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Home » Archives for 3/2011

eCareNet Go-Live Moved to May 15

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With a remarkable and commendable level of collaboration and dedicated effort from every “cast member” involved, PVMC’s eCareNet EMR solution will meet the original timeline for readiness for full use and implementation on Apri17.

After careful review of eCareNet’s significant impact to workflow, and the limited time the original schedule allowed for training, the Executive Committee of the eCareNet Steering Committee has decided to provide additional time for staff training and workflow adjustments. In order to accomplish this, the go-live date for eCareNet has been moved from April 17 to May 15. This allows four extra weeks for end user training and a final assessment of clinical operations’ impact.

This extended time will allow staff sufficient time to adapt the new technology into their clinical workflow. We are confident, through training and follow up exercise, we can ensure the entire team is prepared.

The “go-live” extension date is only for learning the solution and preparing for the workflow impact. It does not allow additional time for design and build. As of this moment, all design and build tasks and due dates are firm and on target.

Successful adoption will be the measure of success for eCareNet. This extra time is for our department leaders and clinical staff to be secure with their training and fully prepared for successful adoption.

“It is truly a remarkable accomplishment that has been achieved in a few short months by a remarkably talented and dedicated group of PVMC’s clinical teams who have designed the eCareNet solution, and the team of IT professionals who have built it,” proclaims Chief Financial Officer Harold Dupper. “You have made it challenging to express a sufficient amount of praise and recognition for what will have been accomplished when PVMC goes live with its state-of-the-art Computerized Physician Order Entry-centric electronic medical record solution.

“Again, there are not enough kudos to go around to all the designers, builders, and users who will ultimately make eCareNet a success by fully embracing and fully adopting eCareNet for improved patient care at PVMC.”

Welcome New Employees

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Sarah Willcutts, Secretary/Nurse Assistant, M/S/P

Michael Cusack, Aide 2/Cashier, Nutritional Services

Randi Christie, RN, Critical Care

Debby A. Vaudrin, RN, BSN, Charge Nurse, Medical/Surgical/Pediatrics

Jamie L. Cosper, Registered Nurse I, Medical/Surgical/Pediatrics

Elizabeth Borchers, Financial Counselor, Patient Financial Services

Fentanesh Guddaye, Registered Nurse II, Critical Care

9Health Fair April 9 at PVMC

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With nearly 20 free and five low-cost health screenings and easy access to health education, the 9Health Fair at Platte Valley Medical Center on (PVMC) April 9th is an immeasurable value for those 18 and older.

 

Five low-cost health screenings offered at PVMC this year:

  • Blood Chemistry Screening (Cost: $30.00)
  • Prostate Specific Antigen Screening for Men (Cost: $25.00)
  • Blood Count Screening (Cost: $15.00)
  • Vitamin D Screening (Cost: $40.00)
  • Colon Cancer Screening Take Home Kit (Cost: $20.00)

    • 

Pilot screenings offered this year at PVMC:

Sleep Apnea Screening – a free test for individuals who experience pauses in breathing for 10 seconds or more while asleep. Sleep Apnea affects one out of five people and can cause problems with blood pressure, diabetes, irregular heartbeat, stroke or heart attack. Click Here for More Information About Sleep Apnea

Rheumatoid Arthritis Screening – a free blood test to screen for auto-antibodies to make diagnose a definite. Rheumatoid Arthritis is diagnosed when someone has stiffness and pain in their joints. Click Here for More Information on the RA Pilot

In addition to the five low-cost screenings, free screenings such as Pap Smears, Breast Exams, Blood Pressure, Free “Ask A Medical Question/Get a Referral” services, Ask a Pharmacist, Osteoporosis, Oral, Hearing, foot, Skin checks, Cardiac Risk Assessment, and free health education will be available to participants. Qualified health care professionals will conduct all exams. To ensure smooth and efficient blood draws, we ask participants to begin drinking water early that morning and continue to hydrate throughout the screening process.

“Our community-driven program is a safe, friendly, and affordable way for people to learn more about their health. This year, we want people who regularly participate in 9Health Fair to bring their loved ones so that they can start taking action to live a long, high quality life,” said Jim Goddard, President and CEO of 9Health Fair. “With jobs and healthcare weighing heavily on most people’s minds today, it has never been more important for people to really start understanding and owning their health.”

