MRU ranks in the top percentile - Catholic Health System

March December 20122011Volume 5, 4, Issue 41Digital mammography enhances women’s servicesTechnological developments andinvestment in the hospital’s newMammomat Inspiration digital mammographysystem, are helping toboost breast screening services forwomen at Kenmore Mercy.and the ability to view cases withthe secure transfer of imagesbetween hospital sites and physician’soffices,” said Aimee Gomlak,vice president of Catholic Health’sWomen’s Service Line.By capturing images through acomputer rather than on x-rayfilm, digital mammography makesimages available immediately,provides better contrast for breasttissue interpretation, and allows foreasier storage and transmission.“The key benefits of digital mammographyinclude faster deliveryof medical images to cliniciansInside this issue• From the President 2• Physician News 2• Kudos 2• SoftID helping with prevention 3• Auxiliary donation 3• Associate Forums 3• M.A.S.H. Camp 4• Nursing Certifications 4• Upcoming Events 4Check out the Kenmore MercyFoundation Insider, inside this edition.Submit news items to:Dawn M. CwierleyPublic Relations Managerdcwierle@chsbuffalo.org(716) 447-6279View copies of this newsletter onlineat www.chsbuffalo.org.Printed on 20% recycled paper.Mammography technologists Lisa Zacher andKelly Henderson review patient scans.Catholic Health also offers digitalmammography at the M. StevenPiver, M.D. Center for Women’sHealth & Wellness on the Sisters ofCharity Hospital campus and at theMercy Ambulatory Care Center.MRU ranks in the top percentileThe Uniform Data System forMedical Rehabilitation recentlyannounced its 2011 rankings, withthe Partners In Rehab Medical RehabilitationUnit at Kenmore MercyHospital in the top ten percent inthe country. That ranking is out ofmore than 800 qualifying inpatientrehabilitation facilities.UDSMR uses a results-driven programevaluation model to identifyand recognize facilities likeKenmore Mercy for their delivery ofquality patient care that is effective,efficient, timely, and patientcentered.“This ranking validates what patientsand associates already know,that Kenmore Mercy’s MRU delivershigh quality care while making eachpatient’s optimal functional goalsa priority,” said Angelo Ventresca,Director of Partners In Rehab MRU.Physical therapist Mary Caezza helps patientHelen Hambridge with her Wii therapy.Patients recovering from specificdiagnoses, such as stroke, hip fractures,multiple fractures or complicationsfrom neurological conditionslike Parkinson’s or MultipleSclerosis, require specialized careto regain lost function and independence.Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s inpatientMRU provides that care, aswell as a higher level of rehabilitationthan found at a subacute/short-term rehab facility.Page 1

From the PresidentJames MillardSpring is right around the corner and I’m anxious forall that the season will bring. Behind the scenes, manyindividuals have been working diligently on projectsthat we’ll start to see materialize in the coming weeks.After months of planning and preparation, we officially start constructionof our new Emergency Department on March 29. I hope to seeyou at the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for 2:30 p.m. that day.We expect that the Joint Commission will be here within the next monthfor our routine re-accreditation survey. I’m confident that we’re wellprepared and that we’ll be able to demonstrate our compliance with thestandards and our commitment to providing quality patient care.Our next round of Associate Forums will begin in late April. In aneffort to make these sessions more personal, interactive and accessibleto all associates, we’ve given them a make-over for 2012. I encourageeveryone to stop in and check out our new “Passport to Knowledge”format. Pick a session from the list of dates and times on page 3, getyour “passport,” and visit each of the stations to see the results of therecent Voice of the Associate Survey and to learn about what’s going onat Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Get your “passport” stamped, and enter towin a variety of prizes.We know that communication is the key to our success in creating asatisfying and rewarding workplace and a caring environment wherepatients choose New to be Managers treated. We hope that the Associate Forums provideanother opportunity to keep the lines of communication open.I look forward to another busy and successful year at Kenmore MercyHospital and I hope that you share in my excitement. As always, thanksfor all that you do for Kenmore Mercy Hospital and our patients!Physician NewsStaff and physicians bidfarewell to FrederickBeerel, MD, medicaldirector of pulmonaryrehabilitation, who ismoving to Pittsburghafter 48 years of serviceto Kenmore Mercy.Carolyn Hilbert, Dr. Beerel, MariellaCeranski, and Frank Scrivani.Sanjay Gupta, MD, was selected by the GeriatricPsychiatry’s Clinician of the Year as the AmericanAssociation.Southtowns Radiology Associates has joinedKenmore Mercy as the provider of imaging servicesincluding neuroradiology, MRI and CT body imaging,ultrasound, mammography and nuclear medicine.Doctors’ Day - March 30We observe Doctors’ Day this month toshow appreciation to the physicians whoprovide vital diagnosis, treat and carefor you and your family, and keep youwell. When you are sick, there is no otherperson more important to you than yourdoctor.Take time to thank our doctors onMarch 30 for all that they do for us andour patients!Kudos!Dick MarianiDick Mariani has been promoted to sitemanager, facilities and engineering forKenmore Mercy Hospital.A 30-year veteran of Kenmore Mercy,Joe Racsumberger, will now be director offacilities and engineering at Sisters of CharityHospital.Congratulations to our 2011 LOVE Award winners,first quarter - Lydia Strong, environmental services,second quarter - Jackie Biddle, environmental services,third quarter - Jeannette Gallagher, surgery, andfourth quarter - Dustyn Miller, pharmacy.Donna FabryWe are pleased to welcome Donna Fabry,RN, MSN, CNS, and former vice president ofpatient services at St. Joseph Hospital.Donna is currently working toward herdoctorate by conducting research inKenmore Mercy Hospital’s nursing units.Lydia Strong Jackie Biddle JeannetteGallagherDustyn MillerWilliamsville Primary Care Center is pleased to welcomeSamuel Guida as their new clinical coordinator.Page 2

