 FOCUS 2015 in perspective
Why FOCUS 2015?
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.
As work progresses on FOCUS 2015, we should all be proud of our achievements to date. Employee work teams have identified more than 150 initiatives approved for implementation, with more under consideration. As our efforts progress, now is a good time to reflect on why Saint Luke's initiated this roadmap to continued success.
FOCUS 2015 is Saint Luke's proactive initiative to address a number of market forces with the potential to impact the health care field. Changes in consumers and demographics, the economy and finance, information technology and e-health, insurance coverage, politics, provider relations, and quality and patient safety all converge to play a part in the current state of the industry we work in today.
Saint Luke's is not alone. Industry wide, hospitals and health systems across the nation are facing similar challenges. As successful as Saint Luke's Health System is, it's more important than ever to aim for optimum efficiency, while maintaining our commitment to quality and excellence. By sharpening our strategies, realigning resources, identifying new paths for revenue growth, and stimulating innovation, we're helping to ensure continued growth for the health system.
To put these issues into perspective, watch eRounds for periodic insights and information about the critical issues and emerging trends in health care today. This week we will highlight key factors related to the economy and finance impacting the health care industry.
FOCUS 2015 in perspective: Economy and finance
- Moody's Investment Services (credit rating service) maintains a negative outlook for the U.S. nonprofit health care industry. The outlook has been negative for the past three years, and is expected to remain negative for at least the next several years. The outlook is based on modest projections for hospital revenues' growth over the next 18 months, the expectation of ongoing economic softness throughout the country, and financial and operating pressures resulting from regulatory challenges.
- Consolidation of health plans is beginning to occur in Kansas City. The ability to demonstrate lower costs while providing high-quality care will be a key driver in government and commercial reimbursement going forward. Physician alignment - another form of consolidation - is also a strategy to control costs and drive improved quality by adopting evidence-based medicine. More non-profits are consolidating to compete. Smaller, stand-alone hospitals that cannot match the financial, managerial, or market access capabilities of larger, multi-hospital systems will face greater negative pressure in the future.
- Legislators working on 2013 budgets are pressed to find Medicaid cuts, though few options for additional savings remain.
- With the recession as a backdrop, employers are moderating their bottom-line impact by increasing cost-sharing by employees for health insurance coverage. Consumer-driven health plans are becoming more frequent options and in many cases, the only health benefit offered.
- A study shows that in 2009, Jackson County had the highest number of Missourians under age 65 who were uninsured - 17.3 percent or 103,833. Clay County showed 11.7 percent or 23,274; and Platte County showed 9.1 percent or 7,175.
- While the coverage expansion imposed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) doesn't start until Jan. 1, 2014, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services have already begun reducing payments to hospitals to pay for the ACA. In fact, hospitals will be contributing approximately $155 billion in savings over 10 years through reduced payment updates, decreased Medicare and Medicaid hospital payments, and financial penalties.
Please share your feedback and send questions to FOCUS2015@saint-lukes.org or call Saint Luke's Concierge at 816-932-5100, option 5.
*Sources: American Hospital Association; Missouri Foundation for Health; Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Fact or Fiction?
On a regular basis, updates will be provided through eRounds including a "Fact or Fiction" section addressing employee questions and feedback. Click here to read the latest "Fact or Fiction."
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Courtyard Marketplace Fall Fest
Today, Wednesday, Oct. 10
7:30 a.m. - sold out (typically around noon)
- In Season 'Courtyard Market' items will be sold, in addition to pumpkins and gourds.
- Jaspers will provide a food demo
- Tasteful Olive will sell oils and vinegars
- City Bitty Farms will sell micro greens
- John & AJ are grilling veggie kabobs (free)
- Ronnoco pumpkin coffee (free)
- Apple cider (free)
- We will sell ice cream sandwiches and Pepsi for $.50
- We will sell pumpkin loaves of bread for $6
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month events
Oct. 12 - 26
Vote for the Pink Glove Dance Video
Support the fight against breast cancer! Go to
saintlukeshealthsystem.org to view and vote for Saint Luke's Pink Glove dance video. Your vote may help us win $10,000 for the Cancer Action Committee. Encourage your friends and family members to vote, too! The Cancer Action Committee is a nonprofit agency providing programs and services addressing the physical, social, emotional, financial, and spiritual needs of people with cancer.
