SLHS working to ensure Cabot Westside Medical & Dental Center continues to thrive as health care changes

Cabot Westside Medical & Dental Center may join Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center

Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (SURHC) and Saint Luke's Health System (SLHS) announced today negotiations are underway regarding the future of Cabot Westside Health & Dental Center. Negotiations center on a proposed plan for Cabot to become part of SURHC.

Changes brought on by the Affordable Care Act and other factors prompted the discussion between the two organizations. SURHC is one of three designated Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in the greater Kansas City area. A FQHC is a reimbursement designation from the Bureau of Primary Health Care and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare. Cabot needs the benefits provided by achieving FQHC status to continue to fulfill its mission of providing quality, culturally sensitive, primary health, dental care, and education services to thousands of patients regardless of their ability to pay.

The proposed transaction would allow SURHC to secure approval from the federal government for Cabot to be included under Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center's FQHC status. This will afford Cabot greater financial security, benefits, and resources for expansion.

SURHC and Cabot both provide primary medical and dental services for a large segment of patients with little or no health insurance who pay on a sliding scale basis, depending on income.

Cabot Westside Medical & Dental Center, located at 2121 Summit St. in Kansas City, Mo., has been a critical part of the Westside neighborhood since 1906. Its bilingual staff is sensitive to the cultural differences and needs of its patients who are primarily Spanish-speaking.

Watch for updates in future issues of eRounds.

Clare Amey named Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Clare Amey, R.N., East 4, who was named Employee of the Month for May.

Teamwork: Clare is the perfect example of demonstrating teamwork. She jumps in the minute she arrives to the unit and helps everyone. She keeps an open mind no matter how challenging the shift is.

Quality/Excellence: Since joining the East 4 Family in September 2011, Clare has become very active in Shared Governance, and is the practice council representative.

Customer Focus: Clare shines in customer focus. This has been said about Clare in STAR cards: "When I was first admitted to the floor, God knew what He was doing. Clare helped me calm down, take a deep breath, and most of all laugh." Also from another patient's family: "Clare, you definitely provided the best service. Thank you for being so attentive. I hope none of us have to frequent the hospital any time soon, but if we do, I hope you're my nurse!"

Learning and Innovation: Clare is active in evidence-based research on the importance of high-thigh TED hose vs. knee-high TED hose. She is also researching blood stream infections. She also created an educational poster on how to prevent patient falls in East 4.

Stewardship: Clare is such a dedicated employee! She packed and stayed overnight during our multiple snowstorm events. She helps to reliever her co-workers for breaks so they can have a few minutes during the night for lunch.

Lakewell Harker, R.N., receives May DAISY Award

Lakewell Harker, R.N., received the DAISY Award in recognition for her compassionate and caring nursing skills as an R.N. on Mother/Baby. The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of ITP, an auto-immune disease.

Harker was nominated for the DAISY Award by two former patients. In one of the nominations, the patient wrote, "Lakewell was extremely attentive to my needs. She was very kind and helpful. She gave me a lot of information I did not know and was always ready to explain anything I didn't understand. Awesome personality and patient care!" The second nomination read, "I am nominating Lakewell for this award because of the care and dedication she provided to ensure I was feeling well. She also gave me advice on how to get up from bed carefully to avoid falling and injuring myself. She made sure I took my medication and took extra care to ensure all my medical supplies were in order. My recovery from birth through cesarean was quick because of the care Saint Luke's provided. Kudos to Lakewell!"

Harker originally began her medical career as an L.P.N. She later attended nursing school in Iowa. She saw an opening for the Mother/Baby Unit at Saint Luke's and knew that was where she wanted to be! She has been with that unit her entire six-year nursing career. Eventually she would like to become certified in breastfeeding education. In addition to helping mothers with new babies, Harker has six kids of her own. This energetic mother loves being able to help others, including raising spirits or lending an ear.

On May 14, the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Committee and the Mother/Baby staff surprised Harker with her DAISY Award and a breakfast that included Cinnabon® Cinnamon Rolls. She also received the Healer's Touch Sculpture, award certificate, DAISY pin, and a Saint Luke's Hospital parking spot.

