| Immunization Has
Many Benefits April 2008 April 19-26 is National Infant Immunization Week, an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. “Over the past 25 years, the benefits of vaccines have become clear,” explains Michael Heniser, D.O., a physician offering primary care and obstetrical services at MDI Hospital’s Community Health Center. “Diseases that were once associated with significant illness and in some cases death, have been almost completely eliminated,” adds Dr. Heniser. Wild strain polio, the naturally circulating form of polio, has been eliminated from the western hemisphere. In fact, no case of wild polio has been reported in the US since 1979. Between 1987 and 2000, with the development of the HiB (Haemeophilus influenza B) vaccine, the number of invasive cases have declined by greater than 99%. HiB was responsible for causing meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain) and a life-threatening infection called epiglottitis (infection of the area of the throat that covers and protects the voice box and trachea during swallowing). Current recommended vaccines by the Centers for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians include childhood diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis A and B, pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenza B, and meningococcal. Most of the above vaccines are required for school entry, but specific requirements vary from state to state. Many of them are available in combination to reduce the number of inoculations. Newer developments in vaccines include Gardasil, a vaccination designed to prevent infection with the most invasive strains of human papilloma virus, known to be associated with cervical cancer in women. Since July 2000, all children in the United States have had access to thimerosal-free vaccines, though no causal relationship has ever been established to link thimerosal (a mercury-containing preservative) with the development of autism or other neurological disability. “This type of unsubstantiated publicity often leads parents of children at age for routine immunization to forego these life-saving vaccinations,” states Dr. Heniser. “The lack of vaccination leaves these children vulnerable to significant illness from outbreaks of infectious disease such as measles, pertussis, or mumps, as was witnessed here in Maine in late 2007,” he adds. There are no legally mandated vaccinations for adults, except for persons entering military service. But certain immunizations are recommended for adults, depending on age, occupation, and other circumstances. Current recommendations suggest a tetanus booster for adults every 10 years as well as an annual influenza immunization. Pneumonia vaccination is currently suggested for all seniors 65 and over, and earlier for those with specific chronic conditions. “Prevention of disease through immunization is essential for both patient health and control of medical costs,” says Dr. Heniser. “Parents of children and adults alike should contact their primary health provider to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.” For information online, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/. For an appointment with Dr. Heniser, call the Community Health Center in Southwest Harbor at 244—5630. Return to top of page |
| Virtual Colonoscopy
Receives Major Endorsements
March 2008 Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. In 2008 the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates it will cause nearly 50,000 deaths in the United States. Many of these lives could be saved if the disease were detected early. With a recent historic agreement, the leading authorities in the fields of cancer prevention, radiology, and colorectal cancer have laid the groundwork for widespread access to a more patient-friendly way to screen for this deadly disease. In an unprecedented collaboration, the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology, and the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer endorsed Virtual Colonoscopy (VC) as a screening option for colorectal cancer in average-risk adults age 50 years and older. The endorsement is seen as an important step toward insurance reimbursement for VC. Until now, colorectal cancer screening guidelines have called for average-risk adults 50 and older to have an optical colonoscopy every ten years to screen for colorectal cancer. The procedure, in which a thin, lighted tube equipped with a camera is inserted through the rectum into the colon, is used to look for polyps, abnormal areas, or cancer. Sedation is necessary as patients typically find this procedure uncomfortable. Virtual colonoscopy uses a CT scanner to capture a series of images of the colon, which are then assembled with software to create detailed, 3-D images of the patient’s colon. A radiologist can then conduct a “fly through” of the colon to look for polyps or anything else that seems unusual on the inside surface of the colon. In a recent study conducted last year by American College of Radiology Imaging Network, VC was shown to be comparable to conventional colonoscopy for the detection of cancer and clinically significant polyps when state-of-the-art techniques are applied and images are read by radiologists trained in the procedure. After intensive training, John Benson, M.D., Medical Director of Mount Desert Island Hospital’s Medical Imaging Department began offering the procedure in 2004 as a more tolerable alternative to air contrast barium enema (ACBE), used when traditional colonoscopy could not examine the entire colon. While most insurance companies have covered it as a replacement for