Download - St. Clair Hospital HouseCall Vol VI Issue 3

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YEARS | 1954 - 2014CELEBRAT ING

3D Mammography I Health Insurance Q & A I 60th Anniversary Celebration I Community OutreachFree Mammography And Women’s Wellness Day I Ask The Doctor I History Minuteinside

HouseCallST. CLAIR HOSPITAL FAMILY BIRTH CENTER

Delivering Generations ofPittsburghers for 60 Years

UPCOMING HEALTH

INsUrANCE CHANGEs

AT sT. CLAIr.

How You MightBe Affected.

Please see page 18.

Q A&

Three generations of the Chiappetta family of Mt. Lebanon

Family birth center

2 I HouseCall I Volume VI Issue 3

WelcomeWorld!to the

The St. Clair Family Birth Center: delivering babies since 1954

When St. Clair Hospital opened its doors in 1954, those doors led

straight to the Maternity Department, right off the main lobby on

the First Floor. The placement of the department in such a prime

spot reflected its significance to the brand new hospital, which was initially

developed to provide emergency care, medical-surgical care, and maternity

care to the people of the South Hills. Women would no longer need to be driven

long distances to have their babies; they could have them close to home, in

their own neighborhood. It was the fulfillment of a dream for the people of

the South Hills.

Sixty years later, St. Clair Hospital still places a high priority on offering

the best quality obstetrical care to the women of the community. Over the

decades, many things have changed in the care of mothers and babies, but

St. Clair’s commitment to providing high quality obstetrical services stands

stronger than ever. The maternity unit of 1954 has undergone relocations

and transformations, evolving into the freshly renovated, sparkling, state-of-

the-art Family Birth Center that now welcomes more than 1,400 newborns

a year into the world.

Continued on page 4

At St. Clair Hospital’s Family Birth Center, no birth is routine, and no baby is ordinary.

Every delivery is a miracle, and every baby, a wonder to behold. In the Family Birth

Center, the care is outstanding, and the environment matches the beauty of the work

that takes place there. It is an exceptional, special place within the Hospital, artfully

designed to blend the comforts of home with the clinical safety and quality of a first rate,

award-winning medical facility. For families of newborns, the Family Birth Center at

St. Clair Hospital is a place of welcome.

Volume VI Issue 3 I HouseCall I 3

clinical excellence comes First

At St. Clair’s Family Birth Center, clinical excellence and patient safety

come first. A highly credentialed team of board-certified obstetricians and

pediatricians, plus a team of expert nurses, provides the highest quality,

advanced care to mothers and babies. The Family Birth Center staff prides

itself on its outstanding record of safe deliveries and healthy newborns.

For obstetrician Stephanie S. Brown, M.D., St. Clair is an ideal facility

for childbirth. “St. Clair is a very safe place to have a baby,” she says.

“We have excellent outcomes.”

St. Clair is distinctive among hospitals for the quality and range of

pediatric services that complement the excellent obstetric department.

Since 1994, St. Clair has had 24-hour, in-house pediatric coverage, led by

Dayle B. Griffin, M.D., a board-certified pediatric hospitalist, plus a team

of pediatricians with advanced training. A pediatrician attends every

C-section, premature birth, and high-risk birth, such as the delivery of

multiples, and manages the care of the infants who require care in the

Family Birth Center’s Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The

NICU has a nurse-baby ratio of 1:1 to 1:3, depending on acuity, and a

maximum of six babies, who may need antibiotics, oxygen, monitoring,

or more time to grow. Every infant born at St. Clair receives a hearing

screening and CCHD screening, a simple yet extremely important test

that helps in the early identification of critical

congenital heart defects.

“I think so highly of Dr. Griffin and

her team,” says obstetrician

Tera S. Conway, M.D. “Knowing that

an excellent pediatrician is always

here, immediately available, gives

comfort to parents and enhances

our quality of care.”

Dr. Griffin takes pride in the high quality of pediatric services at

St. Clair. “Our team of expert pediatric hospitalists provides round-the-clock

coverage, so families can feel confident that their baby is in good hands

and that any problems that might arise will be skillfully managed,” she

says. “We have 70 pediatricians on staff here who come to St. Clair to

provide care for their newborn patients; our hospitalists stay in contact

with them to assure a smooth transition from the Hospital. It’s important

to all of us that our mothers take home healthy babies. Our entire team of

obstetricians, nurses, pediatric hospitalists, and community pediatricians

works toward that goal.”

First rate Facilities and a Warm, safe environment

The Family Birth Center features 11 LDRP (labor, delivery, recovery,

postpartum) rooms, plus eight post-partum rooms that blend beauty and

functionality. The rooms are ingeniously designed to camouflage the

technology without sacrificing safety or efficiency, and are fully equipped

for emergencies. The transformation from labor room to delivery room

happens expeditiously, and most of the time, the new family stays together

in the same room. According to Linda McIntyre, RN, MSN, director of

Women and Children Services, the Family Birth Center environment is

both aesthetically pleasing and therapeutic. “We have a beautiful

environment with spacious rooms that are almost twice the size of the

average hospital room. The décor is homelike and tranquil, with the

amenities of a hotel and the clinical safety of a hospital. Our unit is

private and secure.”


Continued from page 3

Family birth center

• 14 obstetricians deliver babies• Reputation for overall excellence• Highly credentialed obstetricians and nurses• Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit• Leading-edge labor and delivery suites• 24-hour pediatrician coverage

The Family Birth Center at St. Clair

New parents Catherine O'Hara, M.D. and Benjamin Susco, M.D.brought son Nathan back to the Family Birth Center to showhim to staff, including Sharon Johnson, RNC, clinical supervisorof the FBC, and Linda McIntyre, RN, MSN, director of Womenand Children Services.

