Commonwealth Health Corporation May 23, 2012 Upcoming events Emergency Codes Changing 90 seconds to better health relay for life 2 Nurses and Clinical Support Employees of the Year Nurses New Employees CHC Customer Service Standards Nurses Walk 3 Misty Hughes, RN Bowling Green CCU Helois West, RN Scottsville Long Term Care Clinical Support Employees Anne Marlin, RN Franklin Emergency Dept. Donna McKinney, RN Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital National stroke month accomplishments jacksonian days 4 retirements mother-daughter tea men s health tune-up 5 Kim Gibson Bowling Green Labor & Delivery Jennifer Barton Scottsville Operating Room Grace Jackson Franklin Acute Care Dawn Ferguson Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital Bowling Green, Franklin, and Scottsville, and Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital proudly announce the recipients of the 2012 Nurses of the Year and Clinical Support Employees of the Year. Commonwealth Health Corporation s mission is to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. Every year, National Hospital Week is celebrated during the second week in May. In addition, National Nurses Week is recognized annually from May 6 until May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. Each year during this time, The Medical Center honors nurses and clinical support employees chosen by their peers who represent the highest standards in their profession. Nurse of the Year winners are: Misty Hughes, RN, Bowling Green; Helois West, RN, Scottsville; Anne Marlin, RN, Franklin; Donna McKinney, RN, Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital. Clinical Support includes CNAs, NAs, Home Health Aides, Unit Clerks and Techs (Monitor, OR, OB, ED, Psych, and CSR). Clinical Support Employees of the Year are: Kim Gibson, Bowling Green; Jennifer Barton, The Medical Center at Scottsville; Grace Jackson, The Medical Center at Franklin; and Dawn Ferguson, Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital. Ceremonies were held May 8 in Bowling Green and May 9 in Scottsville and Franklin. In addition, a Nurses Walk was held May 12 on the campus of The Medical Center (see related photos on page 3). Congratulations to each of the recipients and nominees.
Upcoming Events Dermascan Screening May 30 June 7 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center located at 1857 Tucker Way off Cave Mill Road in Chandler Park. Preregistration required by calling 745-0942. Sun damage can be a forecast for future skin cancer. With a painless and simple screening device, representatives of the Kentucky Cancer Program can identify potential trouble spots on your face. Please remove all make-up/sunscreen. Surgical Weight Loss Seminars May 30 6 p.m. The Medical Center Auditorium. Register online at www.themedicalcenter.org or call 796-6333. If you are considering weight loss surgery, The Medical Center offers free informational seminars to help you learn more. A bariatric surgeon will discuss the various surgery options so you can better understand the benefits and risks associated with each procedure. An insurance specialist will be available to discuss costs, insurance coverage and financing options. A New Baby s Coming Class May 31 6 to 8 p.m. The Medical Center Auditorium. Preregistration required; register online at themedicalcenter.org/obclasses. Participants should bring a doll or stuffed animal. This is a siblings class for kids ages three and older to prepare for the arrival of the new baby. A tour of the Obstetrics (OB) unit and a view of the Nursery are included as well as refreshments and a video. Balance Screening June 6 1 to 4 p.m. The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center located at 1857 Tucker Way off Cave Mill Road in Chandler Park. Preregistration required by calling 745-0942. Do you have a fear or concern about falling? Being aware of your fall risk is an important step to preventing a fall. Gabe Smith, PT, DPT from Bluegrass Outpatient Center will provide fall risk assessments including evidence-based balance tests to help individuals target risk factors. Ready, Set, Go! June 7 6 to 8 p.m. The Medical Center Auditorium. Preregistration required; register online at themedicalcenter.org/obclasses. This class will guide you through the paperwork that is required when you are admitted to The Medical Center for delivery. By attending this class, you will be more prepared for your admission and discharge from the hospital. A tour of the OB unit will also be provided. Relay for Life Join The Medical Center in the fight against cancer by supporting the American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life. The Medical Center is proud to once again sponsor the following Relay for Life Events: Simpson County June 1 through 2 Warren County June 1 through 2 2 For details, call the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345. Emergency Codes changing Later this summer, there will be a big change to the Emergency Codes used at all CHC facilities. In an effort to standardize the way personnel communicate in a disaster event, the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) has asked that all healthcare facilities adopt new Emergency Codes. The Emergency Management Committee put together a task force to determine what had to change and then implement the changes. Over the next few weeks, you will see educational material arriving in your emails, CBLs and other means. There is a big effort in place to help all staff learn and understand the changes that will be coming about for the Emergency Codes. As this material comes out, we ask that you take the time to review it and ask the questions you would like answered. You may contact Gary Sullivan, Director of Security, at extension 1349 or James Monroe at extension 1090. We hope that by working together our transition to these new codes can be as smooth and quick as possible. Watch WBKO for these upcoming segments of 90 Seconds to Better Health, a medical news program presented by The Medical Center. Open Heart Surgery Paul Moore, M.D. Tuesday, May 29, 6 p.m. News Wednesday, May 30, AM Kentucky Tuesday, June 5, 5 p.m. News Wednesday, June 6, AM Kentucky Stroke Jianhua Zhu, M.D. Tuesday, June 12, 6 p.m. News Wednesday, June 13, AM Kentucky Tuesday, June 19, 5 p.m. News Wednesday, June 20, AM Kentucky
