Quality Report Cards-Licking Memorial Hospital

Every month Licking Memorial Health Systems publishes a report card on different segments of the system's health care statistics compared to standard national benchmarks.

Several months ago my sister-in-law who works for a hospital in Georgia emailed me about one of her hospital's emergency physicians commenting to her one morning that there was a hospital in Ohio that reported it's statistics on the Internet and he could not believe it. She asked the name of the hospital he had found and he said it was some funny name, Licking Memorial. It is not typical for hospitals to publish their statistics compared to national standard benchmarks and publish the results.

You can review any the report cards by clicking here. Below you will find something interesting from the February 2009 Report Card, it may take a moment to read, but it does read something like the 1972 EMERGENCY television show. Click here to compare 1972 vs. now.

"LMH’s plan of care for cardiac patients in Licking County is called into action on a daily basis. One example was demonstrated last fall when John, a 65-year-old retired factory laborer, was working on the roof of his Newark home and began having chest pains, weakness, shortness
of breath and heavy perspiration. John has a history of coronary artery disease and had stents implanted several years ago. His true experience illustrates how efficiently the emergency and hospital staffs work together to save patients’ lives."

Friday, October 10, 2008
1:14 p.m. – John’s wife calls 9-1-1. John takes two aspirins.
1:23 p.m. – Newark EMS arrives at John’s residence. Newark EMS begins an IV.
1:36 p.m. – An emergency medical technician (EMT) gives John more aspirin and nitroglycerin.
1:40 p.m. – EMTs place 12-Lead EKG electrodes on John’s chest to see if he is having a heart attack and to monitor John during his transport to the ED.
1:43 p.m. – The 12-Lead EKG results are transmitted to the LMH ED and to Dr. Ahmed’s handheld Blackberry device.
1:46 p.m. – EMS arrives at LMH where an emergency bed is ready.
1:53 p.m. – An ED nurse alerts the “STEMI” team using voice-activated Vocera paging system and transfers John to a cardiac monitor in the ED.
1:57 p.m. – An ED medic starts an IV, and blood work is drawn to send to the Laboratory.
2:03 p.m. – John still has severe pain. He is alert and able to answer questions.
2:04 p.m. – ED Physician Mary Jane Scott, M.D., makes diagnosis of acute anterior wall myocardial nfarction (heart attack).
2:05 p.m. – Dr. Scott and Interventional Cardiologist Imtiaz Ahmed, M.D., discuss the risks and
benefits of angioplasty with John, and he agrees to the procedure.
2:09 p.m. – John is taken to the LMH Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab), accompanied by Dr. Scott and an ED nurse.
2:12 p.m. – The Cath Lab staff prepares John for the procedure that will open John’s artery.
2:22 p.m. – Dr. Ahmed begins the angioplasty procedure, inserting the catheter in John’s groin.
2:25 p.m. – An angiogram shows the left anterior chamber of John’s heart is totally blocked.
2:34 p.m. – The angioplasty balloon is inflated.
2:42 p.m. – A thrombectomy catheter is inserted.
2:44 p.m. – Under conscious sedation, John reports he has no chest pain or any other discomfort.
3:31 p.m. – The angioplasty balloon is inflated again.
3:38 p.m. – The catheter is removed.
3:55 p.m. – Dr. Ahmed reviews computerized images.
4:02 p.m. – The catheterization procedure is complete.
4:02 p.m. – John reports he has no chest pain or other discomfort.
4:04 p.m. – John is taken to the Intensive Care Unit for recovery.
Monday, October 13, 2008
11:40 a.m. – John is discharged with instructions to see Dr. Ahmed for a follow-up visit.

Baracuta G-9

It is definitely a generational thing for men. Paul Newman and Frank Sinatra wore Baracutas and so did a slew of men in Newark, Ohio during the 60s and early 70's. Then they disappeared from the planet, Rob Pierce at Cornell's could not buy them anymore.

Last year I found a men's haberdashery in Buffalo, NY who carries the real Baracuta jacket.

They are not knock off.

O'Connel's Clothing of Buffalo has saved us. Steve Brown a long time friend and class act guy called the other day saying he had heard at the barber shop I knew where to find a Baracuta. Steve's one statement drove something home, "I just want one more, before I die".

