Happy Birthday Trident: 22 Years Old TODAY!

At a time when so many companies are merging and changing names, it is rare and special to be an organization that has remained steady under the same ownership all these years. Trident Health Resources, Inc. marks today as its 22nd year in business under the same ownership.

This is a happy occasion for us, but much more significant to the Trident team is the fact we continue to serve our many long-term hospital accounts. Our locum tenens accounts have been a consistent and vital part of our growth and many return year after year. We were founded in 1988 to provide hospitals with the most experienced certified perfusionists that are available.

Since its inception, one of the constants of Trident is that it has continuously evolved and grown under a patient-first philosophy. We continue to enter new market areas and push technical boundaries to produce better ways of perfusion management. Our culture has been one that has always been grounded in strength of relationship and trust. We have a commitment to quality and compassionate care, because when it comes to taking care of patients, some things should never change.

Happy Birthday to the Trident Family!

Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO

National Perfusionist Appreciation Week 2010

As we celebrate National Perfusionist Appreciation Week 2010 and Trident Health Resources, Inc.’s 22nd birthday under the same ownership, I want to recognize and pay tribute to those who make Trident the leading provider of perfusion management services across the country in areas we serve: our employees.

Our chief perfusionists and staff are dedicated people who are committed to achieving excellence every day of the year, but it is during this first week in May each year that we take this time to pay homage. Trident has an upstanding reputation in the industry, a patient-first philosophy, and excellence in perfusion services performance to patients and the hospitals we serve. Every employee and perfusionist within Trident is essential to achieving Trident’s goals. Each of you represents the spark that ignites success and which fosters our position and longevity in the marketplace as a top choice perfusion management company for so many hospital accounts.

It is with pleasure and honor to know that the passion that lives within Trident’s organization starts with each of you individually and collectively and is shown daily in the work you do. I thank you for your commitment, your contributions of expertise in perfusion services, and your positive attitude. We also thank our hospital accounts for the great partnership that allows us to serve open heart patients.

We appreciate you!

Continued success as we enter our 23rd year in business!


Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO
Trident Health Resources, Inc.

May HEARTBEAT E-Newsletter Released!

See the latest issue of your favorite perfusion newsletter. Click HERE

Perfusionists & American Idol

Why do you think America has a love affair with the television show, American Idol ? Now in its 9th season and still the #1 show in the country, I’ve pondered the answer to this question since I, myself, am a regular viewer.

Among many reasons, I think there’s much ado about wanting to pick a winner. We like to find one or more contestants to root for and watch them grow over the season. We identify with the challenges and hardships in facing competition. We get a sense of vicarious pleasure in seeing someone overcome adversity and rise to the top. Plus, that rise to the top is determined by viewers who vote (by phoning or texting their pick), so we all have a hand in the outcome. The pay-off for the season’s winner is a record contract. It’s a huge prize that can change one’s life forever. With that at stake, there’s intensity in watching each week to see who is voted off the show.

For those of you who read this blog, you know I often write about the perfusion industry by framing it in terms of the path to success and ways to foster continued excellence in patient care. In my own life experiences as businessman in the healthcare industry, I have always been drawn to the desire to fill needs that serve people, along with the drive to emerge as a leading organization that performs better than its competitors in its field. Life is a lot like American Idol, I think. To succeed, we have to learn and grow and keep a winning attitude even through tough times. Rarely does anyone start out at the top, we work our way there.

Our perfusionists know this too. The educational requirements, licensing process where applicable, and credentialing require student perfusionists to visualize the pay-off while still in school to motivate them to see the value of their efforts. The prize is the title of Clinical Perfusionist, gainfully employed in the chosen field. Once a perfusionist acquires the job and gains experience, the challenges don’t end there. The role of the perfusionist is critical in heart surgery every day. There are decisions being made each moment behind the pump. There is the essential requirement to observe events during a case and respond to changes happening to the patient and to follow any new direction given by the surgeon and medical team.

Those who work as perfusionists know what it takes to be good. They have to be good and they know it.

If you’re reading this and need a winning team for your perfusionist program, visit our website at www.tridenthealth.com and contact us today. If you’re a perfusionist who aims to the best in your field, check our website’s employment ads. We’re always looking to match good people where the needs arise.

