A lost set of keys … missed dental appointment … forgetting the name of an acquaintance, these may be signs of normal aging. Coupled with other symptoms, however, they may also signal the start of dementia or other conditions that early-on could be mistaken for dementia—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), depression, Parkinson’s disease or even a small stroke.

These “neurocognitive conditions” all affect a person’s ability to think and reason. They also can’t be diagnosed with a simple blood test or during a 30-minute doctor’s appointment. Accurately diagnosing a neurocognitive condition requires a comprehensive evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare experts.

Thanks to Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group, that important service is now available in our community. The Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic – the first of its kind in northern Arizona – was launched August 4, 2021. The new Clinic brings together the expert team needed to conduct comprehensive cognitive (brain) assessments all under one roof.

Why a Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic?

Sam Downing, MD, Director of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group, is leading the team that developed the Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic. The Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic fills an important community need for our aging population. In Yavapai County, approximately 32 percent of the population is 65 years of age or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s significantly higher than Arizona’s statewide average of 18 percent.

In addition to supporting the needs of an aging population, the Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic also reflects a new approach to cognitive health in the healthcare community.

“We know that people can suffer from different kinds of organ failure,” explains Dr. Downing. “Heart failure occurs if the heart isn’t pumping as effectively as it should. Some people experience liver failure or kidney failure. So, it makes sense that we can also experience brain failure. This is the brain’s decline over time, possibly related to aging but also possibly due to disease processes that keep the brain from functioning as it should.”

A 360-Degree Check of Your Brain Health

What does an evaluation at the Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic include? The assessments take place over a 3-hour appointment and feature an array of tests, screenings and exams, including:

• Neurocognitive test – This exam is conducted by a neuropsychologist—an expert at the relationship between the brain, behavior and cognitive function in multiple areas including memory, orientation, language, and executive functioning.

  “A major benefit of the neurocognitive exam is that it serves as a baseline to measure any future changes in brain function,” Dr. Downing says.

• Physical exam – A primary care physician conducts a physical exam and recommends screenings and tests the patient needs. This physical may identify causes for memory issues unrelated to dementia, such as lack of vitamin B-12, other medical issues or mental health conditions.

  “The Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic team will work with partners in the community on behalf of patients,” says Dr. Downing. “If we identify an issue like depression, for example, we’ll reach out to local mental health partners – psychologists and counseling colleagues – to arrange assistance for the patient.”

• Medication evaluation – The risks, benefits, side effects and interactions of the patient’s medications – from over-the-counter to prescription – are reviewed by a clinical pharmacist.

  “Often, we find that seniors are not only taking way too many medicines, but many are confused about how to take their medications correctly,” notes Dr. Downing. “The Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic is a great opportunity to sort that out for people.”

• Social impacts – A social worker talks to the patient and family about their current living situation: work status, means of transportation, financial management and more.

  “This portion of the cognitive assessment is especially helpful for families and caregivers, who unfortunately are often overlooked,” Dr. Downing says. “Our social worker will identify people who need additional support at home and recommends valuable resources.”

• Functional assessment – A check of the patient for balance problems and any difficulty with walking as these issues pose an obvious safety risk and are also an indicator of certain neurocognitive conditions.
• Nutritional assessment – The link between diet and brain health has been established by extensive research. The assessment includes a clinical review of the patient’s diet and how diet can support brain health.
• Sensory evaluation – Vision and hearing loss are part of aging, but when unaddressed they can affect the brain, lead to social isolation, and even contribute to dementia.

“Early Alzheimer’s disease is often associated with a loss of smell,” Dr. Downing says. “That’s one reason a sensory screening is important to a cognitive assessment.”

Getting Results

Following an evaluation at the Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic, patients and the providers they designate will receive a report of the team’s findings. The report will include specific recommendations for follow up.

“In my work, I’ve found that as people age, they want to be fully engaged in life both physically and mentally,” Dr. Downing says. “They want a quality of life that endures. Supporting that goal is the overarching purpose of the Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic.”

