Trish Delaney, Editor

JUNE 20, 2014 VOLUME 23 NO. 13 TRISH DELANEY, EDITOR

* IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Avera Queen of Peace held a press conference on Friday in the hospital lobby to announce plans to build a 70,000-square-foot medical office building on the property just west of Cabela’s, called Grassland Health Campus.

The groundbreaking and blessing of the land will be held at the Grassland Health Campus site on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. The medical office building will have a patient-centered design that incorporates the look and feel of prairie and wind elements. In addition to health care buildings, the campus will feature green space, walking space, and a greater focus on health and wellness. The Grassland Health Campus will allow for long-term expansion. In the immediate future, this construction project will open additional space at the current Avera Queen of Peace campus.

The idea for the project grew out of a need for expansion of medical staff at Avera Queen of Peace and for additional medical office space. The plan is that this campus would be the future home of Avera Queen of Peace Health Services. The 30-acre campus is also suited to accommodate the move to outpatient services.

Tom Clark, Regional President and CEO of Avera Queen of Peace, and Pat Malters, MD, representing Avera Medical Group and the Avera Queen of Peace Board of Directors, provided the remarks at the press conference.

Important Facts and Figures About the Grassland Health Campus New Medical Office Building:

 The 70,000-square-foot medical office building will house family medicine, psychology, internal medicine, pediatrics, occupational medicine, urgent care, laboratory and imaging services, plus a home medical equipment outlet, all on the first two floors. The third floor will be left open for future growth.

 The building will feature a patient-friendly design with the latest technology, including the capability of eConsult telehealth visits with physicians in a wide range of medical specialties.

 The building’s architectural design will reflect the prairie of the Northern Plains, similar to the Prairie Center on the campus of Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls.

 The estimated cost of the medical office building project is $16.5 million, in addition to the $1.6 million cost of the 30-acre tract of land, purchased from the Mitchell Area Development Corporation approximately two years ago.

 The campus concept, developed by BWBR Architects of St. Paul, MN, is one of multiple buildings located together as opposed to one large building. In addition to health care buildings, the campus will feature green space, walking space, and a greater focus on health and wellness.

 This project grew out of a need for expansion of our medical staff and, of course, additional medical office space to accommodate their practices. Our existing facilities are hindering us from being able to recruit physicians; our current campus is landlocked and allows no room for long-term expansion. We have signed agreements with physicians joining us over the next two years, and we currently have no place to put them.

 The vision for the Grassland Health Campus starts with a medical office building and eventually will accommodate Avera Queen of Peace Hospital and all its related facilities.  In 2014, Avera Queen of Peace inpatient, outpatient, and clinic visits are projected to total more than 196,000. Outpatient and clinic visits are projected to increase between 3 and 5 percent per year, while hospital inpatient volumes are projected to remain flat.

 Construction of the new medical office building will open up additional space on the current Avera Queen of Peace Hospital campus, and we hope to move surgical specialists closer to the hospital in the space that is made available.

* THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO OUR AVERA WESKOTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND WESKOTA MANOR AVERA ASSOCIATES

Many of us watched and listened in shock as we heard the news of the devastating tornado which struck Wessington Springs the evening of June 18. The hospital did receive some damage; they had a few broken windows and extensive roof damage from wood penetration through the seal, but less than two blocks away, homes were leveled. As this is written, details are incomplete but we know that six of our associates either lost or had damage to their homes and the entire town is impacted. Some have asked what we can do to help. At this time we are waiting for more information and direction on what is needed. Information about how we can help as individuals will be shared through our information system. In the meantime, prayers are needed…prayers of gratitude that lives were spared and prayers for all who were impacted by the storm.