All of the Hospital’s LDRP rooms blend beauty and functionality.


‘Phenomenal nurses’

The Family Birth Center offers a warm embrace to newborn families,

with the reassurance of a highly competent, experienced, and caring

nursing staff. “If you have your baby at St. Clair Hospital, you will receive

care that is clinically excellent, personalized, and family centered. You’ll

leave here feeling confident that you can take care of your baby. You’ll feel

supported every step of the way,” promises Sharon Johnson, RNC,

clinical supervisor of the Family Birth Center. Sharon knows of what she

speaks: she has 32 years of obstetric nursing experience and gave birth

to all three of her own children at St. Clair. “Our professional team is our

greatest asset. We have the best nursing staff and great obstetricians.

The nurses are all RNs and are cross-trained to care for both mothers

and babies. We have a sub-group of nurses who are Level II neonatal

nurses, able to stabilize and care for babies with special needs. We have

great depth of experience on our staff and nursing education is a constant.”

Women in labor receive one-to-one nursing care, and as often as

possible, continuity is provided by having the same nurse provide

postpartum care for the mother and her baby. Mothers receive thorough

education in infant care and feeding, and strong support for breastfeeding,

according to Sharon. “We have lactation consultants on staff and we

promote the benefits of breastfeeding. We also have breastfeeding

classes and a support group. We encourage skin-to-skin contact at

delivery, and first-day pumping. Our lactation consultants are available

to mothers after discharge, and our staff nurses are available 24/7 by

phone to answer parents’ questions.”

Sharon says that obstetric nursing is uniquely rewarding. “There’s

a bond between the nurse and the parents. Helping a couple through

childbirth is an intense and intimate experience; it means something

to the parents that you were there helping them at this incredibly

important event. It can be emotional: when you see a father crying at

delivery, when you place a baby in a mother’s arms for the first time.

You can’t help but be moved. Emotion is part of the job.”

Dr. Griffin says that the Family Birth Center’s “phenomenal nurses”

are versatile, dedicated, and committed to excellence. “Our nurses take

time with the mothers and give them personal care and individualized

teaching. It makes a difference.”n

“I�have�fIrst-hand�experIence

and�I�can�say�that�the�qualIty

of�the�care,�the�qualIty�of

the�rooms,�the�personal�attentIon,

and�the��nurse-patIent�ratIo�

are�second�to�none.

”NEW MOM CATHERINE O’HARA, M.D.,HOSPITALIST IN INTERNAL MEDICINE,ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

Continued on page 6

Continued on page 8

Tim Chiappetta is a first-time father, and

he, too, was born at St. Clair Hospital —

the same place where his son Beau

entered the world on Tuesday, July 8.

Beau arrived a bit early, at 37 weeks and

six pounds, but he was strong, stable, and feeding well

enough to go home with his mother, Elizabeth, two days

later. It had not been an easy pregnancy for Elizabeth;

with gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, she

needed to be closely monitored for early signs of problems.

Every week, she came to the Family Birth Center for a

non-stress test. When the time came, however, things

went like clockwork: her water broke at 7:45 a.m., and

Beau was born at 7:45 p.m., with obstetrician Deborah

Lenart, M.D., attending the delivery.

Tim and Elizabeth, both attorneys, had elected to be

surprised by their baby’s gender at delivery,

and Tim recalls that the real surprise was

the way they found out. “When the baby

was halfway out the doctor pulled me

over to watch and be the first to see the

gender — that was very cool.”

The Chiappettas are completely

satisfied with their childbirth

experience at St. Clair and would

not consider anywhere else. “I’m

the youngest of four and we

were all born at St. Clair. When

Elizabeth and I toured the Family Birth Center,

we were blown away. It’s a top-notch operation in every

way. St. Clair is as sophisticated as the big hospitals and

the security is excellent. But it really comes down to the

people and they were the best,” says Tim. Adds Elizabeth,

“The nurses went above and beyond. Our nurse was there

the whole time, for a full 12-hour shift. We had missed the

Labor and Delivery class because Beau came early, but it

didn’t matter because our nurse taught us everything.”

The Chiappettas acknowledge the vulnerability that new

parents feel as they anticipate childbirth — especially the

first time. But their fear and anxiety were eased by the

environment and the caring competence of the staff. “I had

a strong sense of trust there,” says Tim. “We had a

relationship with our obstetrician, Dr. Lenart; she had a

calming presence. She’s awesome. She blended a nurturing

bedside manner with clinical skill. It made us feel safe.”

One of the strong points for Tim and Elizabeth was

the Family Birth Center environment. “It’s family centered,

spacious, and welcoming. I have a large family, and

everybody came. At one point we had a large group of

visitors in the room. No one complained. And it was

remarkably quiet! You expect noise, babies crying all day

— but it was quiet and peaceful.” For Elizabeth, a highlight

was the abundant natural light that streamed through the

large windows. “I could watch the sunset with my baby in

my arms.”

Elizabeth says that Beau, at four months, is a great

baby. “At one month, Beau weighed eight pounds, five

ounces and was sleeping through the night — almost. He

would get up once.” That nighttime wake-up was Daddy’s

special time with Beau: “We would rock and listen to a

Beatles lullaby CD,” Tim recalls. “Our favorite song was

Across the Universe.” n

BeauCHIAPPETTA

7/8/2014

It�was�amazIng.�It

was�everythIng

they�say�It�Is,�and

more.�I�wIll�never

forget�Beau’s

BIrth.�and�I�wIll

never�forget�the

way�that�the�

doctors�and

nurses�at�st.�claIr

took�care�of�us.

