORY UMC COMMUNITY HEALTH p3 Hepatitis ON THE RISE World Hepatitis Day (July 28th) is an annual event that each year provides international focus for patient groups and people living with Hepatitis B and C. It is an opportunity around which interested groups can raise awareness and influence real change in disease prevention and access to testing and treatment. While there are many types of Hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E), troubling hepatitis C disparities persist in the African American community. African Americans are twice as likely to be infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared to the general U.S. population, according to the CDC. While African Americans represent only 12 percent of the U.S. population, they make up roughly 22 percent of the estimated 3.2 million persons with chronic HCV infection. Moreover, chronic liver disease, often hepatitis C-related, is a leading cause of death among African Americans ages Despite the seriousness of this health problem in the African American community, too few African Americans know about the disease or get tested for it. Early detection of chronic viral hepatitis infection can save lives, observes Dr. Ronald Valdiserri, MD, MPH, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many people can get care and treatment that can limit disease progression, prevent liver cancer deaths, and help break the cycle of unknowingly transmitting the virus to others. Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen from sharing equipment for injecting drugs, receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992, getting a needle stick injury in health care settings, and even being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C. Some people don t know how they got infected. Hepatitis C can also be spread through sexual intercourse, but it s rare. Hepatitis C infection usually produces no signs or symptoms during its earliest stages. When signs and symptoms do occur, they re generally mild and flu-like and may include: Fatigue Fever Nausea or poor appetite Muscle and joint pains Tenderness in the area of your liver We need your help to achieve these goals, reduce the disproportionate burden of hepatitis C, and increase awareness of this silent killer in the African American community. We can achieve these goals by learning the facts and informing others. What you should know... Learn the Facts The first step to reducing this disparity in the African American community is increasing awareness about hepatitis C: Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by a virus. Anyone can get hepatitis C, but African Americans as well as people born between , sometimes called baby boomers bear a disproportionate burden of disease. Most people living with hepatitis C do not know they are infected. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause chronic hepatitis, in which the infection is prolonged, sometimes lifelong. Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. In fact, viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. People living with HCV infection often have no symptoms until significant damage has been done. There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection. Getting a blood test is the only way to know if you have been exposed to hepatitis C. New and improved treatments exist for hepatitis C. Inform Others We also need your help in educating your family and friends about hepatitis C. Share what you ve learned and encourage conversations with healthcare providers about screening for hepatitis C for those who may have been exposed. The Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases at United Medical Center provides screenings and testing for Hepatitis C. For an appointment, call

4 u making news at umc UMC COMMUNITY HEALTH p4 Carnival of Hope Health Fair and Let Food Be Thy Medicine Prayer Brunch United Medical Center is committed to improving relationships throughout our community. On Saturday, July 6, 2013, a host of UMC physicians, staff and volunteers participated in the 2013 Carnival of Hope at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church. We offered a variety of screenings including: blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol. UMC also provided information on nutrition and diet, diabetes awareness, breast cancer awareness and sexual health.

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6 u COVER story UMC COMMUNITY HEALTH p6 health watch: Minority Mental Health Non-Hispanic Whites are more than twice as likely to receive antidepressant prescription treatments as are Non-Hispanic Blacks. The death rate from suicide for African American men was almost four times that for African American women, in However, the suicide rate for African Americans is 60% lower than that of the Non-Hispanic White population. A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that from , the suicide rate among African Americans ages 10 to 14 increased 233%, as compared to 120% of Non-Hispanic Whites. 1 As these statistics point out, there are significant mental health issues within the African American community which bare serious consideration. In particular, the mental health of minority children. With an increasing suicide rate among young African Americans, letting go of the stigma of being labeled as having mental health issues or illness, seeking information, advocating for appropriate and equitable health care from mental health professionals are no longer simply an option. Mental health diseases such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression, among others, are very real illnesses which cause significant decreases in quality of life (Lehman, A. et al, 2003). Mental Illnesses are frequently diseases of the brain and symptoms are predominately changes in behavior. Irregardless of diagnosis, if someone s behavior changes (more easy to spot if it happens suddenly than over time), they need to be encouraged to seek the help of a mental health professional. 1 U.S. Surgeon General, contributor Lisa G. Gordon, MD Medical Director, Behavioral Health Unit United Medical Center HIV UPDATE: UMC Observes National HIV Testing Day National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) was first observed on June 27, This day was established as an annual observance to promote HIV testing. Our goal at UMC was to test at least 190 individuals in honor of the 19th annual National HIV Testing Day held on Thursday June 27th. This collaborative effort offered testing in three areas of the hospital. The mobile van provided by our partners, Family Counseling and Medical Center, was position outside while free HIV testing was offered in the Emergency Department and in the 2nd floor conference room. We are proud to have exceeded our goal and conducting 263 tests. UMC offers free HIV testing every day in it s Emergency Department and for those who test positive can rest assure knowing that they will be taken care of at hospital s high performing Infectious Diseases center. Under the guidance and direction of Dr. Lisa K, Fitzpatrick, Medical Director, the Care Center has provided care to more than 200 HIV positive patients since Dr Fitzpatrick believes HIV testing should be as routine as a testing for Diabetes and Hypertension. She says, No one likes a broken record. But if that s what it takes to make our society understand AIDS is no longer a death sentence, then I will continue to say it any way and anywhere I can. It doesn t matter if a person has AIDS! It s treatable and preventable! Get tested! Get treated! Live long!