And watch American Idol on Tuesday nights on FOX at 8 PM Eastern Time and Wednesday at 9 PM. Who do you think the next American Idol will be?

Happy Easter!

Trident's April E-newsletter issue of The Heartbeat is now available online. Click to Read.

Health Care Reform & The Virtue of Patience.

It’s frustrating. It’s a battlefield of opinions. The health care reform plan is sketchy, riddled with minutiae and subject to interpretation. But the fact is: On Sunday, the House passed H.R. 3590, the Senate version of Obama Care (healthcare bill), along with another bill (H.R. 4872 Reconciliation Act of 2010) to reconcile differences. HR 3590 was signed into law on Tuesday and the reconciliation bill was passed by Senate. Change is coming.

I think of this as it relates to the work we do. Recently, the business correspondence I’ve written has had a running theme about “change”. Trident Health Resources, Inc. is managed based on some hard rock core beliefs that our perfusionist employees and hospital clients can count on. These things never change and shouldn’t change (for example, a “patient-first” approach to clinical care). But it is recognized that just as it is true in this great country, so it is with the proactive movement in our industry… we must be responsive to change in order to succeed and be relevant.

I’m not unlike many avid followers of the news and political happenings in that I can get pretty riled up about some of the policies changing the landscape of America. I consider the impact on my children's and grandchildren's generation and wonder if a healthy and prosperous future is in store for them. But there’s something here to consider amid change…. Patience and faith in a democratic system which works.

To parallel this thought, consider what happens during open heart surgery. The trained hands of the surgeon and the skills of perfusionists and nursing staff are grounded in protocol, education, and experience. Nevertheless, one never knows how a case will come to pass until the seminal moments of surgery when anything can happen. As medical professionals, there is tremendous reliance on the quick responses to any nuance of change to a patient’s condition. Pathways to a successful procedure can vary with no prediction on process until we have passed successfully through the “moments”.

Consider that the enormity of health care reform has within it many elements of “unknowns”. Until faced with implementation of the complex plans, revisions will be necessary over the course of many years until it is ironed out and improved. The point is, we’ve got to find the faith that with change will come improvements, knowing that change is never easy. It is natural human behavior to settle into patterns of thought and actions where comfort resides in the “known”. Yet, we know intuitively that we must experience stages of metamorphosis all through our lives in order to evolve. This is true in all of life, all of business and medical care, all of global worldly matters. It’s uncomfortable to change, but sometimes necessary.

My message is simply this: Some things should never change, like the commitment Trident and we have to quality, compassionate care. However, we must be responsive to evolutionary changes that catapult our work into the future and we must be able to discern what is real and what is delusional.

Be patient. Hold tight onto what is your core belief in what you do, and be resilient and prepared for the flexibility that is required in new and different situations. These are the things that make our country great, that make our perfusionists successful, and offer us optimism as health care reform is implemented, modified, or rejected.

I welcome your thoughts here, or feel free to email me directly at rjordan@tridenthealth.com.

Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO
Trident Health Resources, Inc.

Case Studies: An Insider's Guide to a Great Perfusion Program

Here is an excerpt from the March Heartbeat E-Newsletter. If you'd like to subscribe to our monthly news, click here and enter your email address.

JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, FL is recognized as Thomas & Reuters Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospitals in America. JFK is one of only four Florida hospitals to earn this benchmark recognition, which is based upon patient outcomes studied within 971 hospitals. JFK's Open Heart Program is a perfusion services contracted facility with Trident Health Resources, Inc. We are proud of this prestigious award and the contributions of our perfusionists which play a role in JFK's success.

What is it that makes YOUR program successful? What things can be learned from what others do to enhance what you are already doing? How do you know when it's time for a change and to consider outsourcing to a professional perfusion services company?

When you're evaluating your perfusion program, you want a frame of reference. Social Proof is what you are looking for; which means you want to find someone else like you who has been in the same position you are in now. You want to know others who made the decision to choose a company to manage staffing. Social Proof is not new, it's a marketing concept that is a sociological phenomenon. It means simply that people's behavioral patterns are highly influenced by the actions of the people or community around them. Some of the most effective social proof for Trident Health Resources, Inc. comes from the penetration of our company name in the marketplace, the number of accounts we have, and our longevity in the industry. But most importantly, it's the number of satisfied clients we have and have retained year after year.