ACBE, reimbursement for VC as the primary screening method only became likely with the recent endorsement. Consistently at the forefront of medical imaging technology, Dr. Benson was one of the first in northern New England to offer virtual colonoscopy for this purpose. “By making use of MDI Hospital’s advanced imaging capabilities, we’ve been able to provide a more comfortable option for thousands of patients to prevent colorectal cancer,” explained Dr. Benson. Dr. Benson believes strongly in the many benefits of virtual colonoscopy. “Not only is virtual colonoscopy equally capable of detecting cancer, it’s less invasive than conventional colonoscopy, it is an excellent alternative for patients who have certain clinical risks, is better for elderly or frail patients, and in a small number of patients, can detect abnormalities outside the colon that would otherwise be undetected by conventional colonoscopy,” explained Dr. Benson. Dr. Benson added that the recent collaborative endorsement of virtual colonoscopy will likely lead to broad acceptance, insurance reimbursement, and most importantly, patient compliance. “Access to this lifesaving technology is an important key in the fight against colorectal cancer.” For more information on virtual colonoscopy, call MDI Hospital’s Medical Imaging Department at 288-5081, extension 329, or visit www.cancer.org <http://www.cancer.org> on the internet. Return to top of page |
New Year Baby 2008
Makes Appearance January 2008 Proud parents Kim and Gary Hallet pose with new baby Mackenzie, MDI Hospital's 2008 New Year's Baby. Born January 8th, Mackenzie and parents received a gift basket generously donated from Acadia Corporation, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Bar Harbor Bike Shop, Bar Harbor Fire Department, The Bud Connection, Christmas Spirit Shop, The First, N.A., Marguerite Gilley, Hatched on MDI, J&B Atlantic, Jesup Memorial Library, Machias Savings Bank, K.A. McDonald Picture Framing, Barbara Linscott, Marguerite Gilley, MDI Hospital Auxiliary , MDI Hospital Nutrition Services, Mead Johnson, Sarah Murray and Matt Hougan, Paradis True Value Hardware, Queen Anne’s Flower Sho, Raising Readers, Reel Pizza Cinerama, Ruth Foster’s, Sherman’s Books &, Stationery, Stitches from the Hear, Stone Soup, St. Saviour’s Parish, The Kimball Shop, Noella Voisine, West End Drug Compan, and Window Panes Return to top of page |
| MDI Hospital
Purchases Maine Street Motel January
2008 With the expected purchase on Wednesday of the Maine Street Motel in Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island Hospital has taken another step to alleviate its growing need for clinical and administrative space as well as space for parking. The Motel, located across the street from Tapley’s Convenience Store, provides over 14,000 square feet of space. “Over the last four years, we’ve experienced a significant increase in the demand for our services,” said Hospital President and CEO Art Blank. “And this purchase will allow us to continue to meet the growing needs of our communities.” “Plans for the facility have not yet been completed,” explained Blank. “But we do know that it will include a combination of clinical and administrative space.” Currently, MDI Hospital has eight regional health centers located in Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor and Trenton. On Tuesday, the Hospital also broke ground on its new Community Health Center in Southwest Harbor which, when completed in the fall of 2008, will replace the current Center located on Village Green Way. The new Bar Harbor facility will also include space for a computer-training lab for hospital employees. “Computer technology has become more prevalent in everything we do,” explained Blank. “We continue to make strides implementing electronic health records, and we have begun to roll out a new digital Picture Archiving and Communications System,” explained Blank. The new PACS system digitizes medical images, making them available for evaluation by providers more quickly. “These initiatives and others have made it clear that we have to increase the educational resources we provide our staff,” added Blank. The new facility will also provide 46 parking spaces for Hospital employees and patients. “We are committed to being a good neighbor, and by providing additional off-street parking we are making an effort to reduce our impact on the surrounding neighborhood,” said Blank. Renovations to the facility will go before the planning board for review and approval, but Blank anticipates final approval and renovations to be completed by the end of 2008. Return to top of page |
MDI Hospital Breaks Ground on New
Community Health Center January 2008 A rare warm and sunny mid-winter day provided the perfect setting for MDI Hospital’s January 8th ground breaking ceremony at the site of its new Community Health Center in Southwest Harbor. Located adjacent to Ridge Apartments, the new facility will replace the current Community Health Center, providing more space and easier access. Construction is scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2008. Services offered will include primary care, behavioral health, physical and occupational therapy, care management, alternative medicine, and an adult day care facility for people with memory loss. Pictured above are (l to r) Terry Musson, First Vice Chair of the Hospital’s Board of Trustees, Terry Kelly, Director of the MDI Housing Authority, Dr. Julian Kuffler, Art Blank, President/CEO of MDI Hospital, Dean Read, Chair of the Hospital’s Board, Board Member Harriet Whittington, Physician Assistant Linda Maxwell, and Dr. Michael Heniser. Return to top of page |