Apr6

HaysMed Receives High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier Recognition

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN

Hays, KS – HaysMed has continued its commitment to improving infant and maternal health by earning recognition through High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier, a program developed by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas.

High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals and birth facilities implement ten evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding, improving maternal and infant health outcomes while also reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.

To obtain High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier recognition, each facility is asked to complete a voluntary and self-reported evaluation and to follow all ten of the evidence-based practices:

Facility will have a written maternity care and infant feeding policy that addresses all ten High 5 for Mom & Baby practices supporting breastfeeding
Facility will maintain staff competency in lactation support
All pregnant women will receive information and instruction on breastfeeding
Assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth
All families will receive individualized infant feeding counseling
Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk unless medically indicated
Practice “rooming in” -allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
Families will be encouraged to feed their babies when the baby exhibits feeding cues, regardless of feeding methods
Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants
Provide mothers options for breastfeeding support in the community (such as a telephone number, walk-in clinic information, support groups, etc.) upon discharge

“Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the overall health of babies and mothers,” stated Katie Schoenhoff, Director of Programs at the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. “Following the ten High 5 for Mom & Baby practices demonstrates HaysMed’s commitment to infant and maternal health by helping moms successfully initiate and maintain breastfeeding.”

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), 60% of mothers stopped breastfeeding sooner than they planned. Some factors that influence how long or if a baby is breastfed include: hospital practices, education and encouragement, policies or support in the workplace, and access to community support – which is why High 5 for Mom & Baby facilities are committed to helping women breastfeed successfully, through staff trained in breastfeeding best practices and policies to help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals.

Along with the recognition of being named a High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier facility, HaysMed also receives on-going education and training opportunities, support and resources through a community of delivery centers, and scholarship opportunities to further staff education.

“Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers, and we’re honored to receive this recognition from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund for our efforts to support successful breastfeeding initiation and maintenance. As a facility committed to providing the very highest quality of care, we have found the High 5 practices and resources to not only improve health outcomes but also increase patient satisfaction,” said Terry Siek, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President of Patient Care/Chief Nursing Officer.

For more information on High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier, contact Gwen Whittit, Program Coordinator: coordinator@high5kansas.org, or visit the web site at https://www.high5kansas.org/.

Sep1

HaysMed Recognized as Center of Excellence in Education and Training for Infants and Families Impacted by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Women-Infant Services

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of the University of Kansas Health System, was recently recognized as a Vermont Oxford Network Center of Excellence in Education and Training for Infants and Families Impacted by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. This recognition was received from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KPQC).

The Vermont Oxford Network is a group of more than 1300 hospitals and countless individuals collaborating to improve neonatal care around the world with data-driven quality improvement and research. HaysMed was cited for their dedication to improving care for families and infants at risk for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and exposure to substance use.

NAS is a group of problems that occurs in a newborn who was exposed to opioid drugs for a length of time while in the mother’s womb.

Through NAS education and implementation of standardized care policies, HaysMed has helped Kansas decrease neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rates for NAs, transfer rates for observation and treatment of NAs and in the percentage of infants at risk for NAS requiring pharmacologic treatment.

Aug28

HaysMed Successfully Completes CDC Training Initiative Aimed at Supporting Optimal Infant Nutrition

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Women-Infant Services

Hays, Kansas — HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System is among the first hospitals in the nation to successfully complete the EMPower Training initiative, a skills-based competency training to advance knowledge and skills in evidence-based maternity practices supportive of optimal infant nutrition.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the EMPower Training initiative is committed to safe implementation of maternity care practices to support optimal infant nutrition, including breastfeeding, toward the ultimate goal of improving the public’s health.

“As the new manager of the Women’s and Infant Care Center I have been inspired by the commitment of the OB/NICU associates and staff. HaysMed is very fortunate to have a team of nurses who are dedicated to improving and adapting to evidence based practices.” Said Michelle Toogood, BSN, RN, Supervisor of Women’s services/NICU.

