Volume 11, Issue 5 February 27, 2004
In This Corner by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.
March brings the start of some good news for the hospital. Within the next few days we will begin to bill Medicare at our new Critical Access Hospital reimbursement rate. While the "cash won't be in the bank" for a few weeks, it should begin to reflect on the bottom line this spring.
We are indebted to the team that led the Critical Access Hospital preparations including Linda Garner, Gabriella Barker, Claudia Arlington, Penny Duren, Sheila Robinson and Nancy Hultberg. We also must acknowledge the work of Jim Schlenker and fiscal services department in preparing for the financial changeover.
For the past week the accountants completing the annual audit of the hospital books have been busy in the basement of the Quality House. Lonnie Montiel worked very hard over the past few to prepare for the audit. We also want to thank the Food Services Department for keeping the auditors well nourished during their stay.
The Art of Medicine sometimes appears more like big business and big government to our board, our managers, fiscal services and others who work behind the scenes. But it takes all three working in consort to get the job done. We have to stretch every dollar. We must work with the state and federal government for legislation that is helpful - or sometimes - the least hurtful. We must also work to attract highly qualified physicians, nurses and technical providers to remain competitive.
So regardless of where you work in the hospital, I want you to know that the role you play is critical to our success. If no one orders supplies, the patients cannot be cared for. If no one sends a check to pay for the supplies, the supplies don't come. If there is no one there to care for the patient - the other two jobs don't happen either.
We are all interconnected. As a critical access hospital, we have continued opportunity to care for our community for many years to come. I hope you will view your job as that important, and respect the jobs of those around you as equally important - and all inter-related in our mission to the Lower Valley.
Reaching Out to Students
Dr. Ron Couturier, pictured above, asked several hospital departments to join him in promoting healthcare careers at Pioneer Elementary School last week.
Dr. Ron, as the kids call him, practices across the street from the Sunnyside School. He was joined by Jean Clary, Kathy Finlayson, Kerry Montague, and Coleen Goulet. Each department made a short presentation to a group of about 80 students.
Dr. Ron also challenged the kids to keep working hard in school. Changes in hospital policy mandated by the new federal patient privacy laws have limited the opportunities to bring students into hospital as was done for many years prior.
The hospital will also take part in the Chief Kamiakin/Outlook School Family Health Night March 11 at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to help out click here.
CME Speaker
Report 
submitted by Kerry Montague
Dr. Stewart Fine made an excellent CME presentation to staff and physicians at the hospital last week. Dr. Fine is an endocrinologist from the University of Chicago. (Dr. Fine is pictured above. Click on image for larger photo.)
He told the luncheon group," the greatest effect you can do to improve your health, more than quitting smoking is exercise."
Fine said in the diabetic patient exercise is the ultimate insulin sensitizer. IN studies, between a lean sedentary person or an obese person who exercises, the one most likely to get diabetes in the lean sedentary person.
He also stated the Atkins diet hastens the onset of heart disease. A better diet, according to Dr. Fine, is the Mediterranean diet. He also said we should eat slowly. Saying that when a person eats carbohydrates and insulin levels go up. He also explained that "carbs" are an appetite stimulant.
A diet high in mono-saturated fats improves the clearing of LDL cholesterol. Dr. Fine said the average American begins to lay down fat deposits in the blood vessel walls at age 12. He said the true healthy range for LDL cholesterol is 35 to 70. He said an LDL below 70 virtually eliminates risk for heart disease.
Editor's Note: Special thanks to Kerry for writing a story on the In-Service he attended. If you attend an In-Service that you enjoy please consider sending me an email or mox about the event.
NW Lion Eye/Tissue Organ Donation - Tuesday March 2, 12:00- 2:00 p.m. (Bring your own lunch.) New Classroom at SCH. Featuring Mike Meyers, CEBT, Regional Director. Topics include: state regulation, strategies to approach families, hospital's role, nurse's role and agency role, successful outcomes, and therapeutic results.
EMS Live at Night Series - Musculoskeletal Trauma - March 12th in the MS Conference Room. via telehealth.
Sentinel Event Identification & Follow Up - Thursday March 18, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via JCSN in New Classroom. Local questions about this program should be directed to Gabriella Barker.
Acute Ishemic Stroke - Monday, March 22 at 8:00 a.m., presented by Michael Day, RN, MSN, CCRN, Outreach Educator, Northwest MedStar. Location: New Classroom at SCH. To register contact Gabriella Barker.
