Where caring counts. Feel the difference.
June 2008
The Birth Center at Mason General
mom’s – who deliver at The Birth Center at MGH – to have the healthiest pregnancy and baby possible. To make a mom’s pregnancy a healthy one, MGH now offers the program, “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies.” We all know that a healthy mom helps make a healthy baby! “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies” was created especially for mom’s when they are pregnant. The main goal is to educate moms-to-be about the importance of getting proper prenatal and postpartum care, as well as to help moms better understand and manage their pregnancy, and to provide them support and education throughout their pregnancy.
Emma
Participants in the “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies” program receive the following at no cost: ✿ Initial telephone interview to assess the pregnancy ✿ Educational materials about pregnancy and the importance of prenatal care ✿ Referrals to support services (if needed) ✿ Follow-up care for mom and baby after delivery Mason General Hospital wants to help every mom have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. For more information on the “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies” program, call (360) 427-3679.
Anneliese Bradley
Vol. 24 No. 3
Focus On Quality
Wants You to Have a Healthy Baby! We love babies! And we want to help
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What Is Quality Improvement? The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has defined QUALITY healthcare as care provided by your doctor or hospital that is: Safe – avoiding injury from care that is intended to help Effective – avoiding underuse or overuse of services Patient-centered – providing respectful, responsive, individualized care Timely – reducing waits and harmful delays in care Efficient – avoiding waste of equipment, supplies, ideas, and energy Equitable – providing equal care regardless of personal characteristics, gender, ethnicity, geographic location, and socio-economic status The goal of quality improvement in healthcare is to provide the right care for every patient, every time. At Mason General, our goal is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our patients while focusing on overall healthcare and maintaining patient safety, now and in the future. The Mason General Hospital and outpatient clinics’ Quality Improvement Program consists of people at every level who share a desire to make our healthcare centers’ processes and outcomes the best they can be for the population that we Continued on page 6…
Allison
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Golf Tournament Sponsors for 2008 Event MGH Foundation’s 14th Annual Golf
Tournament is set for Friday, June 27, 2008, at the beautiful Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club on Hood Canal. Proceeds from the event are used to help purchase needed medical equipment for Public Hospital District No. 1. Here are some of the sponsors (as of May 15, 2008):
Women’s Prize Pack Sponsor Christmas Village
Tee Pack Sponsor Mt. St. Helens Evergreens, Inc. & The Eveland Family
Prize Sponsor Dynamic Collectors, Inc.
Awards Dinner Sponsor Hiawatha Corporation
Registration/Brunch Sponsor Bob & Betty Paulsen/AIG Valic Retirement
Program Sponsor Fred Finn for State Representative
Hole Sponsors
Brady Trucking Co., Inc Dr. James F. Kruidenier, with Michael R. Bell & Company, PLLC Gastroenterology Associates, PLLC Fred Finn for State Representative Dr. Harpreet S. Brar and Dr. Meimin Xie with McCarty & Associates, Inc. “a marketing firm” Gastroenterology Associates, PLLC Shelton Health & Rehab Dr. Kathryne A. Wagner with Taylor Shellfish Co., Inc. Gastroenterology Associates, PLLC Capital Business Machines Dr. James F. Kruidenier, with South Sound Radiology, Inc. P.S. Gastroenterology Associates, PLLC KMAS 1030 AM Michael Wittenberg, CPA Tupper’s Floor Coverings & Interiors, Inc. Olympic Mountain Millwork, LLC Remax-Angela Barnes Mason County Title Insurance Company Lumbermen’s ProBuild Edward Jones - Armin Baumgartel CellNetix Pathology Falcon Financial and Consulting, Inc. Green Diamond Resource Company Food Services of America ThyssenKrupp Elevators Corp. Prudential NW Real Estate of Shelton Mtn. View Women’s Health Center John L. Scott - Kristy Buck KPS Health Plans Save Peninsula Credit Union Gift-in-Kind Donors Vern’s Restaurant the date Heritage Bank s ’ n o Bill Shultz Insurance GH Foundati M r West Coast Bank fo William Busacca, D.D.S. Food Services of America Healthcare Laundry Services Darryl & Peggy Cleveland Sage Book Store Adele Dupont Electrocom McCarty & Associates, Inc. 8 0 0 AAA Septic Tank Pumping Nov. 19 - 22, 2 t “a marketing firm” Arnold & Smith Insurance na Christmastown Quilters at the Pavilio rk a Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club P y tr n e S
l 13th Annua st re Fantasy Fo
Americans Neglect Strength Training Health experts recommend strength training for men and women of all ages; yet a national survey found that Americans are not picking up on that advice. Of more than 30,000 adults surveyed, only 21 percent of men and 17.5 percent of women said they regularly did strength training exercises. The percentage of women doing strength training increased from 14 go 17.5 percent from 1998 to 2004 while the percentage of men remained about the same. {SOURCE: Jennifer Warner, “Few Adults Use Strength Training,” WebMD medical news, July 21, 2006}
Benefits of Resistance Training
Relay for Life Here is last year’s Mason General Hospital Relay for Life team, who enjoyed the 24-hour event. To date, the MGH team has raised nearly $42,000 over the years for the American Cancer Society. This year’s ACS Relay for Life event is set for June 13 - 14 at the Shelton High School track.