* CORN PALACE STAMPEDE RODEO ACTIVITIES – WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Avera Queen of Peace Hospital will enter the Avera Mobile Clinic and Avera Mammography van in the Corn Palace Stampede Parade on Saturday, July 19, and we are in need of walkers! Walkers will hand out candy along the parade route, and they will be wearing some very spiffy T-shirts to identify them as Avera Queen of Peace associates. Contact Trish Delaney at Ext. 2402 or Kari Kirchmeyer at Ext. 2338 to volunteer. All walkers will receive a free rodeo ticket!!!

If you would like your name placed in a drawing to receive a pair of tickets to the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo (15 pairs available), please click on the purple ticket on the home page of Qnet, then complete the form. Click on “Finish” when done. The deadline for signing up is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1. The winners will be notified via e-mail on Wednesday, July 2.

* REHAB OFFERS NEW SERVICE

Avera Queen of Peace Rehabilitation Services now is offering evaluation and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. Services include evaluation and treatment of men and women with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, pudendal neuralgia and related pelvic pain conditions. With the use of biofeedback, electrical stimulation, education, massage and muscle training many people find help to return to a better quality of life. Patients need a doctors order/referral. You can make an appointment by calling 995-2239 (Avera Queen of Peace Rehab) to schedule. Services are covered by most insurances and Medicare and are often billed under muscle weakness, therapeutic ex, neuro re-education, and other common PT codes.

* AVERACHART UPDATE

According to Kelly Hart, RN, BSN, Clinical Informatics Liaison for Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, the latest statistics show that we are still at 5%; we have had an increase in our numerator, but we are not able to overcome the volumes on the ED side, so the increase in the denominator is making it difficult to climb above 5%. Avera Weskota Memorial Hospital is at 10%, Platte Health Center Avera at 5%, Avera De Smet at 0%, and Avera St. Benedict at 3%. Kelly has been working with all of the CAH sites in our region and just recently shared Avera Weskota’s tactics for portal enrollment and Platte has been able to utilize the tactics. We have also produced a form that has the patient’s medical record number, temporary user name, and password, and we can approach the patient or their proxy with this document and literally log them into the portal.

It will be “live” by Thursday, June 26, and we are taking part in daily meetings with Avera to implement this very rapidly. At Avera Queen of Peace, on the inpatient side, we will be using additional resources to approach each patient and try to log them in; however, the ED is still an issue. We are diligently working on strategies on how we can approach patients in an appropriate manner while they are in the ED. We are considering a number of alternatives including using volunteers to assist helping patients sign into the portal. In addition, we are working 2 with clinics to encourage them to offer Avera Chart to their patients.

* PERTUSSIS CAUTIONS

Pat Reiner, Director of Infection Prevention/Employee Health, has notified associates, clinics, and physicians of a report from the State Department of Health stating that 31 cases of Pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported in South Dakota as of May 29, 2014, including eight cases during the month of May. The highest incidence is in the west region; counties with more than five cases include Lawrence, 10; and Minnehaha, 6; while counties with 5 or fewer include Brule, Custer, Grant, Lincoln, Pennington, Shannon, Turner, and Ziebach. Recently, our Lab has received an increased number of Pertussis tests being ordered, and so far all have been negative. Pat has reminded clinics and associates that if a patient is suspected or confirmed for having Pertussis, droplet precautions are required. She also noted that if a medical provider is sending a patient to the hospital for admissions or diagnostic testing, the patient must wear a surgical mask.

* URGENT CARE VS. EMERGENCY ROOM – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The following is an article written by Dr. Shari Eich on helping individuals decide whether to use urgent care or the emergency room.

You pick up your child from daycare only to find out she is sick. Something about the way she looks makes you think she shouldn’t wait to see her regular doctor tomorrow. Where should you go – to an urgent care or to the emergency room?

After Hours Care 101: First, let’s talk about after hours care – in Mitchell we call that urgent care, but it can go by many other names. What it is: a clinic that is open past “normal” business hours. It is designed to provide medical care for acute illnesses, such as sore throats, ear infections, injuries, etc. They can diagnose and treat most illnesses, and most of those clinics have laboratory and x-ray available. You may see a physician or you may see a physician assistant (PA) or certified nurse practitioner (CNP); at Avera Urgent Care in Mitchell you will be seen by a PA. It is not meant to be used as a substitute for seeing your regular doctor. Urgent care does not give routine immunizations, refill medications, or fill out forms for ongoing problems.