To parallel this concept, consider that in your personal life when you are about to make a significant purchase such as a car or appliance, you might check online for consumer reviews and ratings. This gives you a sense if a product is worth its price and how it compares to the competition. Likewise, in your profession, when you're thinking about outsourcing perfusion services, it only makes sense to find out how others' experiences are with the company they use. Trident's account base is stable with numerous long-term contracts as well as a number of locum tenens accounts. We'd like to share their stories with you if you're interested.

Our industry continues to grow and the need for program changes and enhancements within hospitals is apparent. Quality is important! Patients are more informed than ever and are selective about their surgeon and hospital choices. It's important to ensure your open heart program caters to patient needs, that your perfusionists are aligned in team spirit with the surgical and nursing staff, and that your program offers superior performance in cardiovascular service in outcomes of care. We offer the services that gain you these results and save you money, too.

If you'd like to receive more information and letters from our hospital accounts, please email your request to marketing@tridenthealth.com. If you'd like a comparative analysis of your current perfusion program, complete the form here and we will get back with you right away.

Shaun White: From Open Heart Surgery to Olympic Hero

I'm reposting a recent news article which I think is relevant to our industry, not only because it's about Heart Surgery and a famous person, Olympic Gold Medal winner, Shaun White... but because that makes me think of all the people in perfusion who make a difference every day. What makes Shaun White excel in his field are the very same things that are common among excellent perfusionists who assist in open heart surgeries every day... It's commitment and passion. Shaun White practices his sport every day with commitment. He falls down, he gets up and tries again. The desire for perfection is a passion. In our profession, perfection is a passion as well.

I found this article inspiring.... and thought you might, too.


Shaun White: From Open Heart Surgery to Olympic Hero
Posted at Globalgrind.com

When you are born with congenital heart failure the odds are stacked against you. No one would expect you to be a superstar athlete, and any thoughts of being an Olympic winner are dismal. Yet, snow boarder Shaun White has proven that he can be that and more.

White was born with a congenital heart defect called tetralogy of fallot, in which the heart has four abnormalities. Within his first year of life White had undergone two open heart surgeries. It was a mere five years later that he stepped foot on a snow board and found his calling. From ages 6 to 12 White racked up snow and skate boarding trophies all over California, eventually going pro at the age of 13. Not only is White the first two time Olympic gold medalist in his sport he was also the first person to compete in the 2003 Summer and Winter X games.

It seems that for Shaun, his heart condition as a child hasn’t stood in the way of something he was destined to do. In actuality it’s just a tiny part of what makes him the success he is today.

After wining his second gold White was interviewed by Oprah and said of his accomplishments:

“It brings me back to all the kinds of strange times, because when my parents first got introduced to snow boarding and I started snow boarding there were no Olympics, no X games, no money or anything in the sport, they just basically knew I had a talent and went for it.” White goes on to say “I had some heart conditions when I was first born so going from that struggle to now letting me go out there and do all these things...you put a dream in front of somebody and your so young and it just seems so close and I said I can do this and I just took every step towards it.”

Beyond his heart defect what Shaun White has is tenacity, “I’ve just always had this fight since I can’t even remember,” said White in an interview with 60 Minutes. If there is anything fans can learn from White is that passion and commitment fuel your dreams. Despite any road blocks on your path to success there are tools that motivate you as a person to make goals for yourself and reach them. Shaun White shows commitment and dedication for his sport but most of all he shows his great love for it. Who else owns their own half pipe so that they can continuously practice and come up with new tricks- Shaun White does, thats who.

For someone with such great accolades, White is humble and there is reason to believe some of that humbleness comes from the fact that he knows how lucky he is. White may have been born with a heat defect but even more he was born with the talent that has over shadowed his health condition. This flying tomato will surely continue to make himself a house hold name, all while following his dreams.

Historical Perspective On Perfusion - News Story Reprinted

Open heart patient looks back

Toledoan underwent surgery in 1959

By JULIE M. McKINNON BLADE STAFF WRITER
Link to Story

Sandra Katschke has had a heart murmur for more than 50 years.

Still, that defect is far better than the likely alternative for the 62-year-old Toledoan, the first locally to have open heart surgery using a heart-lung machine.

