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A Community Win for All

Submitted by emily.griffin on

You can feel confident in choosing your healthcare close to home, right here in Southeastern Ohio. Your community hospital is one of the top 100 in the nation. 

According to Fortune Magazine and Merative, a data, analytics and technology partner for the health industry, Genesis HealthCare System is top among its peers for excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience and overall financial health. 

Merative, formerly IBM Watson Health, established the list to help identify best practices that may help other healthcare organizations achieve consistent, balanced and sustainable high performance. 

Merative has identified the top hospitals from a rigorous evaluation of 2,650 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals in the U.S. 

Winning the top award despite COVID-19 challenges 

For more than two years, we have been working as a community to battle COVID-19. We were in good company with every other health system in the nation. Challenges included the virus, supply and business disruptions and workforce shortages. Those challenges make this year’s 100 Top Hospitals list, based on 2020 data, unlike any other in the study’s 28-year history. 

“Recognition as one of the Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals demonstrates Genesis’ ongoing commitment to prioritizing patient-centered care.” -Scott Wegner, M.D. Chief Medical Officer, Genesis HealthCare System 

Quality measures reflect high performance 

According to the Merative study, when compared to similar hospitals, Genesis had better results on key clinical and operational performance indicators. These include survival rates, patient complications, healthcare-associated infections, 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital-wide readmission rates, length of stay, throughput in emergency departments, inpatient expenses and ratings from patients. 

Community health measures 

The Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list also incorporates a community health measure into its ranking process. 

Hospitals were surveyed across three components: 

  • Assessing hospital contributions to community health as a provider of critical services for community health and preventive care. 
  • Identifying ways that hospitals contribute to community health as a community partner by teaming up with local organizations to implement critical programs. 
  • Focusing on ways that hospitals promote community health through their practices as anchor institutions supporting local economic and social progress. The community health measure is weighted equally with other ranking measures. 

Genesis also won the prestigious Everest Award 

The Everest Award winners are a special group of the 100 Top Hospitals award winners that, in addition to achieving benchmark status for one year, have simultaneously set national benchmarks for the fastest long-term improvement on a national balanced scorecard. In 2022, Genesis was one of only 25 organizations to achieve this level of performance. 

Frontline employees drive quality and safety 

The High-Reliability Patient Safety Council and the Care Coordination Council empower frontline workers to implement best practices once they determine solutions to issues. Standardizing care has led to efficiencies and a higher quality of care. 

Epic, Genesis’ electronic medical record system, has propelled the health system forward by enabling the power to track results and then develop evidenced-based practices based on the scenario. 

What if all hospitals were of the highest quality? 

Based on comparisons between the 100 Top Hospitals study winners and a peer group of similar hospitals that were not winners, it was reported that if all hospitals performed at the level of this year’s winners: 

  • Over 104,000 additional lives could be saved in-hospital 
  • Over 55,000 additional patients could be complication-free 
  • Over $12.5 billion in inpatient costs could be saved 
  • The typical patient could be released from the hospital almost a half-day sooner 
  • Over 18,600 fewer discharged patients would be readmitted within 30 days 

The national award and the Everest Award are based on a set of measures that reflect performance across the whole organization. 

Using independent public data and proprietary analytics, the 100 Top Hospitals study recognizes hospitals that have clearly demonstrated top performance in care, efficiency and community value. 

Learn more at genesishcs.org/top100. 

Genesis Top 100 LiveWell

Genesis is a Top 100 Hospital in the nation.

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A Letter from our President and CEO | LiveWell Autumn 2022

Submitted by emily.griffin on

Recently, Fortune Magazine/Merative named Genesis a 100 Top Hospital for 2022. In addition, we were awarded the Everest Award, one of only 25 organizations selected from the 100 Top Hospital list recognized as achieving the fastest rate of improvement over the past five years. Although Genesis won these awards, this achievement would never have been possible without you, our patients, your families, local businesses and the community. In short, this achievement belongs to our whole community. 

Without your trust in our exceptional doctors and professional team members, we would not be performing at this high national level. 

