Doing it Better Every Day The people who are Southern Illinois Healthcare chose their profession to make a difference.
The Patient Experience These words are at the core of dail y work at Southern Illinois Healthcare. When you or a loved one seek care at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Herrin Hospital or St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, or any of our outpatient facilities you should leave feeling confident that you were in the best hands. The patient experience is about a ceaseless quest…finding a better way to do things. These goals are achieved in part through the implementation of a Service Excellence Initiative that transcends through the entire SIH system. Besides having the state-of-the-art equipment and excellent technical skills, it takes • Improving Our Processes • New Procedures • Capitalizing on Technology • Introducing Specialized Services • Fostering New Alliances • Communicating Differently • Planning For the Future
One of the aspects we are most proud of at SIH is the constant focus on improving the quality of care provided in our hospitals and physician offices. The 3,300 employees of SIH strive to make our Mission more than mere words on paper but a reality for the patients. A week rarely goes by without conversation in the national media about the changes needed in health care. At SIH, we understand the need to evolve to meet the needs of our patients far into the future. This year, we developed working relationships with other hospitals and physician groups to prepare for this new world. It is imperative for providers to work more closely together for us to continue to be successful. Inside our hospital walls, our employees are empowered at a higher level than ever before to help identify and improve the daily processes of care for our patients. These collaborative endeavors will help SIH meet the challenges in our future. This report also highlights several of the innovative and advanced technological procedures SIH invested in this past year. We are always striving to implement new ways of caring for our patients to ensure they can undergo treatment and recovery close to home. Despite all of these improvements and changes, one basic principle that has never wavered is our desire to care for all who need help. In FY 2012, SIH hospitals and physicians provided over $10 million in charity care for uninsured patients requiring financial assistance to accept medical services. We also continue to work with a wide variety of other agencies with a shared vision to improve the health and well-being for all of the patients we serve. We appreciate the loyalty shown to us by our patients and we will continue to earn that trust. The following pages highlight a few of the steps we have taken to grow and provide new and better services to our patients, friends and families in southern Illinois.
Rex P. Budde
Steven R. Sabens
President/CEO
Chairman, Board of Trustees
D oi ng i t B e t t e r E v e r y Day
By Improving our Processes Excellence is something Southern Illinois Healthcare strives for daily. Whether it be in quality, service, or operations, the goal is to provide the best care for patients. This quest for excellence does not happen by magic. It takes constant refining and a collaborative work environment between administrators, staff and
Memorial Hospital of Carbondale
physicians. That’s where the LEAN Process and
Small changes made a huge impact in
the Service Excellence Initiative (SEI) come
Memorial Hospital of Carbondale’s Emergency
into play.
Department. By reinventing the process,
The two work hand in hand. LEAN is a method of streamlining processes to eliminate waste in the workflow. SEI then engages and empowers all employees to work on these processes that ultimately result in a better patient experience-results that are expected by the community.
employees applied simple, but impactful changes that streamlined everything from registration and labs to restocking supplies—
resulting in the reduction of the typical patient visit to 2 hours— half the normal wait time.
Since the implementation of these changes
implementation of LEAN and Service
patient satisfaction scores immediately rose to
Excellence. This year,
the 95th percentile.
Herrin Hospital By increasing workforce efficiency and
Herrin Hospital was able to reduce their workers’ compensation rate by 30%—a success that Herrin Hospital owes to its injury-prevention program. These rate
reducing workplace injuries,
reductions enable SIH to give back more money to patient care. St. Joseph Memorial Hospital At St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, physicians recognized the benefit of the collaborative
St. Joseph was one of only six U.S. hospitals to receive a Best Place to Practice Award® by Press Ganey. This honor is reserved for hospitals that garnered exceptionally high marks from physicians, placing SJMH in the 95th percentile. Achieving such a high score for physician satisfaction reflects St. Joseph Memorial Hospital’s commitment to providing outstanding care. By living the principles of SEI and LEAN, SIH has made great strides in creating a more pleasant experience for each patient, and also taping into its greatest asset—the people of SIH!
Nurses in Herrin Hospital’s Emergency Department report daily on processes and results to Administrator Terrence Farrell and his leaders.
D oi ng i t B e t t e r E v e r y Day
With New Procedures Stopping Esophageal Cancer in it Tracks St. Joseph Memorial Hospital has become the master of same-day, endoscopic procedures for southern Illinois, recently recognized by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. While the unit specializes in the day to day preventative colonoscopies, doctors also perform advanced procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation. Barrett’s esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition, caused by chronic, long-term acid reflux. According to gastroenterologist and medical director, Dr. Zahoor Makhdoom, “Using an endoscope, we apply a burst of heat energy (radio waves) to destroy the cancerous cells.” This energy, delivered via a catheter to the esophagus, removes diseased tissue while minimizing injury to healthy esophagus tissue. Studies show that once removed, this tissue is typically replaced by normal, healthy tissue within weeks.
