Administration\u27s loss; home care\u27s gain
Oncology Unit Brings Bernie Siegel To Town
Caesarean Births Move To FBC
Living Wills
Most Employees Satisfied, Survey Show

St. Cloud Hospital

English

OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE BRINGS APM TO HOSPITAL
CENTER SCAN REDESIGN
CHILD CARE CENTER EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION
URGICARE HELPS EASE ETC CONGESTION
MEDICAL COVERAGE
MEMORIAL FUND PROVIDES FOR COMPUTER SOFTWAR

CentraCare Health

CentraCare Health DigitalCommons@CentraCare Health Center Scan 12-1992 Center Scan: December 1992 St. Cloud Hospital Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/center-scan  Part of the Organizational Communication Commons INSIDE THIS ISSUE Child Care Center Accreditation ETC Urgicare Benefits Promotions Achievements Memorial Fund Purchase OPERATIONS EXCELLENCE BRINGSAPM TO HOSPITAL (' aint Cloud Hospital has begun a process of self-appraisal with the goal of maintaining high quality care in a more cost-effective manner. The process has been termed Operations Excellence (OE), and health care management consultants APM (American Practice Management) have been hired as OE facilitators. APM assists health care organizations in adapting to their rapidly changing environment by developing strategies and programs to help them achieve financial, clinical and patient service success. It has been a pioneer in adapting management approaches, strategies, and techniques successfully applied in other industries to the care projects at community and regional hospit:als across the United States. Most recently he has been working on restructuring operations for a 350-bed academic medical center on the West Coast. The goals of this project were to enhance the quality of service to patients, physicians and internal departments while achieving a$7 million unique requirements of health care. Saint Cloud Hospital !tired APM because expected David Zito and Patrick Bastar are members of the apm team helping Saint Cloud Hospital during Operations Excellence. changes in the health care industry will require hospit:als to operate at even greater efficiency if they are to be successful. APM employs over 100 profes-sionals located in New York, San Fran-cisco, Boston, and Chicago. Coordinator of Saint Cloud Hospital's four-member APM team is Patrick Bastar, who has been involved in a wide variety of health assignments typically extends beyond the formulation of plans and strategies to include working with clients to implement recommendations. However, Bastar said, it is important for everybody to know that Saint Cloud hospital will drive the process. "We want to hear and consider the ideas of all employees, and we will establish ways for employees to present their ideas. We don't come in , AL STAFF CLOUD HOSPITAL and tell the hospital what to do, but we can show some options and make recommendations." Bastar, a Frenchman who lives in San Francisco, expects to be at the hospital four days a week during at least the initial phase of Operations CENTER SCAN REDESIGN ~ ou will notice that this ({,;, issue of the Center Scan has a new look The Communications Depart-ment is redesigning the Today, our daily newssheet, the Center Scan, our in-house employee newsletter, and the Beacon Light, our major news-magazine to the general public. We have two part-time designers, Peggy Churchwell and Lori Gnahn, and the redesign work is their collaboration. They were asked to include characteristics that would make the publications look like a family. Another part of the new look is a changed approach to writing, which requires that stories be made more readable for busy people. The new Beacon Light will arrive in the racks at about the san1e time as this Center Scan, so you will be able to judge for yourselves how well we are doing. Like a new road, the redesign may take a little getting used to. But we hope you'll like it. If you have any comments or questions, please send them to the editor, John Pepper, Communications. e Children's Home Society of Minnesota (CHSM) child care center at Saint Cloud Hospit.al recently received national accreditation. It is among the first day care programs in the United States to be accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. The Academy is a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the nation's largest organization of early childhood educators. CHSM at Saint Cloud Hospit.al serves 100 children and 75 families according to Terri Boysen, director of the center. "Being accredited tells parents that the center is a top quality center," says Boysen. St.andards for accreditation go beyond licensing requirements which merely set minimum standards for health and safety. An accredited early childhood program also addresses issues such as interactions among staff and children, curriculum, staff and parent interactions and staff development. CHILD CARE CENTER EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION that allows children to manipulate and explore. They learn through the art of self-discovery. Curriculum development is an important part of the accreditation process. The accreditation process took nearly nine months to complete and included a self-study, an on-site visit and an Academy commission determination. The center is operated in partnership with the hospit.al. The Children's Home Society contracts with the hospit.al for food and housekeeping services. Fourteen employees at the center along with one volunteer provide direct care to the children. A director and clerical assistant make up the administrative staff. Fees are based on a comparable rate for other child care centers being operated in St. Cloud. Income from fees does not completely cover the operating expenses for the center. As a service to the community, the hospit.al subsidizes the center and makes up the shortfall. 