Athens-Limestone Hospital Pulse Newsletter

Pulse
Summer 2011
Congratulations
Employee of Quarter
Linda McGrew
Quality
Next Issue…
Incentive Goals for
Patient Satisfaction
A New Mission and Vision for Athens Limestone Hospital
Athens-Limestone Hospital focuses attention on the health needs of the
Tennessee Valley Region of Alabama. Our hospital provides quality services
needed to treat the needs of a fast growing mid-sized community.
Our Mission…
To provide high quality health and wellness services.
Our Vision...
Our vision is to be the FIRST CHOICE for healthcare in our service area.
For more information and photo gallery visit our website www.athenslimestonehospital.com
Health, Hope and Healing…….2
Community Involvement..……3
Employee Stars….…...……..…… 4
Facility Expansions..……………5
Foundation.…….………..…...6 & 7
Message from the CEO.…...…...8
Health, Hope and Healing for our Community
Here For You
Community Letter
Dear Friends: Our thoughts and
prayers are with our community
and the entire state of Alabama.
We have devastated areas that
were hit hard by the tornados on
April 27, 2011 in Limestone
County. Our hearts go out to the
communities of East Limestone,
Tanner and their surrounding
areas, now and in the days to
come.
We publicly Thank and Commend the more than 100 staff
members of physicians, nurses,
and other medical professionals
who responded immediately to
the call for help. Our physicians
and staff responded without even
being asked to come. We also
thank our First Responder EMS
staff who took ambulances into
dangerous areas to care for those
who were greatly impacted by
the storm. As a hospital, we attended to both physical and emotional needs of more than 75
storm victims.
Not only were our neighbors
impacted, but we have hospital
family, who are near and dear to
our hearts, who were impacted
as well. Athens-Limestone Hospital will continue to stand by
and support the victims of this
horrific storm. Out of respect
and concern for our family and
friends, your hospital foundation
has made a commitment to make
a financial contribution to the
clean-up and recovery efforts.
“Athens-Limestone Hospital will
continue to support these communities and will be here to assist in a vibrant recovery,” says
Kelli S. Powers, CEO.
2
Health Fair Around the Square
The Health, Hope and Healing Health Fair Around the Square presented
another opportunity for ALH and Limestone County as a community to
pull together and help one another. Athens-Limestone Hospital was
proud to partner with Athens State University and United Way in not
only providing free health information and screening booths , but also of
their combined efforts to help replenish Limestone County Churches Involved (LCCI) Food Pantry.
Stacy Tribble and Virginia Powers
ALH Wellness Center Staff
Keith Abercrombie, Kelli Powers and Carol Lynn
ALH Clinics Staff
Neighbors helping Neighbors
ALH and Foundation employees10
delivered over $4000 in food to the
Tanner and East Limestone communities. This donation helped to feed
1700 victims, volunteers and utility workers in Tanner. In East Limestone, the request for assistance came from the Southern Baptist Disaster
Team charged with feeding an astonishing 900 to 1200 people per day.
Word arrived that Tanner was desperately short of personal care items.
ALH assembled and delivered 400 adult and 200 baby personal care comfort kits to the community.
2
Community Involvement
Quality Report
The Community Care Transition Team was formed in
January of 2011 to reduce avoidable readmissions and focus on respiratory diagnoses and we are already seeing a
significant decrease in our readmission rates—1st quarter
2011 down 4.9% from 1st quarter 2010. We are seeing
more interest in our purpose from physicians and their office managers. We are partnering with TARCOG for a multimillion dollar grant to be used in the North Alabama region, to help patients manage their conditions better at
home. In the photo are team members that represent the
following: Athens-Limestone Hospital, Athens Convalescent
Center, Athens/Limestone County Hospice, Davita Dialysis,
DHR, Gentiva Home Care, Limestone Co. Council on Aging,
Athens-Limestone Home Care, Limestone Co. Home Health,
Limestone Health Facility, Mental Health Center, and TARCOG-Huntsville.
Blankets and Hats Donated to
Women’s Services Mother/Baby Unit
A big Thank You to the Athens State University Chain
Gang members who have contributed yarn and
money for the supplies to help fund this project. The
Chain Gang donated 32 newborn crocheted hats and
18 blankets to Athens-Limestone Hospital Mother/
Baby Services. Members are: Jerrie Smith, Dianne
Shelton, Connie Alfred, Kimberly Goehardt, Molly
Pepper, Tracy Hicks, Kenneth Collins, Debra Miller
and Suzanne Sims.