Resistance or strength training with weights is recommended because it prevents the loss of muscle mass and strength that otherwise occurs with aging. Muscle loss starts at about age 30; without regular training, a person may lose 10 percent of muscle mass by age 50 and 40 percent by age 80. Strength is important for most daily activities such as carrying groceries and it helps prevent falls that are a frequent reason for disability in later life. {SOURCE: Tom Valeo, “Strength Training: Building Arm Muscles,” WebMD feature, reviewed January 7, 2008}
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Cancer Screening Saves Lives Did you know... ◗ Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
◗ Beginning at age 50, all men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer, according to American Cancer Society recommendations. ◗ We lose more than 55,000 family members and friends to colorectal cancer annually. This number could be cut in half if everyone over the age of 50 got tested for the disease. ◗ Colon cancer starts with a growth that is not yet cancer. Screening can help your doctor find and remove these growths before they become cancerous. ◗ Death from cancer is preventable through effective screening and early detection. Ask your doctor today about colorectal cancer screening so you won’t have to talk about treatment. Visit www.endcoloncancernow.org.
We focus on you! CT Scan MRI Mammography Ultrasound X-ray Nuclear Medicine All Diagnostic Imaging is now digital (excluding mammography). To schedule an appointment call (360) 427-9590.
IF you need financial assistance in paying your BREAST CANCER diagnosis or treatment medical bills – call...
IF you need financial assistance in paying your CERVICAL CANCER diagnosis or treatment medical bills – call...
IF you wish to make a tax deductible donation to help Mason County Women with the treatment and diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer, call...
(360) 427-3623 Local women helping local women to health. Visa/MasterCard may be used for donation.
Need Laboratory Services? Come to Mason General. We can send your results to your physician electronically! Open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. No appointment necessary.
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Foro Educativo Para La Comunidad Latina
“Aprenda A Navegar El Sistema De La Salud En Nuestro Condado” E
l Hospital General de Mason en colaboración con el “Departamento de Servicios Lingüísticos y Culturales” les invita a que asistan a un Foro Educativo para la Comunidad Latina. El propósito de este foro es proporcionarle a ústed y a su familia, importante información para que aprenda a navegar el sistema de la salud en nuestro condado. Este foro es gratuito y tendrá lugar el jueves, 26 de junio de 5 a 7 de la tarde en la biblioteca de Shelton. Se servirán botanas y refrigerios. Dialogaremos sobre la importancia de tener un doctor de cabecera, como conseguir seguro médico de bajo costo, recursos gratuitos en la comunidad y otros temas de interés.
Los trabajadores del Campo Necesitan Usar Protección para los Ojos En un estudio de 197 inmigrantes que trabajan en el campo en el Norte de Carolina se descubrió que más de un 40 por ciento sufre de dolor y enrojecimiento de los ojos después de una jornada laboral en el campo. Solamente un 2.6 por ciento reportaron el uso de lentes para el sol. El resto no las usa bien porque no las pueden comprar o porque interfieren con el trabajo. Los autores piensan que otra razón es que los traficantes de drogas en Méjico usan lentes para el sol y los trabajadores inmigrantes no quieren que se les relacione con esa imagen.