'The curriculum is child-focused;" explains Boysen "children learn through play." Teachers create an environment Left: Ryan Stradtmann; front: Zachary Rakke; top: Lars Watkins; right: Terri Boysen, director enhance patient satisfaction and decrease waiting tin1es, the Emergency Traun1a Center has implemented a new program. During the busiest times on weekends, the ETC now offers urgicar:e. From noon - 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Sundays, the endoscopy unit is opened and patients with less emergent needs are treated there. "While internally this is referred to as 'urgicare', it's really a two-track emergency center," said Janice Springer, director of the ETC. "We did this to meet our patients' needs more efficiently. There is no p1ice differentiation between the two tracks." The program began in July of this year and is staffed witl1 fan1ily practice physicians from the community, an LPN from the ETC staff and an orderly and secretary as needed. "On average, they see about 25 patients a day, which is about one-fourth of our total patient URGICARE l In the past, during busy hours patients with less emergent needs, such as coughs, ear aches or flu symptoms, had to wait so that patients with serious emergencies could be cared for first. Springer noted that in some ERs across ~ the , ountry, waiting time for those with less emergent needs can be four to six hours. ETC CONGESTION load on the weekends," Springer said. Here's how the system works: all patients entering the ETC are triaged by an RN who assesses whether they need to see an emergency physician, a physician and a nurse or if their needs can be met by the team on the urgicare side of the ETC. Once that assessment is complete, tl1ey are directed to the proper area "Our goal with this program is to have urgicare patients in and out in a more reasonable tin1e frame than the national average and to improve patient satisfaction. We should know towards the end of the year whether we're succeeding. That's when we'll have a complete quality assurance repmt which reflects the change in the delivery of service." Early indicators are positive. Springer has received positive comments from patients, physicians and nursing staff. An expansion of hours is now under consideration by administration. MEDICAL COVERAGE Medical Premiums Overall, employee contributions for 1993 will not increase. However, because of a new tiered pricing structure, premiums for single and certain family contracts will increase while some will decrease. The Hospital's overall cost increase will be 11 %. The new tiered structure will include four levels of coverage. The "Single" coverage will be for the employee only. "Single Plus Children" will be Managed Care and EAP As part of a growing need to assist employees with issues and choices surrounding mental health and chemical dependency, beginning in January, 1993, the EAP, along with the Compensation and Benefits Department, will assist you in stays. In the case of an emergency admission, the patient or a representative must contact the EAP within 72 hours of admission for authorization of additional days. Confidentiality: Individuals who, because of their working relationships, choose not to use the Counseling Center or EAP for their care, must have their care pre-authorized by EAP, but may be able to have a maximum of 20 hours authorized with another Inpatient Coverage coverage for the employee and all eligible children in the family. "Single Plus Spouse" will include coverage for the employee and spouse, and "Single Plus As the cost of providing benefits grows and as our employees' needs change, the Employee Benefits Department continually works toward developing When inpatient services are performed at Saint Cloud Hospital, 900/4 of the total costs will be paid by the Hospital and 100/4 will be paid by the employee with a maximum Family" will be coverage for innovative ways to deliver competitive and affordable programs to all employees. the employee, spouse and all eligible children in the family. In-House Pharmacy Program In 1993, several changes will be implemented that support the needs of our employees and our efforts to control costs. The effective date out-of-pocket per person, per calendar year based on the following: MAX OUT-OF-POCKET per person up to3Jamily members As a direct result of suggestions from the employee opinion survey and a need to serve our employees more effectively, we have developed a program for filling your prescriptions using our own Pharmacy Department. The program can be used by active employees and their eligible dependents who are covered under the hospital's insurance programs. A general overview of this benefit is provided below. Employee Copay: $5.00 (Other plans will still be $10). Hours of Operation: You can drop off your prescription at any time, and it will be filled within 8 hours and available for pick-up between the hours of 10:00 am. and 5:00 p.m. and 4:00 am. and 6:00 am., Monday through Friday. Immediate filling of prescriptions should be directed to other vendors outside the hospital. Covered Drugs: Almost all of the drugs covered under the current options will be available. Over-the-counter drugs, contraceptives, insulin needles, certain supplies, and nicorette replacement therapy are some that will not be available. Prescription Pick-Up: You or your eligible dependents can pick-up your prescription by showing your insurance card or a photo I.D. for all coverage changes will be January 1, 1993. managing care for these benefits. By coordinating this effort, we have been able to increase our outpatient mental health benefit from 16 hours annually to 20 hours, if Saint Cloud Hospital's Counseling Center or EAP is used as the caregiver. Also, we have been able to reduce the copay for most visits from 200/4 of charges to $15. If the employee chooses to use another caregiver after seeing EAP, a maximum of 16 hours will be approved. If the EAP does not pre-authorize the visits, there will be no coverage for those visits. Access to Benefits: All employees and their eligible dependents who want to use inpatient or outpatient mental health or chemical dependency benefits must first contact the EAP for an assessment of their needs. Employee Copay: