VOLUME II, ISSUE 2

In July of 2007, David Brown of Bethel Park went to his

doctor for a routine physical.

At the time, the then 70-year-old ex-Marine was feeling relatively fine. He remembers

thinking, though, that he might be coming down with a mild cold because he was

repeatedly clearing his throat. He mentioned the nagging throat clearing to his doctor.

And, he told him, every now and then he spit up a little blood, too.

Concerned, the doctor wrote an order for a chest x-ray for Brown, who had the test

done at St. Clair Hospital Outpatient Center in Bethel Park, walking distance from his

home on Highland Road.

Clinicians at the Outpatient Center contacted Brown’s primary care physician just

hours after his visit. The chest x-ray showed a spot on his left lung. Additional tests

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY Q&A

CHECKING SYMPTOMS ONLINE

PREVENTING SKIN CANCER

ASK THE DOCTOR

NEW CAFE� 4 AT ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

REVOLUTIONARY CARDIAC ASSIST DEVICE

SLEEP DISORDERS LAB

2

4

5

7

9

10

11

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

St. Clair Hospital’s new Emergency

Room (ER) is being received

extremely well by patients whose positive

comments on their treatment there have

propelled the ER into the top 5 percent

nationwide for patient satisfaction.

Survey results tabulated by Press

Ganey, a national research firm, showed

that the ER was ranked better than 95

percent of ERs across the country that

treat 50,000 or more patients per year.CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

DAVID BROWN AND HIS WIFE OF52 YEARS, MARY LOU.

Thoracic Surgery Patients BENEFIT FROM EXPERIENCED CAREGIVERS

EMERGENCYDEPARTMENTIN TOP FIVEP CENT

VOLUME II, ISSUE 2

S t . C l a i r H o s p i t a l ’ s o r t h o p e d i c s u r g e o n s r e p r e s e n t o n e o f t h e l a r g e s t

2

HouseCall:What are some of the most common

orthopedic procedures being performed at St. Clair Hospital?

Dr. Gibbons: Arthroscopy, joint replacement and fracture

care. The orthopedic department takes care of a wide range of

musculoskeletal conditions. We care for the whole family, from

the child who falls off a swingset to the grandmother who falls in

the kitchen. We care for highly conditioned athletes and aging

athletes who are striving to stay active. For patients suffering

from arthritis, we perform a large number of joint replacements,

often using newer, less invasive techniques.

Dr. Fluhme: Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and knee.

And total joint replacements of the hip and knee.

HouseCall:Why should patients elect to have their

orthopedic surgery at St. Clair?

Dr. Tucker: St. Clair Hospital and its orthopedic surgeons

represent one of the largest and most talented pools of joint

reconstruction specialists in the state. The surgeons who make

St. Clair their primary location for elective work are experts in

repair of shoulder ligament and rotator cuff injuries, advanced

soft tissue reconstruction for prior failed shoulder surgeries,

including shoulder joint replacement, and reversed total shoulder

replacements. The surgeons also have expertise and depth of

talent in total hip replacements and all types of knee replacement,

including minimal incision total knee replacement and minimally

invasive Oxford™ partial knee replacement. What is also key is

hiring, training and retaining the best possible clinical staff,

including nurses, operating room technicians and program

managers to ensure and promote the highest quality

patient care.

HouseCall:What are the latest trends in orthopedic surgery?

Dr. Fluhme: For the shoulder, it is rotator cuff and labral

repairs. For the knee, it is refining ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)

tissue reconstruction. And all of these are performed

arthroscopically. As for joint reconstruction, the trend is

alternative bearing surfaces such as ceramics, metal implants

and plastics, which extend prosthesis longevity.

Dr. Tucker: St. Clair is committed to adopting innovative

new procedures and our surgeons can properly identify patients

who will benefit from a new trend.

HouseCall:What are some of the biggest changes you

have seen in orthopedic surgery over the last five years?

Dr. Gibbons: Over the last five years we have seen

improvements in materials, design and manufacturing of knee

and hip replacement implants. Alternative bearings have become

standard for many young active patients undergoing joint

replacement. Less invasive techniques and options have become

more commonplace. There also have been significant advances

in techniques for repairing fractures. More fractures can be

stabilized through surgery to allow early motion of the joint and

speed the recovery process.