Repairing Holes in the Heart Doing the job better is often a matter of adding physicians with special skills.
“Now people no longer have to travel far for this kind of advanced care,” he says. “They can have great outcomes right here.”
Dr. Prasanna Kumar, Prairie Heart Institute
Kumar says the procedure takes as little as
interventional cardiologist, is one of those
30 minutes.
His expertise in repairing tiny holes in the heart using less invasive methods is allowing patients to stay home rather than travel to St. Louis or Springfield.
specialists.
“It’s a common disorder,” he says, adding that one in four adults actually has either a patent foramen ovale or a strial septal defect, the two conditions commonly known as a hole in the heart. Kumar says the most common disorders, the PFOs, are present because the wall between the
“Patients can get up after a few hours of bed rest and they’re back to their normal routine the next day,” he explains. “It is a very, very quick recovery time.” The outcomes are fantastic, says Kumar, who has performed a growing number of the procedures in the catheterization laboratory at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. “Research has shown that there is a 40 to 70 percent reduction in the risk of future strokes when you close the holes,” he explains.
two upper chambers of the heart fails to form correctly. In the womb and in infants, two ridges of tissue separate the chambers, but allow blood to flow from one to another. After birth when the lungs are fully formed and functioning, these ridges in the heart normally grow to meet, seal together and form what is called the septum. However, 25 percent of the time they don’t seal, leaving a gap or hole in the septum, often as small as a few millimeters. Usually, this condition goes unnoticed.
DaVinci Opens New Doors Memorial Hospital of
“If it doesn’t bother anyone, we don’t do
Carbondale’s daVinci surgical
anything, and often we don’t look for it unless a
system made its debut in 2011, but the
patient is having trouble,” Kumar explains.
arrival of urologic surgeon, Dr. Srinivas
He says the holes are often identified after unexplained strokes or bouts with severe migraine headaches. Sometimes, pharmaceutical treatments including blood thinners can be used to treat symptoms. However, Kumar says studies have shown the best treatment is to close the hole—an option, that until recently meant hospital stays in large cities.
Rajamahanty, offered a new procedure for southern Illinois – prostate removal. Using daVinci’s enhanced visualization gives physicians a closer view and is an extension of their technique. According to Rajamahanty, “Technology is becoming so much more advanced that robotic prostate surgery is quickly becoming the standard of care. In my mind, there is no doubt that the results of robotic surgery are better for the patient.”
Physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses providing services at and admitting patients to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Herrin Hospital and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital are not employees of the hospital. Physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses exercise their own independent judgment regarding medical care and treatment and the hospital is not responsible for their actions.
Dave’s Story
Dave Duncan had a feeling that the day
prostate: traditional open surgery or an operation
would come, although he tried not to dwell on it.
utilizing the daVinci® surgical robot. Dr.
“I knew the possibility was there, but I tried not
Rajamahanty is the only physician in southern
to think about it,” he said.
Illinois using the daVinci for urological surgeries,
Even though he tried not to fret, “it” was still there; the likelihood that he someday would be
including prostatectomy. After consultation with the surgeon, Duncan chose the robotic option.
facing prostate cancer. After all, his father had
“Open surgery for prostate removal means
suffered from the disease and his own primary
an incision from the belly button to the pubic
care physician had him on a “watch list” for
bone—about six inches—and long hospital stays
the disease for almost 10 years. With a family
and recovery time,” Dr. Rajamahanty explains.
history of the disease and knowing that nearly a
“The daVinci offers a lot of advantages over
quarter million new cases of prostate cancer will
that. It is a minimally invasive option, a type of
be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, Duncan had
laparoscopic surgery.”
cause for concern.
Additionally, the doctor says post-operative recovery time is minimal. “We usually send patients home the next day and they sometimes can return to work in just a few days.” Overall, with a skilled urological surgeon, the Dr. Rajamahanty discusses prosate surgery with a patient.
daVinci improves all aspects of the surgical experience. “The robot does not replace your intuition as a surgeon or your knowledge,” Dr.
He underwent a prostate exam twice a year. A test last summer indicated a higher-than-normal
Rajamahanty explains. “It just helps you and you can use it to your advantage for your patients.”
PSA score, a measure of Prostate Specific
Duncan said the surgery was definitely better for
Antigen, which can indicate cancer. A referral to
him.
a urologist for a biopsy led to the unwelcome,
sure that the cancer is 100 percent gone. I knew
“No surgery is easy, but this was the easiest choice,” he said, adding it wasn’t long after his operation that he, an avid outdoorsman, was back to hunting and fishing. In fact, just a few weeks after surgery he was catching fish on the lakes and rivers of Alabama.
if the prostate was taken out, it would be gone,
“I would recommend this surgery,” he added.
so I decided at age 60, I didn’t need it anymore.”