To learn more about the Cognitive Assessment and Support Clinic, and other YRMC Geriatric Services, contact Geriatric Services at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group, at (928) 775-5567.

Beginning Tuesday, August 3, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) will restrict patient visitation at its hospital locations in Prescott and Prescott Valley. The new visitation restrictions will be monitored closely and may be revised based on COVID-19 infection rates in the community.

“The ongoing safety of our patients and caregivers remains our top priority,” states Ken Boush, Director of Marketing and Communications, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. “Due to increased community spread of the COVID-19 virus, higher positive test rates, and a growing number of hospitalizations, YRMC’s leadership made the difficult decision to tighten visitation until the situation improves.”

• Limited inpatient visitation will be permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. All visitors must wear a procedural mask during their visit.
• All visitors will check-in at the front entrance of the hospital where they will be temperature and symptom screened and given a procedural mask to wear. If a visitor fails the screening process, they will not be allowed to visit.
• Visitors will be provided a visitor pass after the health screening process has been successfully completed. The visitor pass must be worn at all times while in the hospital.
• All visitors are expected to follow YRMC’s strict mask-use policy while inside any YRMC facility. YRMC currently requires all visitors to wear a procedural mask to enter a YRMC facility. Visitors without a procedural mask will be given one during the screening process.
• Patients hospitalized in non-COVID-19 units may choose one individual (18 years of age or older) to be their designated visitor.
• Visitation restrictions for COVID-19 units remain in place. Exceptions will be allowed for end-of-life visits and/or care planning discussions.
• Patients that require the assistance of a family member or caregiver to receive care will be allowed to designate a support person (18 years of age or older) to accompany them to their appointment.
• Patients who present for care to YRMC’s Emergency Department may have one visitor (18 years of age or older) accompany them. Visitors will not be allowed entrance to the COVID-19 triage tents.
• Visitation is allowed on a limited basis at YRMC’s Family Birthing Center. For visitation questions relating to YRMC’s Family Birthing Center, please call (928) 442-8800.
• Pediatric patients may designate two parents/guardians for visitation, including visitation to YRMC’s COVID-19 units. Two parents/guardians may also accompany a pediatric patient during a visit to YRMC’s Emergency Department.
• Outpatients and inpatients going for surgery or an invasive procedure may have one adult support companion accompany them to the perioperative area, wait during the procedure or surgery, and see them, as appropriate, post-operatively.
• Visitors will not be allowed to visit the cafeteria or gift shop while on campus during visitor hours or while waiting for loved ones in surgery or in procedure.
• There are special circumstances that may be deemed an appropriate exception.YRMC leadership will consider exception requests on a case-by-case basis.

“Although there are limitations on the number and type of visitors to our hospitals and emergency rooms, we understand that communicating with loved ones and friends is still an important part of a patient’s healing,” states Boush. “We continue to encourage hospital patients to communicate electronically or by phone with loved ones and friends. Video chat, voice, and texting options are digital alternatives and help patients and loved ones feel connected”.

The Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation Board of Directors has announced its slate of elected officers for July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.  The officers include Dave Barrett continuing his role as Chair; Pierre Tibi, MD as newly elected Vice Chair, and Bill Sonsin adding the role of Treasurer to his existing role as Secretary. 

Mr. Barrett, owner of Barrett Propane, has served on the YRMC Foundation board since 2013, including the role of Vice Chair and serving as board Chair since 2018.  He is a longtime benefactor of the Foundation including extensive support for the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, and is also a leading sponsor of numerous community fundraising events.  Dr. Tibi, a leading cardiovascular surgeon who was instrumental in the establishment of the James Family Heart Center at YRMC, is a longtime supporter of the Foundation and board member since 2020.  He has also sponsored and organized the Crawfest events to benefit YRMC’s Partners for Healthy Students program.  Mr. Sonsin, a retired financial advisor for American Express Financial Advisors (now Ameriprise), has served as a board member since 2017 and as board Secretary since 2018.  He is a faithful supporter of YRMC’s Partners for Healthy Students program and many other initiatives including the YRMC COVID-19 Vaccination Center.