Without the November, 1959, surgery purportedly to widen her pulmonary valve, the then-12-year-old Sandra Schermbeck probably would never marry and have children, one of her doctors said.

"He told me I wouldn't live to be 21," Mrs. Katschke recalled. "I'm doing really well."

At age 12.At age 16 with Mother.



Dr. Michael Moront, a Toledo cardiac surgeon who met Mrs. Katschke last week after learning of her story, said she probably needed the area above the valve widened, not the valve itself, because it wouldn't have lasted this long if it was congenitally defective. Dr. Moront listened to Mrs. Katschke's heart last week and noted the murmur, and he termed the grandmother's longevity, especially without further surgery, "miraculous."

"Today, most people would say you would require more surgeries," Dr. Moront said. "They did a remarkable job for you."

Much has changed in cardiac surgery since Mrs. Katschke was operated on at Toledo Hospital by a team of 14, including several doctors. A couple dozen more doctors observed the novel surgery, for which a heart-lung machine was used to mechanically circulate and oxygenate blood so work could be done on her heart.

"It was very exciting stuff back in the '50s, and it still is today," Dr. Moront said while showing Mrs. Katschke and her husband of 40 years, Ed Katschke, a heart-lung machine currently used at Toledo Hospital.

Heart-lung machines, first successfully used in Philadelphia in 1953, are one aspect of cardiac surgery that has changed since the specialty was in its infancy and Mrs. Katschke underwent surgery.

Before heart-lung machines, some surgeries were performed by connecting a child to a parent, who kept blood flowing, Dr. Moront said. "The adult would serve as a heart-lung machine for a child," he said.

Oxygenating blood was the trickiest function with heart-lung machines in those days, and improvements have been made through the decades, said former perfusionist Terry Kirch of Northwood, who started working at Toledo Hospital in 1968. A perfusionist is a medical technician responsible for blood transfusion and the heart-lung machine during cardiopulmonary surgery.

Originally, patients could be on heart-lung machines for only minutes; now they can be on for days, Mr. Kirch said. Plus, heart-lung machines were primed with donated blood until the early 1970s, when a solution started to be used, he said.

"That, I think, is one of the biggest advances we had," said Mr. Kirch, who was one of the first 75 people nationwide certified as perfusionists.

Mrs. Katschke's grandparents, the late Marie and Warren Lincoln, who were her guardians, had to locate 30 volunteers to donate A-positive blood for her surgery. Volunteers included seven inmates from the county jail.

Preparing the heart-lung machine and donated blood for Mrs. Katschke's surgery probably took several hours, said Kevin Fleming, a Toledo Hospital perfusionist who explained last week to the Katschkes how the machine works.

"Back then, it would take about as long to prepare the case as it did to do the case," he said.
Mrs. Katschke, who prior to surgery was often sick, missed a lot of school, and was unable to play, returned to school after holiday break.

She remembers being afraid of surgery.

"There was one little boy who passed away before my surgery, and I was scared to death," she said of a fellow patient with a different heart problem.

An intensive-care unit to closely monitor patients was not used when Mrs. Katschke had surgery. Some medications used then still are around today, including epinephrine, but there have been many pharmaceutical advances since, Dr. Moront said.

There also have been a slew of advances in surgical techniques and equipment, he said. Three-dimensional ultrasounds, for example, give surgeons exact images.

Although Mrs. Katschke has had other health problems since her 1959 open heart surgery, she has not had cardiac issues.

The mother of three doesn't take heart medication either, although she does tire easily and regularly sees a cardiologist, she said.

"I still have trouble if I'm walking a long distance," Mrs. Katschke said. "I get out of breath. Other than that, I do fine."

Contact Julie M. McKinnon at: jmckinnon@theblade.com or 419-724-6087.

Meeting Notes from Society for the Advancement of Blood Management (SABM) Conference 209

The following report is a summary of reflections from the SABM 2009 Conference held in November. Many thanks to Anton Johnson, CCP, for preparing this and allowing us to share the information here.

SABM 2009
Latin American
Blood Management Conference

Attending the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management meeting in Cancun, Mexico, was an opportunity to gain current perspectives on techniques in allogenic blood conservation, if not elimination.

A diverse schedule was on tap and, refreshing was the review of current literature and reiteration of well established methodology.