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El Hospital General de Mason Es Un Lugar Seguro para Recién Nacidos S
i usted tiene un recién nacido y siente que no puede ofrecerle un cuidado seguro, traígalo al hospital (ó llévelo a una estación de bomberos) no se le harán preguntas. Nosotros cuidaremos de su bebé y le ayudaremos a encontrar una familia que pueda proveerle un lugar seguro. Este programa está respaldado por la Ley del Estado de Washington. ¿Le abruma tomar una decisión? Permítanos ayudarle.
Las Pruebas Contra El Cáncer Salvan Vidas Sabía usted...
◗ Que en los Estados Unidos la segunda causa principal de muertes relacionada al cáncer se debe al cáncer del colon. ◗ De acuerdo a las recomendaciones de la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer, todos los hombres y mujeres de 50 años de edad en adelante se deben someter a la prueba de cáncer del colon. ◗ Debido al cáncer del colon, anualmente se pierden sobre 55,000 miembros de familia y amistades. Esta cantidad se podría reducir en mitad si todas las personas mayores de 55 años de edad se hicieran la prueba para detectar esta enfermedad. ◗ El cáncer del colon comienza con un crecimiento que aún no se considera ser canceroso. El examinarse a tiempo puede ayudar a su médico a encontrar estos crecimientos y extirparlos antes de que se vuelvan cancerosos. ◗ A través de los exámenes efectivos y la detección temprana se puede prevenir la muerte debido al cáncer. Para prevenir el comienzo de un tratamiento hable con su médico hoy y pregúntele todo lo relacionado a la prueba de cáncer del colon. www.endcoloncancernow.org
Encuesta De Satisfaccion Del Paciente Unas semanas después de recibir tratamiento en el hospital, le enviaremos una encuesta de satisfacción al paciente. Favor de completarla y enviarla en el sobre estampillado que le proporcionamos. Queremos oír sus comentarios (buenos o malos) durante su visita en nuestro hospital. Esto es parte de nuestro compromiso de continuar mejorando la calidad de los servicios que prestamos.
Las adolescentes Corren un Mayor Riesgo de Contagiarse de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual Una cuarta parte de los nuevos casos de enfermedades de transmisión sexual cada año se producen en adolescentes sexualmente activos. Los adolescentes tienen más probabilidades de tener comportamientos sexuales de alto riesgo, tener relaciones sexuales sin usar protección y de tener compañeros sexuales múltiples. Los adolescentes debido a los cambios hormonales que ocurren durante la adolescencia son más vulnerables a las enfermedades de transmisión sexual.
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Mason General Hospital is a Safe Place for Newborns A
nyone who has a newborn and does not feel they can safely care for him or her can bring the baby to the hospital (or any fire station) no questions asked. We will care for them and help find safe placement with a family. Washington State law supports this program. Troubled about your options? Let us help. (360) 426-1611.
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Wanted:Volunteers to Celebrate 40th Anniversary In honor of Mason General Hospital’s 40 years of “Where Caring Counts. Feel the difference.” there will be many special events held in October. From employee reunions, to open houses, to several community events, Mason General will open its doors to the past while moving ahead to embrace the future to meet the medical needs of the community. To help with this celebration, call Marketing at (360) 426-8374. Many hands will help to make this a true community event. Call today to help!
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k i l n a g About U T e r A e l p o s e P Medical/Surgical Patients’ Comments “I have nothing but praise for our hospital and feel very lucky to have such a great institution in our area.”
“My two experiences at Mason General Hospital were exceptional. I felt we were all in very caring, competent hands. Keep up the GREAT work!” Birth Center Comments “The food and service was the best I’ve ever had in a hospital, and this was my 5th hospital stay in my life.” “The entire OB staff was excellent.” “I honestly didn’t really want to leave. It was so nice being taken care of. You’ve got an excellent staff!”