Get down with the fun and help fight breast cancer by watching the Pink Glove dance video! Click here to watch the NBC Action News story on the video.
Oct. 18, 3 - 7 p.m.
"Go Pink" popcorn and lemonade
The "Go Pink" popcorn and lemonade event will be held in the SLH courtyard. Join us to celebrate breast cancer awareness. Our Breast Center staff will be available to answer any questions about breast health and MammaCare certified technologists will be onsite to demonstrate how to perform a breast self exam. Oct. 30, 4 - 7 p.m. "Girls Night Out" "Girls Night Out" will be held at the SLCI screening center in the  Ellen Hockaday Women's Center at 4401 Wornall Road. To raise breast cancer awareness, the Breast Center is encouraging women to schedule a mammogram and bring a friend. All participants will receive a complementary massage and refreshments. To schedule your mammogram during this event please call Centralized Scheduling at 816-932-6800; mention you are scheduling for the "Girls Night Out" event. Oct. 1 - 31 The Tribute Tree Honor the life and memory of a person impacted by breast cancer by  placing a pink ribbon prominently on the tree. Visit the tribute tree in the Heart Institute just outside the Saint Luke's Auxiliary Gift Shop. Pink smoothies and brownies
at the Jo N' Go In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Jo N' Go will serve pink smoothies and brownies throughout the month of October. Stop by and help yourself to a pink treat...and then call someone you love and remind her to get her mammogram! |
Prevatt named Employee of the Month
Donna Prevatt, respiratory care therapist, CVICU, has been named
 | | Donna Prevatt |
the October Employee of the Month. Prevatt received multiple nominations. The following are excerpts:
- "There are few people who exemplify the dedicated support to all ICU teammates, but Donna is one. She works hard to support the multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals in the CVICU. Additionally, Donna takes this teamwork approach and attitude further in support of her department. She is always willing, able, and eager to step up to the plate."
- "For 23 years Donna has been a vital part of the Saint Luke's team. She is loyal and committed to our institute. Any time you turn around Donna is there and ready to help."
- "Donna has an amazing knowledge base and always anticipates what will be needed. She makes staff comfortable with her confidence and expertise in the CVICU population."
- "Donna's work with reducing CVICU's ventilator-associated pneumonia rate has had a cost saving impact for Saint Luke's Hospital."
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Historical marker re-dedicated in hospital courtyard
A historical marker recognizing the former home site of Isaac McCoy, missionary and one of Kansas City's founding fathers, was re-dedicated Oct. 7 outside the hospital chapel. Originally dedicated in 1961, the marker had been placed in storage while the campus underwent a multi-year renovation and expansion.
 | | (from left) Kevin Thorpe, vice president; Peggy Smith and David Jackson, Jackson County Historical Society, with the newly re-dedicated Isaac McCoy historical marker in the courtyard outside the hospital chapel. |
 | | (from left) Gary Long, Particular Baptist Press, Dan Smith, Westport Historical Society, and David Jackson, Jackson County Historical Society, with the newly re-dedicated Isaac McCoy historical marker in the courtyard outside the hospital chapel. |
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National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The entire staff of SLH Women and Children Services want to express our deepest sympathy to those who have experienced the loss of a child, whether through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or neonatal death.
In 1988, President Reagan declared October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month to bring recognition to families who have suffered the loss of a child. In addition, Oct. 15 is celebrated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Please join us in dedicating Oct. 15 to the families experiencing grief after the loss of a child.
For more information or additional resources, please contact the SLH Infant Loss and Grief Support Team at 816-932-0254.
