History of an American Folk Song

I had never really thought about the origin of Rudolph until yesterday. Then yesterday - one foggy Christmas eve (I could not resist) I heard about it on the radio and then confirmed about.com.

The story of Rudolph, Santa Claus' special ninth reindeer, was written in 1939 by Robert L. May. He was an employee of Montgomery Ward, and the store created a book about Rudolph to give away to children on Christmas.

May's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, turned the story of Rudolph into a song in 1949. It became a hit for Gene Autry and has since become so enmeshed in American culture that it's considered a folk song despite the fact that it's not in the public domain.

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" Lyrics

The lyrics to "Rudolph" are based largely on May's story about Santa Claus and his magical reindeer. Its theme is similar to the story of the ugly duckling who grew up into a beautiful swan. Rudolph is teased and rejected by the other reindeer until he proves himself useful and industrious. It's a very American dream-like story line about how everyone can be special and important when they use their gifts and talents (isn't that what many of us look for in our personal and professional lives):

Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Merry Christmas. Enjoy a safe and healthy holiday weekend.

Wash Those Hands With New Soap

As you walk around the hospital, you will notice additional soap dispensers. We know this is an easy time of year to get sick and spread holiday cheer in the wrong way. In the past, we have been told that our soap dispensers were rough on the hands. These soap dispensers are new. If you are in the hospital, try them out and let me know what you think.

Previous Statin Use: Article

I just have to brag...
Congratulations to Dr. Jason Day, Vascular Neurologist.

Great artice in Stroke: The Journal of The American Heart Association

CARE Fund Support Strong as Ever

What a great celebration we had yesterday. A couple hundred people were on hand for our annual raffle drawing that raises money for our CARE fund (Catostrophic Assistance for resource and employees fund).

Separate drawings take place at St. Joseph Medical Center and St. Mary's Medical Center. This year SJMC brought in over $10,000 with more than 25 gift baskets donating. We had amazing support from our volunteers, associates, physicians and community members. Thank you all.

Your Actions are Speaking so Loudly...I Can't Hear What You are Saying

This morning, our leadership team went through a training presentation on high reliability organizations. It started out with some great reflections by Sister Rosemary F. Her key message:

As leaders, we must set the example. We all have the opportunities to be leaders.

She spoke on the subject of "Habits."

"Do we have habits or are we our habits? It is the way we act that forms our characters. Actions performed over time become habits (e.g., compassion, stewardship). Do I steward the resources I have and do I steward these resources wisely? Jokingly, she said that when she was in school, her teacher would say, your Actions are speaking so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying. So how do we acquire habits? Practice, practice, practice. Virtue is not taught - virtue is shown by example. It is the first, if not the only, teacher in moral development. We become who we are by the way we act over and over and over. One must study with practice. Culture is how we act. The way to instill a culture of safety is through example. As leaders, we must set that example first.

Rachelle B., our Regional Director of Quality and Process Improvement, then did an exceptional job discussing the expectations and continued improvement of highly reliable organizations. Surprisingly enough, the highest percentage of errors that take place are not due to communication, the reason everyone always touts. The reasons...62% of errors are caused by lack of critical thinking (failure to validate/verify) and compliance (taking shortcuts, non-compliant with known expectations.). Take a look at the example shown above!

Both presenters were extremely inspiring and certainly set a great tone for our continuous improvement journey.

Good Relationships - A Healthy Hearthy Option

Last night I was visiting with some of our patients and just have to brag. When they spoke of the care they received, each patient stated that of course, they received the care, or surgery or treatment they expected. What they were really pleased with was the relationship they were now forming with our nurses, techs, consulting physicians, volunteers and housekeeping (EVS).

Just last week my wife mentioned the same thing to me..."Isn't life just about the relationships we form at home, work, the gym, church, temple, social event....(and the list goes on)." It is so very basic yet easy to miss at times. When things are not going well, it could usually go back to a relationship and the expectations of each party. When things don't go well, the same applies.

There was even an interesting medical study noted by The Early Show's medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay. "She notes that previous research suggests close relationships are good for heart health, and there's lots of evidence that emotions can have powerful effects on physical health. Psychological factors are now recognized as contributing to the development of heart disease."

As we hit the Christmas and New Year weekends, please enjoy those key relationships that make your world whole.

Aligning Forces for Quality Hospital Quality Network

St. Joseph Medical Center and its sister organization, St. Mary's Medical Center, are among seven hospitals in the Kansas City Metro area selected to participate in a national program designed to focus on improved models of care for national reform in health care.

The program, Aligning Forces for Quality Hospital Quality Network, is a quality improvement network of over 130 hospitals aimed to address the need to improve the quality, efficiency and equity of care delivered not only in Kansas City, but also in hospitals across the country. St. Joseph and St. Mary's Medical Centers are participating with the Kansas City Quality Improvement Collaborative and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nation's largest philanthropy dedicated to improving the health and health care of all Americans, to support efforts to improve health care quality.

The program includes three separate quality improvement initiatives aimed at helping hospitals tackle key issues like racial and ethnic disparities, time spent in Emergency Departments (EDs) or readmissions of patients recently discharged. The Carondelet Health facilities have teams participating in all three areas.

Hospital teams in the program will pilot and test quality improvement strategies over an 18-month period. In all, 17 regions of the country have been designated as part of Aligning Forces. In each region, a range of efforts to help doctors, nurses and hospitals improve quality - as well as engage consumers to be better patients - is being tested.

Our nation is always seeking ways to improve patient care. Our selection into this program is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our staff and physicians, and our continued focus on efficiency, effectiveness and quality outcomes.