Click On This! Want to see and read all about medical staff at MGH? www.MasonGeneral.com/new_site/ medicaldirectory.pdf Eye Surgery? Meet the surgeon! www.MasonGeneral.com/eyeclinic.htm Need a Support Group?
www. MasonGeneral.com/support_groups.htm
Having a baby? Go to MGH’s Birth Center! www.MasonGeneral.com/birth.htm Foundation News… www.MasonGeneral.com/foundation.htm
Intensive Care Unit Comments “This has been my hospital since the birth of our first daughter. I have always felt it was a special place. This was the best experience I’ve ever had at any hospital.” “The nurses were awesome! They made sure I was well informed and comfortable throughout my entire stay!” Outpatient Comments “The whole experience was 100% excellent! We, in Mason County, are very fortunate to have this wonderful facility staffed by skilled, friendly, and caring personnel. Thank you so much!” “My care the entire time was exceptional. I have seldom had complaints at Mason General, however, this time far exceeded even my HIGHEST expectations!” “Everybody, from the volunteer at the coffee desk to the nurse, was nice in a warm, caring way.”
Choosing Sunglasses The ultraviolet rays of the sun are damaging to eyes, increasing the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye problems. To protect your eyes, choose and wear sunglasses that: ✿ block 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays ✿ are designed so that minimal light enters your eyes from the sides and top Neither cost, nor the color, or shade of the lens is a reliable indication of UV protection. Look at the label for information.
Monica Vuong, M.D. with the new digital, state-of-the-art equipment.
{SOURCE: Canadian Ophthalmological Society, “Eye Facts: Sunglasses”}
Quality Improvement continued from page 1… serve. Teams consisting of doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and administrators make every effort to create, modify, and refine our delivery of excellent care. MGH’s Quality Director, Tim Sperry, DPM, is essentially, the coach, facilitator, and cheerleader. Tim’s job is to instill principles of quality at all levels, helping every employee, executive, caregiver, and consultant in our organization feel driven to achieve excellence. As a way of measuring performance in healthcare quality, MGH collects data on many aspects of care, safety of patients and staff, satisfaction with all aspects of care, and careful review of records. This data is used to better understand activities that can improve the quality of care you receive and your degree of satisfaction with that care. Editor’s note: Quality Improvement is very important to the staff at MGH and clinics. From time to time there will be reports in SCOPE on MGH’s efforts to improve the quality of healthcare.
• Routine Eye Exams • Diagnosis & treatment of eye diseases • Treatment of Glaucoma, Cataracts & Diabetes • Emergent Care • Eye Surgery
(360) 426-8717 2300 Kati Court, Suite C, Shelton
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News Briefs ...Congratulations to MGH “Employee of the Month” for May – Dick Roberts, IT; and June – Paula Wood, CNA, ICU. ...Treasures Thrift Store recognized “Volunteer of the Month” for March – Edna Stewart, and April – Lois Hunter. Congratulations! ...In keeping with our Mission Statement, “...to protect and promote the health of the people in Mason County while extending respect and compassion...,” Mason General Hospital wants to help make healthcare affordable. If you need financial assistance with hospital expenses, please call the MGH Business Office at (360) 427-9547 for more information on: • 25% Discount • Property Tax Adjustment • Uncompensated Care
Next FREE CPR Class... September 11, 2008, 6:30 p.m. Spanish Interpreter on site. Call (360) 427-3609 to make a reservation.
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Foundation Calls for Nominations for County’s American Business Women’s Award
ason General Hospital Foundation is seeking nominations for individuals to be honored at its 11th annual American Business Women’s Day Luncheon, to be held Friday, September 19, 2008 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at MGH in the Ellinor Room. Tickets are $25 per person. Entry forms are available at MGH’s development office at Gateway Center, 2505 Olympic Highway North, Suite 460, Shelton; or online at www.MasonGeneral.com. Nominations are due Monday, June 30, 2008. Every year MGH’s Foundation honors three outstanding businesswomen who are or were successful in their occupations, work or have worked in Mason County, and are active and volunteer in their community. Past honorees include: 1998 – Miriam Hall, Janet Thornbrue, and Patti Tupper; 1999 – Nita Bariekman, Jean Lee, and Norma Taylor; 2000 – Kay Gott, Colleen Hunter, and Doris Wilson, M.D.; 2001 – Beth Johnston, Betty Wolfe, and Mary Helen Anderson; 2002 – Carol Hunter, Rose Nye, and Cherrie Reitsch; 2003 – Janis Byrd, Carolyn Olsen, and Gayle Weston; 2004 – Patti Case, Betty Wing, and Catherine Ann Wolf; 2005 – Angela Olsen, Michelle Schnitzer, and Renee Youngs; 2006 – Xinh Dwelley, Irene Locke, and Virginia J. McCarty; and 2007 – Lynn Busacca, Vicki Gonzalez, and Lynn Harvey. For more information call (360) 427-3623 (from Belfair (360) 275-8614).
