Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter CareNotes · 2019. 4. 4. · Conemaugh Health System...

April 2019

CareNotesConemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter

High Five Guiding Principles

Delivering high quality patient care

Supporting physicians

Creating excellent workplaces for our

employees

Taking a leadership rolein our communities

Ensuring fiscal responsibility

In this Edition

Events and Information, page 2

Donate Life Month, page 4

Extra Mile Award, page 5

3D Mammography, page 7

Trauma Nurse Course, page 8

ACOEM Board, page 8

Celebrating 100s, page 9

Hip / Knee Award, page 10

Diabetes Awareness, page 11

Mercy Awards, page 13

Recognition Weeks, page 14

Innovations Menu, page 15

Discount Tickets, page 17

Community Outreach, page 18

Fiscal Responsibility, page 23

Wear your t-shirts

every Friday in April!

Conemaugh Emergency Departments OfferingMedication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use DisorderIn response to the prevalence of opioid usage in Cambria and Somerset Counties and surrounding areas, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center is now offering emergency Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The program is also offered at Conemaugh Meyersdale, Conemaugh Miners, and Conemaugh Nason.

This treatment option is available to patients meeting specific criteria who arrive in the emergency room in a state of withdrawal, but are committed to seeking longer-term treatment. The MAT program is being offered in partnership with the Cambria County Center of Excellence (COE), and is an extension of the notification and coordination of care process Conemaugh Memorial already has in place with the COE. MAT is the most effective known intervention for long-term recovery from OUD.

“We want to give patients with Opioid Use Disorder every possible chance to recover, and we understand that addiction does not honor office hours or holidays,” said Dr. Jennifer Savino, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine. “Our emergency room is staffed by experts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. No matter when someone tries to quit using opioids, we can be there around the clock to offer emergency management of withdrawal symptoms in a safe, medically-supervised environment while they work with the COE care team to get into a sustained treatment program.” Every patient who comes to the emergency room presenting with OUD is offered a choice to work with a COE care manager, but not every patient is a candidate for the MAT program. The emergency department staff will carefully follow a protocol that emphasizes patient safety and the likelihood for an individual to have success with this treatment. If a patient is a candidate for MAT, he or she can only receive up to three days of approved medication (Suboxone or Subutex), which is intended to serve as a bridge into treatment.

April 2019Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter

conemaugh.org

Submit Your Stories

To submit stories for CareNotes, please send text and photos to

Stacy Roberts, Marketing Communications,

at [email protected].

Deadline to submit stories for the May edition is April 25.

Display Cabinet Reservations

Display cabinets by The Gift Shop at

Conemaugh Memorial are available for reservation throughout 2019.

Each reservation is for a one-month period. Cabinets can be used for recognition

months, health education / information, and sharing good news.

Contact Stacy Roberts, Marketing Communications, at [email protected] to

reserve your month early. Space is limited. First-come, first-serve.

Like Our Facebook Pages!We have started a Facebook page for each hospital within our system.

Like our pages for health information, news, employee recognition, and photos!

www.facebook.com/Conemaugh

www.facebook.com/ConemaughMeyersdale

www.facebook.com/ConemaughMiners

www.facebook.com/ConemaughNason

www.facebook.com/ConemaughPhysicianGroup

Events and Announcements

LifeTalent Annual EducationA reminder that annual education for 2019 has been assigned in LifeTalent.

Please complete courses by June 30, 2019 (includes all courses with this due date).

Contact Joan Colbert or Diane Kennedy with any questions.

conemaugh.org


Blood DriveWednesday, April 17, 2019

11 am - 4 pmMyron C. Williams Conference Room

Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.orgWalk-ins are welcome.

Hosted by Conemaugh School of Nursing

For more information, contact Patti Huber Smith at extension 9485 or

email [email protected]

Save the DateStroke and Trauma

Awareness FairFriday, May 17

9 - 11 am

Conemaugh Memorial - Atrium

To participate with a display, contact Wendy Kalmanir or

Jami Zipf by April 19.

