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ngaVAILEYHOSPITAL

CheckU~Vol. 6, No. 18

Educational NurseSpecialist ReceivesNightingale Award

"Even though my chances of winning were onein three, they seemed like one in a million.When they called my name, everyone at thetable began yelling and clapping. I jumped outof my chair and ran up to the stage to acceptmy award. "Daniele Shollenberger, MSN, RN, aneducational nurse specialist at LehighValley Hospital, is recalling her reaction tothe honor accorded her by the NightingaleAwards of Pennsylvania.

Hailing her as "a role model and mentorfor nursing students who epitomizes caringand dedication," the foundation presented

• IN THIS ISSUEPAGE1 • Nightingale Award Winner1 • CEOStudy Published2 • Pediatric Specialist3 • Mission to Madagascar6 • AIDS Office Gets Grant7 • Health Plan Claims

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December 22. 1993

her with its annual award for nursingeducation.

Shollenberger, who has been employed atthe hospital since 1980, instructs nurses inthe hospital's critical care courses and otherformal education programs. She alsoteaches basic and advanced cardiac lifesupport and helps provide communityblood pressure screenings. In addition, shehas presented papers at national nursingconferences and co-authored chapters ongastrointestinal disorders for SpringhousePublications.Each year, the Nightingale organizationaccepts nominees for awards from virtuallyevery healthcare organization in the state.It then selects 18 finalists in six categoriesincluding licensed practical nursing, regis-tered nursing, advanced practice,administration, education and research. Sixaward recipients are chosen from thefinalists.

Also nominated from Lehigh ValleyHospi-tal were Karen Landis, MSN, RN,pulmonary clinical nurse specialist; AnitaAmbler, RN, staff nurse, post-anesthesiacare unit; and Barbara Moyer, MSN, RN,nursing education. Landis was named afinalist in the advanced clinical practicecategory.

CEO Study PublishedA study co-authored by Elliot). Sussman,MD, and published by the New EnglandJournal of Medicine has received nationalmedia coverage .The Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune,Philadelphia Inquirer and other majorpublications have outlined the study whichconcludes that efforts to reduce spendingon Medicaid have resulted in less care forthe poor than for patients insured by fee-for-service insured or HMO plans.

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Pediatric PulmonologistHelping Children Breathe Easier

Lehigh Valley Hospital's newest pediatricspecialist is Robert Walker Miller, MD,director, pediatric pulmonary medicine.Miller brings special expertise in the diag-nosis and treatment of children with acuteand chronic respiratory conditions such asreactive airways disease, recurrent pneumo-nia, complex asthma and cystic fibrosis. Heemphasizes home care services, particularlycaring for children who are "technologydependent" such as those on home ventila-tors. Patient and family education are animportant part of his practice.

CheckUp is a biweeklyemployee publication ofLehigh Valley Hospjtel,Public Relations, 1243S.Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown,PA 18103.Interoffice mailsubmissions should beaddressed to 1243SCC-PR.For additional information,call extension 3000. LehighValley Hospital is an equalopportunity employer.M/F/DN

CEO Study Published(from page 1)

The findings support the premise of currenthealthcare reform that managed care optionssuch as HMOs provide the most appropriatetreatment for patients.

Sussman co-authored the five-year study withKenneth M. Langa, PhD, of the University ofChicago's Pritzker School of Medicine andHarris Graduate School of Public Policy.

Retrospective research was conducted on therecords of 140,000 patients with ischemicheart disease (clogged coronary arteries) innon-federal hospitals in California during theyears 1983, 1985 and 1988. The purpose ofthe study was to determine if the Medicaidcost-containment policies implemented inCalifornia in 1983 would affect levels oftreatment.

Miller received his medical degree fromTemple University Medical School, Phila-delphia, and pediatric residency training atthe State University of New York (SUNY)Health Science Center, Syracuse, NewYork, before completing a three-yearfellowship in Pulmonary Medicine atChildren's National Medical Center,Washington, D.C. From 1984 to 1993,Miller served as director, Pediatric Pulmo-nary Center and co-director, RobertSchwartz Cystic Fibrosis Center at SUNYHealth Science Center.