”

“

HouseCall met with four young families who shared their respectiveexperiences in the Family Birth Center — Mt. Lebanon brothers Tim and Tony Chiappetta, Moon Township’s Wiley family, and physiciansCatherine O’Hara and Benjamin Susco of Ohio Township.

Proud ParentsContinued from page 5

Family birth center


ELIZABETH CHIAPPETTA

Over

100,000babies have been born at St. Clair Hospital

since 1954.


Tim and Elizabeth Chiappettawith baby Beau.

Tony and Emily Chiappettawith baby Mary Virginia andher big sister Caroline.


Family birth center


6/9/2014

MaryVirginia CHIAPPETTA

“the�entIre�hospItal�made�us�feel�lIke�they�were

there�for�us.�we�were�not�just�passIng�through�—�

It�Became�‘our’�hospItal;�we�felt�lIke�we�Belonged

there.�the�secluded�locatIon�of�the�famIly�BIrth�

center�makes�you�feel�lIke�you�aren’t�In�a�hospItal.�

you�feel�physIcally and�emotIonally�secure.

”TONY CHIAPPETTA

Tony Chiappetta and his brother Tim were born

just 15 months apart, so they grew up doing

nearly everything together. Today, they live near

each other and still do things together — they

even became fathers just one month apart. “On

June 9, our daughter was born, and on July 8, Tim’s son was born;

both were born at St. Clair Hospital, like us, and they were baptized

together at St. Bernard’s Church in Mt. Lebanon.”

Tony and his wife Emily welcomed Mary into the world five

months ago. She was delivered by C-section, performed by obstetrician

Shannon H. McGranahan, M.D. “Our first baby, Caroline, now 4,

was also born by C-section at St. Clair. That time, it was

unexpected, but the doctors and nurses helped us through it.

Dr. McGranahan delivered both girls and she

was spectacular! She saved Caroline, and we

owe her a debt of gratitude.”

The Chiappettas say they had great

experiences at St. Clair, both times. “The

proximity to home and the accessibility are

great — no long drive, no parking worries,”

says Tony. “Just a quick jump from home

instead of a long commute and traffic.” For

Emily, the convenience put her mind at rest.

“We live in Mt. Lebanon and there was peace

of mind in knowing that we could get to the Hospital quickly and

easily. Since we both grew up here, St. Clair is familiar to us.

I originally chose St.Clair because my doctor, Stephanie Brown (M.D.),

delivers there. I’ve been with her for a long time. Her partner,

Dr. McGranahan, actually delivered both of my babies. I have

complete trust, love and respect for these doctors.”

Tony, an engineer, refers to the LDRP room where Mary was

born as “the corner office.” It was the last room along the hallway,

quiet and private, enabling Emily to sleep when she needed to.

“I could rest and recover there,” Emily says. “The LDRP room was

beautiful, and it was great to remain in one place the entire time.

No shuffling around from place to place. The whole FBC is incredibly

clean; everything is spotless and brand new. I urge people to check

out St. Clair. We received care that was high

quality and very personal. Sometimes hospitals

have that revolving door feeling. St. Clair

never felt that way. Every single nurse was

highly competent and the communication

among the staff was seamless. Nothing ever

fell through the cracks. And there’s a great

coffee shop (Café 4) — Caroline loved it; the

cookie selection met her needs. St. Clair

offered everything possible to make our

experience as nice as it could be.” n

St. Clair’s OB Department

is ranked in the topten percent nationally in patient satisfaction.

Based on independent researchconducted by Press Ganey.


Continued on page 10


Lisa Wiley

was in the

third trimester

of her second preg-

nancy when she made a

courageous decision: she decided that she wanted

a new obstetrician and a new hospital — St. Clair

Hospital — in which to deliver her baby. She now

says it was the best decision she could have made.

“I was planning to deliver at another hospital, and it

was late in my pregnancy. You have a relationship

with your doctor by then and it’s almost time for the

birth. But I attended the women’s group at our church

and the women raved about St. Clair Hospital’s

Family Birth Center and their obstetricians. They

encouraged me to consider St. Clair and take a

tour. I liked it immediately. I met all the doctors in

the Paul Zubritzky (M.D.) group and loved them all.

I chose Paula Duncan (M.D.) for my doctor, and

she’s amazing. She makes me feel like I can tell

her anything.”

Lisa and her husband, Adam, a commercial

airline pilot, moved to Pittsburgh from the state of

Indiana just a year ago, with their two-year-old

daughter, Jainy. It was important to Lisa to have

that level of comfort with her doctor. “I was in a

new city; I didn’t know anybody. Dr. Duncan and her

partners made me feel welcome and cared about.

It just felt right and I knew

I was in good hands. I had trust

in my doctors and they are all

wonderful, but I was happy when

Dr. Duncan showed up.”

Lisa gave birth on May 23 to a girl named

Josephine, nicknamed “Josie”; she weighed six

pounds, eight ounces and got off to a great start,

breastfeeding well right away. The Wileys loved

their experience at the Family Birth Center. “I liked

the size — it was just right,” Lisa says. “When my

older daughter was born, it was at a university

medical center in Indiana, and it was busy and

crowded. When I delivered, there was a group of

medical students watching and nobody even asked

me if that was okay. On the postpartum floor, no

one ever checked on me. My experience at St. Clair

was the opposite. The nurses were attentive and

competent. I loved having such personal care.