Community Needs Assessment SurveyConemaugh Health System, The United Way of the Laurel Highlands, and 1889 Foundation, have recently launched a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) for Cambria and Somerset counties, which will provide a rich foundation for improving and promoting the health of each community member. A CHNA is a systematic collection, assembly, analysis and dissemination of information about the health of the community. Its role is to identify factors that affect the health of a population and determine the availability of resources within the community to adequately address those factors. The CHNA will help to augment many other community wellness and redevelopment efforts in our region already underway, and provide the supporting data needed for decision making across these multiple initiatives. As part of this assessment, we are conducting a CHNA CHS employee survey – 11 short questions. We greatly value your thoughts on the health needs of our community, so please take a few minutes now and answer the following anonymous survey. The survey will remain open until April 15.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LPConemaugh_EmployeeSurvey

Register Today

KTEMS Emergency and Trauma Care Summit

May 22 and 23

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Register at calendar.conemaugh.org

12th Annual Cardiovascular

SymposiumSaturday, May 4, 2019

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

https://calendar.conemaugh.org


conemaugh.org

The Extra Mile Award recognizes physicians who routinely give of themselves to enhance the

lives of individuals within Conemaugh Health System, patients,

families, and the community.

The award is given to a current physician each month by the Physician Recognition Team.

To view nominations and videos for our recipients, visit www.conemaugh.org/ExtraMileAwardWinner.

To nominate a physician for the Extra Mile Award, or to learn more, visit www.conemaugh.org/ExtraMileAward.

April 2019 Recipient

Congratulations,

Dr. DunmoreInternal Medicine

Supporting Physicians


conemaugh.org

Emergency Medicine Residents Recognition


Delivering High Quality Patient Care

conemaugh.org

Conemaugh Meyersdale and Conemaugh Miners Add 3D Mammography Services

Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center and Conemaugh Miners Medical Center have each announced the addition of 3D mammography to its array of women’s health services. The advanced technology captures images of the breast from multiple angles to ensure a complete and accurate scan. This allows for earlier and more effective detection of breast cancer and helps reduce the number of return visits caused by false positives. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this state-of-the-art technology and further enhance the high quality care we provide to the women in our communities,” says Tony Campagna, Vice President of Ancillary and Post Acute Services. “Expanding our 3D mammography service will help make it possible to detect breast cancer in earlier stages so that treatment can begin sooner, giving our patients a greater chance of beating the disease.” A 3D mammogram, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) or “tomo,” is a type of digital mammography that follows the same basic procedure of standard 2D digital mammography. This advanced procedure requires no additional breast compression and lasts just a few seconds longer than standard 2D digital mammography. Regular mammogram screenings are recommended for women age 40 and above as an essential tool for early detection.

Conemaugh Meyersdale (L-R): Mary Ann Hahn, ARRT, Stephanie Smith, ARRT M, and Joann Minnick, ARRT M

Conemaugh Miners (L-R): Roberta Farabaugh, ARRT M, and Lorie Dobransky, ARRT M

The Joint Commission at Conemaugh MemorialThank you to everyone for your commitment to Patient Safety. An unannounced focused survey visit at Conemaugh Memorial by The Joint Commission (TJC) went very well. Surveyors emphasized the compassionate care provided to patients, our journey for high reliable care, and for our goal of zero harms. Thanks again for your hard work and dedication.

A thank you celebration will be held:Thursday, April 11, 11 am - 1 pm, Atrium; 9:30 - 11 pm, Cafe

Friday, April 12, 10 am - 12 pm, Lee Garden Court


conemaugh.org

Trauma Nurse Course Teaching SiteConemaugh Memorial Medical Center has gained approval by the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) to be a teaching site for Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN ®), an advanced course designed for registered nurses to increase knowledge and skill in management of trauma patients. The course is currently offered to only Conemaugh employees, but will open to other facilities and local nurses in the future. As a Level One Trauma Center, Conemaugh Memorial treats over 1,500 trauma patients each year. “We have nurses that work in specialized, dedicated trauma units at Conemaugh Memorial,” said Kim Gorman, course coordinator for ATCN, and Certified Nurse Practitioner for trauma services at Conemaugh Memorial. “While they also take care of non-trauma patients, these nurses are experienced in treating trauma patients as we have so many trauma victims come through our doors each year. It’s important to keep nurses current with new skills and knowledge as we learn more about trauma care and patient outcomes based upon best practices.” Linda Reinhart from Lehigh Valley is the course director for the inaugural course. During the two-day course, nurses will receive classroom instruction including hands-on training at Conemaugh Memorial’s Medical Skills Learning Center. Skill stations include initial assessment and management, airway and ventilator management, hemorrhagic shock, head trauma, musculoskeletal and spinal trauma, and pediatric trauma. Nurses will also be required to complete an exam to earn certification. Conemaugh chose to pursue the ability to teach ATCN as it runs concurrently with the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course for physicians. The courses provide common trauma language and processes to ensure the trauma team functions well together to treat patients in life-threatening situations.