We have spent the last quarter of a century listening to your needs and doing all we can to meet and surpass them. We have used your support to recruit the best physician teams. We have recruited the best physicians and team for the cancer center, heart doctors who perform innovative surgeries and other surgeons who excel in minimally invasive procedures that, in some instances, enable patients to return home the same day of their procedure. Learn more about the newest group of physicians to join Genesis starting on page 4. 

Your feedback and support also drove us to establish a culture where we constantly pursue clinical excellence, continually seek better options for treatment and find creative ways to impact community health. Learn more about these initiatives in our special 25th-anniversary section within this magazine. 

As significant as anything, you have trusted us with your health. Within this issue, you can learn how Diane Wills trusted us to help her overcome cancer and 

how Belinda Hohman came to us to improve the quality of her life with a knee replacement. 

In summation, your support and decision to choose Genesis positioned us to grow, improve and reach a level worthy of nationwide recognition. 

We thank you and wish you good health. 

Matthew J. Perry

President & CEO

 

A Community Win 

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Spotlight on Kinan Kassar, M.D.

Submitted by emily.griffin on

“One of the nice things about interventional cardiology is you can see the impact instantaneously on patients’ lives. When I open a closed artery during a heart attack or place a new valve and watch the pressure decrease, I know I made a difference,” said Kinan Kassar, M.D., who joined the Genesis Heart & Vascular Group in July, specializing in interventional cardiology. 

Cardiology is continually being divided into specialties. Dr. Kassar said the availability of a cardiologist locally with training in different areas, such as interventions, structural heart and imaging, is important. A cardiologist must be able to look a patient’s condition as a whole and interpret data to determine the best treatment plan. 

“Patient management here is about prescribing medications and helping our patients have access to them,” Dr. Kassar said. He also said it’s essential to counsel patients to help them make healthier choices. 

Part of the care includes utilizing Genesis’ advanced technology or finding innovative ways to use existing technology. “Computed tomography has been used to image the body for decades but is new for the coronary field,” Dr. Kassar said. “It’s a valuable tool for physicians to investigate coronary artery disease in low to moderate risk patients complaining of angina.” 

Dr. Kassar said computed tomography also helps determines a patient’s cardiovascular risk and guides preventative measures through coronary calcium scoring. Additionally, CT scan imaging has become the most important method for planning certain procedures. 

Dr. Kassar’s experience practicing medicine in Syria made him mindful of certain aspects of patient care, including how socioeconomic status, access to healthy food and other challenges affect medication compliance. 

“Interventional cardiology requires a full understanding of the patient’s condition,” Dr. Kassar said. “Multidisciplinary decision-making and collaboration between specialties create the best treatment plan,” he said. 

Following a workday, Dr. Kassar usually rides his bike or runs. “Spending time outdoors helps me recharge for the next exciting day in the cath lab,” he said. 

Dr. Kassar’s office is in the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute, 955 Bethesda Drive, First Floor, Zanesville. His phone number is 740-454-0804. Dr. Kassar is accepting new patients by physician referral. 

Doctor of Medicine: 

University of Damascus, Damascus, Syria 

Residency in Internal Medicine: 

West Penn Alleghany Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Fellowships: 

Cardiology, interventional and structural cardiology at West Penn Alleghany Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Board-certified: 

The American Board of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, the National Board of Echocardiography, Cardiovascular Computed Tomography Board Exam and the Nuclear Cardiology Board Exam 

KINAN KASSAR, M.D.

Interventional Cardiology 

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Student Nurse Intern Program

Submitted by Kyle.Norton on
Abstract

The Student Nurse Intern Program provides R.N. nursing students with the opportunity to gain experience, learn and practice new skills during hands-on patient care. Under the direct supervision of an R.N., the student nurse intern will apply their classroom knowledge in a healthcare setting. The position provides clinical exposure to skills and knowledge for their respective clinical areas of study.

Breast Cancer Feedback Leads to Fewer Worries

When Kelly Ashby went for a routine OB/GYN appointment in March 2022, her mammogram showed an abnormality. There was a mass on her left breast, which worried her. 

“I thought, oh, no,” said Kelly. 

She had previously needed mammograms every six months instead of annually due to her medical history. “The waiting was always the hardest part. I’m so grateful to Genesis for reducing the time,” said Kelly. 