Because of the unique design of this program, the employee copay will decrease to $15 per visit. Inpatient Services: The EAP must pre-certify all inpatient ANNUAL INCOME $0-$25,000 $25,001- $50,000 $50,001 - above $1,000 $1,750 $2,500 On the average, one in ten participants have an inpatient stay during a calendar year. The average cost of an inpatient stay is $4,200. Therefore, the employee's 100/4 responsibility would be, on the average, $420. The annual income level of the subscriber (employee) will be used to determine the maximum out-of-pocket. Part-time employees' income will be based on their hourly rate and the number of hours for which they were hired. Other Plan Changes -Effective January 1, 1993 There have been other plan changes for Options 1, 2 & 3. Refer to the benefit plan comparison sheet for additional comparison information. DENTAL INSURANCE Tiered Pricing The tiered pricing strategy used in the medical plans will also be incorporat-ed in the dental rates. The rates listed on the back page are the employee contributions for each pay period. BENEFITS continued on back ACHIEVEMENTS SUSAN D. ATAMIAN, M.D., St. Cloud Clinic of Internal Medicine, coauthored "Fever in Pheochromocytoma," which appeared in the Archives OJ Internal Medicine. LORI GARDNER, R.N., O.C.N., received state recognition from the American Cancer Society for her efforts to bring cancer services to patients and families with cancer. KAY GREENLEE, clinical nurse specialist, critical care, was named 1992 Critical Care Nurse of the Year by the Central Minnesota Area Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Jl.JDY JOHNSON, R.N., 5 South, received the Nurses Make A Difference award from the Minnesota Organization of Nurse Executives for Area D. KATHY MURPHY, home care, was appointed chair for Region 4 of the Minnesota Home Care Association which represents 210 home care agencies. KAREN REISDORF, R.D., C.D.E., Nutrition Clinic, recently passed the national certification exam for diabetes educators. Recertification is required every 5 years to maintain C.D.E. status. SUE WEISBRICH, hospice, was elected vice president of the Minnesota Hospice Organization which represents 61 hospice groups. PROMOTIONS KRISTIE BINGHAM, RN, level ill, ETC, to clinical coordinator. JEFF CIHLAR, laundry aide, laundry, to dryer operator. DEBRA DOEDEN, nutrition asst., nut. seiv. to nursing assistant, KDU. ANN HARTUNG, sr. program analyst, inf. services, to systems & prog. supeIVisor. MARK HEDSTROM, storeroom clerk, store & rec., to supeIVisor, distribution. J.M. MCGUIRE, prog. analyst, inf. seiv., to sr. programmer analyst. RUTH MESTNIK, Rec. Plus. sr. cnslr. , Rec. Plus, to sr. cnslr/cl. supvr. , Rec. Plus. SALLY PITZEN, R.N., home care, to pediatric coordinator. ANNETTE THULL, pt. scheduling coord., radiology, to sr. pt. scheduling coord. MEMORIAL FUND PROVIDES FOR COMPUTER SOFTWARE omputer software to teach electrical physics and radiation physics pertaining to medical radiography has been purchased with money from the Dr. William J. Held Memorial Fund. The software will be used by students in the SCH School of X-ray Technology. The teaching program will eventually be joined with an examination series on the physics program. Dr. Held was a radiologist at Saint Cloud Hospital from 1967 until July 1988. The primary focus of purchases by the fund established in his name is to benefit students in the SCH School of X-ray Technology. EDITOR: John L. Pepper DESIGN Peggy Churchwell & Lori Gnahn PHOTOGRAPHY: Joel Butkowski, Rick Danz! PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Jerry Carlson, Speech Pathology Peggy Churchwell, Communications Paulette Como, Endoscopy Services Rosie Feneis, Information Services Lou Ann Garner, Volunteer Services Lori Gnahn, Communications Susanne Guck, Medical Staff Office Bernie Hylla, Nutrition Services Barb January, Home Care Sharon Lesikar, Communica tions Bev Moog, Laboratory Marcia O'Konek, Surgery John Pepper, Communica tions Donna Perez, Social Services Barb Scheiber, Nursing BENEFITS continued Dental Insurance Rat,es COVERAGE LEVEL CURRENT NEW $2.50 $3.50 $4.00 $6.00 Single $1.00 Single Plus Spouse $5.95 Single Plus Children $5.95 Single Plus Family $5.95 DEPENDENT LIFE INSURANCE Beginning January 1, 1993, Saint Cloud Hospital will be offering dependent life insurance to all employees ctmently enrolled in the supplemental life insurance program. This program and its rates are part of a VHA negotiated contract with Northwestern National Life, the provider of our current life insurance product. The cost of dependent life insurance will be fully paid by the employee, as is the individual supplemental life policy, and will be directly deducted from each paycheck. The Spouse's benefit is limited to 500/4 of the employee's supplemental life insurance amount. The monthly cost of the insurance is based on the spouse's age and the amount of insurance purchased. Children's benefits will be $2,000 for age 14 days to 6 months and $10,000 for age 6 months to age 19 (to age 23 if full-time students). The rate for a dependent is $3.00 per month, or $1.40 per pay period. To allow employees to enroll in this benefit, a "health history" will not be required if enrollment is completed during the Open Enrollment period. However, employees who cwTently are not participating in supplemental life must complete a "healtl1 history" fo1m to enroll. BY THE S DEPARTMENT. ULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE EDITOR December 1992 © 1992 Saint Cloud Hospital ,1 RECYCLED AND RECYCLABLE PAPER VIH\ MerroerolVOUU)'HaspialsolAmencalnc.,. 

Center Scan: December 1992

Professional pursuits keep lab\u27s med tech busy
Holly Ball and Tree Festival attendance climbs
New computer system starting up
Respected nursing consultant shares expertise with SCH
Nursing research committee forms
Master site/facility plan in progress
Breakfast with the president
New publication has Hospital New

Center Scan: December 1989

EndoSpeak! Features reports in a Flash
Bringing Up Baby
Quick: What does PAAC Stand For?