Conemaugh Nason PA-C Appointed to ACOEM Board

Christine L. Panaro PA-C, director of Conemaugh Nason Medical Center’s Occupational Health Department, has been appointed as the Physician Assistant board representative to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). Ms. Panaro will be introduced to the board on April 30, 2019 at the American Occupational Health Conference in Anaheim, CA. She will serve a 3 year term of membership. Founded in 1916, the ACOEM is an international society of more than 4,500 occupational physicians and associated professionals that is dedicated to promoting the health of workers through preventive medicine, clinical care, research, and education. A dynamic group of physicians and allied health professionals in a variety of medical practices is united via the College to develop positions and policies on vital issues relevant to the practice of preventive medicine both within and outside of the workplace. Ms. Panaro is a 2003 graduate of Saint Francis University where she received her Masters of Physician Assistant degree. She is a certified Medical Examiner for Federal Motor Carriers Administration and is a certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist. She began her position as director at Conemaugh Nason’s Occupational Health Department in 2014 and has specialized in Occupational Health for over 10 years.


conemaugh.org

Conemaugh Memorial

Cardiovascular Services

Celebrates 100th TAVR

Patient

Conemaugh Memorial’s Molecular LabConstruction for Conemaugh Memorial’s new molecular laboratory is currently underway and will be located in the Good Sam building. Molecular diagnosis is a collection of techniques used to analyze various biologic markers in the human genome and proteomic individual code. Conemaugh Memorial Molecular lab will be Joint Commission, CLIA accredited, state of the art, esoteric laboratory, specialized in high complexity molecular testing with an extensive portfolio of services including molecular oncology, infectious diseases, coagulation, and eventually Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). The aim is to provide an individualized targeted approach in disease detection and therapeutic choices. The Molecular lab will start by providing services such as fluorescence in situ hybridization panels for proliferative plasma cell, lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia; oncologic testing for gastrointestinal, lung, breast, and skin malignancy; qualitative and quantitative analysis of viral infection (HIV, HCV, and HBV), HPV testing, and acquired and hereditary coagulation disorder of factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation.

Celebrating 100th Patient Milestones

Conemaugh Nason

Celebrates 100th Cardiac

Catheterization Patient

Conemaugh Nason Cardiac Champion

Congratulations to Kayleigh Pote! She was was awarded a Cardiac Care Champion pin. Kayleigh was assisting in the ED when a

patient with chest pain presented. Kayleigh obtained an EKG and presented it to Dr. Holt, at which time a Code STEMI was activated.


conemaugh.org

Arts For Healing 2019 Display

Conemaugh Memorial Earns Advanced Hip and Knee Replacement Certification

Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center has earned Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement from The Joint Commission in collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Conemaugh Memorial’s program is one of only seven joint programs in Pennsylvania to earn this designation. The Joint Commission provides a framework for programs to improve patient outcomes, establish a consistent approach to care resulting in reduced variation and risk of error, develop a pathway to excellence, collaborate with teams across the continuum of care, and demonstrate commitment to a higher standard of clinical service. Conemaugh Memorial has earned this advanced certification, in part, thanks to the consistent communication and collaboration among all health care providers involved in the care of the patient from pre-surgical consultation through follow-up visits. Conemaugh also actively provides patient education, discharge planning, and physical and occupational therapy for recovery. Joint replacement surgery is often recommended when all other treatment options have been exhausted including but not limited to rest, medication, exercise, and physical therapy. Joint replacement surgery can have a tremendous impact on a patient’s quality of life by improving independence and mobility, and reducing joint-related pain. Conemaugh’s Joint AdVentures replacement pre-surgery program provides detailed information to patients and a loved one designated as the patient’s coach. For upcoming information session dates, visit www.conemaugh.org/calendar.


conemaugh.org

Diabetes Awareness and Education Outreach

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Nursing students’ poster presentation at the Conemaugh Diabetes Institute conference on March 26.

Conemaugh Diabetes Institute hosted an all day conference with 140 participants. (Left) Kim Garman, Cassy Sojak West End Lions Club Members, Amanda Remic, Leader Dog Program. (Right) Staff members Michelle Dillon and Bonnie Pepon.

Conemaugh Diabetes Institute Presentation by Stephanie Lesosky, RN, BSN to area school nurse pertaining to care transition for students with diabetes.

Education Conference, March 26

Conemaugh Memorial Center employee Melissa Shaffer (left) lost 56 pounds by participating in the virtual Diabetes Prevention Program Hope 80/20. The free program is offered by the Conemaugh Diabetes Institute. Mark and Nathan West (right) are the founders of the program.

