St. Luke's Patient Care Services Report 2023

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to share with you the 2023 UnityPoint Health –St. Luke’s Hospital Patient Care Services Annual Report – a small sampling of the amazing work our teams do to care for our patients and community! This year was highlighted by an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANNC) Commission on Magnet® site visit in March, which culminated in our fourth designation as a Magnet organization.

In sharing the Commission’s designation decision, Sharon Pappas, RN, PhD, NEA-BC, Chair of the Commission for the Magnet Recognition Program, called out the eight exemplars noted in our survey. Areas of performance worthy of exemplar status included our RN satisfaction data. Ms. Pappas stated that very few Magnet hospitals are able to achieve this level of RN satisfaction. Additionally, rates for hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheterassociated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) outperformed the Magnet mean. Comparable results were noted in our hospital-based ambulatory settings specific to their patient populations. Our commitment to professional development and certification were called out, along with the financial support generously provided to our team members to further advance their professional careers. When describing the generate lab, Ms. Pappas shared what we are doing in this space is “incredible, the type of innovation and change we will need for the future, a role model for the country!” Across all segments of our organization, among all disciplines and roles, our ONE TEAM continues to do amazing things! It’s how we’re wired!

In 2023, we embarked on Care Delivery Redesign. We started, listened, learned, paused and pivoted. We introduced CMAs into our care delivery model. We advanced virtual nursing to include the admission and discharge process. We added clinical nurse leaders to our frontline teams to support enhanced competencies and confidence. We continue to put forth great collaborative effort in decreasing hospital acquired conditions and keeping our patients safe, often positioned as leaders across UnityPoint Health and among nationally shared reporting agencies. The generate lab continues to provide our teams the opportunity to innovate, evolve and engage.

As a recent patient in our care shares, “I want to tell you how impressed I was with the professionalism, speed of doing things, efficiency, and teamwork I witnessed while in your care. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. In these times when many have left the medical field, I want to thank you for being there for me when I needed you and for extending kindness, intention, grace and empathy to me. The gift of your care truly made a difference in my life.”

This is why we do what we do, why we give so much of ourselves to our chosen professions. It’s for our patients, each other, for something bigger than us as individuals. 2024 will provide us the same challenges and opportunities in delivering care and serving our patients, but I will always and forever bet on us!

Carmen Kleinsmith, MSN, RN, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer

St. Luke’s was recognized for its fourth Magnet Nursing Excellence designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) National Magnet Conference in Chicago.

WHAT IS MAGNET RECOGNITION?

• The highest recognition of “Nursing Excellence.”

• Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice.

• A validation of the culture, one which enables all levels of the organization to influence decisions that affect their practice.

591 MAGNET HOSPITALS WORLD WIDE

1 of 124 4x designees

ST. LUKE’S MAGNET JOURNEY

Initial Designation

2009

2014

2018

10% less than of hospitals have achieved MAGNET RECOGNITION

2023

The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be. -ANCC, Commission on Magnet Recognition

Q1

REFLECTION

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

Q2

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE

• St. Luke’s named a Top 50 Hospital by Healthgrades

• 16 UnityPoint Health - Cedar Rapids nurses named 2023 Great Iowa Nurses

• St. Luke’s announces recipients of 56 AEDs and 92 Stop the Bleed Kits as part of its Heart Saver Program

• St. Luke’s announces plans to open Marion Emergency Department

• St. Luke’s named one of Newsweek’s Best Hospitals for 2023

• Jones Regional Medical Center recognized as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital

• St. Luke’s completes third floor renovation

• UnityPoint Health named a top place to work in healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review

• St. Luke’s receives Advanced Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from DNV

• St. Luke’s among nation’s top performing hospitals for treatment of heart attack patients

• St. Luke’s named one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2023

• St. Luke’s receives Magnet redesignation for a fourth time

• 200th Watchman procedure completed at St. Luke’s

• St. Luke’s named a Top 225 Maternity Hospital

REFLECTION continued

2024 GREAT IOWA NURSES:

• Ashley Fowler, Jones Regional Medical Center

• Karen McCommis, Behavioral Health

• Susan Hermann, Abbe Center for Community Mental Health

• Lori Townsend, Infection Prevention

• Emily Williams, Skin Care

• Josie Berns, Palliative Care

• Kathie Manderscheid, Women and Children’s

• Jody Peck, Dialysis

• Stephanie Ascher, Float Pool

• Robin Saunders, Emergency Department

• Tina Myers, 6W Rehabilitation

• Joyce Vaassen-Karr, Pulmonary Specialty Unit

• Shelly Kramer, Behavioral Health

• Kimberly Biechler, Birth Care Center

ENHANCE FLOW

ST. LUKE’S LAUNCHES EPIC SECURE CHAT

In August 2023, St. Luke’s Hospital launched Epic Secure Chat, which allows users to send secure text messages in real time from Epic’s clinical mobile apps and Hyperspace, for inpatient and outpatient departments.

