Apr23

HaysMed Welcomes New Heart Surgeon

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, KS (April 23, 2018) – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is pleased to welcome Dr. Samuel J. Durham, Cardiothoracic Surgeon to the DeBakey Heart Institute. Dr. Durham will begin seeing patients at the DeBakey Heart Clinic on May 1.

“We are so excited to have a full time heart surgeon a t HaysMed once again,” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer. “Dr. Durham will be a great asset to our heart program.”

Young noted that heart surgery has been limited since Dr. Elizabeth Ashworth left HaysMed to care for her family. In the interim, Dr. Richard Toon, a cardiac surgeon from Salina has been performing surgeries on a regular basis.

“We’re very fortunate that Dr. Toon was willing to step in and continue to allow us to offer heart services to our patients.” remarked Young.

Dr. Durham graduated from Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He did a residency in cardiothoracic surgery at the University Health Center in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

He also completed a fellowship in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and is board certified in general surgery and thoracic cardiovascular surgery.

His areas of focus include cardiothoracic surgery, adult cardiac surgery, adult cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, minimally invasive surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, thoracic surgery thoracoabdominal surgery and vascular surgery.

Apr23

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HaysMed Recognizes Fourth Quarter Patient Satisfaction Award Winners

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas (April 23, 2018)—The Women’s Center, Sleep and Neurodiagnostic Institute, Breast Care Center and BioMed were recently named the patient satisfaction award winners for the 4^th quarter of 2017 at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System.

Each quarter HaysMed recognizes the patient satisfaction award winners based on results from CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) surveys administrated by HealthStream. Health Stream is the research firm HaysMed contracts with to conduct the government required Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) hospital surveys on patient experience. The CAHPS survey is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care. The CAHPS Hospital Survey is a survey instrument and data collection methodology for measuring patients’ perceptions of their hospital experience. Four areas are recognized every quarter including an inpatient department, an outpatient department, a clinic and a non-clinical area.

The Women’s Center was recognized for having the most improvement in their overall rating. Their unit score was 88.5% putting them at the 93rd^th percentile. In 2017 they had 572 deliveries and had 65 admissions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The Sleep and Neurodiagnostic Institute, an outpatient department had a 10% increase in the overall rating scores. The department has 3 full time staff members. They conducted 439 sleep studies and 120 EEGs during 2017 and are a nationally accredited sleep center.

Garnering the clinic award was the Breast Care Center. They had a 9.2% increase on their overall satisfaction rate. The Breast Care Center has nine full time staff members and is open 5 days a week.

BioMed received the Customer Service Award for their services provided as one of the main infrastructures of the hospital. Their department has 8 full time staff and are responsible for the care of 4,275 pieces of equipment. The also provide regional services that include coverage of 9,732 pieces of equipment at 87 outreach facilities.

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Apr23

00

HaysMed Celebrates National Patient Experience Week

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

Hays, KS (April 23, 2018) – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is celebrating National Patient Experience Week April 23 – April 27. This annual event celebrates the everyday impact that healthcare staff have on the patient experience.

“Patient Experience Week provides a time for us to celebrate the accomplishments, reenergize efforts and honor the people who impact patient experience every day at HaysMed.” Said Melanie Urban, Director of Quality.

Several activities are planned during the week including recognizing Associates who impact the patient experience, delivery of carnations to hospitalized patients, fresh baked cookies for the public and a special TGIF for Associates.

“By supporting Patient Experience Week, we are recognizing the hard work our Associates do.” Noted Urban. “It is also a great way to enhance patient and staff relations, increase hospital morale and improve communication.”

This is the third year HaysMed has participated in this national event.

Apr13

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Astra Bank Establishes Endowment with HaysMed Foundation

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

HAYS, Kansas  Astra Bank and the HaysMed Foundation announce the creation of the Astra Bank Endowment with a commitment of $25,000. The Astra Bank Endowment will provide funding for special projects benefitting the citizens of our community through the mission of HaysMed.

