Avera Bulletin

December 2009

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

On behalf of Avera President and CEO John T. Porter and all those at the Avera Central Office, wishes for a Blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates of Aberdeen Joins Avera Family

Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates is becoming part of Avera St. Luke's Clinic Division and Avera Medical Group, effective Jan. 1, 2010. Physicians at the specialty care clinic are Drs. Scott Berry, Tage Born, Gregg Carlson and Christine Stehly. All four are board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology.

Every year, the physicians help some 600 babies come into the world at Avera St. Luke's BirthPlace. The OB/GYN physicians join 28 excellent physicians in Avera St. Luke's Clinic Division, including Avera Aberdeen Family Physicians and Avera Internal Medicine Associates who have served patients in the area for many years.

Avera Garners Grant

Avera has been awarded a three-year United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant worth $396,693. The grant, which includes 17 facilities in the region, will assist in purchasing equipment for teleradiology, eEmergency, eConsult and urgent care.

Facilities included in the grant are Avera Healthworks, Bowdle Hospital, Faulkton Hospital, Freeman Regional Hospital, Avera Gregory Healthcare Center & Medical Clinic, Hendricks Hospital, Avera St. Benedict CRH Clinic in Lake Andes, Floyd Valley Hospital, Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital & Clinic, Avera Queen of Peace, Avera Brady Health and Rehab, Avera St. Benedict Health Center, Platte Health Center Avera, Osceola Community Hospital, Sioux Center Community Hospital & Health Center Avera, St. Michael's Hospital Avera and Wagner Community Memorial Hospital Avera. Avera has received seven USDA grants in the past four years.

Avera Yankton Care Center Earns Recertification

Avera Yankton Care Center has been recertified as an Eden Alternative Home. All organizations involved in the Eden Alternative must participate in a recertification process every two years. The Eden Alternative is a small not-for-profit organization based on the core belief that aging should be a continued stage of development and growth, rather than a period of decline.

Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota Named One of Nation's Top Cardiovascular Hospitals

The Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota once again has been named one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals® for cardiovascular care by Thomson Reuters. This is the fourth consecutive year the hospital has received this distinction.
 
Thomson Reuters' annual study - 100 Top Hospitals: Cardiovascular Benchmarks - examines the performance of 971 hospitals, analyzing clinical outcomes for patients diagnosed with heart failure, heart attacks and those who received coronary bypass surgery or percutaneous cardiovascular interventions. Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for Performance Improvement and 100 Top Hospitals Programs of Thomson Reuters, says, "These hospitals set the national standard for cardiovascular disease outcomes, process of care, efficiency and lower costs. They deliver significant value to their communities."

The study, in its 11th year, found that the 100 Top Hospitals cardiovascular winners have:

• 17 percent lower mortality for heart attack patients
• 10 percent lower mortality for heart failure patients
• 27 percent lower mortality for bypass surgery patients
• 22 percent lower mortality following PCI
• Fewer post-operative complications
• Close to 12-percent shorter average hospital stay
• 12 percent lower cost per case

"We are honored to be named one of the 100 Top Hospitals for cardiovascular care for the fourth consecutive year. The Avera Heart Hospital's comprehensive and patient-friendly approach to care ensures that patients experience shorter hospital stays, comparable costs and overall better outcomes. Proof of this model is reflected in studies like this and our exceptionally high patient-satisfaction scores," says Jon Soderholm, CEO of the Avera Heart Hospital.

Avera Quality Recognition Program Nomination Materials Available in January

Look for nomination materials for the Avera Quality Recognition Program in January. The program is designed to:

• Recognize Avera entities that develop and implement processes and methods that improve outcomes
• Promote sharing of best techniques, strategies and performance practices
• Provide models to improve performance in quality, safety and outcomes
• Encourage collaboration
• Recognize individuals whose actions exemplify Avera's values
• Recognize individuals who forward Avera's efforts in quality through leadership

Awards are given in five categories:

•  Category 1: Avera Caring With Excellence - This award recognizes projects that significantly improve processes and/or outcomes.
• Category 2: Avera Caring With Collaboration - This award recognizes projects that demonstrate improved outcomes because of collaboration.
• Category 3: Avera Caring With Safety - This award recognizes projects that significantly impact the safety of customers and employees, and protect the earth's resources.
• Category 4: Avera Caring Spirit - These awards honor individuals who exemplify Avera's values.
• Category 5: Avera Caring With Leadership - This award honors individuals who forward Avera's efforts in quality through leadership.

See the nomination booklet for eligibility and submission requirements. Nominations must be received by May 7, 2010. Nomination materials and further information will be available mid-January on AveraNET.