Pulse on Health by Jeff Hansel

History of Medicine reps in Rochester....

The American Association for the History of Medicine is holding its annual meeting in Rochester, Minnesota this week in collaboration with Mayo Clinic.

So if you hear some oohs and aahs about the Plummer Building, it might be a member.  If you hear somebody talking about the tornado that, in essence, created a reason for the formation of Mayo Clinic, it might be because of the association.

The association has returned to Rochester for the first time since 1966 for its annual meeting. In 1966, a presenter said this morning, there was no need for concurrent sessions.  This year, though, there are five different sessions all happening at the same time.

There were so many papers presented for possible topics of inclusion this year, and also of such high quality, that organizers decided they had to expand the offerings.

Topics have included the creation of cortisone, smallpox eradication, "the transparent man", "medical legitimacy in American nudist films," and "the Minnesota starvation experiment." The conference continues through Sunday.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

Top 10 reasons biotechs need Rochester, Minnesota...

Here are the top 10 reasons your biobusiness should come to Rochester, Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Biobusiness Center:

• We're one of the nations fastest growing cities

• Home of the world renowned Mayo Clinic

• IBM's Life Sciences research and development lab is located here

• Worlds fastest Supercomputer, IBM's BlueGene is developed and manufactured here

• The University of Minnesota campus in downtown Rochester will be a tier one research institution and include signature programs in the area of Biomedical Informatics, Computational Biology, Bimolecular Engineering, Nanotechnology, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacotherapeutics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, and Entrepreneurship

• Home to the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics. It was organized for the purpose of positioning Minnesota as a world leader in biotechnology and medical genomics applications that will result in new medical discoveries

• The number of patents filed annually makes us the 3rd most innovative city in America

• The worlds largest and richest patient records and tissue databank resides in Rochester with Mayo Clinic

• The Minnesota BioBusiness Center located downtown provides space for businesses with a need for a location in close proximity to Mayo and the University of Minnesota

• Nation's first and only medical high school is located here

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

The billion-dollar building permit....

The last piece of the puzzle before construction can begin on a bold $1 billion project to construct, and draw businesses to, a biotechnology park in Pine Island, Minnesota has been completed.

"We did issue the building permit for the first building at the bioscience park at Elk Run," Pine Island City Administrator Abraham Algadi told the Post Bulletin this evening.  

Be sure to read more in the online and print editions of the Post-Bulletin tonight and Friday.

Multiple signatures on the document signal more than a start of construction at the park, but also a possible domino effect in which the state of Minnesota promised to immediately afterward start the process to issue requests for proposals for construction of the Highway 52 interchange at County Road 12. 

That, Algadi said, will lead to hiring to fill construction jobs, regional spending by construction workers as well as a gathering of dignitaries to break ground on the building phase of the Elk Run project itself. Many have openly wondered whether a building will ever be constructed at the site.

The groundbreaking was initially planned for April or early May, but sources have since backed away from a specific groundbreaking timetable, instead suggesting they need to be able to coordinate schedules so those who want to attend can be there. That left many people questioning when, or if, a groundbreaking will occur.

But Algadi said it will and, once it does, a "chain reaction" will begin to occur that will lead to more buildings, more jobs and, the confluence of many small pieces of a fabric (in his paraphrased words) into one quilt.

We'll let you know once the groundbreaking is scheduled.

Interestingly, Pine Island has overcome a tiff with Olmsted County, developer Tower Investments has moved forward despite a tiff with one of the former Elk Run landowners and venture capitalist G. Steven Burrill has plodded forward despite lackluster investment in his venture capital fund (designed to draw companies to Elk Run). The Elk Run advocates even got Mayo Clinic to publicly endorse their project last year. Now, all that remains is to prove the project has traction by constructing a building — and getting tenants.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

Mayo Clinic (Arizona) is hiring...

Mayo Clinic is hiring in Arizona. A reader out there sent me a clipping from a recent newspaper ad in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. The ad says Mayo in Arizona is looking for:

• A call center representative.

• A chaplain.

• A dietetics tech.

• A food service worker.

• A tissue technician.

• An HVAC tech.

• A medical technologist.

• A nutritionist.

• Nurse practitioners.

• Physician assistants.

• A phlebotomist.

• A sleep test provider.

• A "revenue cycle" assistant and a revenue cycle analyst.

• Registered nurses, both inpatient and outpatient.

• An inpatient RN case manager.

• A senior research technologist.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

Doctor openly publishes his complication rates....

Dr. Tom Wascher of the NeuroSpine Center in Appleton, Wisconsin does something that most physicians don't yet do: He publishes his complication rates. 

