A fall 2009 study by the University of Chicago Hospitals was published in JAMA² and found that the American healthcare sector accounts for 8% of the U.S. carbon footprint. The analysis found that hospitals are by far the largest contributor of carbon emissions in the healthcare sector, and the second most energy intensive industry³.   The EPA is upping its efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the U.S. as part of its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17% by 2012 from its 2009 baseline.

As hospitals begin to explore environmental best practices such as reducing waste and implementing sustainable waste management programs to minimize their footprints, “green teams” are seeking additional ways to improve their practices.  A 2009 survey by Practice Greenhealth, with more than 700 hospital members, found 64% were implementing medical waste reduction programs.  Yet few tools exist to specifically help measure a hospital’s environmental impact.  The Stericycle Carbon Footprint Estimator₄  tool is designed to help U.S. hospitals determine the amount of plastic, cardboard and resulting CO2 emissions they are able to keep out of the environment by switching a healthcare facility or hospital system from disposable sharps containers to reusable containers.

In one year using the system, Frye Regional Medical Center plans to divert 10,413 pounds of CO2 from 17,549 pounds of plastic and 1,356 pounds of cardboard based on its bed size of 355. This carbon diversion is the equivalent to not burning 536 gallons of gasoline and 197 tanks of propane gas for home barbecues.

According to Marie Geissele, Assistant VP of Support Services, “By switching to Stericycle’s Sharps Management Service using Bio Systems reusable containers, we plan to significantly decrease our carbon footprint. We challenge every hospital to play a role in reducing the healthcare sector’s national carbon emissions.” 

Since 1986, U.S. hospitals using the Stericycle Sharps Management System Bio Systems reusable containers have kept more than 79 million disposable containers out of landfills.

Lake Forest, IL-based Stericycle (NASDAQ: SRCL) is a leader in healthcare-related services that protect people and reduce risk. With more than 430,000 customers worldwide, Stericycle has operations in North America, Europe, and Latin America. Visit www.stericycle.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control (for example, general economic conditions). Our actual results could differ significantly from the results described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include changes in governmental regulation of medical waste collection and treatment and increases in transportation and other operating costs, as well as the other factors described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate future results or trends. We make no commitment to disclose any subsequent revisions to forward-looking statements.          

₁ Zimmerman, G. “The prescription for green health care facilities.” Building Operating Management, June 2009.

₂ The University Chicago Medical Center                                                               

3 Schwartz, Judith D. “Putting Health Care on an Energy Diet.” TIME, November 10, 2008.

The strength and trust of the physician, as well as the patient is demonstrated in Dr. Frye’s belief of the importance of the patient-physician relationship. As Dr. Frye expected the very best of his staff, holding in high esteem their ability to provide the best in medical care to the patient, the patient expected the care received to be the very best and most advanced.

It is in this spirit of care and well-being that Frye Regional Medical Center (FRMC) prepares for its 100^th anniversary celebration, Exceptional Care, a Century Strong. The celebration includes an exhibit and a book detailing the proud history of the hospital, as well as the surrounding community. Within the historical details of the hospital are stories of devotion, care, and FRMC’s firm belief in providing an environment in which physicians are empowered with the equipment and services available to meet patients’ needs.

In order to encompass all that Frye Regional Medical Center has offered through a century of care, the public’s help is needed. In the spirit of the physician-patient relationship FRMC is in need of personal memories and stories. If you were once a patient of FRMC, or had the opportunity to work with the hospital, we would like to hear from you. Additionally, if you possess old photographs, memorabilia, uniforms, newspaper clippings, medical instruments, and other artifacts dating from 1911 – when the hospital was first founded as Richard Baker Hospital – or any time since, please share them with FRMC exhibit curator, Heather Deckelnick.

You can reach Heather by phone, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 828-455-4648, or by email at heather@fryeregionalhistory.com.  