When I delivered, it was just my doctor, two

nurses, my husband and me. Private.”

The Wileys live in Moon Township and Lisa

works in Human Resources for a national firm.

She says things are going well; Josie is a good baby

and Jainy loves being a big sister. She encourages

other mothers-to-be to visit St. Clair just as she did,

so they can see for themselves all the resources and

amenities there. “The Family Birth Center is a

beautiful environment. I felt relaxed and catered to.

I was never hungry; the food was good and came in

large portions! I loved the bright, spacious room. The

nurse took Josie to the nursery so I could sleep and

I was comfortable with her going there. More people

should experience childbirth at St. Clair Hospital.

It’s clean and beautiful and the doctors and nurses

are amazing.” n

“the�famIly

BIrth�center�met

every�sIngle�need�we

had.�I�could�not�have

asked�for�a�Better

oBstetrIcIan,�Better

nurses,�or�a�Better

hospItal.�It�was�

really�perfect.

” LISA WILEY

5/23/2014

JosieWILEY



Family birth center

All Family Birth Center roomsare private, offering sleepingaccommodations for fathersor other family members.

Lisa and Adam Wileywith baby Josie andher big sister Jainy.




Family birth center

Benjamin Susco, M.D. and Catherine O'Hara, M.D.with son Nathan.

Nathan, Josie, Beau and Mary — four beautiful healthy babies, all growing

and thriving at home, thanks in no small part to the excellence of

the care that they and their mothers received at St. Clair’s Family Birth

Center. The best beginnings happen at St. Clair Hospital’s Family Birth

Center, an ideal setting where the most advanced technology and medical

capabilities are balanced by an environment that is safe, comfortable,

and nurturing.

Parents-to-be are invited to

tour the Family BirthCenter.Please call

412.942.5877.

Full-term and weighing in at a healthy, robust eight

pounds, three ounces, Nathan Thomas Susco

entered the world at St. Clair Hospital’s Family

Birth Center on May 16. His parents, Catherine

O’Hara and Benjamin Susco, are first-time parents

and physicians, and their experience on the “other side” of the

hospital bed was entirely positive. “Working at St. Clair, I knew that

the Family Birth Center was highly regarded, with a record of

excellence,” Dr. O’Hara said. “I heard good things about it from

friends and colleagues, and I felt reassured by knowing that

pediatrician Dayle Griffin, (M.D.)would be there; she has a superb skill

set and I knew the right steps would be taken if there was a problem.”

As a hospitalist in internal medicine at St. Clair, Dr. O’Hara

recognizes high quality healthcare. She and her husband, a

cardiologist in Pittsburgh, were expecting excellence, but their

experience surpassed their expectations. “My obstetricians are

with Advanced Women’s Care of Pittsburgh, and I like all of

them,” says Dr. O’Hara, who hailed Advanced Women’s Stephanie

S. Brown, M.D. for averting what could have been a serious

medical emergency during Nathan’s delivery when the baby’s

heart rate slowed and his oxygen levels were dipping. “You realize

in times like those how much you truly trust your obstetrician in

caring for both your baby and you,” she says. “And I can’t say

enough good things about the Family Birth Center nurses. My

nurses were phenomenal. They gave me skilled hands-on care,

and were so responsive to my and Nathan’s needs. They were an

integral part of the day. All of the nurses are on the ball, and are

nice, warm people who made my family comfortable. Everyone

was kind to my husband and always included him; there was even

a bed for him in my room.”

The family had a “birthday party” in their hospital room to

celebrate Nathan turning 24 hours old, with family and friends

in attendance. “The rooms are so spacious that we were able

to have a group of people in there without it feeling crowded,”

Dr. O’Hara recalls. “The rooms are spotless, homelike and private.

I was shocked at how they are able to transform the room, to

convert it to a delivery room and then a recovery room — the

process is amazing! And they do it quickly and efficiently. But

everything was done that way. I had an epidural and the timing

was just right, the anesthesiologist came right away. The lactation

counselor held a very informative breastfeeding class; she made

my husband a part of it, too.”

Nathan, known as “Nate” to his family, is thriving at six

months, and Mom is back to work now at the Hospital. She is

happy to tell others of her experience. “Things are very well done

in the Family Birth Center. The nurses are the best of the best —

the entire team. They make you feel like you are the only patient,

and they do everything they can for you. They work long hours

and things can change quickly; they have to be ready for anything.

They do it all with such grace. They were so good to Nate. I felt

that I received nothing but the best from everyone in the Family

Birth Center.” n



“the�rooms�are�spotless,�homelIke�and�prIvate.�I�was�

��amazed�at�how�they�are�aBle�to�transform�the�room,�

��to�convert�It�to�a�delIvery�room�and�then�a�recovery�

��room�—�the�process�Is�amazIng!�

” CATHERINE O’HARA, M.D.

5/16/2014

NathanSUSCO


ADVANCED WOMEN’S CARE OF PITTSBURGH, P.C.

Shannon H. McGranahan, M.D., FACOGStephanie S. Brown, M.D.Patricia J. Bulseco, M.D.Deborah A. Lenart, M.D.Douglas H. MacKay, M.D.Kristen E. M. Peske, D.O.

