St. Clair Hospital_HouseCall Vol VI Issue 4

VOLUME V ISSUE 2VOLUME VI ISSUE 460YEARSCELEBRAT ING

Bringing an Expert Touch to Delicate Surgery I In Good Hands: For Perri Brothers, Surgery is a Family Affair I Advances in Orthopedic Surgery Technology I Hall of History I Ask The Doctorinside

“HOW WE TREAT YOUR

MEDICAL CONDITION IS

IMPORTANT, BUT SO IS

HOW WE TREAT YOU

AS A PERSON.

”JOAN MASSELLA, R.N., M.ED., MBA,ADMINISTRATIVE VICE PRESIDENT

AND CHIEF NURSING OFFICER,ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

Healing

St. Clair Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Joan Massella, R.N., M.Ed., MBA, standing at center, confers with RegisteredNurses, from left, Stephen Lamb, Kathy Warznak, and Julia Palumbo, as well as Unit Secretary Linda Mazek on Nursing Unit 6E during a recent walk-through of the highly rated unit.

The

Touch

PATIENT SATISFACTION

2 I HouseCall I Volume VI Issue 4

Continued on page 4

Joan Massella, R.N., M.Ed., MBA,administrative vice president

and chief nursing officer at St. Clair, says the 60-year-old

Hospital’s tradition of excellence has evolved into a hospital-wide

culture, and as a result, patient satisfaction rates have soared.

“Hospitals measure patient satisfaction to assess how well

they are meeting the needs of patients, to acquire insights into the patient

experience, to identify opportunities to improve. Listening to patient

feedback is essential. Patients today are informed and educated, and

they expect a quality outcome. How we treat your medical condition is

important, but so is how we treat you as a person.”

St. Clair measures patient satisfaction through a contract with South

Bend, Indiana-based Press Ganey, an independent research company

that tracks patient satisfaction at the majority of hospitals across the

country, including almost all of Western Pennsylvania. Press Ganey uses

patient satisfaction surveys to quantify the experience of

the patients, and reports this information to the Hospital

in the form of scores and compilations of patient

comments. The reports help the Hospital track its

progress. Patient satisfaction data drive change

within the Hospital, improving outcomes.

According to Joan, there are a number of key initiatives behind St. Clair’s

extraordinary patient satisfaction ratings. “Within nursing, we are always

implementing best practices,” she explains, “including bedside report

at change of shift, where nurses exchange information with each other,

patients, and families. We put white boards in each patient room, with

up-to-the minute information about their medications, tests, and care-

givers. All staff are educated in a program known as AIDET, an acronym

that stands for Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain and Thank

You. We started it in 2012 and find that it makes a big difference. The

purpose is to decrease anxiety and increase trust.We have very skilled

clinicians at the bedside and AIDET helps them communicate their

passion for helping patients heal in an environment of compassion,

dignity and respect.”

Amy Carbonara, R.N., a charge nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

at St. Clair, says nursing care is shaped by the five AIDET principles.

“At St. Clair, patient satisfaction is a priority.

“We get regular reports and take that information to the front line

staff, and ask for their input. We’re all involved in the process; it isn’t

someone sitting at a desk making the decisions. Patient satisfaction

benefits everyone.”

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL HAS THE HIGHEST PATIENTSATISFACTION IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ANDIS RANKED IN THE TOP 2% NATIONWIDE.

EXCELLEN

T

GOOD

FAIR

POOR


No one wants to be in the hospital. But when hospitalization is necessary, one hopes, of course,

for the best experience possible. That means top-notch, state-of-the-art care, delivered by

women and men who are highly competent and kind, in an environment of safety, comfort and

healing. Fortunately, that kind of ideal experience can be found close to home, according to

patients who report they are immensely satisfied with the high quality of care and services they

received at St. Clair. In an independent survey of patient satisfaction, these patients have given

St. Clair superlative ratings, catapulting the Hospital into the top 2 percent of hospitals nationwide.

Volume VI Issue 4 I HouseCall I 3

Patient satisfaction is impacted by many things above

and beyond hands-on patient care, says Joan. “It’s the

whole St. Clair experience

— from our valets to our

guest service representa-

tives to our volunteers to

our housekeeping staff —

these services matter a great deal to patients and are

part of their overall Hospital experience. We even have

menu concierges who visit each patient every day. For

many patients, meals are a highlight of the day. I can’t

say enough about our employees and volunteers and the

way they care about the patient experience. They get it.”

Physician leadership also drives high patient

satisfaction. “Our 550 physicians understand the

importance of the patient experience and are engaged

in this effort,” Joan says. St. Clair’s hospitalist program,

she adds, is also a major factor in patient satisfaction.

“We have a team of well-qualified hospitalists who

have a special skill set in managing the problems of

hospitalized patients, from newborns to the elderly.

They are always in-Hospital 24/7. They have a great

relationship with the nurses and provide seamless

continuity of care.”

Jose Christlieb, M.D., who serves as the medical

director of St. Clair’s hospitalists, says, “St. Clair has a

completely different culture from any other hospital in my

experience. It’s a true team, with the focus on the whole

patient. Patient needs are anticipated and the staff is

unfailingly kind and courteous. The interaction of the

nurses with patients is tremendous; I see it every day.

“I believe that patient satisfaction is driven by care

with great outcomes. Engaging the patient is key, and

that means listening and giving the patient your full

attention. When we communicate with empathy and

compassion, in language the patient understands,

patient satisfaction follows.

“Patient satisfaction is not about a score. I understand

that the numbers are necessary, but for me, it’s about

making a difference in someone’s life. Numbers cannot

capture what this is all about.”

PATIENT SATISFACTION:

The sum of the whole

Hospitalist Jose Christlieb, M.D., with patient Steve Kladakis of Paris, Washington County, near Weirton, W.Va.

The food is freshand healthy


A wide variety served

Highlight of the day

Enjoyable and contributes to recovery

“ST. CLAIR HAS

A COMPLETELY

DIFFERENT CULTURE

FROM ANY OTHER

HOSPITAL . . .

IT’S A TRUE TEAM,

WITH THE FOCUS

ON THE WHOLE

PATIENT.

”JOSE CHRISTLIEB, M.D.,HOSPITALIST,

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

Continued from page 3



Joan agrees that data are not the whole story. “The

Press Ganey scores are important, and have helped us

transform the patient experience, but it’s not the scores

alone. They tell us where we stand. What takes St. Clair

beyond the patient’s expectations is the human element,

plus the amenities and personal touch. Patients value

human relationships and communication.”

Gracious. For Juanita Knouff, that’s the word that best describes the care she received at St. Clair Hospital

during a recent admission for intestinal surgery. “I’ve been

in other hospitals and I’ve never experienced anything like

the care I had at St. Clair,” she says. “It was gracious care,

and it was the best experience I’ve ever had as a patient.”

Juanita is a 74-year-old Brookline resident who

says she got so much attention from the staff that she

occasionally wondered if she was the only patient on

the unit. “When I walked in the hall for the first time,

I was shocked to see so many other patients! The nurses

took time with me and treated me like I was special.