“We are thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in the Empower program, led here by Jill Rozean, RN, IBCLC Lactation Services and Jessica Seib, RN, IBCLC, Staff Educator, and continue to strive to provide the best care possible for the families we have the privilege of caring for.”

As part of this effort, HaysMed committed to training staff in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) guidance outlined in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. With the help of the EMPower Training initiative, HaysMed is now equipped with skills needed to help support mothers in the safe implementation of optimal infant nutrition.

The EMPower Team is led by Abt Associates, Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, and the Center for Public Health Quality.

Nov26

HAYSMED NURSE RECOGNIZED AT MARCH OF DIMES Nurse of the Year Gala

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Women-Infant Services

(November 26, 2018, Hays, KS) — Jill Rozean, BSN, RN, I BCLC at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, was recently recognized as a finalist at the 7^th annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards Gala in Kansas City.

Nurses who demonstrated excellence and leadership were recognized at the March of Dimes 2018 Nurse of the Year Awards. This event honors nurses from across Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area whose strength, courage and perseverance advance their profession. March of Dimes received nearly 800 nominations across 22 categories.

Patients, families and colleagues honor the selflessness, dedication and passion of Kansas and Greater Kansas City Nurses with nominations for the awards. From neonatal and pediatric care to mental health and advance practice, these awards recognize the contribution that registered nurses are making in our community and help fund the mission of the March of Dimes.

March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Event Chair Dr. Eva Karp, SVP, Chief Clinical and Patient Safety Officer Cerner Corporation presided over the awards which were presented at a gala event on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Marriott Hotel in Kansas City, MO.

Rozean works in the Women/Infant Department of HaysMed and has been an Associate since 2001.

Oct4

HaysMed Recognizes 2018 Second Quarter Patient Satisfaction Award Winners

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Orthopedic Institute News

Hays, Kansas (Oct 4, 2018)—The OB Unit, Sleep Center, Orthopedic Clinic and Human Resources were recently named the patient satisfaction award winners for the second quarter of 2018 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 OB Unit was recognized for having the highest improvement in overall satisfaction from the first quarter to the 4^th quarter of FY2018. Last year they had 572 deliveries, 684 lactation consultations and triaged 638 lactation triage phone calls.

The Sleep Center, an outpatient department, had the highest improvement in overall satisfaction for FY2018. In 2017 the department did 439 sleep studies and 120 EEGs. They have 4 full times associates. The EEG studies, which began in December of 2017, are a direct result of a joint effort with The University of Kansas Health System Neurology department. The Sleep Center serves patients in Kansas, southern Nebraska and eastern Colorado.

The Center is accredited through the Academy of Sleep medicine. They also are involved in mobile testing which brings sleep testing to many of the area communities.

Garnering the clinic award was the Orthopedic Clinic. They had a 16% increase in overall satisfaction for FY2018 and are at the 99^th percentile. The clinic averages 1100 patients a month and they provider outreach clinics in Great Bend, Larned, Colby, Scott City and Hill City.

They are a certified hip and knee center of excellence and are the official orthopedic physicians for Fort Hays State University Athletics.

Human Resources received the Customer Service Award for their significant contributions to the mission, vision and values of HaysMed. The department has 7 full time Associates who provide services to a total of 1723 Associates. This includes all Associates at Hays, Larned and Great Bend. They process approximately 3000 application per year and last year hired 241 new Associates.

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Sep18

HaysMed Celebrates 1500th Robotic Surgery

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News,OB-GYN,Urology

Hays, KS (Sept 18, 2018) – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, will be celebrate the 1500^th Robotic Surgery on September 25, 2018. A special Chamber ribbon cutting will be held at 8 am at Entrance C and the public is invited to attend. In addition a mobile robotics unit will be on site and available from 8 am to 5 pm for people to try out the robot and see how the technology works.

The Robotic Surgery program, the first in Western Kansas, was launched in April of 2014. HaysMed offers robotic surgery for a wide range of surgical procedures. The surgeons use a surgical robot to minimize surgical incision and trauma, improve surgical visualization and improve surgical accuracy. Throughout the surgery the surgeon not only controls every aspect of the surgery in real time but sees it clearly via high definition that results in pinpoint accuracy for greater precision.

