Mammography Films to Be Re-Evaluated

Tifton - Affinity Health Group and Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) are notifying selected patients that their mammogram films need to be re-evaluated due to concerns regarding image quality.

Tift Regional Medical Center purchased the mammography unit located in the Affinity building (now known as Tift Regional West Campus) on June 1, 2007; the mammograms of concern were performed between March 21, 2006 and September 14, 2007. The mammography unit, certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) at the time of TRMC's purchase, maintained FDA certification and ACR accreditation during the time it was owned and operated by Affinity.

Affinity and TRMC voluntarily notified the FDA, the federal agency that certifies mammography facilities, when concern arose regarding quality control documentation.

"The initial issue centered on the fact that equipment quality checks, which are supposed to be performed and documented on a daily basis, were not performed as required," said Michael Dukes, Affinity Health Group Administrator. "These checks are in place to ensure film quality."

Operation of the mammography unit at the Tift Regional West Campus ceased immediately when the quality concerns were confirmed. Patients were referred to a separate, unaffected unit at the TRMC Women's Imaging Center, located within the hospital. Additionally, the employee responsible for the quality documentation and the supervisor of the West Campus facility were terminated.

As part of the investigation the FDA required the American College of Radiology to review mammograms taken at the facility. The ACR, a separate agency which accredits mammography facilities, reviewed a sample of the films taken during the specified timeframe.

"Once the review was completed, the FDA was concerned that some patients may not have been positioned in the best way during the image-capturing process," said Dr. Kathrine Gibbons, President of Affinity Health Group.

As a result of the findings, the FDA required Affinity and TRMC to send letters to referring physicians and patients who received mammography examinations at the Affinity building between March 21, 2006 and September 14, 2007. Patients who receive letters are encouraged to follow the instructions and call the doctor who ordered their mammogram. The physician will determine appropriate action that may include re-evaluation, repeating a mammogram, or other options as deemed appropriate.

"Patient care and safety are out primary concern," said Dr. Gibbons. "We want to ensure that affected patients have the opportunity to have their concerns addressed."

Dukes agreed adding, "Affinity and TRMC are working in complete cooperation with the FDA to address this situation and to ensure patient safety."

Affinity patients should call 229.391.4035, a dedicated phone number for women who receive letters. Personnel answering that number are prepared to talk with patients and facilitate communication with the ordering physician.

Affinity Health Group, a multi-specialty physician practice is located in Tifton. In June 2007, Tift Regional Medical Center purchased and assumed operation of Affinity's building and ancillaries, including laboratory and radiology services, and the building was officially renamed the TRMC West Campus. Affinity remains an independent practice and leases office space at the West Campus location. Affinity physicians and practice staff are not employees of TRMC.

Dr. Petermann to help change 100 lives in 100 minutes

VALDOSTA, GA. - In just 100 minutes on April 9, the lives of 100 low-income people in cities and towns across the country will be changed forever as their failing eyesight goes from murky to new-found clarity at all distances with crystalens ® cataract-lens implants ... free of charge.

Dr. Scott Petermann, a board-certified ophthalmologist at Affinity Health Group, will be among a select group of ophthalmologists nationwide to participate in this unique program - Changing 100 Lives in 100 Minutes - which not only can dramatically improve patients' eyesight, but also will mean many of them may never need eyeglasses again.

Bausch & Lomb, which manufactures the innovative crystalens intraocular lens for cataracts, will donate 100 pairs of these lenses - generally not covered by private insurance or Medicare. Then, from coast to coast, 100 participating ophthalmologists, including Petermann, will perform crystalens implantation surgeries simultaneously during the 100-minute timeframe ...at no additional charge.

"In order to determine the best candidate for the surgery, I screened patients to find one who had no presence of an eye disease such as glaucoma or macular degeneration and who had no other co-existing conditions such as astigmatism," said Petermann. "I wanted to award this surgery to someone with healthy eyes who might not elect to have the surgery otherwise."

This national effort will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. Eastern daylight time with the implantation of the 100,000th crystalens; however, Dr. Petermann will be performing his procedure at 9 a.m. Crystalens is the only intraocular lens that uses eye muscles to focus in much the same way as the eye's natural lens, and is designed to provide clear vision at all distances ... near, intermediate and far.

The 100,000th crystalens surgery will be performed by Dr. James P. Gills, founder of St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute in Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Petermann graduated with distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed medical school at Wake Forest University, earning Alpha Omega Alpha honors, and then performed an ophthalmology residency at Emory University.

Since 1999, Petermann has been in private practice in south Georgia, specializing in cataract and refractive surgery. He uses state-of-the-art technology, including premium presbyopic-correcting intraocular lenses, and has performed more than 4,500 cataract operations.Petermann also is involved in clinical research and has participated in numerous clinical trials for pharmaceuticals.

