The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Integrity award winner Michelle Zito

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(Courtesy of Access Health Care)
(Courtesy of Access Health Care)

Access Health Care in Spring Hill recognized its employees at its annual ACES Event (Access Celebrates Excellent Service). The winners in the many categories were chosen based on information provided as to why team members felt a fellow employee deserved to be recognized.

Each winner received a certificate, a trophy and eight-hours of paid time off.

The winners were Ailen Busek, best attitude; Jennifer Tuttle, best coworker; Bob Davis, best skills; Joanna Gambina, dirty job; Michelle Zito, integrity; Theresa Baxter, most hospitable; Maria Cain, most humble; Marjorie McIntosh, most tactful; Michele Ricci, most teachable; Patricia Robinson, participation; Kristy Stauffer, ray of sunshine; Eglis Harriette, most dependable; Caroline Glinski, team player; Tyler Trowell, unsung hero; Patricia Dearing, HIPAA hero; and Lana Cahill and Regina Conner, best idea.

North Tampa Behavioral Health set to expand

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North Tampa Behavioral Health is preparing to embark on a $9 million expansion, with 24 additional beds expected to open in January 2017 and another 24 beds to open a year later.

The center, at 29910 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel, opened on Oct. 1, 2013. It has 75 beds and offers services for people with mental health needs including depression, addiction, anxiety, bipolar, psychosis, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and other disorders. It has inpatient, outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.

North Tampa Behavioral Health offers acute mental health care and longer-term treatment. It has inpatient, outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
North Tampa Behavioral Health offers acute mental health care and longer-term treatment. It has inpatient, outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The majority of the center’s patients come from Pasco and Hillsborough counties, but the facility also draws patients from 11 counties, and from out-of-state, said Abbey Brown, director of business development for the facility, which is owned by Acadia Healthcare.

The first phase of the expansion will enlarge the center’s military program, which goes by the acronym C.O.R.E., which stands for Challenge, Overcome, Restore and Empower.

No decision has been made yet about how the other 24 beds will be used, said Jameson Norton, CEO of the facility.

The center has 175 employees in its 24/7 operation, and expects to add 50 more, said Norton, who is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The military program that is being expanded is geared to the mental health needs of veterans and active members of the military, Brown said.

It’s a program the facility has built from the ground up, said Brown, who is a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

“It’s a very different, unique population, with a very different and unique set of needs. Their (post-traumatic stress disorder), or depression or substance abuse might look very different than the normal civilian who hasn’t had the same experience. It just makes them different,” Brown said.

Jameson Norton, CEO of North Tampa Behavioral Health, said the facility is planning to launch a $9 million expansion, which will include 48 beds. (Courtesy of North Tampa Behavioral Health)
Jameson Norton, CEO of North Tampa Behavioral Health, said the facility is planning to launch a $9 million expansion, which will include 48 beds.
(Courtesy of North Tampa Behavioral Health)

“All of us have military experience, but not only military experience, but military mental health experience,” Brown said. “We’re able to offer an amazing structure, and then within that structure, tailor the program to the individual and their needs.

“We are partnering with all of the local installations, a lot of the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), and other local installations, and we also get referrals nationwide,” she said.

“We are using all of the modalities,” Brown added, including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy and/or accelerated resolution therapy.

“We’re using all of the ones that the Department of Defense is saying are the best practices,” Brown said.

The center provides treatment for patients 18 and older. It is organized into three units. One unit treats patients who need a higher level of acute care. Another unit focuses more on mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. The third unit focuses on longer-term patients. Some are in the facility’s 28-day substance abuse program, and others are in the C.O.R.E. program, Brown said. Patients in the military program tend to stay 30 to 90 days.

Besides providing care for patients, the center also wants to be a community resource, Brown said.

It has an internship program involving 15 students who are attending Saint Leo University or Pasco-Hernando State College, Brown said.

The center is also planning to offer more continuing education courses to area professionals.

“All of the administrators here have moved from somewhere, so they have a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and we want to bring that to the community. We’re building, as part of this, a state-of-the-art teaching area, so people will be able to come in, and we’ll offer different CEU (Continuing Education Unit) trainings, different community events,” Brown said.

The facility also aims to help raise awareness and increase understanding about mental health issues, both Brown and Norton said.

“We all probably have a friend or a family member who are very affected by a mental health condition. It really takes that team effort to make sure that we can provide the best care possible,” Norton said.