Dale Voris after receiving his Jacket said he had not had the same pressure of the wrist bands or collar hitting his neck in the right place in many years. Robin Pierce bought one, Ray Sardy gave me a holiday kiss thanking me for his new Baraduta, it is really something special. I have been asked by so many guys for the web address for O'Connell's Clothing.

Once at Lowes a man walked up to me and asked if I was wearing a Baracuta, after my positive response, I was writing the web site on the back of my business card.

This evening at a Licking County Chamber of Commerce event Dave Hardy and I were talking to Craig Young. Dave brought up Baracutas, Craig's eyes lite up with his funny grin. I told him I knew the web site of O'Connell's Clothing then he started rubbing his hands together with a high school boy's excitement.

This post is for you Craig, get one size larger because the Brits make them a little tight and remember, as before the zipper works from the opposite side.

Don't worry about the price, this may be your last one.

THE GIRLS OF HEDSOR HALL

My theory on watching TV is that one can learn many things if you are willing to surf long enough.

Also, if I had young children there are many programs especially on MTV that would be eliminated, but last night I came across one that I would make my daughters over 11-12 years old watch. Last night I learned a little about flower arrangements, of which a lady should know about.

The Girls of Hedsor Hall involves a group of American misfitted young ladies sent to Hedsor Hall in England to try and save their lives from a wild and woolly lifestyle. This show is produced by Donald Trump & past Miss USA Tara Conner. The ladies in their Hedsor Hall uniforms of which I saw a Spears video once with about the same outfit are being instructed on etiquette, appearance and how to establish better social graces by knowing how to act like a lady while staying at the finishing school. They are there because they want to better themselves, but are having a very hard time adjusting.

This is a reality show with a purpose, maybe someone watching will pick up some tips!

Don't you miss this guy?

'Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.'-

Ronald Reagan

'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' -Ronald Reagan

'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

'Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.'- Ronald Reagan

'I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.' - Ronald Reagan

'The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.'- Ronald Reagan

'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.'- Ronald Reagan

'The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.' - Ronald Reagan

'It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.' - Ronald Reagan

'Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it' - Ronald Reagan

Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.' - Ronald Reagan

'No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'- Ronald Reagan

'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.'- Ronald Reagan

Thank you Capt. Jim Lewis for the email!

Sorry Australians

Hugh Jackman, the first time I ever saw the fellow was on the Oscar Awards ceremony last night.

Mrs. Guanciale let out a sigh when they introduced him, I had to ask what caused the sigh. She told me he was rated one of the sexist men alive or something to this nature.

My only comment was that it was a shame he had a nasal problem, then she informed me it was his Australian accent.

I don't like his full break pant hem, so I don't think he is that hot.

A Suitable Wardrobe: The Day's Necktie

A Suitable Wardrobe: The Day's Necktie great examination of the morning routine of how to select the appropriate necktie for the day.

I have read Will Boehlke's A Suitable Wardrobe for a while now, just became a subscriber.

Do not wait until Mother's Day!

The following paragraph was copied from Ciraran's Blog


"Another reason I think is because the Italian culture for men puts their mother as #1. Peppe and I often joked about this. He would tell me that his mum comes first, then his family and then women. (And he, like most Italian guys love their women!) So even if Italian guys move out and get married, their wife will still only be their 2nd most important woman. I guess the reason why mothers are valued so much is because they make absolutely amazing food."

The salad was prepared by Mrs. Guanciale for Andrew this past week. Andrew said it was so beautiful he had to take a photo of the plate. It is great that he takes time to have lunch with his mother, many men should take advantage of doing so while their mothers are still alive.

I use to visit my mother on Sunday nights at 7pm and watch 60 Minutes with her for years. A good friend of mine, a banker during his beginning career in the bank's Heath Office almost everyday stopped at his mother's for lunch.

In Italy, it is a little more than just having lunch. Fellows of all ages still take their laundry to mother because she does it just right, if they work out of town they go home every weekend and many live with mom through their 30s.

Read here comments about the drop in the Italian birth rate.