MT. LEBANONSt. Clair Hospital 1000 Bower Hill Road, Suite 213Mt. Lebanon, PA 15243412.561.5666

PETERS TOWNSHIPSt. Clair Hospital Outpatient Center–Peters3928 Washington Road, Suite 230McMurray, PA 15317724.941.1866

st. Clair Hospital OB/GYNs

“our�team�of�expert�

pedIatrIc�hospItalIsts�

provIdes�round-the-clock�

coverage,�so�famIlIes�can

feel�confIdent�that�theIr

BaBy�Is�In�good�hands

and�that�any�proBlems

that�mIght�arIse�wIll�Be

skIllfully�managed.�

”DAYLE B. GRIFFIN, M.D.,MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF PEDIATRIC

AND NEWBORN SERVICES,ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

leading Physicians oFFer advanced care at st. clair hosPitalFamily birth center

The Hospital’s obstetrics and pediatrics services are fully prepared

with the appropriate equipment, resources, and expertise.

Quality of care. It matters immensely in every specialty, and the drive to improve

quality is a priority for physicians and the healthcare industry. In obstetrics,

quality of care is of profound importance; both mother and baby are highly

vulnerable throughout the perinatal period. Quality obstetric care means safe, healthy

passage through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the post-partum period for the mother,

and the safe, uncomplicated arrival of a healthy newborn.

Choosing an obstetrician and the highest quality hospital in which to give birth is the

first “parenting” decision that mothers- and fathers-to-be must make. Prospective parents

may want a homelike, comfortable

environment, but they also want —

and need — the reassurance of clinical

excellence. A high quality obstetric

service has to be fully prepared for

maternal and neonatal emergencies,

with the appropriate equipment,

resources, and expertise to address

every medical issue.


Family birth center


ZUBRITZKY & CHRISTY OB/GYN

Paul M. Zubritzky, M.D. • Tera S. Conway, M.D. • Patrick T. Christy, M.D. • Paula A. Duncan, M.D.

MT. LEBANONSt. Clair Hospital Professional Office Building1050 Bower Hill Road, Suite 205Mt. Lebanon, PA 15243412.942.1066

ARTHUR P. SIGNORELLA, M.D.

Arthur P. Signorella, M.D.

St. Clair Hospital1000 Bower Hill Road, Suite 311Mt. Lebanon, PA 15243412.572.6595

SOUTH HILLS OB/GYN ASSOCIATES, INC.

Sandor Mecs, M.D.Robert C. Rankin, M.D.

St. Clair Hospital Professional Office Building1050 Bower Hill Road, Suite 206Mt. Lebanon, PA 15243412.572.6127

Sheila Clarke, M.D. Kendell R. German, M.D.

KENNEDY TOWNSHIP1767 Pine Hollow RoadMcKees Rocks, PA 15136412.331.1623

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP6000 Steubenville PikeSuite 105McKees Rocks, PA 15136412.788.1330

st. Clair Hospital OB/GYNs

st. Clair Hospital 24/7 In-House Pediatricians

St. Clair maintains

24/7 in-housepediatric coveragestaffed by specially trainedpediatricians experienced

in handling difficult deliveries as well as caringfor newborns.

At St. Clair Hospital, says Dayle B. Griffin, M.D.,

medical director of Pediatric and Newborn Services

at St. Clair, quality has many dimensions. “The first

step in finding high quality obstetric care is choosing

a good obstetrician and trusting that obstetrician.

Your doctor wants the best for you and your baby.

It’s essential that the hospital you choose has highly

skilled nurses to help you through labor and delivery,

and pediatric coverage, with full capabilities to

manage emergencies.”

Linda McIntyre, RN, MSN, director of Women and

Children Services for St. Clair, says that the decision

about where to deliver is highly individualized.

“Prospective parents should explore their options,

talk with their obstetricians, take tours, and ask

questions. Get recommendations from friends, but

make the decision based on personal needs and

preferences. The ideal setting is one that provides

high quality of care through advanced technology

and an experienced staff, capable of dealing with

any kind of complication, and meets your need for

comfort and safety.” n

Dayle B. Griffin, M.D. Meredith C.G. Broberg, M.D.

Pediatric hospitalists

at st. clair hospital

not pictured are:

Melanie Austin, M.D.Donna Bosworth, M.D.Charles Brickner, M.D.Michael Fox, M.D.Satyanarayana Gedela, M.D.Shawn Kapoor, D.O.Ashley Loboda, M.D.Kultar Shergill, M.D.Damian Ternullo, M.D.Catherine Udekwu, M.D.Pushpa Viswanathan, M.D.

Acomprehensive new study confirms that 3D mammography—

such as that used at the St. Clair Hospital Breast Care Center—

is more effective in finding invasive cancer than traditional

two-dimensional mammography.

3D mammography offers women a remarkable

new breast cancer screening technology that is

enabling radiologists to detect small breast cancer

lesions earlier and with much greater accuracy,

especially in women with dense breast tissue.

Digital 3D breast tomosynthesis, more familiarly

known as 3D mammography, is the most advanced

diagnostic imaging technology available for the

detection of breast cancer. It combines traditional

digital mammography with tomosynthesis, which is

similar to a CT scan. It’s a state-of-the-art imaging

tool that provides far more accurate images that

facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of breast

cancer. The 3D mammogram finds small cancers

earlier and reduces false alarms that lead to “call-backs” — repeat

screening mammograms that can create unnecessary anxiety and fear.

According to Sherri H. Chafin, M.D., a board-certified diagnostic

radiologist who specializes in breast imaging and directs St. Clair’s Breast

Imaging Center, 3D mammography represents a

major breakthrough in breast cancer diagnosis and

treatment. “This technology far exceeds standard

two-dimensional testing and makes it much easier to

detect breast cancer,” she says. “I am finding breast

cancers which I would not have found without it. It is

useful for women with dense or fatty breast tissue.

