Zanesville, Ohio (Oct. 8) - Genesis HealthCare System's vascular surgery team recently started performing the TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) procedure. TCAR is a less-invasive method for treating carotid artery disease where plaque builds up in one or both neck arteries and can cause strokes.

"With the addition of TCAR, we have yet another innovative procedure to reduce stroke risk. Stroke impacts approximately 800,000 Americans each year and is the fifth-highest killer in the United States. TCAR is revolutionary because it enables us to reverse blood flow temporarily, and filter plaque particles before they reach the brain, minimizing risks during the procedure," said Michael Kunstmann, D.O., fellowship-trained and board-certified vascular surgeon.

During the procedure, a small incision is made in the neck. A tube is inserted into the carotid artery and connected to equipment to direct blood flow away from the brain temporarily. The blood is filtered before returning to a vein in the groin. In addition to fewer risks during the TCAR procedure, a smaller incision is used to reduce scarring and procedure time is less than half compared to carotid endarterectomy. Most patients return home the day after the procedure.

Genesis HealthCare System was awarded an 'A' in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Genesis Hospital’s achievements providing safer healthcare. This is the fourth consecutive 'A' for Genesis HealthCare System. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to healthcare quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harm to patients.

“An 'A' grade from The Leapfrog Group demonstrates that Genesis HealthCare System is always putting safety first, even more so during this pandemic. Our employees are extraordinary,” said Matthew Perry, president and CEO of Genesis HealthCare System. “Our physicians and staff continue to provide exceptional patient care in the safest environment.”

Of the 108 hospitals in Ohio graded, Genesis was one of only 43 hospitals to earn the 'A' distinction for its performance and commitment to preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harm to patients in their care.

Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public. Go to hospitalsafetygrade.org for more information.

Zanesville, Ohio (July 24, 2020) – Genesis HealthCare System, the longtime majority owner of Genesis Community Ambulance Service, recently acquired 100% of the service.

“The decision to acquire the remaining portion of Community Ambulance was based on our commitment to caring for our community. With this acquisition, all decisions are made locally, and more funds are kept local to support other local businesses. This also allows us to ensure all aspects of our care remain patient-focused,” said Sharon Parker, chief operating officer at Genesis HealthCare System.

In 2019, Community Ambulance Service responded to over 17,000 requests for service and transported over 15,500 patients. Community Ambulance provides emergency and non-emergency medical transportation for Muskingum and Perry counties. The service has served Muskingum County since 1994 and Perry County since 2000.

Zanesville, Ohio (July 27, 2020) – Genesis HealthCare System will build a new Genesis Orthopedic Center to continue growing and expanding high quality orthopedic care for residents of Southeastern Ohio. The new Genesis Orthopedic Center will be located on the land directly across from Northside Pharmacy between Bell Street and Maple Avenue.

“We are pleased to grow and enhance our orthopedic services for the residents of our communities,” said Matthew Perry, president and CEO, Genesis HealthCare System. “The new center will combine our orthopedic services in one convenient location, making it easier for patients. It also provides an opportunity to add additional orthopedic providers such as surgeons, sports medicine physicians, advanced practice providers, athletic trainers and rehabilitation specialists to our growing Genesis orthopedic team.”

The new orthopedic facility will feature state-of-the-art patient treatment spaces, physical and occupational therapy, and imaging studies. The center will have ample parking and will be conveniently located near the Genesis Surgery Center and Genesis Hospital. Other features include a covered drop-off/pick-up area at the main entrance and a dedicated ambulette drop-off.

Groundbreaking for the Genesis Orthopedic Center will take place in the fall with the facility expected to open in 2021. APG Architects in Zanesville designed the new center, and most of the construction will be done by local contractors when feasible.

Orthopedic services at Genesis are currently divided between the Genesis Neuroscience & Orthopedic Center attached to Genesis Hospital and the Genesis Orthopedic Sports Medicine office on Bethesda Drive. The new facility will bring all the providers together in one convenient location, along with most other services orthopedic patients typically need.

Genesis currently has orthopedic specialists for joint replacement surgery, hand surgery, sports medicine, sports medicine/physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedic trauma surgery, physical and occupational rehabilitation and athletic trainer services. Two new surgeons will be joining the Genesis Orthopedic Group soon.

Learn more about Genesis Orthopedic Services.

Zanesville, Ohio (June 10, 2020) – Genesis HealthCare System recently released, “Sounds of Good Health with Genesis,” a series of podcasts for southeastern Ohio. Monthly podcasts will feature local physicians, clinicians and patients discussing interesting health topics.

“We are looking forward to offering another way for our family and friends to learn more about their health. Podcasts are available free and can be downloaded and listened to while walking your dog, driving in your car or exercising,” said Kelley Daspit, APR, director, Genesis Marketing & Public Relations.

The first podcast features Jignesh Modi, M.D., Genesis Infectious Disease Specialists, sharing ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In the second podcast, patient Dennis Robbins, shares his story of contracting COVID-19 and his amazing recovery.

Listen from our website or on the podcast app on your mobile phone.

Genesis HealthCare System recently released, “Sounds of Good Health with Genesis,” a series of podcasts for southeastern Ohio. Monthly podcasts will feature local physicians, clinicians and patients discussing interesting health topics.

