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FOCUS 2015 biweekly update
The goal of our FOCUS 2015 project is to identify ways to optimize the quality, safety, and value of our patient care through transformational changes that minimize variation in our practices and maximize our efficiency. We believe these changes will ensure sustainable financial strength and honor our mission of patient care in our changing health care landscape.
Implementation progress
Look to this section for stories on departments who are leading the way.
Clinical Documentation Excellence
Imagine how confusing it is when a physician records a procedure in a patient's chart by one name, but our coding specialists refer to it as something else. Tracking down the right information after the fact can be very difficult. It's just one of the challenges the SLHS documentation improvement program is trying to address.
The program, which is a team effort between metro hospital physicians/nurse practitioners, nurse reviewers, and coders, began before FOCUS 2015 officially kicked off - but the FOCUS 2015 initiative has helped accelerate the process. The team is working to bridge the gap between the clinical side and what clinicians need to record in the patient's chart with the information the coding specialists need to accurately track what procedures are performed.
This initiative is important for several reasons. For example, by being consistent in how we record clinical documentation, we can more accurately describe the level of care we are providing. This has an impact on the overall profile of our hospitals in quality rankings, and it also ensures we are charging for the correct procedures.
The initiative has created six new positions for clinical documentation specialists. This new team will initially work at our metro hospitals (SLH, SLSH, SLEH, SLNH) and is already in education and training. They'll begin implementing new processes on Sept. 4.
The Clinical Documentation Excellence program is another example of the types of transformational change currently underway throughout the health system. Congratulations and thank you to the CDE team for being a leader in our FOCUS 2015 project.
Fact or fiction?
On a biweekly basis, updates will be provided through eRounds, including a "Fact or Fiction" section that is populated based on employee questions and feedback. Click here to read this week's fact or fiction.
The purpose of FOCUS 2015 is to build an even stronger Saint Luke's and create a new model of care that ensures we can continue to provide outstanding patient care in the new health care environment.
As you have questions and feedback we encourage you to share them throughout this process.
Questions and feedback may be shared through:
- Email at FOCUS2015@saint-lukes.org
- Phone by calling Saint Luke's Concierge at 816-932-5100, option 5. You may choose to leave your feedback anonymously through this channel. Anonymous feedback and questions will be addressed biweekly through eRounds.
- Your manager or HR representative
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Saint Luke's Hospital welcomes new plastic surgeons
Drs. Eagan and Young provide comprehensive, specialized plastic surgery care
Saint Luke's Hospital recently welcomed two surgeons to its new Saint Luke's Plastic Surgery Specialists practice. The surgeons provide comprehensive surgical care with an expert focus on hand, cosmetic, and reconstructive procedures.
The team helps ensure patient satisfaction by utilizing the latest 3-D imaging software for cosmetic procedures, which allows patients to visualize their desired results prior to surgery. For an enhanced level of service, patients also benefit by receiving care in a hospital setting along with the added comfort and personalized attention of a small medical practice.
Click here to see a comprehensive list of services.
You can learn more at saintlukeshealthsystem.org/plastics or call 816-932-0288.
Meet the surgeons
 | | Spencer Eagan, M.D. |
Spencer L. Eagan, M.D., a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, co-founded Saint Luke's Plastic Surgery Specialists after completing a six-year integrated plastic surgery residency at the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia. His hard work during medical school earned him a place in the top 5 percent of his medical school class, as well as several awards for outstanding performance.
 | | Levi Young, M.D. |
Levi James Young, M.D., grew up in the Independence, Mo., and Kansas City areas. He attended Park University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry. During his undergraduate experience he played soccer, becoming an NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete as the captain of his college team while graduating Summa Cum Laude. He then attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine earning his M.D. and stayed there, completing a six-year integrated plastic surgery residency.
Read more about our new physicians by clicking here.
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Let your voice be heard: KC's Best Places to Work recognition
For the past several years, Saint Luke's Health System has been recognized as one of the "best places to work" in Kansas City, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.
Saint Luke's Health System is proud to be nominated for this honor again this year. But your help is needed to ensure we are recognized. Please complete the survey at the link below by midnight on Friday, Aug. 17.
To take the survey, click on this link or paste it into Internet Explorer: http://www.quantumworkplace.com/bestplaces/survey.
After you choose "English" or "Spanish," you will be asked to enter the following organization code: NJEG02973.