Robotic surgery is another form of minimally invasive surgery that offers many advantages to patients. Because of the smaller incisions patients usually see less pain, shorter hospital stays, less scarring, reduced risk of infection and a quicker recovery and return to regular activity.

Robotic surgery is available for general surgeries including gallbladder, hernia, colon resection and bariatrics, women’s surgeries including hysterectomies, prostate/urological surgeries and thoracic/lung surgeries.

In 2016 the hospital added single site surgeries for several procedures. The single site technology allows surgeons to perform the surgery through a small incision in the belly button virtually eliminating scarring.

Currently 11 physicians at HaysMed are trained in robotic surgery: Samuel Durham, MD, Cardiovascular Surgeon, general surgeons Charles Schulz, MD, Paul Teget, DO, Zurab Tsereteli, MD and Jerod Grove, MD, OB/GYN physicians Joel Fort, MD, Lee Hodny, MD, and Timothy Hospkins, MD and Urologists Ernesto Lopez-Corona, MD, Kevin McDonald, MD and Srinivas Samavedi, MD.

“Bringing innovative surgical technology to Western Kansas is something we are very proud of.” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer at HaysMed. “We are committed to providing quality healthcare to our patients.”

Oct23

HaysMed’s Low Infection Rates Recognized With National Certification

By Gayla Wichman - Breast Care Center,DeBakey Heart Institute News,Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute,Emergency Department News,Family Medicine,HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Orthopedic Institute News,Pediatrics,Urology,Women-Infant Services,Would Healing & Hyperbaric Center News

Hays, Kansas (Oct 23, 2017) – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is the only hospital in Kansas that has earned a prestigious certification because of its low infection risk. And it is one of only four hospitals in the United States to receive the Management of Infection Risk (MIR) certificate.

“HaysMed goes above and beyond current standards to prevent patients from acquiring an infection while they are in the hospital,” said Kim Koerner, BSN, RN, infection prevention officer/associate health nurse. “As a result, we are at or below national hospital-acquired infection rates.

“Every department here works to decrease infection risk by reviewing processes and practices,” Koerner continued. “High-risk areas became focal points for each department, which has resulted in decreased infection risk and increased patient safety at HaysMed.”

Koerner cited just a few examples of areas in which safety has been enhanced.

They include: decreased hip/knee surgical site infection risk; decreased surgical site infection risk in colon procedures and hysterectomies; decreased device-related infections with urinary catheters and central lines; and decreased infections related to the environment.

“This certification validates the importance of decreasing infection risk and increasing patient safety to every single person at HaysMed,” Koerner commented. “Eighteen primary factors that cover the entire facility are considered in certification.

“And it’s not only doctors and nurses that are involved,” she added. “Processes in maintenance, dietary and environmental science also are reviewed.”

Melanie Urban, BSN, RN, HACP, patient quality services director, said Koerner has empowered all HaysMed employees to enhance safety. “It takes the motivation of everyone here to identify vulnerabilities, re-design systems and efficiently manage resources,” Urban said. “The Management of Infection Risk Committee has been diligent in getting everyone engaged.”

The committee includes clinical and non-clinical associates, as well as Dr. Kayla Gray, Hospitalist. “Attainment of this distinguished award demonstrates Hays Medical Center’s continued commitment to excellence in both patient and community healthcare. “ Gray stated.

HaysMed is accredited by DNV Healthcare, which is the entity that awarded the MIR certification. “This is a world-leading certification entity,” Urban said. “It helps us achieve excellence by improving quality and patient safety.”

MIR certification builds on three important pillars, Urban noted. These are: being proactive instead of reactive; developing a safety culture that is transparent and accountable; and engaging all staff in a systems-driven approach to safety.

“Therefore, our certification lets our community and region we serve know we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible care while managing infection risk,” Urban said.

DNV GL – Healthcare, which operates in more than 100 countries, surveys HaysMed annually. Patrick Horine, chief executive officer of DNV GL – Healthcare, said “achieving certification shows commitment to excellence. And it helps demonstrate to your community that you are performing at the highest level.”

