STAFF MATTERS
Update for Catskill Regional Medical Center employees, physicians and volunteers
August/September 2019
A Message From Our Leader This has been a tremendous year for Catskill Regional Medical Center, including but not limited to recognition as a Stroke Center of Excellence, Grover M. Hermann Hospital’s standing as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital in Quality and Patient Satisfaction, Jonathan Schiller recognition as a HIMSS Level 7 hospital for our use of the EPIC electronic health record, the opening of our on-site pharmacy and the work of our Nursing Shared Governance. Recently, we came together to address a potential Code Silver (active shooter) in the most serious and professional way. My sincere thanks to all who took action in keeping our Hospital and community safe. We look forward to more progress with the continuation of our Emergency Department renovations in Callicoon, and newer initiatives including the development of sleep center, telemedicine and lung screening services.
For us to continue going “above and beyond” in our organization, and to provide exceptional service to our community, our work environment must always support each of us to do our best every day. We need to gain input from everyone to ensure we are creating a culture and workplace of excellence. Our engagement survey is the opportunity for each of us to share our opinions on what is working well and where there is room for improvement. With the continued help of the Gallup organization, we will soon conduct our engagement survey. The Gallup survey will be emailed to everyone and mailed copies will be sent to departments that do not have regular email usage. If you have any questions about the survey, please ask your leader or contact Naomi Lippin at 333-0228 or Lorin Mask at 333-0227. Sincerely,
Jonathan Schiller, CEO
Catskill Regional Receives Stroke Quality Achievement Award Catskill Regional received the 2019 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, researchbased guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Catskill Regional earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level, for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing the risk of death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients received education on managing their health and scheduled a follow-up visit.
GHVHS Medical Group
Update
Welcome New Providers
Charles Afful, MD Psychiatry
Joshua Layher, DO Primary Care
Eric Jarmon, DO Psychiatry
Alicia Olowu, DO Primary Care
Muhammad Kamal, MD Hospitalist
Robin Gumaer, NP ICU
Morenike Jegede, CM Women's Health
How Our Patients Can Contribute to the Safety and Quality of Their Care Everyone has a role in making healthcare safe, including our patients. We can encourage them to make their care safer by asking them to stay active, involved and informed. Research shows that patients who take part in decisions about their own healthcare are more likely to get better faster. To help prevent healthcare mistakes, we should urge them to SPEAK UP with questions and concerns if something doesn’t seem right to them, and for additional education on their ailments and treatments. Our patients should always be asked to participate in all decisions about their treatment, as they are the center of the healthcare team. Patients and physicians should agree on exactly what will be done during each step of treatment. They should be advised to keep copies of their medical records from other hospitalizations and to share them with us so that we have the best information about their health histories. Let patients know it’s ok for them to ask for a second opinion — we should always support their requests because the more information they have about all the kinds of treatment available, the better they will feel about the decisions they make. Last, but certainly not least, patients should talk to their families and health care providers about their wishes regarding resuscitation and other lifesaving actions during emergency situations. For more information on Culture of Safety, contact Quality Data Specialist, Katie Haun, at khaun@ghvhs.org. 2
Congratulations
Registered Nurses Sara LaFleur and Melissa DiCostanzo have received Board-certifications in recovery care.
Thank You
On September 3, a plaque was dedicated to the Wound Care Department in honor of Dr. Marc Hudes for his service. Dr. Hudes also graciously donated $1,000 to the Hospital’s Wound Care Fund. Pictured are Dr. Marc Hudes, his wife Judy and Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Schiller.
Introducing Our Shared Governance Nursing Congress As we continuously strive for nursing excellence, everyone should be aware of the importance of our Shared Governance Nursing Congress.
The 2019 Shared Governance Nursing Congress
What is the Benefit?
How does it Work?
Catskill Regional’s Shared Governance Nursing Congress provides the framework for accountability and autonomy of nursing practice and strategic goals. Comprised of frontline staff and leader advisors, the goal is to enhance nursing practice. There are three Councils and Committees and each use shared decision-making model to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practice and quality in the practice setting.
The Shared Governance Nursing Congress meets monthly. Additional activities and meetings are added as necessary. Meetings and activities include:
Currently, the three councils are Inpatient medicine, Emergency Department/Behavioral Health and Obstetrics/Operating Room. The three Committees are Safety, Professional Nursing – Excellence and Education and Nursing Innovation.
• STATE OF THE UNION HUDDLE/UPDATE: A short huddle/update session with the CNO, Nurse Leader Advisors, Shared Governance facilitators and members representing all Councils and Committees.
• COUNCILS: The Council shared decision process promotes plans, actions and
implementation for optimal patient care based on best practice and best evidence.
• COMMITTEE: A shared decision-making group representing members from
each of the Nursing Service Councils discusses focus-based concerns. Action and implementation are formulated.
• SENATE: Coordinates the work completed by all Committees and Councils.
The Nurse Leader Advisor, Chair or Co-Chair for the Committees and Councils represents in the Senate.
• CASCADING SENATE HIGHLIGHT: This is a report which includes key discussions
summarized from all levels of Shared Governance Nursing Congress meetings. The report is cascaded, disseminated and then shared with frontline staff.
For more information or to join/become a member, please contact Rolland ‘Boomer’ Bojo, Chief Nursing Officer, at rbojo@ghvhs.org. 3
New Adult Day Health Care Patio Unveiled Catskill Regional recently celebrated the official opening of a newly renovated patio adjacent to Adult Day Health Care Program. The nearly $30,000 patio renovation project took two years and was made possible by hospital staff and community in-kind donations, volunteer work, the manual labor and support of local businesses, along with Boy Scout Troop 273 of Scotchtown, New York.
Pictured L to R: Julia Gainsbury, Chairperson of Boy Scout Troop 273 and GHVHS Director of Management Engineering; Austen Hrynda, Boy Scout – Troop 273, and CRMC volunteer; Jonathan Schiller, CRMC Chief Executive Officer; Marie Kohl, CRMC Director of Development; Maria Mercado, Adult Day Health Care Program patient; Luis Alvarez, Sullivan County Legislative Chairman; Joan Farrow, CRMC Foundation President and Jaime Schmeiser, President & CEO, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce.
Latch On in the Garden In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month, Catskill Regional hosted its annual “Latch on in the Garden” event, where mothers and staff joined to recognize the importance of breastfeeding. Thank you to all who participated.
Boy Scout Troop 273 cleared tables, benches and planters from the old patio and helped with fundraising by holding bake sales. The project included the replacement of plants and planters, patio demolition and the installation of new pavers, new furniture and electrical work.
Golf Tournament The annual Catskill Regional Golf Classic was held on July 10. More than $60,000 in proceeds from the event went to the Obstetrics Department. Thank you to those who volunteered to make this year’s tournament a success.
Annual Holiday Party
Saturday, December 7, 2019 Bernie’s Holiday Restaurant at the Sullivan Event Center Rock Hill, NY 6:00 p.m. Masquerade Apparel (optional) 4