In Roads
Inside information for the employees of Mercy Medical Center
2014 Fiscal Year Finishes on a Positive Note for Dignity Health A Message from Chief Financial Officer Michael Blaszyk The ability to fulfill our healing mission depends on the strength and stewardship of our entire organization. Our financial stability makes it possible to provide excellent care to everyone who comes into our care centers. And it is a testament to what can be achieved when our people work together in support of our healing ministry. Despite many challenges, Dignity health completed the 2014 Fiscal Year, which spanned from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, with operating income of $227 million. Operating Margin: We achieved a positive, although small, operating margin in the 2014 Fiscal Year. When you subtract certain items that we had no control over, we earned just a penny on every dollar of revenue from the operation of our care centers. Patient Volumes: We are pleased to report that the declines we saw in patient volumes in recent years, and in the first half of this fiscal year, stabilized in the second half. We attribute the change to the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which shifted a significant number of our patients from self-pay to Medicaid. And we also credit our Hello humankindness branding efforts for the improvement. Investment Income: Our investment earnings, at $686 million, were also strong again this year. These earnings are important for funding expansion and replacement of buildings and equipment. But we can’t rely on them from year to year because of the
uncertainties of the financial markets. Investment in our Communities: As a non-profit, we always reinvest our earnings in our ministry and our communities. In the 2014 Fiscal Year, we invested $684 million in capital improvements, including new buildings, seismic retrofits, and the continued rollout of the Cerner Electronic Medical Records system. We also provided nearly $2 billion in community benefit and charity care for the poor, including unreimbursed costs from Medicare, Medicaid and other programs. That was $300 million more than the $1.7 billion total for the 2013 Fiscal Year. When all is said and done, it is you, our employees, who make it possible for so many people to receive great care in our communities. Each of you brings humankindness to life for our patients and for each other. And that is what sets us apart from other hospital systems. Because of you, our mission remains strong, our vision is clear, and our values have never been more prominent.
Michael Blazyk, Dignity Health’s Chief Financial Officer
OCTOBER 3, 2014
“If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” - Bob Hope
Welcome Claire Osborne to the Stroke Team! Mercy now offers occupational therapy to patients who have suffered a stroke and are admitted as inpatients. Claire Osborne will be our occupational therapist for our stroke inpatients.
Fill your plate with superfoods Each of the next several In Roads will feature a different superfood and its health benefits.
Eggs
Eating a breakfast high in protein is a good way to keep hunger at bay throughout the day. Eggs are full of choline, a nutrient that helps block fat from being absorbed in the liver. Choline may also help in preventing memory loss.
Frequently Asked Questions From the 2014 Open Forums
Q:
Are there going to be more layoffs or more outsourcing?
A:
As an organization, we do not foresee further large scale outsourcing or layoffs. However, if volume continues to fall at certain care centers, there will be less work that needs to be done. Although we have been successful at managing volume changes through attrition or redeploying staff, that is not always possible, and layoffs may be required. Also, with health care reform and the introduction of new technologies, some traditional inpatient and hospital services may shift to ambulatory or non-hospital settings. The key opportunity here is to make sure we’re meeting the needs of both our patients and physicians. When patients and physicians are satisfied and we are doing the best work we can, both from a clinical and a patient experience standpoint, people will feel encouraged to choose Dignity Health.
The last day to order a shirt is October 10th
Dignity Health is Helping our Colleagues in the North State Dear colleagues, I’d like to provide an update on what we at Dignity Health are doing to help our colleagues in the North State who were displaced from their homes by the wild fire that swept through Weed, California, on Sept. 15. Six Dignity Health Families lost their homes in the blaze, and others were driven from their homes by smoke and water damage. I want you to know that Dignity Health, as an organization, is helping too. We have donated $100,000 to Mercy Foundation North and the Sisters of Mercy to help our affected Dignity Health families. And we’ve also made a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help other residents of Weed who were impacted by the fire, which burned nearly 400 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 150 homes. We hope these contributions and the support from our Dignity Health family will help the families of our employees and the community of Weed rebuild their homes and their lives. If you’d still like to make a donation, you can send a personal check to Mercy Foundation North with “Mission Services” in the memo line. Mail your check to: Mercy Foundation North, 2625 Edith Avenue, Suite E, Redding, CA 96001. Your gift will be tax deductible. Thank you for your support and generosity and for continuing to be the face of humankindness in the communities we serve.
See order form on the next page.
Congratulations to our Perinatal Safety HEROES!
