baytown - Altus Health System

BAYTOWN
1st quarter, 2014
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
FOR ALTUS HEALTH
The new Altus Emergency Center, which opened this fall, features state-of-the-art equipment
and patient-centered services.
ALTUS BAYTOWN EMERGENCY
CENTER OPENS TO SUCCESS
On September 4, 2013, the Altus Baytown Emergency Center opened its doors. This is the first of three freestanding
emergency rooms to be opened by Altus Health. In the short period of time since opening, the community reception
has been very positive as demonstrated by excellent feedback on patient satisfaction surveys. The Altus Baytown
Emergency Center is attentive to patient care and strives to make patients comfortable and provide our expertise to
aid in their recovery from illnesses and injuries.
Altus Baytown Emergency Center’s board certified ER physicians and expert nursing staff treat many conditions,
injuries and illnesses from allergic reactions and broken bones to high fevers and chest pain. The Emergency
Center is prepared to handle any emergency without the long waits patients have to face at hospital emergency
departments. In most cases, patients are seen by a board certified ER physician in fewer than 10 minutes.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Meet
ltus Health
Based in Pearland, Texas, Altus Health is an exclusive network of vested, forward-thinking physicians who have
united to form an impressive consortium of aptitudes with unmatched healthcare quality, safety, affordability and
patient satisfaction in various medical modalities.
Our mission is to provide the highest quality patient care at the most affordable cost. Altus-affiliated physicians strive
to achieve effective clinical outcomes in meeting the patient’s individual healthcare needs and are fully dedicated to
TABLE OF
Contents
patient protection and advocacy.
Patients are fully protected from any unexpected medical costs and bills at all Altus HMS affiliated entities through
our unique patient protection and physician affiliation programs offering Guaranteed Patient Satisfaction (GPS). Our
affiliated physicians are considered leaders in healthcare with excellent reputations in their respective specialties.
More and more physicians and surgeons have joined with Altus to experience great clinical and financial success as
a result of their dedication to always treating the patient’s best interest as their own best interest.
Letter from the
Altus Executive Suite
4 — Baytown Emergency Center
5 — In The Spotlight
6 — Better Health in 2014
8 — Early Detection of Cancer
10 — Cancer Risk Factors
Kraig Killough — COO of Altus Health
As we enter 2014, we continue to grow our network of 1100 physicians and
1000 employees and look forward to opening our new facilities including Altus
Hospital of Baytown, Altus Lake Jackson Emergency Center, Sugar Land
Inpatient Hospice and Beaumont Inpatient Hospice. Altus Health is where
innovation meets quality of care with our well balanced spectrum of services
to help with all our patients’ health needs.
Additionally, this is the time of year we begin planning for the Toast to Living
Well gala which benefits the Altus Foundation. Last year, the Toast to Living
Well raised over $200,000. This year’s gala will be December 13, 2014 and is
themed Shanghai Nights. We are excited to invite sponsors to contribute to the
fundraising efforts where proceeds benefit Altus patients who need assistance
paying for medical care. You can find out more at thealtusfoundation.org.
On a final note, this first quarter of 2014 we are launching a whole new look
for the Altus newsletters. We hope you enjoy the improved contents page, the
employee spotlight and the listing of upcoming Altus events.
Thanks for choosing Altus Health.
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11 — The Legacy We Leave Behind
12 — Dates to Remember
Our mission is to strategize,
establish and reinforce
dynamic environments
that empower physicians
with enhanced control and
quality in patient care and
capital investments.
Kraig W. Killough
Altus baytown Newsletter — meet altus health
Altus baytown Newsletter — TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
in the
CONTINUED FROM COVER
The Altus Baytown Emergency Center has onsite imaging services which include
Spotlight
CT, X-ray and ultrasound as well as lab capabilities. This means it can offer hospital
ER expertise and treatment without the hospital wait. Additionally, Altus Emergency
Center doctors call each and every patient the day after they are released from our
care to check on their recovery and answer any questions. This focus on patient care
is what makes Altus Baytown Emergency Center superior to traditional ERs.
Kevin
Herrington
Altus Baytown Emergency Center accepts the majority of commercial/private
insurance plans and offers an uninsured (cash pay) Affordable Care Act (ACA)
discount for those without insurance coverage.
