Volume 11, Issues 16 July 30, 2004
In This Corner by Jon D Smiley, C.E.O.
Torte reform. If you have worked in the health care business very long you know what that means. The state of Washington is having more trouble than in past years in attracting good new physicians. We are also having trouble retaining many of the doctors we have already got.
That is the reason why the issue of changing the law to limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in a malpractice lawsuit has been before us for some time.
This fall the voters of the state of Wyoming and those in Oregon will decide whether or not to bring torte reform to that state. The issue was placed on the ballot in these states after it passed the State Legislatures. Every state bordering Wyoming has passed torte reform, and it has, we are told, caused doctors - to leave that state as well.
In the months ahead the issue will be pushed to the forefront again in our state. Perhaps with Wyoming and Oregon as examples we will get one step closer in Washington this year.
The hospital has continued to pay increased premiums for liability as have all of our medical staff members. It adds dearly to the cost of doing business. It also effects the availability of doctors willing to deliver babies, and enter into other higher risk surgical procedures.
The hospital is joining with the American Hospital Association in supporting a program called Seven Steps for a Healthier America. It is designed to be a set of ideals to hold politicians to during this political year. To read the AHA flyer click here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
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Please support all our hospital activities that you can in the month ahead. The Foundation Golf Tournament, the hospital picnic night August 12th , and the Sports Physical Night are important annual events that are worthy of all our efforts to make them successful each year.
Contact Carol Allen about the
golf tournament, Tom Lathen about Sports Physical Night, and any member of the
employee committee for information about the picnic.
Another Summer Pix!
Salvador Betancourt (Information Services), brought back this picture from his trip to San Antonio, Texas. Salvador went to Texas to watch his son,Andreux, graduate from Air Force Basic Training.
If you have a photo from vacation that you would like to share please email to the editor or stop by the Quality House. (Click on photo for larger image.)
Sports Physical Night
One sure sign summer is almost over is the annual Sports Physical Night at Sunnyside High School. This year it is set for August 17th.
We have had a few people volunteer to help out. But, we are especially in need of physician, nurse, PA, NP volunteers.
The hospital receives no money for doing these physicals. It is a community service, and also seen as a way to both market our services to new patients but also keep the flood of physicals on the offices at a minimum.
If you are able to help please contact Tom Lathen at the hospital or Bill Daily at the Sunnyside School District.
You Should be GOLFING!
submitted by Carol Allen
One of the busy times of the summer is the annual SCH Foundation Golf Tournament. Right now we are calling all you golfers with a reminder to get your registration in. We still have room for two or three more teams.
You can download an information form by clicking here.
The tournament is August 7, 2004. We will have an early morning shotgun start to beat the summer heat.
Anyone interested in helping out please contact us as well. We are looking for folks to help with registration, serve lunches and get the golfers out on the course. If you have helped before and want to come back we can really use you this year.
Auxiliary
Still Busy
One of the biggest ways the Auxiliary helps is through their annual healthcare scholarships. But money is also directed at other needs that cannot be filled by the hospital in other ways. Here's an example, the big posters seen in the hospital from time to time are printed on a machine that was purchased for the hospital by the Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary also operates the Gift Shop. Gift shop proceeds go into the scholarship fund every year too.
The Administrative Team would like to say a particular
thanks to the Surgical Services staff. Debbie Mains-Amos,
Linda Monroe, Sue Underwood, Angela Alvarado, Linda Denson, Judy Norby, Lupe
Barajas, Janie Alaniz, Olivia Lepez and the Ambulatory Staff: Norma
VanBeek, Penny Ross, and Jolene Wells.
These ladies are working short staffed and some taking call at night to
provide coverage for our patients. In addition, they are training Mary
Flores and Angela Fierro to be future
surgical nurses. Their efforts are recognized and appreciated.
On
behalf of the nursing departments I wanted to thank the Dietary
Department for the wonderful BBQ and taking extra effort for the evening
& Night shift by coming back and giving them the same opportunity as day
shift. It was a very hot day and they had to stand out in the heat and cook and
prepare. You are appreciated for
all you do.
I would like to announce that a successful search was achieved and on August 23rd Sergio Tovar will arrive as our new Social Worker. Sergio grew up in Mabton and after schooling for his Masters in Social Work and working on the west side wanted to return to the Lower Valley. We look forward to his arrival and work.
- Linda Garner, DNS
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.
Placental Inspection, presented by Inland NW Regional Perinatal Center, Dr. Michael DeTar, via Telehealth, Thursday, August 12, 12:00 p.m. in the classroom. Contact hours awarded by the WSNA.
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.
In the Community
Be sure and bring your family to the annual SCH picnic, Thursday August 12th from 5:30 to 7:30 in Central Park in Sunnyside.
Pool passes will be available to everyone who wants to take part during the family swim session from 5:30 to 7:30. (Instead of after dinner like in past years.)
As far as the BBQ, the hospital will provide burgers, dogs, chicken, buns, condiments and soft drinks. Each family is asked to bring an appetizer, salad or dessert and table service for your family. Please try to get your dish to the BBQ by 6:00 p.m. if possible, that is when the BBQ will be fired up and running.
A walking team is coming together to join the America Diabetes Walk October 2nd in the Tri Cities. If you would like to take part you can contact Sandra Linde, Jill Nettleton or Charlene Maling. It is a six mile walk beginning and ending at Howard Amon Park in Richland.
Relay For Life 2005
The hospital Rebels with a Cause Relay for Life Team is getting back together. An organizational meeting was held earlier this week at the hospital. The team will have some new members, and some familiar faces. Several fund raising events are being planned, but it was also agreed to have fewer fund raisers and not work everybody too hard before the event next may. Contact Tom Lathen or Coleen Goulet if you would like to know more about the team.
More Wedding Bells!
Congratulations to Yolle Widdows who came back from vacation Monday morning and surprised us all with the announcement that she is a married lady!
Yolle is now Yolle Widdows-Guizar. She married Marcelino Guizar. She noted that eight years as a single girl was long enough.
Yolle is the second Quality House member to get married this summer. While a couple people have suggested they would like to move their offices to the Quality House cause "something must be in the water", a couple other people have now made it clear that they won't go anywhere near the Quality House if there is. You know who you are!
Linda Garner, DNS, also writes to congratulate Yolle and Marcelino. Linda and her husband, Duane, will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary with a trip away August 8th.
Dog gone it!
We
have 6 adorable puppies left, they are AKC registered yellow labs, we have
1 male and 5 females left. If anyone is interested they can give us a call at
840-4589. If you need any more information please let me know.
Thanks,