For more about the 9Health Fair at Platte Valley Medical Center, call Peggy Jarrett at 303-498-3590, or email her at pjarrett@pvmc.org . You can also visit www.9healthfair.org .

About 9Health Fair

Created by a National Institutes of Health project and 9NEWS, 9Health Fair is Colorado’s largest non-profit health fair that promotes health awareness, encourages individuals to take on their own health care, and is completely driven by volunteers. The fair’s free and low-cost screenings have earned unique endorsements from the Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Hospital Association, and Colorado Nurses Association because of the education the fair brings to the surrounding public about health care. As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 9Health Fair has impacted 1.7 million lives since 1980 while keeping financial expenses under 17 percent of its total budget, well under the industry 20-25 percent average.

Wear Blue for Autism April 1st and 2nd

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On Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2, staff is encouraged to participate in Light It Up Blue for World Autism Awareness Day. The fourth annual World Autism Awareness Day is officially on April 2, but will be celebrated both days. People, schools, organizations, and companies are hosting events around the world.

“As a parent of a child with autism this is a subject very near and dear to my heart,” describes ER Admissions/PBX Operator Holly Wintermeyer.

To learn more about World Autism Awareness Day, visit http://www.lightitupblue.org/.

National Patient Access Week is Coming

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National Patient Access Week is April 3rd through April 9th, 2011. What is Patient Access, you may wonder? It is all the wonderful Admissions Staff that we have throughout the hospital. This includes our Cashiers, Switchboard Operators, Financial Counselors and Precertification staff, along with those you may recognize as Admissions staff in Central Admissions, Emergency Admissions, and Physical Medicine.

We are often are the first point of contact and have the opportunity to create a positive first impression of the hospital. We want to be fast and accurate with your information, while providing you with a friendly, welcoming environment. We cannot fix your injury, but we can certainly provide excellent customer service to you by helping you navigate the difficult insurance world, and help you understand how your benefits will be accessed to cover your treatment.

Take a few moments April 3-9 to drop by and acknowledge our wonderful Admissions staff. They work hard each day to represent PVMC!

Daycare Discounts Now an Option for PVMC Employees

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When we asked staff “what we could do to make PVMC an even greater place to work,” the resounding responses have been a request for daycare. While, we are not able to offer ‘on-site’ daycare at this time, we are very pleased to offer announce that we can now receive a 10% discount many area daycares and preschools.

All of the listed organizations will offer PVMC Employees a 10% discount off of their published rates (hours and rates vary; must show proof of current employment to qualify).

If you have a provider that you’d like contacted to see if they would be interested in participating in the program, please contact Katie Boemecke at kboemecke@pvmc.org or x1680 with the name and number of the school.

Platte Valley Medical Center Employees are Eligible for a 10% Discount at the following Childcare Providers:

Kiddie Academy of Brighton

Sue Speidell, Director

19 N. 42nd Avenue

Brighton, CO

720.685.0003

www.kiddieacademy.com/brighton

KinderCare Learning Centers

Contact: Tiffany Kozyra

303.439.9110

All Statewide KinderCare Locations

www.kindercare.com

Goddard School

Amanda Naylor, Director

4203 East 136th Avenue

Thornton, CO 80602

303.254.4144

www.goddardschool.com

Goddard School

Sarah Falardeau

3000 Village Vista Drive

Erie, CO

303.828.5202

www.goddardschool.com

Hospital Offers $7 Meals for our Guest Rooms

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Have you ever had a patient ask if their family can have the same menu options without having to go down to the Bistro? The answer is yes! For only $7, our patients’ visitors can enjoy room service.

All they have to do is call Room Service at extension 1111 and order what they would like off of the menu. We understand that family and friends would like to be by their loved ones and have a meal together. Time is precious to many people and this is one way quality time can be shared while visiting Platte Valley Medical Center. Please encourage this opportunity for all of our guest visitors.

B*U*S*Y Times for E*M*S

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It’s national re-accreditation time for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department, a process that happens every five years. In addition, half the team recently finished its National Registry renewals, and they also facilitated renewals for about half of Brighton’s firefighters and five of PVMC’s ED techs. Whew, way to go EMS!

In other EMS news…

Congratulations Melissa, we will miss you.