My surgeon, Dr. (Leigh) Nadler, stopped in twice a day.

My husband, Richard, was amazed.” Adds Richard:

“The nurses explained everything about my wife’s care

to me, too. I always felt included.”

Confident in their skills, sensitive to human as well

as clinical needs, buoyed by teamwork and fortified by

a supportive nursing administration, nurses at St. Clair

are empowered to deliver exceptional care.

A shared sense of mission facilitates teamwork

at St. Clair, and that translates into better

care, says Beau Concillio, R.N., a staff

nurse on the Observation Unit, 4B.

“St. Clair is one giant family,” he says.

“Everyone’s role is important. At

St. Clair, we keep the patient and

family in the loop. Patients are sick,

scared, and away from home; when the

doctor comes in to update them on

their conditions and treatment, they will

often nod their heads to indicate that they

understand, but they aren’t fully hearing

everything that is being said. I’ll go over it all

with them to make sure they understand exactly

what the doctor is saying.”

Establishing an emotional connection with every patient

Susan Bonelli, R.N., BSN, with patientErnestine Banycky of Bethel Park.

Patients trustour nurses


Highly skilled

They take time to explain patient care

Continued on page 6





For Jason Graham, R.N., a staff nurse on Unit 5A,

the orthopedic unit, his co-workers are a key to his job

satisfaction. “5A is a busy place; fortunately we have a

tight group

of staff who

support

each other.

St. Clair has a talent for hiring people who are happy and

positive. The staff is caring and warm. We never forget

that the person in the bed is somebody’s loved one.”

Kathleen Casey, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA),

has worked at St. Clair for 18 years. To her, high patient

satisfaction is derived not only from the clinicians’ natural

empathy for their patients, but from utilizing their contin-

uously improving skill set at bedside. “St. Clair provides

constant classes; we never stop learning and that

enhances our caregiving. We will do anything

for the patients. Sometimes, all they really

need is a listener, someone they can talk to.”

According to Susan Bonelli, R.N., BSN,

a staff nurse on Unit 6E, a medical-surgical

unit: “My father was a patient here and received

phenomenal care — not because I work here

but because that’s the level of care that

everyone gets. Chief Nursing Officer Joan Massella

forwards notes from patients to us; if my name is

mentioned by a patient, she sends an email. It means

a lot.” When Susan orients new nurses, she tells them,

‘No matter how bad your day is, you’re not the patient

in the bed.’” Susan also credits other members of the

staff. “The dieticians work closely with families and do

a lot of patient education. I think our high patient satis-

faction is also due to the contributions of our volunteers,

who are amazing.”

We never forget that the person in the bed is somebody’s loved one.

Kevin Johnson, at right, a patient transporter in the PhysicalTherapy Department, and Jason Graham, R.N., with patient Al Borza of South Fayette.

“I CHOSE TO PRACTICE AT ST. CLAIR BECAUSE OF

THE SHARED SENSE OF MISSION THERE. PEOPLE

HAVE A HIGHER PURPOSE BEYOND A JOB.”VINCENT E. REYES, JR., M.D.,ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

Vincent E. Reyes, Jr., M.D.


One of those amazing volunteers is Marcia Cohen,

a Mt. Lebanon resident and retired school principal who

became a patient at the Hospital when she was diagnosed

with ovarian cancer in the fall of 2012. “I was watching a

medical show on television,” she explains. “They were doing

a show about ovarian cancer and listed the symptoms. I had

every single one. Two days later I had an ultrasound; I had

massive tumors on both ovaries. I had a total hysterectomy,

then chemotherapy at the Hospital’s infusion center,

with oncologist Dr. Vincent Reyes overseeing my care.

The nurses were wonderful to me and Dr. Reyes was

incredible. He’s warm and caring and treated me like

family.” Marcia had such a positive experience at St. Clair

that she became a volunteer at the Hospital, where she

helps other women fighting cancer.

Marcia’s oncologist, Dr. Reyes, believes that commu-

nication is one key to patient satisfaction.“A patient who

is kept informed is an empowered patient. She or he is

part of the decision-making process and has less fear of

the unknown. St. Clair patients are well informed; they

are partners with me on this journey.”

Dr. Reyes credits the Hospital’s nurses for St. Clair’s

stellar patient satisfaction ratings. “The nurses are

responsible for patient care, every hour of every day.

It’s the nurses who execute the plan of care. Patients

never forget good nurses.”

“I chose to practice at St. Clair because of the shared

sense of mission there. People have a higher purpose

beyond a job. I think patients sense this, and that makes

them feel very comfortable at St. Clair Hospital.” n

Our doctorspersonalize patientcare


Physicians spendquality timeGenuine concern for patient questions and worriesReassuring, calming anxieties

JOAN MASSELLA, R.N., M.ED., MBA

Joan is Administrative Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer atSt. Clair Hospital. She previously served as Nurse Manager of the Psychiatric Unit, Director of Psychiatric and Medical/Surgical Units,and Director of the Family Birth Center. Joan holds a Master ofBusiness Administration from West Virginia University, a Master ofEducation from Duquesne University, and a Bachelor of Science inNursing from Edinboro State University.

To contact Joan Massella, please call 412.942.2100.


A HANDS-ON APPROACH

“I’m youngand healthy...how did thishappen?”

As a senior nursing student, Alycia Jones of Brownsville, Fayette County, knows

well the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. She is a 23-year-old woman

who, in addition to attending classes and clinicals at California University of

Pennsylvania, works hard to maintain her health and fitness; she runs five days a week,

lifts weights, does cross training and follows a healthy, balanced diet. “I’ve always been

health conscious and tuned into my body,” Alycia says. “In nursing school, I’m learning

how important that is in disease prevention. Many conditions are lifestyle-related, and

we have control over that. I have always tried to take good care of myself.” Her training,

self-awareness and intuition paid off earlier this year when she recognized that some-

thing was not right with her body. “I always know when something is wrong,” she recalls.

Bringing an expert touchto delicate surgery

“Dr. McQuone made me feel comfortable…She was always smilingand reassuring. I’venever known anotherdoctor like her.

” ALYCIA JONES

Dr. Shelly McQuone performs a follow-up exam on patient Alycia Jones.

Continued on page 10


BOARD-CERTIFIED OTOLARYNGOLOGIST SHELLY J. MCQUONE, M.D., FACS

OFFERS A HANDS-ON LEVEL OF EXPERTISE TO THE DIAGNOSIS,

TREATMENT AND CARE OF PATIENTS AT ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL.


A HANDS-ON APPROACH

10 I HouseCall I Volume VI Issue 410 I HouseCall I Volume VI Issue 4

“At first, it was not anything specific. I just sensed that something was off. Then I began developing

strange symptoms: fatigue, heart palpitations, swelling of my lower extremities and weight

fluctuations. I saw my primary care physician, who felt a nodule on my thyroid, on the right side,

and told me that I had hyperthyroidism.”