Dr. Tucker:We are commited to standardized hospital

treatment protocols that reduce medical errors and

Orthopedic surgery is one of the fastest growing types of surgery at St. Clair

Hospital and at hospitals across the nation.

As people live longer and are more active, conditions with the musculoskeletal

system can increase. Modern surgical techniques help patients restore range of

motion, ease pain and return to normal activities.

HouseCall consulted with three of the Hospital’s distinguished orthopedic

surgeons –Jon B.Tucker, M.D., John M.Gibbons, M.D., and Derrick J. Fluhme,M.D.

– to learn more about the world of orthopedics at St. Clair.

Orthopedic Surgery Q&A

a n d m o s t t a l e n t e d p o o l s o f j o i n t r e c o n s t r u c t i o n s p e c i a l i s t s i n t h e s t a t e .

complications and keep infections to a minimal level. There also

have been major changes in joint replacement and the demand

for joint replacement services over the last five years. And there

has been an increased use of alternative high-tech implant

materials that have greater promise to extend the life of knee

and hip implants.

HouseCall: How do these new techniques and changes

benefit patients?

Dr. Fluhme: Arthroscopic surgery equals less discomfort,

earlier mobility and the potential for quicker recovery and a

return to function, including sports.

Dr. Gibbons:We are able to achieve results that are

reproducible and consistent. Some of the newer techniques and

implants allow patients to recover faster, function at a higher

level, or minimize the chances of running into a complication.

HouseCall:Why is it important for orthopedic patients

to undergo a pre-surgery class?

Dr. Tucker: Pre-surgery orientation classes are vital. The

classes help reduce anxiety about the surgery. It’s important

that planning for major joint reconstructive surgery involve

patients and their immediate families. It gives them a chance,

prior to surgery, to select and arrange for post-hospital care,

such as rehabilitation and physical therapy and home care

providers, all of which are important to a rapid recovery.

3CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

DERRICK J. FLUHME,M. D.Dr. Fluhme earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, respectively,from the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University Schoolof Medicine. He was awarded hismedical degree from GeorgetownUniversity School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery,and a fellowship at Kerlan-JobeOrthopedic Clinic, Department of Sports Medicine, Los Angeles.Dr. Fluhme is a former FellowTeam Physician with the Los AngelesLakers, Dodgers, Kings and Sparks.He is board-certified by the AmericanBoard of Orthopedic Surgery.

JOHN M. GIBBONS,M. D.Dr. Gibbons holds bachelor’s andmaster’s degrees, respectively,from Harvard University and Universityof Massachusetts. He earned hismedical degree at the College ofPhysicians and Surgeons, ColumbiaUniversity, New York City. Dr. Gibbonscompleted an internship in generalsurgery and a residency in OrthopedicSurgery at Columbia-PresbyterianMedical Center, New York City. Hisprofessional training also includesa fellowship in Knee Reconstructionand Sports Medicine at Insall Scott Kelly Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center-North, New YorkCity. Dr. Gibbons is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

JON B. TUCKER, M. D.Dr. Tucker holds an A.B. degreefrom Duke University in NorthCarolina. He earned his medical degree at the Universityof Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He completed his internship ingeneral surgery, residency in Orthopedic Surgery and a fellowshipin Sports Medicine at the Hospitalof the University of Pennsylvania.Dr. Tucker has served as TeamPhysician, United States Maccabiah Delegation, 14th WorldGames in Israel. He is board-certified by the American Boardof Orthopedic Surgery.

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL’S HEALTH GUIDE FEATURES AN

Online Interactive Health Symptom Checker

S t . C l a i r ’ s n e w o n l i n e H e a l t h G u i d e h e l p s u s e r s

4

H ave a nagging symptom but can’t quite figure out

what is wrong? Then plug it into the Interactive Health

Symptom Checker at St. Clair Hospital’s Web site, www.stclair.org.

The Symptom Checker lets a user point and click on an

anatomical map of the body in the area where the symptom

is exhibiting itself.

The Symptom Checker is very simple to use. Click on the head

and a host of topics appears, including: Confusion, Memory Loss

and Altered Alertness; Dizziness – Lightheadedness and Vertigo;

Head Injuries (broken down by age of the patient); Headaches.