For example, if you're thinking about having a cervical fusion surgery, wouldn't it be nice to be able to compare various physicians and pick the one that has the fewest complications-per-patient?  Sure, some specialists might argue that the treat more complicated cases, etc. But as a few physicians over here and a few hospitals over there begin to publish their complication rates, expect that you'll have increasing access to information about your own medical center (such as hospital-acquired infection rates, etc.).

Minnesota was the first state, for example, to provide data on the top "never events" (medical errors that should never happen). As a result, the state has uncovered some patterns that wouldn't get noticed on their own. But, when combined as a group, the problems stand out as a red flag. 

Minnesota health officials alerted hospitals to the concept of patient movement during spinal surgery. New procedures were instituted to make sure the patient's spine is in the right spot during surgeries.

Wascher on his website says, "over the last two decades, I have become known for my expertise in cervical surgery. While the goal of treating neck conditions is to avoid surgery if at all possible, there are times when surgery is the right treatment. When looking for a surgeon, it is important to find the doctor with the most experience." 

From 1992 to 2009, the website says, Wascher has performed 1,056 cervical fusions. His complication rate for a "hematoma requiring repeat surgery" is .19% (2 patients out of 1,056). That's one example. Wascher also lists lower extremity weakness, reaction to "Steri-Strips," deep infection requiring repeat surgery and hardware failure requiring repeat surgery.

Combined, fewer than 4.7% of his patients during the timeframe published appear to have experienced any type of complication. That's a little lower than the 5.9% referenced in one study I looked at (although I didn't research and find the "average" rate).  

It's an interesting marketing technique for this doctor and it will be interesting to see if it catches on. Try asking your doctor what her or his complication rate is and let us know what reaction you get.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

"Our Common Purpose: The Common Good"....

Olmsted Medical Center has announced the free Fifth Annual Dr. Noel R. Peterson Founders Lecture.

"Rick Kyte, PhD, director of Viterbo University's D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership, and Tom Thibodeau, director of Viterbo University's Masters in Servant Leadership program, will talk about aligning our work efforts—regardless of industry, sector, or place—to be in the service of the common good. To do this, the presenters advocate getting back to leadership basics in the form of the 'Three Rs' of leadership: Reflection, Relationships, and Revelry. Their presentation will explain how we can envision the common good through Reflection, find a common purpose through Relationships, and recognize one another's contributions in Revelry. The lecture will be preceded by a dessert reception," says an announcement from the medical center.

Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Rochester International Event Center, 7333 Airport View Dr. S.W., Rochester, Minnesota

Registration required: Write foundation@olmmed.org to reserve a seat.

Dessert reception: Starts at 6:30 p.m.

Lecture: Starts at 7 p.m.

[Olmsted Medical Center Hospital. Copyright.] 

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

A glimpse into the life of Dr. Glenn Forbes ...

At a recent event here in Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Glenn Forbes — Mayo Clinic medical director for state and government affairs — shared some details of his philosophy and personal life.

He was introduced at the celebration of Ronald McDonald House anniversary as the radiologist "most likely to be found after 3 p.m."

He first described "the very deep legacy entwined" between Mayo Clinic and the "destiny of the community." Forbes has been one of the primary proponents of transforming the concept of Mayo as a "destination medical center" into Rochester as a "destination medical community."

Mayo's recent mantra is that Rochester is a place of "health, hope and hospitality." 

On Monday, Mayo CEO Dr. John Noseworthy said that 80 percent of the time that patients and their loved ones spend in Rochester is spent in the community, not at medical appointments or lab screenings at Mayo. 

That makes Rochester ripe for the transformation Forbes hopes to see.  

Already, of course, Rochester residents are used to the questioning looks strangers to town give when they appear lost.  Most of us have on multiple occasions intervened to help someone find a restaurant, a hotel or the way back to the correct parking ramp.

Even if the person providing directions doesn't know the answer, two or three other passersby will usually stop to help and someone eventually knows the full scoop.  So the Forbes concept isn't a great leap. He wants to see training for hoteliers, restauranteurs and others so they become better able to provide a destination medical community type of experience, offering easy transportation, information and entertainment idea for travelers who happen to be patients.

He said — "speaking for Mayo and the community" – that "the greater Rochester area and community (are) a very, very special place."

He noted that "our nation is at a time of great, great change. We're a nation in conflict," he said. His own son was recently deployed to Afghanistan and "the economy is very, very much in turmoil — none of us know where it's going to go."

The Minnesota Legislature, he said, is trying to balance "limited resources and important needs." 

"These are very good people. They're smart. They're hardworking. They're dedicated," Forbes said. Legislators deserve respect, he said.

He told the audience that Mayo leaders are hoping with health reform that "we're doing it the right way."

"We're very cautiously supportive of where we're at there, yet recognizing that there's a long way to go," he said.  Forbes noted the changes in his grandchildren.  