Parking Plan Prioritizes Patient

CentraCare Health DigitalCommons@CentraCare Health Center Scan 12-1990 Center Scan: December 1990 St. Cloud Hospital Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/center-scan  Part of the Organizational Communication Commons SAINT CLOUD HOSPITAL December 1990 INSIDE nns ISSUE: Bringing Up Baby .............................................. 2 Benefit WJ.$e ...................... ................................. 2 Festival of Lights ............................................... .3 PAAC .................................................................. .3 center Parking/Shuttle System .................................... 4 New Management .............................................. 4 Promotions and Achievements ........................ 4 s Published for the employees, medical staff and volunteers of Saint Cloud Hospital. EndoS InA , Features Reports ■ With the new EndoSpeak! system Scot Hutton, M.D., St. Cloud Clinic of Internal Medicine, can dictate his findings after finishing an exam and have a completed report ready to sign in just minutes. I magine a complete medical report generated in the time it takes to dictate the information. Sound like an impossible dream? Not with the new Olympus EndoSpeak! system in endoscopy. According to Carol Primus, endoscopy manager, EndoSpeak! is just that fast. "Once it's dictated, the report is complete and printed," Primus said. Because the program is voice-activated, everyone who uses the system must go through almost four hours of voice training. This training exercise requires users to repeat words several times so the computer can memorize the user's voice. ''The system is very easy to use," Primus said. ''The program contains a list of prompts. As the physician moves through the report he or she is asked to fill in the blanks with the specifics of that particular patient's exam." Once the dictation is complete, the physician can request a letter for the referring physician plus as many copies of the report as necessary. Scot Hutton, M.D. uses the new system almost exclusively. ''Because the report is generated immediately after dictation, there's virtually no paper shuffling," he said. "And that means the referring physician gets the information much faster." Primus said she's really noticed a difference with patients coming in from outlying areas. "Now we can send the report back with the patient without rushing it through medical records." Bringing Up Baby T he Family Birthing Center (FBC) doesn't just deliver babies. It also helps parents make the transition to life with a baby. Each day, the FBC offers an optional 45 minute class in which parents learn some basics about how to deal with a new baby. And since October 1 the hospital has been hosting further classes in collaboration with local school districts. These free classes help keep families on the right track parenting their babies, and serve as a channel into school district parenting programs. About four couples a day attend the FBC class, which was devised by maternal child educator Terri McCaffrey. Rather than focusing on physical needs, which are covered one on one by the nurse, the class is designed to assist parents in interacting socially with their babies. "We show parents some calming techniques, and talk about the individualness of babies. We show them how a day old baby will respond to a rattle; it 0 nee again, December is upon us and you as Saint Ooud Hospital employees have the opportunity to review your benefits and make changes to your benefit plans for 1991. lnfonnation packets were mailed to your homes in mid-November, outlining plan and contribution changes for the coming year. Please review this infonnation and join us at the BENEFITS OPEN HOUSE. The BENEFITS OPEN HOUSE will be held in Riverfront Con Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, December 5th, 6th and 7th. Ttmes are posted at various locations around the hospital. Information and representatives from many of our benefit plans/programs will be available to answer questions and help you with your benefit planning for 1991. will tum its head. We talk about the way babies respond to different colors at different stages; when they are born they respond to black and white, not pastels. We let parents know what is coming as their baby grows, so they are better prepared in meeting the needs of the baby." At later classes, McCaffrey said, "parents tell us how it's going." They have passed through the honeymoon stage, and are in need of reassurance. Parents receive flyers about the second class at childbirth education classes and when they give birth to their baby at the hospital. They sign a registration card which is collected from the FBC by either Patsy Murphy, from the Sauk Rapids F.arly Childhood Program, or Ellen Kearns, from the District 742 Parent-Child Programs. FBC nurses Barb Stanley and Dona Haines assist these educators at a class offered to parents of children three days to two weeks old, and at a final class offered to parents of infants 4 to 6 weeks old. The focus of these classes is the parents' needs and on attachment and relationships between child and parent. The educators plan to follow up on parents who enroll in the program at 4 months and 7 months, and hope to enroll them in school district classes that can help keep the family developing nicely. BENEF/TH?/E 1991 Benefit planning Checklist The following is a checklist of some items you may want to review in planning for the 1991 benefit year. Medical Coverage Open enrollment is from 11/26/90 to 12/21/90. You may wish to make changes to your medical coverage, such as change plans, add dependents, or enroll if you do not currently have coverage. (To be eligible for coverage, you must be hired for 32 hours per pay period.) Medical/Dependent Care Expense Reimbursement If you wish to participate during 1991 you must complete an enrollment fonn by 12/21/90. TaxDei Re, represei W-4Ta, Re, Contact assistan Ad benefit You, your family and friends are tnvtted to attend the 2nd Annual Festival of Lights December 4, 1990 6:30 - 7:30 pm Outside the hospital's main entrance Experience the spectacular display of Christmas lights outlining the Saint Ooud Hospita[ Enjoy Christmas caroling along with our own hospital employee chorus. Delight m free, hot, delicious refreshments. Take a ride on the horse drawn trolley from 6 - 7:30 p.m. for only $1 per person. It's our Tbanl, You to the peopl.e of SI. Goud for supporting us this past year. I Annuity (TOA) Partidpanls your TOA status with the Copeland re. mptions the number of deductions you are claiming. :Opeland representative if you need additional nal information and forms are available in the tree center on 5 North. Quick:What does PMC Stand For? T here is a mystery lurking in the depths of the hospital somewhere between the adminis-tration and the personnel. It is called the PAAC. PAAC: Personnel Advisory and Activities Committee. The purpose of the PAAC is to provide a means of communication between the personnel and administration. Each department has a representative who relays messages from the