Click on “Headaches” and a list of symptoms related to

headaches comes up for matching with the user’s symptom.

From there, the user can explore a list of potential health

conditions that might be causing the symptom and a

recommendation on whether to seek immediate emergency

treatment by calling 911 or to contact his or her physician for

advice on how to proceed.

To get to the Symptom Checker from the home page of

www.stclair.org, just click on the Health Guide tab at the top,

then the Symptom Checker button on the right side of the page.

The information found on St. Clair Hospital’s Health Guide is

provided in partnership with Healthwise, a leading provider of

consumer health content for hospitals and health plans across

the United States.

In addition to Symptom Checker, Health Guide includes

a health topics library, information on prescription and

non-prescription medications, and a series of interactive tools

and quizzes. It is intended to help users make more informed

health care decisions and develop practical health

management strategies.

The site allows a user to point and

click to the area of the symptom

on a map of the body.

St. Clair HospitalONLINE

H EALTHY INFO

Tips to Avoid Skin Cancer

• Basal cell carcinomaThe�most�common�form�of�skin�cancer.

It�is�rarely�fatal,�but�can�be�disfiguring�if

left�untreated.

• Squamous cellThe�second�most�common�form�of�skin

cancer.�It�can�spread�to�other�parts�of�the

body�and�kills�some�2,500�people�a�year.

• MelanomaLess�common�than�basal�cell�and�squamous�

cell,�but�the�most�deadly.�The�Skin�Cancer�

Foundation�says�melanoma�accounts�for�3

percent�of�skin�cancer�cases�but�75�percent�

of�skin�cancer�deaths.

Each year, 1 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer,

according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

A primary cause of skin cancer: exposure to ultraviolet radiation

from the sun.

HouseCall asked Dr. Jason G. Whalen, a board-certified dermatologist

with Mt. Lebanon Dermatology, P.C., for some simple tips people can follow

to better their odds against developing skin cancer:

• Have annual skin cancer screenings by a dermatologist,

particularly if there is a family history of skin cancer

• See a dermatologist if you spot any concerning skin lesions such as new

or changing spots, or moles that have changed in shape or color

• Prevent blistering sunburns

• Always use a high quality sunscreen (SPF 15-30, broad spectrum

UVA/UVB, water resistant) and apply it liberally and correctly

(15-20 minutes before sun exposure; re-apply every two hours or

after swimming/sweating)

• Do not use tanning beds

“Like so many other cancers, the key to beating skin cancer is early

detection,” Dr. Whalen said. “The most important thing to watch for is new or

changing lesions. If you have a new spot or something that is changing, you

should be seen by a professional. And any change is important, be it itching,

burning, bigger, bleeding. Symptomatic lesions come in different shapes, sizes

and colors. Black and pink, in particular, are concerning.”

There are three typesof skin cancer, accordingto the Skin Cancer Foundation:

5

JASON G. WHALEN,M. D.Dr. Whalen earned hismedical degree at the University of Pittsburgh Schoolof Medicine. He completedhis internship at the formerMercy Hospital of Pittsburghand his residency at theUniversity of PittsburghMedical Center, Departmentof Dermatology. He is board-certified in dermatology.

m a k e m o r e i n f o r m e d h e a l t h c a r e d e c i s i o n s .

6

S t . C l a i r b o a r d - c e r t i f i e d s u r g e o n s p e r f o r m m o r e t h a n 3 0 0 p r o c e d u r e s

David Brown CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

revealed the diagnosis: Stage 2 squamous cell lung cancer. It

wasn’t long before the retired airline employee had surgery

to remove his entire left lung. He spent eight days in St. Clair

Hospital, the first five of which were in Intensive Care.

“He had absolutely terrific care at St. Clair,” recalled Mary

Lou, Brown’s wife of 52 years. “The people in Intensive Care were

wonderful. I could call them for information. I could come in.

They would tell me everything.”