It is a foundational component of our organization’s Unified Communications initiative, which aims to standardize best practice clinical communications tools and processes, leading to efficiencies for our team members and increased safety for our patients. Unified Communications directly supports the systemwide Clinical Effectiveness and Collaborative Care work already underway, both of which are part of our ONWARD Strategy.

SAFETY

NICU QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GOLDEN HOUR

The neonatal golden hour consists of focused, evidence-based interventions that, if implemented within the first 60 minutes of an infant’s life, will better support the fetal-to-neonatal transition as well as lead to improved short-term and long-term outcomes. While much of the research around the golden hour focuses on extremely low birth weight and critically ill infants, our NICU opted to practice golden hour interventions on all NICU admissions that arrived to the NICU within the first 60 minutes of life for repetition of practice. With a focus on the neonatal golden hour, the multidisciplinary NICU team has an “all hands on deck” approach to prepare and implement golden hour interventions using checklists and other tools to support their work.

The chart includes key golden hour interventions such as temperature maintenance, surfactant administration, early nutrition (TPN/Dextrose), and antibiotic initiation. Additionally, we identified other factors that impacted our team in meeting the golden hour interventions such as arrival time to NICU, venous access, and admission order placement. Data on the chart compares data from all eligible 2022 NICU admissions (retrospectively) and all eligible 2023 NICU admissions. Initial goals needed more refining before setting, but data shows statistically significant improvements in nearly all focus areas of the neonatal golden hour have been achieved. These positive results have the potential to impact the following: patient outcomes, total ventilator days, total central line days, overall length of stay, time to full feeding volumes, time to full oral feedings, and decreased intraventricular hemorrhage rates. Correlated data from the golden hour results to the listed outcomes.

INTEGRATED CARE MANAGEMENT – HOSPITAL CARE COORDINATION / SOCIAL WORK DOCUMENTATION OPTIMIZATION GO-LIVE

This workflow and documentation project was endorsed through the ONWARD Length of Stay (LOS) project, recognizing that standardization will lead to greater efficiency in the activities that support discharge planning, and thus, decrease LOS. Those activities include, but are not limited to, standard patient screening/ assessment, communication with the multidisciplinary and cross-continuum teams, referral workflows, and line of sight to discharge milestones that inform patient flow capacity management dashboards.

This project, which received the Innovation in Healthcare award at the Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders (IONL) conference, aligns with DNV regulatory requirements around discharge planning. DNV was excited to hear that we will be standardizing the tools we use to screen/assess and document, thus reducing variation between sites of care in our health system.

This new navigator that drives documentation to discrete fields, will allow for aggregation of data across the enterprise that we’ve not been able to do before. This data will support performance improvement activities including readmission reduction, inpatient mortality reduction, and help to assess and address gaps in care that impact our markets.

PERFORMANCE

ST. LUKE’S NAMED A TOP 100 HOSPITAL

St. Luke’s Hospital has been named one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals by PINC AI™ and Fortune. This marks the ninth time St. Luke’s has received this prestigious honor. Hospitals do not apply or pay to participate in the studies, nor do winners pay to promote their award – this honor is based on performance.

This recognition is based on a thorough analysis of publicly available data, evaluating nearly 3,000 short-term, acute care hospitals in the U.S. It highlights excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience, and financial health.

Key highlights from this year’s 100 Top Hospitals® program:

• 31% fewer deaths compared to non-winning hospitals

• 9% fewer patient complications

• 39% fewer healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)

• Nearly 20% lower inpatient expenses per discharge

• 0.5-day shorter average length of stay

• Higher patient experience scores

ST. LUKE’S HEMODIALYSIS RELOCATES, SEES RECORD VOLUMES

In February 2023, the Hemodialysis Department relocated to a newly renovated ‘Dialysis Suite’ located on the 5th floor of the hospital. This new unit provides team members additional charting areas, more storage space, an on-call room for nurses and six bays for patient treatments. (The previous unit had four bays.)