You'll be asked to answer a series of short questions about subjects such as Saint Luke's team effectiveness, people practices, and trust. All answers are completely confidential, and the survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. An independent firm, Quantum Workplace Inc., is conducting the survey and tabulating results.
Thank you in advance for your participation!
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Vickie Conchola named Employee of the Month
 | | Vickie Conchola |
Vickie Conchola, Employee Assistance Program, has been named the SLH August Employee of the Month. Conchola received several nominations.
One nomination reads in part, "Accuracy, dedication, resourcefulness, a focus toward customers - internal and external - plus a strong work ethic are characteristics consistently embodied in Vickie's work. Vickie's talent is both crucial and exceptional. Her patience in dealing with callers in difficulty shows empathy but also a quick recognition of how best to triage the person to the best resource available. Vickie's common sense in resolving issues is a virtue and not one that can be gained through training. Vickie applies initiative in recognizing where procedures can be improved and, best of all, seeks to resolve them in a proactive, positive means. She is always ready to help with a project in order to maximize efficiency and time."
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Kronos timekeeping update coming soon: Attestation module
Please note this system update is applicable only to those entities using Kronos Timekeeping and supported by Central Payroll Processing (CPP).
To enhance time sheet accuracy and ensure organizational policy compliance, SLHS will be enhancing our time clock system in September. As part of the enhancement, employees will be able to access, review, and approve or reject their timecards using the time clocks through Smart Views or through the Kronos web-based tool. As always, our goal is that employees submit accurate timecards that reflect and include all hours actually worked.
Accordingly, employees will attest to the accuracy of any input, changes, and totals prior to manager approval of the timecard. This also allows any inaccuracies to be addressed before the pay period is processed and closed, which will assist in ensuring accurate pay period records.
With the Smart Views or the Kronos web-based tool, employees will also be able to indicate whether they took their 30-minute uninterrupted meal break during the out punch/end of shift process. If the employee indicates that they did not receive a 30-minute uninterrupted meal break, then no deduction shall occur and a notice will be sent to the employee's manager. This process ensures compliance with the SLHS meal break policy.
Kronos Timekeeping managers and employees will soon receive detailed instructions on this new process. This communication will also include the functionality go-live date and any other additional information. Please pay special attention to future communications on this topic from your CPP team.
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Compliance connection: Email and the election year
This is a presidential election year and, predictably, we are being flooded with information about candidates and their positions at both the state and federal levels. Much of the information received comes via e-mail, including to SLHS email. Opinions are often strong, and emotions run deep. It may be tempting to use SLHS email to advocate for a specific candidate or position, but you need to resist that temptation. Don't do it.
SLHS's email usage policy prohibits sending email that contains harassing language or messages that could reasonably be considered offensive by others, including remarks about an individual or group's race, religion, national origin, physical attributes, or sexual orientation. Political messages are often intentionally inflammatory to grab more attention, and it is reasonable to assume that some people may find them offensive. The email usage policy also prohibits using SLHS email for advancement of individual views.
Further, SLHS and its hospitals are tax-exempt charitable organizations. Tax-exempt charitable organizations may not engage in direct or indirect political campaign activities (including the publishing or distributing of statements) on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office. Sending politically charged e-mail via the SLHS e-mail system can be viewed as a violation of that rule. This can cause significant problems for SLHS. See Code of Conduct on the I-drive.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact your ethics and compliance officer (ECO). To find a listing of current entity ECOs, click the Compliance and Privacy link at the bottom left corner of any SLHS webpage.
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Medical-Legal Partnership aids Saint Luke's patients and families
Legal Aid of Western Missouri's Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) at Saint Luke's has welcomed new attorney Kate Cohen.
Cohen will continue the project's work with Saint Luke's patients and patient families who are referred by Saint Luke's staff for legal assistance. If your patient or your patient's family member has a problem that you believe the MLP can address, consider making a referral after obtaining the patient's consent to do so.
Common issues the MLP sees include food stamps, insurance, Medicaid eligibility and denials, housing, orders of protection and domestic violence, special education, powers of attorney, and guardianship. These are only a few examples of the types of cases handled by the MLP.
For referrals, please page us at 816-440-2362 after obtaining the patient's consent. For general questions about the project, email Cohen at kcohen@lawmo.org or call 816-932-6859.
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Chapel services now broadcast on channel 18
The Spiritual Wellness Department is happy to announce that services from the Saint Luke's Chapel can now be seen throughout the hospital on Channel 18. There were some technical difficulties in reaching the new rooms in the Mid America Heart Institute, but those have been addressed.
