About YRMC

  • Celebrate Life Health Expo ‘16: Family Fun, Fitness and More!

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Mar 15, 2016

    The entire family – parents, children, grandparents – will find interactive activities, health screenings, learning opportunities and loads of fun at Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Celebrate Life Health Expo:

    Saturday, May 21, 2016
    10 am - 2 pm
    Prescott Gateway Mall
    3250 Gateway Blvd., Prescott, AZ 86303

    “This year, we’re creating ‘neighborhoods’ so families with children, for example, will find services and information designed for their lifestyle in a single, activity-filled area,” said Roxanne Hull, YRMC’s Community Outreach Coordinator.

    In addition to the kids’ neighborhood, Expo visitors can anticipate neighborhoods dedicated to heart health, healthcare careers and volunteer opportunities, to name a few.

    “There will be tons of choices,” Hull said. “Every neighborhood will have awesome activities and useful information. The mall stores and vendors are also on board, which will definitely make Expo a full day of fun for families.”

    Watch for more information about Expo online (www.yrmc.org) and on social media:

    Facebook

    Twitter

    YouTube

  • DXA Scan: YRMC BreastCare Center Helps Prevent Broken Bones

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Mar 03, 2016

    JoAnn spends every weekend she can hiking. She’s trekked the Grand Canyon five times and explored hiking trails throughout Arizona. That’s why she was surprised when a bone density scan revealed she had osteoporosis, a condition that causes bone loss and can lead to fractures.

    “I was running, hiking, walking and eating high-calcium foods and I still had bone loss,” she said.

    JoAnn is among 54 million Americans who have osteoporosis and low bone mass, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). To help Yavapai County residents, the BreastCare Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has introduced dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This simple, painless exam measures bone density.

    “DXA provides information so a woman and her physician can take steps to prevent fractures,” said Mary Sterling, Director, Imaging Services at YRMC. “It’s similar to a mammogram in that the radiation dose is very minimal and the information is extremely important.”

    During a DXA exam at YRMC’s BreastCare Center, the patient lies flat on a comfortable, padded table. An x-ray generator is located below the patient and an imaging device, or detector, is positioned above. The detector passes over the patient, generating images on a computer monitor. The exam lasts approximately 10 minutes. The radiologist interprets the exam and then shares the results with the patient’s doctor.

    “We’re encouraging women to schedule their mammogram and DXA on the same day,” said Sterling. “It’s convenient and a good way to ensure you’re undergoing both of these important exams.”

    This also allows women to undergo DXA in the spa-like, comforting atmosphere of the YRMC BreastCare Center. Additionally, women are often cared for by the same radiologic technologist during both exams.

    While it’s most often associated with women, men also should be aware of the dangers of bone loss and osteoporosis. In fact, according to NOF, a man age 50 or older is more likely to suffer a broken bone due to osteoporosis than he is to get prostate cancer.

    What puts people at risk for osteoporosis? Uncontrollable risk factors include:

    • Being over age 50 and female
    • Menopause, particularly early-onset menopause
    • A family history of osteoporosis
    • Being small and thin
    • Broken bones or height loss

     Controllable risk factors for osteoporosis include:

    • Lack of calcium and vitamin D
    • Not eating enough fruits and vegetables and consuming too much protein, sodium and caffeine
    • Lack of exercise and activity
    • Tobacco use and drinking too much alcohol
    • Weight loss

     Want to schedule a DXA? Contact your physician to ask for a referral to the BreastCare Center at YRMC. For more information about DXA and other BreastCare Center at YRMC services, contact (928) 442-8900 or visit http://www.yrmc.org/services/breastcare-center

    Find YRMC online at www.yrmc.org and connect with us on social media.

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  • Dr. Francisco Jaume: YRMC 2015 Physician of the Year

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Feb 08, 2016

    Excellent teacher … positive leader … team player. These are phrases Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) employees and medical staff members use to describe Francisco Jaume, DO, YRMC’s 2015 Physician of the Year.

    An accomplished orthopedic surgeon and Chairman of YRMC’s Department of Surgery, Dr. Jaume has cared for patients at YRMC since 2004. During that time, he has served as Director of YRMC’s Advanced Wound Care Center. Dr. Jaume is credited with leading the center to its current status as a state-of-the art facility that includes northern Arizona’s only hyperbaric chambers for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

    Even with an extremely busy schedule, Dr. Jaume is known for the time he devotes to YRMC patients and their families as well as hospital staff.