In addition to the new space, the dialysis team treated a record number of patients in 2023. The hospital performed 1,432 runs of hemodialysis, which is the most patients treated since St. Luke’s restarted the program in 2016.

ST. LUKE’S OPENS NEW OUTPATIENT INFUSION CENTER

In November 2023, St. Luke’s opened its new Outpatient Infusion Center just off the A Avenue Lobby of the hospital. This location is conveniently located for patients just inside the entrance, which makes pick-up and drop-off easier. The new space features seven bays and three private rooms, as well as a design that is optimal for nurses to care for multiple patients at one time.

2023 St. Luke’s Foundation and Auxiliary Scholarship Recipients

Ann & Forbes Olberg Scholarship

Rowan Queathem, Abbe Mental Health Center

Beatha Kuntz Scholarship

Shelley DeWeerdt, Inpatient Pharmacy

Kathryn Foote, Digestive Health Center

Katrina Langstraat, Intensive Care Unit

Brian D. Zimmerman Scholarship

Trevor Koritz, Hospital Therapies

Dr. Charles Schwartz Scholarship

Hannah Axline, Witwer Children’s Therapy

Dr. E.L. Mansfield Scholarship

Lindsey Gasper, 6 East (Inpatient Hospice Unit)

Grace Wormer Nursing Scholarship

Angela Carlile, 1 West (Older Adult Behavioral Health)

Alexandra Heald, Operating Room

Madison Moetsch, 3 East (Child & Adolescent Center)

Tannah Tedesco, Acute Adult Float Pool

Greta Schuchmann Scholarship

Shelley DeWeerdt, Inpatient Pharmacy

Dr. J. Stuart McQuiston Scholarship

Haley Varo, Inpatient Pharmacy

Brennen Wright, Inpatient Pharmacy

Louisa E. Peak Scholarship*

Ryan Cater, Emergency Department Volunteer

Margaret Averill – St. Luke’s Auxiliary Scholarship

Angela Genskow, Birth Care Center

Jennifer Montgomery, MCN Operations

Maxine VanHamme Scholarship

Kylie Kramer, Emergency Department

May B. Gortner Scholarship

Elisabeth Parilo, Intensive Care Unit

Merle & Myrtle Yanecek Nursing Scholarship

Carolina Amigon, 6 West (Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit)

Natalie & Joe Cohn Scholarship

Alexis Lacayo, Acute Adult Float Pool

Erin Neppl, 4 Center (Orthopedics)

Norma Newmeister Scholarship

Megan Vranish, Abbe Mental Health Center

Nursing Scholarship

Kiyla Caviness, St. Luke’s Cardiology Clinic

Megan Ogburn, Cardiac Holding

Opal & David Fagle Scholarship

MaKenzie Vifian, Sterile Processing

Dr. Roy & Bess Keech BSN Scholarship

Carolina Amigon, 6 West (Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit)

Angela Amling, 6 East (Inpatient Hospice Unit)

Alexis Lacayo, Acute Adult Float Pool

Molly Stover, 1 West (Older Adult Behavioral Health)

Dr. Roy & Bess Keech MSN Scholarship

Harper Bean, 4 West (Telemetry)

Michelle Ross, 5 Center (Oncology/ Neurology)

St. Luke’s Auxiliary Family Scholarship

Mikah Lunsford, Daughter of Bonnie Lunsford, Emergency Department

Audrey Miller, Daughter of Melissa Miller, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit / Pediatrics

Shaylee Minear, Daughter of Bev Minear, Emergency Department

Cadence Sutcliffe, Daughter of Laurel Sutcliffe, UnityPoint Clinics – Diabetes & Kidney Center

Ted & Lillian Feder Scholarship

Angela Amling, 6 East (Inpatient Hospice Unit)

Theodore Townsend, Jr. Scholarship

Morgan Sohn, Administration

Walter A. & Ida K. Kansky Scholarship

MaKenzie Vifian, Sterile Processing

Yaw Scholarship*

Michael Briesemeister, Son of Eric Briesemeister, Administration

Sarah Feller, Daughter of Clark Feller, Pathology

Graci Kalous, Daughter of Brenda Kalous, Pharmacy

*Scholarships are for high school seniors

2023 Patient Care Excellence Award Recipients

100 Great Iowa Nurses

Laura Barner, 4 Center (Orthopedics)

