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Volume 2, Issue 31 - October 30, 2009 |
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High Marks on HealthGrades’ Ratings Saint Joseph - London is the number one hospital in Kentucky for Overall Cardiac Care and Cardiac Surgery and among the top five percent in the nation according to a study issued October 13 by HealthGrades, the leading independent health care ratings organization. The nation's nearly 5,000 non-federal hospitals were all included in the sweeping study, which examined mortality rates and complication rates from government data from 2006, 2007 and 2008. According to the study, patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52 percent lower chance of dying compared with the U.S. hospital average, a quality chasm that has persisted for the last decade even as mortality rates, in general, have declined. As a result of its stellar scores, Saint Joseph - London received the 2010 Cardiac Care Excellence Award and the Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award, both for the second year in a row. Saint Joseph - London’s quality of care is evident across multiple services. Other facilities within Saint Joseph Health System also achieved top-notch ratings. A snapshot of Saint Joseph Health System’s clinical achievements is listed below. The new 2010 ratings for individual hospitals are available to the public at www.healthgrades.com, where you can compare the quality of care at local hospitals for 28 different procedures and treatments. HEALTHGRADES' RATINGS: Saint Joseph Health System Saint Joseph - Berea Saint Joseph East Saint Joseph Hospital GI Critical Care Saint Joseph - London Women’s Health Pulmonary Critical Care Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling Flaget Memorial Hospital |
In this Issue:
Happy Halloween! Fun Facts: Ó With an estimated $1.93 billion in candy sales, Halloween is the sweetest holiday of the year, beating out Easter, Valentine's Day and Christmas. Ó Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with Snickers #1. Ó The ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween night. They began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human. Ó Irish children used to carve out potatoes or turnips and light them for their Halloween gatherings. They commemorated Jack, a shifty Irish villain so wicked that neither God nor the Devil wanted him. Jack wandered the world endlessly looking for a place to rest, his only warmth a candle in a rotten turnip. Ó The Irish Potato Famine (1845-50) prompted over 700,000 people to immigrate to America. These immigrants brought with them their traditions of Halloween and Jack o' Lanterns, but turnips were not as readily available as back home. They found the American pumpkin to be more than an adequate replacement. Ó Today, the carved pumpkin is perhaps the most famous icon of the holiday. |
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Annual Enrollment Starts Next Week! Annual enrollment for Saint Joseph Health System facilities begins next Friday, November 6 and ends on November 20, 2009 (exception: Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling; see details below**). Each year, during this time, you can reevaluate your benefits and make changes that best fit your and your family’s needs. This year, some of the new components of CHI’s Healthy Spirit program will launch. The benefit and program changes you will see for 2010 place an emphasis on preventive care and staying healthy, as well as cost sharing between the employee and Saint Joseph Health System. You should have received your Open Enrollment packet from CHI at your home. This packet includes an annual enrollment notice and a personalized worksheet. If you have not received your enrollment packet by November 6, please contact the HR/Payroll Connection Support Center at 1.888.450.9450. Also, you can still review the LEARN modules that have been assigned to you to learn more about the changes to the medical, dental and vision benefits. You can also visit www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org to learn more (under “Saint Joseph Employees,” click on “SJHS Annual Enrollment 2010” and look for your facility). This year, enrollment for benefits will be online through HR/Payroll Connection on Inside CHI.
**Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling Annual Enrollment Details: Annual enrollment for Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling begins Monday, November 2 and ends on November 16. The annual enrollment process will be the same as in the past years. Each year, during this time, you can reevaluate your benefits and make changes that best fit your and your family’s needs. Packets will be available through the Human Resources Department and any employee who has a question regarding annual enrollment should call the Human Resources Department. You can also review the LEARN modules that have been assigned to you to learn more about the changes to the medical, dental and vision benefits. Plus, you can visit www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org to learn more (under “Saint Joseph Employees,” click on “SJHS Annual Enrollment 2010” and look for your facility). Visitor Limitation to Hospital Patients Effective immediately at Saint Joseph - London and Saint Joseph - Martin, hospitalized patient visitors will be limited to those 18 years of age or older. Seasonal flu and H1N1 is becoming more prevalent in these areas and this step is meant to safeguard patients, hospital staff and the community. The 18 years and younger group (school age) is at the highest risk due to the amount of potential exposure they have from other children. Proper hand-washing is highly effective in preventing the spread of flu. Remember to cover your coughs and sneezes—either with a tissue or your shirt sleeve at the elbow. Between hand-washing, the use of alcohol gel products is recommended. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs are spread this way. Try and limit your exposure to public areas with confined spaces. If you have flu symptoms, stay home except to seek medical attention. Visitation guidelines will continue to be evaluated during this flu season. Check our Web site, www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org, often for any changes to the temporary policies (click on the specific facility sites). Other facilities within Saint Joseph Health System may adopt similar temporary policies as well. We will keep you posted. Please remember to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when caring for patients with “Influenza-like Illness.” If wearing a N95 respirator, goggles need to be worn to provide eye protection per Droplet Precautions. There are regular masks with shields attached available for use when the N95 respirator is not indicated. If you do not have the appropriate PPE readily available in your area, please inform your manager as soon as possible. Marketing Update: New Maternity Spot Saint Joseph Health System has produced a new television spot to promote the upcoming opening of The Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. The spot, currently running in the Lexington market, is a continuation of the popular maternity spot that ran last year and early this year featuring the same couple that announced at the family dinner table they were having a baby … at Saint Joseph East. The Women’s Hospital is anticipated to open March 29, 2010 with a grand opening celebration to coincide with the annual Maternity Fair in May. To learn more, visit www.SaintJosephEastKy.org. Saint Joseph East Director of Surgery Named Lee Clark was appointed Director of Surgery for Saint Joseph East. Prior to her appointment, she was serving in this role on an interim basis. Lee previously served as manager of the operating room (2001-2007) and unit manager of PASS/outpatient surgery/PACU (over the past 12 months). Registered Nurses & Licensed Practical Nurses—Time's Up! Please remember to renew your RN or LPN license through KBN by this Saturday, October 31. Since this year October 31 falls on a Saturday, the renewal process will need to be completed by TODAY, October 30 in order to continue to be put on the schedule. Anyone whose license renewal cannot be verified by Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. TODAY, October 30 will not be eligible to work and will be replaced on the schedule until this process has been completed and documentation has been provided. If you find yourself renewing close to the expiration date of your current license, please print off the confirmation page to provide documentation to your manager that the process has been completed. http://kbn.ky.gov ‘Reader Reward’ Challenge Winners Thanks to everyone who participated in the Reader Reward challenge in the September/October issue of Common Thread, Saint Joseph Health System’s employee magazine. Congratulations to the three lucky winners who will each receive a $75 Wal-Mart gift card! Paula Miles (Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling) Visit www.SaintJosephCommonThread.org to read past issues of the magazine and to submit your story ideas. Look for the next Reader Reward challenge in the Nov/Dec issue! Christmas Partners Project Needs You The Appalachian Outreach Program’s (AOP) annual “Christmas Partners Project” is partnering with Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph - Berea, Saint Joseph - Jessamine and Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling this year to help make Christmas brighter for families and individuals in need throughout eastern Kentucky. If you or your department would like to sponsor a family, senior couple or individual in need, providing them with basic necessities and gifts, contact Barbara Baumgardner at 859.313.4447, Jeanie Lawson at 606.843.0920 or Sr. Joan Wilson at 859.498.2585. In addition to sponsors, the program will need people to play "Santa's helpers" this year and make deliveries. Get your family involved! Daycare Openings The Saint Joseph Children's Center (located across from Saint Joseph Hospital) currently has openings for 3- and 4-year-olds. Interested employees should contact Angela Woodrum, manager, at 254.7313 for more information. Opportunity to Volunteer Saint Joseph - Berea will again participate in the Feed the Children event to be held in Berea Saturday, November 21. The hospital will provide financial counseling and height/weight/BMI and blood pressure screenings. If you would like to volunteer to provide these services, please contact Katie Heckman at 859.986.6535. Remember to Fall Back this Weekend Daylight Saving Time will end this Sunday morning, November 1, at 2:00 a.m. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour. Pedway Closure at Saint Joseph East The pedway at Saint Joseph East will be closed Saturday morning, October 31 through Monday morning, November 2 (until 6 a.m.) to strip and refinish the tile. Signage will be posted once the work begins. Please utilize an alternate route to the employee parking area. We apologize for any inconvenience! Annual Employee Campaign is Winding Down “LIVE UNITED” is the 2009 theme for the Foundation/United Way Campaign at Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph - Jessamine and Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling. Your participation will help meet the needs of many critical programs and services that benefit employees and thousands of patients and their families in central and eastern Kentucky, such as the Appalachian Outreach Program, Employee Financial Assistance Fund, the Free Health Clinic, Patient and Family Assistance Fund and the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship Program. There’s still time to donate! The deadline is next Fri., November 6! Please turn in your pledge forms! Please help the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation reach or beat its goal of 50% employee participation for SJH/SJE/SJJ (combined) and 45% for SJMS! Currently, the rate is 44% at SJH/SJE/SJJ and 35% at SJMS. Together, we can all “LIVE UNITED”! Please contact the Foundation office at 313.1705 (SJH/SJE/SJJ) and 497.8855 (SJMS) with any questions. Congratulations to the following "Early Birds" who won a $75 Visa gift card. Early Bird Winners (SJH/SJE/SJJ): Early Bird Winners (SJMS):
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Hospice of Nelson County Annual Memorial Service Hospice of Nelson County, a service of Flaget Memorial Hospital, will hold its annual memorial service Sunday, November 1, 2:00 p.m., at St. Catherine Church in New Haven. The service, held every year during National Hospice Month, remembers patients who have passed on. Friends and family attend and bring framed photos of their loved ones to display on tables for a reception that follows. The names of those who have passed on are called during the service, and each family comes forward to hug Hospice team members and receive a memorial candle. Go Red for Women Symposium & Luncheon Saint Joseph Health System is the central Kentucky sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women program, which alerts women to their risk of cardiovascular disease. On Friday, November 6, Saint Joseph and the Central Kentucky American Heart Association will host the second annual Go Red for Women Symposium & Luncheon in Lexington. The fundraising event will be at the Marriott Griffin Gate and feature a heart-healthy expo, screenings, educational breakout sessions, a luncheon, and an inspiring survivor fashion show by Macy’s. Birthday Breakfast & Pizza Party The Saint Joseph Hospital Birthday Breakfast/Pizza Party for employees with birthdays in October and November will be held Tuesday, November 10 in Cafeteria Meeting Room B. Breakfast will be served from 7-8:30 a.m. and pizza will be served from 5-6:30 p.m. A prize drawing will be held. STARS Gala Enjoy an evening of dining, dancing and entertainment at the 21st Annual Evening with the STARS (Saint Joseph Associates for Renowned Service) Saturday, November 14 at Lexington Downtown Hotel & Conference Center (formerly Radisson Hotel). The Jimmy Church Band will perform and a live auction will be held. Cocktails are from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., and dinner is at 8:00 p.m. Guests of honor include Robert K. Salley, M.D., Tamara James, M.D. and Jack Kain. Proceeds from the black-tie event will benefit many community programs and outreach services of the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, including the Appalachian Outreach Program, the Saint Joseph Free Health Clinic, the Patient and Family Assistance Fund and the Phyllis Cronin Nursing Scholarship Program. Tickets are $300 per couple or sponsored tables for ten can be purchased at various donation levels. For more information or tickets, please contact the Foundation at 859.313.1705 or visit http://saintjosephfoundation.org/body.cfm?id=89. |
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Upcoming Diabetes Workshops in Lexington Care of the Hospitalized Patient with Diabetes Registration: Register for this class by logging on to Inside CHI, then click the LEARN link on the left side of the screen. Continuing Education Credit Units: 4.00, Kentucky Board of Nursing Understanding Diabetes Basics Registration: Register for this class by logging on to Inside CHI, Continuing Education Credit Units: 4.00, Kentucky Board of Nursing Spirituality, Health and Healing Workshop in Lexington There will be an opportunity for interactive group time for employees to share their faith with others and refreshments. Three contact hours will be awarded. Saint Joseph East Saint Joseph Hospital For more information, contact Chaplain Judy Donohue at 859.967.5676. LEAD Classes for All Saint Joseph Health System Leaders Saint Joseph Health System leaders are invited to participate in the following LEAD (Leadership, Education And Development) classes. To register for any of these classes go to www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org, click on Education and Events Calendar, and choose Leadership as a category. Click on the desired class. Symphony Leading from the Heart Working Together-Diversity Resolving Conflicts Within Your Team Basic Medical Library Information Skills Classes in Lexington Get hands-on experience in using our medical information resources, including Saint Joseph’s Virtual Medical Library. This course is open to anyone interested in using these resources for work, study and research for school, or to do research to learn about health conditions or patient/family education. Register for this class by logging on to Inside CHI, then click the LEARN link on the left side of the screen. For additional information, contact Laurie Henderson at 859.313.1677 Saint Joseph Hospital Saint Joseph East HIV/AIDS Educational Module: The following HIV/AIDS educational module has been added to the LEARN course library: KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services Approved HIV/AIDS Education for Nursing and Pharmacy. The learner can put in the key word "HIV" and will choose the above title from the listed courses. The LEARN module contains a link that will take the learner out to the Creative Educational Concepts Web site. This activity is supported by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This activity provides 2.0 CEUs for Nursing and Pharmacy. This course will expire on December 21, 2010. |
