Convenient Local CareHelping the healing process with treatment close to home

A Difference for Patients & FamiliesFormer SDSU First Lady finds the best health care in her backyard

Improving Care TransitionsWorking as a community to improve patient health

Inspiring HealtHSUMMER 2014

We Want to Hear From You!Did you have an outstanding experience with Brookings Health System? Don’t just keep it to yourself!

By liking us on Facebook®, following us on Twitter®, or viewing us on YouTube®, not only can you learn about upcoming health system events and technology advances, but you can also leave your feedback and learn about the experiences of others.

Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/BrookingsHealth, on Twitter at twitter.com/BrookingsHealth, or on YouTube at youtube.com/BrookingsHealth.

According to the cdc, more than 1 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, a condition that is preventable with sun protection, including sunscreen.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) on sunscreen refers to the time amount you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned. For example, SPF 15 would allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than you could without protection. So if your skin starts to redden in 20 minutes without sunscreen, applying SPF 15 sunscreen increases that time by 15, meaning you could be in the sun for 300 minutes without burning. In addition, a higher SPF blocks more rays. SPF 15 will filter approximately 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 filters about 97%.

In addition to applying sunscreen, remember to seek shade, minimize peak hours of sun exposure and wear protective clothing to further defend you from the sun.

Welcome Dr. Jeffrey Johnson!Brookings heAlth system proudly welcomes Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, MD, of Avera Medical Group. Dr. Johnson specializes in general surgery and serves the needs of area patients of all ages.

Dr. Johnson comes to Brookings from Colorado where he practiced for two years as a general surgeon. He received his medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine in Saba, Netherlands, and completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Medicine. He is a board-certified general surgeon and a member of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Johnson provides care in all aspects of general surgery at Brookings Health System’s state-of-the-art surgical unit, including inpatient, same-day and emergency procedures.

As a local surgeon, Dr. Johnson offers patients the opportunity to have their surgical procedure completed close to home, near family and friends.

To schedule your appointment with Dr. Johnson, contact Avera Medical Group at (605) 697-9500 or (800) 658-5405.

Sunscreen & SPF

2

brookingshealth.org

First Trimester Maternal CareFirst trimester screenings now available at

Brookings Health System give expectant parents

peace-of-mind regarding their baby’s health and

the expertise of medical specialists close to home.

hAving A BABy is a life changing event, and planning for the life change is just one step in becoming a parent. For many expectant moms and dads, that includes reassurance their baby will be healthy and without birth defects.

First trimester screening is an optional, non-invasive evaluation that combines a maternal blood screening test with an ultrasound evaluation to identify pregnancies at high risk for specific chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down Syndrome.

“Based on the blood work and ultrasound, the patient is classified as low risk or high risk for having a baby with specific chromosomal abnormalities,” said OBGYN Dr. Ellen Hopper of Avera Medical Group.

Women who are at a higher risk for having babies with chromosomal problems include those who have had babies with, or have a family history of, birth defects. Women who are 35+ years old also have a higher risk of having a newborn with birth defects.

Brookings Health System performs the screening when the mother is between 11 to 13 weeks in her pregnancy. Lab technologists draw blood from the mother to help measure pregnancy-related hormones. Ultrasonographers certified in nuchal translucency (NT) perform an ultrasound to measure the thickness at the back of the neck of the fetus.

The test results are then sent to Avera Maternal Fetal Medicine in Sioux Falls to be read by a perinatologist, an OBGYN who specializes

in fetus care and complicated, high-risk pregnancies. The perinatologist shares the findings with the parents’ physician in

Brookings. The two doctors work together to help manage the baby’s care.

High risk results do not mean a baby has a birth defect. It notes a mother is at risk of having a baby with a genetic

disorder and signals care providers to urge parents to consider further testing.

Parents who are at high risk are offered a telemedicine consult at Brookings Health System

with a genetic counselor from Avera Maternal Fetal Medicine. The counselor explains risk

factors based on the test results and assists parents in deciding about further diagnostic testing.