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of a hormone

called thyroxine, or T4 — the hormone that is responsible for metabolism. The thyroid gland is a

tiny, soft, butterfly-shaped gland that sits in front of the trachea. Its miniscule size belies its signif-

icance to physiologic functioning — the thyroid is a critically important organ that regulates every

aspect of metabolism, the process by which the body takes in calories from food and converts them

to energy. A healthy thyroid regulates the heart rate, breathing, body temperature, digestion and

thousands of other cellular processes. When the thyroid is healthy, it performs with quiet efficiency,

Patient Alycia Jones with Dr. Shelly McQuone.

“She told me to stay positive.I can’t express

what a difference that made for me.

”ALYCIA JONES



but an unhealthy thyroid can wreak havoc on the body.

Disorders of the thyroid generally take two forms: abnormal

hormone production and abnormal growths. Abnormally

low production results in hypothyroidism, the most common

disorder, and excessive production leads to hyperthyroidism.

Abnormal growths,or thyroid nodules, are common, but

may mean thyroid cancer.

An ultrasound revealed just such a nodule on the right

side of Alycia’s thyroid gland. A needle biopsy was performed,

and it was negative for cancer. She was referred to an

endocrinologist, who in turn referred her to Shelly J.

McQuone, M.D., FACS, a board-certified otolaryngologist

who recently joined the staff of St. Clair Hospital.

“Alycia’s case was medically interesting and not

entirely typical,” says Dr. McQuone. “She had symptoms

of hyperthyroidism: weight loss, sweating and palpitations,

along with laboratory testing supporting the initial diag-

nosis of Plummer’s Disease, a thyroid condition in which

there is a hyperfunctioning nodule that is secreting

excessive thyroid hormone, resulting in hyperthyroidism.

Her thyroid scan demonstrated a hyperfunctioning area,

or a ‘hot nodule’ — one nodule that is overactive, and the

apparent source of the excess hormone. Alycia’s history,

laboratory and imaging findings were all consistent with

Plummer’s Disease, and the treatment for that is a

hemithyroidectomy, the surgical removal of the affected

half of the thyroid. That usually results in the resumption

of normal functioning.”

Consequently, Dr. McQuone performed a hemithy-

roidectomy on Alycia at St. Clair, and Alycia did well

throughout the procedure and post-operative period.

But there was an unexpected development: although

both the original needle biopsy and the frozen section

biopsy, done during surgery, were negative for cancer,

the final pathology report indicated Stage I follicular

thyroid cancer. “It was a surprise; I was not expecting

that,” says Dr. McQuone. “Thyroid cancer is usually

asymptomatic; it most typically presents as a painless

nodule, or lump in the neck. It is not usually associated

with any abnormalities in blood tests, including thyroid

function studies. Patients say, ‘But I feel fine and my

bloodwork is normal.’ Neither is relevant. Alycia was

unusual in that she had symptoms. But her cancer was

in the earliest stages and that was important.”

Fortunately, most thyroid nodules are benign. A benign

nodule may be removed if it has suspicious features on a

needle biopsy specimen, or an ultrasound, or is associated

with other risk factors such as heredity or history of

radiation. In these instances, a portion of the thyroid is

removed for the purpose of obtaining a definitive diagnosis

on the nodule. If it later proves to be benign, no further

surgery is necessary. If the nodule turns out to be malignant,

often the remaining half of the thyroid gland is removed

at a second surgery.

According to the National Cancer Institute, 60,000

people in the U.S. are diagnosed with thyroid cancer

every year. It is more common in women, especially

women who are 50 or older. There are four kinds of

thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary and

anaplastic, with papillary being the most common by far.

Follicular thyroid cancer is the second most common

type, and it is the type that Alycia Jones was found to

have. One week after the surgery to remove the right

side of her thyroid, Alycia again placed herself in the

skilled and competent hands of Dr. McQuone, and

underwent the exact same procedure, hemithyroidectomy,

on the remaining left half of her thyroid, to prevent the

cancer from spreading.

Patient Alycia Jones works out daily.

Frank Torok, M.D., explains the effect of the radioactive medication Alycia Joneswill take to help rid her thyroid of any remaining cancer cells, and her needto self-quarantine for five days following ingestion.

Nuclear medicine, a subspecialty of radiology, involves the

administration of radioactive compounds into the body,

orally or by injection, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

This is usually followed by a scan that provides data to further a

diagnosis or treatment plan. Within the field of medical imaging,

nuclear medicine is unique in that it can be used to study not only the

anatomic structures of the body, but the functions as well. Although

it may sound a bit frightening to think of radioactivity being introduced

into the body, nuclear medicine is safe and the procedures are

non-invasive and painless.

Board-certified in radiology and nuclear medicine, Frank S.

Torok, M.D.’s expertise enables St. Clair Hospital to offer advanced

care for thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, and a wide

range of other diseases and conditions that can be diagnosed and

treated with the special capabilities of nuclear medicine.

Dr. Torok receives referrals from a variety of medical specialists

to diagnose and treat patients with thyroid problems, such as

thyroid cancer.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE:SAFE AND PAINLESS

Alycia then progressed to the next phase of treatment,

which involved the administration of radioactive iodine (RAI) to

complete the eradication of thyroid cancer cells from her body.

Frank S. Torok, M.D., board-certified radiologist and nuclear

medicine specialist, is personally managing her care, as he

does for every thyroid cancer patient at St. Clair. “Six weeks

post-op, the patient receives radioactive iodine to rid the

body of any thyroid tissue,” he says. “Thyroid tissue is avid for

iodine; the radioactive iodine sits in the body and attracts the

thyroid tissue. It is retained in the thyroid tissue, where it

slowly destroys thyroid cells and thyroid cancer cells, but

does not harm the other cells in the body.”

Alycia’s RAI therapy began with a full body scan and two

weeks on a low-iodine diet. That meant avoiding dairy, eggs

and any foods containing iodized salt, which is present in

nearly every processed food in the supermarket. “It isn’t

easy. The purpose of the strict diet is to make the thyroid

tissue crave iodine, so that when it is administered to the

patient, it takes up the iodine ravenously,” Dr. Torok explains.

“In the past, the patient had to go six weeks without thyroid

hormone and they felt awful. Today, we give the patient

injections to raise the level of TSH — thyroid stimulating

hormone — which stimulates the thyroid tissue and cancer

cells to take up the iodine. The RAI is more effective this way.”

After completing the two-week diet, Alycia came to

St. Clair’s Nuclear Medicine department where she received

RAI in pill form. After the administration of the RAI, the body

will emit radiation so precautions are necessary to avoid

exposing others to radiation. The iodine is gradually eliminated

through the urine, sweat and saliva, and the patient has to be in

isolation for five days, avoiding close contact with others. For

Alycia, who resides with her mother, this meant segregating

herself within her own home.

“Alycia did well and we will recheck her in one year,”

Dr. Torok says. “Patients have to return every year for a full

body scan. Fortunately, thyroid cancer is one of the most

curable cancers.”