What can’t they do at Urgent Care? They do not have access to more advanced radiology studies, such as CT scans or MRIs. Our Urgent Care does not provide IV fluids; they also do not care for more critical problems such as strokes, heart attacks, or major trauma.

Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room: So how do you know where to go? Think of it this way: if you or your child has a problem that you would normally go to your regular doctor or clinic for, it is something that can be seen in urgent care. If it’s a bigger problem or something you really feel shouldn’t wait AT ALL, then the ER is the place to go. Sometimes you just aren’t sure where to go. If you go to urgent care and they determine your problem is too severe for that setting, they will arrange for you to be seen in the ER.

What if Urgent Care is closed? Then ask yourself this question: what is the worst thing that will happen if I wait until tomorrow? It is very tempting to go to ER for a suspected ear infection in a fussy baby, but that isn’t truly an emergency (i.e. it isn’t life threatening). The pain can be managed with Tylenol and Ibuprofen, and the one or two extra doses of antibiotics your baby would have received won’t make that much difference in how fast he or she gets better. However, if your child has difficulty breathing, that is absolutely a reason to go to the ER in the middle of the night. Not breathing well = not getting enough oxygen, and that can be dangerous.

24/7 Assistance: Another resource that is available to help you decide where to go is Ask-A-Nurse. Avera has nurses that will ask you questions about what is going on with you or your child and help you decide how soon a particular problem should be seen. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-658-3535.

Dr. Shari Eich, an Avera Medical Group physician, provided this information on the Avera website to help guide people in the right direction and to help make the decision about whether or not to go to the Emergency Department.

* “CARING FOR KIDS” GOLF TOURNAMENT

The 20th Annual “Caring for Kids” Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Avera Queen of Peace Foundation, will be held on Saturday, August 9, at Lakeview Golf Course with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The tournament is an 18-hole, four-person, long ball/scramble; the entry fee is $60 per person which includes green fees and a post-tourney picnic with food, beverages, and socializing. All proceeds from this year’s “Caring for Kids” Golf 3 Tournament will benefit the Pediatric Department at the hospital. Join us on August 9th to celebrate our 20th year!

* BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT

The Avera Queen of Peace Board of Directors reappointed Sister Bonita Gacnik, Jerry Thomsen, Dave Olson, and Patricia Malters, MD, to their second full four-year term on the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital Board. In addition, the Board appointed Gopal Vyas to his first full four-year term on the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital Board. William Graham, DO, represents the Avera Queen of Peace Medical Staff on the Board. Terry Torgerson is the Chair and Diane Sandhoff is Vice Chair.

* RESIGNATION ANNOUNCED

After 27 years of dedicated service to Avera, Patti Brooks has decided to take a new path in her career and has accepted a position as Assistant Professor at Dakota State University, teaching primarily in the graduate health care informatics program. Patti has done an outstanding job as the Regional Information Officer for Avera Queen of Peace, Avera St. Mary’s in Pierre, and Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, MN. Patti’s last day will be Thursday, July 3. Patti was recognized at LDI on June 18. After July 3, please contact the Help Desk until the transition plans are complete. Please take the opportunity during the next few weeks to thank Patti for her contributions to Avera and the IT Department. * MAYBE A BABY? OR DEFINITELY A BABY!

