CH112103P1

Like the Cougars and the Huskies every fall the issues related to the politics of health care can be enough to drive everyone in the state a little nutty.

We are still awaiting federal action on a compromise Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit bill. Despite the title, that bill will have significant effect on our efforts to become a critical access hospital.

Our hospital has applied for the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation. As I have explained to many of you in all staff meetings - this is largely an issue of how we are reimbursed for the healthcare services we provide Medicare and Medicaid patients.

As this issue hits your computer on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning the status of the Medicare bill is unclear, so, that means the status of our effort to be a CAH is unclear. We have worked through contacts with Brim Healthcare, the State Office of Rural Health, and our state and federal political representatives to have the bill drafted to help hospitals like Sunnyside who are seeking this designation. At the same time we seeking to determine if we are far enough along in this "big game" that we will be accepted either way.

So we have many questions and few answers as to the status of the hospital effort to be reclassified as Critical Access. We believe it is a move that will have tremendous benefit to the hospital and the community. We also believe that our efforts to run efficient, effective, customer oriented care should not be effected by this political debate. So, what you can do is continue to work for your patients and their families, and realize that every patient counts.

Thursday afternoon we were told that the language that would negatively impact Critical Access Hospital designations had been removed from the final Medicare bill. I want you to know that Senators Murray and Cantwell, and Congressman Hastings and Nethercutt were very responsive to the concerns we raised to them earlier this week and we are grateful for their prompt action on behalf of small hospitals.

Above: (left to right), State Representative Dan Newhouse, CEO Jon Smiley, State Representative Bruce Chandler, and Special Projects Coordinator Sandra Linde met at the hospital earlier this week to discuss the hospital's application for Critical Access Hospital designation. (Click on image for larger picture.)

Jim Schlenker, CFO, bowled a perfect 300 game during a league bowling night this past Monday in Sunnyside. It is the first time Jim has ever bowled a 300 - though he has come pretty close several times. The perfect game was the last in a five game series. He started out slow (in the 140's) and hit the 12 strikes in a row in the final game of the match.

Jim will receive a ring and other special recognition of the great game. Way to go! Look out PBA.

Joella Armendariz - Food & Nutrition Services. Joella lives in Grandview. Joella and her husband have five children and seven grandchildren. She said, " I am grateful to be working here at SCH. I have been working in food service most of my life, I love creating culinary delights."

Ilda Ortiz - Family Birth Center. Ilda lives in Sunnyside. Married with five kids, ages 5,7,8,10 18. She said," I was a CNA for ten years. Became an LPN in 2003 and in the process of continuing my education."

Jaclyn Lee - Radiology. Jaclyn lives in Prosser. She said," I work at Yakima Regional as well as SCH. I am still in school, and will be graduating in June. I absolutely love what I do and who I work with."

Just a reminder to please keep the area on and around your shredding bins clean and neat. Do not stack items on or around them that will make in difficult to be dumped. B & B Shredding came today for a pickup and there were a few containers that we had difficulty accessing due to things being piled up around them. Also try to make your bins
as accessible as possible to the shredding company. With the exception of Medical Records and Pharmacy, bins should not be kept in a locked area.

The Employee Committee has received a list of several families that need additional help in preparing to have a happy holiday season.

If your department would like to sponsor a family during the holidays, please contact Human Resources. If your department is not working on a needy family project, but you would like to join in and help, you can contact HR also.

Nursing would like to recognize the following employees for completing education:

Donna Dill - Jannese Murbach - Tomi Liefke - Naomi Merryman - Kaylani Roberson - Mikal Kulhavy - Janine Grenz - Cathy Fierro - Ilda Ortiz - Jeani Brubaker - Jennifer Vidaurri - Trish Reinmuth - NRP

Nursing is also celebrating the graduation of Debbie Mains-Amos, below, Director of Surgical Services.

She graduated from her Nursing Leadership Class on November 7th @ Seattle Pacific University. Debbie's program on Nursing Leadership was presented by Pacific Northwest Nursing Leadership Institute

Gabriella Barker, left, Education Coordinator, graduated on November 10th from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Distinction. Gabriella was one of the speakers at her commencement exercise in Victoria, BC. She now plans to continue her education and obtain her Master's Degree.

Nursing Leadership is privileged to have both of these nurses in their team. Each brings expertise to the team and to Sunnyside Community Hospital.

We will be gearing up for the 2nd opportunity for employees to go through our Language Services Program . The first part of the program is the written exam to be held on Tuesday, December 9th and Wednesday, December 10th. Those employees who pass the written will move to the second part of the program, oral exam, which will be held on Monday, December 22nd and Tuesday, December 23rd.

Donation Recognized

Sunnyside Community Hospital Board President Jim Sewell, left, and Sunnyside US Bank Manager Dorris Brandvold Thursday presented a $1500 donation to the careers program at Sunnyside High School. (Click on photo for larger image.)

Liz Ruiz, NAC student, and Jan Schuette received the money for the school district. The hospital worked with grant writer Sue Jetter to secure the funding from US bank for the careers program.

Drive Safely all Winter long!

For your convenience and safety during the winter months, the internet link to the Washington State Department of Transportation Mountain Pass Report has been returned to the front page of our website. Remember that mountain pass conditions can change rapidly at this time of year. Check the website before you leave, but also call the Department of Transportation for the latest information before you travel over the passes. You should also carry safety equipment, warm clothing and other necessities in case you are temporarily stranded in bad weather.

Any questions? Contact Human Resources.

The Auxiliary is also preparing for the Annual Festival of Trees Celebration is tonight (Friday) in the Mini Mall. Be sure and mark the date on your calendar and plan on attending. Above: Kenna Hazzard, left, and Susan Babcock prepare their entry in tonight's Festival of Trees. (Same image as front page, click for larger photo.)