The book is scheduled for release in December, and the exhibit will be on display at the Hickory History Center, from December 2010 to November 2011. It will showcase objects used in the early years of the hospital, portraits of the founding doctors, and photographs that will illustrate the hospital’s growth, staff and achievements. It is with your help that together our personal and shared collections can be preserved to keep alive the dedication that FRMC takes in recognizing the importance of exceptional care and commitment to the community, and share the history for generations to come.

Medicare patients at hospitals receiving the HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award were, on average, 43% less likely to experience a patient safety event.

The seventh annual HealthGrades Patient Safety in American Hospitals study analyzed nearly 40 million hospitalization records from approximately 5,000 hospitals nationwide that participate in the Medicare program. Participation in the HealthGrades study is not voluntary, and hospitals cannot choose to opt out of the analysis.

If all hospitals performed at the level of Patient Safety Excellence Award™ hospitals like Frye Regional Medical Center, approximately 218,572 patient safety events and 22,590 Medicare deaths could have been avoided while saving the U.S. approximately $2.1 billion in excess costs from 2006 through 2008.

“I am extremely proud of our staff and physicians for their role in helping Frye achieve this designation,” said Frye CEO Michael Blackburn. “Patient safety is foremost on our mind.”

* Frye is one of 39 community hospitals in four states to be a part of the Duke Infection Control Outreach (DICON) Network, which provides benchmarking for Surgical Site Infections (SSI’s) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). As a member of DICON, Frye receives consultative services and educational opportunities for staff and physicians, as well as information and evidence-based strategies to improve infection programs within the hospital.

“On behalf of HealthGrades I’d like to congratulate Frye Regional Medical Center for a track record of patient safety that is among the best in the nation,” said Rick May, MD, a vice president at HealthGrades and co-author of the study. “Hospitals like Frye Regional Medical Center are setting benchmarks of superior performance that we would like to see other hospitals emulate.”

The seventh annual HealthGrades Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study applies methodology developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to identify the incidence rates of 15 patient safety indicators among Medicare patients at virtually all of the nation's nearly 5,000 nonfederal hospitals. Additionally, HealthGrades applied its methodology using 12 patient safety indicators to identify the best-performing hospitals, or Patient Safety Excellence Award™ Hospitals, which represent the top 5% of all U.S. hospitals. HealthGrades developed this award to give patients more information about choosing a hospital.

In the HealthGrades analysis, the following are the patient safety indicators studied:

*HealthGrades has also recognized Frye as Best in Overall Cardiac Care in the Charlotte Region in 2009 and as Five Star Rated in Coronary Interventional Procedures 2009-2010.

For nearly a century, Frye Regional Medical Center has provided sophisticated medical services to the residents of Hickory and central western North Carolina. From its modest origins, Frye has evolved into a major medical facility offering specialized care for complex needs. From the latest in minimally invasive heart surgery to laser-guided cancer treatment, Frye provides advanced diagnostics, medicine and surgery through a convenient network of hospital campuses and outpatient locations.

From the start, Frye operated with one simple goal: to offer the best possible healthcare to people in our region. This guiding principle, instilled by the hospital’s namesake Dr. Glenn R. Frye and his physician peers, is seen today as an unwavering drive for excellence among the medical staff, nurses, technicians and others who comprise the Frye family. They believe passionately in Frye’s commitment to care for the community and to do so by operating at the most exacting standards possible.

Frye Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about the hospital, visit www.fryemedctr.com. For physician referral, call 828-315-3391.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 69,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed and about 8,650 people die of the disease annually. Melanoma can be cured, but it has to be detected first. Here are a few tips to identify the disease.

Melanoma can appear in the skin without warning. It may originate in or near a mole or other dark skin area. The first sign of melanoma may be a sore, lump, skin growth or change in the size, shape, color or touch of an existing mole. Melanoma also may cause bleeding from a skin growth. Features of a cancerous mole usually include the following characteristics.

• Asymmetry – The abnormal area is not perfectly round.
• Border – Melanomas have irregular edges that may be ragged, notched or blurred.
• Color – A lesion or growth may have uneven color with shades of black, brown and tan, as well as white, gray, pink, red or even blue.
• Diameter – Most, but not all, melanomas are larger than a quarter of an inch (about the size of a pencil eraser).