Because respiratory problems account formany pediatric admissions to the hospital,Miller works closely with other children'shealth specialists in the hospital's newbornnursery, neonatal intensive care unit andinpatient pediatric unit. Other pediatricspecialists affiliated with Lehigh ValleyHospital provide service in: allergy, ear-nose-throat, cardiology, surgery,rheumatology, endocrinology, genetics,neurology, behavioral pediatrics, pediatricsurgery and child and adolescent psychiatry.

Although federal and state laws prohibitdiscrimination against patients with differenttypes of health insurance, the disparity in theuse of appropriate medical procedures forMedicaid patients compared with those withfee-for-service or HMO insurance rosesubstantially during the five-year period.

Sussman and Langa found that with greateremphasis on cost-containment, decisionsabout whether or not to provide certain typesof care became more and more stronglyassociated with a patient's insurance status.

Although others have noted the discrepancyof services between privately insured andMedicaid patients, this was the first study tolook at the growth of the disparity over time.

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A Mission ToMadagascarGood things may come to those who wait,but a little initiative often produces equallypositive and more immediate results.

Sometimes, all it takes is a few phone callsaccording to Tamar Earnest, MD, a traumasurgeon at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Recently, Dr. Earnest was contacted by Dr.Jennifer Marler, a surgical resident at BrownUniversity Medical School, who was plan-ning to continue her post-doctoral trainingin Madagascar.

Dr. Marler had been granted approval byher program director to train with Dr.Marlene Long, a plastic and reconstructivesurgeon caring for lepers and bum victimson the island off the southeast coast ofAfrica.

Marler learned about Long's work in anarticle published in the Association ofWomen Surgeons' newsletter. Earnest ispast president of the organization.

During the course of their conversation,Marler told Earnest of her efforts to obtaina dermatome and a skin mesher, devicesused to remove skin grafts and stretch thehealthy tissue to cover more of the body'saffected areas.

One of the manufacturer's Marler contactedoffered to lend her a dermatome free-of-charge and sell her a skin mesher belowcost.

Department of the MonthThe Recreation Committee salutes Lab-Information Services (LIS) as theDepartment of the Month for December.LIS operates with a staff of 21 people splitbetween Cedar Crest & 1-78 and 17th &Chew. The department has had majorchanges in its work process since the adventof the PHAMIS LASlWORD system andlaboratory order entry.

Day-to-day activities include monitoringinformation transactions sent by PHAMISLASTWORD to the laboratory computer

"Maybe we can do better than that," Ear-nest told her colleague and promptly calledthe hospital's Operating Room.

The staff referred her to Dominick Pistonea sales representative for Zimmer-Randall 'Associates, who just happened to be deliver-ing equipment to the OR when she called.

"I ran over to meet with him and explain thesituation," Earnest recalls.

That was Friday at noon. At 3 p.m., Pistonecalled to tell her that he and his associateMark Randall would cover the costs of adermatome for Dr. Marler's use. TheZimmer corporate offices in Indiana agreedto donate the skin mesher.

"We were glad to do it, " says Pistone."Over the years, we've worked with manysurgeons who do mission work in poor andunderdeveloped countries. Some of theequipment available to them is almostprimitive by today's standards. "

The dermatome and skin mesher as well assupplies provided by the hospital wereshipped to Marler in Rhode Island. Lastweek, she flew to Madagascar aboard DeltaAirlines and Air France, which waived theextra freight charges to transport theequipment.

"It was a miracle that it all came together,"says the aptly named Dr. Earnest.

But, then, it's the seasonfor it.

system; placing orders into the lab com-puter system; labeling specimens anddistributing them to the appropriatedepartments; giving outpatient results asneeded; and printing patient reports.

The department is also responsible formaintaining and sustaining the LIS data-base, laboratory-related tables onLASTWORD and all related hardware.

Congratulations to the US Departmentfor a job well done!

