’s
February 2, 2018
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
New Clinic Offers Individual Plan Option Cafe Reorganizes to Reflect Supply Costs Cowley HealthWoRX is open for business and already expanding its offerings. Initially the direct primary care clinic was only open to employers and their employees. However, after a successful first month of operating the clinic is expanding its offerings to the general public. “Things are going smoothly. We have been seeing patients for health risk assessments as well as urgent care visits, and now we are ready to start seeing families and individuals that might be interested in our service,” said Cherie Bahm, APRN provider for Cowley HealthwoRX. While employer plans will be the cornerstone of the Ark City office, staff believes there is a clear need for the personal plans as well. “The situation in Cowley County is that access to primary care is sometimes difficult. That is our competitive edge, that we will see almost all patients within 24-hours of you notifying us that you need to be seen,” said Virgil Watson, SCKMC’s Chief Executive Officer. The Cowley HealthwoRX members can take advantage short wait times for primary care, but also preventative services such as annual physicals, personal health improvement plans, and chronic condition management for such issues as diabetes, obesity, or tobacco addiction. “I think this is a wonderful and incredible opportunity for both the hospital and the community. I’ve learned a lot about the patients I am working with. A 30-minute visit gives us adequate time to have a basic overview of where they are at with their life right now. I’m very fortunate and excited to be part of this changing culture of healthcare,” Bahm said. Individuals interested in personal or family memberships should call Cowley HealthwoRX at (620) 441- 5711.
As of Feb. 1st, staff at SCKMC will notice a change in pricing for items purchased through the hospital cafeteria. Food and beverage items had traditionally been offered at deeply discounted employee rates. “In an effort to maintain costs, it is necessary for us to announce a price increase,” said Holly Harper, SCKMC’s Chief Financial Officer. Over the years supply costs have continued to increase, while the amount paid by employees remained relatively flat. “We are using 1986 pricing for the (employee) meals we serve out of the cafeteria, and losing $1,000 a day in that department. We cannot take to the citizens of Ark City, our Board of Trustees, and all who oversee us and say that we are losing $365,000 a year in that area,” said Virgil Watson, the medical center’s Chief Executive Officer. Changes within the cafeteria include across the board pricing for all staff and guests, streamlined menus, and limiting the specialty bar to once per week. Watson recognized that the meal discount was considered a benefit by many staff members, but believes this change made new benefits to the employee health plan possible. “I know our employees have sacrificed over the years, and up until now I felt like it was a benefit to allow the employees to pay very little for their meals. We really had nothing else that we could offer as a benefit improvement to replace it. By offering direct primary care at no charge to all our employees, spouses, and children, I felt like we are offsetting the increased expense that you will see in the cafeteria,” Watson said.
February Employee of the Month
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph.
Congratulations Britney Tyler, CNA for the medical / surgical unit, for being named the SCKMC employee of the month. Britney was nominated by both a patient and coworker for always being willing to assist and meeting all her patient’s needs. Britney was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Unit Manager Ashley Lynn and will have a special parking spot reserved for her throughout the month.
To encourage the safe use of an OTC loperamide (Imodium), the FDA is working with manufacturers to use single dose packaging/blister packs and to limit the number of doses in a package. Loperamide is safe when used appropriately, however it may cause serious heart problems if high doses are used. The FDA continues to receive reports of serious heart problems and deaths with higher than recommended doses. The maximum approved dose of loperamide for adults is 8mg per day for OTC. Seek medical attention if you have taken this drug and experience any of the following fainting, rapid heartbeat, or unresponsiveness.