department's personnel to the advisory committee. Whether the message be a complaint about the parking situation or a request for a broom ball tournament, the PAAC is there to get answers for the personnel and assist in the planning and promotion of recommendations, feelings and ideas with the people you work and with other units in SCH," he added. All major departments vote for a representative and an alternate to represent them at the monthly meetings. One half of the representatives are elected each year, for a two year term. Officers elected by the members, serve a one-year term. Rosie Sauve' s favorite benefits offered by the PAAC are the reduced price tickets to Twins games. '1'm so much into sports--They're always on my mind," she said. The PAAC has an activities budget that covers a wide range of entertainment. Twin city attractions with bus transportation are offered at reduced rates as well as a fishing derby, bowling league banquet, various activities for the entertainment, relaxation and pleasure of employees and their families. However, there is a more serious side to the PAAC. If there is a complaint regarding a hospital wide issue, it can be given to a representative to bring up at the monthly meetings." Anyone can bring a concern to their representative, it doesn't "It's important to work with your manager and management chain on personal or department employee dance, and sponsorship of many volleyball, softball and basketball teams. Out of state entertainments are also available through PAAC at reduced rates. Gerri Roman, LPN, mental health services, is the chairperson of PAAC. As such, she has direct access to the executive council at monthly issues ... PAAC has a different, more general goal." matter if you're a manager or a dishwasher," said Rosie Sauve, nutrition services. Sauve has been involved in the PAAC for four years as a representative as well as a participant in activities. The PAAC should not be used to skip over management. Terry Bradford, director of human resources said, "PAAC is not a way to work around management. It's important to work with your manager and management chain on personal or department issues. The next step would be to contact human resources. PAAC has a different, more general goal of a forum for hospital wide issues to be introduced and reviewed. Discussions on the parking situation have been a good example of how the PAAC should be used. ''With the PAAC, you have the ability to be able to share concerns, meetings. '1 personally feel that PAAC is an important part of our hospital. It is an opportunity for your concerns to be resolved and also a direct route to the executive council," she said. '1 have been impressed with the interest and attention that John Frobenius and the entire executive council give to all the concerns that I have brought them," she added. PAAC activity tickets are available by stopping by human resources, 5th floor, during ticket hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 to 9 a.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. If you are wondering what events are coming up call extension 3627 for a voice mail message for all current events. Keep in touch with your representative. The strength of the PAAC is as great as the involvement of its people. Parking Plan Prioritizes Patients W.n, it's working. As evidenced by empty parking stalls in the North lot, the shuttle system has succeeded in clearing the parking crunch and making room for patients and visitors.And early this month Bill Becker, safety & security manager, made changes to the patient/visitor parking policy. The approximately 100 spots initially reserved in the North lot for patients and visitors were moved closer to the hospital. Beginning December 3, lots A, B and part of the North lot were reserved to accommodate patients and visitors. "We were one of the only employers that gave employees the closest parking spots," he said. "We needed to better cater to the needs of our clients." According to Becker, there are 187 cars on average at Whitney daily. That number has remained strong throughout the first month of operation. In fact, it's even increasing, Becker said. And that's good news because construction plans for additional decks on NEW MANAGEMENT Maiy Jo (M.J.) Swanson has been hired as assistant manager in the emergency trauma center. Swanson comes to us from Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. center scan December 1990 Volume 3, Number 11 C.enter Scan is published monthly by the public relations and development department. Any comments or questions should be addressed to the editor. Vt+A. Mtni>er of Vdurury Holpillja d Amlrica, Inc. C 19110 Saint Cloud H011)1111 A lf£CYCUD AHD lf£CYCLAIIL MIU Joyce Glatzmaier has taken the position of assistant manager, dialysis. Prior to her promotion Glatzmaier was an R.N. on the kidney dialysis unit. EDITOR: John L. Pepper CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Shelby Brunberg, Lori J. Tiffany DESIGN: Marla Elness PHOfOCRAPHY: Joel Butkowski, Center Scan Staff PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Karen Trobec, Safety & Security Jerry Carlson, Speech Pathology Paulette Como, Endoscopy Services Lou Ann Gamer, Volunteer Services Bernie Hylla, Nutrition Services Donna Perez, Social Services John Pepper, Public Relations Bev Moog, Laboratory Marci.a OKonek, Surgery Barb Scheiber, Nursing Rosie Feneis, Information Services Unda Abel, Home Care Lori Tiffany, Public Relations Roger Oberg, Administration the existing ramp and the new ramp are proceeding slowly. "We are making progress," Becker said. "We've just had to modify the plans several times. Right now we're looking at a completion date on the additional decks of July 1991." The new ramp will be completed sometime in 1992. Construction on both projects is expected to begin this spring. And, with the exception of three weeks when the top deck will be closed, the existing ramp will remain open during the construction. When the project is complete the expanded ramp will be able to accommodate approximately 250 additional cars. PROMOTIONS Debra Eisenschenk, endoscope cleaner, endoscopy, to nursing assistant, critical care unit. Kathleen Kost, laundry aide, laundry, to dryer operator. Clare McIntyre, food service aide, nutrition services, to baker. Monica Pelzer, nursing supervisor (trn.), nursing support, to nursing supervisor. Mary Rudolph, staff radiographer, radiology, to vascular imaging tech. Carol Schneider, laundry aide, laundry, to dryer operator. Vincent Steiner, ETC assistant, ETC, to computer operator, information services. Jane Vortherms, registered nurse, 4 South, to oncology educator, nursing education & research. Michelle Witzman, housekeeping aide, environmental services, to staffing coordinator (trn.), staffing/scheduling. Mary Listul, lead laundry aide, laundry, to asst. supervisor. ACHIEVEMENTS Roberta Basol, critical care educator, was named Central Minnesota Area Chapter of AACN Critical Care Nurse of the Year. Ron Fligge, chief respiratory therapist, has been elected President-Elect of the Minnesota Society for Respiratory Care. 

