’s
June 27, 2014 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
SCKMC Expands Physician Employment Less than a half-century ago the world of healthcare was relatively simple when compared to the complicated processes and requirements of 21st century medicine. However, changes in the 1980’s to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) placed hospitals and providers in the position of receiving a fixed amount for treating patients diagnosed with a given illness, regardless of the length of stay or type of care received, instead of the traditional fee-forservice model of years past. This change placed more emphasis on detailed charting and documentation from the physicians. As technology improved over the years, the amount of detail required by CMS and insurers also increased. Today, more and more physicians find a significant amount of their time tied to paperwork, which allows less for hands-on patient care. The medical center is now under taking a project to provide local physicians with the best of both worlds. The ability to care for their patients and receive payment for the services provided, without having to be responsible to navigate the regulations associated with owning a practice. “We are at a point in this country where you are seeing potential physicians choose other career paths, because they find the government regulations associated with operating a medical practice too burdensome,” said Steve Perkins, CEO. The hospital’s plan is to relieve physicians from some of that burden through the formation of hospital owned clinics. An idea that is becoming more popular as graduating physicians determine which type of medical practice to join. "We feel that by establishing this now we will have an option that has not been available in the past for primary care physicians in Ark City. We will be able to offer candidates a choice of practice- a physician group practice by being with the Ark City Clinic or employed by the hospital. This choice broadens our opportunities," Perkins said. SCKMC has employed physicians for several years, however those physicians have always been specialists working independently of the typical family medicine clinic. Earlier this month the medical center announced Dr. Eric Thomson and the providers of the current Summit Clinic would be joining the hospital to form a new hospital employed family medicine clinic, South Central Kansas Clinic. Future plans for SCK Clinic include working with a private developer in constructing a permanent clinic space near the hospital within the Patterson Park development. The clinic would include space that could be expanded to allow for the recruitment of additional providers.
SCK Clinic Goes Global A web-based presence is essential for any business, and healthcare is no exception. That is why South Central Kansas Clinic has established both a website and facebook page. The website, www.sckclinic.com, offers the standard information found on similar pages such as provider biographies, a general overview of the services provided, and related news articles. However the site also contains some interactive features including featured audio files on various health topics, web messaging, and an online testimonial section that allows patients to tell others about their experiences. SCK Clinic’s facebook page, www.facebook.com/sckclinic, has been up and running just over one week and had 130 “likes” at the time this was written. The page will feature photos of providers and staff, as well as local and national health information.
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. Blood pressure kiosks are a quick and easy way to check your blood pressure when you’re on the go. Kiosks can be found in pharmacies, grocery stores, and gyms. However, a quick check does not necessarily equal an accurate reading. An important variable to an accurate reading is a correct cuff size. If a cuff is too small or too big it may result in an artificially high or low reading. Many kiosks have one standard size of cuff but not all kiosks use the same size. So do not be alarmed from any one unusual result from the kiosk. These machines can be a useful tool if used properly. You should always speak to your healthcare provider if results are not within normal limits.
Retirement Reception Held for Spore Debbie Spore retired on June 19, having been the medical staff coordinator at SCKMC for the past 11 years. She was honored with a retirement reception on June 26th which was well attended by both coworkers and family. In a true display of her hardworking and practical character, Debbie requested to forgo the traditional retirement gift and instead received an electric weed eater from the hospital staff.
We always appreciate hearing from our patients and their family, like what we're sharing below. What gave us greater pride was when we learned what Ms. Adams does for a living. She is Pharmacy Manager- Quality and Safety at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in Houston, a world renowned facility. April 14, 2014 Dear Mr. Perkins, I would like to let you know how grateful I am for the staff caring for my mother during her recent visit. My mother was a patient in your Med/Surg area from April 1 until April 10. I arrived from Houston to support her and my sister, who lives in Arkansas City, on April 3 and stayed until she was discharged. Throughout her stay, I observed many acts of compassion and kindness by your staff. While I cannot name every nurse or nursing assistant who cared for her, I appreciate them all and am omitting names only because I would not want to leave anyone out. The vast majority of them treated my mother and our family members with care and respect, and allowed her to maintain some dignity during some very undignified moments.
Outside of her direct caregivers, the Physical Therapists, Lab techs, Housekeeping staff, the Pharmacist and Food Service personnel were all very considerate. I would like to also mention that Susan in Food Services and Katrina in Nuclear Medicine were exceptionally kind and considerate, even when my mother presented them with some challenges. And Pam, the Case Manager, was especially helpful when it came time to arrange for hospice care for my mother following her stay with you. All in all, I felt that mother was in very capable hands during her stay. Having spent my career in large hospitals, I have seen bedside care at many levels. I want you to know how much it is a comfort to me to know that your hospital is close at hand should she need immediate attention again. Please share my heartfelt expression of thanks with your staff. Sincerely, B. Jane Adams
Reprinted with permission
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