7 u making news at umc UMC COMMUNITY HEALTH p7 What s Going On At UMC Lunch & Learn Training Sessions On May 2, 2013 the OCFO provided an outline to the administrative council of the FY 2014 Budget Process. In the past, the budget has been prepared primarily based on information provided by hospital management to senior leadership and then submitted to the OCFO for budget preparation. This year it was decided to include the managers in the entire process. A series of training sessions were developed which included and overview of the budget process, operationalizing your strategic plan, managing labor and productivity and non-labor cost. These sessions were presented to department managers during Lunch and Learn sessions that created an interactive process in order to expand the knowledge base of our managers related to prudent fiscal management of the departments that they have responsibility. As we work through the strategic planning process and budget cycle, the OCFO will work collaboratively with Hospital Leadership to provide guidance to the department managers in budget formulation based on a shared set of goals. The end result should be an operational budget that each manager has the necessary tools to create a successful outcome. During FY 2014, the OCFO will continue to work with Departmental Managers to monitor the progress being made compared to targets established during the budget cycle and to make the necessary adjustments to ensure success. These training sessions are being hosted by Michael Davis, CFO, Ron Walker, Controller and Mickey Blackman, Budget Officer. We Are Still Listening Employee Satisfaction Survey We concluded our We Are Still Listening Employee Satisfaction Survey on July 7, The survey was available to our employees June 24th July 7th. There were a total of 279 employees to participate in the survey which is approximately 34% of the NFPHC employee workforce. Our Support Services departments took the lead in taking the survey followed by Nursing, Clinical and Managers. The overall results of the survey will be complied the week of July 8th. The outcomes of the survey to follow. DC Department of Employment Services 2013 Mayor Vincent C. Gray One City Summer Youth Employment Cynthia James-Windley, Worksite Program Supervisor, has successfully completed all District of Columbia mandatory program requirements for the Summer Youth Employment Program for This year, UMC has been assigned twenty (20) summer youths and job assignments for these young participants, which includes job placement in the Office of the Secretary of the Corporation, Executive Administration,, Finance, and Patient Care Services. The primary focus is providing the youth positive mentoring. It is our goal to ensure that the young men and women assigned to UMC can develop constructive work habits that will lend itself to an informed, productive work pattern and path as they enter the workforce. We are excited about the program and look forward to providing young people with a meaningful work experience this summer.

8 CALENDAR OF EVENTS United Medical Center Board Retreat Saturday, July 13, :30am-5:00pm [Matthews Memorial Baptist Church] United Medical Center General Board Meeting Thursday, July 25, :00am -12:00noon World Hepatitis Day Sunday, July 28, 2013 UMC Employee Townhall Meeting Tuesday, August 6, :00am - 4:00pm [Auditorium] 1 out of 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Unfortunately, African American and Latina women are dying in disproportionate numbers because of the barriers they face while fighting this disease. JOIN THE MOVEMENT Our campaign goal is to screen over 1,000 women of color for breast cancer through October With your help we can our sisters to survive and thrive. G E T T E S T E D! Call to find out how you can be scheduled for a mammogram. UMC U NIT ED MEDICAL CENTER Not-For-Profit Hospital Corporation 1310 Southern Avenue, SE Washington DC