Avera Queen of Peace, along with the other Avera regional hospitals, sponsored a Maybe a Baby event on June 17. It was very successful at all sites, and to follow up, Avera is sponsoring a contest called “Oh, Baby!” for when “maybe a baby” turns into “definitely a baby.” Avera and KSFY want to know how you announced your growing bump to friends and family. What’s in it for individuals besides a cute little baby? A chance to win a crib, courtesy of Kid’s Stuff Superstore. From June 16–30, tell the story of your pregnancy announcement (past or present) with a photo or a 1½ minute video, and share it on one of Avera’s Facebook pages. For couples in and around Mitchell, send your story to facebook.com/AveraQueenofPeaceHospital or facebook.com/KSFYNews. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, July 1.

* NEW FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP

Tracy Pardy, Foundation Director, announces and welcomes the following new members to the Foundation Board effective July 1, 2014:  Steve Ahlers – Financial Services Provider, New York Life Insurance Company  Michael Krause, DO, RPh – Obstetrics/Gynecology, Dakota Women’s Clinic  Ron Muth – Member, Muth Properties LLC  Tim Bottum – Attorney, MorganTheeler  Nate Hinker – PA, Avera Medical Group Corsica  Jayson Plamp – Agri-Business, First Dakota National Bank

Current Board members include Chairman of the Board Jay Tolsma, Trish Bates, Pat Clark, Tom Clark, Steve Clarke, Dan Cook, Ryan Huber, Dr. Kim Lorenzen, Lou Sebert, Sister Roxanne Seifert, Ryan Thompson, and Will Flett, ex officio. The Foundation Board extends their thanks to Becky Moore as she completes her term on the Board. We thank her for her dedication, service, and time over the past nine years helping assist our patients and community through the Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

* LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

Leaders from Avera Weskota Memorial Hospital, Avera De Smet Memorial Hospital, Avera Brady Health and Rehab, Avera Medical Group clinics, and Avera Queen of Peace Hospital attended a Leadership Development Institute on June 18-19. Education and training were presented on patient experience results, living and working with generational differences, embracing change at work, and sessions on mission leadership development and ethical and religious directives. The attendance was down somewhat on Thursday; Avera Weskota and Weskota Manor Avera associates were unable to attend due to the devastating tornado that struck their community the night before.

* LOWER BRULE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP

Avera Queen of Peace received a request from Jessica Giard, Development Officer for the Lower Brule Community College, requesting that Avera partner with the Lower Brule Community College Wacipi & Celebration Week. Events include a community library open house; a traditional Wapici to honor students, alumni, and the community; a community meal; and a Fun Run/Walk, plus the addition of the Crazy Horse Leadership Seminar by Joseph 4 Marshall III. The event brings together the Lower Brule Community College students, the community, and leaders in order to recognize traditions and the college’s contribution to the region. The leadership seminar roots itself in Lakota values based in part on four principles of leadership shown by Crazy Horse during a time of upheaval for the Sioux people in the late 1800s. After reviewing the partnership request, we forwarded the request to Rachael Sherard and she, in turn, involved Avera Marketing and we were able to support the event at the $500 level which provided for the meal and snacks for the leadership seminar and a traditional community meal on Friday, along with noting our sponsorship on written materials. Avera leaders are invited to attend any or all of the program.

* GREAT LIFE

The Avera Queen of Peace Wellness Center and Wild Oak Golf Course have joined with Great Life to offer special pricing at golf courses and wellness centers/athletic clubs. Great Life offers unlimited golf and unlimited fitness at the following locations: Willow Run, Bakker Crossing, Central Valley, Hidden Valley, River Ridge, Hiawatha, Bridges, Emerald Hills, Okoboji View, Rocky Run, McCook Wellness, EmBe, and Great Life Woodlake Athletic Club in addition to Wild Oak Golf Course and the Avera Queen of Peace Wellness Center.

Individuals may select a single monthly membership, a couple’s monthly membership, or family monthly membership; each would include unlimited golf and fitness, unlimited golf and unlimited cart, and range for varying membership costs. For example, a single monthly membership, which includes unlimited golf and fitness at the aforementioned facilities, would cost $49.99 a month, which the couple’s monthly membership for the same benefits would be $59.99, and the family monthly membership would be $69.99. A one-time initiation fee of $50 is required. There are some restrictions that apply at each facility. For example, the golf cart and range memberships are good only at Wild Oak. For more information, call Wild Oak Golf Course at 996-2084 or go to www.wildoakgolfcourse.com.

