In Roads
February 14, 2014
Inside information for the employees of Mercy Medical Center
“We can really make a difference in the world, just one heart, one kind word at a time ” -Noelani Musicaro
Living Spirituality by Sister Lucille Carreau, DHS Asst. Director of Spiritual Services
Thought:
Learn How to Protect Your Heart February is National Heart Month. It’s a great time to focus on what you can to do protect yourself against heart disease, the No. 1 killer of both men and women. Here are five ways to help your heart: 1. Manage your blood pressure: One of the strongest predictors of heart disease is your blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is 119 over 79. Talk to your doctor if your numbers are higher than normal. 2. Watch your cholesterol: High cholesterol does not have obvious symptoms to warn you of trouble. That’s why it’s so important to know your numbers and ask your doctor how to improve them. There are two numbers to know when it comes to cholesterol, LDL and HDL: • LDL is low-density lipoprotein. This is bad cholesterol. Your LDL number should be lower than 100. • HDL is high-density lipoprotein. This is good cholesterol. Your HDL number should be above 60.
3. Know your body mass index (BMI): BMI measures body fat using a person’s weight and height. You can use WebMD’s BMI calculator to find your BMI. • A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is ideal. • A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is overweight. • A BMI of 30 to 39 indicates obesity. • A BMI of 40 or more indicates morbid obesity. This increases a person’s risk of death from any cause by 50 percent to 150 percent. 4. Check your blood sugar: Your blood sugar number helps you assess your risk for type 2 diabetes. • A normal fasting blood sugar is less than 100. • A fasting blood sugar of 100 to 125 means you are prediabetic. • A fasting blood sugar of 126 or greater means you have diabetes. 5. Exercise: The American College of Sports Medicine recommends aerobic exercise three to five days a week for 30 to 45 minutes.
“Peace come not by establishing a calm outward setting, so much as by inwardly surrendering to whatever the setting.” — Hubert van Zeller, O.P. One saint had as his motto: “I am content”. In other words, “I am open to whatever God wills.” In your daily setting, are you able to say this and mean it?
Practice:
Try to enter into that deeper peace today.
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution is coming to MERCED! Our very own Lillian Sanchez will be a trained instructor. See the flier at the end of the issue for more details.
ICD-10 Training Will be Tailored to Job Roles In preparation for the Oct. 1, 2014 transition to ICD-10, Dignity Health training and education will focus on the following job roles: • Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, residents and fellows: eLearning from Feb. 18 through Sept. 30, and inperson training from April 1 through Sept. 30 • Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists: Regional training between March 3 and June 27. • Nursing, pharmacists, nutritionists and physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapists: eLearning modules from May 1 through Sept. 30. • HIM/Coding Compliance: eLearning modules through April 30. Practice coding available from April 1 through Sept. 30, with supplemental regional inperson training from July 1 through Sept. 30. • Patient financial services, patient access, revenue integrity and information technology: eLearning sessions from May 1 to June 30. • Hospice, extended care and infusion: Training plans are being developed. In the interim, coders will receive two in-person training sessions on June 19-20 and Aug. 7-8. Monthly WebEx training will also be available beginning Sept. 12. To learn more about training activities by audience, click here. We encourage you to discuss any questions you may have with your immediate supervisor. You may also visit the ICD-10 website for additional information.
ACA Coverage Has Begun Coverage under the Affordable Care Act has begun for those who purchased insurance or qualified for expanded Medicaid benefits through the federal and state exchanges before the December deadline. As of Dec. 28, exchange enrollment in California stood at 500,000; Nevada was at 13,000 and Arizona at 28,000. We now expect enrollment numbers to increase sizably through the March 31, 2014 deadline for open enrollment.
Dignity Health’s Role
Across Dignity Health we are expanding our outreach efforts through the March 31 deadline. To inform and engage our patients who don’t have insurance, we are using: •
The dignityhealth.org/enroll web site (which includes lists of health plans that Dignity Health participates in and links to brokers for enrollment assistance)
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Brochure distributions (200,000 to patient homes and 133,000 to facilities and physician offices)
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Facility events and outreach efforts.
In the coming weeks, additional updates, training and tools will be distributed to Dignity Health employees as more information becomes available. In addition, we will be promoting best practices in informing, engaging and assisting the uninsured across our system. We will also continue to update our medical foundation, network and affiliated physicians as we begin to partner with them in caring for patients newly insured through the exchanges. During the remaining months of open enrollment, please continue to remind patients that: •
Open enrollment continues until March 31, 2014 for individuals and families to sign up for health insurance. Enrollment for Medicaid continues year round.
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They cannot be denied insurance or charged more money because of their medical history.