    “He’s always professional and empathic with patients and staff,” said Patricia Coates, RN, Clinical Coordinator, Surgical Services at YRMC. “I appreciate how he treats the surgery staff, communicating his needs and how we can best care for patients. He’s always available and ready to help the nursing team in any way.”

    Dr. Jaume is dedicated to YRMC’s values. He strives to put them into action as a physician and encourages others – YRMC physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers – to do so as well.

    “I believe working together with everyone involved in the patient’s care is key,” Dr. Jaume said. “Making myself available to the staff brings us together as a team. I also believe promoting a positive attitude is not only good for morale, but it translates to the patient’s attitude toward recovery.”

    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 achieved the rank of major.

    According to John Amos, YRMC President and CEO, Dr. Jaume’s focus on leading by example is inspiring to the YRMC family.

    “Dr. Jaume treats people with respect,” he said. “He embodies our organization’s values and lives them every day. YRMC, and our entire community, is fortunate that Dr. Jaume is here caring for patients.”

    YRMC’s Physician of the Year is presented annually to a doctor who:

    • provides excellent patient care;
    • builds positive relationships with employees and volunteers;
    • shows respect for everyone with whom he or she comes in contact;
    • demonstrates sensitivity to patients’ needs and desires; and
    • takes pride in the hospital as well as the community.

  • Eat Well … Be Well

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5396 | Feb 03, 2016

    Breakfast trays now arrive to Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) patients with something extra. Along with their morning meal, hospital patients receive a card that promotes the availability of home-delivered meals from Prescott Meals On Wheels following hospitalization.

    “Some people may need assistance with meals during their recovery so we want them to know that Prescott Meals On Wheels can be a tremendously valuable service to them,” said Jeanne Briggs, MA, RD, Director, Nutrition Services at YRMC.

    In addition to the meal tray cards, YRMC’s registered dietitians and Care Management team members ask patients how they will manage meal preparation once they leave the hospital. They also discuss Meals On Wheels as an option that ensures they have a balanced meal every day.

    “There’s a correlation between nutrition and health,” Briggs said. “Inability to consistently prepare healthy foods is one reason some individuals become malnourished, dehydrated and sometimes need additional hospitalization.”

    Prescott Meals On Wheels serves the city of Prescott. Other independent programs are located in Chino Valley, Prescott Valley, Mayer and Yarnell. Meals On Wheels team members – who undergo background checks and training – provide wellness checks during meal deliveries to ensure clients are safe and well.

    According to Bert Ijams, Executive Director, Prescott Meals On Wheels, the service can be short term as someone recovers from surgery or continue if the individual is homebound.

    “Prescott Meals On Wheels provides three fundamental services; a nutritious, home-delivered meal, a wellness check, and precious moments of conversation,” said Ijams. “Combined, these three services contribute to the ability to live independently for as long as possible with a sense of safety and security.”

    Prescott Meals On Wheels may be reached at (928) 445-7630.

  • YRMC Introduces New MRI Digital Technology

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Jan 28, 2016

    Clear Images...Fast Exams...Comfortable Experience

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology in western Yavapai County will take a major leap forward when Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) introduces its new broadband digital system this spring.

    The MRI’s digital technology – located in a newly constructed MRI suite at YRMC West – will deliver:

    • Exceptional image clarity – This next generation of technology produces outstanding images, providing YRMC’s radiologists with more information and increased diagnostic confidence.
    • Faster exams – YRMC’s new MRI will perform most exams in half the time of older MRIs. This is particularly important to people who feel anxious about these exams.
    • Superior comfort – YRMC’s recently constructed MRI suite incorporates the Ambient Experience, developed by Philips, a leading healthcare technology company. The MRI suite includes soothing lights, image projection, calming sounds and an elevated ceiling. Combined, these features create a serene imaging experience for patients. YRMC’s MRI also has a “wide bore,” or opening, which helps people feel less confined.

    “From the selection of the MRI technology and the development of our new MRI suite, we’ve focused on enhancing the patient’s experience every step of the way,” said Mary Sterling, Director, Imaging Services at YRMC.

    The Ambient Experience gives patients the opportunity to actively participate in the imaging process. They can personalize their experience by selecting from a variety of themes using a touchscreen tablet. This immediately transforms the MRI suite with soothing lights, captivating visuals – dolphins, beaches, mountains and more – and calming music.

    The patient waiting area of YRMC’s new MRI suite also embraces this soothing environment by featuring a window that overlooks a healing garden.