“I’m back to just like before.”
but not unexpected news; prostate cancer. Duncan had several options for treatment. “I could have undergone chemotherapy or radiation, could have had stents put in or I could have it removed,” he recalled. “I know that those people who have the treatments are not always
He turned to urological surgeon Dr. Srinivas Rajamahanty at the Center for Medical Arts in Carbondale for the procedure. Even then, Duncan had two choices for removal of his
D oi ng i t B e t t e r E v e r y Day
Capitalizing on Technology New tools and technology often cause excitement in health care, because it ultimately means more efficiency and a better experience for the patient. The Imaging Department at Herrin Hospital is seeing benefits from a new digital fluoroscopy unit, a form of x-ray that allows surgeons to view deep structures of the body in real time on a computer monitor. It helps physicians evaluate a wide range of internal functions and structures—especially in areas like the intestines, stomach, bladder and the cardiac muscle. Unlike regular x-ray, digital fluoroscopy records a series of images to a computer. It yields a high resolution digital image that can be viewed much like a movie of what is happening inside the body.
Big Things Come in Small Packages— The Axera Access Device One small tool decreases discharge times and improves efficiency in the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale cardiac catheterization lab. During a heart cath, doctors access heart arteries via an opening in the femoral (leg) artery. In the past this meant a four to six hour recovery monitoring that access point. Using the new Axera Access Device to ensure closure of the artery, patients are now discharged within an amazing 60 minutes of the procedure.
Several other emerging technologies advance the level of care for SIH Rehabilitation Services. BIONESS: The BIONESS (pictured above) uses electrodes to stimulate leg or hand muscles through a portable, wireless device controlled by a remote control unit. The device compliments traditional therapy so the patient can see quicker results. This rehab tool uses repetitive movements that teach the healthy parts of the brain to relearn things it has forgotten.
SaeboFlex: The SaeboFlex is a mechanical type of glove that positions the wrist and fingers to extend and grasp objects voluntarily and is used to help patients recover from a neurological accident such as stroke.
LiteGait: Often used for patients of stroke or other serious injury, the LiteGait can lift patients to standing positions, help correct their posture, reduce the weight they must carry, provide good balance, and coordinate leg movement.
D oi ng i t B e t t e r E v e r y Day
Introducing Specialized Services In the United States, approximately 8 million people suffer from chronic wounds; many stemming from the increase in the number of those suffering from diabetes. In 2012, Southern Illinois Healthcare answered the call for this specialized scope of care. Built on a nationally renowned program, Healogics, the Center for Wound Healing is located inside St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro and on the campus of Herrin Hospital. The program is all about offering solutions to healing persistent and sometimes debilitating wounds. Physicians and other wound specialists concentrate their efforts by using a variety of clinical
This multi-disciplinary approach, along with stateof-the-art therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy allows patients to see amazing results.
treatments and support services.
Patients suffering with issues such as, venous ulcers, bed sores or poor circulation due to diabetes can expect an individualized treatment plan that ultimately improves their quality of life.
Doris’ Story A terrible fall resulted in more than broken bones for Doris Castleberry of Murphysboro. During her recovery, Doris developed two bed sores, one on her heel, the other on her lower back. “They were so painful—worse than my broken hip,” she said. “I couldn’t walk.” Confined to a wheelchair, Doris was referred to the new SIH Center for Wound Healing in Murphysboro. “Her wounds were very severe,” said Jennifer Sims, the Center’s program director. But with an individualized plan, education and patience, Doris was soon on the road to healing. After four months, 82-year-old Doris is thrilled to be back up and walking around. With help from the Wound Center team, Doris made a full recovery. “My favorite thing to do now is to go outside and enjoy the fresh air,” Doris said. “The people at the Center for Wound Healing were such patient, nice people,” said Doris. “I’d recommend them to anyone.”
The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is simple and painless. The dramatic effect it has on improving circulation to help wounds heal is quite remarkable.
D oi ng i t B e t t e r E v e r y Day
Fostering New Alliances New Friends Collaboration took on a greater meaning in 2012 as SIH entered into two new affiliation agreements with Harrisburg Medical Center in Harrisburg, IL and Marshall Browning Hospital in DuQuoin, IL. This team approach allows patients in these communities, particularly those with complex medical needs, to benefit from better coordination of care
“The affiliations allow SIH to work closely with the two facilities identifying gaps in care and determining how we can best fill those gaps.” said SIH President and CEO and services through an expanded pool of specialists.
Rex Budde.
Shawnee Alliance Resource Centers For older adults, the transition from an inpatient hospital stay back to the community requires some coordination. Through SIH’s partnership with Shawnee Alliance, a division of Shawnee Health Services and Development Corp, SIH is now utilizing the Bridge Model; a social work based transitional care model designed for older adults. Bridge provides transitional care through intensive care coordination that starts in the hospital and continues after discharge to ensure a safe “landing.”