Brown later underwent chemotherapy to rid his body of

any remaining cancer cells. Two years later, Brown is cancer

free and credits his thoracic surgeon, Richard H. Maley, Jr., M.D.,

with helping save his life. “I thought Dr. Maley was very qualified,”

Mrs. Brown said. “He explained everything before and after the

surgery. And it was all in layman’s terms and very detailed. He

also explained what David should expect during his recovery.

And what I should expect as a caregiver.”

Dr. Maley said Brown is fortunate in that a chest x-ray

detected his lung cancer – the leading cancer killer of American

men and women in the United States. “Lung cancer is so deadly

because in its early stages it is asymptomatic (does not have

symptoms) and, to date, there is no really good screening test for

early stage lung cancer,” Dr. Maley said.

Chest x-rays are simply not sensitive enough to detect lung

cancer in its earliest, most cureable stages, he said, adding that

having patients spit into a cup and looking for cancer cells in

the sputum sample has not proven very effective either.

Despite the limitations of chest x-rays for detecting lung

cancer in its earliest stages, it usually is a chest x-ray that ends

up revealing the cancer. In Brown’s case, a chest x-ray also

revealed an abdominal aneurysm, which required surgery almost

one year to the date of the lung cancer surgery.

“As it turns out, our most cureable patients are the ones

who had chest x-rays before routine surgery – such as cataract

removal – and their doctors notice a spot on the lung,” Dr. Maley

said, adding additional tests and biopsies are used to confirm

that it is cancer.

As a thoracic subspecialist, Dr. Maley also performs surgery

on patients suffering from esophageal cancer and other

malignancies, as well as benign diseases of the chest including

gastroesophageal reflux, hiatal hernia and lung infections, but

his typical thoracic patient is a 60-to 90-year-old person suffering

from lung cancer. “A lot of them are ex-smokers, with a history of

DAVID BROWN, LUNG CANCER SURVIVORTwo years post surgery, Brown does not need supplemental oxygen and continues to work in his well manicured yardand chase after his 7-pound,12-year-old Chihuahua, Abby.

Dr. Maley said Brown

is fortunate in that a

chest x-ray detected

his lung cancer –

the leading cancer

killer of American

men and women in

the United States.

DOCTORASK THE

DR. BUONOCORE

Q:What affect does diabetes mellitushave on the organs of the body?–May Whitcomb, Brentwood

A:Diabetes mellitus is a health concern becauseof its impact on the organs of the body. Elevated blood

sugar has been shown to damage blood vessels and

prevent the normal regulation of blood flow to tissues.

Glucose can also bind to proteins and enzymes in the

body organs, chemically altering their function. These

changes occur throughout the body when diabetes is

uncontrolled. Diabetics may experience loss of vision and

damage to nerve or kidney function. Atherosclerosis in

the form of heart disease or stroke is also increased in

diabetics and is the leading cause of death.

Numerous studies have shown that improving blood

sugar control helps prevent organ damage and might even

reverse existing eye, nerve or kidney damage.Correction

of high cholesterol and high blood pressure with

medication, along with improving blood glucose control,

has been shown to decrease heart disease and stroke.

Limiting carbohydrates, sweets, and fast food, along

with regular exercise, can help reduce organ damage.

The vast majority of diabetics do, however, require oral

medications or insulin to optimize diabetes control.

This issue’s Ask The Doctor question was answered byCamille M. Buonocore, M.D., Medical Director, St. Clair HospitalDiabetes Center. She is a board-certified endocrinologist andholds specialty certification in Endocrinology and Metabolismand with the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Buonocoreearned her medical degree at SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NewYork. She completed her medical internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she alsowas a fellow in Endocrinology/ Metabolism.

The Diabetes Center is located at St. Clair Hospital Outpatient Center, 2000 Oxford Drive, Bethel Park. 412.942.2151.

Have a question for a doctor? Send your question for theAsk The Doctor column to St. Clair Hospital, c/o Public RelationsDept., 1000 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243 or e-mail it to publicrelations@stclair.org. Please include contact information.

7

a n n u a l l y — m a n y u s i n g m i n i m a l l y i n v a s i v e t e c h n i q u e s .

smoking at least one pack of cigarettes a day for at least 20 years.”

Brown fits squarely into that category. He started smoking at age 19 in

the U.S. Marine Corps and continued the habit for two decades before quitting.