The crystalens design is based on the human eye and uses the eye muscle to focus on objects at all distances. It is the only lens to use the eye's natural focusing ability and is the first and only such lens to receive FDA approval. Few crystalens patients have experienced problems with night vision, halos or glare.

"Typically, crystalens lenses are available only as an elective upgrade to conventional lenses paid for by government programs or private insurance," says Petermann. "The crystalens has been an extraordinary success, and we wanted to help share this wonderful technology with people who usually couldn't afford it."

Bausch & Lomb is a multi-billion-dollar eye-health company headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., where it was founded in 1853. It employs 13,000 people worldwide and distributes products in more than 100 countries. The company's primary product categories are contact lenses, lens care, pharmaceuticals, as well as products for cataract, vitreoretinal and refractive surgeries.

To learn more about Affinity Health Group or Dr. Petermann, visit www.affinity-health.com. For more details about the crystalens Changing 100 Lives in 100 Minutes program or Bausch & Lomb, visit www.crystalens.com.

Redlinger Joins Affinity Health Group

Recently, Affinity Health Group welcomed Kristy Redlinger, PA-C to their team of physician assistants and nurse practitioners. As a physician assistant, her duties include obtaining and evaluating medical histories, facilitating physical examinations and laboratory testing, as well as working with patients in an inpatient and outpatient environment.

Kristy holds a Bachelor degree from the Medical College of Georgia and has practiced as a PA in Internal Medicine and family care for 13 years. She is originally from Tifton and when not busy with her work, she enjoys indulging in her passion for gardening.

"I am very excited to be a part of Affinity Health Group; I am enjoying working with established, respected medical providers in my hometown," said Kristy.

To make an appointment with Kristy Redlinger, please call Affinity at 229-391-4100. For more information about Affinity Health Group, go to www.affinity-health.com.

Controlling Pain
Pain Management Pays Off in Improved Quality of Life

Dr. Marion Lee, pain specialist with Affinity Health Group, is quick to tell his chronic pain patients in order to get better they must want to get better.   "My patients must take an extremely active role in their pain management program," said Dr. Lee.   "They must be motivated, follow our advice and they can get better."

When Dr. Lee says better he means a better quality of life - not a cure.   "Pain management is not a cure for chronic pain," explained Dr. Lee.   "The pain will always be there, but I hope to lessen the pain for the patient and restore function so they can maintain a better quality of life."

The main goals for Dr. Lee and his staff at the Pain Center at Affinity Health Group in Tifton is to better understand how his patients are being affected by chronic pain, determine the source of the pain and develop a course of action for a reduction in pain.

Once a patient is referred to Dr. Lee by their primary care physician, he and his staff must try and determine the cause of the pain.   "A patient might suffer from pain in their foot," said Dr. Lee. "But we must determine if the pain is really originating in the toe or somewhere else, such as the spinal cord and just causing pain in the foot."

According to Dr. Lee there are a host of ailments that can cause chronic pain including arthritis, spinal conditions, surgery (post-surgical pain), and herniated disks.    The most unusual or unique cause of chronic pain that Dr. Lee has seen is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) which occurs in about 5% of patients.    CRPS is characterized by a burning or swelling of the extremities and can be caused by something as simple as bumping into a table or something as complex as a limb amputation.

After the cause of the pain is identified, Dr. Lee and his staff can determine the patients pain score and begin treatment. "Everyone's threshold and tolerance of pain is different," said Dr. Lee.   "We try to determine a person's pain score, for example it might be a seven out of ten. We then try to lower the patient's pain score with a customized pain management program."

A variety of treatment options are available to chronic pain sufferers depending on the cause of their pain. Dr. Lee's philosophy is "less is more" with respect to medication. "If we can manage a patient's pain without medication that is wonderful," said Dr. Lee.

The treatments for chronic pain include physical therapy, surgery, injection therapy, and medication management.

There are several different kinds of injection therapy including diagnostic blocks, permanent nerve blocks, intra-discal procedures and spinal cord stimulation which are used mainly for back pain and neck pain such spinal stenosis, bulging disks and herniated disks.   Dr. Lee said the most common type of therapy we use on patients for pain is injection therapy.   Another invasive technique used by Dr. Lee on spinal arthritic pain patients is rhizotomy.   This is where the actual nerve is burned to reduce the pain in the spinal cord.

When appropriate, medication management is used to treat patients.   Since the medications used may be strong, patients are monitored closely on a monthly basis for dosage changes and other effects.   "It is extremely important for patients in the medication program that they comply and follow our guidelines," said Dr. Lee.   "We want to reduce their pain, but they must help by being involved in their care."

Pain may be best relieved with a combination of medication and psychological assistance.   In these cases, patients may be referred to counseling.   The psychological aspect of pain includes anxiety and chronic depression which is often associated with chronic pain patients.   The psychological aspect of pain management also helps to develop coping skills to be in control of the pain.  