Center Scan: December 1990

CentraCare Health DigitalCommons@CentraCare Health Center Scan 12-1991 Center Scan: December 1991 St. Cloud Hospital Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/center-scan  Part of the Organizational Communication Commons Recommended Citation St. Cloud Hospital, "Center Scan: December 1991" (1991). Center Scan. 20. https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/center-scan/20 This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@CentraCare Health. It has been accepted for inclusion in Center Scan by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@CentraCare Health. For more information, please contact schlepers@centracare.com. SAINT CLOUD HOSPITAL December 1991 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Bernie Siegel .. .. .. ... ... .... ............................................. 2 Caesarian Births Move ........... ... .......... ..... ..... .. ... .. ... 2 Living Wills .... ..... ....... .............. .. ......................... ..... 3 Employee Survey ... .................... .............. ........ ... .. ... 3 Holiday Events .................... ..... .... ... ........ .. ... ...... .... .3 Benefits .................................. ..... .. ... ...... .... ........ ... ..... 4 New Management ...... .... .......... .. ............. ................ 4 Promotions ......... ... .. .. ..... .... ........... .. ......... ................ 4 Achievements ................ .. .. ...... .. .... .. ......................... 4 Published for the employees, medical staff and volunteers of Saint Cloud Hospital. On the outside, an incredible feeling of calmness surrounds Sister Kara Hennes. Her movements and speech are fluid and she is quick to smile. On the inside there has been a tug-of-war going on. For nearly a year and a half, she struggled with staying in her position as vice president of nursing, a position she has held since 1984. She went through what her Benedictine community calls the discernment process twice -- first in April of 1990 and then again this past summer. "There was a growing awareness for me that the pressure of the job was not compatible with my desire to be a part of the monastic life," said Sister Kara. "It was making it difficult for me to be me." During a discernment, the Sister meets with several members of the Sisterhood to discuss the issue affecting that member. Sister Kara's discernment was with several other Sisters who work or have worked at the hospital and the personnel director. This group tried to help guide her in the decision-making process by. praying and listening to the Holy Spirit acting through the group. After the first discernment, Sister Kara made some adjustments and continued in her position. Still, the weight was there so she went through the discernment again and this time it was clear to Sister Kara that she needed to step down. "I am so blessed to be a part of a religious community which is so supportive and that has a process in place for helping with large decisions like this. This process also had us consider the impact of my leaving on our mission and on our finances. The prioress and the other Sisters have been behind me 100 percent," she said. In July, Sister Kara talked to John Frobenius about her decision. ''He was very surprised. He didn't agree with it and still doesn't but he has supported the decision." For now, Sister Kara looks forward to relaxing for a while and starting in her new position in December as a registered nurse for home care. "I have a strong desire to do hands-on care and my specialty was home care before I came to SCH in 1979," she said. She wants to take a rest from top administration but eventually she would like to be in a management position again. Looking back, the most difficult portion of her job and a big reason for her leaving was the growing parts of the position which she felt were out of her area of expertise. This included business plans and '"number crunching.' I just didn't feel I was able to be as supportive and visible to the patient care areas as I wanted to be." Yet Sister Kara has a deep feeling of satisfaction about the strong management and staff team that has been built during the last 12 years. ''We have a team of people who are committed to improving care to our patients and creating a satifying work environment for our employees," she commented. Oncology Unit Brings Bernie Siegel To Town Saint Cloud Hospital's oncology unit is sponsoring a workshop featuring Bernie Siegel, Tuesday, January 28 & Wednesday, January 29. Siegel is nationally known through his two books, Love, Medicine & Miracles, and Peace, Love & Healing, as well as numerous talk-show appearances. They have made him a workshop favorite frequently drawing large attendances. All workshop activities have been planned for the St. Cloud Civic Center. The workshop is titled "Reaching Inner Peace Through The Art of Caring." Siegel, who was on the faculty at Yale Medical School, gave up a successful surgical practice to explore the role of hope, love, spirituality and unconscious beliefs in the healing process. He will present his views on how the mind and body interact during an evening presentation on January 28, and during the workshop's second day. The evening presentation has been planned as a community event, so that people who are not medical professionals can hear Siegel speak. Ticket price for the evening presentation is $5, and tickets are available within the hospital from public relations and the Gift Shop. The target audience for the workshop is medical professionals who deal with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. Brochures containing further information about the workshop are available from the education department. Caesarean Births MoveToFBC After over a year of planning and preparation, caesarean births are now taking place on the Family Birthing Center (FBC). "Because of our family-centered philosophy, we believe that a caesarean birth should be treated as a birth, as well as a surgery," said Mickie Schreiber, FBC assistant manager. "There is essentially no separation of mom, dad, and