June 10, 2014

61114DavidClinic640

FFirst, it was the construction of Texas Children’s new pediatric community hospital in The Woodlands slated to open in 2017. Now, a new David Clinic will be built at The Woodlands campus, which means children affected by immune deficiencies will receive world class care and diagnosis in their own community.

On June 4, David Elementary School presented Texas Children’s with a donation of more than $38,000 raised by students and families that will be used to construct the new facility.

The facility will serve as an extension of the already established David Center at Texas Children’s main campus, which provides care and research for primary immune deficiencies, which are inborn diseases of the immune system that make children susceptible to auto immunity and infectious diseases.

“With the growing city of Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital facilities, it makes sense to put an extension of the David Center in David’s own community and in our new hospital in The Woodlands to increase awareness and provide greater access to patient care and treatment,” said Dr. Jordan Orange, chief of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology at Texas Children’s.

The David Clinic and the David Center are named in honor of David Vetter, the Texas Children’s Hospital patient from the 1970s known as the “Bubble Boy,” who suffered from Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID), which required him to live in a plastic bubble to protect him from germs and bacteria.

“This rare illness that David succumbed to affects about 1 in 50,000 babies,” said Dr. Orange. “Due to remarkable advances in immunology research and treatment, this immune deficiency is almost 100 percent curable if identified within the first three months of life.”

Since December 2012, every baby born in Texas is screened for SCID to ensure prompt diagnosis and best outcomes.

Besides the generous gift from David Elementary School, which is also named after Vetter, the school hosted David’s Dream Run last month. This annual event has raised more than $350,000 since its inception and all proceeds support The David Center and its research. All funds from the run through 2016 will support construction of the David Clinic in The Woodlands.

To learn more about David, visit the artifacts exhibit on the third floor of the Feigin Center in the Allergy and Immunology department. The David Center Wall on the ninth floor of the Clinical Care Center features a collection of photos highlighting David’s long-term association with Texas Children’s.

61114diabetesRibbonCutting640

On 14 West Tower, there is a new four-bed unit designated solely for diabetes patients who visit our hospital’s inpatient units. It’s a small area that’s going to make a big difference, maybe even help save lives.

The plans for the unit began as part of Delivering On the Vision (DOTV), the hospital wide effort to impact patient care and outcomes. DOTV created a Care Process Team to combat Diabetic Ketoacidosis or DKA. DKA is a life-threatening condition that diabetics encounter which could affect morbidity and mortality. The team discussed the work processes and potential areas of focus for quality improvement, deciding that a diabetes center of excellence was vital in improving our patient care and outcomes for diabetic patients.

“The dedicated Diabetes Care Unit allows for highly specialized care by a cohesive, expert team in a location where care is brought to the patient,” said Rhonda Wolfe, who is leading the Care Process Team along with Dr. Rona Sonabend. “The impact of a highly trained, expert team will mean improved quality, decreased length of stay, better preparation for discharge and ultimately better outcomes for our patients and families.”

Bedside nurses received advanced training to enhance their expertise with this patient population. This team is able to provide focused, expert care, involving all disciplines and providing a care model that is accessible, regardless of time of day or day of the week.

The team continues to receive ongoing training and will prepare for higher acuity patient admissions to the Diabetes Care Unit this coming fall.

June 3, 2014

6314ISdesk

Information Services (IS) will introduce several customer improvements this month to simplify service requests, solve problems more quickly and track service better.

“Information Services continually works to assess the effectiveness of our customer services, and we are aware our Service Desk customer care does not currently meet our standards or our customers’ needs,” said Myra Davis, senior vice president of IS.

Within the next few weeks, IS will implement several service enhancements, including improved staff, self-service options and a new support portal that allows customers to:

  • Report an issue or submit a request to IS online.
  • Check the status of any open service ticket previously submitted (with or without the ticket number).
  • Add comments to your ticket for the service analyst working on your issue.
  • Search articles and answers to common questions to help quickly resolve issues that may not need a service analyst.

How will this affect me?
Davis said customer improvements will provide a better, more efficient experience for all.

“We have renovated our customer service model to introduce enhancements like a new customer portal for online status updates and staffing improvements to reduce wait times,” she said. “New self-service options will help resolve issues without having to call the IS Service Desk. Everything is designed to improve the customer experiences of employees by helping our staff be more efficient.”

What employees need to do
The new customer support portal will pull contact information from each employee’s Connect Profile. Click here to check your Connect profile to make sure all of your contact information is current.

Questions?
Information Services is dedicated to providing a secure, reliable technology environment. If you have questions about IS customer service improvements, please call the IS Service Desk at Ext. 4-3512 (external 832-824-3512).

