Ambulatory surgery center to reopen next week – The Robesonian

May 16, 2020

LUMBERTON A registered nurse who works in Southeastern Regional Medical Centers Intensive Care Unit recently received Southeastern Healths highest honor.

Tess McNeill was presented Southeastern Healths 2020 Baker Nurse of Excellence on Tuesday. She was named this years honoree during a virtual ceremony hosted by the organizations Professional Growth Council as part of National Nurses Week.

Tess is the perfect example of what a leader should be, wrote the anonymous co-worker who nominated McNeill for the award. She not only provides excellent care, but she also plays a vital role in making the ICU an excellent work environment.

McNeill lives in Lumberton with her husband, Justin. She has worked for Southeastern Health since 2016 in the ICU at SRMC and in various other nursing departments as needed.

Being a nurse allows me to help those in need and possibly be the difference in life or death for some patients, McNeill said. It requires more than advanced knowledge and skill set. It also takes patience, dedication, respectfulness, and reliability. I am honored to be a nurse and to have the ability to make such a positive impact in my patients lives.

The other 2020 finalist nominees were Merita Bullock, Marsha Davis and Mary Ivey. The winner was selected by a panel based on nomination applications submitted by peers and on interviews.

Past Baker winners are Don Jake Jacobs, 2019; Deborah Peterson, 2018; Sharon Smith, 2017; Cynthia Kinlaw, 2016; Tammy McDuffie, 2015; Elizabeth Moore, 2014; and Melissa Britt, 2013.

The Baker Nurse of Excellence Award was established in 2014 through an endowed gift by Stephanie and Wil Bass, of Clayton. The award is named in honor of Stephanies late grandparents, Dr. Horace Baker Jr., a surgeon who was a member of the medical staff at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, and his wife, Dorothy, a former Army nurse. Dr. Horace Baker Sr., Bass great-grandfather, was founder of the Baker Sanatorium in 1921, which later merged with Thompson Hospital to form what was known as the Baker-Thompson Memorial Hospital in Lumberton in 1946. These two older facilities were replaced by a new hospital known as Robeson County Memorial Hospital in 1953, which later became Southeastern Regional Medical Center.

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McNeill

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/web1_SeHealth-McNeill-II.jpgMcNeill

May 16, 2020

LUMBERTON Southeastern Healths Southeastern Cardiology and Cardiovascular Clinic, and Southeastern Health Heart and Vascular have a new cardiologist.

Dr. Alan Zhu will provide general cardiology and electrophysiology.

Zhu received his medical degree from Tongji Medical University, in China, in 1982. He received a master of science degree in biometry from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1991. He completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2003.

He competed a fellowship in cardiology at Loma Linda University Medical Center, in Loma Linda, California, in 2006, and an electrophysiology fellowship at University of Minnesota in 2007. He is a fellow of the America College of Cardiology.

He is board certified in both cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. Since 2011, he has worked as a cardiologist at Mercy Cardiology, Mercy Medical Center, in Sioux City, Iowa.

Southeastern Cardiology and Cardiovascular Clinic is located at 2934 North Elm St., Suite 103 in the Southeastern Health Mall on the campus of Biggs Park Mall. Call 910671-6619 for more information.

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Zhu

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May 15, 2020

Many times broadcasters have used the expression cabin fever when they state there is an overwhelming desire for people to get outdoors, move about more freely or attend more functions. But is that really an appropriate expression for the way people have responded to the coronavirus stay-at-home request?

The definition of cabin fever is irritability, listlessness and similar symptoms resulting from long confinement or isolation indoors during the winter. While this could describe conditions for long-term care residents, it does not apply to most of the population. Long confinements do not include endless trips to the grocery stores, hardware stores, restaurant drive-throughs, home and yard stores, variety stores, out of county to wholesale stores, visits to the strawberry farms, and on and on. Judging by Roberts Avenue or Fayetteville Road, traffic does not appear to be much lighter than normal although the interstates are significantly less traveled as one would expect. While one might be interested in a return to what passes for normalcy, it certainly is not relief from cabin fever for most around here.

