Newsletter [October 15 1976]

              Continuous ER Physician Coverage Established
In mid-July, Wesley Long established
24-hour coverage. Dr. Ronald Joyner, Head
E.R. Physician states, "This will afford
better medical care for Emergency Room
patients and is crucial for major trauma
cases." Patients will benefit by having a
physician to evaluate true emergency cases.
The patient load has
increased and the community is using our
E.R. for a variety of
medical problems, such
as lacerations, broken
bones, chest pain and of
course true life-threatening emergencies.
^^^* Drs. Joyner, Harvey,
HARVEY Foreman, Heller, Kap
lan and Thacker comprise our E.R. physician
team. Dr. Joyner came
from Alamance County
Hospital where he was
Emergency Room Physician since January
1975. Dr. Roy Harvey
attended    Ohio    State
FOREMAN
HELLER
Medical School and began at Wesley Long the
first of September. Dr.
Robert Foreman attended Cornell University
and received his medical degree from the
University of Cincinnati
College of Medicine. Dr.
Heller was granted a
B.S. and B. Pharm from
Rutgers University College of Pharmacy and
received his medical degree from George Washington University. Dr.
Kaplan graduated from
the University of Pennsylvania in Religious
KAPLAN
THACKER
Thought. He received
his medical degree from
the Medical College of
Virginia. Dr. Thacker
received a B.A. in Anthropology from Tulane
University. He received
his medical degree from
the University of Florida, School of Medicine.
Newsletter
GREENSBORO, N. C.
WESLEY LONG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
OCTOBER 15, 1976
Dr. Poole Introduces New Procedure To WLCH
ARTERIOGRAPHY
Arteriography, the detailed study of the
arteries by radiographic means, has recently
been added to the Radiology Department,
under the direction of Dr. G. Joseph Poole,
Staff Radiologist. Dr. Poole, who joined our
Radiology staff this past July, was formerly
Associate Professor of Neuroradiology at
Bowman Gray School of Medicine for four
years. His training includes a residency in
radiology and a fellowship in neuroradiology
at Stanford University Medical Center.
According to Dr. Poole, the Radiology
Department of Wesley Long is equipped to
perform arteriograms in all areas of the
body. Arteriograms are radiographic photographs of specific organs such as the brain,
lungs, legs, etc. which show most abnormalities of that area such as aneurysms, tumors,
clots or hemorrhages.
The procedure requires an eighth of an inch
long incision through which a long thin
pliable catheter (tube) is inserted into the
artery of the patient.
The physician views the insertion on the
flouroscope and is able to watch the tubing as
it is guided through the arterial tree. The
patient is conscious, given only a local
anesthetic where the incision was made. The
patient experiences no pain during manipulation of the catheter since there are no pain
fibers within the arteries.
Once the tubing has been directed into the
desired artery, a machine called an injector is
attached to the tubing. The injector, similar
to a large syringe, injects an iodine
compound, a clear X-Ray contrast material,
into the bloodstream from the end of the
tubing.
Once the contrast material is injected, rapid
sequential films are taken of the area or
organ in two planes, frontal and lateral. The
X-Rays must be taken rapidly since the
contrast material travels swiftly through the
bloodstream. In the brain, for example, the
contrast material remains less than ten
seconds.
These films aid the patient's physician in
determining the proper avenue for further
treatment. This procedure will not be used as
a routine screening procedure but will be
used in conjunction with other radiological
diagnostic testing such as routine X-Rays,
Ultrasound or the Radioisotope Camera.
Dr. Poole studies an arteriogram made by injecting contrast material into a patient's aortic
arch. The contrast appears black on these films. The boney structures have been
photographically removed for greater clarity, a process called subtraction.
Patient Center
As an added service to patients of
Wesley Long, the Business Department
has established a Patient Information
Center to research patient inquiries
regarding patient insurance and accounts
so that patients might receive a response
to their questions more quickly. The
center benefits the patient as well as aids
the business department by enabling the
department to function more efficiently.
Patients with questions regarding their
account or insurance may call extension
580 or visit the center located in the
Business Department in the Kiser Building. The center, under the direction of
Ann Yarboro, Supervisor, is well briefed
in patient billing, billing procedure,
insurance, business office filing system,
and in the use of microfishe, which consist
of pages of patient data reduced to
microimages. The center's staff assume
full responsibility for researching the
questions and for relaying the answer to
the patients. They also are cautious to
protect the confidentiality of patient
information.
Since Wesley Long's patient load is
increasing many patients are taking
advantage of this service. The Business
Department encourages patients to call if
they have questions and are pleased to
offer this service to the community.