Her doctor told her to go to Genesis Imaging for a follow-up. She was able to get an appointment for the next day. 

An ultrasonographer did an ultrasound to examine the abnormality. Kelly thought that following the ultrasound, she would be released and wait for the doctor to call. However, the technician told her she wasn’t done. 

Immediate explanations 

“Dr. Lafferty came to see me during that appointment,” said Kelly. 

Peter Lafferty, M.D., Board-certified Diagnostic Radiologist with Riverside Radiology and Interventinonal Associates (RRIA) at Genesis said, “Everyone who has a follow-up exam is seen by a radiologist who reads the results for the patient right then.” 

This is one of the ways Genesis continues to make improvements. In 2021, Genesis brought in RRIA, a LucidHealth Company, to provide breast imaging services. This means that radiologists play a key role in patient care and interact with each patient who has a diagnostic mammogram follow-up. This enables patients to talk to their radiologist while still at their appointment and not go home wondering about the results. 

“LucidHealth’s program compresses the time frame for screenings and results,” said Dr. Lafferty. “When we interact with patients directly, we’re able to discuss results, follow-up tests, care plans or guidance.” 

“I left feeling incredible. Usually, when you leave, you wait and worry,” said Kelly. “I received quality, compassionate care at Genesis without needing to travel elsewhere.” 

Screenings make a difference 

Regular screenings are now easier than ever, and are still important. Genesis makes it as easy as possible. The goal is to have a patient in and out of a routine screening in 15 minutes. 

“The American College of Radiology feels that breast screenings have led to a reduction in mortality rates,” said Dr. Lafferty. “On average, there has been a 1% reduction every year for the past three decades. “Screenings can help catch pre-clinical breast cancer, which doesn’t show up in a physical breast exam. Screenings and exams by physicians andpatients are key to catching cancer at the earliest possible stage.”

Learn more at genesishcs.org/cancer. 

Kelly Ashby

Screenings make a difference.

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Injections Help Cervical Dystonia Patient

In 2012, Bernie Schubach was diagnosed with cervical dystonia. The painful attacks left his neck scrunched and made it difficult to do basic tasks. Bernie said, “It’s physically tiring when cervical dystonia isn’t properly treated. I had to use a lot more energy. There was also a social stigma that came with it. When my neck scrunched, it left my head tilted.” 

Cervical dystonia is the result of abnormal muscle tone. Your central nervous system suppresses your muscle tone, but when the signal your brain sends to the muscle gets disrupted, it can cause erratic muscle firing. That means the muscle will hurt even if you didn’t do anything. With cervical dystonia, it’s specifically the muscles in your neck that hurt. 

Bernie’s neurologist at the time recommended he get Botox injections to help with the attacks. Since then, he has received injections every three months. 

While cervical dystonia is not curable, Botox injections are a way to keep attacks at bay. 

“When my neurologist left, they couldn’t find anyone else to do the injections for me. That’s when I started seeing Dr. Wang. I liked that he used EMG guidance. My previous neurologist didn’t use it,” said Bernie. 

Providing precision care 

“At Genesis, we use electromyographic (EMG) guidance for Botox injections. This allows us to find the muscle firing abnormally and inject the Botox directly into it,” said Even Wang, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Neurologist at the Genesis Neuroscience Center. 

“Genesis is great because it’s not too far away. I live in New Albany,” Bernie said. “The team at Genesis makes it easy to get the care I need. I’ve never had a problem with refills, and they’re always helpful with reimbursement for the Botox Savings Program. It’s very convenient.” 

“Botox helps manage cervical dystonia, but it can also help with spasticity, post-stroke care and migraines,” Dr. Wang said. “It’s important to know that Botox and cosmetic fillers are different. Botox injections use botulinum toxins. While Botox is used to reduce wrinkles, it works by blocking the signal between the nerve and the muscle. This causes the muscle to relax and helps with attacks. Fillers add volume to the injected area but don’t have the same medical effect. 

“Bernie has been doing great, and the Botox injections have helped him be stable,” said Dr. Wang. 