“The only way to truly know prior to delivery if the baby has one of these problems is to do a diagnostic test,” said Hopper. “The diagnostic tests actually test the baby’s chromosomes to determine if they are normal or not.”

For most parents, prenatal screening reduces the risk their baby will have a birth defect, reassuring them their baby will be happy and healthy.

Want to learn more about prenatal screening at Brookings Health System? Please visit www.brookingshealth.org.

summer 2014

3

ENHANCEDBeauty ENHANCEDNäva medical spa, Brookings Health System’s new clinic for

aesthetic medicine, officially opened on May 1. It’s dedicated

to rejuvenating and enhancing clients’ natural beauty using

state-of-the-art techniques—allowing their inner beauty to

shine outward.

certified nurse PrActitioner tonyA froehlich, who has advanced training in aesthetic medicine, is now available every Thursday at the Outreach Specialty Clinic, located on the far-east side of the hospital, to perform non-surgical, aesthetic services.

“Näva medical spa offers private, confidential services for our clients,” said Froehlich. “We personalize treatments to our clients’ individual needs here locally in Brookings.”

Botox Injections improves the frown lines between the eyebrows for short periods of time. Dermal Fillers soften facial creases and removes wrinkles for up to a year. Chemical Peels smooth skin texture by removing the damaged outer layers. Laser Hair Removal removes unwanted hair for up to a year. Skin Laser Therapy reduces scars, acne marks, age spots, and pigment discolorations. Laser Skin Tightening tightens loose skin and improves body contours. Skin Care Products are part of a medically supervised skin care regimen selected by a health care provider for a patient’s skin type.

The revitalization techniques not only make people look younger, but also increase their self-esteem and confidence in themselves.

Interested in what aesthetic medicine can do for you? To receive a free consultation at Näva medical spa, please call (605) 695-7394.

BIGTreating Parkinson’s in a BIG WayBrookings Health System’s rehabilitative services department now offers LSVT BIG™ therapy, a revolutionary program that empowers

people with Parkinson’s disease to move better.

PhysicAl therAPist kArlA hAnson, Occupational Therapist Terri Sellers and Occupational Therapy Assistant Laura Crooks have been certified to administer LSVT BIG therapy techniques. It is a research-based exercise approach in which therapists work with Parkinson’s patients in an intensive, whole body amplitude-based training.

“The emphasis is to have a Parkinson’s patient make bigger movements during his or her exercise routine and every day activities,” said Sellers.

“While it may feel odd at first, the bigger movements teach the patient’s brain the amount of effort required to produce normal movements.”

Research has documented improved ratings on tests of motor functioning for Parkinson’s disease patients following treatment, including faster walking with bigger steps, improved balance and increased trunk rotation. These changes can help improve self-care abilities, such as dressing, showering and grooming as well as improve leisure activities.

“Research indicates patients with Parkinson’s should not wait until they begin to experience disability, impaired functioning or loss of balance to start the program,” said Hanson.

Treatment consists of 16 one-hour sessions, four consecutive days a week for four weeks. Patients will also have daily homework practice and daily carryover exercises.

For more information on how you or a loved one may benefit from Parkinson’s therapy or any other rehab service, please visit www.brookingshealth.org/therapy or call (605) 696-8821.

4

brookingshealth.org

Making a Difference in Peoples’ LivesFormer SDSU First Lady Elizabeth Berg of Brookings knows

how local, high-quality health care makes a difference in

people’s lives, both as a patient and as a family member.

elizABeth And her husBAnd, the late Sherwood Berg who served as president of South Dakota State University from 1975 to 1984, believed in receiving health care locally. While they were world travelers who lived in such places as Yugoslavia, Denmark, and Indonesia, they thought they found the best health care right in their backyard.

“Sherwood and I both felt Brookings had a high quality medical situation with the clinic, doctors and hospital,” said Elizabeth. “The hospital is first-rate and very well managed. We trusted the doctors and put our confidence in them.”

