Do the Sick No Harm

This afternoon I attended an open house at the Belton Community Center. Specifically, our family was interested in seeing Dave Kraft a good family friend and Strong Man Champion! We were hoping he would just provide a tour. However, he had other things in store for us and had us join him in a conditioning circuit. Between moving tires, using a sledgehammer, shaking oversized ropes and pushing a medal sled across concrete, we were exhausted. Dave made sure we all understood how to safely perform each exercise and watched us prior to getting started with the circuit. There was no question that safety was his number one concern for us.

As always, the same applies in our healthcare system. Thank you Jane Falk, our Executive Director, for passing the following quote to me from Florence Nightingale. She was doing some research in preparation for nurses week and was reviewing quotes by Florence Nightingale, she found the following quote and it struck me as I realized this was stated in 1859....she thought it spoke to our safety journey, that safety is the very first requirement in a Hospital. A journey we continue to follow for over 152 years.

It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first requirement in a Hospital that it should do the sick no harm.

- Florence Nightingale

Pam Hazen, RN - Associate of the Month

Congratulations to Pam Hazen, RN from the Cardiac Care Unit. Pam is our April Associate of the Month.

Well deserved Pam!

The New C-A-Bs of CPR

Have you ever seen CPR performed. Were you the one who had to perform it or were you the one just staring helplessly because you had no idea how to help. I do not want to be that guy!

Today, I completed my re-certification in Basic Life Support (BLS). There are a few changes noted. In fact, the American Heart Association made their most drastic changes in 40 years.

According to the AHA, for nearly 40 years, CPR guidelines have trained people to follow these simple A-B-C instructions—tilt the victim's head back to open the airway, then pinch their nose and do a succession of breaths into their mouth, and finally perform chest compressions. But now, the AHA says starting with the C of chest compressions will help oxygen-rich blood circulate throughout the body sooner, which is critical for people who have had a heart attack. With this shift, rescuers and responding emergency personnel should now follow a C-A-B process—begin with chest
compression, then move on to address the airway and breaths. This change
applies to adults, children, and babies, but does not apply to newborns.

During training, we were told if you need to call for help, think about calling a cab or C-A-B! Not necessarily a great example but certainly one easy to remember.

Living in a Fishbowl...Finding Balance

How do I find balance during my busy schedule....

Healthcare management and healthcare in general involve a lot of time at work (so you want to enjoy what you do). There are times that people just need to get away to handle personal items during the day. This funny story came to me by a healthcare manager (who I'll call Susie) just trying to keep some balance in her life...

Scott-
Funny story…

I was introduced to a gentleman through friends last week (email introduction…wonderful world of cyberspace and dating) and have met him twice for coffee. He is busy with kids/job as am I so it’s tough to find time…so today at 10:45 we were able to meet for a coffee.

First I show up @ Dean and Deluca and some woman is on the ground with one person assisting her…she passed out after giving blood. Made sure she was okay…no hitting of her head, not nauseated, good strong pulse etc…and 911 had been called. Perfect start….might I add she was right in front of the place to order salads and sandwiches!

Next I hear “hi Susie” and it’s your spouse. She was very sweet but I’m sure was wondering “what is Susie doing here at 10:45”. I told her meeting someone for coffee… next I run into one my prn staff, shopping with her baby boy….again, have to explain why the one day I sneak out for an early coffee I’m not AT work….

Next I run into another colleague who was on vacation this week…again…the winking and implication that I’m doing something “illegal”.

What I learned…someone is always there…how far do I have to drive?

Bi-plane Vascular Suite Blessing

We had a great time last night at our Bi-plane Vascular Suite blessing and opening. This technology helps us advance our efforts with our neuroscience and vascular services. The Bi-plane Vascular Suite will be used to provide the kind of precise anatomy delineation and visualization needed to provide comprehensive Stroke Care. Thank you to all who attended the event and supported this expansion.

A special thanks to the leadership and direction of Dr. David Burkart, Jane Falk and Derek Dinoni. Our first patients were seen today!

Seen above: Dr. Burkart (top left) and the Interventional Radiology Team. Bottom picture: Me and Annette Small, our Chief Executive Officer of St. Mary's Medical Center who joined us for the event.

The Visitor

This morning I went to visit a friend of mine in another area hospital. I spend thousands of hours each year in a hospital however it is always humbling when I am the visitor or patient. It is then that I take even more notice of the long hallways, signage, the environment, the interaction of staff with each other and with me. These experiences from time to time, are very difficult emotionally. However, they really do help me open my eyes even wider to my own surroundings and the experience we provide to our patients, community and each other.

I am very appreciative of all the work of our healthcare providers. We provide the compassion and care needed during very vulnerable times. We all know this and yet there are days like I had today where it is even more clear.

Visionary Award Winner - April

Congratulations to the Volunteers & Auxiliary, April's Visionary Award winners. The Volunteer and Auxiliary Services provides thousands of hours in community service and major contributions impacting the medical center's quality outcomes, growth, compliance and safety and patient satisfaction. The Volunteer & Auxilary are led by Jeri Grimes, Director and Mary Ann Nagy, President.