Drive-through testing for COVID-19 is ramping up this week throughout the state. While the hospital tried one early on, restrictions on who could be tested at that time decreased its effectiveness. Recognizing that so many asymptomatic people are unaware that they are infecting others, testing this population is an important step to getting a handle on the breath of the problem. Locally, using Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) resources under the purview of the Health Department and the Lumbee Tribe, drive-throughs will be held at the Robeson Community College and The Turtle. Please see the websites that have all the information for registration and dates/times of operation. There is no cost for this service.

A question often asked is how much does the test cost usually? All Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in N.C. have received funding to provide COVID-19 testing. Other entities are also testing, such as hospitals, health departments and private clinics. There is a federal program that allows for reimbursement if a patient does not have insurance, Medicaid or Medicare, but not every private provider is going to want to go through that system. So the answer is there could be no cost to the patient. However, only the FQHC got federal funding specifically for testing. There is nothing wrong in knowing if there is a charge prior to obtaining the service.

As N.C. heads toward tripling the number of tests done daily, this might be a good opportunity to get tested.

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May 08, 2020

LUMBERTON Southeastern Healths U-Care Connections program, which provides transportation to local health services, got a boost this week in the form of a $550,000 grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

The Connections program is part of Southeastern Healths Compassion for U initiative, which is led by Chaplain Dean Carter, Southeastern Health coordinator of Pastoral Care Services.

Studies show that people who have access to a vehicle or to friends and family with a vehicle are more likely to use health-care services than those without vehicle access, Carter said. Modes of transportation affect health-care access too. People with reliable access to private transportation are more likely to go to a medical appointment than those who rely on public transportation.

Time and distance burdens are frequently cited by patients as a barrier to health-care utilization, Carter said. For vulnerable populations, transportation can be unaffordable.

In local context, Robeson County is the largest rural land mass area in the state of North Carolina, coupled with no public transportation offerings, Carter said.

U-Care Connections volunteer drivers, also referred to as Connectors, undergo criminal background and driving records checks, annual drivers safety training, and visually inspect their own vehicles on a monthly schedule. These volunteers fall under Southeastern Healths Pastoral Care Services department. They provide volunteer hours and a vehicle and receive only a gas mileage reimbursement.

The difference in our program is the encouragement given from the driver, Carter said. It is a wonderful service and missions opportunity for the driver to show compassion, caring and empathy to the transportation disadvantaged, helping those who have health-care issues and are vulnerable to those needs remaining unmet. Our effort saves lives that would have faded away unnoticed.

Some Connectors are pastors. Many are not. Connectors are both male and female, and are of multiple racial backgrounds.

While the drivers are from a variety of different spiritual backgrounds, faith is an asset we would like to see in every driver, Carter said.

Alisia Oxendine, director over the Pastoral Care Services department, has watched the Connections program thrive.

This program is true to its name in that it connects our faith community with those who are facing challenges related not only to their physical health, but, in many cases, also related to their spiritual health, Oxendine said. Placing these volunteers in their path provides them with a solution to their transportation issues to improve their health, while providing them with a listening ear and a resource for encouragement and support.

Southeastern Health is collaborating with Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and the North Carolina Healthcare Association to research the findings of U-Care Connections for possible adaptation of a best practice to answer transportation disparities in other health-care settings across the state.

The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust has been a huge supporter of our programs through grant awards for many, many years, said Sissy Grantham, Southeastern Health Foundation executive director. It is through grants, like this one, that we are able to provide support to our community to expand access to much-needed health services which, in turn, greatly impacts efforts to improve our overall health.

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Carter

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Grantham

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May 08, 2020

LUMBERTON Around the same time that Southeastern Health officials were deciding how to manage visitors to Southeastern Regional Medical Center during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, state and national guidelines mandated that hospitals and long-term care facilities, or nursing homes, end visitation.

Once this change was implemented, Southeastern Healths Guest Services department and WoodHaven Nursing, Alzheimers and Rehabilitation leaders began looking for ways to keep their patients and residents connected with their loved ones.