The Bergs put faith in that trust on the occasions when Sherwood was hospitalized, including two bouts with pneumonia. As a family member, Elizabeth appreciated the comfort the health care professionals provided her husband.

“The staff was not only professional and personable, but they were willing to chat and make the patient feel comfortable. They took an interest in the patient,” said Elizabeth.

She had a similar experience herself when she spent time in the hospital for a fractured pelvis. She had nightmares of falling, and after the dreams, the staff would reassure and comfort her. In addition, the care team showed

compassion regarding her pain and helped her to control it. The therapy providers also helped her recuperate and regain her strength for a return to home.

Elizabeth was impressed with her care from the staff again when she faced another emergency.

“I remember being in the ER and how quickly they arranged for tests and X-rays,” she said.

Her physician referred her to a specialist from Sioux Falls who was seeing patients in Brookings that day. He quickly assessed her situation in the morning and determined she needed surgery to manage her condition. After lunch she underwent an operation at Brookings Health System’s hospital, allowing her healing to begin.

In addition to hospital services, Elizabeth and Sherwood received services from Brookings Health System’s home health agency. While initially home health providers visited to help Sherwood, they also looked out for Elizabeth as his care provider.

“They were more helpful than they needed to be,” said Elizabeth. “The home health nurse was there for Sherwood, but she still helped make a doctor appointment for me.”

From the ER to surgery to inpatient care to therapy and home health, every aspect of local care the Bergs received from Brookings Health System aided them on the path to healing.

Want to learn more about the health care services

offered locally at Brookings Health System? Visit

www.brookingshealth.org.

Elizabeth Berg with her late husband, Sherwood

5

summer 2014

in 2009, teresA wAs diAgnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In 2011, she received a bone marrow transplant at Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls. Because of the transplant, Teresa needed to receive daily magnesium infusions. That fall, she received her infusions locally in Brookings, an advantage for Teresa since travel was difficult during her recovery.

“The healing process takes a lot of energy. It’s quite exhausting,” said Teresa. “It does help to be able to do things close to home rather than always running to a bigger medical facility.”

During the week, the Avera Medical Group clinic administered her infusions, and on weekends she went to Brookings Health System’s outpatient therapy area. Each infusion took four hours and could tire Teresa. She was grateful for a 10 minute trip to recuperate in the comfort of home after each treatment as opposed to an hour drive.

Now that Teresa is in remission, she needs to have a therapeutic phlebotomy procedure performed monthly, a process which removes a unit of blood from her body to help maintain normal iron levels within her system. Her physician works with Brookings Health System’s laboratory to setup standing, monthly orders. Once a month, Teresa calls the laboratory to setup an appointment for her treatment when it’s convenient for her.

“The staff is so friendly,” said Teresa. “They’re all very committed to helping patients in the healing process.”

Convenient Local Care

This summer, Teresa Binkley of Brookings will celebrate

three years being cancer free. The local health professionals

at Brookings Health System helped care for her along her

journey and also work with her physician in Sioux Falls to make

recovery convenient for her.

The laboratory staff has come to know Teresa very well through her monthly appointments. According to Teresa, whoever helps with her procedure always stays and visits. She values the friendly relationship she has built up with the laboratory staff.

Brookings Health System’s laboratory shares results of Teresa’s monthly blood work with her doctor in Sioux Falls. In addition, her doctor sends orders for routine telemedicine visits. She connects with her doctor by video at Brookings Health System an hour after her test results are completed.

“As long as I am doing well, there is no need for me to travel all the way to Sioux Falls to have my doctor tell me everything is good,” said Teresa. “So this service saves time and travel expenses for me.”

Teresa believes she will eventually no longer need to receive therapeutic phlebotomy or do telemedicine consults with her physician. She hopes to reach the magic five-year mark of being cancer free. But until then, she’s grateful for the high quality care and medical services she receives locally at Brookings Health System.

Want to learn more about Teresa’s experience at Brookings Health System? Visit www.brookingshealth.org/Teresa or scan the QR code with your phone to watch a video.