     “For people who feel even the slightest anxiety about an MRI exam, YRMC West should be the place to go,” said Sterling. “The Ambient Experience, combined with our outstanding Imaging Services team, the shorter scan times and superior image quality will benefit all patients.”

    Find YRMC online at www.yrmc.org and connect with us on our Facebook and YouTube communities.

  • YRMC Orthopedic Surgeons: Computer-Assisted Navigation Technology Significantly Improves Knee and Hip Replacements

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Nov 16, 2015
    Orthopedic surgeons understand that precise alignment is key to successful joint replacement surgery. Thanks to its Computer-Assisted Navigation system, people undergoing hip and knee replacement at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) can experience the results of this exceptional accuracy: improved joint stability and better range of motion.

    Computer-Assisted Navigation technology achieves these excellent outcomes by creating a three-dimensional model of the patient’s hip or knee. Orthopedic surgeons use this information to align the artificial joint – hip or knee – with greater precision in the patient’s body. Accurate alignment not only is crucial to how the joint feels post-surgery, it also can help the joint replacement last longer.

    “I liken it to buying a new set of tires for your car,” said YRMC Orthopedic Surgeon Mark Davis, DO. “You can put the tires on your car, but proper alignment is what ensures the tires will operate well. Just like a tire, if the placement of an artificial hip or knee joint is off a few degrees, it doesn’t wear as well and, in the case of joint replacement, can be less comfortable.”

    How does Computer-Assisted Navigation work? An infrared camera, wireless instruments and a computer combine to work like the global positioning systems (GPS) used in cars.

    “The computer helps us make intraoperative adjustments that help us to align the knee correctly,” said Richard Bassett, DO, YRMC Orthopedic Surgeon.

    The infrared camera calculates and then monitors the location of markers and instruments the orthopedic surgeon places within the patient’s joint. The wireless instruments transfer the data to a computer in the YRMC operating room. This information is displayed on the computer monitor as a “blueprint” of the patient’s anatomy that the orthopedic surgeon uses to accurately align the hip or knee implant.

    “This information ensures the stability and range of motion needed for a successful joint replacement,” Dr. Bassett said.

    That’s good news for many people of western Yavapai County, who are eligible for this procedure.

    “Computer-Assisted Navigation is an excellent tool,” said Dr. Davis. “I combine it with other strategies – such as muscle-sparing techniques and encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyle changes – to ensure the best outcomes for patients.”

    To learn more about orthopedic surgeons at YRMC, visit www.yrmc.org/find-a-doctor and then go to “Medical Staff.”

  • Prescott Frontier Days and Wrangler’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink Initiative Partner to Support The BreastCare Center at YRMC

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Nov 11, 2015
    Pink is the color typically associated with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, not with cowboys and rodeos. But that’s changing for The BreastCare Center at YRMC, thanks to Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. – host of the World’s Oldest Rodeo® – and its partnership with Wrangler’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink initiative. Together, the organizations recently presented The BreastCare Center at YRMC with a $2,500 donation.

    “We’re extremely pleased by this generous contribution from Prescott Frontier Days and Wrangler,” said John Amos, President and Chief Executive Officer, YRMC. “This gift will help women throughout our communities receive essential mammography services at YRMC’s BreastCare Center.”

    Founded in 2004, Tough Enough to Wear Pink supports rodeos – like Prescott’s World’s Oldest Rodeo – as they raise funds for community organizations dedicated to preventing, detecting and treating breast cancer, such as The BreastCare Center at YRMC.

    “Prescott Frontier Days was recognized by Wrangler,” said Mary Ann Suttles, Director, Prescott Frontier Days. “We wanted to do something lasting with the Wrangler funds so we donated it to YRMC’s BreastCare Center for free mammography services.”

    Additionally, Prescott Frontier Days sponsored a Tough Enough to Wear Pink booth where people could buy t-shirts, bracelets, bags, hats and other items during the Rodeo to support the cause.

    On May 16, Prescott Frontier Days sponsored a dinner and a silent auction at the Freeman Building on the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. Proceeds from the event – combined with sales of Tough Enough to Wear Pink items – went to purchase grocery store gift cards for patients in need at The BreastCare Center at YRMC.

    “We work with YRMC’s BreastCare Center to identify people in our community who have breast cancer and need some extra help,” Suttles said. “They can use the gift cards for prescriptions, food, gas and other essential items they need.”

    According to Suttles, plans are underway for next year’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink fundraising dinner and silent auction. For more information, including the date and time, contact the Prescott Frontier Days office at (928) 445-3103.