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Say ‘Boo’ to Tobacco. Your Lungs are Worth It. Did you know? Do the right thing for your health, the alternative is frightening. Call 1.866.QUIT.4.LIFE or visit www.quitnow.net (1.866.784.8454). Saint Joseph Health System employees can enroll for FREE! Free Weight Loss Seminar in Bardstown Learn how you can get your life back with weight loss surgery. Nelson County’s first bariatric/general surgeon, Dr. Rob Farrell, will discuss the options now available at Flaget Memorial Hospital’s new Flaget Center for Weight Loss Surgery. Wednesday, November 4 Registration: Register by calling 502.350.5492. Visit www.Flaget.com for more information about the new Flaget Center for Weight Loss Surgery. Heart Failure Education Symposium in London Saint Joseph - London and Innovative Cardiac Solutions have teamed up to offer a Heart Failure Education Symposium on Thursday, November 5 at 6:00 p.m. at the London Community Center. Don’t know if you have risk factors for heart disease? There will be a health screening prior to the symposium from 4:00-6:00 p.m. that day. The screenings and symposium are FREE, so stop by and learn how to reduce your risk of heart-related illnesses. For more information and to register, contact Shalan Gibbs at 606.330.3421. Diabetes Lunch and Learns The Saint Joseph Diabetes and Nutrition Center is hosting upcoming Saint Joseph - Berea Saint Joseph East Saint Joseph Hospital November is Diabetes Awareness Month The American Diabetes Association estimates that there are about 23.6 million people in the United States with diabetes diagnosis; that’s about 7.8% of the population. So, about 17.9 million people have diabetes diagnosis and about 5.9 million are not aware that they have it. DIABETES FACT: There is no such thing as borderline diabetes or "a touch of sugar"! Borderline diabetes is not an official term. Diabetes is diagnosed by having a fasting blood sugar of 126mg/dl or greater and confirmed a second time. However, “Pre-Diabetes” is now used to describe when the blood sugar levels are higher than normal but yet not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Don’t ignore Pre-Diabetes. Some of the side effects of diabetes begin to develop at this stage. It has been proven that weight loss, physical activity and portion control in eating can really make a difference. During the month, look for facts, myths and inpatient information regarding diabetes in the Daily Line-Up and InCommon. |
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Letter from a Grateful Patient Saint Joseph – London "You do not know me, however, that is not important. What is important is for me to share with you my experience of being a patient at Saint Joseph - London from last Wednesday-Friday morning to have a stint put in by Dr. Chatteijee and Dr. Patil. I was admitted to lCU on Wednesday and received the stint on Thursday morning. I have been in Corbin hospital several times and Jewish in Louisville 12 years ago for two stints. This was my first experience at London. Having been a Baptist pastor for almost 40 years, since 1970, I have visited there hundreds of times with church members. Cailen Wattenbarger is my granddaughter and since she has worked in lCU as a nurse, has told me a hundred times how the hospital has improved and how excellent the care is there. Personally, Cailen is the best and most caring nurse I have ever seen anywhere. You expect that from a papaw, right? I have never been treated any better or professionally in my life! Every nurse, every employee from admittance to dismissal went far above and beyond the call of duty and my expectations. Everyone was wonderful! Even Kelly Helton came to my room and checked on me. Like Cailen, nurses that didn't take care of me came by to say a word of encouragement. I so appreciate each person at the hospital. Please thank them for me. I am director of missions of the Knox Association of Baptists, which consist of 40 Southern Baptist churches. I will recommend Saint Joseph - London to all of them to receive excellent health care! Personally, I think all of you are the best!" Rev. Carson Seymour Wattenbarger Thanks for being an inspiration to your patients, their families and to us all! |
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Celebrating Our Daisies! Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) held an appreciation dinner on September 30 for recipients of the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. In fiscal year 2009, 23 nurses received this honor throughout the system. SJHS adopted the national program in 2008, with the support of the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation, to recognize the super-human efforts of nurses. Honorees receive a certificate of commendation, a Daisy Award lapel pin, and a sculpture hand-carved by the Shona Tribe in Africa titled “A Healer’s Touch.” In addition, the nurse’s unit is treated to cinnamon buns. The 23 nurses who received the award in fiscal year 2009 were invited to celebrate with the co-founders of the national Daisy Foundation, Mark and Bonnie Barnes. They began the recognition program in honor of their son, J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. They were so impressed by the skillful and compassionate care he received from his nurses, they wanted recognize remarkable nurses across the country.