People at increased risk for developing melanomas are more likely to be those who have fair skin, a personal or family history of melanoma, many moles (more than 60), a weakened immune system, severe sunburns at a young age, and extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Melanomas can occur on any skin surface as well as in the eye. It often develops on the lower legs in women and is typically found on the head, neck or between the shoulders and hips in men. People with dark skin rarely develop melanoma. However, if they do, the disease tends to appear under fingernails or toenails, or on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.

Treatment for melanoma is determined by the location, thickness and depth of the tumor, whether melanoma cells have spread to other parts of the body, and the patient’s overall health and age. Surgery usually is recommended to remove the growth as well as some normal tissue surrounding the cancer to reduce the chance of leaving any cancer cells behind. If cancer has spread, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these methods may be necessary. 

To prevent skin cancer, use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, avoid tanning beds, wear protective clothing and minimize exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you notice any change in your skin or a mole, check with your doctor as soon as possible. For more information about melanoma, and other types of skin cancer, talk with your dermatologist, or visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org. 

Frye Cancer Center

From state-of-the-art diagnostics to the newest laser-guided radiation treatments to pinpoint and destroy cancer cells, Frye’s cancer program combines the latest treatments with practical information and warm support to create a holistic approach to cancer care. Our passionate team of clinicians has created a nurturing environment in which cancer patients and their families receive not just the latest treatments but the information, support and encouragement they seek.  

As an accredited comprehensive cancer center, patients benefit from the full spectrum of cancer treatments Frye offers. As part of the Frye family of services, patients are assured that the Cancer Center operates at clinical standards. For nearly one hundred years, Frye has focused on one goal - to provide the best care possible for every patient. Perhaps that’s why Cancer Center patients consistently give Frye the highest marks possible for quality and comfort.  Explore the road to recovery with Frye’s accredited Cancer Center

at www.fryemedctr.com/cancer or call 828-315-3391 for a physician referral.

Frye has received the Get With The Guidelines Gold Performance Achievement Award in coronary artery disease, the Silver and Silver Plus Performance Achievement Awards for stroke, and Silver Performance Achievement Award heart failure. This level of achievement shows Frye’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart disease and stroke patients.

Get With The Guidelines helps ensure that patients treated and discharged receive quality care in accordance with guidelines that will reduce the risk of secondary events. It takes advantage of the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a heart attack or stroke, when patients are most likely to listen to their healthcare professionals’ treatment recommendations. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke.

This accomplishment signifies that Frye Regional Medical Center has reached an aggressive goal of treating coronary artery disease, stroke and heart failure patients with 85 percent compliance to core standard levels of care outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology secondary prevention guidelines and recommendations.

According to Get With The Guidelines treatment guidelines, patients are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, diuretics and anticoagulants in the hospital, or in the case of stroke, they may receive tPA, antithrombotics and DVT prophylaxis. They also receive alcohol/drug use and thyroid management counseling as well as referrals for cardiac rehabilitation before being discharged.

“The full implementation of acute and secondary prevention guideline recommended therapy is a critical step in reducing death and disability of cardiovascular disease patients,” said Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., National Chairman of the Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee and Director of Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. “The goal of the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program is to help hospitals like Frye Regional Medical Center implement appropriate evidence-based care and protocols that will help reduce the number of deaths in these patients and in their communities. Frye has achieved a high level of performance in terms of implementing these life-prolonging treatments.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, each year approximately 325,000 people suffer a recurrent heart attack, 5.7 million people suffer from heart failure and 795,000 people suffer a stroke.                            

“Frye is dedicated to making our care for heart disease and stroke patients among the best in the country," said Karen Anderson, Frye’s director of clinical quality and improvement. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our professionals to improve the long-term outcomes of our cardiac and stroke patients, and we are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements.”

