Hope for Headache Sufferers
Amy Lubenetski went without hope for long stretches of time,but a hint of a song now plays in her soul. She is still cautious about expressing optimism because debilitating daily migraines have dashed so many of her dreams before, but since receiving treatment through St. Rose Dominican Hospitals’ Inpatient Headache Program, Amy will quietly admit that her hope is to one day live a healthy, full life that includes love, marriage and motherhood.
Chronic daily migraines have ruled nearly half of Amy’s life making it impossible for her to work or maintain much of a social life. Just listening to Amy describe her migraines is enough to make someone wince. They begin as a small twinkling light – a visual aura – followed by a sharp, stabbing pain that she says feels like a rod being rammed through her eye and into her brain. Amy’s pain has typically led to nausea, projectile vomiting and uncontrollable shaking. What’s more, just about the time her pain would subside to the point that she could get out of bed and clean up her bathroom, the next visual aura would appear and the process would repeat itself.
Inpatient treatment hasn’t cured Amy’s migraines (there is no known cure), but it has significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of her episodes. Amy finds the results of her treatment both remarkable and ironic. “I’d gone to UCLA, Scripts, Duke and Mayo for diagnosis and treatment, so I balked at the idea that a local headache specialist and hospital could tell me anything I hadn’t heard before,” says Amy.
“Yet, here I am feeling and functioning better than I have in years.” Amy was admitted to St. Rose’s Inpatient Headache Program by Dr. Abraham Nagy, a neurologist who is one of only about 300 certified headache specialists in the United States. “When I met Dr. Nagy, I could instantly tell how knowledgeable and passionate he was about headache treatment,” says Amy. “He’s also very caring. He really listened to me describe my migraines, the endless forms of treatment I’ve gone through and the impact it has all had on my life. He used what I shared to help design a treatment plan just for me.”
While in the hospital, Amy received powerful (non-narcotic), intravenous drugs that broke the cycle of her migraines and helped control her nausea while she was weaned from a plethora of prescription drugs that weren’t effectively managing her chronic condition. Doing so enabled Dr. Nagy to introduce medications that have proven far more effective in providing her relief. She also received access to an integrated team of nutritional counselors, physical therapists and chaplains that offered her support and recommendations to further prevent or minimize her migraines.
It’s been just over a year since Amy first participated in inpatient headache treatment and she has had to return for additional treatment aimed at interrupting the pattern of her migraines. “The treatment has definitely given me relief and a better quality of life, but it isn’t a cure, and quick fixes for a headache free life aren’t guaranteed,” says Amy.
That is a concept another young patient, Jenny Scott, has come to understand. Her first intense headache came on the day after she graduated from college and soon her headaches never let up, day or night. Primary care physicians, pain management specialists and neurologists repeatedly tried to help quiet the hurt in Jenny’s head, but five years and 50 medications later, the spiral pattern of pain pulsating through her head, diagnosed as chronic migraine, was still present.
It may sound unusual – even alarming – that Jenny was prescribed 50 different medications, but it’s not entirely uncommon. Headaches are the result of a complex set of interactions between the brain, blood vessels and surrounding nerves that aren’t fully understood. As such, the average headache sufferer first seeks help from their primary care physician and may, over the course of a number of years, see several other doctors and be prescribed numerous medications before receiving an accurate diagnosis. Even with an accurate diagnosis, finding the best medications to treat a patient’s symptoms may take several tries and periodic “tweaking.”
Inpatient headache treatment helped break the cycle of Jenny’s pain and safely remove her from several prescription medications allowing Dr. Nagy to introduce new treatments and track Jenny’s response to them. Dr. Nagy discovered that Jenny suffered from hemicrania continua, rather than chronic migraine. Rare and relentless, hemicrania headaches affect one side of the brain and are difficult to diagnose but respond well to specific treatment.
With a correct diagnosis, Dr. Nagy prescribed Jenny just one prescription drug and asked her to have patience and to hold out hope (she did) to give the medication time to work (it has).
“I was taking numerous medications every day and still suffering from pain that I would rank as a five to six (0 being no pain and 10 being unbearable pain) every day of my life,” says Jenny. “I’d now rank my daily pain as a highly manageable 1. My headaches are now more of an afterthought than something that always demands my attention.”