Sep28

HaysMed To Hold Special Remembering Together Remembrance Walk for Loss Through Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Infant Loss

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Pediatrics,Upcoming Events,Women-Infant Services

Hays, KS (Sept. 28, 2016) The HaysMed Birthing Center will host Remembering Together Remembrance Walk on Sunday, October 15th. Participants are asked to meet in Hadley Room 3 at HaysMed at 2:00 pm. The group will be walking on the fitness trail so please dress for appropriate weather conditions. This special service is for anyone who has experienced a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.

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Sep5

HaysMed Welcomes New OB/GYN

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,OB-GYN,Women-Infant Services

Hays, KS (Sept 5, 2017) – Dr. Jenna Sloan, OB/GYN, has recently joined the Medical Staff of HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System.

Dr. Sloan grew up in Hoxie, Kansas and received her medical degree from The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kansas. She completed a residency in OB/GYN at Baylor Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas.

Dr. Sloan joins Drs. Joel Fort, Lee Hodny and Timothy Hoskins at the Center for Women’s Health and will be seeing patient both in Hays and St. Rose Health Center in Great Bend. To schedule an appointment call 785-623-5806.

Jul17

Hays Medical Center Receives Grant to Support Baby-Friendly Designation

By Alan Wamser - Breast Care Center,HaysMed News,OB-GYN,Pediatrics

Hays, Kansas (July 14)— Hays Medical Center is among six Kansas sites receiving grants to facilitate attainment of Baby-Friendly designation, the gold standard of breastfeeding support for hospitals. The project is funded by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Bureau of Family Health, with support from the Title V Maternal & Child Health Block Grant¹. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers offering an optimal level of care for infant feeding and bonding between mother and baby. For mothers, delivery at a Baby-Friendly hospital means they will have the information, confidence, and skills to initiate and maintain breastfeeding.

The grant will support Hays Medical Center in implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a collection of evidence-based practices shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates and a requirement for attaining Baby-Friendly designation. An abundance of scientific evidence has demonstrated lower risks for certain diseases and improved health outcomes for both mothers and babies who breastfeed.

The ten steps include having a written breastfeeding policy, training staff in skills to implement the policy, informing pregnant women about benefits and management of breastfeeding, helping mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, showing mothers how to breastfeed and maintain lactation even if separated from their infants, giving infants no food or drink other than breastmilk unless medically needed, allowing mothers and infants to room together 24 hours a day, encouraging breastfeeding on demand, giving no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants, and fostering availability of breastfeeding support groups and resources for mothers after their hospital stay. More information on Baby-Friendly may be found at babyfriendlyusa.org.

Becoming a Baby-Friendly facility is a comprehensive, detailed and thorough journey toward excellence in maternity care. The process to achieve designation compels facilities to examine, challenge and modify long-standing policies and procedures. It requires training and skill building among all levels of staff, and entails implementation of audit processes to assure quality in all aspects of maternity care operations. For hospitals, the journey is challenging but creates opportunities to develop high-performance work teams, build staff leadership skills, promote employee pride, enhance patient satisfaction, and improve health outcomes.

Other Kansas hospitals receiving the grants of $25,000 each are Lawrence Memorial Hospital; Pratt Regional Medical Center; Ransom Memorial Hospital, Ottawa; Saint Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park; and Salina Regional Health Center.

United Methodist Health Ministry Fund is a Hutchinson-based health philanthropy serving Kansas. Since its founding in 1986, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund has invested more than $65 million toward improve health, healing, and wholeness in Kansas. Additional information about its grant initiatives may be found at www.healthfund.org

The KDHE Bureau of Family Health is responsible for administering the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant for the State of Kansas. The Title V MCH program plays a key role in the provision of services in Kansas and targets activities to improve the health of all women, infants, and their families. Find more information at www.kansasmch.org or www.kdheks.gov/bfh. You can also find us on Facebook (Kansas Maternal & Child Health).

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Footnote 1: Grant #B04MC29344 supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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