Darryl Robinson Chief Human Resources Officer, Dignity Health
Our facility received a HERO AWARD for outstanding performance in Perinatal Safety. These awards were created by The Josie King Foundation and proceeds go to support this organization dedicated to creating a culture of patient safety. We were recognized for:
GNOSIS Module Nurse and Provider Targets Met
Important Role to Know at Mercy Facility Compliance Liaison (FCL) Mika Grisham, RN Supports the hospital president and hospital management in efforts to implement the Dignity Health Integrity Program elements. The Facility Compliance Liaison (FCL) is responsible for monitoring the implementation of corrective action plans for problems uncovered by audits, monitoring compliance education, monitoring or conducting investigations, and following up on complaints with the objective of controlling and minimizing compliance risk to protect the assets of the facility and protect employees’ and patients’safety.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Merced City Firefighters Local #1479 During the Month of October, Merced City Firefighters will wear PINK to raise awareness about Breast Health and Cancer. Have regular mammograms, do your monthly self-checks, and buy a T-Shirt to raise money for a cure! Proceeds Benefit Dignity Health Mercy UC Davis Cancer Center
Note: Order form and payment must be received by September 19th to ensure delivery by October 1st. Orders will be taken up to October 10th.
Men’s Sizes S
M
L
XL
2XL 3XL
Women’s Sizes S
M
L
XL
Total 2XL 3XL Quantity
Quantity
Cost $20.00
Total (Quantity X Cost)
Make your check payable to the Merced City Firefighters Local # 1479. Name: Address: Email: Phone #:
Order may be picked up at: Merced Fire Department 99 E. 16th Street Merced, CA 95340 For Additional Information Local1479@gmail.com Order Filled by: __________________ Date: ________________________ Amount Collected: _____________ Cash / Check # ___________________
International Association of Healthcare Safety and Security announces
Healthcare Safety and Security Week October 12 – 18, 2014 and
Security Officer’s Day. October 15, 2014
Designed to Protect YOU and YOUR FAMILY!
PersonalPlans® Voluntary Benefits to Meet Your Needs!
October 1, 2014 – December 1, 2014 Special Enrollment for: Short Term Disability
Short Term Disability benefits are paid in addition to any disability coverage you already have, and provide you with partial replacement of your income if you become disabled and are unable to work. Underwritten by Kanawha Insurance Company, a Humana Company.
Universal Life Insurance with Long Term Care Rider
Universal Life Insurance provides economical protection, cash value and level premiums for life. Also, take advantage of the Accelerated Death Benefit for Long Term Care rider that allows an insured to take an advance against their life insurance death benefit to help pay for care. Underwritten by Transamerica Life Insurance Company, Cedar Rapids, IA
Critical Illness Insurance with Cancer Coverage
Critical Illness Insurance pays a lump-sum benefit upon diagnosis of a covered illness, such as a heart attack, stroke, or internal cancer. Accident and Critical Illness Insurance is underwritten by Continental American Insurance Company, a proud member of the Aflac family. Continental American Insurance Company is not licensed to solicit business in New York, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.
Accident Insurance with Sickness Benefits
Accident Insurance pays cash directly to you (unless otherwise assigned) for injuries caused by an accident. Accident and Critical Illness Insurance is underwritten by Continental American Insurance Company, a proud member of the Aflac family. Continental American Insurance Company is not licensed to solicit business in New York, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.
Enrollment is quick and easy! Log on to dignityhealthmember.org/totalrewards, select My Work/Life Balance and link to the PersonalPlans® website. Enroll by calling the PersonalPlans Customer Service Call Center, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Pacific time: 1.800.964.2238
65966 I18327 (9/14) Copyright 2014 Mercer LLC. All rights reserved.
In CA d/b/a Mercer Health & Benefits Insurance Services LLC AR Ins. Lic. #303439 CA Ins. Lic. #0G39709 EBD JPDHFL2 0814 CAI0078 CHW1 8-11
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FAIR Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 Time: 10:00AM-5:00PM Location: Pavilion Room C/D
Vendors will include:
And many more!
Open Enrollment for your 2015 Benefits is October 27th through November 14th. This is your annual opportunity to choose the benefits that meet your needs.
2014 Employee Health Clinics Complete Your Employee Health Requirements to Win Two daily raffles will be held at the end of each Employee Health clinic. Employees must complete their Employee Health requirements to enter to win. First Place winner each day will win $50 in Mercy Medal awards. Second Place winner each day will win $25 in Mercy Medal awards. All employees who complete the Employee Health fair will also be entered into the drawing to win the Grand Prize, an iPad! Oct. 1 Oct. 3 Oct. 6 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 17 Oct. 20 Oct. 21 Oct. 22 Oct. 28 Oct. 31
(9:00AM-3:00PM) (7:00AM-3:30PM) (7:00AM-3:30PM) (7:00AM-3:30PM) (9:00AM-5:30PM) (7:00AM-3:30PM) (7:00AM-3:30PM) (7:00AM-3:30PM) (8:00AM-1:00PM) (8:00AM-1:00PM) (8:30AM-5:00PM) (7:00AM-3:30PM)
Clinics C/D C/D C/D C/D C/D C/D C/D Mercy Outpatient Center Clinics C/D C/D