 

Paramedic Melissa Lunt will be leaving PVMC in June (O, Noooo!) to get married. Melissa and her fiancé, Tag Hopkins, will be moving to Sacramento where Tag will enter his MD residency.

Dr. Harrod is now the medical director for EMS.

 

We also have a new medical director. ED Physician Candace Harrod is gradually taking the reins from Dr. Williams. Dr. Harrod attended her first case review with us on March 9.

GroupWise Training Available Through April

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Additional GroupWise Beginner classes have been scheduled through the end of April due to their popularity. This class is designed for employees who want to familiarize themselves with basic GroupWise functions such as using email, setting up the calendar, working with appointments, and setting up and using tasks and notes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class Dates Download GroupWise Flyer Here:

April 5 — 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

April 21  — 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

April 27 — 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

*Each class is limited to 5 people, as the IS training room can only accommodate this many people. The IS training room is located on the Garden Level.

Prior to signing up for the class be sure you get your Director to sign the payroll approval form. The form needs to be sent to payroll prior to the class. Please register through Healthstream.

Cath Lab Hits Procedure Record

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According to Cath Lab Director Mike Thomas, they have been BUSY! Mike says they normally average 18-20 diagnostic procedures per month, but in March they will be closer to 30. This is a new victory for the team.

The Department is expecting the arrival of new equipment at the end of this month that will make it possible to start using the trans-radial route for cath insertions rather than the more customary femoral site. Look for this exciting news from the Cath Lab in April.



Lidia Puga Reads to Elementary Students

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PVMC's Lidia Puga celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by reading to children at the Brighton Rec. Center.

On Friday, March 11th, School District 27J participated in “Reading Across America.” This annual event celebrates the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss.

PVMC’s own Translator Ms. Lidia Puga read to children in both English and Spanish. Her own style of reading had the children on edge as she read many stories of childhood interest that were written by Dr. Seuss.

Other readers with Ms. Puga at the Brighton Recreation Center were Brighton Mayor Dick McLean and State Representative Kevin Priola.

The school district was very thankful for Ms. Puga for donating her time.

Colorado’s Only Dream Racer Screeched into Brighton & Revved Up the Press

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Glen and Patricia Murray poze with the Dream Racer car and one of our excited pediatric therapy patients.

Colorado’s first NASCAR replica and simulator built for pediatric patients was unveiled last Monday in our lobby. The Dream Racer was sponsored by long time community members, Patricia and Glen Murray.

The miniature NASCAR racing replica, with integrated Sony Playstation gaming console, has been typically utilized for its fun factor. In fact, designer and owner of Dream Racers, Mark “Smitty” Smith, originally designed the cars as a way for hospitalized children suffering from terminal diseases to forget about their condition and treatment.  PVMC will be taking the car one step further and using it for physical therapy; specifically motor skill and sensory training with patients.

“We see a large number of children with sensory issues and the dream racer will serve a number of purposes to aide in treatment,” explains Christine Buzzell of PVMC’s physical medicine department. “For kids who have difficulty expressing and/or verbalizing, the dream racer can be used to cultivate curiosity and expressiveness in those children. For kids that find it difficult to focus, follow instructions, or control emotions, the dream racer is a great tool for improving attention span and focusing on specific tasks.”

Until now, dream racers have only been purchased for esteemed children’s hospitals such as Levine children’s hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida. Since the first creation, the cars have become popular donations from celebrities like the six-time platinum rock band “3 Doors Down” and five-time NASCAR series champion Jimmie Johnson.

The Dream Racer delivery was a hit and was featured on all five Denver TV stations. To watch the press coverage, follow these links:

9News

KMGH 7

KCNC Channel 4

KDVR Fox 31

KWGN 2

Nascar-Cup.com

Welcome New Employees

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If you see new faces in the hall, make sure to say hello to our newest PVMC team members!

Jasmine Rocha, Cashier, Nutritional Services

Sara Russell, RN, Critical Care

Kristi Sanchez, Tele Tech/Nursing Assistant, Telemetry

Ann Johnsen and her Friday Afternoon Chocolates

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It is Friday afternoon and you start to think, ‘I sure could use some extra energy. Hey where is Ann with her Friday afternoon chocolate kiss?’ Moments later, here she comes with a nice piece of Hershey’s chocolate. You wonder why she does this every Friday.

