JANUARY 17, 2014

VOLUME 23 NO. 2

TRISH DELANEY, EDITOR

*NEW YEAR’S BABY 2014

A baby girl, Mercedes Alice, was born to Spencer residents, Michael and Joann Schock, on January 3 at 3:21 a.m. and weighed 7# 9.6 oz. The family received a gift basket from Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, $50 in Mitchell Bucks from the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce, and a quilt from the Heartland Quilters Guild.

*YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

You are cordially invited to Gala 2014: The Great Gatsby – Vintage Glamour on Friday, February 7, at the Highland Conference Center. The social begins at 5:15 p.m. with a six-course dinner and entertainment provided by the Hegg Brothers to follow. There will be silent and live auctions throughout the night, and the Gatsby Bar will feature specialty drinks. The dress is business casual or era appropriate attire. Tickets are $65 per person; please RSVP by Monday, January 27. For tickets, please call the Foundation office at Ext. 6345 or purchase online at . Also online is the menu, and a list of the auction packages, sponsors, and committee members.

*GREAT NEWS. . .“FREE” PAYROLL IN JANUARY!

We will be observing a “free” payroll on Friday, January 31. “Free” payroll means no deductions for Health, Dental, Midwest Partner FCU, ING Protective Life Insurance, Disabilities, and Wellness.

*THANK YOU FROM THE SISTERS FOR THE MONETARY GIFT

Dear Colleagues,

“Our heartfelt gratitude for each of you and your generosity this Christmas. You and your needs are in our daily prayers and those of the Sponsors. It is a privilege to minister with you in the Avera Queen of Peace Region. Maypeace and joy be yours in the coming year.”

With love and joy,

Sisters Roxanne Seifert, PBVM; Loraine Brown, PBVM; Deanna Butler, PBVM; and Gayle Volz, PBVM

*STROKE AND VASCULAR SCREENINGS

Did you know the Avera Queen of Peace Cardiopulmonary Services Department offers Stroke and Vascular Screenings?Three screenings are available to indicate conditions that could lead to a ruptured aneurysm, stroke, or heart attack. Each screening is $35 or you can take advantage of having all three screenings for a discount priceof$90. Appointments are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1p.m. to 3p.m. If you know ofsomeone that could be at risk, please let them know about the service available at Avera Queen of Peace. Formore information or to schedule a screening appointment, call 995-2473.

*PHYSICIAN ROUNDING

One of the Organizational Excellence initiatives in 2013 was implementing Physician Rounding. In October, David Balt, DO, Chief Medical Officer; Will Flett, CFO; Rochelle Reider, Vice President of Patient Services, and TomClark, Regional President and CEO, began rounding on physicians each week. The schedule allows for each physician to be rounded on at least once a quarter. The process is similar to Associate Rounding and has been well received. The meetings have opened lines of communication, provided an opportunity for physicians to recognize departments and associates, and provided a time to voice concerns and make suggestions for improvements in processes. Rounding assists us in removing barriers to delivering excellent patient care. A Physician Stop Light Report is shared with physicians each quarter at the General Staff meeting to communicate follow-up on suggestions and concerns collected during Physician Rounding.

*RULES FOR WORKING WHEN ILL

  • Associates having influenza are to remain off work until acute symptoms resolve.

PLUS

  • They must be at least 24 hours fever free without taking fever reducing medications.

If you have been exposed to someone with influenza I, a form needs to be completed by the exposed associate checking every day for signs/symptoms. This needs to be completed for seven days after exposure and returned to theDepartment Director. If you have any questions, please call the Infection Prevention/Associate Health Department at Ext. 2542 or Ext.5652.

*AVERA QUEEN OF PEACE CANCER CENTER PUBLIC REPORT

The Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Center recently published a public report for 2012-2013. The report focused on colorectal health and included an overview of the guidelines for screening and early detection, a colorectal cancer survivor story as well as statistical information pulled from the Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Registry with national comparison data. One page was devoted to summarizing all the screening programs provided during 2013 with financial assistance from the Avera Queen of Peace Foundation. In 2013, Avera Queen of Peace provided screening programs focused on colorectal cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer. Almost 300 individuals participated in these screening programs. As an accredited cancer program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, Avera Queen of Peace is required to distribute a public report focusing on patient or program outcomes.

*AVERA QUEEN OF PEACE CANCER CENTER AWARDED GRANTS

  • The Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Center was awarded a grant from the South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (SDCCP) for an online patient survivorship program. The grant will provide a pilot for an online, interactive, platform for cancer survivors to access information about their survivorship. Information will center around nutrition, Advanced Care Planning and Directives, physical activity, and will allow cancer patients to connect with other survivors for peer support.
  • A second grant has been awarded to the University of South Dakota in partnership with the SDCCP Treatment workgroup and the Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Center from the South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program for online video presentations for participation in Clinical Trials. The goal of this grant is to promote clinical trials by creating five web-based products through educational processes and promotion of availability of this information on the SDCCCP website to individuals across the State of South Dakota (general public) and to medical care providers with a target date of May 2014 and an evaluation of the effectiveness and use of these web-based resources by July 2014.

