honrabnle nhml thrnee ht aninonblehwhr - intalere conference/2013 awards l-r.pdf · honrabnle nhml...

Amerinet HeAltHcAre AcHievement AwArds

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Honorable MentionFinancial and Operational Improvement

Liberalizing Long-Term Lives

ISSUEResidents were dissatisfied with the strictness of therapeutic diets and a reduction in overall meal cost and more efficient food preparation was required.

SOLUTIONMenu choices could be standardized for the entire population by tailoring the salt and sugar content in therapeutic meals without altering the core recipe components. Research supported realization of additional possible benefits in health and well-being with the liberalization of food intake.

OUTCOMESatisfaction is greatly improved when tablemates are able to eat the same food items. In addition, weight stabilization for all residents has improved due to the low salt and sugar choices made available to all residents. In addition, decreased labor and inventory due to standardization of recipes has significantly improved efficiency and reduced cost-per-meal.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONLasata Senior Living features a 175-bed skilled nursing home, a 60-unit assisted living residential care apartment complex and an additional 60-unit apartment building for independent seniors over the age of 62. Located in Cedarburg, Wis., Lasata Senior Living is located approximately 30 minutes north of Milwaukee and offers a safe and homelike environment with dedicated staff and diverse programming for short-term rehabilitation or long-term habitation.


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Honorable MentionQuality/Patient Care Delivery and Patient Satisfaction

Changing the Traditional Breakfast Service

ISSUEMaintenance of proper breakfast food temperatures and textures was a challenge due to transportation of meals from the main production kitchen to individual resident rooms on an inflexible time schedule.

SOLUTIONBreakfast could be individually prepared on the units by a member of the dietary staff, allowing residents to sleep in and eat to-order food on their own schedule. Collaboration among the staff for a short trial period assured full participation and organization of the needed equipment and supplies on the unit.

OUTCOMEResidents and staff reported many positive outcomes. Staff noticed a decrease in combativeness and agitation and the quality of life and health were improved when residents who rarely ate or were losing weight would now request a morning meal.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONThe Lebanon Valley Brethren Home is a retirement community in Palmyra, Pa., that takes person-centered care to the next level. The organization features a 20-bed Alzheimer and dementia unit, a 40-bed nursing care unit and a 30-bed personal care unit. In addition, Lebanon Valley Brethren provides cottages, apartments, duplexes and four “Green Houses” with ten residents each living in a “real home” environment.


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Environmental Services: The Forgotten Healthcare Team Member

ISSUELallie Kemp Regional Medical Center (LKMC) is more than 70 years old. Cleanliness is important to help prevent hospital-related infections, and to assure patient satisfaction is maintained within an aging facility.

SOLUTIONA Plan Do Check Act model was developed that included training and education, compliance, documentation and organizational processes that would ensure completion of daily duties. Performance and progress were monitored using HCAPS and HAI data.

OUTCOMEA leading consumer assessment reporting agency ranked LKMC in the top 15 percent for cleanliness. HAI rates improved by 43 percent, and at 0.06 percent, was well below the national average of 4.5.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONEstablished in 1939, LKMC has grown with many additions over the years. Located in Tangipahoa Parish, the organization serves the residents of Washington, St. Tammany, Livingston and St. Helena as part of one of the largest public healthcare delivery systems in the country. With a 25-bed critical access hospital, outpatient clinic and other ancillary services, LKMC is visited by more than 100,000 annually, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.


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Improving Charge Capture, Coding and Financial Performance by Implementation of an Automated Electronic Chargemaster Management System

ISSUEIncorrect coding and inappropriate billing processes requiring thousands in write-offs.

SOLUTIONInvestment made in Craneware Pharmacy ChargeLink to streamline processes and improve financial performance by automating coding and billing systems and assuring proper reimbursements.