6

brookingshealth.org

Transitions

Navigating the transition from hospital

discharge to other care settings can be

challenging, especially for Medicare

patients. As part of a national effort to

reduce readmissions, the Centers for

Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

provided funding to support the

formation of care transitions

coalitions in every state.

coalition co-chair. The coalition concentrates on gaps that are unique to our community. “By identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing changes the coalition is able to positively impact the patient’s transition from one health care setting to another,” Fraser said.

Several sub-committees have been established to increase focus on priority areas. The clinic sub-

appointments are also scheduled for patients prior to discharge. Several days after the patient returns home, a care transitions nurse telephones them to check in and answer any questions.

“The discharge call allows continued guidance and support after discharge,” said Care Transitions Nurse Linda Gilbertson. “It provides a point-of-contact which helps to build a patient’s confidence in managing their health at home.”

Often a patient’s medications may change after a hospital stay. The medication reconciliation sub-committee is working to improve medication teaching at discharge and communication of medications to clinic providers after hospitalization. At discharge, a pharmacist meets with each patient to review the discharge medication list and ensure

in south dAkotA, funding was provided to Yankton, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City. Seeing the potential benefit for their communities, Brookings and Pierre volunteered to participate in the effort to improve care transitions as well. The work of these coalitions is facilitated by the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care.

Brookings Health System is one of a dozen facilities in Brookings and the surrounding area that participates in the Brookings Community Care Transition Coalition. The Brookings coalition, formed in November 2012, has approximately 24 members that participate in on-going coalition efforts. Members work together to improve transitions of care between different health care settings including hospital, home health, nursing home, assisted living, and clinic. The overall goal of the care transitions coalition is to reduce unnecessary readmissions to the hospital.

WorksCommunity Works Together to ImproveTransitions of Care

““Working closely with area health care facilities allows us to extend patient care past the point of discharge.

“Working closely with area health care facilities allows us to extend patient care past the point of discharge,” said Tammy Fraser,

committee is working on transitions between hospital discharge and the clinic follow-up appointment. Interventions to enhance the discharge process at the hospital have been implemented to ensure patients have a solid understanding of their discharge instructions and medications before they return home. Clinic follow-up

understanding of the medications prescribed. The discharge medication list is also provided to the patient’s clinic doctor so the most current information is available to the provider at the follow-up appointment.

If you are interested in working to improve transitions of care in Brookings, contact Tammy Fraser at (605) 696-7734 for more information on becoming a coalition member.

-Tammy Fraser

summer 2014

7

Starting June 30, patients at Brookings Health System will be

able to manage their care wherever they are thanks to the new

MyHealth patient portal.

Brookings heAlth system’s myheAlth PortAl will give patients who have been seen at Brookings Health System secure, online access to their personal health information. It will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week wherever there is an internet connection.

Sign up for the New MYHealth Portal!

Access to MyHealth will be free to patients and portal registration will be quick and simple.

1. Starting June 30, go to www.brookingshealth.org/MyHealth.

2. Click the Patient Portal Registration button.3. Follow the onscreen directions and fill in the requested

information, including a username, password, e-mail address,two security questions, name, date of birth and the patient code given to you by Brookings Health System. If you do not have a patient code, you can request one by calling Brookings Health System’s Medical Health Information department at (605) 696-8000.

4. Grant release consent and verify your information.

The MyHealth portal will contain a patient’s most recent hospital records from 2012 to the present. It will help patients become active in managing their own health care.

To sign up for the MyHealth patient portal starting on June 30, visit www.brookingshealth.org/MyHealth.

MyHealth will allow patients to:

• View, print and securely e-mail their medical record to their care provider

• Manage upcoming appointments• Access discharge instructions• Update their personal health information and

manage their medical history• Provide secure access of their medical record to

family members

300 Twenty-Second AvenueBrookings, SD 57006

This is arecyclable product.

Inspiring Health is published by Brookings Health System. This publication in no way seeks to serve as substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.