FIRST and onlyhospital on L.I. tosuccessfully attest forStage 1 MeaningfulUse of HealthInformation Technologyin 2011
<strong>Winthrop</strong>-<strong>University</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> 2011 <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong>to fund <strong>Winthrop</strong>’s efforts to help its affiliated primary carephysicians achieve this level of diabetes care expertise.Because diabetes is so prevalent, we see many patients withthe condition in our inpatient population. As a result, theDiabetes and Obesity Institute coordinates a hospital-wideprofessional education program aimed at giving physicians,physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists,home care workers and medical students the informationnecessary to understand the complexities of this disease andhow best to coordinate the care of patients with diabetes. TheInstitute also incorporates the various clinical research projectsinvolving diabetes and will be a premier component of ourplanned Research Institute.Obesity and diabetes are epidemic in our nation today, whichlimits the quality of life for many of our citizens and increasesgeneral healthcare costs. At <strong>Winthrop</strong>, we are assuming aleadership role in our region to improve the health of all wholive here.Every patient is a special patientA hospital, particularly a large, tertiary-care institution like<strong>Winthrop</strong>-<strong>University</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>, can be a daunting place. But,it does not have to be, and all of us at <strong>Winthrop</strong> do our bestevery day to make sure that each person who enters our doorsfeels safe and respected.Caring for childrenChildren, in particular, need special attention. The Children’sMedical Center at <strong>Winthrop</strong> brings together an impressivearray of pediatric services, as well as pediatric specialists, someof whom are internationally renowned. In 2011, our Children’sMedical Center was named to U.S. News and World <strong>Report</strong>’sBest Children’s <strong>Hospital</strong>s ranking for providing high-qualitycare in the specialty of pediatric diabetes and endocrinology.Prior to gastric bypass surgery in April 2011, Bob Evans weighed340 lbs. and was taking 16 medications. He also was using aninsulin pump to control his Type 2 diabetes and a continuous positiveairway pressure (CPAP) machine to cope with his obstructivesleep apnea. Today, Mr. Evans is down to 207 lbs., five medications,no insulin pump and no CPAP machine.Improving his health has been a long journey for Mr. Evans, a retired schooladministrator and former music educator. Despite medical advice fol lowing asextuple coronary by-pass in March 2003, he did not lose weight. The wakeupcall came two years ago when a national weight loss program declined hisparticipation because of his health issues.“That really got me thinking,” Mr. Evans recalls. “My doctor had suggestedgastric bypass surgery a few years before, but I didn’t do it.” Mr. Evans wasreferred to <strong>Winthrop</strong>-<strong>University</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>, which has pioneered the use of thedaVinci Si HD Robotic Surgical System for gastric bypass.But gastric bypass is not a quick fix; major lifestyle changes in support ofimproved health must follow. “It took me a while to adjust my attitude abouteating, but the post-op support I’ve received has been great,” says Mr. Evans,who regularly attends support group meetings led by a dietician and a nurseat <strong>Winthrop</strong>.His greatest reward since taking charge of his health has been enjoying histhree-year-old grandson. “The thought of not being able to horseplay with himis unthinkable,” Mr. Evans says.19