Thyroid surgery is a significant portion of Dr. McQuone’s

practice, although, as an otolaryngologist and ear, nose and

throat specialist, she has expertise in treating a broad range

of conditions of the head and neck. Her patients include those

with head and neck cancers, including cancer of the thyroid,

parathyroid, larynx, esophagus, tongue and lymph nodes.

Dr. McQuone also treats thyroid disease, vocal cord disorders,

sinus problems, allergies, airway obstructions, cleft palate,

ear disorders, hearing loss, balance problems, sleep apnea

and facial trauma. The busy surgeon typically performs eight

to 10 surgical procedures each week, from insertion of ear

tubes to complex cancer surgeries.12 I HouseCall I Volume VI Issue 4


A HANDS-ON APPROACH

“I was drawn to head and necksurgery in medical school. It’s a combination field in many ways, both medical and surgical. The specialty

is a good fit for me.

”SHELLY J. MCQUONE, M.D., FACS

Thyroid and parathyroid surgery is delicate and highly

specialized, due to the proximity of the glands to the airway and to the

nerves that control the vocal cords. “Thyroid surgery is less invasive

today and we are able to make smaller incisions,” Dr. McQuone says.

“Most thyroid and parathyroid surgery can be done on an outpatient

basis, unless there is a large tumor that requires removal of the entire

gland. Patients have very little pain and usually recover quickly. They

can generally resume regular diet and normal activity right away.”

Alycia Jones is immensely grateful to Dr. McQuone and describes

her as a superb surgeon. “As a surgeon, Dr. McQuone is incredibly

skilled. I had two surgeries in the exact same spot, one week apart,

but the scar in the front of my neck is barely visible.” Alycia also regards

Dr. McQuone as a role model who demonstrated to the future nurse

that compassion and caring are as essential as clinical expertise for

healthcare professionals. Dr. McQuone, says Alycia, addressed not only

the unexpected diagnosis of cancer but also the fear and confusion

that left her reeling for a while. “This was very hard for me,” Alycia says.

“I’m young and healthy. I kept wondering, how did this happen? When

they first gave me the cancer diagnosis, it took a few days for it to really

hit me, to sink in. Dr. McQuone was great. She was so positive with me,

and she told me to stay positive. I can’t express what a difference that

made for me. I decided that I could face it, come to terms with it and

accept it. Dr. McQuone made me feel comfortable. She was kind and

caring in the way that she told me it was cancer, and that I would need

another operation. She was always smiling and reassuring. I’ve never

known another doctor like her.”

Dr. McQuone says that for Alycia, the overall prognosis is excellent.

“Alycia has received radioactive iodine, but no chemotherapy or radiation

will be necessary. Thyroid cancers do not respond well to radiation

therapy or chemotherapy and therefore these treatments are not

generally employed. The radioactive iodine is a one-time treatment, and

was undertaken approximately four to six weeks after surgery in

conjunction with a full body scan. The scan is used to determine if there

are any thyroid cells left in the body after surgery. Frequently, they

microscopically adhere to the trachea or may have spread to the cervical

lymph system. So we need to determine if any thyroid tissue remains,

and, if so, whether or not it has spread. The most common area of

spread would be the lymph nodes of the neck, but metastasis in very

rare circumstances can occur in the lungs, bones or brain, among other

organs. It helps that Alycia is young and in great health. She will need

to be monitored for cancer, although the rate of recurrence is low.

She will be on lifelong thyroid replacement, and her care will be

co-managed with endocrinology. She should have a normal life and

normal life expectancy.”




A HANDS-ON APPROACH

As the head of the department of nursing and a professor of nursing at

Robert Morris University School of Nursing and Health Sciences in Moon

Township, Nadine Englert, Ph.D., R.N. teaches her students the art and

science of nursing. Now she has something new to offer her students:

the perspective of the patient, an experience she gained recently while

having sinus surgery at St. Clair Hospital. Dr. Englert, 48, of Mt. Lebanon,

had never had surgery or been an in-patient at a hospital before, except

during the births of her three children. Normally, she’s a healthy, vibrant,

high-energy powerhouse who juggles a demanding job with a home and

family, but a severe and stubborn sinus infection was taking a toll on her

health and well-being.

“It started on July 4. I developed a congested cough and raspy voice

and nothing seemed to help. For the next four months, my primary care

physicians at Mt. Lebanon Internal Medicine and my pulmonologist

treated me with medication, including four different courses of antibiotics

and two courses of steroids. I was told that I had a chronic, drug-resistant

infection that my doctor thought was stemming from my sinuses. The

chronic coughing resulted from sinus drainage and my body’s attempt

to get rid of the infection. Despite no previous history of sinus problems,

my doctor felt that the most appropriate course of action was to consult

an otolaryngologist and he referred me to Shelly J. McQuone, M.D.”

Dr. McQuone ordered a CT scan of Dr. Englert’s sinuses and

performed a nasal endoscopy in the office; these two diagnostic

measures confirmed that she had a severe sinus infection and revealed

a surprise: Dr. Englert had a structural defect in her nasal septum.

Dr. McQuone suggested surgery to eradicate the infection and repair

the deviated septum. “Dr. McQuone explained things to me in great

detail,” Dr. Englert says. “At heart, she is a teacher and she really

cares that you understand what she is going to do and what you will

experience. She pulled up a stool and sat with me, drawing diagrams

and pictures and answering every question. I felt well prepared.”

Dr. Englert underwent surgery at St. Clair under general anesthesia.

Dr. McQuone describes the procedures: “I performed bilateral endoscopic

sinus surgery using a CT image-guided technique, balloon sinoplasty

on the frontal sinuses, as well as septoplasty, establishing adequate

ventilation to the previously occluded sinus passages. I also used

powered instrumentation to vacuum the infected tissue. The balloon

procedure can be used to safely access such areas as the frontal sinus,

which is under the forehead, and enlarge the natural openings into

these sinuses also.” Dr. Englert was discharged by late afternoon,

with little pain other than a headache, and that was manageable with

over-the-counter medication. Post-operatively, there was some nasal

swelling and a bit of bleeding, but no bruising at all, which Dr. Englert

attributes to the extraordinary skill of her surgeon. Dr. Englert returned

to Dr. McQuone’s office two days later to have stents removed; the

sutures in her left sinuses will be absorbed by her body.

“I received fabulous care from Dr. McQuone and from St. Clair Hospital.

Believe me, as a nurse educator, I was paying attention! St. Clair is a

“Dr. McQuone always sat atmy eye level to talk with me. She never stands over the patientand never talks at you. She hasthe best bedside demeanorI have ever seen.

”NADINE ENGLERT, PH.D., R.N.

Nadine Englert, Ph.D., R.N.

Valuable lessons learned from being a patient



FRANK S. TOROK, M.D.