baby with our c-births now. They are treated as a unit throughout the process." The process does require that families move to a special surgical room but the operating rooms are on the unit, and the surgical nursing staff are FBC nurses. Moving c-births from surgery to the FBC was in the minds of FBC management when the unit was remodeled and changed to single room care four years ago. The first c-birth took place April 1, 1991. From then until October 28, only scheduled c-births were taking place on the unit. Now, the preparation and experience is in place for unscheduled c-births also. "About half our labor and delivery skilled nurses are trained, which gives us 24-hour coverage to perform one case at a time. If we have more than one at a time, the second would go down to surgery. Our goal is to have every labor nurse oriented so that we will be able to do all caesarean births on the unit," said Terri McCaffrey, maternal child educator. The roles of circulating nurse and scrub nurse were new to most FBC nurses, and surgery educator Marcia O'Konek helped devise their education. The addition of new roles hasn't been easy. "It's been very challenging, because there has been a lot to learn, equipment to buy, policies and procedures to write, and a lot of new people to work with," Schreiber said. Introducing caesarean births to the FBC has taken many hours of planning, preparation and cooperation from the departments of anesthesia, surgery, recovery, same day surgery staff and the obstetricians. "But we've had an excellent collaborative effort from all the people involved," Schreiber said. "It's worked very well from our perspective," agrees John Konz, anesthesia manager. "The delivery of anesthesia hasn't changed, because we don' t deviate from our standards of care. But the patients are much more comfortable. They're more relaxed about the procedure even though the procedure remains the same." Obstetrician David Lindgren, M.D., also agrees that the change is working well. "It's real beneficial to have these births on the floor because it can save time. Before, if a baby was in fetal distress we had to wheel the mother down to surgery on A-level. This is closer, and it's closer to the nursery. So there are real time saving advantages as well as providing something nice for the family." Living Wills 1n Minnesota, living wills have been legal since August 1989. As of December 1, healthcare providers, by law, have to inform patients of their rights regarding living wills. "To a certain degree, we have been doing this already," says Alice Frechette, manager of medical records. "Now we're putting together a more formal program and we' re being more direct in telling patients about their rights regarding living will ,, s. The instigator of this change is the Patient Self-Determination Act which is a part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) '90. Under * FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Tlt11rsday , December 5, 1991 • 6:30-7:30 PM • In fro11t of tlte hospital • the law, Saint Cloud Hospital is required to: ■ inquire and document whether patients have a living will. ■ inform patients of their rights to prepare such a document. ■ provide patients with resource information if they want to complete a living will. ■ educate employees, medical staH and the community about living wills. "Under no circumstances will a patient be denied care based on whether or not they have a living will. The decision is theirs to make," Frechette noted. As part of this process, SCH has developed a set of policies and procedures regarding living wills. A core group of about 50 people have been trained by Frechette and administrative nursing supervisor Karen Kleinschmidt as living will resource people. Departments and groups involved in this resource group are social services, spiritual care, nursing supervisors, medical records, emergency trauma center, hospice/home care, 'friends of the family' volunteers and ethics committee members. "This group will be knowledgeable about this legislation and help educate our staH and serve as a resource to patients interested in having more information about living wills," Frechette said. Public education will take place through public speaking and through the distribution of living will informational packets to interested persons. "In the near future, we would like to develop a video which we'd make available to the public through inhouse TV and through clinics, the public library and Whitney Senior Center," Frechette commented. "We're trying to get the word out because people have a right to know this information." Most Employees Satisfied, Survey Shows By now, many employees will have received findings from the employee opinion survey conducted in September. The overall result of the survey is that employees feel Saint Cloud Hospital is a good place for patients and employees alike. Some key findings were: Jo in us fo r the traditi? na l li g htin g of th e Sa int Cloud Hospital • Christmas Caroling with the hospital cho ir • Free refreshme nts • Free horse- ~ drawn trolly rides with 0 th e New Tra diti o n ~ Th ea tre caro le rs • It's our Thank ~ TREE ■ 95% of employees would recommend SCH to friends and relatives ■ 93% felt the quality of work or performance in their work areas is very good ■ Organizational strain was found to be present in only 12 of 93 work groups ■ The organizational climate was found to be above average You to the people ,C>- t..,. FESTIVAL of St. Cloud for ~v S 11 11 d a y, supporting us __. J December 8, 1991 • thi s pa s~ 10 :00 AM-5:00 PM Ye a r • • St. C/o11d Holiday ln11 • 15-foo t Re m e mbran ce Tr ee , IC. symboli zing and honoring cherished T "V memories of Hospice patients • Sale of designer collectibles and Christmas sweets to keep or give as gifts • Decorated trees, wreaths and garlands • Gingerbread displays and Dollhouses • $1.00 donation per person • All proceeds to benefit the Saint Cloud Hospital Hospice Program • BolidaYs I-IaVVY © SA.INTCLUD HOSPITAL Some concerns surfaced. For example: ■ Only 22% felt that top administration is aware of problems at their level of the