The following services can be seen on Channel 18:
- Sundays at 10:30 a.m., Holy Communion
- Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Holy Communion with Laying on of Hands for Healing
- Saturdays at 3:30 p.m., Roman Catholic Mass
Other services may be broadcast as announced. For example, today, Aug. 15, is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and there will be Roman Catholic Mass at 3:30 p.m. Please note that anyone is welcome at any service in Saint Luke's Chapel. We encourage those who can to come and participate as they feel appropriate.
The Spiritual Wellness Department is happy to include your prayer concerns in our worship services. Prayer requests can be left in the prayer box at the chapel entrance, or can be emailed to prayers@saint-lukes.org. Also, remember that a chaplain is available in Saint Luke's Hospital 24 hours a day. Please let us know about your concerns at ext. 22180, or by paging the chaplain on call.
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Noteworthy
United Way campaign kicks off tomorrow
The SLHS United Way campaign will officially begin next week, Aug. 20 - 24. The SLH campaign kicks off this week with these United Way activities:
Thursday, Aug. 16
3 - 7 p.m.
Campaign kick-off
Join us for delicious kettle corn in the Women's Center Courtyard at Saint Luke's Hospital
Friday, Aug. 17
Deadline for the United Way silent auction baskets (turn your baskets in at the Executive Offices)
Monday, Aug. 20
7 - 9 a.m. and
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Silent auction outside the Go and Jo near the Café
*Prize drawings
Look for a Special Edition SLH eRounds on Monday for complete information on this year's United Way campaign.
August Town Halls
Tuesday, Aug. 21
2 - 3 p.m.
Wagstaff Board Room
Overflow TBA
Fall blood drive
Tuesday, Sept. 11
7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saint Luke's Hospital
BMW Meeting Rooms
Book your appointment today at savealifenow.org, enter sponsor code: slhc.
You may also contact Kay Weir at 816-932-2448 or kweir@saint-lukes.org.
Cardio Wellness Center
Community Forum
Thursday, Aug. 16
6 - 8 p.m.
Embassy Suites on the Plaza
James O'Keefe, M.D., will speak on "Alcohol: The Double Edged Sword" and "Exercise: The World's Best Natural Medicine." Frank Forencich will speak on "Stresscraft: A Whole-Life Approach to Health and
Performance." Click here for more details.
Saint Luke's in the news
Finance move
The Finance Department for SLH has moved. The general accounting and finance departments are now at 4200 Pennsylvania (the same building as HR) and the centralized accounts payable is now at 3100 Broadway, suite 900, in the Penn Tower building.
Get Fit...and Healthy
It's back! Get Fit...and Healthy has returned.
This 10-week fitness and nutrition workshop gets us back on track to eating better and fitting in more exercise. All new topics with the latest on fitness and nutrition.
Some of the things you will learn:
- The key to making your goals stick...for good
- Sleep, stress, and fat loss (or gain)
- Breakfast...why it's STILL the most important meal of the day
- Strength training and fat loss
Click here to see what others said about the 2011 class. Click here to find out more about the class and the introduction session on Sept. 6.
2012 Lifewise
Golf Classic
The Center for Health Enhancement will host the annual Lifewise Golf Classic Saturday, Sept. 29. This tournament is open to all Saint Luke's Health System employees and their guests. The tournament will be held at Swope Memorial Golf Course. Play will be a four-person scramble with a shot gun start at 8 a.m., rain or shine. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. Prizes will be awarded during the luncheon. Registration is open through Friday, Sept. 21. Registration information and forms can be found on the Center for Health Enhancement webpage. You can also email Bethanie Schemel for more information.
Free screenings for hepatitis C
Aug. 6 - 31
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver cancer. Millions of Americans have HCV, yet up to 75 percent don't know it. As part of World Hepatitis Day and in partnership with the American Liver Foundation, the Saint Luke's Liver Disease Management Center will be offering free hepatitis C virus screenings at each of our metro facilities, beginning Aug. 6. Call 816-932-LIVER (5483) or click here for more information.
Saint Luke's Courtyard Marketplace
Wednesdays
June 20 - Aug. 29
7:30 a.m. - noon
Rain or shine
Women's Center Courtyard
Stop by each week to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other heart-healthy items. Pick up the featured recipe of the week and learn how you can keep your heart healthy through nutrition. It is easy to "think prevention" and promote a healthier you! Products may be purchased by cash or payroll deduction. The Courtyard Marketplace is brought to you by Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center and Nutritional Services.
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