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Subsidies are available that will help millions of individuals and families afford health insurance. Millions of additional people will qualify for Medicaid.
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Insurance is important so that they and their families can access the medical care they need, when they need it, at an affordable price. Beginning this year, they are required to have coverage or pay a penalty.
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Patients can visit www. dignityhealth.org/enroll for information on how to sign up for coverage.
Patience with the Process
There have been well-reported hiccups in the ACA implementation thus far. Undoubtedly, there will be more. It will be important that all of us in health care have patience with the implementation. It may take several years, with interim adjustments and changes, before the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented and accomplishing its objectives. In the meantime all of us at Dignity Health should keep in mind what the Act can and will mean for the many families we care for who have been without coverage. If you have questions about the Affordable Care Act and/or our preparations for it please email them to ACA@DignityHealth.org.
Gift Shop News We are ready for Valentine’s Day! Stop in to see new arrivals, including: Jelly Belly’s, Russell Stover boxed candy, plants & flowers, frames, jewelry for both men & women, valentine candy gift boxes to fill with your favorite treats, balloons, plush, men’s t-shirts and women’s sleep shirts We also have on display a new garden tree, complete with chimes and more!
Employee Discount Week February 16th—February 22nd
20% off *Except flowers/plants, candy, ballons, used books & newspapers Closed February 17th - Presidents’ Day Closed February 28th from 11:00-1:30 - Volunteer meeting Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day!
A Reminder to all employees that there’s a $150 limit on EPD charges. If they go over the $150, that difference is taken out along with the regular $50 payment per pay period. Example: $175 balance = a $50 deduction from pay check.
Mercy’s 5K Stroke Awareness Run
May 3, 2014 Registration is now available online at the Foundation’s website: www.supportmercymerced.org For more information, see the flier on the next page.
Does your department have a fund request? The Mercy Volunteers would like to announce that they have funds available to help your department purchase a need you may have, but lack the funding for. If you would like to submit a request for funding contact Janice Wilkerson at 564-5007 or email Janice. wilkerson@dignityhealth.org. She will provide you with the necessary information and forms. Requests need to be completed by March 19, 2014.
5K Stroke Awareness Run/Walk
Saturday, May 3rd Registration Fee by April 22nd
- $20 per participant, guarantees dri-fit shirt your size on race day
Registration Fee AFTER April 22nd - $25 per participant, dri-fit shirt in your size not guaranteed
* Each participant requires a separate registration form The top three male and female participants will receive a medal.
5K Packet pick up May 3rd from 6:30am - 7:30am at the tent 5K Race Lineup at 7:45am 5K Race begins at 8:00am Medal Ceremony at 9:30am MERCY’S ANNUAL FAMILY FESTIVAL Family Festival activities and Health Fair 8:30am - 1:00pm
To Register go to www.supportmercymerced.org Proceeds go towards the Mercy Medical Center Stroke Program
For more information, contact the Mercy Foundation at 209-564-4200
B IG R IG T EACHING K ITCHEN 2013-14 T OUR March 1 – 21, 2014 @ Pioneer Elementary School A flagship for the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation (USA) and in partnership with The California Endowment, the "Big Rig Teaching Kitchen" brings food education, nutritious cooking skills, and "real food" dishes to local communities across California. During its 40 week tour, the Big Rig will work to inspire local cooks of all ages to eat well through FREE teacher training, FREE basic home cooking classes, and FREE take-home recipes.
M YU
Class Perfect Pancakes All About Eggs
Super Soup
DIY Pasta Sauces
A Taste of Japan
Stir-It-Up Sizzling Beef
Come cook with us! Sign up here: http://bit.ly/17oYt7Q For group reservations or questions, please email: BigRigReporting@jamieoliverfoodfoundation.org
Class Descriptions Recipes Class All American Pancakes Fish, Made Easy Simplest Fruit Salad Scrambled Omelet Superb Squash and Minestrone Soups Basil Pesto Spaghetti with a Simple Tomato Sauce Simple Green Salad Teriyaki Salmon Fluffy Rice Cucumber Ribbon Salad Sizzling Beef with Scallions and Black Bean Sauce Egg-Fried Rice
Fajita Fiesta
Fast Food at Home
Recipes Baked White Fish Brilliant Broccoli Chicken Fajitas Toasty Baked Tortilla Chips Barbeque Chicken Potato Wedges Classic Green Salad + Jam Jar Dressing
The Best Party Food
Crunchy Garlic Chicken Chopped Green Salad Guacamole Platter
Super-quick Spaghetti Meatballs
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Risotto Rules
Classic Risotto and variations Lemony Green Beans