Funds Benefit Breast Cancer Patients

Zanesville, Ohio (Feb. 25, 2020) – Ables, Inc. recently donated $1,000 to the Genesis Breast Care Center at Genesis HealthCare System. The funds were raised through a campaign that Ables’ employees held in October in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We are grateful to the Ables company and its employees for their generous donation,” said Pebbles Thornton, BSN, RN, OCN, director of Genesis Cancer, Palliative Medicine and Hospice Services. “Their commitment to helping breast cancer patients in our region is a great benefit to our patients and to our community.”

Attending the check presentation were Pebbles Thornton, director of Genesis Cancer, Palliative Medicine and Hospice Services; Ross Ables, Victoria Miller-Reed, Jeremy Ables and Kate Harrah of Ables, Inc.; and Jerry Nolder, executive director of the Genesis HealthCare Foundation.

Zanesville, Ohio (May 5, 2016) – Genesis Hospital received an “A” grade for spring 2016 from The Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog, for being among the safest hospitals in the United States. Genesis was one of only 44 hospitals in Ohio to earn this distinction.

“The ‘A’ grade from The Leapfrog Group demonstrates our commitment to patient safety,” said Matthew Perry, President and CEO of Genesis HealthCare System. “Our physicians and staff are dedicated to providing the highest and safest quality care to the people of Southeastern Ohio. This distinction shows that Genesis is a strong leader in health care in our region.”

Developed under the guidance of Leapfrog’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice a year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

The grades used in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Score℠ program are derived from expert analysis of publicly available data using national evidence-based measures of patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Score program grades hospitals on their overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors. For more information, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

See Genesis’ full score and access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones at Hospital Safety Score.

Hospitals in Ohio that received an “A” in spring 2016 include:

• Adena Regional Medical Center
• Atrium Medical Center
• Aultman Hospital
• Bay Park Community Hospital
• Bethesda North Hospital
• Blanchard Valley Hospital
• Cleveland Clinic Health System - Euclid Hospital
• Cleveland Clinic Health System - Lutheran Hospital
• Cleveland Clinic Health System - Medina General Hospital
• Doctors Hospital of Columbus Ohio
• Dublin Methodist Hospital
• Flower Hospital
• Genesis Hospital
• Good Samaritan Hospital of Cincinnati
• Grady Memorial Hospital
• Kettering Health Network - Sycamore Medical Center
• Knox Community Hospital
• Lake Health TriPoint Medical Center
• Lake Health West Medical Center
• McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital
• Mercer County Joint Township Community Hospital
• Mercy Health - Anderson Hospital
• Mercy Hospital of Defiance
• Mercy Tiffin Hospital
• Ohio Health - Marion General Hospital
• OhioHealth MedCentral Mansfield Hospital
• ProMedica Memorial Hospital
• Riverside Methodist Hospital
• Samaritan Hospital
• Southwest General Health Center
• St. John Medical Center
• Summa - Western Reserve Hospital
• The Christ Hospital
• The Ohio State University Hospital East
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• University Hospitals Case Medical Center
• University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center
• University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center
• Upper Valley Medical Center
• Van Wert County Hospital
• West Chester Hospital
• Wilson Memorial Hospital
• Wood County Hospital

About The Leapfrog Group: Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. Hospital Safety Score, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The disease hides in the lungs and usually does not show symptoms until it is too late. That changes now.

Watch Dr. Adamo Explain the Monarch Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy System

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The disease hides in the lungs and usually does not show symptoms until it is too late. That changes now.

MitraClip™ Implant Questions and Answers

1. What is mitral valve regurgitation?

a. This occurs when the mitral valve flap in your heart does not work correctly, allowing blood to leak backwards into the heart.

2. Are there symptoms?

a. You may be symptom free, or suffer from one or more of the following including a mild cough, lightheadedness, fatigue, shortness of breath that increases with activity and lying down or rapid heartbeat.

3. Is mitral valve regurgitation dangerous?

a. There are two main forms of mitral regurgitation, classified based on the underlying cause:

1. Primary (Degenerative) Mitral Regurgitation

   -This form is caused by structural abnormalities of the mitral valve itself, such as damage to the valve leaflets, chordae tendineae, or annulus.

   -Common causes include mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic heart disease, or infective endocarditis.

   -It is often referred to as degenerative mitral regurgitation

2. Secondary (Functional) Mitral Regurgitation

   -In this type, the mitral valve is structurally normal, but problems with the left ventricle or atrium—such as dilation or dysfunction—prevent the valve from closing properly.

4. Who are candidates for MitraClip?

a. MitraClip can help, if you have degenerative mitral regurgitation and are considered high risk for surgery. MitraClip is a solution for functional mitral disease if treatments did not help.

5. What happens during the procedure?

a. The MitraClip implant is a one time, minimally invasive procedure. The implant is inserted through a vein in your upper leg and guided to your heart, where it is attached to your mitral valve.

General anesthesia is used so you will be asleep during the procedure.

6. How does MitraClip help?

a. After the MitraClip is attached to the malfunctioning mitral valve in your heart, it will help the valve to close properly and restore normal blood flow through the heart.

7. What happens after the procedure?

a. You will stay in the hospital for one to three days. After the implant, you will take a blood thinner and aspirin. A checkup will occur in 30 days and at one year.

8. Who is on the procedure team?

a. A trained and experienced team of physicians make up the MitraClip team. The team includes Kinan Kassar, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist, and Mahmoud Farhoud, M.D. Each of these physicians are part of the Genesis Heart & Vascular Group.

MitraClip™ Implant Questions and Answers