Ann Johnsen shares a smile and friendly chocolate moment with Brian Fawns, Hospitalist RN from Sound Physicians.

This is Ann’s way of always saying thank you to the staff for a hard week of work and she is truly thankful to have had the opportunity to work with her co-workers side by side.

Thank you Ann for making this a sweet Planetree experience!

eCareNet Training Begins April 4

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Hands-on training will begin Monday, April 4. Classes will be two hours long and most staff will need two to four hours for training, depending upon their role at PVMC. You can register directly through Healthstream for your classes (if you incur overtime for this course, please get approval from your director). Only employees that will be charting or accessing the Electronic Health Record need to take a class.

(Click Here for the online Training Calendar)    Download eCareNet Training PDF here

Step by step instructions to register for eCareNet classes:

1) Sign into Healthstream
2) You are routed automatically to the “My Learning” tab (at top of page). Go to the “Catalog” tab – choose the “catalog” tab from the top
3) You will get a “search bar.” Above the search bar you have a choice of “alphabetical” choose this
4) An alphabet select line will appear below the search bar. Choose “E”
5) The first classes are the eCareNet classes. Select the section of eCareNet you wish to attend (MSP, ED, ICU, etc.)
6) The next screen shows the section and next to the section appears “show class schedule” – choose this
7) Each session will appear by date and time. Find the session you wish to attend and choose “Register”
8) You are now registered for the class
To make sure you are registered, go back to the “My Learning” tab and the eCareNet course will be visible.

There are some classes scheduled for departments only and some  are labeled “nonclinical.” Please attend a department-specific class if there is a class for your department. Department directors will be leading the training to make sure any questions specific to your area are answered.

If your department is not listed and you will be accessing eCareNet on a routine basis, register for the “nonclinical” class. All classes will be held in the eCareNet training room in the MOB. If you have questions, contact Wendy Colon, RN, BSN, MBA at x1906.

eCareNet Update 3-14-11

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Did you know that PVMC will be one of only 32 hospitals nationally to implement CPOE (Computerized Physician Order Entry) within its Electronic Health Record (EHR) system? eCareNet will also be one of the few EHRs to go “live” with its complete system in one “big bang.” In other words, most hospitals implement separate components of their systems individually, not all at once. Way to go IT, Siemens, and Quammen … thanks for making PVMC shine!

“Cookie Monsters” for the Cause & Purple Glove Dance Preview

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If you love cookies, here’s a fun, scrumptious way to support PVMC’s Relay for Life Teams (Teams Kildal & Star). On Thursday, March 17, at 10:00 a.m., drop by the Bistro and join the Cookies By the Pound Fundraiser and preview the Purple Glove Dance Video.

Be one of the first to preview the "purple glove" video, attend the cookie fundraiser 3/17 in the Bistro!

 

You can bake your favorite cookies to donate or simply buy your choice of other cookie donations for only $5.00 a pound. Get your ovens fired up get ready to benefit a great cause!
Questions? Just ask Phyllis Kildal in the Bistro.

Mmmm, cookies! Bake your own to donate, or purchase them by the pound at the event.

Colorado Circle of Protection Program

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PVMC has given 372 Tdap vaccines since July 2010 as a part of the Tri-County Health Department program. This has provided protection against pertussis for those 372 people, plus all of those they might have come in contact with had they contracted the disease.

f you haven’t received your vaccination yet, it’s not too late, call Carol at x1490.

Thanks to Carol Hurdelbrink in Employee Health and others involved in this wonderful vaccination program. All PVMC employees who care for infants can receive the free vaccination through Employee Health. If you haven’t received your vaccination yet, it’s not too late, call Carol at x1490.

Thank You Medical/Surgical/Pediatric Unit Staff

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“For the past two weeks I have observed a very dedicated and professional M/S/P staff going above and beyond to care for our influx of patients,” describes House Supervisor Ulla Gilliland. “These past few weeks have been very demanding on all staff and the M/S/P staff have found a way to work as a team and overcome the challenge. Keeping a smile on their faces and flight to their step, many have worked extra shifts to help cover the needs of a higher census. I have seen them working as a team to keep constant observation on a high fall risk patient while completing the other tasks at hand. They even had time to buy denture adhesive to meet the needs of a patient. I wanted to thank each and everyone of you for all of your hard work and keeping the Planetree spirit alive at PVMC!”