*AVERA MOCK JOINT COMMISSION SURVEYS

Brenda Olson, Director of Quality-Risk Management, wishes to express her appreciation for the work you are all doing to maintain compliance to The Joint Commission standards and, more importantly, to provide quality, safe care to our patients. Those efforts were evident in every location during the January 8-9 Mock Surveys by Avera. Theengagement and dedication of the associates and Medical Staff of Avera Queen of Peace was recognized by the surveyors and is something we should all be proud of.

Brenda would like to note for the provider based clinics, this was their first experience with a Mock survey by Avera and they all did an AWESOME job!!! Brenda notes that we have a few opportunities to work on before TheJoint Commission comes, but nothing we can’t handle.

*EDUCATION UPDATE

  • Carolyn Klinkhammer, Program Coordinator for our Diabetes Education Program, chaired the annual Diabetes Education Program Advisory Committee meeting on December 19. This is an annual meeting required by the American Diabetes Association as part of our ADA Recognition Program and focuses on the year’s activities and reviews our Diabetes Education Program to assure that it is meeting the current guidelines. Five members of the committee and two guests were present at the meeting.
  • Heartsaver CPR and AED training were provided to Troop 75 of the Boy Scouts of the Americas in December. Thirty-five Boy Scouts and parents attended the training session. Thanks to Jean Brown, Cindy Easton, Brian Baldwin, and Mary Froning who served as CPR instructors.
  • An ACLS Renewal Course was held in December at the Mitchell Public Safety Building. The target audience was the Mitchell City Paramedics. Avera Queen of Peace and the Paramedic ACLS instructors partnered to offer the full day course. Rob Parker, NREMT-P, was the course coordinator, and there were 12 attendees. Thanks to Pat Deinert and Melanie Ettswold who assisted with this course.
  • Carolyn Klinkhammer attended the Dakota Wesleyan University Nursing Faculty and Avera Queen of Peace Nursing Leader Partners meeting in December.
  • Representatives of the American Cancer Society rounded to the Avera Queen of Peace Medical Department, Outpatient Treatment Center, and the Surgical/Peds Unit to explain the patient services provided by the American Cancer Society. Nurses were engaged with the representatives and asked patient centered questions regarding the services that are available to enhance our partnership with the American Cancer Society. Therepresentatives also visited Avera Medical Group Surgery to share patient services that are available to their clients and met with the Mitchell Area Cancer Support Group.

*LETTERS WE LOVE TO RECEIVE

To Drs. Seifert and Howe, and third floor nurses and staff: “We wish to express our thanks to all of you for the excellent care and kindness shown to us during our family member’s hospital stay. Wishing you many blessings in the coming new year!” – Charles and Beverly Astell

Dear Queen of Peace: “Thank you so much for donating 100 Band-Aid holders to our children’s shoe box ministry. The shoe boxes that were donated went to South America, Africa, and to American Indians. When the boxes were delivered to the Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, we laid our hands on the boxes and prayed over them. Thank you for helping us to put smiles on 104 faces and two teachers boxes!” – Friends at Cornerstone Baptist Church