Committing to Heart Care Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants (PCC) and Southern Illinois Healthcare have long worked together to provide excellent cardiovascular care to the residents of Southern Illinois. Both organizations share common mission and values, believing that cardiac patients benefit substantially by this collaboration. With that in mind, PCC and SIH signed a Professional Services Agreement with the goal of continuing evolution of heart services in, and expanding patient access to, comprehensive and coordinated cardiovascular care.
D oi ng i t B e t t e r E v e r y Day
Communicating Differently According to a recent survey, 57% of consumers say “a hospital’s social media connections would strongly affect their decision to receive treatment.” As the need for health information online continues to grow, Southern Illinois Healthcare
entertain and empower individuals to be their own health care advocates. Personal communication strengthens and preserves relationships while providing a local health resource for our communities online. For special niche audiences, like childbirth, our Facebook Birthing Center fan page creates an online community, extending the patient experience outside of hospital walls.
is working to bring health care conversations to
Improving the well being of the people in the
patients — via social media.
greater southern Illinois community has been a
The SIH Facebook page shares health resources, myth busting facts, event photo galleries, and even a joke or two from area doctors. Its strength lies in the ability to quickly educate,
longstanding priority for SIH and with YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels, healthy lifestyle and disease prevention information are now more accessible, personal and convenient.
Visit Us Online:
D oi ng i t B e t t e r E v e r y Day
Planning For the Future
Sometimes life takes a wrong turn. Cancer
Spearheaded by the SIH Foundation and a
happens on its own timetable, not ours. At that
volunteer committee that understands the
point, life as we know it is in upheaval. It is why
needs and benefits of the project, Hope is Home
those of us who live in southern Illinois want
continues to make strides every day towards our
the best cancer care and services possible.
$10 million fundraising goal.
Quality, state-of-the-art care. Close to home. Convenient. Compassionate. That is the foundation for the SIH Hope Is Home fundraising campaign to build a new cancer center.
Opportunities exist for one-time gifts or five year pledges. To become part of this facility that will save lives in southern Illinois, please visit www.sih.net/hopeishome.
For far too long, many cancer patients and their families have had the perception that they need to travel long distances to receive the care they require. That is a viewpoint we must – and will – change with Hope Is Home. SIH has the physicians, specialists, advanced technology, expertise and nationally accredited care within our healthcare system. With a new center, patients and their families will greatly benefit from having their providers under one roof.
D oi ng i t B e t t e r E v e r y Day
Building Healthier Communities SIH UNREIMBURSED SERVICES (COST) Medicare
$46,576,644
Medicaid
$19,985,154
Charity Care
$10,304,486
COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAMS Community Health Improvement Grants, Contributions, Sponsorships
$ 802,246
$350,039
Community Building Activity Research
$552,816
$75,391
Medical Education
TOTAL
$1,957,190
$80,603,966
SIH Community Benefit efforts and initiatives reach patients and communities throughout the southern 16 counties of Illinois.
Fast Facts SIH Community Benefits reaches beyond the boundaries of our hospitals’ walls and enriches the health and well being of patients, children and their families in 16 counties. Last year alone, SIH provided charity care to over 14,000 uninsured patients requiring financial assistance in accessing medical services. Through the work in our hospitals, clinics and our collaborative efforts with schools, health departments, churches and other community partners, SIH impacts the lives of over 300,000 individuals on an annual basis.
D oi ng A l l o f T hi s fo r You Coordinated School Health CATCH on to Health! reaches 15,000 students and their families to help make physical activity and healthy eating a part of their daily lives.
Health Ministry Improves care coordination through the training and support of 75 active Faith Community Nurses and Parish Nurses in 50 church congregations and two faith-based community agencies across a nine county region.
Blood Related Illness Referral Service Provides access for patients with HIV, Hepatitis, Sickle Cell anemia or other blood-related illnesses. While these patients received specialty care for these specific illnesses, their primary care needs were not being met.
Medical Legal Partnership Addresses the legal, financial and social needs of patients and families required for them to improve their health.
Oral Health Access Increases access to dental services via a referral process through SIH emergency physicians to community partners providing care.
Mission
We are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all of the people in the communities we serve.
Values Respect Recognizing and valuing the dignity and uniqueness of each person
Integrity Adhering to strong moral and ethical principles in all we do
Compassion Responding to the feelings and needs of each person with kindness, concern and empathy
Collaboration Communicating and working with others for the benefit of all
Stewardship Responsibly using, preserving and enhancing our human and material resources as a not for profit community controlled organization
ACCOUNTABILITY Holding ourselves and those around us responsible for living the Values and achieving the Vision of Southern Illinois Healthcare
Quality Striving for excellence in all we do