Change to Pediatric Inpatient Coverage

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Due to an unanticipated change in pediatric physician availability, the Hospital is currently diverting pediatric inpatient admissions greater than 30 days of age to other facilities.

Fortunately, these admissions represent fewer than five patients per month historically. PVMC is working with area providers to resolve this shortfall and to maintain continued Special Care Nursery pediatric coverage. More news will be shared as it becomes available.

**Spring Special** Pilates offer!

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It just got a little easier to try out our Pilates mat class! From now until April 30, drop-in sessions may be purchased for only $8 per class or a 9-class punch card can be purchased for the low price of $64. Punch cards purchased during this time will expire 6 months from the date of purchase. Classes are held in the Physical Medicine gym (Suite 130 in the medical office building) on Thursdays from 5:15-6:00 p.m. All levels of fitness and experience are welcome as exercises can be modified to fit individual needs. Class is instructed by Karen Vizyak, a licensed physical therapist and certified Pilates instructor.

Pilates is a great form of exercise to tone your abdominals, hips and shoulders, improve your posture and flexibility, and increase your energy level. To take advantage of this great opportunity, call x1840 or stop by the Physical Medicine Department to register. See you in class!

Yoga Anyone?

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Beginning March 31st, we will have an exciting new exercise opportunity for our employees and volunteers. PVMC’s first Yoga class will be held in the conference center on Thursdays from 12:15 to 12:50 p.m. Instruction will be provided by Karen Vizyak, physical therapist and certified yoga teacher. A 10-class punch card can be purchased at the Physical Medicine Department for only $38, or you can pay a $4 drop-in fee. Props will be provided, but you must bring your own mat.

Yoga is a fun, energizing way to improve your strength, flexibility and balance, reduce stress, and increase your concentration for the rest of your work day. All levels of experience are welcome. For more information, please contact the Physical Medicine Department (Suite 130), x1840.

Gentry Mansur, RN, Makes NurseWeek Headlines

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Congratulations to M/S/P Nurse Gentry Mansur. Gentry was featured in a March 7 NurseWeek article about educational opportunities for nurses. Gentry is currently working on her BSN and touted PVMC’s support for helping her in the process. Thank you Gentry for participating in this feature and representing PVMC so well!

Click here for a PDF of the feature article (NurseWeek-3-16-11) or visit this link to read the online version.

Community Mass Casualty Drill This Wednesday at PVMC

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PVMC will host a community-wide Mass Casualty Drill to simulate an infectious influx and viral epidemic this Wednesday, March 16, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. The purpose of the drill is to test our Infectious Influx Plan. Staff is encouraged to review Infectious Influx of Patients policy, which is accessible on the Intranet, prior to Wednesday.

Several agencies will participate, including the City of Brighton Emergency Management, Brighton Police Department, Greater Brighton Fire Protection District, Tri County Health Department, Cottonwood Care Center, Sterling House, Brighton Care Center, Brighton Senior Center, and the Brighton 27J School District.

The Incident Command Center will be organized during the event and staff may be asked to participate in the screening process. If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Casaceli at x1553 or Wendy Colon at x1906.

Colorado’s Only Dream Racer Arrives at PVMC this Monday at 1 p.m.

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Look out race fans, a NASCAR racing replica “Dream Racer” will arrive in our lobby this Monday at 1:00 p.m. Thanks to a $9,500 donation from Patty Murray, P.C., CPA to the PVMC Foundation, pediatric patients will get to explore a whole new world when they come to our hospital.

The Dream Racer has an integrated Sony Playstation gaming console, which will be used for therapy, motor skill, and sensory training with patients. Until now, Dream Racers have only been used at big national children’s hospitals. This is the first replica to make its mark in Colorado. Built with genuine racing parts, the car will arrive Monday, March 7, 1 p.m., at which time, the public is invited to view and interact with the simulator.

Annual Share-A-Compliment Winner: Shimreila “Shim” Kashung

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Share a Compliment Annual Winner Shim Kashung

Congratulations to Shim Kashung (ED), winner of PVMC’s annual 2010 Share-A-Compliment award. Shim’s name was drawn from a list of employees recognized throughout the year for their acts of kindness to patients, their families, and to other employees. 