*AVERA BRADY UPDATE

  • During December, associates at Avera Brady signed up to adopt a resident for the holidays, and gifts were given during the campus Christmas parties. Veronnica Smith, Administrator, Avera Brady Health and Rehab reports that every resident on campus (110 residents) received a Christmas gift! Veronnica extends her thanks to the associates for helping make the residents’ Christmas extra special.
  • Special associates –
  • One of the residents lover (understandment!) Kenny Rogers. Associate Coleen Kirchhevel shared with one of her co-workers about how much this particular resident loves Kenny Rogers and even suggested, “Wouldn’t it be fun if she could attend the concert?” Associate Jamie Robinson purchased a ticket for the resident, and she and Coleen took the resident to the concert. Associate Mary Newton volunteered her time to drive the associates and resident on the Avera Brady bus. Needless to say, the resident was on Cloud 9!
  • Associate Lorraine King enjoys doing cross-stitch, and in visiting with resident, she discovered there were some who would like to try their hand at either learning or renewing their interest in cross-stitch. Lorraine and associate Ashley Howard provided the needed materials and there are several ladies now doing crossstitch each week.
  • The chefs at Avera Brady provided special touches for the Christmas meal. Chef Carl created a special cherry glaze for the ham, and cook Stacey Ernster provided three awesome cheesecake options for dessert – one with drizzled caramel sauce and apple topping, one with chocolate sauce with strawberry topping, and one with chocolate sauce with cherry filling for topping. Residents loved their creativity and appreciated the special attention.
  • There is a resident at Avera Brady who currently yells out…those who are familiar with a nursing home will know that happens occasionally. Assocaites Julie Whitehead and Heather Herr learned how to play WAR with her which has helped the resident’s (and others around her) quality of life.
  • Activities –
  • The Avera Brady Assisted Living residents Christmas party was held December 18, and residents enjoyed carolers from Mitchell Wesleyan, piano music by Cindy Novachich, Christmas gifts from the Salvation Army, carolers from Modern Woodmen, Merry Tuba Christmas, Bingo, Sam Dee and Alison and Natalie Buckley as volunteers, and many other volunteers who did one-on-one visits during the holiday season. Residents also enjoyed Bingo with Marilyn and Cindy, a bus ride to look at Christmas lights, and a NewYears Eve party.
  • Avera Brady County Store was held for residents on December 6 so the residents could shop for Christmas. The community was very generous so residents had a large selection with items ranging from 25 cents to $10. The event resulted in $200 for the Activity Department to use for future activities.
  • Building Update –
  • Work has begun on the Drives Dining Room and Shirley’s Cinema. This construction has closed one of the dining rooms which has resulted in all 84 residents eating in the Vasek and Brook Dining Rooms for the next three to four weeks. Associates are working together to make this a smooth transition. The pub will be the final project which will begin as soon as the dining room and theatre are complete. At Vasek Villa, staff is still providing finishing touches such as art work and donor signage, but otherwise residents have moved in and are settled in!
  • Avera Brady People –
  • Margaret Neugebauer completed UAP training in November.

*TWO-WAY VIDEO UPGRADE

Kristi Riggs, Director of Medical/ICU/Swing Bed, reports that the two-way video upgrade for eICU monitors has been installed. This upgrade was funded by the Avera Queen of Peace Foundation, and the Foundation Board visited the department on December 16. Dr. Heisler from the eICU graciously demonstracted and spoke to the Board members about the wonderful capabilities the eICU provides for Avera Queen of Peace. Dr. Heisler was very complimentary of Avera Queen of Peace physicians and nurses, and shared how having eICU has allowed many patient to remain in Mitchell for their care rather than transferring them to Sioux Falls. He added that for those in need of transfer to Sioux Falls, the eICU provides the assistance in beginning the transfer. Kristi shared with the Foundation Board members that having the eICU involved with the transfer makes the transfer almost seamless and allows the physician and nursing staff at Avera Queen of Peace to focus their attention to the patient at the bedside so they are not having to make numerous phone calls involved with a transfer.

*GET SMART ABOUT AVERA CHART

AveraChart is Avera’s new patient online portal to the electronic medical record which will be introduced throughout Avera in early 2014; you’ve heard about AveraChart as the name of our EMR. Now, AveraChart is expanding to ourpatients through the Avera public website. AveraChart will initially roll out in the Avera St. Luke’s region, and thencontinue launching throughout the Avera system. The rollout will occur in phases both in terms of dates and fullfunctionality. AveraChart allows our patients to have access to certain aspects of their electronic medical record through a secure portal on the Avera public website. It’s completely confidential, convenient, and easy to use. TheAveraChart will allow us to better engage with our patients and encourage them to take greater control of theirhealth outcomes. A patient portal is also important in meeting federal Meaningful Use criteria to avoid losingMedicare reimbursement dollars, which could in turn impact jobs, pay raises, facility improvements, and more. Meaningful Use simply means that we need patients to access and use AveraChart, and all of us at Avera are working on meeting the specific requirements. Through AveraChart, patients can:

  • Message their care team
  • Request prescription renewals
  • Review test results
  • View upcoming appointments
  • See their visit history
  • View their hospital bill
  • And more

While AveraChart is important because of Meaningful Use and because of patient satisfaction, it can also make life easier for associates…it could mean fewer phone calls for prescription renewals or test results, and less paperwork. So what can Avera associates to do help?

  • If you work in registration of admissions, be diligent about gathering patient e-mails and, after the rollout at Avera Queen of Peace, help your patients enroll.
  • Encourage patients to use AveraChart – brochures and other marketing materials will be available.
  • Make sure you fully understand any assigned role you have in launching AveraChart.
  • Please be excited and positive about this new service when visiting with patients, and keep any frustrations you have related to working with a new system “behind the scenes.”
  • If you are a patient at an Avera hospital or clinic, use AveraChart. Message your provider, and check and respond to messages.

Avera has a large team dedicated to this project with representatives from all regions. They are working on every angle to launch this project successfully. This committee knows that there will be challenges, and they are asking for your patience on this project. There will be a lot of questions, and more information will be forthcoming!