OUTCOMEImmediate ROI over $325,000 realized annually with new software solutions. Department culture has transitioned from reactive to proactive with Chargemaster problems and reimbursements. In addition, increase in revenue can be used to enhance patient safety and care.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONMadison Memorial Hospital is a 69-bed non-critical access hospital and the only county-owned full-service facility in Idaho. On the forefront of evidence-based holistic patient care, Madison Memorial is committed to linking the community to the most progressive physicians, treatments and medical technology available.


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Innovative Approach to Supplying Business Services to a New Regional Medical Center

ISSUENew regional medical center required rapid ramp-up of the Supply Chain Department’s records management, printing and postal operations. Additional challenges included the efficient relocation of 5,000 employees without disruption to the delivery of quality patient care and customer service.

SOLUTIONLean six-sigma methodology was used to create a future map incorporating commercial and governmental best practices for printing, mail handling and records storage management. Parkview also partnered with TECSYS for warehouse management software that would take the solution to the next level by helping to create a fully integrated end-to-end supply chain system and permit in-house record retention.

OUTCOMEProcess management project to create new efficient postal operations, records storage management improvements and print-order delivery services completed on time — $280,000 under budget. Additional savings realized via transition to in-house record retention.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONParkview Health is the largest healthcare provider in northeast Indiana, serving a population of more than 820,000. With 8,000 employees, Parkview Health is also the region’s largest employer. More important than size, is Parkview’s mission to improve the health of the patients, families and communities they serve.


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Honorable MentionCommunity Impact and Innovation

Sustainability Practices in a Healthcare Facility: Living the Green Life

ISSUEPenn State Student Health Center sought to improve their sustainability practices in support of the organization’s strategic plans.

SOLUTIONA Green Team was created to identify opportunities for improved recycling and other sustainable office procedures such as an increased diversion of trash from the waste stream and new procedures to reduce paper consumption.

OUTCOMEA waste audit indicated the Student Health Center had the second-highest diversion rate on campus at 69.1 percent, a 13.75 percent improvement over the previous year. Also, the addition of electronic health record technology and the purchase of new copiers resulted in a reduction in use of 390 reams of paper.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONPenn State University Health Services is a nationally accredited healthcare service specializing in outpatient student health. Penn State University Health Services is committed to helping Penn State students get healthy and stay healthy. They also provide outreach, education and volunteer opportunities for Penn State students at the University Park campus.


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Evaluating the Cleanliness of Exam Rooms

ISSUEA quality improvement initiative evaluating the cleanliness of the exam rooms in Penn State Student Health Center was conducted with a goal of 100 percent compliance with cleanliness standards subject to random evaluations.

SOLUTIONEducation and communication initiatives with janitorial staff were undertaken, and commercial chemical agents that visually illuminate unsanitary conditions were used as a training tool to illustrate areas for improvement. In addition, worn and out-dated cleaning equipment and supplies were replaced.

OUTCOMEExam rooms were clean and 100 percent compliant at the end of the project, and janitorial staff satisfaction increased due to the enhanced understanding of their important role in the healthcare spectrum.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONPenn State University Health Services is a nationally accredited healthcare service specializing in outpatient student health. Penn State University Health Services is committed to helping Penn State students get healthy and stay healthy. They also provide outreach, education and volunteer opportunities for Penn State students at the University Park campus.


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WinnerSupply Chain/Data Management or Supply Cost Efficiencies

Clinical Resupply Transformation

ISSUEThe medical supply replenishment process was inefficient and relied on clinical staff to reorder from Materials Management, resulting in excessive inventory expenses, inconsistent performance and clinical staff dissatisfaction.

SOLUTIONIn collaboration with clinical staff, Materials Management executed a Lean project that included standardizing exam room storage layouts and creative bundling of Kanban cards with safety stock for each item. The project enabled a flexible Just-In-Time supply chain that meets the unique needs of 23 different departments. Supplies are delivered nightly to the exact point of use in each exam room while significantly reducing the burden on clinical staff.

