Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center Administrator Kimber Wraalstad had some good news to share with the hospital board at its December 18 meeting. The hospital was recognized for its commitment to patient safety by participating in a three-year Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement network initiative with the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA), said Wraalstad.
Cook County joined with 115 hospitals actively addressing the 10 hospital acquired conditions which included pressure ulcers, falls, obstetrical adverse events, venous thromboembolism, adverse drug events, surgical site infections, catheter associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, central line-associated blood stream infections and readmissions.
“We received a plaque acknowledging our participation in this safety and quality improvement initiative,” Wraalstad said. “With the involvement of Minnesota hospitals in addressing various conditions and events, safety was improved across the board by 37 percent, 12,000 patients were prevented from being harmed and over $93 million was saved,” Wraalstad said.
Facility improvement planning continues
Rebecca Lewis of DSGW architects came before the board with an update on the building schedule and some new information concerning bay windows for the care center. Lewis said that 6-foot by 6-foot bay windows could be purchased and installed for about $2,000 each. The board will consider that option and make a decision on whether or not to have them included in the plans in the near future.
Rory Smith, head of maintenance, came before the board with an option on the heating/water systems for the care center and hospital. After some review, Smith suggested putting two hot water boilers in the care center to take care of the hot water needs there, while keeping the care center/hospital heating system in the hospital.
“It’s hard to keep the water at 110 degrees F. when it runs from the hospital to the care center,” said Smith.
Because the boilers aren’t very big, there is room in the new plans to add them without making changes to the drawings.
Smith said the system for water would be able to run both ways. That way if one or the other has a problem, there will be no shortage of hot water, he said.
Vera Schuman, hospital/care center financial director, met with Gordy Forbert and Aaron Knewtson from AgStar and representatives from McGladrey to work on finalizing the examined forecast, which will let the hospital know how much it can bond for the planned $20 million renovation/expansion. The final report will be completed at the end of December.
Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiations nearly complete
Last year the hospital and care center negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota were sometimes contentious. This year a contract amendment has been negotiated with the insurance provider with less stress, but, noted Wraalstad, “We still have concerns regarding the payment methodology and the ‘cap at charge’ language and impact.”
The proposed amendment also includes a small rate increase for 2015.
In other business
. As of December 8, a little more than 56 percent of the employees had completed the “Rapidly Regulatory” course, which all employees must complete by the end of December. Employees earn a Regulatory Affairs Certificate for completing four core and five elective courses in six months. The courses are designed to keep them up to date with new technology or any changes in their field.
Wraalstad said employees are completing the course on the new Healthstream Employee Education system recently purchased and installed at the hospital. To date the dietary and radiology employees have all completed their assignment.
. With the flu season in full swing, employees have been advised to get their shots. To date 131 of 149 employees have received flu vaccinations, which are given to employees at no charge, said Wraalstad.
. Wraalstad said she has attempted to schedule a conference involving a legal case involving the failure to provide an American Sign Language Interpreter Service for a deaf person.
“We are trying to schedule with the plaintiff, plaintiff counsel and our counsel,” Wraalstad said. “Because it is an ongoing case, there is not much detail that I can provide. It involved one patient, several years ago. The issue involves the interpretation of meaningful communication under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The issues do not involve an allegation regarding provision of care,” she said.
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