Frye’s staff develops and implements acute and secondary prevention guideline processes. The program includes quality improvement measures such as care maps, discharge protocols, standing orders and measurement tools.  This quick and efficient use of guideline tools will enable Frye to improve the quality of care it provides heart disease and stroke patients, save lives and ultimately, reduce healthcare costs by lowering recurrence of events.  

“A diagnosis of cancer can be one of the worst things someone can hear. It is normal to feel a range of emotions, from hopelessness to anger. It is a challenging situation,” says Frye Oncology Service Line Manager JoAnn Smith, RN, MSN, OCN. “By incorporating strategies to stay emotionally and physically strong, there may be a higher probability of a successful cure and longer life.”

There are more than ten million cancer survivors in the U.S.  Survivors are considered those living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis throughout the remainder of life.

Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day on June 6 with your local, exclusive Spirit of Women Hospital Frye Regional Medical Center and rejoice in the reality that a healthy, productive and happy life after cancer diagnosis is possible. 

Treatments are meant to cure cancer, help you live longer, or relieve symptoms. Following up with your doctor and complying with your treatment protocol will help to improve your quality of life. Positive thinking, an active lifestyle, and a fighting spirit help most people cope with cancer.

Thrive With the Top Five is powered by Spirit of Women^® and presented locally by Frye Regional Medical Center.

Spirit of Women is a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women's lives with innovative health and community programs.  Spirit of Women Hospitals touch the lives of millions of women each year through the presentation of educational events, consumer membership programs, annual conferences, marketing communications and grassroots efforts to improve the health and well-being of women everywhere. Spirit of Women enables participating hospitals to focus on community needs while providing the strength of national support. Visit spiritofwomen.com.

Scheduled to run through May 31, da Vinci Women’s Health: Small Steps. Healthier Lives., is intended to reach thousands of women through doctor-led events that will educate about the importance of taking control of their health.

Robert Boyd, MD, Anita Montes, MD and Ryan Richardson, MD will be at the event to educate participants about preventive health measures, risks and treatment options for benign gynecologic issues, as well as help encourage woman to take charge of their health. Women who attend will also receive a 30 day free discount offer provided by Curves for participating Curves locations.

New research confirms that many women put their own health last on their lengthy to-do lists. da Vinci Women’s Health: Small Steps. Healthier Lives. was created in response to a growing problem in America, as many women living with sensitive – yet treatable – gynecologic issues too often opt for a “wait and see” approach instead of seeking out definitive relief.

For more information or to register for the event, please call Frye Regional Medical Center at 828-315-3391.

FRYE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

For nearly a century, Frye Regional Medical Center has provided sophisticated medical services to the residents of Hickory and central western North Carolina. From its modest origins, Frye has evolved into a major medical facility offering specialized care for complex needs. From the latest in minimally invasive heart surgery to laser-guided cancer treatment, Frye provides advanced diagnostics, medicine and surgery through a convenient network of hospital campuses and outpatient locations.

From the start, Frye operated with one simple goal: to offer the best possible healthcare to people in our region. This guiding principle, instilled by the hospital’s namesake Dr. Glen R. Frye and his physician peers, is seen today as an unwavering drive for excellence among the medical staff, nurses, technicians and others who comprise the Frye family. They believe passionately in Frye’s commitment to care for the community and to do so by operating at the most exacting standards possible.

Perhaps this is why Frye has earned so many distinctions: Distinguished Hospital Award from J.D. Power and Associates (three years), Hospital of Choice Award by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers, Best Hospital in Overall Quality and Image by National Research Corporation, and Best in Charlotte Region for Overall Cardiac Care by HealthGrades.

Frye Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. For physician referral, call 828-315-3391.

Reinvention Factor is geared to help women understand how health can be reinvented at any age through diet, fitness, allergy control, smoking cessation, better respiratory health, and other lifestyle changes. 

There is a saying, “the way you breathe is the way you live,” and it’s true. Taking that deep and full breath is the key to connecting with your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. You have the option to take that simple deep breath and turn it into a fresh and positive moment to reinvent yourself.