3D mammography is a wonderful technology and a

great advancement.”

Dr. Chafin’s experience with 3D mammography

is validated by the most current research findings.

An article in the June 25 issue of the Journal of the

American Medical Association revealed the results

of a 13-center study: the addition of tomosynthesis

to digital mammography was

associated with an increase in

breast cancer detection rates

and a decrease in recalls.

3D mammography works by

taking a series of X-ray images

in an arc around the breast. In

a traditional mammogram, the

machine is stationary and takes

images from two angles only;

with 3D, the X-ray tube moves

in a circle around the breast

while the pictures are taken,

and a special computer

combines the images into a

three-dimensional picture, in a

imProving care through advanced technology

NEW STUDY SHOWS THAT 3D MAMMOGRAMSGREATLY IMPROVE BREAST CANCER DETECTION

“thIs�technology�far

exceeds�standard

two-dImensIonal

testIng�and�makes�It

much�easIer�to�detect

Breast�cancer�.

”SHERRI H. CHAFIN, M.D.,VICE CHAIR OF MEDICAL IMAGING,

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

Diagnostic radiologist Sherri H. Chafin, M.D.“reads” 3D mammograms at the St. Clair Hospital Breast Care Center.


Women who are concerned with their

heart health know how important it is to

know their numbers: their blood pressure,

cholesterol level, and weight.

Now there is another number that

women need to know: their breast density.

This number indicates how dense the

breast tissue is, and that’s important

because it affects the accuracy of

mammogram interpretation and is a

factor in breast cancer risk.

Breast density refers to the relative

amount of fatty tissue and connective/

glandular tissue in the breast. It is

determined by the radiologist who reads

the mammogram, and, in Pennsylvania,

the law now mandates that women be

informed of their number, on a scale

from one to four. The number is assigned

according to the percentage of breast

tissue that is composed of fatty versus

dense tissue, with a rating of “one”

indicating very fatty breast tissue and a

“four” indicating very dense breasts with

little fat.

Most women do not know their

breast density number, but should ask

about it at their annual mammogram.

Dense breasts raise the risk of breast

cancer in two ways: they make cancer

harder to detect, and density is itself a

risk factor for cancer.

do you KnoW your density?

SHERRI H. CHAFIN, M.D.

Dr. Chafin specializes in diagnostic radiology at St. Clair Hospital,where she is Vice Chair of Medical Imaging and directs St. Clair’sBreast Imaging Center. She earned her medical degree at the PennState Hershey Medical Center and completed her residency atAllegheny General Hospital. Dr. Chafin is board-certified by the AmericanBoard of Radiology. She practices with South Hills Radiology Associates.

To contact Dr. Chafin, please call 412 .942.3101.

“stack” of very thin, layered

slices, almost like the

pages of a book. It allows

the radiologist to look at

each slice, one thin layer

at a time, and see clear,

detailed, highly focused

images. The thin layers

reduce the “overlapping” effect that can

make interpretation of the images a

challenge. The breast, explains Dr. Chafin,

is a complex structure, consisting of breast

tissue, fatty tissue, glandular tissue, milk

ducts, blood vessels, and ligaments. In a two-

dimensional image, all this tissue overlaps,

which can create distortions that may delay

diagnosis. Small tumors can be overlooked

and go undiagnosed for another year or

longer, while they grow and spread.

Furthermore, normal tissue can appear

abnormal, and this leads to call-backs.

Breast density is a risk factor for breast

cancer. (Please see sidebar at right.) “Dense

breast tissue and fatty breast tissue have

nothing to do with weight or obesity; it also

has nothing to do with the size of your

breasts,” says Dr. Chafin. “It’s like a fingerprint,

it’s simply how you are made. Women

of any age can have dense breasts; they

should find out about the density of their

breasts at their first mammogram. If no

one tells you, ask. There is a Breast Density

scale, mandated by the Breast Density

Notification Law.”

Pennsylvania is one of 19 states that

currently have a Breast Density and Reporting

Act. The law was enacted in January of this year

in recognition of the significance of breast

density as a risk factor for

breast cancer. Women with

dense breasts are likely to

be diagnosed with breast

cancer at later stages,

when treatment is more

difficult and a successful

outcome less likely.

Although 3D mammography is strongly

recommended for women with dense or fatty

breasts and other high risk factors, St. Clair

Hospital has taken the unique step of offering

3D mammography to all patients. “At St. Clair,

anyone who wants it can have it,” Dr. Chafin

says. “3D mammograms are done at the

Breast Care Center at our Outpatient Center

in Village Square in Bethel Park. Our patients

can get same-day screening results. They can

wait right in the comfortable waiting area,

post-mammogram, for their results.”

Every year in the U.S., 40 million screening

mammograms are performed, and most of

these are traditional, two-dimensional digital

mammograms. More than 4 million women

will be called back for repeat screenings to

clarify the findings. The American Cancer

Society, American Congress of Obstetricians

and Gynecologists, and the American College

of Radiology agree that annual breast screening

should begin at age 40, and earlier if a

woman is at greater risk for developing

breast cancer.

Regular screening began in the U.S. in

1990. The mortality rate dropped by 30 percent

almost immediately. In 2014, early detection

remains the key to survival. n

To schedule a 3D mammogram at the

Breast Care Center, please call 412.942.8150.

regular�screenIng

Began�In�the�u.s.�In

1990.�the�mortalIty

rate�dropped�By�

30�percent�almost�

ImmedIately.�In�2014,

early�detectIon�

remaIns�the�key�

to�survIval.