Jenny refers to the care she received as “life changing” as does Dorla Dautrich, another Inpatient Headache Program patient. While hospitalized, Dorla took advantage of spending quiet, meditative time walking the hospital’s outdoor labyrinth, that – with its gray twists and turns – rather resembles the brain.
“Dr. Nagy and St. Rose really worked to get inside my head, to know me and to understand my headache experience,” says Dorla. “I think that level of caring leads to quality treatment.”
Truly understanding patients is something Karen Jones feels proud of as the Inpatient Headache Program coordinator – and one of the program’s former patients. “I can empathize with our patients,” says Karen. “I know how hard it can be to live with headaches. I’ve suffered from them since I was 5 years old.”
Karen knows that it might sound cliché but says that when she was discharged from the program, she went home and opened the curtains in her living room for the first time ever. “It was such a liberating feeling to let the light shine in,” says Karen.
Shedding light on the help available to people who suffer chronic headaches and migraines is something St. Rose Dominican Hospitals will continue to do.
St. Rose Dominican Hospital values its employees! Each year we thank and honor our employees that have been with us for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 35 years! Thank you to our employees for everything that they do.
Catholic Healthcare West is Now Dignity Health
Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) announced today that it has restructured its governance and changed its name to Dignity Health.
In the rapidly changing health care environment, this new name and structure position the entire organization for growth and success. Our mission, vision, and values remain the same, as does our commitment to providing the Henderson and Las Vegas communities with excellent care through our three St. Rose Dominican Hospitals Campuses – Rose de Lima, Siena and San Martin.
These changes will have no impact on the operations, policies, or mission of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals. We will remain a Catholic hospital, sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, following the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, and committed to the overall health of the communities we are so privileged to serve.
Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), the fifth largest health system in the nation, announced today that it has changed its name to Dignity Health as part of a governance restructure that will position the organization to succeed in a changing health care environment.
“This name and structure reflect who we are and what we stand for,” said Sr. Judy Carle, vice chair of the Dignity Health Board of Directors and a Sister of Mercy. “The value of dignity is embedded in our culture. Our mission, vision and values were all formed out of the recognition of the inherent dignity of each person. We are confident that our vision for the organization will be achieved.”
Under the new governance structure, Dignity Health is a not-for-profit organization, rooted in the Catholic tradition, but is not an official ministry of the Catholic Church. The new structure and name enable the organization to grow nationally, while preserving the identity and integrity of both its Catholic and non-Catholic hospitals. The organization’s Catholic hospitals will continue to be Catholic, directly sponsored by their founding congregations, and adhering to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. Dignity Health’s non-Catholic hospitals will continue to be non-Catholic, adhering to the Statement of Common Values.
The changes follow several years of discussions between the organization’s sponsoring congregations, board of directors, and management team about the future of health care and how to best extend its healing mission. Dignity Health’s long term strategic plan is focused on integrated care and enhanced quality that reduces costs. Growth plans anticipate expanded partnerships, which will include both Catholic and non-Catholic care centers. The system currently owns or operates 25 Catholic hospitals and 15 non-Catholic hospitals.
Lloyd H. Dean, the organization’s president/chief executive officer said that the changes would enhance the organization’s ability to work across the spectrum of health care and expand partnerships to deliver high-quality care more efficiently.
“Changing our name to Dignity Health reflects our commitment to excellent care for all in need and to being a national leader in quality care,” Dean said. “The new structure supports our long-term plan to grow and coordinate care, while reinforcing our mission of service to the communities we are so privileged to serve.”
While the name of the organization has changed, Dignity Health will continue to deliver excellent care to all in need and maintain its commitment to being a national leader in quality care. It is investing approximately $1.8 billion in electronic medical records, which are being deployed over the next five years. Dignity Health has also been designated as one of the nation’s first Hospital Engagement Centers by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The organization is also among those leading the nation in implementing innovative care models that improve care and reduce costs.
Dignity Health has also adopted a new logo, which represents the coming together of many caregivers, services and care centers to create a continuum of care. The three curved sections represent the three parts of the organization’s mission – quality care, advocacy, and partnering. The logo surrounds and embraces a central space, symbolic of how an integrated health system embraces and serves the individual.