Published March 9, 2016

Health News 03/09/2016

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Health rgb
(Courtesy of Premier Community Healthcare Group)

Discounted dental service
Premier Community Healthcare Group provided 12 hours of low-cost dental services at a discounted fee for children and teens younger than the age of 18, coinciding with February’s National Dental Health Month. For the event, 100 children’s dental appointment slots were available for services such as x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants and fillings.

Woman’s club donates to neo-natal unit
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club sewed infant items for babies in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit of Florida Hospital. Member KarenSue Molis delivered several dozen “first suitcases,” small blankets, burp cloths, and “little mommy scent” cloths which help comfort the tiny babies.

For more information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

 

‘Trial by Fire’ seeks to spark social movement

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Documentary filmmaker Charles Mattocks hopes to inspire a social movement to help people suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and other rare diseases.

Mattocks — who is the nephew of famed reggae artist Bob Marley — has produced “Trial by Fire,” a documentary that tells the story of his mother’s eight-year struggle with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, called CRPS for short.

It’s a rare condition that is not widely understood, Mattocks said.

“I was totally confused, really, on what this thing was,” Mattocks said. “I used to tell my mother, ‘Mom, you’ve got to walk it off. You’ve got to go to the gym.’”

Fifteen-year-old Natalia Rijos has been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It’s a condition that is characterized by prolonged pain that may be constant and, in some people, extremely uncomfortable or severe. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Fifteen-year-old Natalia Rijos has been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It’s a condition that is characterized by prolonged pain that may be constant and, in some people, extremely uncomfortable or severe.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Mattocks said while he didn’t initially know what CRPS was, as he delved into the topic and observed his mom, he knew something must be done to give people suffering from the condition a voice.

“It’s agony,” Mattocks said.

The key symptom is prolonged pain that may be constant and, in some people, extremely uncomfortable or severe, according to information published on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s website.

The pain can spread through the body, the pain can travel from limb to limb and there often is increased sensitivity in the affected area, such that even light touch or contact is painful, the website says.

People with CRPS also experience constant or intermittent changes in temperature, skin color, and swelling of the affected limb, the website says.

Other common features of CRPS include:

  • Changes in skin texture
  • Abnormal sweating
  • Changes in nail and hair growth patterns
  • Stiffness in affected joints
  • Problems coordinating muscle movement
  • Abnormal movement in the affected limb

Fifteen-year-old Natalia Rijos, who is also featured in the film, is quite familiar with CRPS.

There’s a clear line of demarcation in her life.

One day, she was a typical 12-year-old, enjoying the normal activities of girls her age.

But, that changed on Dec. 15, 2012.

That was the day she was horsing around with her dad, showing off some karate moves.

Her dad grabbed her leg, she began to fall, and as she went to brace herself from the fall, she injured her left hand.

Initially, her mom, Myrna Concepcion, thought it was just a sprain.

But, the girl’s hand became swollen and discolored, and didn’t heal properly.

In ensuing months, the pain became unbearable and doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

It took three months to get a diagnosis.

According to Concepcion, in one sense, the family was lucky. In can sometimes take years to get a proper diagnosis.

In Rijos’ case, the situation was complicated by an accident. She suffered additional injuries when she was riding in a school bus and a car plowed into it.

The teenager, who lives with her family in Lutz, has been living out of wheelchair for two years. She is fed through a feeding tube.

Rijos attends Steinbrenner High for some classes, but is educated by telephone at home for other classes.

People with CRPS not only suffer with the pain, but they also struggle with the failure of others to understand their condition, Concepcion said.

People tend to discount the pain, Concepcion said. They think they are exaggerating, or that the problem is just psychological, she said.

That’s why the disease is sometimes called the “suicide disease,” Rijos said. Some with CRPS can no longer bear the pain, lose hope that their condition will ever improve, and they choose to end their lives, she said.

Rijos compared the pain she experiences to someone placing their hand on a hot burner and leaving it there.

It’s like having a pain switch that never goes off, her mother said.

The documentary has been accepted by six film festivals, and recently won ‘best director’ and ‘most impactful topic’ in a documentary at the Hollywood Florida Film Festival.

The Tampa Bay area is fortunate, because there are two doctors who treat patients with CRPS, Mattocks said, noting his documentary also includes a Land O’ Lakes woman in her 40s who is suffering from the disease.

Increased awareness of CRPS is needed, not only by the general public, but also by the medical community, Mattock said.

“I know people who live in Long Island, who have to go to Philly for treatment,” he said.

Mattocks said that CRPS is just one of the rare conditions that people face, without anyone giving voice to their struggles.

“There are over 350 million worldwide who suffer from rare disease. If you think about it, if there is no Ice Bucket Challenge, how can these people have a voice? It’s not just about CRPS. “It’s about rare disease in general,” Mattocks said.