They watch him squish a red ball, place it in one ear and pull it out the other. 

The baby wonders, what is Grandpa doing? The next oldest squeals with delight and laughter. But the eldest asks questions, trying to unravel the mystery of how Grandp a is able to get that ball to go through from the ear on one side of his head to the ear on the other side.

"What I reflect on is how quickly we pass awe and mystery and delight," Forbes said. Children quickly develop an interest instead in scientific inquiry.  He thinks back to the days of diphtheria and typhoid and today's improved medical abilities.

"I look at my granddaughters, and I think how wonderful some day it will be."

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

Free health clinic...

The CARE Clinic in Red Wing offers health care for "uninsured low income individuals who are current residents in Goodhue County."

Clinic hours:

• Every Tuesday evening.

• Appointments are on a first-come/first-served basis.

• Registration goes from 4 t o 6 p.m.

• The line forms at 4 p.m. and the doors are opened at 4:30 p.m.

Services include primary health care for chronic and urgent health needs.

"Patients will be connected to local and state resources," an announcement says.

Address:  1407 West 4th Street, Red Wing, Minnesota (in the former Fairview Hospital emergency room) — enter the clinic from the 4th Street and Washington Street side entrance.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

Elk Run foreclosure....?

Another wrinkle in the Pine Island, Minnesota effort to develop a biotechnology park has emerged.

Finance & Commerce is reporting that Elmer and Judy Stock, a "now-divorced couple from whom Tower Investments, the developer of Elk Run bought 382 acres of land in 2007," have filed a foreclosure claim against Tower.

The business report says Tower is supposed to make regular payments to the people it bought land from. One seller told Finance & Commerce that payments have been made well.  The Stocks, though, claim otherwise.

"According to the foreclosure notice, the California developer now owes them $126,673.50 in interest payments. The original amount secured by the 2007 mortgage agreement between the two parties was $6.43 million," Finance & Commerce says.

Elk Run has received millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades, such as water and sewer. But no buildings have yet risen. Pine Island city administrator Abraham Algadi said the city is proceeding on schedule with the building permit that Tower applied for. The original schedule called for Tower to get building permit approval by April 29, 2010. Tower has already signed off on the city's changes to the building permit and approval, as of yesterday (April 26, 2010), only required a signature of the mayor, planning and zoning, the city administrator, etc. In other words, the building permit is now being passed from person to person getting signatures. Once that process is through, Algadi said, the building permit will be approved.

If that happens by April 29, the state Department of Transportation has said previously, requests for proposals will go out for construction of the Highway 52 interchange at County Road 12. Planners have suggested a joint groundbreaking (for both the first building and the interchange) will be held in April or early May. 

But I can't find anyone who can give me a hint of what date that might end up being. Those close to the project say they're trying to get schedules of various dignitaries to match, take flight schedules into account, etc. Some have suggested that Gov. Tim Pawlenty might want to attend the groundbreaking. Venture capitalist G. Steven Burrill probably wants to be there for the official launch. Members of the Marks family from Tennessee and/or California who run Tower Investments probably want to be present, not to mention representatives of MinnDOT, the legislature and others who have their fingers in the Minnesota biotech pie.

A lot of people outside that group, though, are watching right now because the project has been in the planning phases for so long that many say they won't believe the project is real until they see a building.  

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel

Mayo Clinic uncertainty morphs to optimism...

Susan Alhquist, community relations administrator at Mayo Clinic, told folks attending Monday's annual Mayo report to the community that things are much different this year than they were at the last annual meeting.

"We were in the midst of such uncertainty and angst," she said. With the H1N1 pandemic looming on the horizon, and the Great Recession making finances tough for individuals and organizations alike, "it was such a  stressful time and we didn't know what would come in the future."

But, Ahlquist said, the economy has improved and H1N1 didn't turn out to be as bad as it could have been.

As she talked about optimism and Mayo's effort to embrace diversity of thought and person, she noted that William Worrall Mayo himself immigrated to the United States when he was 27 years old.

 

[Photo of the William Worrall Mayo Statue in Feith Family Statuary Park in Rochester, Minnesota on the west side of the Mayo Clinic Gonda Building.  Copyright.]  

Mayo has partnered with the Rochester Public Library and the Diversity Council to bring the "RACE: Are We So Different" exhibit to the library, 101 2nd Street S.E. from May 17 through September 3, 2010. 

The exhibit is free and open to the public, according to Mayo's Web site.

Pulse on Health

By Jeff Hansel, member Association of Health Care Journalists

Health Reporter for the Post-Bulletin newspaper, 18 1st Ave. S.E. in Rochester, Minnesota 55904 

Twitter Hansel's Pulse: @Jeff Hansel