Dr. Torok specializes in radiology and nuclear medicine. He earned his medical degree at The Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine andcompleted residencies at The Washington Hospital and the University ofPittsburgh Medical Center. He also completed a fellowship at UPMC. Dr. Torokis board-certified in radiology, nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, familypractice and geriatrics. He practices with South Hills Radiology Associates.

To contact Dr. Torok, please call 412.942.3101.

SHELLY J. MCQUONE, M.D., FACS

Dr. McQuone specializes in head and neck surgery. She earned her medicaldegree at The University of Virginia School of Medicine, and completed herresidency in head and neck surgery at The Johns Hopkins University Schoolof Medicine, where she also did an internship in general surgery.Dr. McQuone was a Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Fellow at The JohnsHopkins University School of Medicine, where she served as Assistant Chiefof Service in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.She is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Shepractices with Straka & McQuone, Inc.

To contact Dr. McQuone, please call 412.668.3395.

Robert Morris University Nursing Professor Nadine Englert, Ph.D., R.N., uses a full-size skeleton at RMU’s School of Nursingto explain the sinus procedure she underwent at St. Clair Hospital. The RMU Nursing students are, left to right, Molly Delaney,Victoria Morando, Nicholas Plansinis, and Jessica Blodgett.

“I will take back to the classroom the lessons I learned from Dr. McQuone and the St. Clair Hospital staff.

”NADINE ENGLERT, PH.D., R.N.

well-oiled machine, extremely organized, but the

staff does not sacrifice personal care for the sake

of efficiency. The nurses were delightful; in every

single interaction I had with a nurse, she told me

what she was doing and why. They were extremely

attentive and constantly cognizant of patient

safety. I was touched that Diane Puchetti, Director

of Peri-Operative Services, stopped by to say hello

and see how I was doing.”

At two weeks post-op, Dr. Englert was back to

work and feeling great. “Having outpatient surgery

was a new experience,” she says. “I will take

back to the classroom the lessons I learned from

Dr. McQuone and the St. Clair Hospital nursing

staff. One of the strongest impressions that remains

with me is the way Dr. McQuone always sat at my

eye level to talk with me. She never stands over

the patient and never talks AT you. She has the

best bedside demeanor I have ever seen. The

nurses showed me the importance of keeping

the patient informed. That takes away fear and

anxiety. I knew I was in good hands and I could

trust their care.” n

PERRI FAMILY LEGACY


All inthe FamilyDrs. Bill and Jeff Perri flank their sister, Mary Anne Perri, CRNA, before the three of them scrub in before a surgery at St. Clair Hospital.


W hen Dr. Francis Perri retired in 1998 at

age 73 after an exemplary career as a

surgeon, he left his practice to a worthy

successor: his son, Jeff. Jeff attended medical school

at Georgetown University, as his father had. The senior

Dr. Perri trusted that his thriving surgical practice

was in excellent hands. Their three years in practice

together are deeply meaningful to both.

“I know that my Dad waited for me,” says Dr. Jeff

Perri, who is now chairman of the Department of

Surgery at St. Clair. “He could have retired sooner.

I began practicing with him in 1996 and we had a

unique situation. Although three of my brothers

are also surgeons, I was the first in the family to

become a surgeon. My sisters are both nurses.

Mary Anne is a nurse anesthetist at St. Clair,

and Kathy works in Philadelphia.”

Dr. Jeff Perri has clear memories of child-

hood experiences that inspired his professional

aspirations. “I knew when I was 10 that I was

going to be a surgeon. My earliest recollections

are of running into people in Mt. Lebanon and

hearing them say things like, ‘Your Dad saved

my life,’ and ‘Your Dad operated on me and helped

me so much.’ It happened a lot and it made an

impression.”

After his father retired, Dr. Jeff Perri had a solo

practice for nine years, until his younger brother Bill

joined Perri Surgical Associates in 2007. Bill had

initially planned to become an attorney, but changed

direction after a pivotal experience with his father

and Jeff. “I was at a restaurant with Dad and Jeff,


Dr. Francis Perri, fourth from left, is surrounded by family/fellow clinicians following his last surgical procedure

at St. Clair Hospital. He retired in 1998.

THE PERRI FAMILY CONTINUES THEIR LEGACY OF CARE.

Jeffrey A. Perri, M.D., FACS and William M. Perri, D.O., FACS are brothers and surgeons whose

education began at home, well before they took their first pre-med classes. They are two of the 12

children of Francis R. Perri, M.D., who performed general surgery for decades at St. Clair Hospital.

Dr. Francis Perri is a physician and surgeon, a World War II veteran, a leader, and a teacher who

trained hundreds of surgeons. But his most cherished role is that of husband and father. To his

family, he is a revered figure, a gentle and humble man who set high standards and taught his

children, simply by being himself.


PERRI FAMILY LEGACY


and they were discussing an operation that another

surgeon had performed. Dad was drawing pictures on

a napkin, explaining how it should have been done. I was

fascinated and thought, ‘This is what I should be doing.’

I knew then that I was going to go to medical school.”

Bill graduated from Duke University and LECOM. Both

brothers perform a wide variety of surgical procedures.

“In my practice with Bill, we do general surgery, such as

hernia repairs, appendectomies, thyroid and parathyroid

surgery, and gall bladder removals; we also do oncologic

surgery and a good deal of emergency surgery,” Dr. Jeff

Perri says. “We also perform colorectal surgery and

minimally invasive colon resections.” Dr. Jeff Perri

also performs mastectomies, and both brothers are

trained in robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci

robotic system.

The Perri brothers appreciate the fact that their

situation is exceptional. According to Dr. Bill Perri,

“It’s fun to work with my brother Jeff, but also with

my sister Mary Anne. She’s excellent; I have complete

confidence in her skills as a nurse anesthetist. It’s

great when we’re all in the OR together. Adds Dr. Jeff

Perri, “In the OR, Bill and I are surgeons first and

brothers second. We can say anything to each other

and there will be no hard feelings. We know that the

patient’s best interest comes first.”

“IN THE OR, WE ARE

SURGEONS FIRST AND

BROTHERS SECOND …

THE PATIENT’S BEST

INTEREST ALWAYS

COMES FIRST.

”JEFFREY A. PERRI, M.D.,ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL


WILLIAM M. PERRI, D.O.

Dr. Perri earned his medical degree at LECOM, Erie, Pa. He completed his internship at ConemaughMemorial Medical Center and his residency at Pinnacle Health System, Harrisburg. Dr. Perri isboard-certified by the American Board of Surgery. He practices with Perri Surgical Associates, LLC.

To contact Dr. William Perri, please call 412.942.5660.

The past year has been unexpectedly challenging for

38-year-old Krista Fahnestock. Around Labor Day last

year, she developed abdominal pain and was given a

diagnosis of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pouches

that form in the intestine. She was doing well until

the following March, when a high fever landed her in

St. Clair Hospital. “I had a horrible infection with an

abscess in my left side; I was referred to Dr. Jeff Perri.

He was fantastic.