organization ■ Only 33% felt that staff shortages have not affected the quality of care in this hospital ■ Only 49% felt that the hospital provides adequate growth opportunities for people in their position By mid-January, after the results of the survey have been shared, supervisors and managers will prepare action plans for executive council that address concerns and recognize highlights within their own departments. According to Scott Thoreson, director of administrative projects and survey coordinator, the hospital's administration will use the survey results to improve job satisfaction and patient care. ''We had a 76 percent response rate to the survey, which is very good, and we want employees to know that we are sincere about using the survey to produce positive results," he said. December is upon us and it is time again for you to review your benefits and make changes to your benefit choices for 1992. A letter will be sent to your home outlining the plan and cont-ribution changes for the coming year. To provide you with information ·about your benefits the Benefits Open House will be held in Riverfront C on Thursday and Friday, December 12 and 13. The schedule and location of the Benefit Open House will be posted throughout the hospital. Folders with benefit information will be distributed during the Open House. Representa-tives from many of our benefit plans/programs will be available to answer questions and help you with your benefit plarnung for 1992. 1992 Benefit Planning Checklist: The following is a checklist of items you may want to review in plarnung for the 1992 benefit year. Medical Coverage: Open enroll-ment is from 12/2/91 to 12/20/91. You may wish to make changes to your medical coverage, such as change plans, add dependents, or enroll if you do not currently have coverage. (To be eligible for coverage, you must be hired for at least 32 hours per pay period.) Medical/Dependent Care Expense Reimbursement: If you wish to participate during 1992, you must com-center scan December 1991 Volume 4, Number 10 Center Scan is published monthly by the public relations and development department. Any comments or questions should be addressed to the editor. Vl+A. Member of Voluntary Hospitals of America, Inc.Ill © 1991 Saint Cloud Hospital A RECYCLED AND RECYCLABLE PAPER plete an enrollment form by 12/20/91. Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA) Participants: You may wish to review your IDA status with the Copeland representative. W-4 Tax Exemptions: You may wish to review the number of deductions you are claiming. Contact the Copeland representative if you need additional assistance. All forms needed to make the above changes will be available at the Benefi t Open House and in the Benefit Resource Cen ter on 5 North . New Management Lisa Daley is the new assistant manager of staffing/ scheduling. She comes to Saint Cloud Hospital after having had previous exper-ience as a biology research lab technician, office manager, executive secretary, public relations secretary, and most recently as staffing coordinator for five years with Miller-Dwan hospital in Duluth. EDITOR: John L. Pepper PHOTOGRAPHY: Dean Nagel PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Jerry Carlson, Speech Pathology Paulette Como, Endoscopy Services Rosie Feneis, Information Services Lou Ann Garner, Volunteer Services Susanne Guck, Medical Staff Office Diane Hageman, Public Relations Bernie Hy Ila, utrition Services Barb January, Home Care Bev Moog, Laboratory Roger Oberg, Administration Marcia O'Konek, Surgery John Pepper, Public Relations Donna Perez, Social Services Barb Scheiber, Nursing Karen Trobec, Human Resources PROMOTIONS Gail Falconer, nuclear medicine technologist, radiology, to radiology quality assurance coordinator. Eugene Fischbach, sr. vascular imaging technologist, radiology, to supervisor, cardiovascular imaging. *Joy Karels, OB unit assistant, labor & delivery, to OB surgical technician. Paul Kub, MRI technologist, radiology, to suervisor, MRI technologist. Robert Lacroill. Recovery Plus counselor, Recovery Plus, to Recovery Plus senior counselor. Michael Lepinski, radiographic cont. tech., radiology, to electronics tech . William Lindell orderly, nursing service, to registered nurse, telemetry. Ken Lock, vascular imaging tedmologist, radiology, to cardiovascular imaging ted1. John Minars, programmer I, information services, to programmer analyst. Jackie Molus, food service aide,.nutrition services, to nutrition assistant. Dale Pietrowski, food service aide, nutrition services, to orderly, float pool. *Karin Reichensperger, telecommunications att' d., telecommunications, to transcriber, ETC. Mary Super, sr. vascular imaging teclmologist, radiology, to supervisor, cardio. imaging technlg. *Sheila Swarthout, sr. P.T. orderly, physical therapy, to transcriber, telemetry. *Linda Tannenbaum, telecommunications att'd ., telecommunications, to resident assistant. Deborah Thornton, sr. resident assistan t, Journey Home, to A & C assistan t counselor. *Michael Travers, chemical dependency specialist, Recovery Plus, to Recovery Plus counselor. Jeffrey Trimble, vascular imaging technologist, radiology, to carcliovascular imaging tech. * Will work both positions ACHIEVEMENTS Larry Asplin, RN, CNOR, anp Mary Pat Fitzgerald, RN, CNOR, both from surgery, passed their national certification examination. Jerry Boldon, CRNA, was elected as president-elect of the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Roland Brummer, RN, Judy Johnson, RN, and Angie Moscho, RN, 5 South, passed their national oncology certification examination. Peter Honer, Recovery Plus, received statewide recognition, receiving the Irene Whitney award for outstanding contribution to the chemical dependency field. Kris Nelson, critical care, was selected the Central Minnesota Area Chapter Critical Care Nurse of the Year. Julie Santer and Tammy Tucker, junior volunteers, were recognized by the Optimist Club of St. Cloud for their community involvement. Steve Vincent, Counseling Center, was elected President of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of St.Cloud. 