May 27, 2014

52814TheCenter640

The Center for Children and Women has been honored by The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as the first obstetrics practice in Texas to receive the Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition (PCSP). Practices that become recognized under Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition have demonstrated commitment to patient-centered care and clinical quality through: streamlined referral processes and care coordination with referring clinicians, timely patient and caregiver-focused care management and continuous clinical quality improvement.

“We are proud to be the first obstetrics practice in Texas to receive the PCSP recognition,” said Dr. Lisa Hollier, medical director of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas Children’s Health Plan – The Center for Children and Women. “Our care teams work hard to provide the best, comprehensive care for our patients and to empower our patients to become healthier,” she concluded.

Earning NCQA PCSP Recognition shows consumers, private payers and government agencies that the practice has undergone a rigorous review of its capabilities and is committed to sharing information and coordinating care. Recognition also signals to primary care practices that the specialty practice is ready to be an effective partner in caring for patients.

“The Center for Children and Women is honored that our operations and healthcare team meets and exceeds the qualities worthy of the Patient-Centered Specialty Recognition,” stated Tangula Taylor, director of operations at Texas Children’s Health Plan – The Center for Children and Women. “We continue to pursue excellence as we strive to find new and innovative methods to deliver outstanding care to our patients.”

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performances. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.

May 20, 2014

52114Zoghbi640
Dr. Huda Zoghbi, founding director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital, has established a special fund to help young scientists launch their independent research careers.

When Zoghbi started her career 30 years ago, it was easier to pursue bold ideas. “It wasn’t as hard to get funding, and we didn’t feel the same pressures young scientists face today, Zoghbi said. “I had no research experience when I decided to learn genetics, but Dr. Arthur Beaudet took me into his lab anyway. That would be very hard to do today.”

Zoghbi, who also is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and professor of molecular and human genetics, neurology, neuroscience and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, wants to support the next generation of budding scientists by giving them “room to pursue creative ideas as they’re beginning to launch careers.”

“The transition to independence is the most difficult period in a young scientist’s career,” Zoghbi said. “This kind of funding gives them a measure of freedom and signals our faith in their abilities to carve out their own niche.”

To accomplish this mission, Zoghbi has created a special fund at the NRI, one of the world’s first basic research institutes dedicated to childhood neurological diseases. The fund will provide one year of support to postdoctoral fellows who want to test bold hypotheses that would not be supported by conventional grants. When Zoghbi learned recently that she’d won the 2014 March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology, she decided immediately that she would add the $250,000 prize to the fund.

“This is a very prestigious award, and we are so fortunate that one of our own received this prize for her work to help advance our understanding of birth defects,” said Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace. “But we are even more honored and excited that this prize is being donated by Dr. Zoghbi as a generous gift to the NRI to help young scientists.”

Zoghbi’s gratitude and desire to give back is driven particularly by three individuals who had a profound impact on her career.

“Dr. Ralph Feigin recruited me to the pediatric residency program at Baylor College of Medicine and taught me clinical scholarship,” she said. “He also became a second father to me. Dr. Marvin Fishman was such an exemplary clinician that I was inspired to become a pediatric neurologist, where I met the patients who changed the course of my career. When I decided I wanted to pursue basic research, Dr. Beaudet, one of the finest geneticists in the country, took me into his lab and taught me how to be a scientist.”

Zoghbi hopes that with support from this fund, combined with hard work and protected space for intellectual freedom, many young scientists will enjoy similar success.

Click here for more information on the 2014 March of Dimes Award.

52114FetalCenterTTTS-2

Eva and Jay Heintz were enjoying a blissfully uneventful twin pregnancy in Hammond, LA, when their world was turned upside down at Eva’s 19-week check-up.

Her MFM specialist detected polyhydramnios in one twin’s sac and oligohydramnios in the other twin’s sac and quickly made the diagnosis of Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). From there, the bad news kept coming. Even though Eva’s ultrasound had been normal just two weeks earlier, the disease had progressed rapidly to an advanced stage of TTTS, (Stage 3) which involved cardiac Doppler abnormalities with selective intrauterine growth restriction. Action needed to be taken quickly if there was any hope of saving Eva’s twins.

Her MFM called Texas Children’s Fetal Center with a referral, and by the time she arrived home from her doctor’s appointment, Jayme Molohon, the nurse coordinator at Texas Children’s Fetal Center who received Eva’s case, had already started to make arrangements for Eva to be seen in Texas the next day.

“The nurses simply could not have been more warm and comforting as I prepared for my surgery,” said Eva.