This event will be hosted by Frye Regional Medical Center from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 8 at the Hickory Museum of Art.  To register for this event, please call 877-31WOMEN.  Reinvention Factor promises to be a positive experience for all consumers, with music provided by Corelli String Quartet, affiliated with the Western Piedmont Symphony through their youth symphony program. Artist Michael McCall will be on site preparing for his upcoming exhibit and will speak about ways to reinvent yourself through art, and Dr. Peter Alford will discuss ways in which to take action for your respiratory health.

The event costs $10 and includes a light lunch. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Women’s Resource Center and the Hickory Museum of Art.

For more information on the Reinvention Factor seminar, contact Suzanne Fogleman at 828-315-3091 or email suzanne.fogleman@tenethealth.com. Frye is a member of the Spirit of Women Network, with support provided by Baby Boomer News, Hickory Surgical Clinic, Piedmont OB-GYN, Sophie Women’s Magazine, The Woman’s Clinic, and Through Healing Eyes.

For nearly a century, Frye Regional Medical Center has provided sophisticated medical services to the residents of Hickory and central western North Carolina. From its modest origins, Frye has evolved into a major medical facility offering specialized care for complex needs. From the latest in minimally invasive heart surgery to laser-guided cancer treatment, Frye provides advanced diagnostics, medicine and surgery through a convenient network of hospital campuses and outpatient locations.

From the start, Frye operated with one simple goal: to offer the best possible healthcare to people in our region. This guiding principle, instilled by the hospital’s namesake Dr. Glenn R. Frye and his physician peers, is seen today as an unwavering drive for excellence among the medical staff, nurses, technicians and others who comprise the Frye family. They believe passionately in Frye’s commitment to care for the community and to do so by operating at the most exacting standards possible.

Perhaps this is why Frye has earned so many distinctions: Distinguished Hospital Award from J.D. Power and Associates (three years), Hospital of Choice Award by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers, Best Hospital in Overall Quality and Image by National Research Corporation, and Best in Charlotte Region for Overall Cardiac Care by HealthGrades in 2009.

Frye Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about the hospital, visit www.fryemedctr.com. For physician referral, call 828-315-3391.

About Spirit of Women

The Spirit of Women Health Network is a national coalition of hospitals and healthcare facilities in more than 80 U.S. cities joined together to improve women's health by inspiring access and action on local, regional, and national levels.  Utilizing national resources to improve healthcare in local communities, Spirit of Women aims to educate and care for women in a unique way that emphasizes total well-being - body, mind, and spirit – and impacts all aspects of a woman’s life, including family, health, and work.  Through a variety of means, including educational events, networking opportunities, consumer loyalty programs, national awards, and promotion of research, Spirit of Women addresses health topics such as menopause, cancer, incontinence, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, healthy pregnancy, and many more.  For more information, visit www.spiritofwomen.com.

I Can Cope is an educational program for people facing cancer – either personally, or as a friend or family caregiver – and can help dispel cancer myths by presenting straightforward information and answers to your cancer-related questions. For more information, visit www.cancer.org. For more information about other support services offered by the Cancer Center at Frye, call 828-315-3596.

Cancer Center

From state-of-the-art diagnostics to the newest laser-guided radiation treatments to pinpoint and destroy cancer cells, Frye’s cancer program combines the latest treatments with practical information and warm support to create a holistic approach to cancer care. Our passionate team of clinicians has created a nurturing environment in which cancer patients and their families receive not just the latest treatments but the information, support and encouragement they seek.

As an accredited comprehensive cancer center, patients benefit from the full spectrum of cancer treatments Frye offers. As part of the Frye family of services, patients are assured that the Cancer Center operates at clinical standards. For nearly one hundred years, Frye has focused on one goal - to provide the best care possible for every patient. Perhaps that’s why Cancer Center patients consistently give Frye the highest marks possible for quality and comfort.  Explore the road to recovery with Frye’s accredited Cancer Center at www.fryemedctr.com.