The YRMC Foundation is committed to supporting the health care mission of Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center - your local, not-for-profit community medical center - through fundraising and relationship building. The Foundation solicits philanthropic gifts, provides stewardship of these gifts, and grants funds to the hospital to advance the community's access to health care. All charitable gifts received by the Foundation stay in our community and are utilized as directed by the donor. Donors may designate their gifts to any of the Foundation’s 18 special purpose funds. In 2020, community support to the YRMC Foundation topped $2.3 million.

The expertise and talents of our YRMC Foundation board members span backgrounds in business, finance, law, communications, and more. These directors represent our community and business leaders, medical staff, and hospital leadership. In addition to Mr. Barrett, Dr. Tibi and Mr. Sonsin, the YRMC Board of Directors includes John Amos, Douglas Bristol, Mary Mallory, Robbie Nicol, Dr. Arabinda Pani and Harvey Skoog.

To learn more about the YRMC Foundation, please contact (928) 771–5686 or [email protected], or visit www.yrmcfoundation.org.

Remember when television migrated from analog to digital in 2009 and a few years later made the leap to high-definition television? With each generation, the images were crisper, the colors more vibrant, the monitors sleeker.

The world of diagnostic ultrasound is having a similar moment, thanks to high-definition imaging technology like the Hologic SuperSonic™ MACH 30 Breast Ultrasound. This is good news for patients of the Breast Care Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) and Prescott Medical Imaging (PMI), where the technology was recently introduced.

“It’s very stressful to be called back for additional testing after a screening mammography,” says Kathi Hoffer, Imaging Operations Manager at the Breast Care Center. “But the availability of this state-of-the-art diagnostic technology – and our excellent imaging team –  reassures our patients that we will get the most accurate results.”

Some physicians are also recommending the Hologic breast ultrasound to screen patients who are at high risk for breast cancer.

More Details, Less Time

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body. How is the Hologic breast ultrasound different? First, it was designed specifically for breast tissue. It takes this a step further with an option to “customize” the exam according to the patient’s breast tissue.

“If the woman has fatty breast tissue, dense breast tissue or cysts, for example, the Hologic breast ultrasound has specific modes for each of those,” explains Hoffer. “This allows the ultrasound technologist to gather images with exceptional clarity and detail for the radiologist to interpret.”

The Hologic breast ultrasound images are also enhanced by a specially designed transducer, the handheld device used by the ultrasound technologist. Traditional ultrasound transducers pick up soundwaves from a single direction. The Hologic transducer records soundwaves from multiple angles.

Ultrasound technologists and patients both benefit from Hologic’s new touchpad. The device is user friendly and reduces the amount of time the exam takes.

A Consistent Image

Ensuring the availability of the Hologic breast ultrasound at both the Breast Care Center and PMI is part of YRMC’s commitment to imaging continuity.

“It’s important that women undergo their annual breast screenings and any related breast studies at the same center,” Hoffer says. “If you’re using different equipment, it’s difficult to tell if changes in the breast tissue are related to the machine or the mass that’s being studied.”

Brought to You by the YRMC Foundation

The Hologic breast ultrasound technology is possible thanks to a generous donation from the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation.

“The YRMC Foundation is honored to make this state-of-the-art diagnostic tool available to patients of the Breast Care Center and Prescott Medical Imaging,” says Dave Barrett, Chairman, YRMC Foundation Board of Trustees. “This gift demonstrates how important YRMC Foundation donors are to expanding and improving healthcare throughout our community.”

For more information about Hologic breast ultrasound and other breast imaging services, speak to your physician. You may also contact the Breast Care Center or Prescott Medical Imaging at (928) 771-7577.

Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group (YRMG) will offer COVID-19 vaccinations at select medical group practices throughout the Quad Cities area beginning Wednesday, May 26.

