The Medical Leader

Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville College and East Kentucky Broadcasting are pleased to announce the “Hearts for Haiti” campaign to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti.

The “Hearts for Haiti” campaign will begin on February 1 with donation containers located throughout the region at area businesses, and will conclude with a radiothon on Sunday, February 14, at Pikeville Medical Center from noon to 4 p.m. on the stations of East Kentucky Broadcasting.

“We have all seen the images of the devastation in Haiti,” said Walter E. May, President and Chief Executive Officer at Pikeville Medical Center. “I feel that our partnership with the college and East Kentucky Broadcasting will allow us to do our part in helping the Haitian people as they try to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives.”

Officials estimate more than 200,000 people are dead following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12.

Former Governor Paul Patton, President of Pikeville College, said eastern Kentucky residents know firsthand the importance of helping neighbors during a disaster.

“Although the floods we’ve experienced in eastern Kentucky are not of the same magnitude of what’s happened in Haiti, those experiences have demonstrated to us the importance of helping the victims of a disaster during their times of need,” Patton said.“This effort will, in a very small way, provide through the American Red Cross relief for some of the people in Haiti, just as the American Red Cross has helped the people of eastern Kentucky during our times of disaster.”

Keith Casebolt, President of East Kentucky Broadcasting, said local businesses, and church and civic organizations have been receptive to the “Hearts for Haiti” campaign.

“We all feel compelled to do something,” he said. “The images are heartbreaking, and the Haitian people will need aid for many months and years to come. I want to encourage everyone to open their hearts and give to this worthwhile cause.”

All money raised from the campaign will benefit the American Red Cross’ efforts in the country.

“The American Red Cross is a reputable organization that is doing magnificent work in Haiti,” May said. “We have a strong local Red Cross chapter, and we look forward to assisting in its continued efforts to help the Haitian people.”

Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is the first hospital in the region to earn the gold seal of approval from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. Only 10 hospitals in Kentucky have earned this accreditation, and no other Kentucky hospital east of Lexington has earned this prestigious distinction.

The certification was granted following a detailed, on-site review of the hospital in November. The accreditation recognizes Pikeville Medical Center’s dedication to complying with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis.

“This accreditation means our patients have access to world-class technology and physicians when it comes to stroke care,” said Pikeville Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Walter E. May. “The guidelines we have in place ensure that our patients receive faster diagnoses, faster treatment and ultimately, a faster recovery.”

Each year about 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today.

“Pikeville Medical Center demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” said Jean E. Range, executive director of disease-specific care certification with The Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association’s statements/guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the program—the nation’s first—in 2003.

The “Golden Hour” is a term used by healthcare professionals to define the first hour after a patient first experiences stroke symptoms. This is a critical time period as the chances for surviving a stroke are increased if the patient reaches the hospital during this time period. One possible treatment available at PMC is tPa, a “clot-busting” drug that can only be administered within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms when medically indicated for an ischemic (clot) stroke. It is important to note that tPa is not used to treat a hemorrhagic (bleed) stroke. Therefore, it is critical for patients to come to the hospital as quickly as possible when they first begin to experience stroke-like symptoms in order for an appropriate treatment to be determined.

According to the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines Stroke Improvement Program, 27.1 percent of more than 100,000 patients who arrived within the “Golden Hour” were able to be treated with tPa. Of those who arrived one to three hours after the onset of symptoms, only 12.9 percent were able to receive tPa.

Early treatment of stroke symptoms may mean more treatment options and a better outcome. A stroke can happen to anyone, but according to the National Stroke Association, after the age of 55, your stroke risk doubles every decade.

Neurologist Dr. Naveed Ahmed, medical director of PMC’s Primary Stroke Center, said the hospital has a dedicated team of healthcare professionals available around the clock to deliver comprehensive care, ranging from diagnosis, to treatment and rehabilitation.

“Being an accredited Primary Stroke Center means we are exceeding the highest standards of stroke care across the nation,” Dr. Ahmed continued. “Having a dedicated stroke team available means we have a plan in place, and that means treatment without hesitation, which ultimately results in saving lives.”

During the on-site survey by The Joint Commission, surveyors took a close look at how efficiently the hospital delivered stroke care. Sandy Tackett, who coordinates PMC’s Primary Stroke Center, said the guidelines the hospital have in place are second to none.

“We understand that the guidelines we have in place ensure that we improve the outcome of our patients,” Tackett said.

The warning signs of a stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; or sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Jerry Johnson, chief operating officer of Pikeville Medical Center, said the accreditation as the region’s first Primary Stroke Center “shows that the level of service at Pikeville Medical Center is among the very best in the nation.”

For more information on PMC’s Primary Stroke Center, please call (606) 218-3500.

Former Paintsville High School standout Landon Slone will sign to play for NAIA Division I Pikeville College this afternoon. Slone, who played last season at the University of Kentucky, is a former 15th Region Player of the Year and led the Paintsville Tigers to the Sweet Sixteen in 2008. This signing may punch Pikeville’s ticket to a Mid-South Conference championship and a berth into the national tournament. Only time will tell. Welcome to Pikeville, Landon!

Pikeville Medical Center has announced the closing of its Regional Flu Center on North Mayo Trail in Pikeville.

Walter E. May, President and Chief Executive Officer at Pikeville Medical Center, said the decline in flu cases prompted hospital officials to close the facility.

“We have seen a sharp decline in the number of flu and flu-related cases at the Regional Flu Center and the hospital as a whole,” May said. “The Regional Flu Center set a national precedent when it opened as the only off-site center solely dedicated to the flu in the nation. Our hospital stands ready and willing to meet the challenges that may arise from an additional outbreak.”

The Regional Flu Center, a joint venture between Pikeville Medical Center and its Family Practice Clinic, opened on November 2, 2009 as flu cases began to escalate across the region. In the first 48 hours of its opening, the center treated more than 200 patients. In less than two weeks, more than 1,000 patients were treated by healthcare professionals at the center.

“The Regional Flu Center was a tremendous success,” May added. “At the time of its opening, there were a lot of concerns about the flu and the spreading of the virus. Providing one location where patients could be seen by a physician and receive all of the necessary tests required to properly diagnose and treat the flu provided a great service to our region.”

Federal officials say that the flu virus is widespread in just four states, a stark contrast to the 48 states that reported widespread outbreaks in April.

For information on H1N1 flu vaccinations, please call your local health department

Peggy Bynum holds her newborn daughter, Peggy Bynum holds her newborn daughter, Katelyn Lyvone Bynum, on January 1, 2010.  Katelyn was the first baby born at Pikeville Medical Center in 2010, weighing in a 5 pounds, 7 ounces.  Katelyn was delivered by Dr. Tom McGuire at 5:39 a.m. on January 1, 2010.  Also shown in the photograph is Registered Nurse Julie Hamlin. , on January 1, 2010.