Bernie’s life is easier with the Botox injections. He loves to go on bike rides with his wife Jaime. Bernie and Jaime have a full house. “We have two kids, three dogs and three birds,” Bernie said. “Botox injections have helped reduce the energy it took for me to perform basic tasks.” 

 Learn more at genesishcs.org/neurosciences. 

Bernie Schubach

Patient receives precise care from the team at the Genesis Neuroscience Center.

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Genesis Made My Cancer Treatment Easy

By Diane Wills

 

When I had difficulty swallowing earlier this year, I brushed it off. My neck would swell a little and then go back down. I thought it was a thyroid issue. 

Then, it got worse. 

I started choking on food. Pills started getting wedged in my throat. I knew I had to make an appointment with my primary care provider. When he examined my throat, he referred me to an ear, nose and throat doctor. 

On April 15, I got a CAT scan, which led to a biopsy that revealed lymphoma. I was referred to Dr. Bastola and saw him on April 22. I was so grateful for how quickly Genesis responded. 

I was scared to death going into the appointment, and when they asked me to rate my stress level from 1 to 10, I said “10.” Dr. Bastola told me the biopsy showed non-Hodgkin’s diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and it was aggressive. By aggressive, he meant the cells divided rapidly. The good news was, as it was aggressive it would respond well to chemo. I felt so relieved. 

Nurse Navigator Annette Barr immediately had the necessary tests completed. I received the results from the blood work and echocardiogram the same day. I was impressed I received my test results so quickly. 

Six days later, I started chemo. 

I had seen the Genesis Cancer Care Center from Maple Avenue for years. My husband and I always thought it seemed nice, but we hoped never to have to use it. 

Yet, on April 28, I was ready to start my first round of chemo. Everyone was so nice and welcoming, from the receptionists to the nurses. I felt good just walking into the center. 

Three days after my first round of chemo, the Cancer Care Center staff called to check on me. I told the nurse I could no longer feel the mass in my throat. 

In the three weeks between rounds of chemo, I recovered at home. I was extremely fatigued for a few days, then I‘d feel better … and then we’d start the cycle over. Through it all, I had a great support system in my family and friends, the team at the Cancer Care Center and God. Before I was diagnosed, I routinely went to a local workout facility with my husband, and I think that helped with the side effects. 

Dr. Bastola initially thought I’d do six rounds of chemo, but the PET (positron emission tomography) scan after my third round was clear of cancer cells. He said we’d have to do one more round of chemo to make sure the cancer was gone. 

“I was in good hands from start to finish.” 

At the end of June, after my fourth round of chemo, I went back to Dr. Bastola. He told me I was in remission. I was amazed at how quickly the cancer went away, and I was so grateful to Dr. Bastola that I hugged him and cried. 

Now, I feel great. I’m taking life day by day. I’m spending time with Dave, my husband of 51 years, my two children, five grandchildren and my first great- grandchild. I was very careful during chemo, but I’m spending time with my friends again. At the end of July, I went back to the gym for the first time since chemo. I started slowly, but I’m building my strength back up. 

I could not be more grateful for the care I received. Knowing I had cancer was terrifying, but Dr. Bastola and the Cancer Care Center team made my treatment feel easy. I went in with a positive attitude and prayers, and God was with me every step of the way. I was in good hands from start to finish. 

Learn more at genesishcs.org/cancer.

By Diane Wills

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Pain-Free for the First Time in Years

When Belinda Hohman was 16, she tore her meniscus playing softball. She had surgery, and they took cartilage out of her knee. In the years after, she suffered a lot of pain. 

“Belinda had degenerative osteoarthritis, which is the medical term for age-related wear and tear that naturally happens in most people,” said Corey A. Jackson, D.O., Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon at the Genesis Orthopedic Center. “The fact that her knee was missing its shock absorber sped up that process.” 

“I stopped traveling in 2017 because I felt like I was holding my family back by not being able to keep up with them,” Belinda said. “I was scared to death to have a knee surgery, so I tried other methods.” 

She took over-the-counter medicine, but that didn’t stop the pain. She received steroid injections, but that didn’t stop the pain. She tried a gel injection. She went to physical therapy. She lost weight. No solutions were permanent. Eventually, she started meeting with orthopedic surgeons. 

