Volume 11, Issue 10                                                                             May 7, 2004

 _{In This Corner    by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.}   

This week the Washington State Insurance Commissioner began hearing the case of whether or not Premera Blue Cross will be allowed to change its business practice and become a "for profit" corporation.  

The Washington State Hospital Association, the Washington State Medical Association and a diverse coalition of business, labor and health care leaders are strongly opposed to this conversion.  Consumer advocates, including advocates for children, seniors, and people with serious illnesses, are also opposed. 

The change would mean higher rates for companies (like this one) who insure their employees through Premera.  It would also mean diminished reimbursement for healthcare providers (like this one). The independent experts retained by the Insurance Commissioners Office have been adamant in their belief that the plan as presented to the Commissioner this week has many serious problems – and ultimately would be bad for Washington’s health care consumers, providers, and the public.

Premera has a 70% market share among the insured people of Central and Eastern Washington.  That means places like Sunnyside and Grandview stand to be severely impacted by the conversion.

I find it fascinating that one of the very few supporters of the conversion is our friends at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.  They, apparently, believe that the non-profit foundation which Premera will set up will offset the loss of coverage from Premera pulling out of unprofitable areas such as the Lower Valley.  

They also must think their own Healthy Options Plan (known as Community Health Plan of Washington) can help to pick up the slack now that Premera has already dropped its Healthy Options products.   I fail to see how less access to lower priced health care premiums can be of help to anyone in Central Washington.

For-profit certainly makes sense for general businesses.  But for health insurers, the evidence is clear that the need to make a profit for shareholders will result in spending less on medical care or dropping less profitable markets – often rural areas like Sunnyside.

A decision will be announced in July.  We were proud to testify against the change in a hearing in Yakima in December 2003.  Our concern as a hospital and a community business is what is in the best interests of care for our patients, our employees, and our community.

 ^*Nursing Notes 

"At the Heart of Health Care...24/7"  is the theme for Nurses Week May 6-12. Sunnyside Community Hospital takes this opportunity to honor all our RN's, LPN's, NAC's, NAC/HUC's, HUC's, Surgical Technicians, CS Tech and CRNA's.

We give special thanks and congratulations for all those whose work around the clock 24/7 who impact the direct care of patients. SCH is blessed with direct caregivers whose concern, advocacy, and quality care is expressed regularly to patients. Please join me in honoring and appreciating all of this staff.  

We celebrate the good news that Betty Santana passed the TNCC course.  This is the Trauma Nurse Core Course. Betty is not an ED nurse regularly and was not required to take this course, but she passed with flying colors and we are all proud of her.

Linda Garner DNS   (Editor's Note:  Hospital week events are listed below.) 

Health Career Seminars

The Hospital Health Career Seminars continued Thursday (May 6) (above)  with a presentation by Karen Tucker, RN, from the Family Birth Center.  You can go to the front of the hospital website to see a picture from the session with Marian Phillips of the Lab last week.  Above: Karen explains to Sunnyside High Seniors Brenda Ortiz, left, and Andrea Noriega some of the work she does in the Family Birth Center.  (Click for larger image.) 

There is another session scheduled for next Tuesday (May 11) at 4:00 with Kerry Montague, Respiratory/Cardiopulmonary Manager.  The purpose of the seminars is to explain to local high school students what they need to do in school to prepare for jobs in healthcare careers.   

Organized by Sandra Linde, the session will be held again before the start of school in Sunnyside in August.  They are open to kids from any local school district.  Parents and teachers are also welcome to attend. 

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.  

Women's Health Grand Rounds is also scheduled via telehealth.  Or contact Gabriella Barker.

Oncology Grand Rounds every second Friday of the month via Telehealth.   

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. 

Hospital Week Schedule of Events 

Hospital Week activities are scheduled for Day and Night time staff members.  Please feel welcome to attend all that are close to your work schedule.  Be sure and coordinate with your manager and others in your department to make sure everyone has a chance to get to the event. 