If allogenic blood use is to be scrutinized, the goal should not be reduction of use but total elimination. The religious conviction of the Jehovah’s Witness may be the best philosophy to adopt in the best interest of every patient. The approach, or belief, that any use of allogenic products constitutes failure can easily be adopted and, seeing that it has been implemented elsewhere, can be attained with reasonable effort.

Working at a facility where autologous cell saver product is often discarded, the belief of the surgeons is that it contains heparin and thus is responsible for post protamine bleeding, only to use allogenic products, this meeting was very refreshing. The environment in which we practice can often result in ‘dumbing down’ in our approach; we must continue to practice in support of the surgeons who dictate our patient care. Thus, this meeting was invigorating in reaffirming practices that have been proven nationwide.

The key phrases being presented included adjectives including ‘peer reviewed’ and ‘evidence based’, along with ‘double blinded’; these seem to cover a vast array of scientific papers whose conclusions serve to shape and drive practices whose ultimate goal is the elimination of allogenic blood use.

While I will contend that I am not a physician; listening to anesthesiologists who report practicing guidelines, that reduce transfusions until the mixed venous saturations fall below 55%, provided significant food for thought coming from a practice where we transfuse at saturations below 70%!

Several approaches warrant closer observation; the use of erythropoietin to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells and thus raise the preoperative hematocrit has merit. Folic acid, iron supplements and Vitamin B-12 have been successful in the management of patient’s hematocrit who may have presented in anemic conditions.

Reducing all blood draws preoperatively, in addition to reducing the volume of these samples has been encouraged. Reports that the volume of these samples have not changed in years, while the testing devices have continued to reduce their required volumes, leads one to think that further change is necessary. Englewood Hospital, New Jersey, has gone completely to pediatric tubes in this regard; they reported a several 100mls reduction in just laboratory specimens and consequent gains in patient’s hematocrit.

Preoperative blood management requires a multi-disciplinary approach to create an infrastructure that provides evidence-based actions. Actions are the alternative transfusion pathways that have been proactively configured to maximize clinical and cost benefits.

Each unit of blood, allogenic or autologous, transfused or collected, has an impact on either the patients’ outcome or the costs to provide appropriate care.

In-depth clinical and costs/benefits analysis is required to assure accurate and effective outcomes.

Establishing an effective Transfusion Committee is essential to implementing transfusion practices. This committee should be lead by an opinion leader and contain a multi-disciplinary membership covering; physicians, nurses, blood bank staff, perfusionists, risk managers, representatives from Information technology and Quality Managers.

Their goals should be;

1) Educate
2) Improvement Strategies
3) Collect Metrics

Sobering statistics were presented;

Price Waterhouse reported $210 billion in defensive medical tests which included redundant, inappropriate or unnecessary tests.

The US ranks 15th out of 19 industrial nations in quality of care of their patients, although we spend twice as much per patient in care rendered.

100, 000 patients per year die in hospitals for reasons other than their admission diagnosis.

Platelet Gel reimbursements were a small issue, several practitioners reported on billing strategies that boarded on the unethical. While no specific coding exists for platelet gel, methods of procuring positive billing results included using codes for blood draws and analysis. I suspect that this will not last for long, nor will they be encouraged by institutions.

On another note; the practice of using 3L bags of saline for cell salvaging during the wash phase was considered. These bags are indicated by the manufacturer for irrigation only, not intravenous use! I thought it overly ambitious that this practice was endorsed. It would seem that substituting an ‘irrigation only’ substrate in place of an easily obtained intravenous product, benefits the user only. Any patient benefit is not being considered. This practice should be brought to the attention of the institution’s risk manager for further review. Personally, I feel like it is a flawed approach and will not support its practice.

In closing; thank you for allowing me to attend this refreshing meeting devoted solely to the conservation of blood products. Other meetings try to cover too much material, even while pertinent, and current ‘hot’ topics are left in supporting roles. I look forward to practicing the principles gained from this attendance.

The Heartbeat

Trident Health Resources, Inc.'s February edition of The Heartbeat was released today. For this month's issue, click HERE

Looking for earlier month's issues? Visit Trident's home page HERE for the archive of previous month's newsletters.

And So It Goes....

