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June 16, 2008

Endoscopy center has dedicated staff, strong following

Patients opt to wait for procedures at HRMC

As Haywood Regional Medical Center restores services back to full capacity numerous patients are revealing noted dedication and loyalty to their local hospital. What was going on behind the scenes was surprising to staff and to physicians associated with HRMC's Endoscopy Center.

During the period of de-certification, gastroenterologists Dr. Henry Nathan and Dr. Filiberto Colon had secured privileges at nearby hospitals. Their patients were given the option of going to those hospitals to have procedures done, but instead, many patients opted to wait until Haywood Regional’s Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances were reinstated.

“People really like the expertise and bedside manners of Dr. Nathan and Dr. Colon. But given the fact that the patients who opted to wait had a choice to go elsewhere, that says a lot about our hospital and our staff,” said Mark Bleyl, an endoscopy technician.

After the hospital’s Medicare and Medicaid certification was restored May 22, followed by other insurance providers, the endoscopy outpatient schedule quickly began filling up with patients.

“It immediately picked back up and gradually our numbers are returning to normal,” said Mesial Sharpe, RN.

While HRMC had been providing quality endoscopy procedures since 1983, modern equipment updates, screenings, and the substantial growth in the number of patients has earned the 4,500-square-foot Endoscopy Center an excellent reputation. HRMC's current Endoscopy Center was established in 2000 through a gift from Bernice T. Medford in an effort to prevent numerous types of cancers and to diagnose and treat diseases through the most advanced endoscopy techniques available. The sixth floor center, which has sustained state-of-the-art care, includes three procedure rooms, six private patient rooms, a room for preparing and sterilizing equipment, and a nurse station.

“We have a very dedicated staff. Most have been on this floor for years,” Bleyl said.

Bleyl has worked at the Endoscopy Center for 27 years. Another staff member, Doug Steinel, endoscopy technician/certified nursing assistant, has been nominated as a Most Valuable Professional in EndoNurse magazine. EndoNurse is honoring the best of the best – endoscopy nurses, technicians, physicians, and ancillary healthcare staff who go above and beyond to make patients' stays more pleasant.

“I enjoy the patients. I’m very patient-oriented. I will take the time to answer questions and comfort patients if they are concerned or anxious about their procedures, "said Steinel, who has worked at HRMC for 17 years, seven in endoscopy.

“Our staff works together well. We’re hands-on with patient care and we help each other as a team,” said RN Janice Tvedt.

The endoscopy team not only helps each other, they often help patients beyond the call of duty. When a burn victim was released from the hospital this week, endoscopy staff joined with staff in the intensive care unit to collect more than $300 to give to the family.

“Patients who have had treatments or procedures here in the past said they liked the small home-town setting of our hospital and the personal attention they receive,” Sharpe said.

Janet Nitterauer, a patient at HRMC's Endoscopy Center Thursday, said she has had procedures done at nearby hospitals, but has always had a much better experience at Haywood Regional.

"Dr. Nathan did my procedure too and did a fantastic job," her husband, Jack Nitterauer, said.

For more information, call the Endoscopy Center at 452-8675.

Endoscopy technician Mark Bleyl checks the vital signs of patient Janet Nitterauer.