What is it about Rush? - KEVIN HORAN :: PHOTOGRAPHY

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It’s Rush programs andcaregivers consistentlyrecognized among thebest in the country.Nursing excellence awarded withthe highest seal of approvalRush’s focus on complete and compassionate care brings more and morepatients to Rush each year. But it’s the people behind that care who setRush apart.And for the second time in a row, the American Nurses CredentialingCenter awarded Rush’s nurses Magnet status, which is the highest recognitiongiven for nursing excellence. Fewer than 50 hospitals in the UnitedStates have received the Magnet designation twice, and Rush is the onlyhospital in Illinois treating both children and adults to receive the honora second time.Hospitals with Magnet status are noteworthy because independentstudies show that they usually have patients who go home earlier, aremore satisfied with their care, have more time with their nurses and lowermortality — and happy patients make happy nurses.To earn Magnet status, Rush underwent a vigorous, multifaceted evaluation.The Magnet appraisal team interviewed more than 350 members ofthe Rush staff and visited 37 locations, including all nursing units, duringa site visit held in April 2006. Rush was also required to submit extensivewritten documentation as part of the evaluation.In all, a little more than 200 hospitals out of approximately 5,000 hospitalsnationwide have been awarded Magnet designation since the program wasformally established in 1993.Being ranked in 10 categoriesTen Rush University Medical Center programswere ranked among the best in the nationaccording to U.S.News & World Report. Themagazine listed the top hospitals across thecountry for 16 medical specialties as part ofits annual “America’s Best Hospitals” issue.Just 176 out of 5,189 hospitals scored highenough to rank in even a single specialty,and in three of the specialty areas, no otherhospital in Illinois ranked higher than Rush:orthopedics (sixth in the nation), neurologyand neurosurgery (12th in the nation)and kidney disease (21st in the nation).Having the only cancer program inChicago with an award from theAmerican College of SurgeonsRush’s cancer program was awarded anOutstanding Achievement Award from theAmerican College of Surgeons Commissionon Cancer. Rush was the only Chicago-areacancer program on the list and one of onlytwo sites in Illinois. The award is significantfor physicians, but is even more important forpatients — it ensures a multispecialty, teamapproach to providing the best treatment optionsand access to comprehensive care witha range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.Only 39 cancer programs in the nationreceived the award, representing approximatelynine percent of the programs surveyed.It’s nurses like Margaret Bruno,senior RN, who personifyRush’s excellent nursing staff.5 Rush University Medical Center Annual Report 2006 Rush University Medical Center Annual Report 20066
It’s innovative, life-savingresearch that createshope and brings relief.A device that reduces damagecaused by strokeSudden numbness or weakness in the face or extremities, loss of balance,sudden confusion or trouble walking all can be signs of stroke — the thirdleading cause of death in the United States. And current treatment forstroke is often not effective or is difficult to administer in the very shortthree-hour treatment window.Marking a significant stride toward a new solution, doctors at Rushwere among the first in the Midwest to begin testing a new, minimallyinvasiveapproach to treat this devastating problem.The Penumbra Stroke System uses suction and catheterizationtechniques to remove blood clots in large brain vessels that cause acuteischemic stroke, or a blockage of blood flow to the brain. The systemrapidly restores blood flow and limits damage in the brain caused bystroke. Currently available devices use a corkscrew-shaped coil to snagthe blood clot but make the extraction of rigid clots difficult. And, unlikeother stroke treatments, the Penumbra can be used up to eight hours afterthe onset of stroke and has the potential to minimize injury to the bloodvessel wall.Led by Demetrius Lopes, MD, the first fellowship-trained endovascularneurosurgeon in Chicago, the Phase I research study could result in a newlife-saving tool and a major advancement in stroke treatment.A study that could reverse thedamage of a heart attackAs part of a nationwide study, cardiologists atRush tested a way to regenerate heart muscleand reverse the damage caused by a heartattack. Led by Rush cardiologist Gary Schaer,MD, head of the Rush Cardiac CatheterizationLaboratory, the study used transplanted stemcells to regenerate damaged heart muscle inpatients who experienced a first heart attack.Using a standard IV line to infuse adult stemcells from healthy donor bone marrow insteadof open surgical procedures or catheterization,the study aimed at reversing damageto heart tissue. Results of the study will helpcardiologists unlock the mystery of stem cellsand their vast potential to change or savelives. Rush was the only site in Illinois chosento participate in the nationwide study.Being one of a few sites in the worldtesting a system to improve radiationtreatmentsRush was chosen as one of a few sites in theworld to investigate the use of the PerspectaSpatial 3D system to improve evaluationand planning of radiation treatments forcancer. With the Perspecta system, radiationdose distribution is superimposed over the3D patient image, allowing physicians toview and manipulate the images from anyvantage point around the 360-degree dome.This perspective allows James Chu, PhD,professor and director of medical physicsfor the Department of Radiation Oncology,to see more clearly the areas that are andare not receiving radiation and, as a result,increase the efficiency of the treatment.It’s physicians like endovascular neurosurgeonDemetrius Lopes, MD, repairing life-threateningproblems in the brain with the most advancedand smallest of instruments.7 Rush University Medical Center Annual Report 2006 Rush University Medical Center Annual Report 20068
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Page 3: It’s a special philosophyof care
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Page 9 and 10: It’s a focus onbuilding andsustai
Page 11 and 12: It’s an investmentin a vision for
Page 13: PhilanthropyDuring FY2006, many of
Page 16 and 17: GovernanceBOARD OF TRUSTEESPrincipa

What is it about Rush? - KEVIN HORAN :: PHOTOGRAPHY

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