Health insurance in our region is changing rapidly, from the Affordable Care Act to the

scheduled end of the Highmark-UPMC agreement. Fortunately, St. Clair Hospital makes

navigating these changes easier because St. Clair participates with every major insurer

in almost every product.* THAT MEANS ST. ClAir iS AN iN-NeTwork Provider FOR

THESE INSURERS AND PRODUCTS. And, if you choose a health insurance product

(like a high deductible health plan) that requires you to share in the cost of paying for

services, you’ll be pleased to know ST. ClAir iS ofTeN THe loweST CoST Provider.

So, when you choose a health plan, make sure you have one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals®,

close to home, in your network.

Q: WILL ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

PATIENTS BE AFFECTED WHEN

THE CONTRACT BETWEEN

HIGHMARK AND UPMC EXPIRES

ON DECEMBER 31, 2014?

A: No. Hospital and physician

services provided at St. Clair

Hospital will not be affected by

the expiration of the contract

between Highmark and UPMC.

As you navigate the new healthinsurance landscape, make sure St.Clair is in your network.

Q A&

in advance of annual health insurance enrollment deadlines,

housecall answers key questions:

Q & a: health insurance

Revised 11/1/14


Q: IF A PATIENT WANTS TO SWITCH TO A

ST. CLAIR-AFFILIATED PHYSICIAN, HOW

CAN HE OR SHE FIND A PHYSICIAN?

A: Please use our physician finder at

www.stclair.org/physicians/directory,

or call 412.942.6560.

Q: WHAT ABOUT CLINICAL SERVICES SUCH AS

RADIATION ONCOLOGY AND MEDICAL ONCOLOGY

IN WHICH ST. CLAIR PARTNERS WITH UPMC

CANCER CENTERS? WILL THOSE SERVICES

BE AFFECTED?

A: No. St. Clair’s clinical service partnerships and

joint ventures with UPMC will remain in-network.

Q: WHAT ABOUT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS,

AND MEDICAID MANAGED CARE PLANS? IS

ST. CLAIR IN-NETWORK FOR THOSE PLANS?

A: St. Clair makes choosing a Medicare Advantage

plan, or a Medicaid Managed Care plan, easier

because St. Clair and its physicians participate

with every major insurer in every product.

St. Clair is in-netWorK for all of these

Medicare Advantage and Medicaid Managed

Care plans.

Q: WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES DOES

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL OFFER?

A: St. Clair Hospital and its medical staff

provide a wide range of advanced

clinical services, as well as women’s

and children’s care.

Q: WHAT ABOUT SERVICES PROVIDED AT

ST. CLAIR’S EMERGENCY ROOM, ITS URGENT

CARE CENTER, AND ITS OUTPATIENT CENTERS?

A: Again, nothing will change as a result of the

expiration of the contract between Highmark

and UPMC on december 31, 2014.

Q: WHAT ABOUT OTHER COMMERCIAL INSURERS?

IS ST. CLAIR IN-NETWORK FOR THEM, AS WELL?

A: Yes. other than the exception listed*, St. Clair

is in-network for every major health insurer,

including Highmark, UPMC Health Plan, Aetna,

Cigna, Coventry Health America, and United

Healthcare.

Q A&

St. Clair Hospital does not participate in the

UPMC Advantage Select HMO/PPO/EPO products

offered by UPMC Health Plan on the federal health

insurance marketplace (www.healthcare.gov).

St. Clair Hospital will be out-of-network for

patients who select these products.

Q: WHO SHOULD A PATIENT CONTACT

WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT

HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AT

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL?

A: Please call the Customer Service

line at 412.344.3408 to speak to

a St. Clair representative.

*


St. Clair Hospital’s annual Summer Swing event

exuded a special vibe this year as the Hospital

continued its year-long celebration of its 60th

Anniversary. St. Clair, which opened its doors in

February 1954, played host to a record-setting 550

guests in July at Summer Swing, the Hospital’s

signature fundraiser.

To help set the tone for the 60th Anniversary,

guests were greeted at the main entrance to

St. Clair Country Club by a number of vintage

automobiles of the era, and junior volunteers

dressed in the fashionable styles of the mid-1950s.

Guests posed for photos with the classic cars

before moving indoors to enjoy an evening of fine

foods, live music, and a silent auction featuring

an eclectic selection of items sure to make those

who missed the party green with envy.

To receive an invitation, or to be involved in the

Friday, July 17, 2015 version of Summer Swing,

just drop us a request at [email protected].

annual Fundraiser

sT. CLAIr HOsPITAL CELEBrATEs ITs

60th AnniversaryAT THE 17TH ANNUAL sUMMEr sWING EvENT

Jerry and Susan Dioguardi represented Summer Swing Gold Level Sponsor Aetna.

Posing with a proclamation from Congress recognizing St. Clair Hospital’s 60th Anniversary are: Chairman of St. Clair Hospital Foundation Board of Directors Gary J. Zentner; Thomas M. Medwig, Chairman of the Board, St. ClairHealth Corporation; U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy; and Melvin D. Rex, Chairman of St. Clair Hospital Board of Directors.


n

St. Clair Hospital Junior Volunteers Johnny Sieberand Chloe Hoffman arriving in a 1955 Buick Special.

St. Clair Hospital Chief Medical Officer G. Alan Yeasted, M.D. with Summer SwingCommittee Chair Vicki McKenna and Hospital President and CEO James M. Collinsin front of St. Clair Country Club.