Calling Recent Nursing Graduates!
St. Rose Dominican Hospitals invites recent nursing graduates to join our Newly Licensed Residency Program, which begins April 23, 2012. This New Grad Program is designed to help Graduate Nurses transition from students to professional nurses while enhancing clinical competence. Participants in this program develop clinical proficiency through evidence-based practices and supervised clinical experience, with an emphasis on clinical application within the hospital setting. The program is designed around the goal of providing a nurturing, enriching environment where the new RNs can safely, effectively care for patients independently.
Interview Process
• January 4: New graduates are invited to complete the online application
• January 10: Last day to apply and submit all required documents online.
• January 11 to February 23: Managers will review applicants. Selected applicants will be contacted directly to successfully pass the Math and Behavior Assessments. Selected applicants will then be contacted directly to schedule an interview for February.
• February 24: Interviews will be held.
• February 27 to March 30: Offers will be made to the selected graduates.
• April 23: St. Rose Dominican Hospitals orientation begins.
• April 30: Newly Licensed RN Residency Program begins.
Please go www.strosehospitals.com to apply. The position is listed under the Siena Campus although we will be placing New Grads at all three campuses.
If you have questions regarding your GPA or other concerns,
please contact Casey Castagna at 616-4618.
Rose Regatta 2011
We had another fantastic Rose Regatta in 2011! Sixty-three dragon boat teams – each with 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson – from Nevada, California, Colorado and Canada will compete to raise funds to benefit St. Rose Dominican Hospitals’ breast health services including medical care and psychosocial support for uninsured women and men facing breast cancer. Three of the dragon boat teams are comprised solely of breast cancer survivors. Thank you to all who supported us and Paddles Up to another great year!
St. Rose Offers a Variety of Diabetes Services
St.Rose Dominican Hospitals’ Diabetes Education program has the prestigious American Diabetes Association (ADA) Certification of Recognition for diabetes self-management training, and its certified diabetes educators are providing diabetics education based on where they are both physically and in their understanding of managing their disease.
In the Emergency Department
According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately one-third of diabetics don’t know they have this dangerous disease, and unfortunately, some don’t receive an initial diagnosis until they end up in a hospital emergency department. This fact keeps our St. Rose diabetes educators on their toes.
“Our aim is to provide quality diabetes education to patients whether they are in the ER, a patient room or visiting our outpatient clinic,” says Sherry Poinier, RD, certified diabetes educator. “If we are called to the ER, we begin the education process and encourage patients to get a referral from their doctor so they can continue education in the outpatient setting.”
In the Patient’s Hospital Room
If an emergency room patient is admitted to the hospital for additional care or treatment, diabetes educators routinely visit the patient’s room to ensure that they understand their nutritional plan, their medications and other aspects of their care. They also develop discharge plans that increase the odds the patient will take advantage of additional outpatient education that promotes diabetes self-management skills.
“Early diabetes education offered by physicians, nurses and diabetes educators is shown to make a measurable difference in a patient’s understanding of their disease and how active a role they play in managing their health,” says Sherry. “It also reduces the risk of re-hospitalization due to diabetes complications.”
At the St. Rose Outpatient Diabetes Clinic
St.Rose also has an outpatient diabetes clinic dedicated to offering diabetics who obtain a physician’s referral more in-depth education including individual consultation followed by up to eight hours of group education, access to a monthly support group, follow up evaluation and healthy cooking demonstrations. If further assistance is required, St. Rose offers clients additional, individualized nutrition therapy and diabetes education on an ongoing basis.
For more information on the St. Rose diabetes program, call 702-616-6545.
St. Rose Employees Assist a “Hero at Home”
Hard at work ...
- Cleaning up the yard.
The St. Rose Rebuilding Together Team
St. Rose employees worked on the home of a wonderful 90-year-old retired military nurse (choosing this home was especially fitting considering the owner worked in health care). Her house needed painting and a great deal of clean up in the front and back yards.