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Saint Luke's Week 2012
The practice of naming hospitals "Saint Luke's" derived from the ancient tradition of naming institutions of worship, learning, and healing after Christian saints. According to the New Testament, Luke the Evangelist was a physician who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. The stories of his gospel account emphasize healing and compassion. The tradition surrounding Saint Luke grew throughout the early church and he eventually became the patron saint of physicians, surgeons, and medicine. Luke's life and ministry are celebrated in the church calendar every Oct. 18. Saint Luke's Health System celebrates our spiritual foundation in providing patient care during Saint Luke's Week, this year Oct 15 - 19. Join us for:
Blessing of hands - Services Monday at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the chapel, daily during 1 p.m. prayer service, and daily throughout hospital units.
Piano music - daily during lunch in the cafeteria.
Wednesday Worship Service - 9:30 a.m. in the chapel, including blessing of hands for Auxiliary members and SLHS Chaplains, and remembrance of Auxiliary members who died since last year's Saint Luke's Day.
Thursday - Special luncheon honoring Eucharist Minister volunteers and Spiritual Wellness greeters.
Friday - 11:30 a.m. ceremony in the chapel, followed by a luncheon for our 2012 Angel Award Recipients.
Spiritual Wellness Department information displayed daily at the south entrance.
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What your liver does for you
Your liver serves as your internal quality inspection station. Almost all  (99 percent) of the nutrients you ingest pass through the liver for review. Your liver decides what gets processed and distributed throughout the body and what gets removed.
Your liver protects you from numerous environmental toxins and microorganisms. It also metabolizes drugs and alcohol. It's not just a fancy filter, though. Your liver makes proteins and stores glucose, vitamins, and iron. When you need that extra boost of energy, your liver's stores fuel you. The liver forms and secretes bile, which aids in digestion and the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. More than a filter, it's a biochemical factory that science has yet to match.
Please join the SLH Liver Team in celebrating Liver Awareness Month this October.
Events include:
- Fall Festival, Oct. 10 - visit the Liver Team at the pumpkin station and enter to win a prize
- Love Your Liver Day, Oct. 17 - wear yellow in honor of liver disease awareness
- Liver Awareness Smart Selection, Oct. 22 - 26 - super fiber turkey sliders with apple crisp featured in the cafeteria
- Liver Crossword Puzzle Drawing, Oct. 31 - drop your completed crossword puzzle entry in the box at the level 1 MAHI clinic before Oct. 31 for a chance to win a prize.
Watch for more liver education in eRounds throughout October.
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Explore Nursing Night at Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences
Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences is hosting "Explore Nursing Night" on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Anyone interested in attending nursing school is welcome to attend. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the college and the new state-of-the-art simulation center and visit with admissions, financial aid, students, and faculty.
The college is located at 624 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO. SLCHS is an upper-division institution of higher education affiliated with Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City. SLCHS offers three degree programs which include the traditional B.S.N., R.N. to B.S.N., and M.S.N.
For more information about the college and Explore Nursing, contact the Admissions Department at 816-932-6700, or go to www.saintlukescollege.edu.
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Call for applications for the 2013 Nursing Research Clinical Scholar Program
All full-time and part-time nurses with at least one year of experience at SLH (at the time of application) are eligible to apply for the Nursing Research Clinical Scholar program.
This program is made possible by funds donated to SLH Foundation specifically for nursing research. The funds will provide financial support allowing Nursing Research Clinical Scholars to attend monthly research-related seminars, develop and submit for funding a research project, and conduct a research project, if funded. Clinical Scholars are partnered with a research mentor to help design a research project, conduct the research, analyze the data, and disseminate research outcomes.
To access the application on the N:Drive, the path is SLH/Nursing Research/Nursing Research Clinical Scholar Program/Application process/2013.
Please consider approaching staff nurses individually if you think they would be excellent candidates for this program.
Application deadline is Oct. 22. If you have questions, contact Jacque Carpenter at jcarpenter@saint-lukes.org.