Regional Executive Vice President
Altus Health | Houston
Altus Baytown Emergency Center holds
With over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry,
monthly community events. On March
Kevin skillfully manages the development of new facilities and
29th, in conjunction with the Baytown Fire
Department and Emergency Services,
Altus Baytown Emergency Center provided
community information sessions on fire
safety as well as the flu and flu prevention.
The Altus Health information booth handed
out helpful brochures and materials from the
services and oversees all administrative functions of Beaumont
and Baytown centers, including four independent entities at each
location for the following Altus centers: Surgery, Imaging, Sleep
and Cancer.
Kevin is leading the development of the newest service line for
Altus and ZT, free-standing emergency centers and specialty
hospitals with locations in Baytown, Lumberton and Lake Jackson.
Centers from Disease Control (CDC) to share
His medical knowledge and knack for developing new business
with families. At this event, kids’ activities
opportunities has led to the creation of valuable new assets for
included a moonwalk, face painting,
refreshments and tours of a Baytown fire
truck and ambulance led by first responders.
ZT Wealth’s investors. Kevin’s leadership role in the day-to-day
operations of Altus Health provides a talented, dedicated staff
with the tools and resources needed to deliver the highest quality
service and patient care.
In early April, Altus Lake Jackson Emergency
Originally from Beaumont, he is happily married and the proud
Center will be opening its doors. We will
father of two energetic sons. A proud M.B.A. graduate of Lamar
begin interviewing for all positions soon. If
University, he now lectures there as an Adjunct Professor, sharing
you are interested in becoming part of the
his knowledge of healthcare with students and faculty. Kevin even
Altus Health team, please send your resume
to jobs@altusemergency.com.
mentors students through special internships with Altus Health.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
(FACHE) and is a member of the American Society of Clinical
Pathologists (ASCP).
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Altus baytown Newsletter — BAYTOWN EMERGENCY CENTER
Altus baytown Newsletter — in the spotlight
5
Here’s to
Your Health
in 2014!
With the New Year well upon us, it is a time when many people resolve to do things differently. Many
conversations focus on the topics of diet, exercise and lifestyle choices. While aesthetic reasons
may drive some resolutions, changes in these areas can improve overall health and reduce the risk of
developing diseases including cancer.
Five specific changes can be made to help decrease the risks of cancer. While these fixes may seem
simple, they can have a profound and long lasting impact on one’s life.
1
IMPROVE DIET
3
4
Good nutrition could prevent more than one-third of all cancers and may help those already
diagnosed with the disease. The American Institute for Cancer Research suggests:
• eating a low-fat diet that is high in beans, grains, fruits and vegetables (at least five
servings a day)
• eating less red meat (18 ounces or less per week) and less processed meat such as bologna,
hot dogs and bacon
5
GET ACTIVE
Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity daily – either all at once or spread throughout the day.
LIMIT SUN EXPOSURE
Guard against sun damage by using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher,
avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wearing sunglasses and protective clothing and staying
out of tanning beds. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends inspecting your skin
monthly for any changes in skin color or moles.
GET RECOMMENDED CANCER SCREENINGS
They are one of the best ways to prevent cancer – or catch it early when it may be the most treatable.
• drinking alcohol in moderation
• limiting salt intake
2
6
QUIT SMOKING
Cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths, but your risk decreases
within minutes of quitting.
Altus baytown Newsletter — better health in 2014
At the end of this newsletter, you will find a list of upcoming
community events. Altus Health frequently holds informational
sessions on cancer prevention and screenings. Mark your
calendars, and we look forward to seeing you.
Altus baytown Newsletter — uvitalize
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Lung Cancer
The American Cancer Society Guidelines
for Early Detection of Cancer
1. Cervical cancer screening (testing) should begin at age 21. Women
under age 21 should not be tested.
2. Women between ages 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every 3
years. Now there is also a test called the HPV test. HPV testing should
not be used in this age group unless it is needed after an abnormal Pap
test result.
Breast Cancer
1. Yearly mammograms are
recommended starting at age 40 and
continuing for as long as a woman is
in good health.
Cervical Cancer
2. Clinical breast exams (CBE) are
recommended about every 3 years
for women in their 20s and 30s and
every year for women 40 and over.
3. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report
any breast change promptly to their healthcare provider. Starting in their 20s,
women should perform a breast self-exam (BSE) monthly.
Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
The American Cancer Society recommends that at the time of
menopause, all women should be told about the risks and symptoms of
endometrial cancer. Women should report any unexpected bleeding or
spotting to their doctors.