“There was no question that I wanted Genesis to treat me. My daughter was delivered there. They’ve given my mom nine lives.”  

Dr. Jackson cared 

When she met Dr. Jackson, she knew he was the one for her. “I told him about my fears and cried, but he was very kind and patient. He listened to me. I felt that he really cared about what I had to say,” she said. “He’s the kind of person who tells it like it is. I felt safe and knew I could finally do this.” 

Dr. Jackson showed her the pieces that he would place in her knee. “With a standard knee replacement like Belinda’s, I remove all of the arthritis in the knee and replace it with metal and polyethylene, which is a medical-grade plastic,” he said. 

When the time came to go into surgery, Belinda was still scared, but she knew she was in capable hands. “The surgery went smoothly,” Dr. Jackson said. “I used a GPS navigation system, which is essentially a video camera attached to a computer constantly looking at her knee during surgery. This helped make the knee replacement as perfect as possible.” 

After the surgery, nurses and physical therapists helped her walk short distances during her stay in the hospital. “It was too painful to walk up the stairs before my surgery, and less than a day out of surgery, I was walking stairs again,” said Belinda. 

Returning to a full life without pain 

In the weeks after surgery, she went to physical therapy at Genesis’ New Concord location. “I had a team of three people – Kyle, Jennifer and Jackie – who were truly awesome,” said Belinda. “It was hard work, but they pushed and encouraged me.” 

In four weeks, Belinda was cleared to drive again. In six weeks, she was fully cleared to return to work. “I’ve been working in education for 43 years. I love what I do,” she said. 

“Belinda is doing exceptionally well,” said Dr. Jackson. 

Belinda is thrilled to be able to spend time and travel with her family again, including her daughter and granddaughter. 

“The bottom line is that Dr. Jackson and his team have given me my life back,” said Belinda. “When the time comes to get the other knee done, I know I’ll pick up the phone and be ready for surgery.” 

Learn more at genesishcs.org/orthopedic. 

Belinda Hohman

Knee surgery was the right answer

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Weighing In on Zero-Calorie Drinks

Submitted by emily.griffin on

Weighing in on zero-calorie drinks. Do benefits sound too sweet to be true? 

To cut calories, many people switch to sipping on zero-calorie beverages. More than a quick trend, this phenomenon changes consumer markets and impacts personal health. In fact, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey says 28% of US adults now drink no/low-calorie sweet drinks daily. Are the benefits of drinking zero-calorie drinks too sweet to be true? Will cutting out the calories really cut down our weight? 

Turns out, the answers aren’t cut and dry – they’re more mixed and bubbly, like many of the beverages themselves.  

Beverage companies make low-to-no calorie thirst-quenchers by knocking sugar from the ingredient list. Instead, calorie free artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, cyclamates and saccharin enhance the drinks. While decreasing sugar consumption is a great idea, the new artificial sweetening ingredients may come with their own sour effects. For example, researchers in Europe investigated 56 studies examining artificial sweeteners’ link with cancers, kidney problems, cardiovascular disease, mood and brain function, blood sugar, oral health and more. Unfortunately, after exhaustive analysis, the researchers lacked conclusive results and recommend further, long-term studies. 

Could zero calories now add up to big calories later?

Another worry is that artificially sweetened drinks stir up cravings for more sweetness. For example, a 2021 study found women and people with obesity experienced an increase in cravings and appetite-stimulating effects after consuming sugar substitutes. Interestingly, men and people with healthy weights didn’t react the same. Research on this finding continues to roll forth to discover if zero calorie sodas leads to consuming other foods and drinks, thereby increasing weight.  

Tipping the scales (in a good way!) with a soda switch.  

For individuals who drink large amounts of sodas, the zero-calorie alternative offers a big draw. Consider a person who drinks two 12-ounce cans of regular soda at 140 calories per can a day. By switching to a zero-calorie beverage, the person would drink 8,400 fewer calories during a month’s time – and that’s enough to lose nearly 2.5 lbs. Mathematically, the benefits add up.  

 

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

woman drinking soda

To cut calories, many people switch to sipping on zero-calorie beverages. More than a quick trend, this phenomenon changes consumer markets and impacts personal health.

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