The Share-A-Compliment program was created 20 years ago for employees, physicians and volunteers and serves as a means of honoring and recognizing all those who demonstrate excellence in the health care services provided here daily. If you would like to recognize a fellow employee, volunteer, or physician, nomination forms and collection boxes are displayed throughout the facility. Share your compliment today!

Are you looking for Dr. Molavi or Denver Nephrology?

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Suite 350 is the new home for Dr. Molavi and Denver Nephrology

Suite 350 is the new home for Dr. Molavi and High Plains Heart & Vascular Center, and Denver Nephrology. This move took place in January after Dr. Rohilla closed his practice to pursue an Interventional Cardiology Fellowship at the University of Alabama.   All Brighton Cardiology patient records now reside with High Plains Heart and Vascular Center.

“We are excited about this opportunity. It allows us to provide timely, efficient, compassionate, and up-to-date cardiovascular care to Brighton cardiology patients as well as our own,” explains Dr. Molavi. “We strive to grow into a comprehensive cardiovascular care center locally, perhaps regionally, by relying solely on these principles.”

Dr. Massa Opens His Own Practice

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Dr. Massa opened Integrative Internal Medicine & Medical Acupuncture in suite 370 (Dr. Molavi’s previous location) this month.
Robert Massa, M.D., a long time area Internal Medicine physician, opened his practice to provide premier primary care and integrated acupuncture for his adult patients.

Dr. Massa, who recently worked at Platte Valley Internal Medicine, opened his solo practice to pursue his passion of providing outpatient-focused care.

“My goal is to solely see patients in the office to provide optimal care,” explains Dr. Massa. “This will allow me to perform more thorough assessments of my patients’ concerns with less interruption during patient clinic hours.”

This attentive care will not only allow him to provide more one-on-one time with his patients in the office, it also frees his schedule to create same-day and next-day appointments.

To reach Dr. Massa, please call 303-659-4476. To learn more about Dr. Massa, visit his profile here.

eCareNet Update – Training Begins Soon

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In less than eight weeks, eCareNet will position PVMC as an industry leader among community hospitals with certified Electronic Health Record systems for Meaningful Use.

Hands-on training will begin the week of March 14th. Classes will be two hours long and most staff will need two to four hours training. Training dates will be announced soon and all training will be held in the eCareNet suite in the Medical Office Building.

Save the Date: 9Health Fair is April 9

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The 9Health Fair at PVMC will be Saturday, April 9, from 7:00 a.m. – Noon. Last year, we had close to 900 participants and we hope to have an even larger crowd this year.

9Health Fair volunteers are needed! If you can volunteer 4/9, call Peggy at x3590.

For this event, we need approximately 250 volunteers!  We are only able to put on the fair because of the dedicated volunteers who support this fair year after year.  Volunteers, both medical and non-medical are needed in order to perform health screenings, collect money for lab tests, assist with traffic flow or registration and assist with a variety of other tasks.  If you can volunteer, please call Peggy at X3590. Breakfast, snacks, lunch, and a PVMC t-shirt are provided to all volunteers and, of course, we always have a great time on this day.  Hope you will join us!

Is There an Award in the Making?

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PVMC is being considered for the Sustained Improvement Award in ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) based on our progress in implementing systems showing sustained and consistent reduction over a period of more than 24 months.

Our application for the award has been submitted to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Our ICU has achieved more than 900 days without a ventilator associated pneumonia and we believe PVMC is well positioned to receive this recognition for eliminating hospital associated infections.  Stay tuned because we expect their decision by early April.

Welcome New Employees

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If you see the following new faces in the hall, make sure to say hello. They are our newest PVMC team members!

Curtis May, RN, ICU/Critical Care

Norma Solis, RN, Med/Surg/Peds

Nicole Shell, Surgery Technician, Surgical Services

In the News: SCN Nurses Recognized for their “Loving Relationships” with their Patients, Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

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PVMC’s Special Care Nursery (SCN) nurses were recently touted for their love of their patients and their families. The Brighton Standard Blade featured the unit in a full-page article on February 9, calling it “A Love Story…PVMC Special Care Nursery staff has a heart for babies and their families.”

Karen Albrecht and Melda Musick were featured in the article, but all 10 core staff were recognized. Way to go SCN team; thanks for representing the heart of PVMC!

