Cape Fear Valley News

Health Agencies Announce H1N1 Public Information Line

5/1/2009 -

Local community health agencies today announced a public message line for updates on the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu.

The public may call (910) 615-HELP for recorded updates on the spread of the virus in North Carolina, as well as information about how to prevent the spread of flu and symptoms to watch for.

Through the message line, the public can also contact a Registered Nurse at CareLink, Cape Fear Valley's 24-hour call center, for more information if needed.

To date, no cases of the swine flu have been confirmed in North Carolina or in Cumberland County. To protect from the virus, the public is advised to take the following precautions, based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control:

Wash your hands often. This will help protect you from germs.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay away from work, school and public places when you are sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them.

Symptoms of swine flu are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

If you experience these symptoms, call your primary care physician or urgent care provider for advice and direction.

Health System, Radiology Group Partner For Outpatient Imaging

4/30/2009 - Cape Fear Valley Health System and Carolina Regional Radiology (CRR) finalized a definitive agreement with Diagnostic Health Corporation (DHC) on April 8, 2009, to acquire the assets of the imaging center located at 3186 Village Drive. Specifically, Cape Fear Valley Health System and Carolina Regional Radiology (CRR) are partnering to create Valley Regional Imaging, to own and operate the outpatient diagnostic imaging service in Fayetteville. The parties anticipate the transaction to close on or before May 15, 2009, subject to final regulatory approvals. Valley Regional Imaging will provide patients with the latest in outpatient diagnostic radiology services, including advanced digital mammography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, bone density testing and open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). “We are pleased to partner with our physicians to provide outpatient diagnostic imaging to our community,” said Michael Nagowski, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Fear Valley Health System. “This is a true partnership that will help coordinate medical imaging services, improve customer service and reduce costs for our customers. “The creation of Valley Regional Imaging returns outpatient diagnostic imaging to local control, where decisions can be made that best serve our community’s healthcare needs,” he said. “It also keeps the dollars in the local economy and keeps high-paying jobs here.” Carolina Regional Radiology has served Fayetteville and Cumberland County for more than 50 years. All of its radiologists are board certified. Many have sub-specialty training. CRR has fellowship-trained radiologists for women’s health, cancer, orthopedics, neurological disorders, vascular disease and pediatrics. “CRR already provides complete radiology services for all facilities of Cape Fear Valley Health System,” said Dr. Bruce Distell, Vice President of Business Development for Carolina Regional Radiology. “This new partnership represents another step in the development of a longstanding relationship that has benefited residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County for more than half a century.” Diagnostic Health Corporation is a stand-alone provider of diagnostic imaging services. DHC facilities offer a combination of outpatient diagnostic imaging services, including MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, fluoroscopy and nuclear medicine services.

Health System Aims To Curb Medical Identity Theft

4/30/2009 - Roughly 500,000 people a year fall victim each year to medical identity theft. Starting May 1, Cape Fear Valley Health System will join hospitals across the nation in following new “red flag rules” aimed to reduce that number. The rules were issued by the Federal Trade Commission in conjunction with federal bank regulatory agencies and the National Credit Union Administration. The FTC interprets the rules to apply to any creditor or financial institution with covered accounts – including hospitals, medical practices and banks that issue credit cards. The new rules get their name from encouraging companies to identify and respond to the warning signs, or “red flags,” of identity theft. The rules identify 26 potential red flags – ranging from credit freezes and fraud alerts on a patient’s credit report to patients failing to properly answer simple questions about their financial history. Identity theft was the top consumer complaint to the FTC for five years in a row, according to a 2005 report. Identity theft is defined as assuming another person’s personal information for personal gain. Medical identity theft, a variation of identity theft, is on the rise nationally. Hospitals often fall victim to medical identity theft when patients falsely make insurance claims or claims for medical services or goods. The risks of theft include inaccurate medical records, risk to health, death, exhaustion of insurance benefits, or rejection of insurance eligibility. Cape Fear Valley will look more closely for suspicious documents, unusual use of covered patient accounts, and alerts from other sources, such as patients, victims or law enforcement. The health system will also require patients to provide photo identification and current insurance information during registration. If photo ID is not available, bills or other correspondence documenting current address will be required. Exceptions will be made for emergency situations. If a red flag or identity theft is detected, the health system could respond in several ways. They include contacting the true patient, changing security codes and passwords on a covered account and notifying law enforcement.

Health Agencies Partner To Provide Flu Advice

4/28/2009 -

Local community health agencies are recommending steps the public can take to minimize the risk of catching or transmitting the flu in the wake of news reports of a swine flu outbreak in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

As of Monday, a total of 40 confirmed cases of the swine flu were reported in the United States. No confirmed cases have been reported in North Carolina. No deaths caused by the swine flu have occurred in the U.S.