  • Leading Healthcare Organizations Partner to Support Insurance Coverage in Yavapai County

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Oct 28, 2015

    Want help enrolling in health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (healthcare.gov) or applying for AHCCCS (Arizona’s Medicaid)? Two leading healthcare organizations have come together to offer Yavapai County residents assistance during open enrollment (November 1, 2015-January 31, 2016).

    Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) and Yavapai County Community Health Services (YCCHS) are partnering to provide enrollment assistance as a free community service. Certified Application Counselors (CACs) from both organizations are available to help enroll people in Health Insurance Marketplace health plans. They’re also able to assist people applying for AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System).

    “Finding health coverage that’s right for your family, or for you individually, is a critical decision,” said Robbie Nicol, Executive Director, YRMC Community Outreach and Philanthropy. “We’ve heard from many residents who are pleased that two local, trusted healthcare organizations are providing this service at no cost.”

    CACs from both organizations are scheduling appointments for application assistance:

    YRMC West – Prescott
    By appointment:
    Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm
    (928) 771-5108
    1003 Willow Creek Road
    Prescott, AZ

    YRMC East – Prescott Valley
    By appointment:
    Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm
    (928) 442-8187 or (928) 759-5960
    7700 E. Florentine Road
    Prescott Valley, AZ

    YCCHS – Prescott
    By appointment:
    Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
    (928) 442-5208
    1090 Commerce Drive
    Prescott, AZ

    YCCHS – Prescott Valley
    By appointment:
    Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
    (928) 442-5208
    3212 Windsong Drive
    Prescott Valley, AZ

    Additionally, YCCHS will host a free Health Insurance Enrollment Event on:

    Friday, November 13, 2:00-7:00 pm
    YCCHS Insurance Enrollment Event
    3212 N. Windsong Drive
    Prescott Valley, AZ
    Schedule an appointment    : (928) 442-5208

    “With all of these opportunities, we’re hoping that people will avoid the new, higher penalties for not enrolling in coverage,” said David McAtee, YCCHS Public Information Officer. “We also want folks to take advantage of the important preventive healthcare services available through Health Insurance Marketplace plans.”

    People who don’t enroll for health insurance coverage by January 31, 2016, could receive a penalty when they pay their 2016 taxes. The penalty has increased to $695 for every adult in the family and $347.50 for every child or 2.5 percent of their annual income, whichever is most significant. The penalty does not apply to people who receive healthcare services through AHCCCS.

  • U.S. Healthcare System Introduces New Clinical Code

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Oct 01, 2015

    Patients May Need to Update Medical Orders

    On October 1, the nation’s healthcare system converted to a new clinical coding system. The change from ICD-9 to ICD-10 is a requirement for healthcare providers and payers.

    “There has been extensive nationwide coordination among all segments of healthcare, including physicians, hospitals, payers and others for the change to ICD-10,” said Dee Betts, Director, Health Information Management at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).

    U.S. healthcare providers and payers – government and private – use the same clinical coding system. This provides a common language with regard to patients’ diagnoses and treatments as well as payment for services. The new ICD-10 coding system updates the 36-year-old ICD-9, which no longer meets the demands of today’s healthcare system.

    How will this change impact patients? According to Betts, the transition will be invisible to most patients. However, people with orders for medical services – regular laboratory work, for example – written before the October 1 ICD-10 launch, may need to contact their physician or other healthcare provider for an update.  

    “Doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are the only healthcare providers in Arizona who are allowed to write medical orders,” Betts said. “Your provider knows your diagnosis and the treatment he or she is prescribing so that individual needs to update any medical orders.”

  • YRMC Adds Three New Cooking Show Episodes to Your Healthy Kitchen

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Sep 30, 2015

    Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has added three new episodes to its popular online cooking series, Your Healthy Kitchen. ​

    Hosted by YRMC Registered Dietician Rita Carey-Rubin, Your Healthy Kitchen delivers healthy, delicious and affordable cooking tips, recipes and education free of charge to viewers anywhere with an Internet connection. From www.yrmc.org, follow the HealthConnect link to Your Healthy Kitchen.

    In Heart Healthy Cooking with Dr. Pierre Tibi, Rita is joined by Dr. Tibi, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at YRMC. They prepare a fresh pasta dish while Dr. Tibi discusses the health benefits of wine. Dr. Tibi and Rita also discuss the newest addition to the James Family Heart Center, the state-of-the-art Hybrid Operating Suite.

