New PACS System Coming in December New Rheumatologist coming to Aspirus ED Renovations Underway Pharmacy: Avandia no longer available; Critical Congratulations to Dr. Kevin Flaherty drug shortage updates
Radiology PACS System Upgrade Coming in December
Aspirus Imaging Services is moving to a new PACS system (Image Review and Picture Archive System). The projected go-live date for this change is December 13. All clinicians and Aspirus employees who currently access imaging exams will be affected. We are making this change because Aspirus has outgrown the capabilities of our current Sectra PACS.
The main change a clinician or PACS user will see is the user interface including: Patient lists will look different or tools (measure or zoom) may be accessed in a different fashion. We also anticipate the new FUJI PACS will allow us to make PACS more readily available in the clinic setting.
The Imaging Department will be providing training sessions and operator documentation for users throughout the Aspirus system. Please look for notices for training sessions and open labs in the weeks prior to go-live. Please direct any questions to Susan Rock, Radiology Clinical Manager, at 715-843-1072.
Emergency Department Renovations Underway
Renovations to our ED began on Monday 10/24. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of February, and will improve energy efficiency, patient flow and privacy, and aesthetics. Please be aware that access is affected by the renovations. Highlights include:
Drivers arriving on campus via Bridge Street no longer will be able drive west past the helipad and Emergency Department. Instead, they must follow signs at the Pine Ridge Boulevard. intersection that will direct them along Pine Ridge Boulevard.
Staff members who usually enter via the ED will be asked to please use alternative entrances.
There will be a temporary ED entrance created adjacent to the current entrance. Although there will be construction present, signs will direct patients to the temporary entrance.
Indoor traffic to the ED Registration Desk will be rerouted through the current hallway. Indoor traffic to Switchboard, Security and ED offices will be through the current hallway, but at a reduced width. There will be no exit at the North end of the corridor (by Switchboard/Security) during renovation.
Please contact Rene Gorski, Construction Project Coordinator, at x70085 with questions.
Congratulations to Dr. Kevin Flaherty! Dr. Flaherty, corneal transplant surgeon with Eye Clinic of Wisconsin, was presented a Knight of Sight Fellowship by the Lions Bank of Wisconsin (LEBW). This is their most prestigious award and is given to people recognized for their ongoing commitment to helping the LEBW meet their goals and objectives for giving the Gift of Sight through corneas made available for transplant, education and research. The award was presented by Art O-Neal, Executive Director of LEBW; Tom King, LEBW Board President and members of the Marathon County Lions Support Group, who provide transport services for corneas to/from Aspirus and the LEBW in Madison. Continued on Page 2 10/28 Edition, Page 2
New Rheumatologist Coming to Aspirus Dr. Jan Ciejka will begin seeing patients as a part of the Aspirus team in mid December. His office will be located in our Plaza Drive building. Patients can be scheduled by calling (715) 847-0426
Pharmacy Updates: Avandia/Avandaryl/Avandamet products (medications containing rosiglitazone) are now withdrawn from the current medication supply chain as a result of updated prescribing stipulations issued by the FDA. As of 10/18 pharmacies have been required to ship their remaining supplies back to the manufacturer.
You will need to decide whether to continue your patient on these products or alter therapy to a different agent or modality.
Patients can remain on these agents but to do so, both the prescriber and patient will need to register with GSK’s Avandia-rosiglitazone Medicines Access program.
Patients will no longer be able to obtain their medicines from their local pharmacy but will receive via mail order form a specialty pharmacy.
Aspirus Wausau Hospital will no longer be able to provide this medication, if a patient is admitted and the prescriber wishes to continue the medication during the inpatient visit, the patient will need to bring in his/her own supply and have the pharmacy verify the contents and integrity of the product.
As of Sunday, October 23rd, these products will no longer be available at the hospital or outpatient pharmacy.
For more information regarding the Avandia-rosiglitazone medicines access program follow this link: https://www.avandia.com/Public/default.aspx Drug shortages: The hospital is still working through many national drug shortage issues. Drug shortages involved over 202 medications in 2010, up from 70 in 2006. In this current year, 2011, the numbers seem to be trending even higher. Many times we are unable to purchase our usual product or size and resort to repackaging to extend supplies. The following is a list of the most concerning medication supply issues: Prochlorperazine (Compazine) for injection is currently unavailable. Alternatives in the same pharmacological class for nausea are droperidol, haloperidol, promethazine. Fentanyl injection of all sizes: We currently are buying any sizes we can and may resort to repackaging 2 mL syringes
Consider morphine or hydromorphone for PCAs in place of fentanyl if suitable for patient
Consider morphine for continuous infusion in place of fentanyl if suitable for patient
Morphine 1 mg/mL preservative free 2 and 10 mL packages is very low. We are unable to replace inventory at this time.
Sufentanil is also not available as a replacement for fentanyl due to supply issues
Atropine for injection is not available in the 1 mL vials, pharmacy is repackaging into unit of use syringes
Ketorolac 60 mg/2 mL will soon be exhausted, we continue to have the 30 mg size available.
Aminocaproic acid for injection is experiencing severe supply restrictions. We have adequate stock for the next 30 days. Tranexamic acid is an alternative if needed.
Patient Name Date of Birth / Age / Address Occupation（ ） Introduced by Internet・Newspaper・Magazine・TV・Radio □Stuck or uncomfort in Pharynx to chest □Heartburn □Reflux Esophagitis □Gastric Pain □Uncomfort and fullness of stomach □Sickness, Vomit □Worry for Helicobacter Pylori □Gastric Polyp □Gastric / Duodenal ulcer □Worry for Esophageal / Gastric Cancer □B
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New PACS System Coming in December