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EMPLOYEE FOCUS
Live, Learn, Work at MGH Dave Pearch, Safety Manager Dave Pearch has nearly 30 years of experience working in Safety - as a safety consultant to many major corporations and large hospitals, and now at MGH. “Safety is an interesting challenge, especially in a hospital setting,” said Dave. “There is an interesting mix Dave Pearch of risks (in a hospital) that seem to never go away, but can be managed to lower the risk potential.” “I enjoy working at Mason General because, like our slogan says, ‘Where caring counts. Feel the difference,’ is really true. The people at Mason General are great to work with. That makes you want to do your best for the team.”
Empleado del Mes – Dave Pearch, Director de Seguridad
Dave Pearch cuenta con casi 30 años de experiencia trabajando en el ámbito de la Seguridad. Dave ha trabajado como asesor de seguridad para empresas y grandes hospitales, y ahora desempeña el mismo puesto para el Hospital General de Mason. De acuerdo a Dave, “la seguridad es un desafío interesante, especialmente dentro del ambiente de un hospital”. Existe una mezcla interesante de riesgos (en un hospital) que parecen que nunca se acaban, pero que pueden ser manejadas para minimizar el riesgo potencial. “Disfruto trabajando en el Hospital General de Mason porque, según nuestro lema, ‘Donde el Cuidado realmente cuenta, se siente la diferencia’, es realmente cierto. Es muy agradable trabajar con la gente del Hospital de Mason General de Mason. Esto hace que uno se esmere y quiera ser parte del equipo”.
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Our Mission: We take every possible action to protect and promote the health of the people in Mason County while extending respect and compassion as we serve each individual. Published by: Public Hospital District No. 1 for Mason General Hospital, Oakland Bay Pediatrics, North Mason Medical Clinic, Mason County Eye Clinic, and Mountain View Surgical Services. Published six times per year. Editor: McCarty & Associates, Inc. “a marketing firm” Business Office: Office hours: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Spanish Translator Available. Located at Gateway Center, 2505 Olympic Hwy N., Suite 460, (360) 427-9547 Mason General Hospital: Visiting hours: 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., daily. Intensive Care Unit (I.C.U.) visiting hours: special hours on a patient-by-patient basis, call for Unit hours. Located at: 901 Mtn. View Drive, Building 1, PO Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584-5001, (360) 426-1611, from Belfair (360) 275-8614. Serving the medical needs of the county since 1968. Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. TTY/TTD: (360) 427-9593.
Translation Services Provided. Se habla español. Equal Opportunity Provider. Oakland Bay Pediatrics: 247 Professional Way, Shelton, WA 98584, (360) 426-3102 North Mason Medical Clinic: 140 N.E. S.R. 300, Belfair, WA 98528, (360) 275-4084, from Shelton (360) 426-8405 Mason County Eye Clinic: 2300 Kati Court, Suite C, Shelton, WA 98584, (360) 426-8717 Mountain View Surgical Services: 1710 N. 13th Loop Rd., Suite C, Shelton, WA 98584, (360) 426-4142 Administration: Bob Appel, chief executive officer; Eric Moll, chief financial officer; Diane Stillman, chief operating officer; Dean Gushee, M.D., chief of staff; Don Wilson, commissioner/president; Scott Hilburn and Nancy Trucksess, commissioners.
Approved by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
Mason General Hospital POB 1668 Shelton, WA 98584
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Olympia, WA Permit No. 78
ECRWSS Postal Customer