Pediatric Grand Rounds - Monthly educational programs for physicians, nursing and other health care providers. These programs originate from Spokane and are available for viewing by telemedicine at SCH. Click here for complete schedule. You may also contact Gabriella Barker for more information.
To see earlier class announcements and other Nursing Notes click on either Nursing Notes link. It will take you to the previous issue of this newsletter. If you need help surfing through the electronic newsletter you can contact Tom Lathen in Community Relations.
You can also get class information from the office of Gabriella Barker at any time of the day. Flyers for all current classes are posted on her door in the Administrative wing. So, even if you are working nights or weekends you can see the latest flyers by taking a walk down the admin. hallway. Your department manager should also have a copy of the monthly class schedule if one is not posted in your department.
Nursing Notes will now also be kept on a direct link at the front page of the hospital website. So, if you are looking for updated information on classes you can come to the newsletter, or the direct link on the website.
Employee Activity Committee
The Employee Activity Committee has scheduled a children's Easter Egg Hunt for Saturday April 3rd. The Commitee needs a total of about 30 children/grandchildren of employees (up to age 10) to sign up by Monday.
If you have not already signed up you can do so right now (up until Monday morning). Click here to send an email to the committee. Mention in the text of the email how many children and their ages.
Washington Hospitals Looking for 2004 Top Performer
submitted by Lisa Grey
Washington Hospitals
Self-Insured Workers' Compensation Board of Trustees will be highlighting
the members that make 2004 Top Performer. Plans are under way
for the TOP PERFORMER details and the various ways to mark the 20th Anniversary
of the Trusts (Public Hospital District and Washington Hospital District).
The winner of each Trust will receive a check for $5000 and a plaque
recognizing the efforts of the hospital.
We have a chance to win this award. We must meet the
required criteria listed below in order to be considered for TOP PERFORMER FOR
2004:
*Timely filing of claims, at least 85% within 14 days of date of injury.
*Premiums paid timely.
*Quarterly report information returned to accounting
timely.
*Proactive approach to claims management.
*Participation in the Zero Lift Program.
*Member hospital takes advantage of educational and
training programs.
*Appropriate Hospital staff participate in scheduled
meetings with Workers' Compensation staff.
*A written, stand-alone Return to Work Policy in
effect.
The Board of Trustees will recognize the TOP PERFORMER at
the Washington State Hospital Association Annual Meeting in October, 2004.
The TOP PERFORMER criteria will be taken from the first three quarter of 2004.
Thereafter, the award criteria will be the last quarter of the prior year and
the first three quarters of the current year.
It takes safe work activity through teamwork to help us
realize our goal. So let's all work together, make this a personal goal and
put our best foot forward to see that we work safely and win this award!
Costco Coming Back in March
Dani Briscoe - Costco Marketing Representative will be on site to conduct a membership drive. She will be bringing cookies and muffins and will have a drawing for employees.
See you there March 26 - 7:00 to 11:00 a.m.
CPR Schedule for Spring
There are morning and afternoon sessions. Please contact Gabriella Barker to reserve your spot.
Health Care Providers - March 10 - April 7 - May 12
Heart Savers - March 31 - April 28 - May 26
To avoid over crowded classes, disappointment and last minute scheduling, please attend a class during your birth month or the month prior to your evaluation date. Don't forget to document your CPR achievement on your continuing education record.
New Ad Campaign
Quality and Choice are important whether you are shopping for a doctor, a place to dine, or a new car. Toward that end the hospital is launching a new campaign to remind Lower Valley parents, and parents to be, that they have a choice in selecting OB providers and hospital care.
The campaign aims to reach Healthy Options plan members who have been sent out of Sunnyside for OB care. Healthy Options members who call the numbers in the ads will be offered help in changing to a Sunnyside Community Hospital provider if they want that help. The campaign will also remind current customers of our Grandview based OB/Women's Health providers that we have primary care providers available who are accepting new patients.
Look for the campaign in Spanish and English media around the Valley for the next few weeks. It is hard to get the entire message in a 30 second commercial or a 10 inch advertisement, but we tried very hard to hit the essential points.
Standards of Performance
Our hospital staff members are asked to sign a commitment to a standards of performance. If you don't remember that - click here and revisit what it means.
Visitor Policy Updated
The hospital has updated the visitor policy. Whether staff member or hospital visitor you can follow these links to view the policy in English and in Spanish.