Latest News

August 25, 2008

Jack W. Wylie, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon; and Jon C. Cook, D.P.T., doctor of physical therapy; of Verde Valley Medical Center’s Joint Replacement Program, presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Western Orthopaedic Association (WOA) in Maui, Hawaii, July 23-27, at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. This is the second year in a row they have been asked to speak at this national conference. The WOA works to promote research and patient care in the area of orthopaedics, and includes more than 1,700 members consisting primarily of orthopaedic surgeons.

Drs. Wylie and Cook presented results of their research into the high success rate of the VVMC Joint Replacement Program which has been shown to decrease length of hospital stay, decrease complication rate, increase speed of rehabilitation, and improve range of motion. Patients involved in the program also have shown improvement in walking distance and decrease in pain in as little as six weeks after surgery.

Knee and hip replacement surgery as treatment for different types of arthritis is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic surgeries in the world today. Due to the high volume of people requiring this surgery in the Verde Valley, VVMC started its Joint Replacement Program six years ago. Since then, it has gained national recognition as a center of excellence for its high success rate. The program is wellness-oriented, for otherwise healthy individuals who need hip or knee surgery. It focuses on preoperative education, state of the art surgical techniques, skilled nursing care, and focused pain management strategies. Advanced physical therapy includes a focus on restoring independence as soon as possible.

For more information about the Joint Replacement Program at VVMC call Dr. Wylie at 634-1112 or Cook at 639-6383.

August 12, 2008

Recognizing the healing benefits of animals, Verde Valley Medical Center developed the Paws for Patients program, which offers inpatients special visits with therapy dogs. All therapy dogs are certified by the Delta Society and must pass behavioral testing to be licensed. The dogs provide a general feeling of well-being, unconditional affection, and interaction with individuals who may have anxiety, depression or stress in the hospital setting.

The Delta Society Pet Partners are scheduling appointments for a two-day Team Training Course for handlers to learn the skills needed to safely visit in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other facilities. Successful completion of this course (or home study of the Pet Partners Team Training Course Manual) is required for registration as a Pet Partner. The course will be held at VVMC, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Conference Room C. Cost of the course is $75, and includes the Pet Partners Team Training Course Manual.

VVMC also is hosting half-hour Team Evaluations on Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Conference Room A. The Team Evaluation process evaluates the animal/handler team in a simulated hospital setting: how well the handler interprets and manages the animal’s behavior, how well the animal responds to the handler, and how well the team relates to patients.

August 11, 2008

Verde Valley Medical Center is hosting an ostomy support group for individuals, family members and friends whose lives have been affected by ostomy surgery. Meetings will be held the first Wednesday of each month beginning Sept. 3, from 4-6 p.m. in VVMC’s Conference Room B.

An ostomy is the result of surgery required when a person has lost normal function of the bowel or bladder due to birth defects, injury or disease. Some have felt alone with their ostomy, apart from the rest of the world. Nothing could be farther from the truth since there are more than one million ostomates in the United States and Canada, and the numbers are increasing at a rate of more than 100,000 annually.

Support groups provide a connection with others in an experience that often can feel isolating, and offer an environment of caring and support where people can learn new information and coping skills.

This complimentary support group is a satellite of the Phoenix Ostomy Chapter, and is facilitated by Susan Lynch, RN, CWOCN, certified wound, ostomy and continence nurse at VVMC. For more information, please call 928 639-6330.

August 5, 2008

Verde Valley Medical Center is one of only two hospitals in Arizona to receive a 2008 Gold Award and be recognized in the July 14 U.S. News and World Report, America’s Best Hospitals issue by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) program announcement for performance achievement award winners in cardiac and stroke patient care. VVMC’s Gold Award demonstrates sustained performance (two or more years at 85 percent or higher adherence) to all performance measures for coronary artery disease. 

Bruce Peek, M.D., interventional cardiologist and VVMC’s GWTG program champion said, “This award demonstrates VVMC’s commitment to deliver optimal cardiac care in keeping with rigorous clinical standards, including rapid heart attack care that markedly surpasses all national standards.”

GWTG is a quality-improvement program that helps ensure the care hospitals provide for coronary artery disease, stroke and heart failure is aligned with the latest scientific guidelines. Currently more than 1,450 hospitals use one or more GWTG modules. Projections have shown that nationwide implementation of these prevention guidelines, as promoted in the program, could result in saving more than 80,000 lives each year.

“We are pleased to be nationally recognized for the quality of our cardiology services and achievements in treating cardiac patients,” said Jack Dempsey, VVMC interim president. “The credit truly belongs to our physicians, nurses and technicians at the bedside. This award demonstrates the importance of seeking care from a heart program that provides immediate and comprehensive care locally.”