    In Cooking with Kale, Rita describes the various types of Kale and demonstrates several affordable, tasty recipes including Massaged Kale Salad, Zesty Kale Chips and a Powerful Green Smoothie.

    Cooking to Prevent Cancer outlines ten cancer prevention tips from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research. “There really are a lot of things we can do every day to protect ourselves and our families from cancer,” states Carey-Rubin. “This includes eating delicious meals that include a lot of healthy plant-based foods. Cruciferous vegetables especially contain lots of anti-cancer nutrients.”

    In this episode, Rita shares a list of other top plant-based foods that are proven to help protect against cancer along with some simple, delicious recipes. She also demonstrates how to grow your own broccoli sprouts.

    For more information on Your Healthy Kitchen or other Community Outreach programs at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, please contact the YRMC Community Outreach Department at (928) 771-5738. 

  • What Does the New U.S. Medical Coding System Mean to You?

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Sep 14, 2015
    Do you have a “standing order” for blood work at a local laboratory? Has your healthcare provider recently written you an order for medical services you may not use until after October 1st? If so, you may want to contact your provider – physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant – to request an order with the new diagnostic code that will be launched nationwide on October 1st.

    On that date, healthcare providers in the U.S. – including physicians, hospitals and other medical practitioners – are required to convert to a new diagnostic coding system. ICD-10, as it’s called, will replace ICD-9 as the “clinical code set” healthcare providers use for healthcare service orders and medical records. These codes ensure patients are receiving the prescribed treatment for their respective conditions and allow providers to be paid for the services they deliver.

    According to Dee Betts, Director, Health Information Management at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), healthcare providers and payers (health insurance companies) nationwide have been preparing for this change for several years. However, because it’s new information for most consumers she wants western Yavapai County residents to be aware that converting a medical order from ICD-9 to ICD-10 is not a simple translation.

    “When you translate from one language to another, it’s not a 100 percent exact match,” Betts said. “However, with more information you can translate and communicate effectively. The ICD-9 to ICD-10 change is no different. Some diagnoses will translate directly, but there are many conditions that will require additional information in order to select the appropriate code.”

    For example, under ICD-9, a fracture of the tibia (leg) is a single code. With ICD-10, the code for that same injury includes information on whether the left or right leg is fractured and what portion of the tibia – top, middle, bottom – is injured.

    Here’s some tips from Betts on how you can determine if your medical order is written in ICD-9 or ICD-10 code:

    • Look for letters—ICD-9 codes are numeric while ICD-10 diagnostic codes begin with a letter.
    • Count the numbers—ICD-9 codes have a maximum of five digits and may include a decimal point. For ICD-10, the maximum code is seven digits and there also is a decimal point. Be aware that both code sets may use only three digits.

    Do you have an old ICD-9 medical order? Betts advises you to call the office of the physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who wrote the order and ask for a new order.

    “Doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are the only healthcare providers in Arizona who are allowed to write medical orders,” Betts said. “Your provider knows your diagnosis and the treatment he or she is prescribing so that individual needs to update any medical orders.”

    Betts said the healthcare community nationwide is ready for the October 1st change and most people won’t even notice the conversion.

  • YRMC BreastCare Center Expands Mammography Service Days

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Sep 11, 2015

    For many women, their weeks are so full with family, work and other commitments that it’s a challenge to find time for an annual screening mammogram. The team at the BreastCare Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) has a solution. Beginning October 10, the Center will offer screening mammography services the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

    “Some women delay their annual breast screenings because of their hectic schedules,” said Nancy Ledoyen, RN, Director, The BreastCare Center at YRMC. “By offering Saturday screening once a month, we’re knocking down a barrier to breast screening for many women in our communities.”

    Women interested in scheduling Saturday screening mammography should:

    • Call The BreastCare Center at YRMC (928) 442-8900 or 1-877-436-5290
    • Obtain an “order” from their healthcare provider – physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant – for a screening mammogram

    Cost is another barrier for some women. The Community BreastCare Fund – managed by YRMC – provides free screening mammography to women throughout western Yavapai County who lack adequate health insurance as well as those with high co-pays or deductibles.

    The new Saturday hours begin during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and coincide with the launch of YRMC’s Share the Care initiative. The goal of Share the Care is to lower Yavapai County’s incidence of breast cancer, in part by promoting the importance of annual screening mammography.

    The new schedule may be expanded to include additional Saturdays, if there is significant community demand. To schedule a screening mammography, contact The BreastCare Center at YRMC at (928) 442-8900 or 1-877-436-5290.