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HR Development Information• Hospital OrientationThe next hospital orientation will begin at8 a.m. at Cedar Crest & 1-78 on Monday,Jan. 3 and an optional tour of both sites willbe held on Wednesday, Jan. 5 beginningat 1p.m. at 17th & Chew and 2:30 p.m. atCedar Crest & 1-78.

• CPR CertificationCPR Certification, for which pre-registra-tion is required, will be held in two parts,and attendance is required for both. Part 1will be held Tuesday, Jan. 18 from 9 tonoon in room 900, School of Nursing,

Symposia ReminderThe next topics of the Regional SymposiumSeries were announced by Human ResourceDevelopment. They will be held in theauditorium at Cedar Crest & 1-78. Addi-tional information is availableby calling ext.4609. Update on Upper Extrtm;ty tmdCervical Spine Problems: A Primary Cart!Approach will be held Saturday, Dec. 4.Topics for the day include "Cervical SpinePain," "Shoulder Impingement," "ShoulderArthritis," "Elbow Tendonitis," "Elbow/Wrist Neuropathy," "WristlHandTenosynovitis." "Carpal Tunnel Syn-drome," "Osteoarthisits of the Wrist!Hand," "Upper ExtrernitylHand Tumors,"

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17th & Chew. Part II will be held Tuesday,Jan. 25 from 9 to noon, also in room 900,School of Nursing. To register, completeand return the appropriate form which isavailable on a monthly HRD calendar,outside HRD, room 1914, School ofNursing, 17th & Chew, or outside the HRbenefits area at Cedar Crest & 1-78.

• CPR RecertificationCPR Recertification will be held in the 24hour period beginning at 10 a.m. onWednesday, Jan. 26 in the Nursing Learn-ing Lab, 2nd floor, General ServicesBuilding, Cedar Crest & 1-78 .•

"Hand Infections," "Nail Bed and FingerInjuries" and "Upper ExtrernitylHandVascular Problems."Endocrinology Update will be held Satur-day,Jan. 8, 1994.Topics include "CurrentTreatment of Osteoporosis, " "A ClinicalApproach to Lumps in the Thyroid," "BestScreening Tests for Suspected EndocrineDisorders," "The Dcer Study: Its Find-ings and Message to Physicians Caring forPatients with Diabetes, Growth andDevelopment in Ages Five through theEnd of Puberty: Recognition of the Prob-lems and Development on the Horizon inthe Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes:Looking for a Cure." •

Medical Terminology CourseThe Human Resource DevelopmentDepartment is offering a Medical Termi-nology Course for all interested employ-ees. This concentrated course is basedon the textbook Medical Terminology: ASystems Approach by Gylys and Wedding.The course includes the basic principlesof medical word building that can beapplied to developing an extensive medi-cal vocabulary. The course involvesweekly quizzes, unit tests, and a final

exam. The fifteen week course startsThursday, January 20, 1994, and willbe held from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Schoolof Nursing Auditorium, Lehigh ValleyHospital, 17th & Chew. The cost of thecourse, including the textbook is $25.

Please call Tara Templet atext. 2430 for a registration formor additional information.

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Bulletin Board• RJIjJle WinnersThe NICU Parent Support Group wouldlike to thank everyone who participated intheir recent fundraising drive. Proceeds willgo toward the purchase of a Dinamap bloodpressure machine for the NICU at 17th &Chew. The seven members of the hospitalfamily who won prizes at the December 4drawing were:

Patty Horwath Allentown HiltonSki& Stay PackageBirchwood Resort3-daystayAvon Light-upSnowmanDinemate entertain-mentbookDinemate entertain-mentbookGift Certificate -CCCoconutsDinner - GoldenCorral Restaurant

Andrew Perkin

James Goodreau, MD

Ian Gertner, MD

Lenny Golub, MD

Norman Naverro

Terrri Pavlovcak

• GETFIT!!Do you have a few pounds to lose from toomuch holiday? If so, come join us forcombination aerobic and STEP classes,held at the School of Nursing. The follow-ing classes will begin January 3:

Mon.,Tues. & Thurs. 5:15 to 6 p.m.

Tues. & Thurs. 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.

For more information and registrationmaterials, please contact the HealthPromotion and Disease PreventionDepartment at 821-21S0.