Congratulations to Lakewell Harker, who like so many Saint Luke's Hospital nurses, deserve a big thank you for her extraordinary and compassionate nursing care.

Do you know a nurse deserving of a DAISY Award? Send an email to daisyaward@saint-lukes.org or pick up a nomination form located in most SLH waiting rooms.

Saint Luke's Hospital Week

National Hospital Week was a special time to recognize everyone across Saint Luke's Health System for your commitment to improving the health of the communities we serve. Whatever your role in our organization, your hard work and dedication are critical to our success.

Employees had fun at the Hospital Week photo booth.

Thank you for your commitment to ensuring Saint Luke's Health System is always - The best place to get care. The best place to give care.

Perfusion Department awarded Outstanding Clinical Rotation Site of the Year

The Perfusion Department at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute was selected by the University of Nebraska Medical Center School of Perfusion Science as the Outstanding Clinical Rotation Site of the Year 2012-2013.Perfusionist Peter Woods, C.C.P., L.C.P., was selected as Outstanding Clinical Instructor of the Year 2012-2013. The awards were presented to Skip Russell, C.C.P., L.C.P., and Peter Woods during the Clinical Perfusion Education Research Symposium on Thursday, May 2.

Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute is one of 15 clinical rotation institutions nationally. The University of Nebraska School of Perfusion Science has 75 full-time clinical faculty instructors with six of them employed by Saint Luke's. This is the fifth time Saint Luke's has been awarded both the Outstanding Clinical Rotation Site and Outstanding Clinical Instructor since 1997. Past Outstanding Instructors include Troy Sydzyik, C.C.P., L.C.P., chief of perfusion, and Skip Russell, C.C.P., L.C.P.

Saint Luke's Employee Circle of Giving

June 3 - 14

Saint Luke's Employee Circle of Giving program allows employees to participate in the mission of Saint Luke's Foundation by making charitable gifts through payroll deduction.

Saint Luke's Foundation supports medical education and research, as well as community outreach, charity care, and medical programs not covered by patient fees.

This year's Employee Circle of Giving campaign runs June 3 - 14. Your gifts truly make a difference! In 2012:

• 1,798 employees within Saint Luke's Health System contributed $269,138 through payroll deduction.
• 112 programs received support from employees, from the Miracle on 44th Street employee emergency assistance fund to departmental education funds.
• 100 Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences students received nursing scholarships, grants, and loans totaling $162,000.
• Gifts to The Children's SPOT allowed it to maintain its open-door policy of providing therapy to children with developmental disabilities, regardless of their families' ability to pay.

For as little as $2 per pay period, your gift can support Saint Luke's Foundation and benefit medical programs and patient care as well as your colleagues and their families. When you contribute to a specific fund, 100 percent of your gift goes to support the program you choose.

For more information on how to become an Employee Circle of Giving member, please contact Tanya Carson at tcarson@saint-lukes.org or ext. 25612, or visit saintlukesgiving.org/employee.

Up Close and Personal

Thank you to everyone who participated in the March for Babies Fundraiser "Up Close and Personal." This activity allowed employees to "purchase" an hour or two of their favorite Hospital Leadership Group members' time to work in various hospital units and departments in recognition of our employees during Hospital Week. As part of the "Up Close and Personal" activity, HLG members were making rounds in many areas including Pharmacy, MICC, Patient Transportation, Volunteer Services, East 7, Human Resources, and Environmental Services. This activity provided a firsthand look at how we all contribute to Saint Luke's.

Featured here are Julie Quirin and Kevin Thorpe, learning about Pharmacy and MICC processes from the perspectives of those who work there.

Let's continue to share how we all contribute to the vision of making Saint Luke's - The Best Place to Get Care, The Best Place to Give Care!

Thai Chef's Special May 29

Enjoy fresh Thai grilled peanut chicken with vegetables on Wednesday, May 29 for only $5.49!