Several weeks ago, many of our patients took the time to complete our online Patient Satisfaction Survey. The results show that Providence practices are maintaining, and in some cases even improving upon, very high levels of satisfaction in the quality of care and convenience provided to our patients. The survey also points to areas where we could do even better.

The highlights: In areas of patient/provider communication, partnering with the patient in healthcare decisions, caring and concern of staff, and wellness counseling, over 95% of the respondents reported scores of “good” to “excellent”, with the majority of responses falling in the “excellent” category. The overall result: the overwhelming majority of patients would recommend the practice they attend to others. These results don’t mean that there isn’t room for improvement however. Incorporating Electronic Medical Records procedures (beginning this past summer) benefits patients and practices alike; but as with any major initiative, it has also had its challenges. As practices began implementing EMR, there have been occasions when patients have experienced longer wait times before they have seen a provider—this was borne out in the survey. With this knowledge, and as practice staff become more and more acclimated to new EMR procedures, we have the means to improve our performance in this area, and make sure that every aspect of our service exceeds expectations.

All of us appreciate the time so many people took to complete this survey. In an ever-changing healthcare environment, it’s vital for us to receive feedback from both patients and employees, so we can monitor our progress toward continually improving service. Going forward, we’ll continue to rely on information-gathering tools like this survey to help us maintain our position of providing high quality, accessible, cost-effective care.

The February 26 issue of the Dayton Daily News carried a special feature section entitled Healthy Connections, and Providence is featured prominently. In it you'll find an article by Susan Becker about team approaches to family medicine (thanks to the staff at Crossroads Medical Center for their help!); Susan and Dr. Larry Ratcliff contributed to articles on EMR, social media and health care, and advances in outpatient medicine. Here are links for the articles available on the DDN website: • Social Media Invades Health Care  •  Electronic Medical Records are Here to Stay
• Health Care in the Digital Age

The December issue of Osteopathic Family Physician reported on the results of a study to determine whether the influence of environmental, economic, and insurance barriers affect the immunization process for adolescents. "Overcoming barriers to adolescent immunization: a survey of family practice providers", was co-authored by Rachel L. Hunter, DHSc, PA-C, OMS-I, and Robert L. Hunter, DO, FACOFP, FACOEP (both of Buckeye Family Practice) along with two other contributors.

The study attempted to determine whether physician knowledge was positively associated with the implementation of vaccinations to adolescent patients; it concluded that physician knowledge, skepticism, and belief barriers may be responsible for the decreased immunization rates. View the article.

An article on cavernous angioma by Robert Hunter, DO, FACOFP, FACOEP, was featured in the December issue of Osteopathic Family Physician. The case of a 16-year-old with symptoms compatible with cavernous angioma raised the question of familial pattern with CA. Dr. Hunter, of Buckeye Family Practice. details the case and reviews of recent literature that examines the etiology, differential diagnosis, and management options of CAs.View the article.

Recently many PMG practices participated in The Pajama Program, a non-profit initiative that provides new, warm pajamas and new books to children in need in the U.S. and around the world. In the few weeks following Thanksgiving, many from Providence practices, health services and administration donated pajamas and books — enough to nearly fill the conference room at PMG headquarters! To learn more about the Pajama Program, go to http://www.pajamaprogram.org.

James Barry, MD, DABMA, of the Family Health Center, Springboro, recently achieved both board certification from the American Board of Medical Acupuncture (ABMA), and Diplomate status from the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA). Dr. Barry earned certification by completing over 300 hours of intensive acupuncture-specific training and passing the Board's rigorous written examination. Dr. Barry is one of only 20 practitioners in Ohio, and only 600 in the United States, to have become an AAMA Diplomate.

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Jennifer Burns, Registered Dietitian with the Providence Diabetes Center, recently achieved Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) status by successfully completing the Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators. The CDE credential is awarded to dietitians who successfully complete the certification examination for diabetes educators through the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE). Download complete news release

   

Some patients may be concerned about the use of surgical mesh in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, due to a recent news release issued by the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Ashby examines pelvic organ prolapse procedures and the FDA warning, and stresses that the Pelvic Control Center does not perform the procedure specified in the release. Dr. Ashby and the Pelvic Control Center specialize in the treatment of pelvic floor disorders, including, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and bowel incontinence, and other conditions that cause pelvic pain or discomfort.   Download discussion paper

Bernard Berks, DO, of Germantown Medical Associates, along with other Ohio physicians attended a recent orientation flight to learn about the missions of the Ohio National Guard and how to better support the health care needs of service members and their families. Dr. Berks is a designated Senior Aviation Medical Examiner for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Class pilots for the Federal Aviation Administration, in addition to being a board certified family practitioner.
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The Providence Medical Laboratory, located in Dayton, recently passed all phases of its CLIA certification inspection, earning a 96 percent rating out of a possible 100 percent. COLA, an internationally recognized clinical laboratory accreditation organization, conducted the inspection.

Providence Medical Laboratory is an independent lab offering comprehensive diagnostic testing in the areas of clinical chemistry, coagulation, hematology, immunoassay
serology, urinalysis, ABO/Rh and antibody screening.

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Robert L. Hunter, DO, FACOFP, was elected as the new president of the Ohio chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) during a meeting of the organization at the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium, held in Columbus between April 28 and May 1, 2011. Dr. Hunter also co-chaired the symposium, a collaboration between the Ohio Osteopathic Association and Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Hunter, of Buckeye Family Practice, Huber Heights, will use his new office to help spearhead the ACOFP's efforts to promote excellence in osteopathic family medicine through education, leadership and responsible advocacy. 
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Paul A. Martin, DO, FACOFP, is the new President-Elect of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP). Elected during the organization's 2011 Annual Convention & Scientific Seminars in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Martin will formally assume his presidency at the 2012 ACOFP Annual Convention in Kissimmee, Florida.

Dr. Martin is a practicing physician with the Family Care Center, Dayton. He is board certified in osteopathic family medicine and a Distinguished Fellow in the ACOFP.
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