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.

-30-

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.

-30-

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 Gayla Wichman - 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).

-30-

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

Jul7

HaysMed Recognized by March of Dimes for Its Work to Give More Babies a Healthy Start in Life

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

Hays, KS (July 7, 2017) HaysMed has reduced the number of elective inductions and cesarean deliveries performed before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy. This effort, encouraged and recognized by March of Dimes, gives more babies a healthy start in life.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Family Health, March of Dimes and the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative (KHC) have joined together to encourage continued progress towards eliminating early elective deliveries (EED) in Kansas. The collaborative efforts and hard work of hospitals have resulted in a rapid and significant reduction in the statewide EED rate from eight percent in 2013 to two percent in 2015. March of Dimes’ national Hospital Banner Recognition Program is designed to recognize hospitals that have achieved EED rates below five percent.

“We’re proud of our expert team of physicians and nurses who recognized the problem of unnecessary early deliveries and put in place policies to avoid scheduling c-sections or inductions before 39 weeks of pregnancy, except when medically necessary,” said Terry Siek, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Care at HaysMed.

“The last weeks of pregnancy are important. Babies aren’t just putting on weight. They are undergoing important development of the brain, lungs and other vital organs,” says Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, March of Dimes Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “We commend HaysMed for being a champion for babies with their quality improvement effort.”

According to Lisa Brening, MSN, RN, HaysMed OB/NICU Clinical Supervisor there is a general misconception amongst the public that if you are term, your baby must be perfectly ready to be born and handle life on his or her own.

“In reality, we know that this just isn’t true and it is best for mother and baby to allow labor to occur naturally, or at the very least wait until at least 39 weeks to induce or help labor along.” said Brening. “ In our own setting, we have seen our NICU rates drop tremendously, in turn being able to keep more moms and babies together postpartum.”

“This laudable achievement deserves recognition, and KDHE is proud to supply banners at no cost to qualifying hospitals,” said Susan Mosier, KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer.

Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered premature. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk for lifelong disabilities including breathing problems, vision loss, cerebral palsy and intellectual delays. In the United State, about 380,000 babies are born too soon each year- that’s 1 in 10.

“March of Dimes knows that Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait,” said Kansas Market Executive Director Kenneth Jackson. “This campaign urges women with a healthy pregnancy to wait for labor to begin on its own, rather than scheduling delivery before 39 weeks,” he added.

March of Dimes offers both professional and consumer education materials about the critical importance of a full-term pregnancy to the health and well-being of babies.

Nov14

HaysMed Celebrates 1000th Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,OB-GYN

ob-1 Dr. Lee Hodny, OB/GYN, Dr. Joel Fort, OB/GYN,
Dr. Timothy Hoskins, OB/GYN

surgery-4 Zurab Tsereteli, MD, Surgeon, Dr. Charles Schultz, Surgeon,
Dr. Paul Teget, Surgeon

urology-4 Dr. Faris Azzouni, Urologist, Dr. Kevin McDonald, Urologist
Dr. Ernesto Lopez-Corona, Urologist

or-nurses-1 Robotic OR Staff
Hays, Kansas (November 14, 2016)—HaysMed recently celebrated the 1000^th robotic surgery performed at the hospital. The robotic surgery program was established in March of 2014. HaysMed is the only hospital in Western Kansas to perform the newest advancements in minimally invasive surgery. Robotic surgery is a third generation of advances in surgery with the first being open surgery and the second minimally invasive surgery.

The daVinci® Surgical System at HaysMed takes surgery beyond the limits of the human hand, introducing precise, versatile instrument movement combined with three-dimensional visualization of the operation site.

The Robotics Program at Haysmed is one of the highest volume single system programs in the state of Kansas and also has the largest volume of single site gynecological surgeries in Kansas.

The team of credentialed robotic surgeons on staff at HaysMed includes Dr. Charles Schultz, Surgeon, Dr. Paul Teget, Surgeon, Dr. Zurab Tsereteli, Surgeon, Dr. Faris Azzouni, Urologist, Dr. Ernesto Lopez-Corona, Urologist, Dr. Kevin McDonald, Urologist, Dr. Joel Fort, OB/GYN, Dr. Lee Hodny, OB/GYN and Dr. Timothy Hoskins, OB/GYN.

“We are committed to offering the latest technological advancements at HaysMed,” said Bryce Young, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Robotic surgery redefines how surgery is performed and we are the only hospital in Western Kansas to provide our patients with this groundbreaking technology. It is important to us that patients are able to receive the very latest surgical techniques and care locally without leaving the area.”

Surgeries performed at HaysMed, including robotic surgery, provide all of the benefits that conventional laparoscopic surgery including smaller incisions that can result in minimal scarring, and less operative discomfort. The daVinci robot brings the range of benefits to the next advanced level of surgery technology with the ability to perform highly complex reconstructive procedures with less pain, faster recovery times, and a quicker return to normal activities.

In addition to the regular daVinci surgery, HaysMed also offers the da Vinci Single-Site Surgery, in which the surgery is performed through a single small incision in the belly button similar to traditional single-port laparoscopy. The result is a virtually scar less surgery procedure. HaysMed offers Single-Site surgery for hysterectomies and gallbladders, as examples.

Able to perform highly complex procedures with unparalleled precision, the credentialed robotic surgeons have performed more than 1000 cases since the program’s inception. Currently, the hospital performs 30-40 procedures a month, including bowel, hernia, hysterectomy, kidney, prostate procedures, gallbladder, uterus, colon, adrenal glands, spleen, anti-reflux surgery, ventral and inguinal hernias, and bariatric surgery procedures.

-30-

Page 2 of 212