• Spreading Holiday CheerThe Allentown Auxiliary of Lehigh ValleyHospital recently donated a completelydecorated tree to Outpatients Pediatrics at17th & Chew. The seven and a half foottree creates a wonderful atmosphere forthose using the Outpatient area.Thanks somuch to the Auxilians for the generousdonation.

• PEOPLEGerrianne Keiser, benefits counselor,Human Resources Department, recentlyreceived certification in Human Resourcesthrough Lehigh County CommunityCollege by completing courses in employeebenefits, recruitment and selection, trainingand development, employee relations andlabor law and employee compensation.

• Good SamaritansWe received the following letter in lateNovember from a visitor to our hospital.The letter shows that a lime bit of cus-tomer service-even in the parking lot-goesa long way. So, as one of our New Year'sresolutions, let's give every patient andvisitor to Lehigh Valley Hospital the bestcare possible.

To Whom It May Concern:Too often we do not take the time to writeto report the nice things your employees dofor others.

Tuesday, November 23, about 8 a.m., mycar gave out on your parking lot (E-3). Theyoung man attending the lot (located in thelime white station) immediately came to myrescue. What could have been a realhorrible experience for me was lightened upby the fact he immediately got in touchwith another young man; together theymanaged to get my car out of the way andparked in a safe place until the tow truckarrived. The fellows were right on targetwith their diagnosis - indeed, it was mytransmission. Even the young man whocame to clean up the mess (transmissionfluid allover the street-real danger) was areal comfort also. All in all, what couldhave been a real disaster was made easier bytheir concern and sympathy.

I just had to write about this. So often weare too busy to give credit where it is due.

Very truly yours,E'ImIUI J. Rumsey

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Employee ProgramsThe Health Promotion and Disease Preven-tion Department is offering the followingcourses:

SMOKING CESSATION HYPNOSIS-a one-time group session Kenneth Graham,PhD, Licensed PsychologistTuesday,Jim. 11, 7-8 p.m.Conference Room 5, Cedar Crest & I-78Tbursdlly, Feb. 17, 7-8 p.m.School of Nursing Auditorium, 17th & Chew

SMOKE STOPPERS- a five week groupprogram that helps smokers to neutralizetheir desire for tobacco through behaviorchange techniques, stress management andnutrition awareness.Wednesday,JIm. 12, 7-8 p.m.Classroom 2, Cedar Crest & I-78

ALL STRESSED UP AND NO WHERETO GO - a course emphasizing stressreduction techniquesWednesday,Jim. 12, 7-9 p.m.for five WednesdaysPresidents Room, Cedar Crest & I-78

For more information and to register, pleasecall the Health Promotion and DiseasePrevention Department at 821-2150.

Gift IdeasforSkiers and GolfersThe American Lung Association of theLehigh Valley (ALALV) is offering a pair ofgift ideas for the holiday season. You cangive skiers and golfers special passes thatadmit them to many of the most popularski slopes and golf courses in the area.

The ALALV Ski Privilege Pass, priced at$35,offers lift tickets for nearly 10 slopesand entitles the holder to ski all season forthe price of a one-day ticket at mostresorts.

AIDS Activities Office getsGrant from Pool Trust

Lehigh Valley Hospital's AIDS Activitiesoffice will receive over $304,000 in fundingfrom the Dorothy Rider Pool Health CareTrust during the next three years, Pooltrustees announced earlier this month.

The AIDS Activities office provides a compre-hensive array of medical, social and supportservices for people with HIV infection andtheir families. "The office focuses on keepingpatients healthier longer through earlierintervention, and on providing as much careas possible on an outpatient rather thaninpatient basis," said Pool Trust ExecutiveDirector Edward F. Meehan.Opened in 1988, the AIDS Activities officehas experienced growth in caseload of aboutfour new clients a month. The office had 46active cases in January of 1989, as comparedto 226 active cases in September 1993.