“Astra Bank is extremely excited about our relationship and newly endowed fund with HaysMed. Our region has been blessed by the talents and generosity of many who make HaysMed a leader in the healthcare industry. HaysMed has been and will continue to be an integral part of the longevity and success of our community. Astra Bank prides itself in community involvement and growth, which is exactly why we worked with the Foundation in establishing this fund,” said Astra Bank Senior Vice President Bryan VonFeldt.

HaysMed Foundation Board President Chris Wente added, “It is inspiring to see businesses in our community show their support towards HaysMed. On behalf of all who will benefit, we extend our gratitude to the leadership of Astra Bank for their generosity.”

Endowment gifts are established to provide perpetual support for a project, program, or other needs of HaysMed. The fund is permanently invested with the earnings providing continuous revenue streams for the purpose specified by the donor. Astra Bank has been a loyal supporter of patients and programs of HaysMed over the years and has now taken the next step in establishing this endowed fund to help underwrite special projects at HaysMed in perpetuity. “Providing high-quality healthcare close to home is certainly our priority. Endowed funds like these demonstrate the community’s commitment to those same goals,” said HaysMed CEO Eddie Herrman”

Astra Bank’s vision and core values include a commitment to the communities in which they serve. Astra Bank was founded in 1911, is headquartered in Abilene, Kan., and operates locations in Kansas and Nebraska. The HaysMed Foundation was formed in 1995 and is a charitable, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support HaysMed. The Foundation, in partnership with donors, seeks to meet immediate and long-range health care needs of the people of western Kansas. An 18-member volunteer board guides the efforts of the Foundation. Donations can be sent to the HaysMed Foundation, 2220 Canterbury Drive, Hays, Ks. 67601 or by visiting https://haysmedfoundation.org/donate.
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Apr12

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FREE KidsQuest Summer Program for Kids

By Gayla Wichman - Family Medicine,HaysMed News,Pediatrics,The Center News

HAYS, Kan. (April 12, 2018) – The Center for Health Improvement and the HaysMed Foundation are sponsoring the sixth annual FREE KidsQuest this summer. Kids will be encouraged to log 40 miles of fitness by running, walking, biking or swimming on their own. As they achieve mileage they will earn prizes sponsored by various businesses. This year’s theme is based on traveling through the solar system with various stops along the way.

KidsQuest is recommended for children Pre K through 8^th grade.

KidsQuest will begin on Thursday, May 3 at the HaysMed Fitness Trail. Registration begins at 6:00 pm and will be followed by a 2 mile run/walk. The adventure will start at the shelter house located behind HaysMed. Participants are encouraged to park in parking lot I on the southeast side of the hospital. The finale will be held on Thursday, August 2 with another 2 mile run/walk and watermelon feed at 6:00 pm.

You can register your child at www.thecenter.haysmed.com/kidsquest or registrations will be taken at the kickoff on May 3. If you register by April 25 you will receive a free t-shirt.

Apr10

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May 6 All American Breakfast Benefits HaysMed Hospice

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,The Center News

HAYS, Kan. (April 10, 2018) An All American Breakfast will be held Sunday, May 6 from 7:30 am – 12:00 noon at the VFW, 2106 Vine in Hays. Tickets must be purchased in advance in order to benefit Hospice.

The all you can eat menu includes pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits, gravy, toast, coffee and juice.

Advance tickets are $8.50 for Adults. $3.50 for children 5-12 and children under 5 eat free. Tickets at the door are $9.00 for Adults, $4.00 for children 5-12 and children under 5 eat free.

Advance tickets are available from Hospice at 623-6200 or 1-800-248-0073. You can also email tonia.houghton@haysmed.com or myrna.jordan@haysmed.com for tickets or information.

HaysMed Hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life when a cure is not possible, honoring the wishes of the person and their family. They provide services in Ellis, Rooks, Russell and Rush counties.