Some women – because of their history – may need to consider having a
yearly endometrial biopsy. Please talk with your doctor about your history.
Colorectal
Cancer and
Polyps
At age 50, both men and
women should follow one of
these testing schedules:
1. Flexible sigmoidoscopy
every 5 years
3. Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have a Pap test plus
an HPV test (called “co-testing”) every 5 years. This is the preferred
approach, but it is also OK to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
The American Cancer Society does not
recommend tests to screen for lung
cancer in people who are at average risk
of this disease. However, the American
Cancer Society does have screening
guidelines for individuals who are at
high risk of lung cancer due to cigarette
smoking. If you meet all of the following
criteria, then you might be a candidate for
screening:
1. 55 to 74 years of age
2. In fairly good health
3. Have at least a 30 pack/year smoking
history AND are either still smoking or
have quit smoking within the last 15 years
4. Women over age 65 who have had regular cervical cancer testing with normal results should not be tested for cervical
cancer. Once testing is stopped, it should not be started again. Women with a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer
should continue to be tested for at least 20 years after that diagnosis, even if testing continues past age 65.
5. A woman who has had her uterus removed (and also her cervix) for reasons not related to cervical cancer and who
has no history of cervical cancer or serious pre-cancer should not be tested.
6. A woman who has been vaccinated against HPV should still follow the screening recommendations for her age group.
2. Colonoscopy every 10 years
3. Double-contrast barium
enema every 5 years
PATIENT NAVIGATION PROGRAM
4. CT colonography (virtual
colonoscopy) every 5 years
Should you have an abnormal result while undergoing any of these tests or procedures, Altus Cancer Center can provide
assistance through our Patient Navigation Program. The Patient Navigation Program is designed to assist patients and
family members in the following ways:
Prostate Cancer
Starting at age 50, men should talk to a doctor about the pros and cons of testing so they can decide if testing is the
right choice for them. If they are African American or have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before age 65,
men should have this talk with a doctor starting at age 45. If men decide to be tested, they should have the PSA blood
test with or without a rectal exam. How often they are tested will depend on their PSA level.
1. Answer questions about diagnostic procedures and expedite the scheduling process
2. Communicate directly with your referring physician and act as a liaison between you and your team of medical providers
3. Explain abnormal test results and provide education regarding diagnosis
4. Educate yourself and your family about treatment options
5. Refer directly to and schedule appointments (as necessary) with our team of board certified specialists
6. Conduct genetic testing, provide counseling and education
7. Identify valuable resources for transportation, lodging and prescription assistance
The Altus Patient Navigation Program redefines the patient experience by combining knowledge and skills with the support,
compassion and spirituality that you deserve. Experience the Altus Difference.
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Altus beaumont Newsletter — early detection of cancer
Altus beaumont Newsletter — american cancer society
9
one simple test
saves countless lives
LIFESTYLE FACTORS THAT PUT YOU AT RISK:
• Over 50 years of age
• Personal history of colon cancer or chronic inflammatorybowel disease
• Family history of colon cancer or polyps
• Physically inactive
• Smoker
• Diet that’s high in fat and low in fiber
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of
death among men and women combined, but can
be detected early with regular screenings. If you
are 50 years of age or older, call your doctor today
to find out which screening option is right for you.
One simple test could save your life.
altushealthsystem.com | 281.837.7600
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Altus baytown Newsletter — cancer risk factors
Dates to
remember
MARCH
30 - MSR HOUSTON
TRACK EVENT
30 - NATIONAL DOCTORS DAY
APRIL
3 - LAKE JACKSON
EMERGENCY CENTER
RIBBON CUTTING
NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
4 - NATIONAL WALK TO
WORK DAY (1ST FRIDAY)
NATIONAL POISON
PREVENTION MONTH
11 - PARKINSON’S DAY
SAVE YOUR VISION MONTH
BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS
MONTH
12
15 - INCOME TAXES DUE
18 - GOOD FRIDAY
20 - EASTER SUNDAY
Altus baytown Newsletter — dates to remember
MAY
6 - NATIONAL NURSES DAY
10 - LUPUS DAY
11 - MOTHER’S DAY
(2ND SUNDAY)
26 - MEMORIAL DAY
31 - NATIONAL CANCER
SURVIVOR DAY
CELEBRATION & SKIN
CANCER SCREENING
VISION HEALTH MONTH