“I’m young to have diverticulitis. He recognized my

fear and explained everything to me.” He was honest,

but I knew he was trying not to scare me.” Although

Dr. Jeff Perri was Krista’s primary surgeon, brother Bill

was also in the operating room for her case. “It was a

minimally invasive procedure,” she says.

Krista is married with one child and lives in Hickory,

Washington County. As an X-ray technician, she’s familiar

with hospitals and doctors. “I felt like the Perri brothers

were in tune with me. This was a big surgery, but I knew

I was in good hands. When I told Dr. Jeff that, he put

his hands out to me and I held them. On my last day

in the Hospital, he hugged me. I expected a handshake,

so that was nice.” n

JEFFREY A. PERRI, M.D.

Dr. Perri earned his medical degree at Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, D.C.He completed his internship and residency at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh. Dr. Perri is board-certifiedby the American Board of Surgery. He practices with Perri Surgical Associates, LLC.

To contact Dr. Jeffrey Perri, please call 412.942.5660.

KristaFahnestockis one of the

many patients ofthe Perri

brothers whobenefitedfrom theirdiligence.

“I FELT LIKE THE

PERRI BROTHERS WERE

IN TUNE WITH ME.

THIS WAS A BIG SURGERY,

BUT I KNEW I WAS

IN GOOD HANDS.

”KRISTA FAHNESTOCK,PATIENT

LIKE THEIR FATHER BEFORE THEM, THE PERRI BROTHERSCONTINUE A TRADITION OF PATIENT-FOCUSED CARE


PATIENT PROFILE

Dr. Francis Perri is 88 now and has been

retired for 16 years. He is a modest, soft-

spoken gentleman who speaks with pleasure

about his life’s work and his family. The Perris

have 10 sons and two daughters, 24 grand-

children, and two great-grandchildren. Looking

back on his years as a surgeon, he cherishes

the gratitude of his patients and finds great

meaning in the opportunities he had to teach

and train other physicians. His daughter

Mary Anne Perri explains: “My Dad inspired

a lot of us to go into healthcare. Being a nurse

anesthetist is perfect for me and I love it.

Working with my brothers is fun. We’re often

on call at the same time, so we sometimes

do the same cases.”

The son of a physician and a nurse,

Dr. Francis Perri grew up in Monaca, Beaver

County, and attended high school and college

at St. Vincent Seminary and College in Latrobe,

where he excelled in academics and sports. He

later served in World War II as a radio operator.

Wanting to emulate his father, Francis Perri

applied to Georgetown University Medical

School, where he met Prudence Boutin, a

medical technologist from Minneapolis who

shared his love of biology. In 1954 he married

Prudie and the couple moved to Pittsburgh.

Following a residency in general surgery at

Mercy Hospital, he went to New York for a

fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer

Center where he acquired expertise in cancer

surgery. By then, several of their children had

been born, with more to come.

In 1960, the family moved back to Pittsburgh;

Dr. Perri opened a solo practice and joined the

staff at Mercy, eventually becoming chair of

the department of surgery. He performed a

broad range of procedures, including many

cancer surgeries. “I got all the bad cancer

cases,” he recalls, “because I had trained at

Sloan-Kettering.” They moved to their present

home in Mt. Lebanon in the early 1960s and

before long, found themselves adding two bed-

rooms to accommodate their expanding family.

Dr. Perri knew the surgeons at the brand new

St. Clair Hospital, not far from his home. When

they asked him if he would like to moonlight

at the Hospital, working one night per week in

the Emergency Room, he accepted. Before

long, he had joined the staff.

Seven of the Perri children followed their

parents into healthcare. As there are hints of

interest in medicine among some of the

grandchildren, an expansion of Perri Surgical

Associates may be on the horizon. n



PERRI FAMILY LEGACY

THE FAMILY PATRIARCH

The Perri family has been providing three generations

of healthcare.

(At left) Dr. Francis Perri and his wife, Prudie, recently stopped for a quick breakfast with theirsons, Drs. Jeff and Bill Perri, in the brothers’ officesin St. Clair Hospital Professional Office Building.

A picture from the family scrapbook shows newly minted physician

Francis Perri, M.D. performing a procedure.

Most surgical procedures are elective

and are therefore scheduled to

take place on weekdays, with

ample opportunity for the surgeon to know

his or her patient and the patient’s condition.

But, of course, surgical emergencies happen,

too, often in off-hours. At St. Clair Hospital,

general surgeons are available 24/7/365,

ready to respond when a patient’s life or

health is jeopardized by a condition that

requires immediate surgical intervention.

“During the off-hours, meaning

nights and weekends, we may get a

call from the Emergency Room

telling us that there is a suspected

surgical emergency,” Dr. Jeff Perri

explains. “Typically, this might be a

perforated gastric ulcer, a perforated

intestine from diverticulitis, or a bleeding

ulcer. Appendicitis was once considered

a surgical emergency, but studies indicate

that if there is no perforation and the patient

is stable, they can be admitted and given

antibiotics and then have surgery the

following morning.”

Performing emergency surgery in the

middle of the night is no simple matter —

it requires considerable logistics, including

the assembly of a surgical team and prepa-

ration of the Operating Room. Dr. Jeff Perri

credits St. Clair’s Emergency Department

for streamlining the process. “St. Clair has

an excellent, highly efficient emergency

department, and that makes a difference.

They stabilize the patient and initiate the

diagnostic tests, and get things rolling right

away, in terms of notifying the on-call surgeon

and getting the OR ready. We notify the nursing

supervisor, who calls in the OR staff and

anesthesia, and we open up the room and go

to work.”

A surgical team includes a surgeon or

surgeons, an anesthesiologist or anesthetist,

surgical nurses, OR technicians and other

clinicians, all of whom are highly trained for

this scenario. Supportive services, including

laboratory, blood bank and pharmacy, are

available if needed. Provision must be made

for the post-anesthesia and post-operative

nursing care of the patient as well, whether in

the Intensive Care Unit or other nursing unit.

Dr. Jeff Perri says that St. Clair’s Surgery

Department has an on-call system with a

rotating schedule of surgeons. “Our emergency

department is one of the busiest in south-

western Pennsylvania, so we get called quite

a bit, at least for a surgical consult, if not for

a surgical procedure. The emergency room

physician assesses the patient and calls the

surgeon on-call, and we determine if the

patient needs surgery, and if it needs to be

done immediately.”

Dr. Jeff Perri says that surgeons get used

to performing surgery whenever they are

needed. “Residency prepares us for that.

Emergency operations are interesting

and exciting and you always have a little

adrenalin flowing.”

For Drs. Jeff and Bill Perri, and their

surgical colleagues at St. Clair, being on-call

for emergencies is part of the job. For them,

interrupted sleep is offset by the satisfaction

of knowing that they were able to help

someone in critical need, someone who

also did not expect to be in the OR in

the middle of the night. n

SURGEONS INCLUDING THE PERRI BROTHERS ARE AVAILABLEIN CASE OF EMERGENCY AROUND-THE-CLOCK

At St. Clair Hospital, general surgeons are available 24/7/365,

ready to respond when a patient’s life or health is jeopardized

by a condition that requires immediate surgical intervention.