To that end, he plans to be an advocate and hopes to inspire others.

“I believe that this is, in a sense, divine,” he said, noting additional screenings of “Trial by Fire” are expected.

“We have several distribution offers on the table,” Mattocks said.

Published March 2, 2016

Health News 03/02/2016

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March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month
The Medical Center of Trinity has introduced an enhanced recovery protocol to help patients tolerate colorectal surgery more easily and recuperate more quickly.

Dr. Jared Frattini, a colorectal surgeon, now offers a regimen of medicines and nutrients to help reduce the amount of narcotics a patient needs.

The surgical procedure itself has not changed for treatment of small intestine and colon conditions; however, the recovery process incorporates non-narcotic medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce pain, allowing bowel function to resume more quickly.

A normal colon procedure performed via laparoscopy has a typical hospital stay of four to six days. The enhanced recovery protocol has shortened that time to two to four days. For open surgeries, the length of stay has been reduced to three to five days, from a previous five- to seven-day stay.

The Medical Center of Trinity is located at 9330 State Road 54, near Little Road.

Center for veterans
The Pasco County Vet Center, 5139 Deer Park Drive in New Port Richey, provides counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, bereavement counseling, marriage and family counseling, and resources for benefits information and suicide prevention referrals.

The center is open Monday to Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some Saturday appointments are available.

All services are confidential and provided at no cost to the veteran and family members.

To learn more, or to schedule a tour of the facility, call (727) 372-1854.

Information is also available at www.vetcenter.va.gov.

Health News 02/26/2016

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Hospitals named top performers
Two Pasco County hospitals were named among the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission.

The Medical Center of Trinity was named as a top performing hospital for the conditions of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, and stroke.

The Regional Medical Center of Bayonet Point was recognized for the conditions of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, venous thromboembolism, and stroke.

To be recognized as a top performer on key quality measures, an organization must meet 95 percent or more on performance thresholds on accountability measure data.

Pharmacists earn certification
Three Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point pharmacists received certification in pharmacotherapy by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. All three pharmacists passed a rigorous certification exam by the BPS.

Jessica Chan, Tamara Richards and Nicholas Rigopoulos apply their specialized knowledge of medications, and work directly and collaboratively with physicians, nurses and other health professionals to ensure that the medications prescribed for patients contribute to the best possible health outcomes.

The pharmacists evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of the patient’s medications by assessing and recognizing the status of the patient’s treated and untreated health problems, and consult with the patient’s physicians to select the medication therapy that best meets the patient’s needs.

Zika virus cases keep growing

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The news on the Zika virus keeps evolving, as the number of travel-associated cases in the United State continues to grow.

As of Feb. 10, there were 52 travel-associated cases of Zika virus in the United States, including 16 in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Feb. 3 directed state Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong to declare a public health emergency in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Lee and Santa Rosa counties relating to travel-associated cases of Zika virus found in those counties.

At the time, those counties had reported a total of nine travel-associated cases of the Zika virus.

The Zika virus is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that spreads the dengua and chikunguna viruses. (File Photo)
The Zika virus is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that spreads the dengua and chikunguna viruses.
(File Photo)

The Zika virus is spread through the bites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the same species that spreads dengue and chikungunya viruses, according to the CDC.

It also can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, the CDC reports. It also notes that cases have been reported of the Zika virus spreading through blood transfusion or sexual contact.

There is no vaccine available for the Zika virus.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The illness is usually mild, with symptoms lasting several days to a week. Hospitalization is uncommon.

There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly in babies of mothers who had Zika virus while pregnant, according to the CDC. Knowledge of the link between Zika and birth defects is evolving, but until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women.

Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected, when compared to babies of the same sex and age, the CDC says. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly, according to the CDC.

The Zika virus also has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages his or her nerve cells, but the CDC says more information is needed.

The Brazil Ministry of Heath has reported an increased number of people who have been infected with the Zika virus who also have Guillain-Barre syndrome. The CDC is working with Brazil to study a possible link.

The CDC recommends that people protect themselves by avoiding the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bites primarily during the day.

To help protect yourself, the CDC recommends people:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
  • Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out
  • Sleep under a mosquito net if you are outdoors or unable to keep mosquitoes out
  • Use repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Follow product label instructions
  • Reapply as directed

It also offers these additional tips: Do not spray repellent on skin under clothing, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent and do not apply insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months.

To protect your child, dress him or her in clothing that covers the arms and legs. Also, do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth or cut or irritated skin, the CDC says.