The clean up effort was very successful, and so many volunteers pitched in that everything was done – not in one day – but before noon. The appreciative owner sent this very kind note to everyone who helped:
Dear Volunteers,
A belated note of thanks for the wonderful work on my home on Nov. 5. The planning and coordination was flawless. The volunteers worked so well together. I will be forever grateful to those wonderful people. I must note those young people that worked so diligently. All of you are doing God’s work and my prayers are with you. Many thanks to the sister and priest. Thank you for you.
H. Sands
Coco the Colossal Colon is Coming to Las Vegas
Have you ever wondered what the inside of your colon looks like? Find out this weekend at the Zappos.com Rock & Roll Las Vegas Marathon – that’s where Coco the Colossal Colon will be on display. You can crawl through this wacky, winding 40-foot-long, 4-foot-tall replica of the human colon, hosted by St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, on Sunday, December 4, from 2-10 p.m.
This year’s marathon benefits the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and this free exhibit is meant to give you a new perspective on colorectal cancer, Crohn’s Disease, colitis and the importance of early detection.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Almost 150,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and over 55,000 of them will die. Daunting numbers, BUT … colorectal cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers – over 90 percent of all cases can be prevented through proper screening.
Coco will be by the orange Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Team Challenge tent near the finish line (on the southeast side of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Hotel parking lot). For more information, visit www.ccteamchallenge.org.
Smith’s Gives St. Rose Dominican Hospitals A $130,000 Gift
St. Rose Dominican Hospitals’ Children’s Miracle Network received an early Thanksgiving gift this year from Smith’s Food & Drug Stores – a check for $130,000. This incredibly generous donation will assist families who are struggling to pay for their child’s medical costs after trauma or serious illness.
Mark Tuffin, Smith’s president, presented the check, saying “Our associates and customers are often touched by the care provided by St. Rose. Their mission is to serve people in need regardless of their ability to pay and we are pleased to help them in that mission.”
St. Rose is the only Children’s Miracle network hospital system in southern Nevada, and 100 percent of every dollar raised in our community stays here to provide pediatric equipment, charity care and health education for children treated at St. Rose.
Smith’s has a long history of supporting children’s hospitals. In the 1940′s, company founder, Dee Smith, collected pennies and delivered them to the nearby children’s hospital. In the past 10 years, Smith’s associates, suppliers and customers have raised over $7 million for freestanding children’s hospital’s charity care programs in Utah.
L-R. Assemblyman Mark Sherwood; St. Rose President/CEO, Rod Davis; Smith's President, Mark Tuffin; Senator Joe Hardy, St. Rose Health Foundation President, Charlie Guida
San Martin Celebrates Five Years of Service
The Most Reverend Bishop Joseph A. Pepe
Incredibly … our beautiful San Martín Campus opened five years ago this month, and almost half of its now 800 employees have been caring for that hospital’s patients for the entire five years! In fact, the staff at San Martín has cared for more than 150,000 patients since its opening.
This anniversary was honored with a special mass Thursday (11/3/11), officiated by the Most Reverend Bishop Joseph A. Pepe.
Vicky VanMeetren, president/ CEO of the San Martín Campus, opened up the ceremony with a reflection and welcoming the 60 employees and community members who came to take part in the mass.
“Please join me in celebration of a very important five years, the lives we’ve touched and the ministry we have spread. Thank you to Rod for giving us the opportunity and allowing us to build a place that has touched so many lives – there is truly a spirit of healing here,” VanMeetren said during the mass.
Bishop Pepe thanked the employees for the work that is done day in and day out to care for the community.
“It’s a great day. It really is a credit to Rod and his vision and Vicky who has made this an ongoing ministry,” Bishop Pepe said. “Thank you for everything you’ve done these five years; the spirit and the quality care here is exceptional.”
Rod Davis, senior vice president of operations, CHW Nevada and president/CEO of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals – Siena Campus, closed out the mass with words of praise, encouragement and a focus toward the future.
Davis asked the assembled crowd how they measure success. It is more than the quality numbers that we compile and more than the excellent care that is given.
“The most important way to measure success is the daily interactions with every patient who walks through this hospital. It is caring for every patient how we would like to be treated – with compassion and dignity. It’s giving people hope,” Davis said.
Father Bob, Vicky VanMeetren, Bishop PepeSpecial Mass CeremonyCommunion