Bonnie and Mark Barnes (far left), co-founders of the national Daisy Foundation, joined SJHS CEO Gene Woods and SJH Foundation CEO Barry Stumbo (far right) in celebrating the fiscal year 2009 recipients of the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Honored Nurses (Fiscal Year 2009) Saint Joseph - Berea Saint Joseph East Saint Joseph Hospital Saint Joseph – London Saint Joseph - Martin Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling Flaget Memorial Hospital Snapshots from the Daisy Appreciation Dinner
To learn more or to nominate someone, visit www.SaintJosephNurses.org, or look for Daisy Award nomination boxes throughout your hospital. Congratulations to the first quarter, fiscal year 2010 winners! Watch for their spotlights in upcoming issues. |
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2009 SJHS Fall Critical Care Conference Saint Joseph Health System held its 2nd Annual Fall Critical Care Conference, “When the Stakes are High,” on October 8 and 9 in the Blakely Auditorium at Saint Joseph Hospital. It featured some of the latest advances and research in practice, technology, and health care delivery and covered a variety of topics related to progressive and critical care practice, professional development, and trends in health care. Critical care nurses from across the system attended.
Saint Joseph - London's New Cardiac Rehab Center Saint Joseph – London Cardiac Rehabilitation and Preventive Services held a ribbon cutting on September 11 for its new rehab center, located at 192 London Shopping Center. The center provides a comprehensive program deigned to improve the quality of life for those suffering from heart disease as well as vascular disease. Cardiac rehabilitation incorporates a thorough medical evaluation, education, prescribed exercise and counseling services to meet patients’ individualized needs. Saint Joseph - London employees may utilize the space after hours for their exercise needs, for a small annual fee. Call the center at 606.330.2361.
Berea Goes Pink
Open House for MedWorks, Outpatient Rehab at Saint Joseph - Jessamine Saint Joseph Health System held an Open House at Saint Joseph - Jessamine RJ Corman Ambulatory Care Center for MedWorks and Saint Joseph Outpatient Rehabilitation (Medical Office Building, Suite 101) on October 7. The event featured refreshments, tours, live jazz and door prizes. Saint Joseph Outpatient Rehabilitation also has locations at Saint Joseph - Berea, Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph Park Physical Therapy (Saint Joseph Office Park/Saint Joseph Hospital campus). MedWorks also has locations at Saint Joseph - Berea and Saint Joseph East.
CCH Employees 'Walked to End Alzheimer's' Some Continuing Care Hospital (CCH) employees formed a team to raise money and participate in Lexington’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” on October 10. Similar walks were held across the nation in an effort to raise research money for Alzheimer’s disease. CCH nurse and team captain, Trish Fieldkamp, was determined to participate, even if it meant doing so alone. SJHS is very proud of these women and commend them for reaching outside their workplace and serving their local community.
Senior Health Fest Saint Joseph – Martin’s annual Senior Health Fest was held October 8 at Graceway Methodist Church. More than 200 seniors (55+) attended and 150 received a free seasonal flu vaccine. Many vendors were present for the participants to visit and each provided a door prize. As the seniors enjoyed a delicious lunch, they were entertained by the Swinging Sensations—a senior group led by Charlotte Soder. The group also involved the crowd when they began line dancing. The event was truly a Saint Joseph – Martin team effort. A special thanks to Renee Chandler-Hall, Mary Little, Mary Martin, Melinda Stumbo, Teresa Bailey, Samantha Stratton, Peggy Smith, Kim Castle, Carol Jo May, Delano May, Judy Salyer, Dolly Carroll, Sandy Thacker, Cathy Johnson, Larry Robinson, Jeff Robinson, Betty Little and Shirley Lawson; volunteers—Donna Gray and Charlene Johnson; Von Stacy and Kevin Hall for providing door prizes; a special thanks to Billie Turner who welcomed the group and helped serve their lunch; and to Dr. Crace, who provided an excellent presentation about the importance of screenings.
New Chapel at Saint Joseph East The Chapel at Saint Joseph East has relocated to a new area (down the hall from the first floor main lobby, beside the new gift shop). The original stained glass windows were relocated to the new Chapel.
Rehab Open House & Pumpkin Contest in Berea The Saint Joseph - Berea Rehab staff held their annual open house and pumpkin decorating contest. The “Real” Tooth Fairy (pictured below), designed by Sarah Mashburn, took top honors. Thanks to everyone who participated in the Halloween fun!
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