OUTCOMEInventory was reduced nearly 30 percent in the first six months for cost savings of almost $120,000. Problems with expired supplies were virtually eliminated and logistical improvements in clinical staff labor of over $200,000 were realized.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONThe Polyclinic has a dozen healthcare facilities in the Seattle area, including the new flagship clinic, The Polyclinic Madison Center. The Polyclinic employs nearly 200 physicians providing primary or specialty care and surgical services. Since 1917, The Polyclinic’s mission has been to promote the health of its patients through high-quality, comprehensive and personalized care.


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Process Improvement in Orthopaedic and Podiatry Charge Reporting

ISSUEPrairie du Chien was lacking a consistent process for Orthopaedic and Podiatry charge reporting to the Data Processing and Materials Management Departments.

SOLUTIONApplying lean concepts, staff members from each department collaborated to develop an improved process that would generate 100 percent clean billing with timely charges. In addition, surgical supply vendors were resourced and incorporated as an integral partner in the new protocol to assure accuracy in pricing.

OUTCOMETeam effort resulted in efficient new stepwise process that strategically moves precise information from department to department. Surgical charges are sent directly to Materials Management; then the vendor confirms pricing for each item used so Data Processing can correctly identify and bill each patient. The new system has resulted in significant cost reimbursement improvements and enhanced satisfaction for all stakeholders.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONBig enough to help and small enough to care, Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital is a 15-bed critical access hospital certified by the Joint Commission. Founded in 1954, Prairie du Chien is currently in the process of creating a new $50 million state-of-the-art 25-bed acute-care facility on 105 acres that will feature many enhanced and expanded services.


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WinnerSupply Chain/Data Management or Supply Cost Efficiencies

Clinical Value Analysis Pilot by ProMedica Heart and Vascular Institutes

ISSUEThrough benchmarking, ProMedica identified that its supply expense ratios for physician preference items were above acceptable levels by 30 percent. Also, there were no defined processes in place to introduce new technology or to identify standardization or product utilization opportunities.

SOLUTIONA pilot team from the Heart and Vascular service line created a sustainable, multi-disciplinary Clinical Value Analysis (CVA) process. This team, utilizing evidence-based clinical data and relevant financial information, collaborated with physicians, clinicians, supply chain and specialists from the Amerinet Clinical Advantage Program to reduce costs and strategically evaluate utilization and standardization opportunities.

OUTCOMEBy providing reliable, evidence-based clinical and financial data, the team was able to deliver annual savings in excess of $2,000,000. ProMedica has expanded this process to other areas, generating ongoing savings and an innovative, effective method for the introduction of new technology and the identification of standardization and utilization opportunities.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONThe ProMedica Heart and Vascular Institutes are a collab-oration of the region’s largest network of cardiac and vascular physicians, all working with the most advanced technologies available to deliver unparalleled heart care. The Institutes are a division of ProMedica, a $2.5 billion integrated health system based in Toledo, Ohio, consisting of 11 hospitals and over 50 additional health-related entities.


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Honorable MentionCommunity Impact and Innovation

Prom Promise — Don’t Drink And Drive; Always Wear Your Seatbelt

ISSUECounty reports revealed an increase in teenage drunk driving incidents and surveys discovered many were not routinely using seat belts.

SOLUTIONA special Rio Grande task force created a school outreach program for prom night featuring a life-like electronic mannequin-teen that had been admitted to the emergency room after being injured in a car accident. Realistic traumas and medical procedures are illustrated, and the presentation ends with a dramatic death. An in-depth question and answer session follows.

OUTCOMEMany schools are requesting the program on a regular basis, and at least one documented life was saved via the informed use of seat belts.

FACILITY DESCRIPTIONLocated in Del Norte, Colo., a small agricultural town of about 2,000, Rio Grande Hospital is a critical access facility providing quality healthcare for the entire the San Luis Valley community.

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