Pacific Union Recorder

The relentless pursuit of quality care has always been a top priority at Adventist Health. Every thing we do — from changing the bed sheets, to the more technical aspects of surgery — is carefully thought out and done in a way that serves our patients’ physical, mental and spiritual needs. When patients enter our hospitals, they can be sure that they are receiving the quality they deserve.

Exceptional Quality at Cancer Center

Cancer. No one wants to hear a doctor deliver that diagnosis. But patients at Feather River Hospital Cancer Center in Paradise, Calif., can rest easier knowing that the hospital was recently accredited and awarded six commendations by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Only 25 percent of all cancer centers in the nation have received this accreditation.

“This is a great achievement for our cancer treatment program and a tribute to the physicians and staff of the Cancer Center and hospital,” said Wayne Ferch, president and CEO of FRH. “Their dedication to our patients and their commitment to offer the best in comprehensive cancer treatment has paid off.”

This accreditation is a certification of quality standards and comprehensive care at FRH that include:

• state of the art services and equipment
• ongoing clinical trials in affiliation with the Stanford Cancer Center
• access to prevention and early detection programs
• education and support services
• quality care close to home

Meticulous Eyes Save Lives

Not only are Adventist Health hospitals demonstrating a commitment to quality — doctors and employees are, as well.

At Glendale Adventist Medical Center in Southern California, the core of Pharmaceutical Operations is medication reconciliation. This process involves reviewing all medications a patient is taking to see if they are safe together. It recently saved the life of a man with chronic back pain.

Walter Haven* had come to GAMC seeking pain relief when he met Dr. Simon Han, a clinical pharmacist. Han was looking over the prescriptions Haven was taking when he stumbled across something troubling.

Haven was on Tramadol to relieve moderate to severe pain along with Vicodin ES, an opiate-based pain reliever. When taken together, these drugs can cause seizures and may lead to fatality or severe neurological problems. Haven’s doctor didn’t communicate this interaction with him, so he was unaware of the possible dangers.

Han asked Haven if he had been experiencing seizures. When he replied that he had, Han explained to him the risks of the drugs he was taking together. Haven was shocked to know the source of his seizures. He was able to leave the hospital with information that he could take back to his doctor.

“Miscommunication between doctors and patients is a fundamental problem,” said Han. “Medication reconciliation can help fix this problem, and that is a blessing to patients.”

“Being as meticulous as we can be is part of our nature,” Han adds. “I am doing what I am expected to do; it is part of being a pharmacist in the Emergency Department.”

* Name has been changed to protect privacy.