Over the next three decades he limited himself to the occasional cigar.

But the damage had been done.

Two years post surgery, Brown – a familiar face to a lot of South Hills

residents due to his longtime involvement with his son, Matt, in area baseball

and football programs – does not need supplemental oxygen and continues

to work in his well-manicured yard and chase after his 7-pound,

12-year-old Chihuahua, Abby. He also exercises by walking the hilly

streets of his neighborhood and the hallways of South Hills Village mall

when the weather is not cooperating.

Mrs. Brown said she thinks he looks 10 years younger than he did

before the surgery. “You have to be very grateful considering everything he

went through. I think he is doing very well.”

Dr. Maley and his partner, Mathew Van Deusen, M.D., perform more

than 300 procedures a year, including operations using minimally

invasive techniques.

“You can’t get better lung surgery in any hospital in this city than at

St. Clair Hospital,” Dr. Maley said.

RICHARD H. MALEY, JR., M. D.Dr. Maley earned his medical degree at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Kentucky, Lexington. He also completed a fellowship inTrauma/Critical Care at the Universityof Kentucky. Dr. Maley completed his residency in cardiothoracic surgeryat the University of Pittsburgh and a fellowship in thoracic surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering CancerCenter, New York City. He is board-certified by The AmericanBoard of Surgery.

V i s i t o r s t o S t . C l a i r H o s p i t a l c a n e n j o y a f r e s h m e a l , a c c e s s f r e e W i - F i �

TOP FIVE

P CENT

IN PATIENT

SATISFACTION

NATIONWIDE.

ER is in Top 5% NationwideCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ER patients were polled on a host of topics, ranging from speed and

quality of service, to how likely they were to recommend St. Clair’s ER.

The Hospital’s new $13.5 million ER made its debut in December,

promising area residents that it would not only be newer, but better and

faster. David Kish, Executive Director, Emergency Department Services

and Patient Logistics, credited the Top 5 percent ranking to the

conscientious efforts of physicians, nurses and other staff working

in concert to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.

“None of this would be possible unless the caregiver at bedside is

committed to making the best patient experience occur each and every

time,” Kish said, adding that his department’s goal is to be ranked in

the Top 1 percent nationwide for patient satisfaction.

The ER was one of the first departments at St. Clair to undergo

specialized training focusing on methods in which employees can improve

processes that affect quality and patient satisfaction.

8

Patients say we’re Fast …The�average�wait�time�for�a�patient�to�be�taken

to�a�treatment�room�has�been�reduced�from

49 to 4 minutes.

The�average�wait�time�to�see�a�doctor�dropped

from�76 to 28 minutes.�And�the�average�time�from

entry�to�discharge�was�reduced�by�more�than�an�hour.

Patients say we’re Kind …Our�level�of�care�has�continually�risen�and�is

ranked�among�the�best�compared�to�other�hospitals.

Patient�surveys�say…��

Nurses�paid�attention�to�our�needs:�Top 1%

Family�and�friends�were�treated�with�courtesy:�Top 2%

The�staff�cared�about�the�patient�as�a�person:�Top 2%

Patients say we’re Bett …Overall�patient�satisfaction�in�the�ER�has�climbed

dramatically.�Ranked�better�than�61%�of�hospitals

nationwide�in�2008,�we�now�are�among�the�Top 5%

in the country.

Piping�hot,�fresh�ground�gourmetcoffees�prepared

by�specially�trained�baristas.�Soups�made�

from�stock.�Salads�piled�high�with�fresh�vegetables

smothered�in�secret�recipe�salad�dressing.�Made-to-order

sandwiches�and�paninis.

Those�are�just�a�few�of�the�delicious�items�customers

are�enjoying�at�St.�Clair�Hospital’s�new�Café�4.�

Since�its�opening�in�late�June�in�the�Hospital’s�newly

renovated�Fourth�Floor�Lobby,�customers�have�been

relaxing�over�meals�at�the�café’s�comfortable�booths�and

tables,�while�warm�weather�enthusiasts�have�been

dining�alfresco�on�the�adjoining�patio.�

Many�customers�have�also�been�taking advantage

of�a�new�“soft�seating”�area�just�outside�the�interior

entranceway to�Café�4.�Featuring�free�Wi-Fi�access,

the�area�has�proven�particularly�popular�with�visitors

Everything’s fresh at the new Café 4

surfing�the�Internet on�their�laptops�and�smart�phones.��

Café�4�is�open�to�the�public�and�operates�from�

6�a.m.�to�8�p.m.�seven�days�a�week.�

The�Hospital’s�popular�Gift�Shop,�next�to�Café�4�and

operated�by�the�Hospital�Auxiliary,�has�also�been�renovated.

