HJLR Nov/Dec 2018

40 NOV / DEC 2018  I  Healthcare Journal of little rock   Healthcare Briefs nation for highest heart attack death rate, with 2,922 deaths. The American Heart Association reports that every 40 seconds someone suffers a heart attack. “What gets measured gets improved. This reg- istry is a unique opportunity to address a leading cause of death and disability in Arkansas,” said Dr. Appathurai Balamurugan, state chronic dis- ease director and medical director for the Chronic Disease Branch at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The AHAR is the ADH’s surveillance and qual- ity improvement program for acute coronary syn- drome. The primary goal of the AHAR is to per- form surveillance, monitor care performance, and provide education and quality improvement assis- tance to improve heart attack patient care and outcomes. Oversight for the AHAR is provided by the STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarc- tion) Advisory Council, a group of Arkansas-based healthcare professionals including interventional cardiologists, emergency medical service profes- sionals (EMT’s and paramedics), nurses, and pub- lic health officials. A STEMI is a very serious type of heart attack that occurs when a major artery is blocked. “This registry is a tool to help us understand what is working well and what needs to improve,” said Greg Brown, ADH branch chief of trauma, stroke and STEMI. “We appreciate the participat- ing hospitals’ dedication to excellence in heart attack patient care.”  Hospitals participating in the AHAR include: Arkansas Heart Hospital Baptist Health Medical Center - Conway Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock Baptist Health Medical Center - North Little Rock Baxter Regional Medical Center CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs CHI St. Vincent Infirmary CHI St. Vincent North Conway Regional Medical Center Jefferson Regional Medical Center Medical Center of South Arkansas Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas Methodist University Hospital (Tennessee) National Park Medical Center NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital every year since 2005. ADHEducates Arkansans About Animal Bites and Rabies The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has reported 27 rabies cases in animals so far this year; 15 were skunks, 11 were bats, and one was a dog. Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and nerves in humans and other mammals. ADH is reminding Arkansans to know the signs of rabies in animals and what to do if they are bit- ten by an animal. Rabies can be contracted through a bite or saliva from an infected animal. In Arkansas, the animals that most often carry rabies are skunks and bats, but any mammal can become infected by one of these species. Animals do not have to be aggressive or behaving erratically to have rabies. Changes in any animal’s normal behavior can be early signs of rabies. Report abnormal animal behavior to animal control or law enforcement. If it can be done safely, capture or confine the animal, or identify it before it runs away. Do not try to pick the ani- mal up. Depending on the species, an animal can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the need for rabies treatment. A potential rabies exposure should never be taken lightly. If untreated, rabies is fatal. The human rabies vaccine, administered after a possible exposure, is highly effective at prevent- ing the progression to rabies disease. However, once an infected person develops symptoms of rabies, there is no effective treatment, and the infected person will most likely die. Timely report- ing of animal bites allows public health experts to offer recommendations on the need for rabies vaccination. Report all animal bites or contact with wild ani- mals to the nearest ADH Local Health Unit. A list- ing of units can be found at www.healthy.arkan- sas.gov.  Arkansas Heart Attack Registry Now in Effect Twenty-three hospitals have joined the Arkan- sas Heart Attack Registry (AHAR) in a collabora- tive effort to reduce the impact of heart attacks on Arkansans. In 2016, Arkansas ranked number one in the America’s Best Doctors. UAMS College of Medi- cine seniors awarded her the distinguished and highly coveted Red Sash Award for excellence in teaching 18 times. Berney was presented with a commemorative medallion by Patterson and Westfall. He recog- nized Lipsmeyer, who was in attendance, and thanked those present. “This award is a demonstration of the admira- tion and love that the UAMS community has for Dr. Lipsmeyer, and I am glad she attended this ceremony today,” Berney said. “I am honored and humbled by this endowed professorship. I will endeavor to maintain the educational, inspi- rational and clinical excellence that Dr. Lipsmeyer has represented.” Under Berney, the fellowship training program has improved significantly, resulting in higher rheumatology in-service exam scores, and the Division of Rheumatology is increasing its research capabilities and attracting clinical ther- apeutic trials. Berney received a medical degree from Tem- ple University School of Medicine and completed postgraduate training at the University of Ala- bama at Birmingham and New York University. He joined the faculty at Louisiana State Univer- sity Health Sciences Center–Shreveport in 1995 as assistant professor of medicine, and served successively as rheumatology fellowship direc- tor, internal medicine clerkship director, direc- tor of the student musculoskeletal Core Con- cepts in the Clinical Sciences course, chair of the institution’s promotion and tenure committee, chief of the Division of Rheumatology, and direc- tor of the Center of Excellence for Arthritis and Rheumatology. Berney has received numerous teaching awards, including the American College of Rheu- matology Clinician Scholar Educator Award and the Dr. Allen A. Copping Award for Excellence in Teaching Clinical Science. At Louisiana State Uni- versity Health Sciences Center–Shreveport, he received multiple Clarence H. Webb Awards for Outstanding Clinical Science Instructor, and sev- eral selections as the sophomore class Arnold P. Gold Foundation White Coat Ceremony Speaker and graduation marshal. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and has been named to the Best Doctors in America