“Once a referral comes through the Fetal Center, we try to get these patients in as quickly as possible due to the nature of the disease,” said Molohon. My relationship with the family starts with the first phone call I make to introduce myself. You can almost feel their anxiety and fear through the phone because you know they just want someone to help their child. My job is to make these families and patients as comfortable as possible and see that they understand their reasoning for coming all the way to Houston.”

But her role as a nurse coordinator extends far beyond that first call. Prepping for surgery involves a comprehensive initial evaluation. Patients like Eva start with an initial anatomy ultrasound, fetal echocardiogram, genetic counseling MFM consultation and fetal intervention consultation. The entire team on the fourth floor of the Pavilion for Women is a part of the patient’s evaluation. If babies meet criteria for surgery, the patient will meet with pre-anesthesia testing and possibly neonatology, if of viable gestational age. The nurse coordinator is then in charge of scheduling all appointments, verifying insurance authorization and also assisting in housing, if the patient has limited means. She also reviews all prenatal records and obtains any additional records depending on maternal conditions. And according to Molohon, one of her most important roles is to offer the family hope and the knowledge that the Fetal Center staff will fight for them.

“I am with the patient and their family every step of the way,” she said. “I develop relationships with patients that go beyond the fetal surgery. All my patients touch my heart in some shape or form. We experience a bond that can never be shared with anyone else. You may not be related to them by blood, but they will never forget how much of an impact you made in their lives and their children’s lives.

Eva underwent laser ablation surgery led by Dr. Alireza Shamshirsaz – a procedure that is still rare in other hospitals, but has become routine at Texas Children’s where the Fetal Center sees TTTS cases every week. Eva’s surgery was a success, but she still wasn’t in the clear.

“The families that go through fetal intervention always understand there is a risk that their children may not make it after surgery,” said Molohon.

After the procedure, doctors explained that the next important step would be surviving the night after surgery. At 6 a.m. the next morning, a team of doctors entered Eva’s room for the important evaluation – and looks of joy were exchanged as they found two heartbeats.

“When I found out that both babies were alive and made it through surgery, I said a prayer,” said Molohon. “Life is so precious and you always want the best possible outcome for these patients. Eva was such an amazing patient and wanted to do everything right to make sure her babies were okay. To see pictures of her twins now and how beautiful they are makes you appreciate all the hard work and dedication that we do every day in the Fetal Center.”

Eva’s story is a prime example of the high level of care that goes into TTTS cases at Texas Children’s Fetal Center.

“I saw and felt what it is like to have doctors invest themselves in, not only your outcome, but in your future and the future of your family, said Eva. “It felt so personal and special, and I will never forget that feeling. Through all the exhaustion and ultimately joy that this experience has brought me, I often reflect of my time at Texas Children’s Hospital.”

May 13, 2014

51414UrgentCare640

Today marks the opening of the first Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinic, which will offer high-quality, efficient and affordable pediatric care after hours, closer to home.

“Texas Children’s Urgent Care was created to respond to the growing need for expert pediatric urgent care after hours,” says Randall Wright, executive vice president of Texas Children’s Hospital. “Our clinics are conveniently located in your neighborhood, and available evenings and weekends, to continue our commitment to providing care to all patients and families in the Houston community.”

Texas Children’s Urgent Care is open Monday through Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Clinics are staffed by board certified pediatricians who have privileges at Texas Children’s Hospital. Pediatricians diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments, illnesses and conditions, including: asthma, strep throat, fever, minor burns, influenza, ear infections, allergic reactions and more. Procedures provided include: antibiotic injections, breathing treatments, fracture care and splinting, IV (intravenous) fluids, lab services, laceration repair and x-rays on-site.

“We are excited to bring this expert urgent care model to the Houston community,” says Dr. Gary Gerlacher, Texas Children’s Urgent Care lead physician. “In my experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the urgent care setting has truly helped fill a void in treatment for children and their families.”

The first Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinic is located at Cinco Ranch, and the second, scheduled to open this summer, will be in the Town & Country area.

Oftentimes, families turn to an emergency center after hours, on weekends or perhaps even during the day, when a significant event occurs with their child. Though the emergency center is the right place for some incidents or ailments, the majority of the time, minor illnesses can and should be treated at a pediatric urgent care facility.

Texas Children’s Urgent Care accepts major insurance plans and has self-pay rates, which are less than emergency center charges, and there are no hospital fees. A complete list of insurance plans is available on the website. Texas Children’s Urgent Care specializes in after hours care, but does not replace the need for children to have a general pediatrician. Routine physical exams and vaccinations are services that should be obtained from a general pediatrician, and these services are not available at Texas Children’s Urgent Care.