Junior Volunteer Program
ALH Jr. Volunteer Program is off to a wonderful start.
There are 26 students volunteering for the months of
June and July. They will be in several different areas of
the hospital assisting with various assignments. Thanks
to Jan Lenz, CNO and Tracy Durm, Dir. Of Education for
supporting the program by providing an orientation class
for these students. If you would like to have a Jr. volunteer in your area, please contact Felicia @1290.
3
Employee Stars…
Patient
Compliment
I had surgery at
your facility yesterday, and this
is my experience.
From the time I
reached the third
floor admission
desk until I was
wheeled out by a
most delightful
volunteer, I was
treated as if I
were the most
important person in the universe. The quality of care
throughout the
experience was
excellent as well,
but I think the
true key was the
respectful manner of the staff. I
wish I could remember their
names, or they
perchance could
remember mine,
so you could
know who they
were. I never
thought of being
able to say a trip
to the hospital
was a pleasant
experience, but
this one sure
was. Thanks to
everyone who
has contributed
to making the
hospital a real
asset to the community.
Judy Moore
Respiratory
Paula Jones
Nursing
Tammy Webb Laboratory
Julie Faulkner
Admitting
Brenda Adams
Nursing
Jenny Green
Radiology
Dee Collier
Admitting
Regina Davis
H.I.M.
Donna Abernathy
Nursing
Nakita Toney
Nursing
Melissa Green
Patient Accounts
Barbara Teeples
H.I.M.
Connie Davis
Food Service
Employee of the Month Criteria
Beginning July 1st two employees will be chosen by the Service Excellence Team as
employee of the month; one clinical and one non-clinical. Nominations may be made
by any employee, visitor, patient, or patient’s family by submitting a written statement
outlining how the employee represented themselves as an outstanding ambassador of
ALH’s mission statement and goals by making a personal effort to "go the extra step.”
The recommendation must supply specific information regarding the employee’s actions and how they promoted good customer relations through attitude, appearance,
communication, commitment to co-workers and physicians, privacy - confidentiality,
modesty, sense of ownership and safety awareness. Some of the things that will be
looked at are attendance and how the employee enhances the public image of the Hospital.
Gifts : One day of PTO, parking space, week of meals, goodie bag, balloons, pictures on
bulletin board and Pulse.
4
4
Facility Renovations/ Expansions
Phase II Emergency Services Lobby Expansion
After experiencing the outstanding outcomes of Phase I
Emergency Services Renovation, there is much excitement
about moving into Phase II. This expansion will improve the
aesthetics and comfort level for patients and visitors by adding 52 additional seats and a children’s area, while moving patients through the service more efficiently. There will also be
an increase in visualization of the patients and visitors in the
lobby, thus providing a safer area to wait. The design and development of the expansion was carried out in 2010 with construction beginning in June 2011.
Emergency Department
Focus on Women’s Services
Women’s Services Mother/Baby Unit
Women are so important in the decision making process
for the health of their families. With that in mind, ALH is
renovating and bringing the Women’s Services Mother/
Baby Unit up to date with a facelift that makes the already
impressive unit a bright, cheerful and welcoming environment for our families. The 2011 Gala proceeds are dedicated to the continued upgrade of furniture and fixtures for
this beautiful unit.
Expands
With the addition of two primary care physicians to Waddell
Center Family Medicine, construction is underway for expansion.
In the fall, Binod Bista, M.D. and James R. Walker, M.D. will be
available to see patients. This expansion will allow the center
the capability of housing four primary care providers for our
community.
Waddell Family Medicine
Expands
Jorge Barrios, M.D. and Bridget Fox, CRNP will be joined by Jaime Daza, M.D. to better serve the East Limestone and surrounding areas. There are changes taking place at this facility as well to accommodate the
professionals and patients that will utilize these services.
55
Save the Date!
Annual Crystal Cup Golf Tournament
September 15, 2011
Canebrake Golf Club
1:00 Shotgun Start
Rain Date September 22, 2011
More information to follow...