As we watch the news on TV, we are bombarded with stories that affect us:

The crisis in Haiti enters our living room and it is difficult not to be affected by human suffering.

In other world news, conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan continue.

In domestic news, there are the usual political shake-ups and editorial bashings; except this week was historical. The win of Senator Scott Brown changes the face of the Senate with Brown the first Republican elected in the State of Massachusetts since 1972. The health care reform will now take a new path.

In Economics, new laws affect how Americans will use credit during hard times.

In Sports, Tiger Woods is in rehab for sexual addiction.

But now and then something in the news grabs this country and unites its people in the spirit of something silly and fun. I decided to re-post a news piece here, because we all need a little comedic relief. Not sure if you saw last week's episode of, American Idol, but it's truly funny and seems to have taken the country by storm. I hope you enjoy General Larry Platt's performance of Pants on Ground....



Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO
Trident Health Resources, Inc.

Perfusionist Job Opportunity

Trident Health Resources, Inc. is growing again and we are hiring in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Utah is known for its majestic landscape. Money magazine ranks four of its Utah’s Cities around Salt Lake City as Best Places to Live in 2009. All that’s missing is You!

If you are a certified clinical perfusionist with a minimum of three years of experience, we would be pleased to receive your resume. Please mail, e-mail or fax for a confidential review of your employment interests and qualifications. Forward your resume, references, and letters of recommendation to employment@tridenthealth.com or fax to (727) 738-9436. Please reference "Utah Perfusionist" n the subject of your email or fax.

Trident Health Resources, Inc. is the premier national locum tenens and long term contract management services company with over 22 years of continuous exemplary service. Trident is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employee benefits include: 401K Retirement Plan, Health, Dental, Flex Spending & Professional Liability Insurance with an A.M. Best rating of "A", Long & Short Term Disability and Life Insurance.

January Edition HEARTBEAT Newsletter

Trident Health Resources, Inc. released the January 2009 Heartbeat e-newsletter today.

Click to View.

From All of Us at Trident Health Resources, Inc.

Christmas Message to All

As each of us plans holiday festivities with family and friends, I think of Christmases past and the present... from my own childhood through the wonder of raising a family, now grown. Today, I am reminded of the simplicity and joy of the holidays as I see the glimmer of excitement in the eyes of my innocent grandbabies . I hope you, too, are taking time for simple joys and to reflect on the true spirit of Christmas.

Simple joys are bountiful when we take the time to see them. Unfortunately we tend to get caught up in hustle and bustle this time of year and not seem to notice little things. Important and consistent acts of simple care are around us, especially in the healthcare industry. Here at Trident Health Resources, Inc., we want every surgeon, hospital staff member with whom we work, and every patient who is cared for by one of our team, to feel the attention and commitment to quality that each of our employees offers. Every encounter with those whom Trident serves provides an opportunity for us to make a positive difference.

As we get closer to Christmas, I take pause to notice the little things my employees do each day in the spirit of giving. I thank all who choose Trident Health Resources, Inc. as an employer or partner in healthcare and wish you all a very warm and wonderful holiday.

Sincerely,

Ralph E. Jordan
CEO & President

A Trident Thanksgiving Message

I’m blogging from my new Apple I-Phone with much gratitude for such great technological advancements that allow me to write you in this balancing act of working effectively from home as I celebrate the holiday with my family over the next few days. I should add that I’m like a kid with a new toy, enjoying the heck out of touch screen communications and the many applications the I-Phone provides to make my job easier. At Trident, our embrace of technology bodes well for the future, not just in our office efficiency, but in terms of our plans for expansion. We're growing again and recently expanded with new accounts in several states. Also, we are excited about Vivo, our real time data system platform which virtually transforms the way hospitals do charting and manage information. Given new governmental policies for hospitals to become paperless beginning in 2012, we are in the right place at the right time. I think we're doing a great deal of right things that demonstrate Trident's values and dedication to patient focused care, utilizing the very latest techniques to always be improving. I'll be blogging about some of our exciting plans over the course of the next several months, and much more about health care technology and its new directions.

