Dr. Jim Bergman and Aubrey Davis honored for commitment to health care

February 26, 2010 — 11:01 am

Bergman, James-5x7Congratulations to James (Jim) Bergman MD, of Group Health’s Factoria Medical Center for receiving the honor as the Outstanding Health Care Professional from Seattle Business Magazine at the event last night.

Dr. Bergman is instrumental in implementing a new way for doctors to practice medicine, called the medical home. He was the first physician to practice at Factoria in 1988 and over the years he’s been a key figure in Group Health going from paper and pencil, to keystrokes and e-mailing patients.

Dr. Bergman was in good company, past Group Health CEO and Trustee, Aubrey Davis was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to shaping health care in our region and nation. (more…)

Hospitalization for acute or critical illness linked to greater likelihood of subsequent cognitive decline for older adults

February 24, 2010 — 10:28 am
MPH, executive director of Group Health Research Institute and senior author of the paper

Eric Larson, MD, MPH, executive director of Group Health Research Institute and senior author of the paper

Older patients hospitalized for acute care or a critical illness are more likely to experience cognitive decline compared to older adults who are not hospitalized, according to a University of Washington study conducted among older Group Health members and published in the February 24 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

A large proportion of patients who are hospitalized for acute care or care of a critical illness are older adults. Some studies have suggested that many survivors of critical illness experience long-term cognitive impairment, but these studies did not measure cognitive function before a critical illness, according to background information in the article. (more…)

Group Health and community leaders bring vaccines to those in need

February 23, 2010 — 4:48 pm

Vaccine1Group Health and community leaders are creating a new system to ensure children and everyone in Washington state continues to have access to affordable vaccines without interruption.

In 2009 Washington state eliminated funding for its universal purchase of vaccine program due to the state’s severe budgetary crisis. This change threatened to disrupt Washington’s efficient and cost effective system for acquiring and distributing childhood vaccine, potentially leading to even higher costs and administrative challenges. Funding was slated to be eliminated in May of 2010.

When it became apparent that the program would be eliminated, Group Health began working on solutions that would maintain the low cost and easy access to vaccines for providers and families across the state.

Group Health joined a group of community leaders, doctors, insurers, public health officials, and other stakeholders to explore ways to maintain the state’s universal purchase system. Recently the group agreed in principle to form a public private partnership that would continue universal purchase of vaccines with funding provided by insurers. One major benefit of maintaining the universal purchase program means that vaccines can be purchased at a discounted rate through the federal government.

Proposed legislation will finalize an agreement reached by health insurers to continue universal purchase of vaccines effective May 1, 2010. Final details of the universal purchase program will be worked out in the coming weeks.

The follow is a story about the cuts was recently featured on KING5 TV

Free training clinics for Bloomsday Run

February 19, 2010 — 2:58 pm

running

Group Health and Providence are working together to provide FREE training clinics to help participants get in shape for Bloomsday™ — a Spokane area run that attracts more than 50,000 participants young and old from around the nation.

Register now for seven free weeks of training at Spokane Falls Community College, 8:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings starting March 13.

Every week, start inside Spokane Falls Community College gym, listen to training tips, warm-up with a personal trainer, and by 9 a.m. start your training! Walk or run at your own pace, starting with one mile, increasing one mile each week. Volunteers will be waiting for you at water stations with first aid, and crossing guards will encourage you to keep up the good work.

Register in advance or at the clinics.
The registration form is attached or you can go to www.phc.org to download a registration form, or call 509-482-2356 for further information.

Words from Haiti

February 10, 2010 — 4:36 pm

The following is a powerful message from Group Health Urgent Care Dr. Ken Elam, who just returned  from volunteering in Haiti. He shares his experience, sadness, joy and advice.

Dr. Elam with nurse, and proud father

Dr. Elam with nurse, and proud father

Before on trips to Haiti, we often had trouble nailing down with patients when exactly symptoms started, probably a point of little relevance to those seeking treatment. Now, however,the tremblement de terre or earthquake is the starting point of all misery, injuries of course, but headaches, back pain and acid stomach too. With few new additional injuries, our focus in  an area of Port au Prince away from the worst destruction was on care of the scores with wounds often hastily covered the first days, and post op care for the many people with bones fixed in place surgically with metal rods and with amputations. The heart freezes, the breath gasps at the sight of every amputated child. (more…)