Welcome to new CHC employees! Standing, left to right: Regina Pedigo, MCS Rural Health Clinic; Brie Carnes, Nursing Resource Team. Seated, left to right: Delisa Sanford, ICU; Samantha Rich, Cal Turner Extended Care Pavilion. Standing, left to right: Lindsey Woodward, Care Coordination; Diane Sigmon, Center Care. Seated, left to right: Courtney Hermann, Lab; Caroline Dawson, Center Care. 3 CHC Customer Service Standards Patient, family, and guest satisfaction is a priority at all CHC facilities. Every person we encounter in our job is a customer, and it is our responsibility, regardless of job title, to ensure that their visit or stay is the most comfortable and positive it can be. CHC developed four customer service standards to support this expectation. In this Intercomm and the next three issues, each standard will be featured independently. After the standards are introduced, we will run periodic reminders, tips, and real on-the-job scenarios that demonstrate exceptional approaches to customer service. Stay tuned! CHC s Customer Service Standards: #1 Create a Memorable Experience At CHC, we believe that serving our customers is a privilege. Every time a customer encounters an employee, we want it to be remembered as a sincere and caring moment. We want to create a positive memorable experience! To accomplish this, we need to consistently practice these behaviors: Acknowledge all customers by speaking, making eye contact and smiling. Do not allow anyone to feel ignored. Acknowledge customers at every opportunity in parking lots, hallways, work areas and waiting areas. Use please and thank you, sir and ma am in all conversations when appropriate. Always introduce yourself: state your name, department, and explain to customers what you re going to do for them. Personalize service by using customers names whenever possible. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Knock before entering patient rooms or someone s office. Use elevators as an opportunity to make a favorable impression. Smile and speak to fellow passengers. Know how to operate telephones in your work area. Ask permission before placing callers on hold. Give numbers before transferring calls in case callers are disconnected. Always thank the customer. Thank them for choosing us, for waiting, for their kindness, for letting us serve them. Be creative and sincere, always looking for opportunities to show appreciation. Standing, left to right: Laura Hymer, Radiology; Laura Reddick, Cardiology. Seated, left to right: Shannon Smith, Respiratory Care; Wesley Alford, Pharmacy. The Nurses Walk was held on Saturday, May 12. Nurses from The Medical Center headed the event, which led walkers through The Medical Center campus. The 2012 Nurses Walk was a firsttime event and was organized to honor nurses and raise awareness of their important roles.
May is National Stroke Month In 2009, The Medical Center was designated a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. Since that time, the hospital continues to make great strides in the care of stroke patients. A multidisciplinary Stroke Workgroup spearheads ongoing stroke program evaluation and performance improvement activities. We have achieved and sustained solid performance on our stroke core measures and continue to strive for 100% in all areas, said Bill Singletary, RN, Stroke Program Coordinator. This organizational achievement is only possible with Signs of a Stroke: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden, severe headache with no known cause Jacksonian Days 4 the dedication, hard work and commitment of everyone on the healthcare team who takes care of stroke patients. The Workgroup focuses on evidencebased protocols, risk assessments and screenings, the appropriate and timely use of medications and other interventions for stroke patients from presentation in the Emergency Department through discharge from the hospital. But employees on the frontline who care for stroke patients are not the only ones who play a role in stroke care. All employees can strengthen our efforts as a Primary Stroke Center by educating our patients, families, caregivers and the community. Every employee can dramatically impact stroke care in our region and help save lives, said Bill. Teach others about the signs and symptoms of stroke to recognize in themselves and others. Stress to people that they should not drive to the Emergency Department but should call 911 at the first sign of stroke. EMS can assess and begin treating stroke patients while activating the Emergency Department to prepare for the patient s arrival. Accomplishments Congratulations to the unit clerks and staff of The Medical Center OB department for being recognized by the Kentucky Paternity Acknowledgment Program as having the largest increase in paternity acknowledgment completions for the first quarter of 2012 among Kentucky hospitals with more than 150 births per month. Kathy Dinning, Manager of Food Services at The Medical Center at Franklin, recently passed the Credentialing Examination for Dietary Managers. This is the highest level of professional competence for dietary managers. Carrie Dotson, Scottsville Long Term Care, has become the first Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) in the State of Kentucky. This certification has been developed by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN). John Mark Fones, Senior Vice President - Managed Care, recently received the Volunteers in Action Spirit of Service Award. Volunteers in Action is made up of representatives from several local service agencies and recognizes individuals and groups whose contributions have had a lasting influence on the community. Pictured above are employees from Scottsville who participated in the Jacksonian Days 5K Run in Scottsville on April 28. Steve Creekmore, Recreation Therapist with Barren River Adult Day Care Center, received the Barren River Area Agency on Aging Outstanding Adult Day Care Staff of the Year award for the 10 county region.
Retirements 5 Mother-Daughter Tea Delois Bach, RN with The Medical Center Operating Room (center), retired after 16 years of service. Congratulating Delois are Betsy Kullman, Executive Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer (left), and Mary Basham, Surgery Clinical Manager II (right). Sandy Stahl, House Administrator at The Medical Center (center), retired after 35 years of service. Congratulating Sandy are Betsy Kullman, Executive Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer (left), and Sherri Goldsmith, Director of Critical Care Services (right). The Medical Center s Women s Center hosted its annual Mother-Daughter Tea May 12 in The Medical Center Auditorium. The event offered an opportunity for women to spend an afternoon of tea and fun with the special young girls and women in their lives. Pictured above: Children s book author Virginia Davis (left) and illustrator Jane Ward Kehrt (2nd from left), read their book The Irises Secret at the Tea. Jeanne Cline, Cancer Treatment Center (center), retired after 38 years of service. Congratulating Jeanne are Sarah Moore, Executive Vice President (left), and Eddie Scott, Director of Radiology (right). Vicki Wilson, The Medical Center 4C (left), retired after 27 years of service. Congratulating Vicki is Renee Combs, 4C Clinical Manager II (right). Click to Register in WellNews!