It is Thanksgiving this week, and there is much for which I give thanks and praise, even amid the economic and political climate that challenge this fine country. Our service men and women in the military are thought of with special thanks this week. Closer to home, it's important for me to pause and give thanks to the many people who make a difference each day at Trident in the work they do to serve patients, surgeons and staff, as well as making a difference each day in their own lives, with their family, and the in the community at large. I want to thank the home office staff, all the Chiefs and their teams and recognize with appreciation what they do every day. Trident's influence and reputation is founded on the competence of its people and work ethic, even though we are all different, performing different tasks and in different time zones... we are connected and a highly effective functional team. It makes me proud and appreciative to have such quality people working with us at Trident.

My Thanks and Blessings to all from my family to yours, each and every one, and may you enjoy some time together with your loved ones to give thanks, share a holiday meal, and celebrate.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO
Trident Health Resources, Inc.

Performing Open Heart Surgery - A Virtual Experience

An Australian News Channel featured on its website a link to a "virtual" game in which the player performs Open Heart surgery. Is it really a game? Numerous gaming websites and blogs have posted the Virtual Open Heart Surgery link to attract gamers who have enjoyed various virtual experiences such as Nintendo Wii Trauma Center and Ed Head's Knee Surgery Game

It is interesting that on a more serious note, virtual heart surgery was designed as a fairly new tool for training in complex heart surgeries. It is a surgical simulator which helps doctors to perform surgery in a virtual environment.

Here's a link to Virtual Open Heart Surgery. The site gives a warning: Not for the Faint Hearted. So Good luck and report back your Virtual Experience!

Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO
Trident Health Resources, Inc.

Trident is Growing!

Click image to enlarge.

In Consideration of HIPAA Laws and Social Networking Risks.

You've heard about them... chances are, statistically, you're a member of one or more and you might even be somewhat addicted to them... I'm referring, of course, to social networking websites (Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, LinkedIn, among an increasing number of new sites daily).

I read a statistic today that two weeks ago Facebook reported to news sources that its user base almost matches the population of the United States (article here). And in July, a report stated that on Facebook, "there has been a staggering increase in the number of age 55+ users – with total growth of 513.7% in in the last six month alone."

Social networking offers people a way to connect with classmates, friends and family far and near, as well as business contacts. Sometimes, however, conflicts can emerge if users are not careful. Many social networking services, such as Facebook, provide the user with a choice of who can view their profile. This prevents unauthorized user(s) from accessing their information.

This brings me to an issue for discussion here today. What about Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws? Take a hypothetical... a hospital employee posts a fairly innocent comment on the "wall" of one of his network sites about a rather difficult case/work problem or patient scenario. A reader takes personal offense and feels the post exposed too much information about the work situation. Because we are in the healthcare business, we are held to HIPAA privacy laws and must be careful that in social networking that no specifics of a case are mentioned, such as patient names. Even so, for a medical professional to post ordinary work frustrations may be exposure and subject the writing to interpretation by others.

Are hospitals and healthcare companies providing guidance to employees about their online activities (such as not refer to work situations on a public board)? Are policies being instituted on social networking, such as a Social Media Best Practices Policy to sheild the ugly side of internet communications? I welcome discussion from other companies and facilities as to what their current policies are.

On HIPAA... I came across an internet site which specializes in interpreting some of the law for laypersons in the healthcare industry. HIPAA.com describes itself as this:

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes national standards for electronic health care transactions. The great thing about HIPAA is that it reflects a move away from cumbersome paper records and an increased emphasis on the security and privacy of health data. But the magnitude of the complex changes it requires can sometimes be overwhelming for healthcare providers, compliance officers and other affected professionals. We’re here to help you meet the challenge and stay current with extensive documentation, helpful resources and expert commentary.

There are good things that come from social networking. A 2007 peer reviewed journal article on social networking in the medical field stated that, "Social networks are beginning to be adopted by healthcare professionals as a means to manage institutional knowledge, disseminate peer to peer knowledge and to highlight individual physicians and institutions. The advantage of using a dedicated medical social networking site is that all the members are screened against the state licensing board list of practitioners."

While all that is well and good, that doesn't mean problems won't happen.

Today I advised my employees with the following words to ponder, "As a yardstick, consider that whatever you put on the internet today might appear on the front page of tomorrow's New York Times."

What do you think? Have you run into any issues with social networking and privacy concerns?

Ralph E. Jordan
President & CEO
Trident Health Resources, Inc.