It�is�open�M�-F,�9�a.m.-8�p.m.�and�S-Su,�9�a.m.- 4�p.m.

FOURTH FLOOR LOBBY RENOVATION. On the heels of opening its new Emergency Department, St. Clair Hospital unveiled its renovated Fourth Floor Lobby on July 15. The lobby includes the new Café 4 (top right), featuring free Wi-Fi in a soft seating area (bottom left), a new Gift Shop and the Dunlap Conference Center (bottom right). The redesigned space also includes a comfortable seating area for discharged patients awaiting transportation home. The $2.5 million Lobby renovation project was supported through a partnership with Cura, a division of the Eat n’ Park Hospitality Group, and a generous gift from Anna N. and Edward B. Dunlap and family, whose caring and generosity have benefited St. Clair Hospital and the entire South Hills community.

A VIEW OF THE NEW CAFÉ 4

9

a n d r e l a x i n c o m f o r t a t t h e n e w C a f e� 4 a n d i t s s o f t - s e a t i n g a r e a .

S t . C l a i r i s o n e o f t h e f i r s t P i t t s b u r g h - a r e a h o s p i t a l s t o u s e t h e n e w

10

New device revolutionizes heart procedures

Patients whose hearts are oftentoo weak to withstand a cardiac

catheterization procedure – such asangioplasty – are getting support froma new cardiac assist device available atSt. Clair Hospital.

The�Impella�2.5�is�a�minimally�invasive�device�

that�helps�fragile�hearts�pump�blood�out�of�the�heart�

and�through�the�body.�The�device�is�inserted�through�

a�small�artery�puncture�and�is�fed�into�the�left�ventricle�

of�the�heart.�It�can�pump�up�to�2.5�liters�of�blood�

per�minute.�

“In�the�Cath�Lab,�we�need�good�(blood)�output�while

doing�procedures�such�as�placing�stents�in�blood�vessels,”

says�Shawn�Balaschak,�R.N.,�BSN,�manager�of�the�Cardiac

Catheterization�Lab�and�Electrophysiology�Department.�

Balaschak�cited�the�case�of�a�recent�female�patient

who�proved�the�“perfect�candidate”�for�the�device.�The

patient�needed�to�have�an�angioplasty�procedure�in�which

a�small�balloon�is�used�to�open�a�blocked�heart�vessel.

That�is�often�followed�by�placing�a�stent�in�the�vessel�to

keep�the�vessel�from�collapsing�and�choking�off�the

blood�supply.

“But�the�patient�only�had�one�good�vessel�left�on�the

heart�and�was�not�a�candidate�for�surgery,”�Balaschak

recalls.�“Her�heart�was�just�too�weak.”�

Given�the�patient’s�condition,�St.�Clair�cardiologists�

Drs.�Leonard�G.�Gehl�and�Adil�Waheed�performed�the

surgical�procedure�using�the�Impella.�

“The�procedure�worked�out�very�well,”�Shawn�says,

adding�the�Impella�was�removed�immediately�following

the�procedure,�but�can�remain�in�place�for�several�hours,

or�even�days,�if�the�patient�needs�it.

Balaschak says�St.�Clair�is�one�of�the�first�hospitals

in�the�greater�Pittsburgh�area�to�use�the�Impella�and

“will�continue�to�use�it�with�appropriate�candidates.”

Dr.�Waheed�says�using�the�Impella�at�the�Hospital

is�another�example�of�St.�Clair’s�expertise�in�heart�care.��

“Our�cardiovascular�center�treats�patients�with

exceptional�care,”�he�says.�

DR. ADIL WAHEED, D. O.Dr. Waheed earned his bachelor’s degree at Gannon University, Erie, and his medical degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at the former St. Francis Central Hospitaland his residency in internal medicine at the former St. Francis MedicalCenter, Pittsburgh. Dr. Waheed completed a fellowship in Cardiology andInterventional Cardiology at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, New Jersey.He is board-certified in Cardiology by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine and in Internal Medicine by the American OsteopathicBoard of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine.