Perhaps the most significant accomplishmentof the AIDS Activities Office, according toAndy Geshan RN, MSW, the hospital'sdirector of Infection Control and AIDSActivities, is "the development and implemen-tation of a philosophy of HIV care wherebyHIV infection is viewed as a chronic diseasethat requires not only a partnership betweenthe patient and the care provider, but also apartnership with a myriad of communityagencies. "

The '94 Mid-Atlantic Regional GolfPrivilege Card offers golfers the chance toplay all year for the price of one greensfee. Players have a choice of 59 courses inPennsylvania, in addition to others locatedin Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.There are also discounts for driving rangesand golf specialty shops. This amounts to200 special offers for only $30.

Ski passes and golf cards can be obtainedby calling the American Lung Associationof the Lehigh Valley at (215) 867-4100.

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Guidelines forSubmitting ClaimsThe benefits counselors of the HumanResources Department offer the followingguidelines to help you when submittingclaims to the Lehigh Valley Health Net-work, Inc. Health Plan:

1.Attach all receipts to a claim form that iscompleted fully to include social securitynumber, name, coordination of benefitsinformation and accident details. Be sureto sign the authorization to obtainadditional information that is found onthe reverse side of the claim form.

2. When submitting receipts that are smallin size (like 9 prescription drug receipts),tape them on the claim form or anotherpiece of 8 112" x 11" paper.

3. Do not submit a claim if the provider ofservice is submitting it as well. This willavoid duplicate claim submission.

4. Separate each family member and includea separate claim form for each.

5. Separate claims incurred in differentcalendar years; for example, submit 1992receipts separate from 1993 receipts.This is important for proper calculationof deductibles and out-of-pocket ex-penses.

6. If the Lehigh Valley Health Network,Inc., Health Plan is the secondary payer,

HEALTH PLAN CORRECTION

The November 11 edition of CheckUpcontained an insert outlining health planbenefit changes. Because of a typographicalerror in the description of the benefits for theAllentown-Bethlehem Nurse Midwife Associ-ates, that information has been reprintedbelow. If you have any questions regardingthis or any other health plan benefit changes,please contact one of our benefit counselors:Gerrianne Keiser, ext. 8839; MaryjaneZanders, ext. 1230; or Leilani Souders, ext8807.

submit your claims to the primary carrierfirst. Do not send your claim to Spec-trum until you have received andattached the explanation of benefits fromthe primary carrier. Remember, theLehigh Valley Health Network, Inc.,Health Plan follows the gender rule ofCoordination of Benefits.

7. Keep copies of your receipts and otherclaim documents for your future refer-ence.

8. Do not submit billing statements asclaims; they usually do not containsufficient information to calculate ben-efits. The proper proof of claim includesthe name of the provider, date of service,place of service, procedure performed(CPT code), diagnosis (ICD-9), billedamount and paid amount. This informa-tion is normally contained on an itemizedbill from the provider.

9. When purchasing prescriptions fromSpectrum Apothecary, be sure to presentyour Explanation of Benefits showingthat the deductible for the Lehigh ValleyHealth Network, Inc., Health Plan hasbeen met.

REMEMBER: Submit your bills as theyare received. Holding them until the end ofthe year creates a major bacldog and delaysprocessing time.

If you have any specific questions aboutyour benefits, please contact your benefitscounselor: Maryjane Zanders, ext. 1230;Gerrianne Keiser, ext.8839; or LeilaniSouders, ext. 8807.

As of September 1, 1993 the Allentown-Bethlehem Nurse Midwife Associates(formerly the Allentown-Bethlehem BirthMidwifery Center) will again be a participat-ing provider with the health plan. If youchoose to use the service of the midwiferycenter and experience complications that mayresult in admission to a hospital, you will betransported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th& Chew for admission. If you choose to beadmitted to St. Lukes, a $750 deductible /daywill be applied and reimbursement will be at75% of charge or fee schedule for physicianservices, unless it is a documented medicalemergency.