CDC Advisory
The Centers for Disease Control has issued an advisory for women who are pregnant or who are trying to become pregnant.

Women who are pregnant should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If they do travel to one of those areas, they should talk to their doctor or other health care provider first, and be sure to follow steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Women who are trying to become pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant should consult with their health care provider before traveling and should follow steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Also, the CDC notes that it is safe for pregnant women to use mosquito repellent. It is safe for women who are breastfeeding to use mosquito repellent, too. Anyone using a repellent should choose one that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Q&A

  1. Should a woman who has traveled to an area with Zika virus be tested for the virus?
  2. She should see her health care provider if she develops a rash, fever, joint pain or red eyes within two weeks of traveling to a country where Zika virus cases have been reported.
  3. Can a previous Zika virus infection cause someone who later becomes pregnant to have an infant with microcephaly?
  4. We do not know the risk to the baby if a woman is infected with the Zika virus while she is pregnant. However, Zika virus infection doesn’t pose a risk of birth defects for future pregnancies.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Published February 17, 2016

Health News 02/17/2016

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(Richard K. Riley/Photo)
(Richard K. Riley/Photo)

Showing support for women’s health
Staff members of Heritage Park Health and Rehabilitation Center wore red for National Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day, which raises awareness of women’s heart health. Heritage Park, on Coleman Avenue in Dade City, serves 120 residents and has a full staff of over 200 professionals and caretakers. Participating were Jeff Ward, administrator; Monica Cerosky, director of nursing; Casi Gant, director of community relations; and Mary Beth Lumbra, social service director.

Strength & balance class
The Grove Golf and Country Club, 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes, will host the “Silver Sneakers Strength & Balance Class” on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

These are low-impact classes for men and women to help improve flexibility and balance, which may help prevent falls, broken hips and other injuries. Strength exercises may include lifting handheld weights, using tubing, and your own body resistance and core muscles.

The classes are free to Silver Sneakers members, and $5 per session ($30 per calendar month) for non-members.

For information, contact Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984 or .

Peripheral neuropathy clinic
CARE Tampa Bay provides education and support for those diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, at a free, volunteer-run clinic. Topics include coping with neuropathy, dealing with physical limitations, home safety, and symptom management.

The clinic is now taking appointments for February and March.

For information, call contact Cindy Tofthagen at (813) 396-9441 or .

Hospitals named among top performers
Two Pasco County hospitals were named among the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission.

The Medical Center of Trinity was named as a top performing hospital for the conditions of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, and stroke.

The Regional Medical Center of Bayonet Point was recognized for the conditions of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, venous thromboembolism, and stroke.

To be recognized as a top performer on key quality measures, an organization must meet 95 percent or more on performance thresholds on accountability measure data.

Health News 02/10/2016

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Tommy Toothbrush visits kids
Dr. Gregory Stepanski of Children’s Dentistry arranged for “Tommy Toothbrush” to visit schools the week of Feb. 1 to Feb. 8.

“Tommy Toothbrush” is a big, blue toothbrush that teaches local elementary schools, preschools and day cares on the importance of brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist regularly, in a 20- to 30- minute presentation. The program is for pre-kindergarten through first-grade students, and includes interactive songs and props.

Children’s Dentistry is located in New Tampa, but also serves Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Zephyrhills and Temple Terrace.

Woman’s club learns about heart health
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club hosted Mary Webb, club member, retired cardiac nursing supervisor, and professor at USF School of Nursing, for a seminar on “Women’s Cardiac Health.”

Webb spoke about the need to reduce stress and hypertension, and the importance of proper diet and exercise. She also highlighted the different symptoms presented in women vs. men during a cardiac episode.

Each year, the woman’s club highlights women’s heart health in a variety of ways to bring awareness to the issue.

Neonatal services now available in Pasco County

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The Medical Center of Trinity has opened a neonatal intensive care unit, providing a service that previously was unavailable in Pasco County.

The $7 million project is an expansion of the existing obstetrics program at the hospital, at 9330 State Road 54, in Trinity.

Leigh Massengill, CEO of Medical Center of Trinity, left, stands with Cheryl Sherrill and Lynn Smith in the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. Sherrill is the hospital’s director of women’s and neonatal services, and Lynn Smith is neonatal services manager. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Leigh Massengill, CEO of Medical Center of Trinity, left, stands with Cheryl Sherrill and Lynn Smith in the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. Sherrill is the hospital’s director of women’s and neonatal services, and Lynn Smith is neonatal services manager.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The unit, which opened on Jan. 4, is commonly called a NICU. It serves a market area including Pasco and Hernando counties, and the northern portions of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The 4,718-square-foot NICU offers advanced levels of care for babies born as early as 32 weeks and weighing at least 1,500 grams.