I m p e l l a d e v i c e t o h e l p f r a g i l e h e a r t s w i t h s t a n d c a r d i a c c a t h e t e r i z a t i o n .

11

The St. Clair Hospital Sleep Disorders Center

Most Americans would probably agree that we live in

a sleep-deprived society.

Between work, school, caring for aging parents and ferrying

children back and forth to sporting events and various social

activities, most of us are not getting the amount of sleep or

quality of sleep that we need to stay healthy.

“People of all ages are tired, whether it is from a simple

lack of sleep or a more serious sleep disorder like obstructive

sleep apnea,” says Karen Gannon, manager of St. Clair Hospital’s

Sleep Disorders Center and the Respiratory Care Department.

Fortunately, more and more of the sleep deprived are

consulting their physicians for help and are being referred to

sleep labs for testing.

“We do testing for all types of sleep disorders on patients from

the age of 12 and older,” Gannon says. In the Sleep Lab, patients

are monitored overnight by respiratory therapists or technicians,

all of whom are registered in sleep disorders by the Board of

Registered Polysomnographic Technologists or who have passed

specialized certification from the National Board of Respiratory

Care, and hold the credential of Sleep Disorder Specialists.

“When someone is tired and can’t sleep for whatever reason,

it is very disruptive to all aspects of their lives,” Gannon says.

About 40 percent of Sleep Lab patients are diagnosed with

obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition in which a person

repeatedly stops breathing while sleeping, resulting in a host

of health issues from severe snoring, daytime fatigue, morning

headaches, lack of concentration, weight gain, a drop in blood

oxygen levels, and hypertension.

“Patients with obstructive sleep apnea get quantity, not

quality of sleep,” Gannon says. “In fact, they can get 10 hours of

sleep and describe feeling like they have been hit by a truck in

the morning. Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can be a

contributing factor to heart problems, strokes, excessive weight

gain and diabetes.”

For patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea,

treatment often comes in the form of a CPAP (Continuous

Positive Airway Pressure) or BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway

Pressure) machine.

Situated at bedside and connected to the patient by a face

mask, the small machines use positive air pressure to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

KAREN GANNON ‘SCORES’ A PATIENT’S SLEEP TEST. A SLEEP LAB PATIENT IS PREPARED FOR TESTING.

1000 Bower Hill RoadPittsburgh, PA 15243

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

General & Patient Information412.942.4000

Physician Referral Service412.942.6560

Outpatient Center—Village Square412.942.7100

www.stclair.orgHouseCall is a publication of St. Clair Hospital. Articles are for

informational purposes and are not intended to serve as medical advice.

Please consult your personal physician.

Welcome to the latest is

sue of HouseCall.

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In the House

M a n y p a t i e n t s d e s c r i b e t h e s l e e p t r e a t m e n t a s l i f e c h a n g i n g .

Dr. Fluhme: The best patient upon which to operate is

an informed patient. The surgery is only half of the issue.

The patient must be prepared for post-operative rehabilitation,

which is critical to the success of both simple and complex

orthopedic procedures.

Dr. Gibbons: In addition to easing some of the apprehension

associated with surgery, the classes help patients learn some

exercises to prepare for surgery and some tips on preparing the

home for their return. They also give patients the opportunity

to ask all of the detailed questions that they did not have the

opportunity to have answered in their surgeons’ offices.

Patients find these classes to be extremely helpful.

Orthopedic Surgery Q&ACONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Sleep LabCONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

keep breathing passages open and prevent any obstructions

during sleep. All studies are interpreted by physicians trained

in sleep medicine and results are sent to the patient’s ordering

physicians within three days of testing.

“People will call and say how much better they feel,”

Gannon says, noting that many patients describe the treatment

as life changing.

For more information about sleep disorders or theSleep Disorders Center at St. Clair Hospital, pleasecall 412.942.2035.