Apr5

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HaysMed Sports Medicine Announces Upcoming Athletic Testing Combine

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,The Center News

HAYS, Kansas (April 5, 2018)— HaysMed Sports Medicine is hosting their 17th Annual Athletic Testing Combine on Saturday, April 28 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at The Center for Health Improvement, Hays, Kansas. Registration fee is $20 per person. This testing is for male or female, grades 6 through 12. A makeup combine session will be held on Saturday, May 5 at 3:00 pm at The Center for Health Improvement. During the 17 years the combine has performed over 5000 tests on area athletes.

Every athlete strives to do his or her best in whatever sport they participate in. In order to achieve that goal, it is important to know at what level you are performing and how that performance can be improved. The Athletic Testing Combine is designed to assess athlete’s individual strengths and weaknesses in order to help them reach their highest athletic potential.

Tests performed during this event include: Height, Weight, Seated Shot Put, Pro Agility, Vertical Jump, Standing Long Jump, Bench Press and 10 Yard and 40 yard dashes which are electronically timed. HaysMed Sports Medicine provides highly qualified staff and professional testing equipment including the use of electronic timing equipment accurate to the 1/100^th of a second. This ensures accurate and reliable results.

Each athlete in attendance will receive an individual athletic profile. This includes test results, percentile rankings, and an overall athletic rating allowing athletes to identify specific strengths and weaknesses. In addition coaches from each school will be provided similar reports. The results are also sent to Midwest colleges for their review of athletes interested in playing college sports. Participants also receive a tee shirt.

Registration can be mailed to Shawn Landers, PO BOX 8100, Hays, KS 67601, dropped off at The Center for Health Improvement, or participants can bring the registration the day of the event and pay the fee then. For more information contact Shawn Landers, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS at 785.623.6369, https://www.haysmed.com/the-center/athletic-testing-combine/ or email at shawn.landers@haysmed.com.

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Apr5

00

HaysMed Welcomes New Urologist

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Urology

Hays, KS (April 5, 2018) – HaysMed recently welcomed Dr. Srinivas S. Samavedi, Urologist to the medical staff.

Dr. Samavedi completed medical school at Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal, India. He completed fellowships in uro-oncology at the University of Miami; robotic urology at Ohio State University and Global Robotic Institute; transplant surgery in Columbus, Ohio and advanced robotic urology at the Global Robotic Institute. Areas of focus include general urology, endo-urology, oncology (prostatectomy, cystectomy, neobladder) and robotic surgery (prostatectomy, nephrectomy).

Dr. Samavedi is now accepting new patients. Please call 785-628-6014.

Apr3

00

HaysMed Launches Walk with a Doc Program in Hays

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,The Center News

Hays, Kansas (April 3, 2018) The Center for Health Improvement at HaysMed is encouraging Hays residents to take a step toward better health with Walk with a Doc, a national health program that brings doctors and patients together to walk. The first walk will be held Saturday, April 28 at 9am. Participants are asked to meet at 2500 Canterbury Drive on the Fitness Trail (at the shelter house behind HaysMed). If inclement weather, walk will be held indoors at The Center for Health Improvement.

Walk with a Doc is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages and reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle in order to improve the health and well-being of the country.

“This program has had tremendous participation and success in hundreds of cities around the country”, said Steph Howie, Director of The Center for Health Improvement. I’m very pleased to bring this exciting and simple program to Hays as it has shown such improved health results for countless people around the county.”

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Apr2

00

Visitor Restrictions Lifted at HaysMed

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas (April 2, 2018) –Effective today visitor restrictions are no longer in effect at HaysMed. The hospital has been limiting visitors since February 7 for the protection of patients and staff. Flu and respiratory cases are on the decline and are now at a typical level for this time of year. As a result, the restrictions are no longer necessary,

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while these temporary restrictions were in place,” says Kim Koerner, Infection Prevention Officer/Associate Health Nurse. “While it was a sacrifice for both patients and hospital staff, we believe these efforts helped to reduce transmission of respiratory illnesses during a period of heightened flu activity.”