Hospital care

We knew that this was going to be a challenging time for our patients because the connection with family is so important, said Alisia Oxendine, Southeastern Health Guest Services director.

Because of the ranges of ages, health conditions and mental capacity of patients in the hospital, every possible scenario had to be considered.

We care for new moms, sick children, individuals who have experienced trauma like car wrecks, patients who need critical heart surgery, patients battling cancer and everything in between, Oxendine said. We had to put plans in place to address every scenario, even including those where patients have dementia or language barriers and those who may be experiencing end-of-life situations.

Telephone communication is the most common way hospitalized patients are staying in touch with family during the COVID-19 restrictions, however, some patients may not be able to speak on the phone, while others might need to see their family to feel connected.

Guest Services and Information Technology staff worked together to secure and make available iPads, which are sanitized after every use, and reliable phone connections for SRMC patients so they can use technology, such as FaceTime, to reach their family members.

Oftentimes patients, along with their health-care team, give their family members updates about how they are doing, Oxendine said. Other times, patient need the encouragement and love that their family can provide. If patients arent comfortable with technology, our patient representatives are on hand to walk them through the steps to make the connection.

One visitor is being allowed for the birth of a child, in cases where the patient is a minor, or if the patient cannot speak for themselves to make health-care decisions.

There are extreme circumstances in the hospital where the benefits of having someone with the patient outweighs the risks during the coronavirus and in these cases we are taking extra measures, including screenings before entry, use of face masks and increased hand hygiene, to keep everyone safe, Oxendine said. Showing empathy while mitigating the concerns of patients and families during this unprecedented time is a top priority.

Family members can contact their loved ones by calling the medical center at 910-671-5000 and asking for them by name, if they have chosen to be listed in the hospital directory. Phone operators can also provide phone numbers that bypass the operator and ring directly to patient rooms. Mailing cards or letters is another way to reach patients.

Anyone who may need assistance contacting their family members may call Guest Services at 910-671-5592.

Long-term care

This is home for our residents and an important part of home is family, said WoodHaven Director Suzanne Jackson, who also oversees hospice services and care management for Southeastern Health. While keeping our patients safe and preventing an outbreak at our facility is the main priority right now, we cant overlook the mental health aspects of their care.

WoodHaven staff facilitate weekly telephone calls to ensure family remain informed and connected. While calls are the most common way to stay connected, they cant replace actually seeing each other.

We are utilizing technology like FaceTime, and some of our families are making window visits, using the window as a barrier but allowing them to see each other while talking or holding up a sign, Jackson said. Sometimes just laying eyes on someone to know they are doing well can be very reassuring for not only the family member but also the patient.

WoodHaven established a photo gallery on the Southeastern Health website where family members can view photos of residents holding signs or participating in activities where social distancing is implemented. The gallery can be viewed at http://www.srmc.org/main/covid-19-woodhaven

Community groups have also reached out to assist in helping residents feel connected, hosting parades on the grounds in view of patients from safe distances.

We know this is a challenging time for everyone but we are working to make the best out of a difficult situation to support our residents and reassure them that they have not been forgotten, Jackson said.

Letters or cards may be mailed to patients at SRMC using PO Box 1408, Lumberton, NC 28359, or residents at WoodHaven at 1150 Pine Run Drive, Lumberton, NC 28358. Be sure to include the patient or resident name and room number, if known.

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Oxendine

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Jackson

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WoodHaven resident Nessie Pierce holds a sign showing a message of love to her family. The photo was used in a gallery posted on Southeastern Healths website during the time of COVID-19 visitation restrictions.

https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/web1_Families-WoodHaven-resident.jpgWoodHaven resident Nessie Pierce holds a sign showing a message of love to her family. The photo was used in a gallery posted on Southeastern Healths website during the time of COVID-19 visitation restrictions.

SeHealth works to ensure patients, relatives stay in contact

May 08, 2020

During these very strange times of no gyms, no recreational sports or parks to frolic in, it has been tough for fitness folks to stay motivated.