To read the full article, visit: http://www.thebrightonblade.com/content/love-story-pvmc-special-care-nursery-staff-has-heart-babies-and-their-families.

When a “Restricted Access Lockdown” is initiated, what do you need to know?

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If there is a “complete hospital lockdown,” employees must enter through the employee entrance by the administrative hallway, closest to the bus stop.  This entrance will be the only door for employees to enter and each employee must have their badge to enter.  There will be personnel at this door to sign you in so the Incident Command Center knows who is in the building. If there is a “partial lockdown,” each unit will be responsible to watch their unit for unauthorized personnel entering their unit.

Wedding Bells at PVMC — Another Planetree Moment

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According to the latest news bulletin Cupid is alive and well and he managed to get by our security guards on Valentine’s weekend.

Larry Stambaugh and his fiancé, Patricia Lucero, were supposed to get married Saturday afternoon, but due to some health issues Larry ended up at PVMC instead. To say he was a bit frustrated would be an understatement. 

Unless Cupid worked some magic, the groom would not only be late for his own wedding, he wouldn’t be there at all.  Fortunately Cupid has a number of helpers, even some right here at our own hospital. Joe Dutmer, Theresa Solano, Daryl Meyers, and a number of others decided Larry’s wedding was not going to be cancelled or postponed.  Through their efforts, the wedding went as planned … just in a different location.  Larry Stambaugh and Patricia Lucero were married right on time in PVMC’s Meditation Center (Chapel) and held a reception in the Bistro – another Planetree moment where patients and their needs were placed first.

After the wedding, a reception was held in the Bistro.

The reception included cake and a traditional toast!

For the full story, click here: http://www.thebrightonblade.com/content/couple-ties-knot-platte-valley-medical-center

Nutritional Services’ Educates and Trains Employees on Advanced Food Safety

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Congratulations to Executive Chef Mike Anderson, Cooks DeNae Valerio and Rigoberto Moto. This trio are among the 11 Nutritional Services’ employees who have passed the ServSafe Food Safety program.

The ServSafe Food Safety program is designed to heighten  awareness of the importance of food safety education throughout the restaurant and food service industry. Our food service vendor, Sysco, offers classes at their main distribution center in Denver and after completing the course, certification lasts for five years.

March Patient Safety News

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During our recent Joint Commission survey, there were several discoveries of entries that lacked dates and/or times. So, this Issue of the Patient Safety News focuses on that very thing – dating and timing. Please take a look and see what actions have been taken to correct this, and how you play a role in helping us ensure ongoing compliance.

Remember, every entry in the medical record must:

  •  Include the date, time and writer’s signature
  •  Be legible
  •  Be done in pen, not pencil
  •  Use a cross thru for correction of errors, then initial and date -do not use white out
  •  Be free of PVMC “Do Not Use  Abbreviations”

Click here for the March issue: Patient Safety News Issue 43 Dating-Timing

Bereavement on Labor and Delivery

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If you see a leaf symbol posted on a patient’s door, it means they have suffered a pregnancy loss.
 
This leaf, with the teardrop, reflects both intense suffering of loss and hope for the future. Though fallen, the leaf maintains its vitality, symbolizing hope.  It cradles the teardrop with its upturned edges creating a sense of comfort.  As seasons change, so do feelings.  Just as there is winter and spring, there is sadness and hope.
 
Please be conscious of this symbolism when providing care or services to our patients.

Daycare for PVMC Staff? Send Your Ideas Today!

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As part of the Planetree Retreats, participants are asked to generate ideas to make PVMC an even better place for our patients, families and staff.  We are taking your suggestions and working to bring some of them to life. 

One of the resounding requests has been to provide daycare options for employees. While we do not have ‘in-house’ daycare available on campus, Planetree and HR have joined forces to work with area providers who are willing to offer a discount to PVMC employees. 

We hope to have an official announcement about this soon.  In the meantime, if you have a commercial daycare provider you’d like us to contact, please send us your email at planetree@pvmc.org. 

Thank you for your continued dedication and excellence at PVMC!

Way to go Ashlie

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Congratulations to Ashlie Reuscher, who currently works in the Physical Medicine Department. She recently graduated from the Denver School of Nursing, suma cum laude, with her BSN degree.  Her co-workers are very proud of her hard work and dedication to her profession.  Go Ashlie!

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