Washington County CommissionerDiana Irey Vaughan and her husband,Robert, in front of one of several classic cars from the 1950s thatgreeted guests at Summer Swing.

Orthopedic Surgeon Derrick J. Fluhme, M.D. (3rd from left),and Ophthalmologist Roger P. Zelt, M.D., pause with other Summer Swing guests for a quick snapshot.


community outreach


as a kick off to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. Clair Hospital

Breast Care Center recently hosted a free Mammography and

Women’s Wellness Day for area women 40 and older who do not have

health insurance.

The free mammograms were a response to a St. Clair Hospital

Community Health Needs Assessment, which showed a higher

incidence of breast cancer in women residing in the South Hills

compared to much of the nation.

The women were provided free transportation

to the Breast Care Center where, following

their mammograms, they were treated to

breakfast, hand massages and one-on-one

meetings with clinicians specializing in

nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and more.

An interpreter was on hand for Spanish-

speaking participants.

All of the women left with a gift bag

featuring, among other things, pink umbrellas

and bandanas. n

as part of its ongoing commitment to the communities

it serves, St. Clair Hospital recently conducted a free

health fair at Focus On Renewal (FOR) in McKees Rocks.

FOR was formed in 1969 to focus on the economic, social, and

healthcare needs of the Sto-Rox community, and has been

the place to turn for social services since.

At the health fair, numerous

men and women from the area

underwent free screenings —

including glucose and cholesterol,

respiratory, stroke, and bone

density — by clinical personnel

from the Hospital. Registered

dietitians, cancer experts, and

other health experts from the

Hospital provided one-on-one

counseling to participants at

education tables. n

ST. CLAIR OFFERS FREE SCREENINGSAT HEALTH FAIR

free MAMMogrAPHY ANd woMeN’S wellNeSSdAY beNefiTS UNiNSUred woMeN

asK the doctor

JEFFREY R. WILSON, M.D.

Ask the Doctor Q

A

i’ve just learned that i have kidney stones.

what are my treatment options?

Rates of kidney stones are rising. Up to one in 11 Americans

will be afflicted with kidney stones in their lifetime. Genetics,

diet, hydration status, urinary tract infections, chronic

medical problems, and certain medications can contribute

to stone formation. Stones can occur in any part of the

urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, or bladder.

Treatment of kidney stones depends on several factors,

including their location, size, and composition. Small stones

in the kidneys often do not have to be treated through

surgery, unless they are causing symptoms. Stones moving

from the kidney into the ureter may cause the classic

symptoms of flank pain, nausea, and sometimes blood in

the urine. They may pass with hydration and medication;

however, many require surgical treatment. In addition, any

stone in the ureter causing fevers and flu-like symptoms

requires immediate relief of the obstruction.

There have been drastic advances in urologists' ability

to treat stone disease. Several decades ago, open surgical

procedures were performed, with large incisions and long

convalescence. Nowadays, open procedures are almost

never required. Instead, minimally invasive techniques

such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (aka

"lithotripsy" or ESWL), ureteroscopic stone ablation

using a laser (URS), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy

(PCNL) are able to treat stones of nearly all sizes, shapes,

and locations.

ESWL and URS are best used for smaller stones under

1.5cm, and both usually are done as outpatient surgery.

ESWL uses shockwaves to break up stones into passable

fragments. URS uses lighted telescopes under direct vision

to target stones, which are then fragmented using a laser.

Often, fragments are then removed using a specially

designed basket. Both procedures are performed under

a light anesthetic, and patients often are able to return

to regular activity in a few days to a week.

Larger stones present a unique challenge. Previously,

they were treated with open surgery, long hospital stays,

significant recovery periods, and sizable incisions. Now,

advanced PCNL techniques allow minimally invasive

instruments to be used. Instead of a several day hospital

stay, most patients are discharged home in 1-2 days, have

about a 2-inch or less incision, and recover in about 2 weeks.

Sometimes very large stones require a second procedure

to completely clear the kidney.

After your stone procedure, it is important to modify

lifestyle factors to decrease the chance of future

recurrences. These modifiable

factors include increasing fluid

consumption, limiting salt,

reducing protein consump-

tion, and making sure to

get enough, but not too

much, calcium. Also, your

urologist may send your

blood and urine for tests

to determine if medications

can help prevent future

stone formation.

No two kidney stones, and the

cause of their formation, are

exactly alike. Treatment should

be tailored to the individual

patient for optimal man-

agement. Diet changes,

medications, and

minimally invasive

surgery are all

critical components

of a treatment

strategy. n

JEFFREY R. WILSON, M.D.

Dr. Wilson earned his medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.He completed residencies in general surgery and urology at The Ohio State University- affiliated hospitals. He practices with St. Clair Medical Services Sholder and BordeauUrologic Associates in Mt. Lebanon and Peters Township.

To contact Dr. Wilson, please call 412.572.6194.

Jeffrey R. Wilson, M.D. Volume VI Issue 3 I HouseCall I 23

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

Ultra modern in every respect, St. Clair Memorial Hospital

boasts many innovations and the latest in scientific

equipment to provide the best in medical, surgical, and

emergency service. It is the first hospital in this area

to have oxygen piped directly to each patient’s room. Jets

in the wall connect with the oxygen apparatus while the

patient relaxes comfortably behind zippered plastic screens.

history minuteMake sure St.Clairis in your HealthInsurance Network See page 18 for answers to key questionsregarding the region’s changing healthinsurance market.

Q A&