"Acceptance of pain by the patient is vital," said Dr. Lee.   "Patients must realize they may begin the program with a pain score of eight and get to a five.   The key is the patient learns to accept that their pain may always be no better than a five."

Some patients seek treatment for years, some for just a few months.   The pain generally lasts for a lifetime; however, with a proper diagnosis and treatment course chronic pain does not have to debilitate a patient's life.

"Our objective is to reduce a patient's pain so they can once again engage in the activities of everyday life," said Dr. Lee.

Dr. Lee, a board certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician, is also a member of the editorial review board of the nationally recognized journal "Pain Physician" and a board member of the American Board of Pain Physicians.   He is also an examiner for certification in interventional pain procedures.   Patients interested in learning more about the services of The Pain Center should first seek a referral from their primary care physician. The Pain Center is located at 1493 Kennedy Road, Suite B in Tifton. For more information, call 229-382-8216.  

Tifton Gazette: Letter to the Editor
TRMC-Affinity deal is important for Tift County

Due to changing healthcare economics that are affecting many physician practices around the country, Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) is working with Affinity Health Group to purchase and operate Affinity’s building and ancillary services, which includes lab testing and diagnostic imaging. Affinity will remain an independent practice and the physicians will not be employees of TRMC.

Without the physicians and staff of Affinity, there would be a profound impact on the level of care provided in our community. This pending deal will allow Affinity to focus on their core services and ensure continued viability. It will also increase access for area patients to Tift Regional Medical Center’s expanding services.

At Tift Regional Medical Center, all excess revenues over expenses are reinvested back into the hospital to offer the best technology and services possible for community. TRMC has a $165 million long-range capital plan for equipment acquisitions, facility enhancements and building expansion projects. This pending deal between TRMC and Affinity is in alignment with the hospital’s mission and future plans. Fortunately, TRMC is in the financial position to fund these projects while still keeping hospital charges well below the state hospital average.

TRMC does operate with exemption from taxes under the Georgia Hospital Authority Act, a statute established by state government more than 40 years ago. Though TRMC is exempt from paying ad-valorem taxes, the hospital did contribute more than $21 million in charitable care for the community last year, at no expense to taxpayers. TRMC also wrote-off an additional $12 million in unpaid charges. This does not include Medicare and Medicaid shortfalls, which usually pays below hospital costs.

A recent study prepared by the Economic Forecasting Center at Georgia State University shows that Tift Regional Medical Center has an annual impact of more than $260 million on the local economy. In addition to Tift Regional Medical Center’s 1,200 employees, the study determined that the hospital’s presence in the region has also created another 2,346 jobs for the community through contract, vendor and support services.

Local residents should take pride in the fact that Tift County’s two largest healthcare entities, Tift Regional Medical Center and Affinity Health Group, are working together in an effort to maintain and enhance the level of medical services for our community.

William T. Richardson
President/CEO
Tift Regional Medical Center

William Guest, M.D.
President
Affinity Health Group

Affinity Welcomes New Physicians to Our Team

Piyush Patel, M.D., Clinical Nephrologist
Dr. Patel is board certified in Internal Medicine, specializing in Nephrology. He also is a clinical specialist in hypertension and has over 10 years of experience in the field, including post graduate work in New York.

Alan Glen Peaslee, O.D., M.S., Optometrist   
Dr. Peaslee has almost twenty years of optometry work experience. Before opening his own practice, he was on active duty in the United States Army for five years in the Chief 101 st Airborne Division Optometry Section. Peaslee has clinical interests in ocular disease, trauma and pediatric eye care.

Cynthia Loraine Sumner, M.D., Internal Medicine   
A south Georgia native, Dr. Sumner returns to Tifton as an internal medicine physician; she completed medical school at Mercer University and her residency through Mercer's Internal Medicine program at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Dr. Sumner has a special interest in geriatric patients and preventative medicine.

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Laser Vision Correction Through the Eyes of a Patient
Follow a real patient’s on-line journal as she prepares for her LASIK procedure by Dr. Scott Petermann with Affinity Health Group; from the time she takes her contacts out through her final post procedure appointment, read about her experience.
View LASIK Journal

Dr. Scott Petermann, Affinity’s board-certified ophthalmologist offers the LASIK procedure without the hassle of repeated out of town trips. Dr. Petermann is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston Salem and completed his residency at Emory in Atlanta. For more information about how this procedure greatly improves vision or to schedule a consultation, call (229)391-4509 or (229)391-4100.

Click here to see answers to some frequently asked questions about Laser Eye Surgery.

The Pain Center
The Pain Center offers a variety of services for the treatment of chronic pain. These services are offered exclusively in an office setting once referred by your primary physician.