YRMG Pfizer Vaccination Site – 12 to 18 Years of Age

YRMG is offering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone between 12 and 18 years of age at Ponderosa Pediatrics in Prescott. Appointments are necessary. You do not need to be a current patient of Ponderosa Pediatrics to schedule an appointment. Please contact the practice at the number provided or visit www.yrmcvax.org to schedule an appointment.

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Ponderosa Pediatrics

2120 Centerpointe West Drive

Prescott, Arizona

(928) 778-4581

YRMG Moderna Vaccination Sites – 18 Years of Age and Older

YRMG is offering the Moderna Vaccine to anyone over the age of 18 at the following locations. Appointments are necessary. You do not need to be a current YRMG patient to schedule an appointment. Please contact the practice at the number provided or visit www.yrmcvax.org to schedule an appointment.

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care

7700 E. Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 101

Prescott Valley, Arizona

(928) 442-8710

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care

7700 E. Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 202

Prescott Valley, Arizona

(928) 442-8710

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Primary Care

474 N. State Route 89

Chino Valley, Arizona

(928) 636-5680

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Internal Medicine

3120 Clearwater Drive

Prescott, Arizona

(928) 771-3704

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Occupational Medicine

1050 Gail Gardner Way, Suite 100

Prescott, Arizona

For more information about YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery, visit DignityHealth.org/YRMG or contact (928) 708-4545.

The goal is to identify problems like depression as early as possible and connect caregivers to helpful resources. Caregivers who need a break to regenerate, may be directed by Dr. Gettens to agencies that provide respite care during the day or assisted living facilities that offer overnight stays. 

A Benefit to the Community

At 32 percent of the population, Yavapai County ranks second among Arizona’s counties for the largest percentage of residents age 65 and older. Most people diagnosed with dementia are also in that same age demographic.

“The ADC program addresses an important need in our community,” Dr. Gettens notes. “I believe it will have an extremely positive impact. It’s exciting that we have the opportunity to make a sustainable difference for our community.”

Learn More

For more information:

• Visit DignityHealth.org/YRMC (Go to “Medical Services” on the main menu and scroll to “Geriatric Services.”).
• Subscribe to YRMC HealthConnect (YRMChealthconnect.org) for updates.
• Contact the ADC program at (928) 327-5504.

The Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation honored Universal Homes and Prescott Valley’s Granville community for 22 years of generous support during a private ceremony at YRMC East in Prescott Valley on Tuesday, April 27. During the ceremony, a commemorative display was unveiled bearing a special message for hospital patients and guests that reads, “Our Granville community welcomes you to this place of healing and health. Together may we all enjoy health, peace and happiness.”

Among those attending the event was Joe Contadino, Owner and President of Universal Homes, along with key members of his team and members of the YRMC Foundation and Dignity Health, YRMC leadership. Speaking on behalf of YRMC was Chief Executive Officer and Foundation board member John Amos.  In his remarks, Mr. Amos recounted how instrumental Mr. Contadino was to the establishment of the Prescott Valley campus and how his continued support has contributed to its continued growth. Mr. Contadino and Universal Homes was a lead donor in the YRMC Foundation’s $8 million capital campaign to help fund the Medical Center’s construction. Since opening in 2006, the support of Universal Homes and our community has enabled the continued expansion of campus programs and services including the Breast Care Center, Family Birthing Center, Infusion Center, Advanced Wound Care services, and the Vein Center.

Universal’s support of the YRMC Foundation continues today. Just as it has for many years, with every new Granville home sold, Universal Homes makes a donation to the YRMC Foundation in the name of the new homeowner. In closing, John Amos stated, “We are extremely grateful to Joe for his vision, his strong sense of community, and for his concern and commitment to the health and well-being of others.” 

To learn more about the YRMC Foundation, please contact the Foundation office at 928.771.5686, via email at [email protected], or visit www.yrmcfoundation.org.