Program Hope 80 / 20School Nurse Presentation

Thank you for all of your hard work!


conemaugh.org

Creating Excellent Workplaces for our Employees

LifePoint Mercy Award - ApplicationsWe are now taking nominations for LifePoint’s annual Mercy Award. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee who best exemplifies the spirit and values upon which the company was founded. Named after Scott Mercy, founding Chairman & first CEO, the Mercy Award is the highest honor a LifePoint employee can receive. Each year, hospitals select a local Mercy Award winner from among all employee nominations. Then one companywide winner is selected from among all the facility winners. All local winners will be invited to Nashville and honored at a special Mercy Award event August 28-30. The annual Mercy Award gives hospital an opportunity to recognize excellence and hold up those who inspire and lead others by their example. When writing a nomination, write about how your nominee supports the following: Nominee embraces LifePoint’s High Five Guiding Principles. Delivering high quality patient care. Supporting physicians. Creating an excellent workplace for our employees. Taking a leadership role in our communities.Ensuring fiscal responsibility. Nominee consistently goes beyond the call of duty in serving patients, coworkers and their community. Nominee demonstrates a level of commitment and caring that transcends the everyday. Nominee respects others in everything they do. Nominee inspires others with compassion, dedication and a merciful spirit. ELIGIBILITY: All employees who work 20 or more hours/week are eligible to be nominated. Volunteers, physicians, and senior leaders are not eligible. TIPS TO WRITING A GOOD NOMINATION: The key to a well-written nomination is to provide specific information illustrating how the individual’s achievements have made a positive impact on CHS and our patients. For your nomination to stand out you must explain and include evidence and clear examples/stories of what makes your nominee so exceptional. It is important that your examples are concrete and specific. Don’t just say your nominee is great – prove it! The Mercy Award nomination ballot is attached to this email. If you need help writing your nomination, please feel free to call me to meet/discuss.

PLEASE RETURN YOUR NOMINATIONSNO LATER THAN FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 12, 2019.

Please return to:

Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center and Conemaugh Physician Group: Kathy Gorzelsky, HR

Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center: Jennifer Darnell, Fiscal/HR

Conemaugh Miners Medical Center: Denise Magyar

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center: Liz Reindl, HRD

Congratulations to all nominees!


conemaugh.org

Recognition Weeks

Recent / Upcoming Recognitions

April 7 - 13: Volunteer Week

April 9 - 13: Cancer Registrars Week

April 12: Radiological and Imaging Nurses Day

April 14 - 20: Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse Week

April 17: Transplant Nurses Day

April 21 - 27: Medical Lab Professionals Week

If your department or work group has a special recognition week or celebration day, please

contact Stacy Roberts, Marketing Communications, to make sure we

have you on our list!

Continuing Education Opportunities

School of Nursing Student of the Month

JanuaryAlyssa Hughes

senior

Students were presented their awards by James Ahacic, Interim Director of the SON and Allied Health Programs and Leah Patton, Recruiter and Academic Admissions Coordinator.

FebruaryLeanne Leiataua

freshman


conemaugh.org

Wednesday, April 10, 20198 am - 4 pm • Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center Atrium

1$/3 tickets • 5$/15 tickets

BASKET PARTYConemaugh Regional Hospice

Also available for $5 are Cancer Support Bracelets and Bereavement Cookbooks and Candles.Unfortunately, no payroll deduction.

If you are interested in donating a basket, please call Conemaugh Regional Hospice at 814.534.6100, Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm. Conemaugh.org

2019 CONEMAUGH NASON MEDICAL CENTER FAMILY NIGHT

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019

Conemaugh Nason Medical Center employees are invited to come be a part of the Altoona Curve game on Thursday, June 13th when the Altoona Curve play the Portland Sea

Dogs. You can order tickets at a SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATE FOR ALL CONEMAUGH NASON EMPLOYEES!

SPECIAL RATE OF $6 FOR A GRANDSTAND SEAT

One employee from the hospital will be selected to throw out a first pitch before the game. This employee will be chosen by random drawing & will be notified prior to the game of the timing

details for that night.

Please complete the form below, attach your check payable to Altoona Curve & send directly to the ballpark with the notation “Conemaugh Nason Night” marked on the envelope. Order forms

are due no later than Monday, June 10th.

If you have any questions or need directions to the stadium, you may call Jess Knott at the Curve at 814.283.3130. See you at the ballpark!