Peggy Bragg, Palliative Care

Mark Butschi, Heart Center

Penny Dullea, Peri/Anesthesia Services

Jeremy Gardemann, 5 Center (Oncology/Neurology)

Kelli McAfee, Nassif Radiation Center

Jayne Nirschl, Work Well Solutions

Kim Mente, Inpatient Hospice Unit

Maureen McEvoy, Palliative Care, Spiritual Care, Genetics & Risk Assessment

Rachel Petersen, Women’s & Children’s Center

Michelle Ross, 5 Center (Oncology/ Neurology)

Anna Purna Ghosh Oncology

Nursing Award

Jessica Randall, 5 Center (Oncology/ Neurology)

C.A.R.E. Award

Taylor Bahnsen, 5 Center (Oncology/ Neurology)

Carroll H. & Lena H. Nelson

Critical Care Award

Tyler O’Neill, Acute Adult Float Pool

Donna Prier, Intensive Care Unit

Dale & Ruby Morgan and Mable

Ray Award for Pediatric Nursing

Jim Burke, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/ Pediatrics

Darrell Dennis Pulmonary Medicine Award

James “Andy” McRoberts, Respiratory Care

Elaine Young Leadership Award

April Golwitzer, Resource Staffing & Support/Acute Adult Float Pool

Excellence in Behavioral Health Awards

Colleen McFarlane, 3 East (Child & Adolescent Center)

Maddie Moetsch, 3 East (Child & Adolescent Center)

Nathan Phelps, 1 West (Older Adult Behavioral Health)

Gail Stork Emergency Medicine

Nursing Award

Cody Mefferd, LifeGuard Air Ambulance

Karma Smith Healthcare Pioneer Award

Jennie Montgomery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Pediatrics

LaMorgese Award for Excellence in Neurological Nursing

Jeremy Gardemann, 5 Center (Oncology/Neurology)

Nancy Lamb Skogsbergh and Edna Lamb Nursing Leadership Award

Maureen McEvoy, Palliative Care, Spiritual Care, Genetics & Risk Assessment

Outstanding New Graduate Award

Kenzie Maloney, Birth Care Center

PHIL Award

Monica Farmer, Respiratory Care

Ronald L. Mahany Award

Scott Buchheit, Hospital Therapies

Kristi Derycke, Witwer Children’s Therapy

Katrina Mahoney, Hospital-Based Outpatient Therapy

Alli Reck, Hospital Therapies

Jessa Stueck, Therapy Plus

Mackenzie Waughop, Rehab Administration

Smulekoff Family Award for Nursing Excellence

Kimberly Biechler, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit/Pediatrics

Aimee Eastman, Birth Care Center

Carol Fridal, Emergency Department

Kayleigh Grace, Birth Care Center

Danielle Simonson, House Supervisor/Float Pool

Social Worker Award

Kayla Thenhaus, Medical Social Services

Ted Townsend / St. Luke’s Auxiliary Leadership Award

Rose Hedges, Nursing Administration

Dr. Stephen & Peg Vanourny Award for Excellence in Obstetrical & Gynecological Nursing

Jade Kennaway, Birth Care Center

NATHAN SIMONSEN ACCEPTED INTO HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

LifeGuard Flight Paramedic, Nathan Simonson, PM, CCP, FP-C, has been accepted into the Hutchinson Community College Online Bridge Program from Paramedic to Registered Nurse. He will start a one-year challenging program that is a hybrid of online and in person learning and will require several trips to Hutchinson, Kansas and other surrounding communities for clinical experiences. The program boasts nearly a 90 percent first pass success rate for the NCLEX licensure exam and is one of the most sought after and competitive programs in the country. Nathan has earned one of 40 spots in the combined LPN and Paramedic to Registered Nurse Program which receives over 400 applicants annually. Nathan is the second flight team member from St. Luke’s to attend Hutchinson Community College and pursue transition from Paramedic to RN.

ST. LUKE’S GENERATE LAB SURPASSES 500 MAKERS

510 makers have worked on projects in the generate innovation Lab since it opened in 2019. This year 101 new users were trained on the tools, materials and prototyping methods for health making. The generate team is working hard to reach more makers within St. Luke’s and across the community. Here’s a snapshot of the most active area and professions who use generate