Patients benefit from technologicaladvances in orthopedic surgery

Nearly 30 million Americans live with the pain and

disability of knee osteoarthritis, and chances are

good that most of those people have been led

to believe that knee replacement surgery, or total

knee replacement, is inevitable. Not necessarily, says

Jon B. Tucker, M.D., a board-certified St. Clair Hospital

orthopedic surgeon who focuses on knee and shoulder

disorders. Many patients who have been told they need

total knee replacement may not need it after all, he says,

thanks to advances in orthopedic surgical technology that

are designed to preserve and restore diseased joints,

rather than replace them.

“My focus is joint preservation,” Dr. Tucker says.

“There are new, advanced options to restore cartilage

and preserve all or part of the joint; these are

wonderful developments in orthopedic

surgery. They are alternatives that can

keep you going until you clearly need

total knee replacement, or they can keep

you going without having to undergo a

replacement at all.”

Dr. Tucker describes his typical

knee replacement patient as a middle-

aged person with a knee problem

that causes pain and instability that

eventually impair quality of life.

The patient is told to take anti-inflammatories, get cortisone

shots, modify their lifestyle, lose weight, use a cane and

be prepared to have a total knee replacement. “About

half of the people I see who think they need a total knee

replacement have a condition that is treatable with less

invasive procedures and techniques. Many of these

people will actually do better with a less invasive

surgery than a total knee replacement. It’s a highly

individual matter; every person’s knee, their demands

and their expectations are unique.” Dr. Tucker is not

opposed to total knee replacements; he frequently performs

the procedure. “Total knee replacement is a great

procedure. St. Clair’s surgeons use multimodal

pain management, so it isn’t the ordeal it

once was. But a total knee replace-

ment is no simple matter.”

In his practice, Dr. Tucker

uses Magnetic Resonance

Imaging, or MRI, for short.

An MRI, he says, is like

a piece of fine art —

detailed and rich with

information. “Images

provide the nuance

that makes the

difference,” he says.

ORTHOPEDIC ADVANCES

JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY IS UNQUESTIONABLY ONE OF THE MIRACLES

OF MODERN MEDICINE. BUT IT’S NOT THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE FOR PATIENTS

WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS.


Jon B. Tucker, M.D.


“ABOUT HALF OF THE PEOPLE I SEE WHO THINK

THEY NEED A TOTAL

KNEE REPLACEMENT

HAVE A CONDITION THAT

IS TREATABLE WITH LESS

INVASIVE PROCEDURES

AND TECHNIQUES.

”JON B. TUCKER, M.D.,ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON,ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL


“For instance, you can see bone marrow lesions (BML) on an MRI. BMLs are little micro-

fractures — insufficiency fractures — in the bony tissue in the joint just beneath the cartilage.

The bone starts to crumble. An MRI helps me plan exactly what surgery you need, according

to your personal anatomy.”

To Dr. Tucker, these advancements reflect the evolution taking place in orthopedics.

“It represents a coming together of advancements in medical science and technology.

We’re learning more about osteoarthritis all the time: what makes it hurt? What can be done

about it? What is actually causing the disability and pain? When we know, we can match the

problem with the right tools. These days, a versatile surgeon has many tools in the toolbox

— it’s no longer just total knee replacement. These advances bridge the gap between non-

surgical treatment of osteoarthritis, which remains very important, and total knee replacement.

An experienced surgeon can expertly match the right minimally invasive techniques with the

right patient and achieve a great outcome. This can significantly delay and even eliminate the

need for total knee replacement. It’s a matter of what can be done versus what should be done.”

Dr. Tucker believes that the newer technologies bring customized treatment for each

patient. “My goal is always to choose what is best for each patient, and to consider all

procedures after listening to each patient’s needs and collaborating with them on a treat-

ment plan.”

Orthopedic surgeon Jon B. Tucker, M.D. prepares for a recent knee procedure in an operating room at St. Clair Hospital. Dr. Tucker says newer technologies bring customized treatment for each patient.

R ICHARD JUST ICE :

Back to work, pain-freeRichard Justice, 52, of Oakdale, was a veteran of four knee

operations, before meeting Dr. Tucker. He lived with constant

severe pain for 18 years, due to kneecap misalignment

problems and osteoarthritis.

Previous surgeries were all

attempts to realign his cracked,

chipped kneecap and debride

the joint; the procedures provided short-term relief at best.

As a contractor, his work is physically demanding and

he found ways to cope with the pain, remarkably never

missing a day of work, but it’s been a struggle. “I knew

I was heading toward a total knee replacement,” he says.

“Nothing helped — including cortisone shots or physical

therapy. I was always on and off crutches. Chronic pain

wears on you.”

Dr. Tucker performed a partial knee replacement

on Richard’s brother-in-law and he, in turn, suggested

Richard see Dr. Tucker. “Dr. Tucker is straightforward

with you. He told me I needed a procedure called

arthrosurface patellar femoral resurfacing. In my

situation, a total knee replacement would be overkill,

he told me.”

“Total knee arthoplasty, when the problem is

confined to the kneecap, is a big step to take for a

small problem,” says Dr. Tucker. “Richard had an

unstable knee, beyond joint preservation but not bad

enough for a total knee. His problem, kneecap arthritis

and instability, is clinically very different from garden-

variety osteoarthritis. I gave him a prosthetic partial

knee joint replacement; it’s an implant that is similar

to getting a tooth filled. Only the damaged area is

restored; the healthy part of the knee is not disturbed,

so much of the joint is preserved.”

Richard says his surgery was life changing. “Being

pain-free is amazing. This surgery bought me time.

I spent one day in the Hospital and was back at work

in a week. I have occasional swelling and stiffness,

but no major pain. I’m able to accomplish much more.

But the biggest difference is that I can enjoy my life

again with my wife, Stacie, and our kids, and our

first grandchild.” n

ARTHROSURFACEPATELLAR FEMORALRESURFACING

“BEING PAIN-FREE IS AMAZING... . I CAN ENJOY MY LIFE AGAIN.

”RICHARD JUSTICE,PATIENT

FOLLOWING ARE TWO REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES OF ALTERNATIVES TO TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

Knee patient Richard Justice is back at work, pain free.



ORTHOPEDIC ADVANCES

JON B. TUCKER, M.D.

Dr. Tucker earned his medical degree at the Universityof Pennsylvania. He completed his internship ingeneral surgery, residency in Orthopedic Surgery,and a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Hospitalof the University of Pennsylvania. He is board-certifiedby the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Hepractices with St. Clair Medical Services TuckerOrthopedic Group.

To contact Dr. Tucker, please call 412.276.0267.

GRETCHEN GR IMES :

Her shoes were made for walkingGretchen Grimes loves to go for evening walks in her Rennerdale

neighborhood, and now she has some fancy new shoes for those

walks — a pair of black, white and pink running

shoes with purple laces. The shoes were a gift from

her daughter, to celebrate the return to her cherished

walks, following two partial knee replacements.