Philanthropy for Everyone
Philanthropy provides the means to make a meaningful difference in the world; pair this
with conscientious stewardship and you have the “Foundation” of a successful charitable
program. Jimmy Dunn, M.D., Chairman of the Athens Limestone Hospital PH-D Program,
knows first hand the positive impact a charitable donation holds for a non-profit hospital
like Athens-Limestone. The gifts bring help, hope and healing to the patients Dr. Dunn and
his colleagues treat everyday.
“I spoke with Dr. Dunn in May of 2010,” says Amy Golden, Foundation Director. “My purpose was to share with him and his partners several of the Foundations funding priorities.
The conversation evolved and before we were done Dr. Dunn had agreed to take on the responsibility of establishing the Foundation’s PH-D program. Over the past year the program
has grown from three physicians to ten .”
Please remember the Athens Limestone Hospital Foundation in your will and remember to tell us when
you do!
Next Issue look for photos of: Dr. Jorge Barrios, Dr. Mark Teague,
Dr. Wesley Crowell, Dr. Belinda Maples, and Dr. Thomas Pitman.
Dr. Jimmy Dunn
Dr. Shraddha Shrestha
Dr. Allen Tucker
Dr. Paul Fry
6
Dr. Jon F. Bignault
THANK YOU GALA SPONORS!
Dr. Belinda Maples
Dr. Wesley Crowell, Central Pediatrics
Dr. Thomas Pitman, Valley Obstetrics & Pelvic Health
Athens Rotary Club
The Athens Limestone Hospital Foundation and its Board of Trustees wish to express their sincere
appreciation to our Gala sponsors and donors for 2011. Your generosity in going forward with your donation after, the event was cancelled in the wake of the recent tornado outbreak, will ensure the completion of the Mother Baby Unit renovation.
As our community continues to recover from the devastation we experienced on April 27th , please
know that all expenses that would have been incurred to bring you Gala 2011 have been made available
in the form of disaster relief grants to the many ALH employees affected by the storms.
As a non-profit hospital, we rely on philanthropy to provide the cutting-edge equipment and programs that benefit our patients every day --- equipment and programs that would not be possible without generous gifts from our friends in the community.
Athens Limestone Hospital was founded by volunteers and has been sustained by philanthropy and
community support since 1951. Your gifts truly brings hope and healing to our patients and their families. We cannot thank you enough for believing in our mission and for entrusting us with your kind donation. Rest assured that we will be good stewards of your gift and that it will mean the world to our
patients. On their behalf, we Thank You!
7
Message from the CEO….
Athens-Limestone
Hospital focuses attention on the health
needs of the Tennessee Valley Region of
Alabama. Our hospital provides quality
services needed to
treat the needs of a
fast growing midsized community.
What an exciting time for Athens-Limestone Hospital’s patient’s, physicians,
and employees. This has been a period of much data gathering that allows us
to take stock in where we are and set goals for
the next fiscal year that begins in July. I want
to share with you the types of information that
will guide us throughout this year.
 A new customer service program, Power of
Excellence, that has been implemented. Approval for the Quint Studer Group, a nationally
known customer service organization to help
take us to the next level in Customer Service.
 A marketing survey that reveals opportunity for growth with a new marketing plan to
guide us through how to better reach our customers.
 A physician satisfaction survey that reveals
a strong physician relationship with our hospital and a few targeted items that can help make
these relationships stronger.
 An Employee Satisfaction survey that
brings to the forefront satisfied employees that
who are truly engaged in their work.
Kelli S. Powers, CEO
Above are the main areas of focus for 2011-12. Please know that I am proud
of our physicians, employees and community. I look forward to serving our
friends, family and neighbors as we care for you.
Charity 5K Run/Walk
When: Saturday, July 2, 2011
Michelle Elkins, Meningitis Awareness Advocate
In her short career in the health care field, Michelle
Elkins has already developed a reputation for being a
health care advocate. Her daughter, Jessica, died at the
age of 15 from meningitis. Michelle has coordinated
beauty pageants, pancake breakfasts and a Chick-fil-A
run/walk to benefit the scholarship that bears her
daughter’s name in an effort to bring awareness and support to the fight
against meningitis.
In addition to being named an Alabama Hospital Association Healthcare Hero for her leadership and
support, Michelle serves as the Alabama State Representative for the National Meningitis Society.