CONEMAUGH NASON MEDICALCENTER NIGHT AT THE ALTOONA CURVE

Please mail this form to Peoples Natural Gas Field & make your check payable to Altoona Curve on or before Monday, June 10th.

(1000 Park Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 – Attn: Jess Knott)

Employee Name: _________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________________ Number of Tickets (Children 2 & under do not need a ticket): ________________ Cost: $6 Per Person Amount Enclosed: _________________________________________________________________ Check: _________________ Cash: __________________ Credit Card: ____________________ Credit Card Number: ________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date: ____________________________________________________________________________


Taking a Leadership Role in Our Communities

conemaugh.org

Health Fair OutreachConemaugh Diabetes Institute and Pain

Management / Neurology participated in a Family Health Fair sponsored by the Windber

Area Centennial Lions Club.

Physician PresentationDr. Nancy Love presenting to the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group at Conemaugh East Hills.

Blood ScreenConemaugh Memorial Laboratory, along with Senator Wayne Langerholc and Representative Jim Rigby, sponsored a blood screening event at the Westmont Grove. Over 100 attendees participated in the community event, which benefitted the West Hills Fire Department in

their effort to replace their ladder truck.

Cardiac DonationEmployees, volunteers, and patients of

Conemaugh Meyersdale made a donation to the needs of area cardiac patients

through the 1889 Foundation. The proceeds were raised through

the sale of die-cut hearts. The hearts

were displayed in Conemaugh

Meyersdale’s lobby from February to the end of March.

Maple FestivalThe Pennsylvania Maple Festival recently

recognized Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center in appreciation for the medical center’s willingness to sponsor the 2019 Maple Festival.

Pictured are Conemaugh Meyersdale’s administrative team (from left): Ryan Weaver,

Jodi Doyle, Pam Swansboro, and Heather Smith. Chuck Dively (far right) is President of

the Maple Festival Board.


conemaugh.org

Chopper’s Kids Club presented by ConemaughDuring Johnstown Tomahawks games in March, Kids Club members participated in health trivia on the prize wheel, decorated a flower pot to grow healthy habits, and learned about healthy lungs!

That’s a wrap for the Kids Club this season! Thank you to all Conemaugh employees and family members who helped to educate the youth in our community through this initiative!

Some members of the Kids Club presented a banner to the team after the final regular season home game. The banner was signed by members of the Kids Club and fans to cheer on the team during the playoffs! (Photo credit: Tomahawks’ team photographers)


conemaugh.org

Women’s Showcase

Thank you to all of the service lines who participated in the Senior Health Fair at the Conemaugh East Hills Outpatient Center on March 6. Presentations were provided on hip and knee pain, fall safety, and the importance of health maintenance testing.

Senior Health Fair at Conemaugh East Hills

Numerous employees represented Conemaugh Health System at the

annual Women’s Showcase event at the Pasquerilla Conference Center

in Johnstown. Thank you to all who participated to share our positive message

about women’s care services!

Share Your Stories!If your department or group involved in community outreach for Conemaugh?

Share your photos and stories with us! Send photos and information to Stacy Roberts, Marketing Communications, at [email protected]

Four teams are being created - one for each hospital.


conemaugh.org

Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

Admission versus ObservationIn this month’s CareNotes, we’d like to answer this question:

“How can we miss volume targets when our beds are so full? We are so busy. How can anything be in the red?”

There are many factors that go into our financial performance targets. An important one is the ratio of observations as a percentage of total admissions and observations.

Consider that a patient on observation needs much of the same care of an admitted patient. They need nursing care, food, a clean and safe room, lights, power, and equipment, testing, and medicine. The staffing and overhead cost is very much the same; however, we receive only 30-40% as much payment for an observation patient versus an admitted patient.

If we have a high number of observations, our beds are full, but we are paid less. At Conemaugh Memorial, the current trend is that about 26% of our patients are observation. This is high for us, but this appears to be a trend throughout the country. In fact, in Western PA the average is 28.6%, so we’re doing a little better than our peers. This is a trend we’re watching closely.

The good news is that we are very close to our earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amoritzation (EBITDA) target because we are working hard on controlling expenses and staffing to volume. When we meet our financial targets, we can remain financially strong, and that makes our community strong.

Remember, we treat ALL patients with compassion, care, and respect regardless of their admission or observation status.

Thanks for all your diligence, and keep your financial questions coming!

Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter CareNotes · 2019. 4. 4. · Conemaugh Health System...

Documents

Transcript of Conemaugh Health System Employee Newsletter CareNotes · 2019. 4. 4. · Conemaugh Health System...