Gretchen has had two partial knee replacement surgeries in

recent months, both performed by Dr. Tucker. She was suffering with

osteoarthritis and bone deterioration, with considerable pain that was

limiting her life. “I saw Dr. Tucker and he explained his findings to me.

He told me about partial knee replacement, which I had never heard

of. I was excited about it.”

Dr. Tucker says that partial knee replacement is for severe

osteoarthritis that is limited, usually, to just the medial half of the

joint. It resurfaces only the damaged cartilage, while a total knee

replacement replaces the entire joint. “This procedure uses a special

device to replace the worn out half of the knee. About one third of

patients with knee osteoarthritis can have this done instead of total

knee replacement, and it will produce results that last as long, with

less risk, and a lower complication rate. It’s a smaller operation,

with a shorter recovery time, and it results in a more natural feeling

knee, with better range of motion.”

St. Clair’s physical therapists had Gretchen out of bed and walking

the very evening of her surgery. “I used a walker and just went a

short distance, but I was amazed to be walking so quickly.” Gretchen

is back to work after being off for eight weeks from her job as a

payroll supervisor for a multi-national corporation headquartered

in Downtown Pittsburgh.

“I feel great. Dr. Tucker takes his time with you and explains

things until he is sure that you understand. The staff on the Orthopedic

Unit of St. Clair Hospital is outstanding, and Dr. Tucker’s office staff

is excellent. I’m so glad that I had the procedures and have now

returned to my evening walks.” n

“I FEEL GREAT… I’M SO GLAD THAT IHAD THE PROCEDURES AND HAVE NOW

RETURNED TO MY EVENING WALKS.

” GRETCHEN GRIMES, PATIENT

PARTIAL KNEEREPLACEMENT

A partial knee replacement allowedpatient Gretchen Grimes to return toher daily walks near the RennerdaleDuck Pond, just outside Carnegie.


60 YEARS OF CARE


This architect’s rendering offers a sneak preview of thesoon-to-be erected Hall of History on the Fourth Floor at St. Clair Hospital.

Hall of History Brings St. Clair Hospital’s 60 Years of Service to Life

To commemorate 60 years of serving the

community, St. Clair Hospital is erecting a

Hall of History that will run approximately half

the length of the hallway adjacent to the Fourth Floor

Lobby and include St. Clair’s greatest achievements

throughout the past decades. When completed,

the Hall’s photographs and exhibits will serve as a

testament to the spirit of the thousands of men,

women, and, yes, children of the area who united in a

tenacious effort to build a hospital they could call their

own, close to home. If you are interested in making a

financial donation to the Hall of History and continuing

St. Clair’s long-running history of grassroots support,

please contact the St. Clair Hospital Foundation at

412.942.2465 or [email protected]. n

Jay A. Lutins, M.D.


ASK THE DOCTOR

JAY A. LUTINS, M.D.

Ask the Doctor

Q

A

I have trouble controlling my bladder. I need to urinate often during

the day and night, and I get hardly any warning before I have to make

a dash for the bathroom. Is there anything that can be done for me?

Yes, there are a lot of things that can be done for you.

These problems affect men and women of all ages,

although mainly people over the age of 35. We refer

to these symptoms as Overactive Bladder (OAB). It is

important at the initial office visit to perform a few routine

tests, which include a physical exam, an assessment of a

urine sample for infection or blood, and measuring how

much urine is left in the bladder after the patient thinks

he or she might have completely emptied.

OAB is an enormously common, yet NOT a normal

part of aging. More than 33 million people in the U.S.

suffer from some sort of bladder problem. These issues

are embarrassing to the patient which explains why, on

average, patients delay bringing up these problems to

their doctor. OAB can alter one’s life in dramatic ways

by causing sufferers to avoid travel, parties, interacting

with family, and basically avoiding many social activities.

Many patients will improve with simple steps, such

as restricting certain fluids and foods which are bladder

irritants, trying to keep their bladders empty, exercising

certain pelvic floor muscles, and taking medications.

Newer medications have been developed which have

minimal, if any, side effects.

For those patients who do not respond to these simple

measures, we offer another proven treatment as an option

for improving bladder control, and it has also been shown

to help those suffering from bowel accidents, as well. Up

to one third of patients who suffer from bladder problems

also experience bowel problems, called fecal incontinence

(FI). The treatment is referred to as Sacral Neuromodulation,

and it has helped greater than 150,000 patients worldwide.

In the office setting, we are able to test the patient

to see if he or she would benefit from this approach.

The office test takes 7 to 10 minutes. Patients usually

know within 2 to 3 days if the office test was successful.

If successful, then we have the patient come to St. Clair

Hospital where we place a silver dollar-sized disc under

the skin above the buttock. Placing the disc takes 20 to

30 minutes and patients can comfortably go home

shortly thereafter.

Sacral Neuromodulation was FDA approved in 1997

as a safe, minimally invasive

procedure that can dramati-

cally improve one’s quality

of life. It has proven

effectiveness in

selected patients for

up to 5 years. Risks

are minimal, and we

change the device

battery when it runs

low. Sacral Neuro-

modulation is a very

viable treatment for

patients suffering

from FI. n

JAY A. LUTINS, M.D.

Dr. Lutins earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Virginiaand completed his residency training in urology at the University of PittsburghMedical Center. He is board-certified by the American Board of Urology.He practices with The Center for Urologic Care.

To contact Dr. Lutins, please call 412.833.3000.

The results are in!

Our staff iskind and courteous


Staff is friendly and helpful

to patients and families

Volunteers and drivers

offer special care

St. Clair Hospital is ranked among the top2% nationwidein patient satisfaction.Independent surveys of patients hospitalized at St. Clair show soaring satisfaction levels from discerning men and womenwhose high expectation levels are being met on every front. Please turn to Page 2 to read how the Hospital’s ‘Healing Touch’ is exemplified in an environment of compassion, dignity and respect.

Patients trustour physicians


Kept patient informed

Respected patient concerns and views

Answered all questions about condition and care

Our nurses deliver

genuine careand compassion


Responsive to

patient requests

Attentive with special

care needs

Understanding

St.Clair Hospital1000 Bower Hill RoadPittsburgh, PA 15243www.stclair.org

General & Patient Information: 412.942.4000

is a publication of St. Clair Hospital. Articles are for informational purposes and arenot intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your personal physician.

Follow us on twitter at: www.twitter.com/stclairhospitalHouseCall

Outpatient Center–Village Square: 412.942.7100Physician Referral Service: 412.942.6560

Urgent Care–Village Square: 412.942.8800Medical Imaging Scheduling: 412.942.8150

Outpatient Center–Peters Township: 412.942.8400

St. Clair Hospital_HouseCall Vol VI Issue 4

Documents

Transcript of St. Clair Hospital_HouseCall Vol VI Issue 4