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.

Aug24

Mother’s Milk Donation Center Established at HaysMed

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Women-Infant Services

Milk donations help save the lives of infants in need

Hays, Kansas (Aug 24)— HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System in collaboration with the Ellis County Breastfeeding Coalition, has established a Mothers’ Milk Bank (MMB)depository and is now accepting the donation of breast milk for MMB, a Colorado based nonprofit program of Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation who collects, processes and provides human donor milk. The program is being made possible through donations from the HaysMed Foundation.

Human milk is the key to a healthy future, providing newborns and babies with essential immune properties, growth factors, hormones and enzymes that they cannot get from formula. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants should be fed human milk exclusively for the first six months of life. If mother’s own milk is unavailable, donated milk from a human milk bank approved by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, which MMB is a member, is the next best choice.

On Wednesday, August 30 the OB/Lactation Department and the Ellis County Breastfeeding Coalition will have a display in the Miller Pavilion with information on the Mothers’ Milk Bank. From 11:00 am – 1:00 pm members of the OB Department and coalition will be on hand to answer specific questions.

HaysMed will be following MMB’s strict guidelines to ensure that milk donations are delivered safely to MMB’s Denver facility where it is pasteurized and distributed to babies across the country whose mothers cannot supply sufficient milk for their needs.

Since 2011, MMB has provided more human milk donations to hospitals than any other milk bank in the country producing an average of 12,000 ounces of human milk every week. Babies who receive milk donated by mothers in Ellis County and across the nation may be premature or have severe illnesses and need human milk to thrive.

MMB consistently provides more milk to newborn intensive care units than any other nonprofit milk bank in North America and adheres to the strict guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.

HaysMed is one of three sites in Kansas that participate in the program.

To become a breast milk donor, mothers must undergo a blood test and health screening, be willing to donate a minimum of 150 ounces total, and have a medical release form signed by a medical provider.

For a full list of donor qualifications, please call 1-303-869-1888 or visit the Mothers Milk Bank website. Women interested in donating milk may fill out the donor screening form on MMB’s website at www.milkbankcolorado.org or call 303.869.1888.

xxx

About Mothers’ Milk Bank

A nonprofit program of Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, Mothers’ Milk Bank (MMB) collects, processes and provides human donor milk to babies across the country. Babies who receive the milk may be premature or have severe illnesses and need human milk to thrive. MMB consistently provides more milk to NICUs than any other nonprofit milk bank in North America and adheres to the strict guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). For more information on MMB visit www.milkbankcolorado.org.

Jul7

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

By Hays Medical - 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.

Feb17

HaysMed Renewed as a High 5 for Mom & Baby

By Hays Medical - HaysMed News,Women-Infant Services

Hays, Kansas (Feb 17, 2017). The High 5 for Mom and Baby program HaysMed has received recognition renewal for another year. HaysMed originally received the initial recognition in 2014 and were the fifth hospital in Kansas to receive this designation. Hospitals are now required to renew on an annual basis.

The High 5 program — initiated, funded, and provided at no charge to Kansas hospitals by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund — is based on five key hospital practices crucial for a successful breastfeeding experience.

The five best practices comprising the High 5 for Mom & Baby standards are: • assuring immediate, sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth; • giving newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated; • allowing “rooming in” so mothers and infants can remain together 24 hours a day; • not giving pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants; and • providing mothers options for breastfeeding support in the community.

“Our staff’s ongoing commitment to excellence in maternity care reassures parents planning to breastfeed that they will be in the best possible hands.” Said Jessica Seib, RN/BSN, IBCLC, OB/Peds Staff Development Coordinator. The benefits to breastfeeding offer numerous health benefits for mothers and babes which last a lifetime.

Seib noted that they have expanded their lactation services to include two RNs who are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and established an outpatient lactation clinic where mothers who are having breastfeeding challenges can come for additional support once they have been dismissed.

As a part of this redesignation, the High 5 program reaffirms its commitment to supporting HaysMed through technical assistance and learning opportunities to ensure that the staff skills continue to improve while safeguarding the best outcomes for the moms and babies.

For more information contact the Women/Infant Services at 785-623-5000 or https://www.haysmed.com/women-infant-services/