SoftID helps prevent medical errorsEnsuring accurate patient identificationis central to preventing medicalerrors, which is why KenmoreMercy Hospital and all of CatholicHealth recently implementedSoftID, a bar code-based positivepatient identification system for usein inpatient phlebotomy and specimenlabeling.“Misidentified specimens can resultin delayed diagnosis, additionallaboratory testing, treatment of thewrong patient for the wrong disease,and severe transfusion reactions,”said Mike Wendel, KenmoreMercy Hospital’s laboratory supervisor.“Our goal is to eliminateerrors at the point of collection.”SoftID is a new process that allowsnurses, nursing assistants, respiratorytherapists, and laboratoryphlebotomists to scan the patient’swristband and review all pendinglaboratory orders right at thebedside.It uses wireless technology to printspecific patient specimen labelsimmediately to further ensure thatRegina Norris - Mangum, a phlebotomist, checksinformation on her scanner.the correct patient, correct tests,and correct specimens are properlyobtained, identified, and recorded.Information is submitted to updatesystems immediately, allowingproviders to have the latest informationat their fingertips.Auxiliary’s donation supportshospital servicesThe Kenmore Mercy Foundationwas recently presented with a$60,000 check from the KenmoreMercy Hospital Auxiliary. Thismoney will be used for HospitalEquipment Grants, which enablesthe purchase of clinical equipmentand technology used in varioushospital departments.The donation was made possible bythe Auxiliary’s gift shop sales, SewingGroup, and Ways & Means Committee.The Sewing Group holdsfundraising events every Mondayin the atrium where they sell handmade items. The Ways & MeansCommittee hosts a number of othercreative events throughout theyear, including jewelry, used andnew book sales, dinner fundraisersand used coats sales, among manyother activities.The Auxiliary welcomes new memberswilling to use their talents andabilities to help support the hospital.For more information aboutthe Auxiliary, please contact LucilleGreico at 836-6564.Constantly looking for opportunitiesto improve patient safety,Kenmore Mercy is committed toproviding the highest quality, safestcare possible.Associate ForumsSpring 2012Your Passportto KnowledgeHospital SessionsCommunity RoomMonday, April 30 - noon - 2 p.m.Wednesday, May 2 - 10 a.m. – noonThursday, May 3 - 3 a.m. – 5 a.m.Monday, May 7 - 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.Tuesday, May 8 - 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.Williamsville Diagnostic -Primary Care CenterMonday, May 7 - noon - 1 p.m.Williamsville Diagnostic CenterConference RoomSheridan Medical CenterWednesday, May 9 - noon - 1 p.m.Pulmonary RehabilitationConference RoomDrop in during any of the abovesessions to check out the newAssociate Forum format."It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least theequivalent of what he takes out of it." ~ Albert EinsteinPage 3

Kenmore Mercy Hospital, inconjunction with Catholic Health,hosted a “M.A.S.H. Camp” for 20students from Buffalo’s Health SciencesCharter School in January.The “M.A.S.H. Camp,” which standsfor Medical Academy of Scienceand Health, gives students theopportunity to meet with workinghealth professionals, participatein hands-on demonstrations, andtour various departments withinthe hospital, to see if a futurecareer in healthcare might be rightfor them.Congratulations certified nursesFor our registered nurses, KenmoreMercy Hospital recognizes thatadvanced certifications validateand enhance skills in a particularspecialty, improve knowledge andcontribute to better patient outcomes.These certifications ensurethat our patients will receive expert,high-quality, competent nursingNurses from the Intensive Care Unit.care.Congratulations to the following nurses on their cerfications.2 EastAlan ChittleyChristine ClarkBetty LoFasoMonica WidemanSuzanne Zeisz2 WestBrenda CramerMichelle HarrisFloatsJohanna BoydEmergency DepartmentDiane TaylorHeather TelfordPACUScott BerubeLinda ButskiPam FarrellSharon GreathouseSue HartelTeens get behind the scenes glimpseStudents watch Linda Butski, RN, teach aboutsurgical instruments.Intensive Care UnitSandra ContiMary LamartinaKristin ParisiVeronica ValazzaBridget WalbornInterventional RadiologyDeb ArnetKathleen DaleyChistine McGeeRob MorelloSkin CareSue WrenGIHeidi FrushoneNursing AdministrationCheryl HayesTom NaderThroughout the day, studentstoured various departments in thehospital, including the operatingroom, laboratory and physicaltherapy departments, to see staff inaction and participate in interactiveactivities to learn more about varioushealthcare careers.With a continuing nationwideshortage of doctors, nurses andother health professionals, hospitalsand government agencies areteaming up to develop creativeways to promote careers in healthcare.Upcoming EventsMarchNational Nutrition Month1 Auxiliary Jewelry Sale8 Auxiliary Scrubs Sale13 - 14 Auxiliary Books Are Fun Sale13 - 19 Pulmonary RehabilitationWeek29 ED Groundbreaking30 Doctors’ DayApril1-7 Healthcare Access Personnel Week12-15 Auxiliary Children’s Book Sale17-20 Auxiliary Used Book & Media Sale22-28 Administrative Professionals Week22-28 Healthcare Volunteer Week22-28 Medical LaboratoryProfessionals WeekMay10 Auxiliary Jewerly Sale15-16 Auxiliary Luxury Linens Sale23 Auxiliary Plant Sale20-26 Medical Transcriptionist WeekPage 4