On Monday, February 15, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) resumed normal business operations at each of its three outpatient laboratory draw centers in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

YRMC’s outpatient laboratory draw centers provide medical laboratory services to the community, including blood work and other physician-ordered laboratory studies, and are conveniently located at:

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Family Medicine
1050 Gail Gardner Way, Suite 200
Prescott, Arizona 86305
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 12:30 pm, 1:15 pm – 4:00 pm
Phone: (928) 717-5234

Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Internal Medicine
3120 Clearwater Drive
Prescott, Arizona 86305
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:45 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Phone: (928) 445-0690

Outpatient Draw Center at YRMC East
7880 East Florentine Road
Prescott Valley, Arizona 86314
Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 am – 4:30 pm
Phone: (928) 759-5800

“YRMC is pleased to resume normal operations at our outpatient laboratory draw centers,” states Ken Boush, Director of Marketing and Communications, Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. “Due to improvements in YRMC’s COVID-19 admission rate, laboratory staff who were temporarily reassigned to support other areas, can now return to their normal duties.”  

Visit DignityHealth.org/YRMC for more information about YRMC’s Outpatient Draw Centers.

Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has partnered with Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) to launch a Community Paramedicine program to serve the Quad-Cities area. 

The program is designed to assist patients discharged from a YRMC facility who are high-risk for readmission. It is not uncommon for a patient discharged from the hospital to face challenges with self-care, follow-up care, and/or support once they return home. These challenges can impede the healing process which may result in readmission to the hospital. The goal of the new program is to minimize readmissions through personalized follow-up and preventative care.  The enrollment process for the Community Paramedicine program occurs when the patient is being discharged from a Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center hospital.  

The Community Paramedicine program will be a great resource for those who need a little help after returning home from a hospital stay. This is the first program of its kind in the Quad-Cities area, and demonstrates the strong partnership between Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority.

For additional information or question, please contact Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority’s EMS Division at (928) 772-7711.

Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has expanded its network of multispecialty medical practices to include Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Orthopedic Surgical Services.

Francisco Jaume, DO, an accomplished orthopedic surgeon with 28 years of experience, will serve as Lead Orthopedist for Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Orthopedic Surgical Services (formerly Yavapai Regional Medical Center PhysicianCare). The new Clinic has opened at the following temporary location:

YRMC Outpatient Services Building
7700 East Florentine Road, Building B, Suite 203
Prescott Valley, Arizona 86314
(928) 708-4545

An Experienced Orthopedic Surgeon
In his new role, Dr. Jaume will lead the development of Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Orthopedic Surgical Services, which will serve the orthopedic needs of people throughout Yavapai County.

“I’m looking forward to building an orthopedic group from the ground up,” Dr. Jaume said. “Our goal is to provide the highest quality care to patients. We’ll achieve this through a talented team of orthopedic surgeons, registered nurses and other healthcare professionals who will join me in delivering the latest in orthopedic surgical services.”

Leveraging Collaborative Care
Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Orthopedic Surgical Services takes a collaborative approach to healthcare thanks to the multispecialty medical practices that comprise Yavapai Regional Medical Group. The collaborative, integrated network includes 25 primary and specialty clinics located throughout the community.

Dr. Jaume – who is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Medicine – is an expert in the following orthopedic surgical procedures and care:

• Knee arthroscopy
• Knee replacement
• Hip replacement
• Carpal tunnel release
• Press-fit total knee replacement
• Fracture care (upper and lower extremities)
• Joint injections
• Rotator cuff repair
• Achilles tendon repair
• Flexor and extensor tendon repair of the hand

A Career of Service
Dr. Jaume has served patients in the Quad Cities area since 2004. In 2015, he was recognized as YRMC’s Physician of the Year for his outstanding leadership and commitment to exceptional patient care.

Dr. Jaume received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Stratford, New Jersey. After that, he pursued a rotating internship at Union Hospital in Union, New Jersey. This was followed by an orthopedic surgical residency at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Jaume’s career also includes an impressive record of military service. He served in the United States Marine Corps for six years, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He also served for eight years in the United States Air Force Medical Service Corps, where he earned the rank of Major.

For more information about Yavapai Regional Medical Group, Orthopedic Surgical Services, call (928) 708-4545.