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Michelle Neville Memorial nursing scholarship
Family and friends established the Michelle Neville Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Saint Luke's College in 2002 to celebrate Michelle's love of nursing and Saint Luke's.
The Michelle Neville Memorial Nursing Scholarship is awarded twice annually to a third semester, full-time, traditional B.S.N. nursing student who exhibits the caring spirit of nursing - sensitivity, creativity, intelligent understanding, sense of humor, and compassion - that meant so much to Michelle.
Please nominate a Saint Luke's College nursing student enrolled in their third semester as a full-time, traditional B.S.N. student. The $2,000 will help with expenses for the recipient's final semester of their B.S.N. program.
An electronic version of the scholarship application may be found at saintlukescollege.edu or email Jan Whitlow at jwhitlow@saint-lukes.org.
The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 15. If you have any questions, please contact Whitlow at 816-932-6746.
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Noteworthy
How can each member of the SLHS Medical Plan help contain future increases?
Did you know that Aetna may deny your health claim if you go to an Emergency Department for minor ailments that can be treated in a physician's office? Where you receive non-urgent care not only affects you, it affects our entire health plan.
Last year, employees achieved incredible results in the Ready, Set, Go! Challenge. Not only did employees lose weight and improve their health, but according to national figures, each employee who decreased his or her BMI by one point will save an average of $202.30 in medical and pharmaceutical claims costs annually - and that benefits everyone at SLHS.
Learn more about these important topics by clicking here.
Coffee with Diversified
Diversified reps will be onsite throughout SLHS in October. Click here to see a schedule of when they will be on campus and to find out how to schedule an appointment.
Smoking cessation workshop
Saint Luke's EAP is offering a smoking cessation workshop at no charge to Saint Luke's employees and family members. Before you quit, start by attending this workshop.
Understand change, learn strategies, identify resources, and increase success. Click here to read more about the EAP's Great American Smokeout event and learn how to register.
Look Good, Feel Better
Women currently undergoing cancer treatment are invited to attend the next Look Good, Feel Better class, a free two-hour workshop in which you learn simple beauty techniques for skin and nail care, makeup application, and coping with hair loss. You will receive a complimentary bag of makeup to use in the session and at home. Join us at the Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center conference room Nov. 7, 1 - 3 p.m. Call Vickie at 816-932-2124 to sign up, as this will be the last class of 2012 for SLH!
New menu in café
"Breakfast for supper" will be in Broadway Dining from 4:30 - 8 p.m. beginning Oct. 5. The breakfast menu at night will be available rotating every other Wednesday and Friday. The kick off is today. New items include cheesy hash browns and steak and eggs along with all of your favorite original breakfast items.
Coming Oct. 22
Come enjoy the new and improved menu of dips and daily specials at the Mexican kiosk.
2013 SLH Summer Student Scholars Program
The Student Scholars Program is designed to provide an opportunity for eight college undergraduates with an interest in health care to spend six weeks in a clinical or research area of emphasis at SLH. The hope is to someday see some of these students become members of the SLH medical staff.
The SLH-funded program will begin the week of June 10, 2013. Orientation will be held June 7, 2013. Application deadline is Jan. 4, 2013. Applicants accepted to the program will be notified by March 4, 2013.
For more information or for an application, please contact Jeanne Kimball in Medical Education at jkimball@saint-lukes.org.
Eighth-Annual Spirit-Filled Care of the Dying Conference
Join us Thursday, Oct. 25 for the Eighth Annual Spirit Filled Care of the Dying Conference presented by Saint Luke's Hospice, Saint Luke's Spiritual Wellness Committee, and Saint Luke's Ethics Committee.
This year, Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., noted author, educator, and grief counselor, will be the guest speaker. Dr. Wolfelt will explore a "companioning" model of bereavement care that recognizes grief as a normal and necessary process that is fundamentally a journey of the heart and soul. Participants will take away a wealth of knowledge as they explore the transformation nature of grief. View the brochure or click here to learn more.
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