Monday May 10th - in the dining room - 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Fresh Fruit Plates

                                in the Med/Surg Lounge - 7:00 p.m. Fresh Fruit Plates 

Tuesday May 11th - in the dining room - 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Banana Splits

                                in the Med/Surg Lounge - 7:00 p.m. Banana Splits

Wednesday May 12th - Breakfast through the Cafe Line from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.  - Fruit, juice, milk, eggs, hash browns, breakfast meats, and mini muffins. 

Thursday May 13th - Soft Pretzels with Nacho Sauce and Mustard - in the Cafe on day shift, and in the Med Surg Lounge after 7:00 p.m. 

Friday May 14th - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. OR, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  BBQ in the Courtyard.  Hamburgers, chicken breast, hot dogs, assorted salads, chips, soda, ice cream bars. 

Cinco de Mayo Celebrated with Potluck

The photos pictured above are the lucky ones who were captured by your editor at the potluck on Wednesday.  (Most people see my camera and go running, extra credit to Alan Gapuz for smiling!)   Click on the photos for a larger image.

May New Employees Welcomed 

May New Employee Orientation was held May 7-8.  Those officially joining the hospital staff in May are (left to right):  Joy Gay, RN, Family Birth Center; Liz Slaughter, Registration Clerk, Admitting; Mark Young, RN, Emergency Department; Karen Quinn RN, ED Director. , Luis Tijerina NAC/HUC, Med Surg.  (Click on photo for larger image.) 

Joy - also works at YVMH, will be per diem here.  Joy lives in Zillah.  She has worked in nursing 20 years.  Received her BSN in 2000. 

Liz - Graduate of University of Wyoming.  Four years in the Air Force.  Currently living in Prosser, but from Texas.

Mark - Lives in Selah, but from Oklahoma City.  Ten years as an RN.  Mark has four kids, two dogs, and two cats.  Mark also has a BSN. 

Karen - recently returned to the hospital to become ED Director.  Karen lives in Prosser. 

Luis - Raised in Sunnyside.  Two daughters - Raven, 7, and Genesis, 5.  Previously worked at FWC.  Currently in nursing program at YVC. 

CPR Schedule for Spring/Summer

There are morning and afternoon sessions.  Please contact Gabriella Barker to reserve your spot. 

Health Care Providers -  June 9 - July 14 

Heart Savers - May 26 - June 23 - July 28 

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.

Sports Physicals in Sunnyside August 17th 

Please write the day down - if you are a parent of a student athlete, or if you are a willing and helpful volunteer who will participate in the sports physical program.  

The High School relies upon the hospital community, doctors, nurses, and some of the rest of us to provide these physicals in one night every year just before school starts. 

The physicals will be held at the High School.  Athletic Director Bill Daily said that the regulations have changed, so a physical is only required every two years now.  So - - with any luck - - the numbers will be down a bit from the mad house(s) of the past year(s). 

Contact Tom Lathen or Sandra Linde if you are willing to help with Sports Physical Night.  We need you! 

Golf Tournament Coming in August 

There are lots of fun things to do in the summer in the Valley.  One of the best things is the annual SCH Foundation Golf Tournament.  The tournament will be August 7th at the Black Rock Creek Golf Course in Sunnyside. 

Volunteer help is really important in getting this tournament done every year.  So, please, if you are planning on helping again, let Carol Allen know.  

Public TV Auction 

The Community Relations Department is issuing brownie points to those employees and their families who helped out with the KYVE Auction telephone volunteer project. 

The most brownie points go to Carol Allen, who brought her husband and two teenagers to help.  Carol and Jim were troopers who stayed to the end.  Donna Dill and Sarah Dill stayed a lot longer than they planned.  (Sarah got more calls than Donna, but who's counting.) 

Thanks also to Ed Smolak, Yollow Widdows, Sandra Linde (plus daughter and friend), and Ron and Penny Duren.  

PS...brownie points have no cash value and are not associated with the brownie program, girl scouts, or the league of women voters.  

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