Local public health officials from the Cumberland County Health Department, Cape Fear Valley Health System, Womack Army Medical Center, the VA Medical Center and the Duke Infection Control Network on Monday discussed the swine flu outbreak. To protect from the virus, the public is advised to take the following precautions, based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control:

Wash your hands often. This will help protect you from germs.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay away from work, school and public places when you are sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them.

If you experience these symptoms, call your primary care physician or urgent care provider for advice and direction.

Cape Fear Valley Opens Bladen Sleep Center

4/14/2009 - Cape Fear Valley Health System and Bladen County Hospital have partnered for a Bladen County first by offering sleep disorder studies locally. Effective Saturday, April 18, Cape Fear Valley Bladen Sleep Center will begin conducting studies at Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown. The studies will be performed on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The Bladen Sleep Center will be staffed by certified Sleep Technologists through Cape Fear Valley Health System. Sam Fleishman, M.D., a board-certified Sleep Specialist and American Academy of Sleep Medicine Board Member, will interpret all study results. Patients interested in having a study should contact their primary care physician to request a referral. Physicians can register their patients by calling the Bladen Sleep Center at (910) 862-1234. The center is equipped to diagnose a wide range of disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia. Research shows sleep disorders and poor sleep habits are directly linked to poor work performance, driving accidents, relationship problems and mood problems, such as anger and depression. Recent studies also show a link between chronic sleep loss and heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Bladen Sleep Center is another step in Cape Fear Valley’s growing commitment to Bladen County and its residents. Bladen County Hospital affiliated with Cape Fear Valley last year to provide improved healthcare services. For questions about the Bladen Sleep Center or sleep disorders, please call (910) 615-6389.

Cape Fear Valley Holds Minority Health Event

4/2/2009 - Cape Fear Valley gave area residents free health screenings in April under the Take Charge Of Your Health community health program. The free screenings were offered through Cape Fear Valley's minority health initiative, called Take Charge Of Your Health at Smith Recreation Center in Seabrook Park. The event was held in conjunction with local Beasley Broadcasting radio stations and The Tom Joyner Morning Show's "Take a Loved One To The Doctor Day." Screenings included checks for high blood pressure, sleep apnea and diabetes. The event also included asthma education and feature forums on the topics of women's health, men's health and HIV-AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. A candid discussion on HIV-AIDS in Cumberland County highlighted the event's final hour. The discussion's goal was to educate and encourage early testing by at-risk people. In 2007, the HIV infection rate in North Carolina was seven times greater for African American males than Caucasian males. A positive HIV or AIDS diagnosis does not mean a death sentence, however. New advances in medicine and getting proper medical treatment can go a long way in prolonging and improving quality of life.

Cape Fear Valley Names New Corporate Controller

3/30/2009 - Andy Barrow, CPA, has been named Corporate Controller for Cape Fear Valley Health System. The Kinston native has more than 12 years of healthcare financial experience and previously held the position of Corporate Director of Finance at Suburban Hospital Healthcare System in Bethesda, Md. Barrow earned his bachelor’s degree in History from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University in Greenville. At Cape Fear Valley, he will help oversee accounting, budget, and financial analysis for the health system.

Cancer Center Holds OASIS Event For Cancer Patients

3/26/2009 - Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center gave patients special treatment in March during the center’s Springtime at the OASIS celebration. The free event was held at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Owen Drive campus and was open to current and former Cancer Center patients. Staff provided patients free chair massages and healing touch sessions, as well as greatly discounted reflexology and full body massages. The goal was to expose patients to the wide range of complimentary cancer treatment options available under the OASIS program. Paintings and sculptures created under the Art Therapy program were also on display. Patients currently undergoing cancer treatment of up to one year after treatment may use the OASIS’ services at either of the two Cancer Center locations: Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Health Pavilion North.

Health System Names New Board Members

3/10/2009 - Cape Fear Valley Health System has appointed several new members and elected new officers for its Board of Trustees. John Griffin, Ed.D., has been elected Board Chairman. County Commissioner Billy King has been elected Secretary/Treasurer. Jerry Dean, a Wachovia banker, Denise Wyatt, an Associate Vice President with Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Reuben Rivers, M.D., have been appointed to three-year terms. Current board member Dickson Schaefer, M.D., has been re-appointed to another three-year term. John Henley, M.D., has been appointed to fulfill the unexpired term of Dudley Miller, M.D., who resigned in December.