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Employee Service AnniversariesJanuary 1994

Thirty Thars of ServiceJan. 3 Eleanor Haas Nursing Float Pool Cluster C

Twenty Five ~ars of ServiceJan. 13 Mary Segan Post Anesthesia Care Unit CJan. 13 Sharon Becker Outpatient Treatment UnitJan. 27 Nancy Beidler TLC Moderate Care

Twenty ~ars of ServiceJan. 2 Kathleen DeLong Ultrasound AJan. 2 William Thompson Info. Services Prod. SupportJan. 22 John Koshland PulmonaryJan. 28 Darlene Matthias Cancer ProgramJan. 28 Phyllis Fox 4B MedicaVSurgical Unit

Fifteen Jears of ServiceJan. 8 Cynthia BagliniJan. 8 David FeistJan. 8 Donna WellsJan. 11 Denise SchulerJan. 1 Paula lngoldsbyJan. 12 Rhonda NagyJan. 15 Denise KuntzJan. 15 Janice CudlicJan. 15 Robin MilesJan. 15 Sally GetzJan. 15 Susan RuthJan. 22 Diane McKeeverJan. 22 Joyce HerbertJan. 25 Barbara Hallowell

Ten Thars of ServiceJan. 3 Elizabeth CroneJan. 3 Jodee KoontzJan. 19 Valerie WagnerJan. 23 Richard ReitzJan. 30 Gregory SnyderJan. 30 Joseph GrollerJan. 30 Ruth Palmisano

Lab-Central ProcesslPHLEBLinen ServicesOR Centralized SchedulingPulmonaryORAMental HealthlRetardationCardiac Cath LabNurseryObstetricsGICUEast7B MedicaVSurgical UnitLab-MicrobiologyLimited Duty-Work RelatedPatient Education

Nuclear Medicine CBreast Diagnostic ServicesORCStores Process Distrib.Pharmacy ARespiratory Therapy CGeneral Services A

Five Jears of ServiceJan. 1 Bala Carver Lab-HLAJan. 3 Eileen Bannon Cancer ProgramJan. 3 Jane Teper Perinatal PartnershipJan. 3 Joan Bauer Trexlertown Med. Ctr.Jan. 3 Joan Kressley NeonatallCUJan. 3 Joann Geslak OR CJan. 3 Kathy Hsu Nursing AdministrationJan. 3 Leonard Snyder Short Procedure UnitJan. 3 Linda Flemming Labor & DeliveryJan. 3 Lori Morrison Psychiatric RehabilitationJan. 3 Phyllis Riter Lab-Blood BankJan. 3 Rebecca Meinhart Adolescent Psych UnitJan. 3 Richard Riccio Open Heart UnitJan. 3 Sandee Schultz LV Hospice-AllentownJan. 3 Sandra Cornog GICU EastJan. 3 Stacey Yonak Lab-Information ServicesJan. 3 Susan Nonnemacher SA MedicaVSurgical UnitJan. 5 Judith Thieme Community WellnessJan. 9 Karen Granger Pharmacy AJan. 9 Kim Diehl Lab-MicrobiologyJan. 11 Anastasia Yergey Lab-Cntrl. ProcessIPHLEBJan. 16 Carmen Nonnemacher 5C MedicaVSurgical UnitJan. 16 Christopher Wyatt OR AJan. 16 Deborah Dilliard Medical RecordsJan. 16 Janice Waller Labor & DeliveryJan. 16 Lynn Wall Medical RecordsJan. 16 Mary Ellen Kinek Nursing F10at Pool Cluster CJan. 16 Norma Storer AIDS Activities OfficeJan. 16 Patricia Sotak Outpatient Treatment UnitJan. 16 Patricia Schlegel Speech & Hearing AJan. 16 Ricky Farley Plant EngineeringJan. 16 Sharon Petrulsky Labor & DeliveryJan. 16 Vicki Smith Transitional Open HeartJan. 16 Wanda Montanez General Services CJan. 22 Theresa Carfara Master Facilities Admin.Jan. 25 Bryan Horveath Community WelInessJan. 25 Cheryl Hassler Community WellnessJan. 25 David Moyer Community WellnessJan. 30 Ruth Held Financial Services

The listing of service anniversaries is presented through the courtesy of Human Resources,who congratulate all for their continuing service to Lehigh Valley Hospital.

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