The project is the latest addition to Medical Center of Trinity, which opened four years ago.

“As this facility was being planned, all along it was contemplated to add neonatal intensive care unit services,” said Hospital CEO Leigh Massengill.

Even before the resurgence of residential growth along the State Road 54 corridor, and the young families that will come along with it, the hospital saw the need for the services, she said.

The hospital saw how many infants and mothers had to be transferred out of the facility for a higher level of care, and it knew it could create a safer and more satisfying visit, if it could manage those services in-house, she said.

“Sometimes pregnant women would come in at 32 weeks, and they weren’t in active labor, but they required in hospital services, and we had to transfer them out because delivery could occur at any time,” Massengill said.

In the past, if a baby arrived at around 32 weeks, it was better for it to be in a facility where the care the baby needed could be immediately provided, said Lynn Smith, neonatal services manager. “The sooner you can get them to definitive care, the better,” Smith said.

Before, Massengill said, the baby had to be transported, which was not ideal.

“It really kind of breaks your heart when you take a newborn baby and pack him up in this scary-looking transporter, and stick him on a helicopter to go flying off to another county, and leaving mother and family, and the rest of the extended family behind, worrying,” she said.

Now, the CEO said, “they either go one way, to the newborn nursery, or they come in for more intensive care.”

Cheryl Sherrill, director of women’s and neonatal services said: “It is a wonderful service to the community, to keep these families together.”

The Medical Center of Trinity has opened a neonatal intensive care unit to provide services to newborns as young as 32 weeks and weighing as little as 1,500 grams. This is a look at one of two NICU bays. (Courtesy of Medical Center of Trinity)
The Medical Center of Trinity has opened a neonatal intensive care unit to provide services to newborns as young as 32 weeks and weighing as little as 1,500 grams. This is a look at one of two NICU bays.
(Courtesy of Medical Center of Trinity)

The new NICU expansion includes 12 Level II NICU beds and an overnight room for families transitioning to taking their babies home.

“We understand, that for us, the birth experience is an event. It’s not like acute care. People have been planning this event for a very long time, and we want to make sure we do everything we can to make this a special event for them,” Sherrill said.

“When sometimes things happen, and babies come a little bit earlier than they were planning on, then, that’s why we have this beautiful NICU down here,” Sherrill said.

The hospital has a relationship with All Children’s Specialty Physicians from All Children’s Hospital, who are providing neonatology services, Massengill said.

“So, they’re always on call to support us. They’re in the facility on a daily basis. They take care of our babies. They interface with the families, with the pediatricians, with the obstetricians, to make sure those babies get the best care possible,” she said.

When there’s enough notice, Sherrill said, “We get the neonatology team involved and the NICU charge nurse, and we start that relationship from when the mom is hospitalized.

“The neonatologists work with the OBs (obstetricians) for the best plan of care, of when to deliver this baby, so we can be prepared, and the team and the family is comfortable, already knowing kind of what’s going to happen at the time of delivery. So, it doesn’t become such an emergent event when it happens,” Sherrill added.

The center uses a family centered approach to care.

“We want to make sure that the family is included in everything,” Sherrill said.

Along those lines, the hospital has extended visiting hours. Two approved visitors are allowed at bedside at all hours, except for 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“We want the family to be here more often than not, because we know that with giving family centered care, they are an important team member in promoting this baby’s growth and wellness,” Sherrill said.

She’s excited about the hospital’s new services. “I came here specifically for this project,” said Sherrill, noting she moved to the area from Austin, Texas.

The hospital pulls together numerous services that will help premature babies and their families, Sherrill said.

“We have our own speech pathologist, we have our own dietitians, we have our own NICU pharmacists, so we have a lot of support services that you traditionally find in much larger facilities,” Sherrill said.

The hospital also has a licensed clinical social worker dedicated to NICU babies and families, and a family centered care committee. It has educational opportunities for parents and siblings, too.

In addition to its relationship with All Children’s neonatologists, the hospital has registered nurses who are experienced in neonatal intensive care.

By choosing to use a family centered model, the hospital puts the mom in contact with her baby as much as possible, Sherrill said.

“We let the baby tell us what they’re ready for, then us trying to make the baby be ready for,” Sherrill added.

The hospital also works with All Children’s network of providers to help families plug into care in the community after they leave the hospital, helping families to make a smooth transition once they leave the hospital, Sherrill said.

Published January 27, 2016