My daughter, Nikki, and I have been trying our best while dodging Bruce Wayne the Wonder dog, fire ant hills and curious neighbors to perform our home CrossFit workouts in the house and yard. Thanks to David, our coach at Hardroad, and his daily workout videos, for the most part, we have been pretty successful. The lockdown has been a real exercise in our improvisation skills. We find ourselves jumping on our porch steps, doing push-ups and burpees in the front yard and lifting whatever we can find. While the whole situation is less than ideal, I am here to say you can stay fit even while stuck at the house.

Here are some ideas to keep you moving until your gym is allowed to open its doors:

Walking/Running: Walking or running in the great outdoors takes only a decent pair of shoes and a sense of direction. Three to five days per week, 30-60 minutes of cardiovascular will keep your heart happy and healthy.

Yoga: Yoga is a great way to not only relieve stress but also build core strength and develop flexibility. All you need is a mat, Yoga block and a YouTube video.

Cycling: Bicycling is a great way to get in your cardio. You can spend as much or as little as you like on a bicycle, depending on the type of riding you want to do. Bikes also can be fitted with racks that enable them to be ridden indoors during the winter months.

Body Weight Exercises: Dont underestimate the strength training benefits of utilizing your own body weight. Push-ups, sit-ups, planks and squats are just a few of the exercises you can do at home in a limited amount of space. Three to four times per week will help keep your muscles toned.

Home Exercise Equipment: If you want to invest some money in your home program, check out some of the home exercise equipment available. One of the most popular at the moment is the Peleton series of fitness equipment. They offer cycles, steppers and even treadmills with live trainer capability. If you decide to go this route, make sure you are committed as you will be shelling out several thousand dollars for the equipment and additional money for the personal training services.

Improvise: If you dont have the time, money or the interest in hunting down fitness equipment, look around the house. Any odd-shaped object with some weight to it can be used for strength training. Look in the garage for an old tire to flip, a bowling ball in a bag to lift or something substantial in a wagon and pull it around. Be creative!

So, whether you are, like me, and in between gyms or just prefer doing your own thing, working out at home is an option. Just keep in mind that it is sometimes easier to skip working out if you do it in full view of your couch or favorite recliner, so be strong!

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May 02, 2020

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently expanded the symptoms of COVID-19 to go beyond shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fever and cough. To this list they have added chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of smell or taste.

Despite the expansion, it does not cover the one that keeps coming up: asymptomatic. Of course the letter a means without in Greek, so like apolitical, asocial and the like, asymptomatic means without symptoms. Recently prisoners at the correctional institute in Wayne County were tested and 98% were positive without displaying any symptoms. This is a very telling event and lays aside preventive temperature-taking, histories and any other screening device.

As the pressure to reopen mounts, it will be very interesting to see if businesses can survive in a new norm. Can restaurants exist at 20% occupancy, can motels leave rooms open a day between rentals, can barbers, hairdressers, tattoo artists maintain any spacing, how many children in a class or on a bus every fiber in life will be fundamentally changed. I noted that China provides a color indicator on cell phone that allows different accesses green being free to move about, yellow and red means major screening needs to occur. This could mean that people of a certain age or condition could be excluded from certain public areas.

The bigger question is, did people actually learn from this pandemic and alter their lifestyles? Judging by certain events that occurred during the stay-at-home order, probably not. A birthday party, which is essentially a barbecue party, has at least 19 people test positive with some hospitalizations and one person on a ventilator. A carload of individuals goes to a funeral outside the county and one person is so sick that she has to be tested before heading home. People are sent home from work because they tested positive and friends come over to the house and spend the afternoon. People continue to attend church as they always have with minor distancing. A family get-together over the holiday is attended by people from a county with high rates of infection. A group of friends gets together and play cards weekly. So what could go wrong with these events that happened right here in our backyard? And why would we not expect to see them in the future?

As the saying goes, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. It is going to be interesting going forward as some of us just never learned.

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April 11, 2020

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Ambulatory surgery center to reopen next week - The Robesonian