’s
July 7, 2017
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
ER Named Among America’s Best
KHA Weighs In on Health Care Bill
Recent U.S. Department of Labor data reports women make approximately 90-percent of health care decisions for their families and are more likely to be the care givers when a family member falls ill. Now their opinions and experiences with healthcare have been used to determine the top hospitals in the Nation. South Central Kansas Medical Center is one of 15 hospitals in Kansas to receive the Women’s Choice Award® as America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care 2017. This is the fourth year in a row that SCKMC received the award. “Being treated with the proper level of care impacts your health, well-being and healing so our goal is to identify those hospitals that have demonstrated the highest level of quality care to their patients, with a special focus on the female experience,” as per the Women’s Choice Awards website. Top hospitals must rank within the top 10% of all 3,500 hospitals reporting emergency department performance to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Women’s Choice Award weighs CMS scores obtained on eight publicly reported measures, such as total time a patient spends in the ER. Each measure is weighted based upon the priorities given by women surveyed by award staff. “Our methodology is unique in that it is the only national list that simplifies a woman’s choice when selecting a hospital. In some cases we have surveyed thousands of women to determine which measures are most important to them,” explained the Women’s Choice Award staff. “I’ve always felt like we have had a great department down here. They’re very smart, skilled, and knowledgeable. Something like this makes me feel proud, it’s awesome,” said Bonnie Schieber, SCKMC’s Emergency Department Manager. (To win the award) is very impressive. “I’m very glad that we can show the community an award like this, and to receive it four years in a row is so exciting!”
On June 22nd, the U.S. Senate released a discussion draft of the “Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA).” A revised version of the bill was released on June 26th. The BCRA bill is the Senate’s response to the House-passed American Health Care Act, which is intended to replace President Obama’s 2010 Affordable Healthcare Act. The Kansas Hospital Association (KHA), a non-profit organization representing over 200 healthcare facilities within the State, is encouraging its members to reach out to Senators Roberts and Moran to discuss the potential impact the BCRA could have locally should it be passed. In a written statement provided to the media by Cindy Samuelson, KHA’s Vice President of Public Relations, the group outlined its fears that the BCRA could limit access to health coverage, “particularly for our most vulnerable patients. The Senate proposal would likely trigger deep cuts to the Medicaid program that covers thousands of Kansans with chronic conditions such as cancer, along with the elderly and individuals with disabilities who need long-term services and support. Medicaid cuts of this magnitude are unsustainable and will increase costs to individuals with private insurance.” In addition, KHA believes the BCRA would place Kansas at a significant disadvantage for not previously adopting Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act. “This legislation rewards states that expanded Medicaid before this year with hundreds of billions of dollars that is simply unavailable to non-expansion states by virtue of rendering them ineligible to participate in the ongoing expansion program. In the future, no such state will be allowed to participate in expansion and the federal funds that go with it, but their residents will be forced to pay taxes that are then redistributed to the residents of expansion states,” the release stated. This is particularly concerning to KHA members when considering this year a substantial majority of the Kansas legislature voted for Kansas to expand the Kancare program. A decision which was vetoed by Governor Brownback. “This legislation takes this decision away from Kansas lawmakers. We urge the Senate to go back to the drawing board and develop legislation that continues to provide coverage to all who currently have it,” the KHA statement concluded. On June 27, U.S. Senate leadership announced that a vote on the BCRA bill will be delayed until after the July 4th recess.
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. The FDA has release a safety warning for the drug Invokana. This medicine is used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes. The FDA has determined from an interim clinical trial that Invokana increases the risk of leg and foot amputations with the toes being most affected. If you develop new pain or tenderness, sores or ulcers, or infections in your legs or feet, notify your health care professional. Do not stop taking your medicine without first talking to your health care professional.
Saturday, August 26th – Patterson Park, Arkansas City Opening Ceremony 8:45 a.m. - First Race Starts at 9:00 a.m. Free Spectator Area – Food & Beverage Vendors – Entertainment for All Ages
Extreme Obstacle 5K • •
12 Obstacles Prizes by Age Category
Kids 2K Fun Run • •
6 Obstacles Open to Ages 8 - 14
Obstacle Bike Race • •
New for 2017! On Road / Off Road Race + Obstacles
The funds raised will benefit South Central Kansas Medical Center and our mission to serve within the community. All money raised will be used as the foundation of growth and development for the services we provide, such as equipment purchases, physician recruitment, and program enhancement.
www.sckmc.org for registration information Obstacle photos are representative only. Obstacles are subject to change without notice.