5 * ’ROUND AVERA QUEEN OF PEACE. . .

 Congratulations to Martin Christensen, MD, who was honored by the South Dakota State Medical Association at their recent annual meeting. Dr. Christensen received the 2014 Community Service Award. He was nominated by David Balt, DO, CMO, Avera Queen of Peace.

 Emily Peart, a student at Mitchell Technical Institute, is completing an internship at Avera Medical Group Optometry.

 Pat Sudbeck, Education Services/Telemedicine/Physician Education, reports that UpToDate education was provided to each provider and clinical staff member in order for them to access disease information, drug information, and discharge instructions. Each provider was coached through the 10-minute registration process and its features and availability on a smart phone and iPad. The Product Specialist with UpToDate Anywhere coordinated the training day, and Pat Sudbeck extends her appreciation to the clinic managers for their hospitality and cooperation during the clinic visits.

 A thank you to Kathy Schoenfelder and Carolyn Klinkhammer who represented Avera Queen of Peace at the Palace City Lions Club meeting in May to thank them for their donation of $1,500 to the Diabetes Care Assistance Program.

 Pat Sudbeck reports that the AveraChart patient portal has been introduced to the members of several of our support groups including the Parkinson’s Support Group and the Mitchell Area Cancer Support Group. Thanks go to Stephanie Stacy for providing the education and training on how to register and access medical information.

 Thanks go to Tera Schelhaas, RN, for providing case studies and didactic education as part of the Pediatric Assessment and Care RN Clinical Enhancement.

 The staff at Avera Medical Group Optometry are working on a new screening process for ICD 10; office manager Kay Thomas notes, “If it happens, we will be ready!”

 Brenda Olson, Director of Quality-Risk Management, is working with Department Directors to correct the Direct and Indirect Joint Commission survey findings within the required time frames of 45 and 60 days, respectfully.

 Clinical associates took the AHRQ Safety Survey in May, and the Quality-Risk Management Department will receive the results and work with the Patient Safety Risk Management Commmittee to address any opportunities.

 Pat Sudbeck reports that we have 17 shadowing students and three interns who were oriented and provided clinical experiences during May. Thanks to Diagnostic Imaging, Surgery, Nursing Units, and Emergency Department who accommodated the students. We have had very positive feedback from the students.

 The Breast Health Screening held in early May had 13 participants and the results were 12 negative and one who needs to return for a bi-lateral ultrasound.

 Laurie Robey, Director of the Lab, reports that her department is in the process of reviewing all lab policies and procedures in preparation for a one-day CAP inspection. The inspection is anticipated sometime between July 26 and October 26.

 Megan Vilhauer, Registered Dietitian, presented to the Diabetes Support Group during May.

 The Avera Medical Group Laboratory Service Line was initiated with a site visit on May 15, and kicked off the first week in June. Laurie Robey; Kim Lorenzen, MD; and Rochelle Reider, Vice President of Patient Services, are part of the Avera Medical Group Laboratory Service Line Steering Committee.

 Melonnie Gregerson, Director of Care Management/Social Services/Chaplaincy Services, welcomes Brooke Veurink to the Social Services team.

 Eric Larson, Director of Pharmacy, reports that the department has completed their annual narcotic inventory;

6 although this is only required to be done every two years, at the recommendation of our Board of Pharmacy, we conduct the inventory annually.

 During May, the Pharmacy Department had two first year pharmacy students, Kyle Weiss and Brad Rotert, doing their three-week introduction to hospital pharmacy rotation.

 Dan Bloodgood, Director of Anesthesia/Pain Center, reports that the department received a Pediatric Intubation Handle for the Glidescope.