MRH VitaLink January 06 Draft Final.indd - Maury Regional ...

Maury Regional Hospital Columbia, Tennessee January 2006 Vol. XXV, Issue 1
Members of the Maury Regional Hospital
Critical Assessment Team include:
(standing, l - r) Mike Bergman,
Respiratory Therapist; Roger Cooper,
Supervisor, Nursing; Jean Wright, RN,
Nursing; (seated, l-r) Christy Wright,
Respiratory Therapist; and, Mary Florence
Boyd, RN, ICU.
MRH Critical Assessment Team
Promotes Quality Care
On December 19, 2005 Maury Regional Hospital implemented a critical
assessment team (CAT) as a result of their commitment to the 100,000 Lives
Campaign initiated by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. According
to Medical Director Charles Ball, M.D., the goal of the CAT team is to quickly
provide a multidisciplinary medical team approach to identify and treat a
patient whose condition may be deteriorating. The CAT response team includes
a registered nurse (RN) with critical care skills, a respiratory therapist
and a primary care RN.
“Early and rapid intervention promotes better patient outcomes. When a
member of our front line staff sees signs indicating that a patient’s condition
may be deteriorating, they page the critical assessment team,” said Ball.
“The team is available to respond within five minutes and utilize their critical
care skills to assess the patient and report vital information to the physician.”
According to Ball, there are a multitude of benefits to having the CAT
team available on a moment’s notice, including reducing cardiac and respiratory
arrests, facilitating timely transfers to a higher level of care, and reducing
patient intubations.
“Maury Regional Hospital’s commitment to quality care is one of the reasons
we joined the 100,000 Lives Campaign initiated by the Institute for
Healthcare Improvement. The campaign encourages healthcare facilities
that participate to implement quality improvement initiatives including the
prevention of adverse drug events, central line infections, surgical site infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia,
as well as using evidence-based care for acute myocardial infarction and rapid response teams like the one we’ve
developed here,” said Ball.
Maury Regional Home Services Recognized
Maury Regional Home Services was recently recognized as a National Best Practice Agency and asked to participate
in the National Hospitalization Reduction Study, according to Director of Home Services Debbie Bratton.
The goal of the study was to share best practices used by agencies such as Maury Regional Home Services in
an effort to provide other agencies with new insights and ideas on how they might be able to improve the quality of
their services and their ability to better serve their patients. The nationally reported Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
(CMS) Home Health Compare scores for acute care hospitalization placed Maury Regional Home Services in the top
10 percent of the most successful agencies in the country for this measure.
The study was conducted by Briggs Corporation, the National Association for Home Care, and Fazzi Associates
as part of the National Home Care Quality Improvement/Hospitalization Reduction Project. The study identified the
most successful agencies in the country and the strategies and practices they used to achieve such low hospitalization
rates.
continued on page 2

New Employees
December 2005
Anesthesia
Amanda R. Morrow
Donna Lanette Walls
Business Office
Sandra Williams
Dietary
Motika Goff
EMS
Ben Johnson
Samuel R. Voss
Home Services
Michelle Marler
Nursing
Jason D. Jones
Sarah King
Physical Medicine
Kathryn H. Cassidy
Home Services continued
“We’re pleased to have been
selected as one of the top home
health agencies in the country. Our
staff’s commitment to utilizing best
practices to provide quality care for
our patients and reduce the need
for hospitalization has resulted in
this honor,” said Bratton.
The VitaLink is published monthly for
Maury Regional Hospital through the
Marketing and Public Relations
Department. Distribution is to
employees, members of the medical staff,
board of trustees, advisory board, Maury
County Commission, and volunteers.
For address corrections, please
contact the Human Resources Office.
Editor: Rita Williams
Designer & Copywriter: robin E designs
Proofreader: Cindy Fox
1224 Trotwood Avenue
Columbia, TN 38401
Three Stars for MRH
Hospi-Tots Program
For the third straight year, the MRH Hospi-
Tots program received a three star rating from
the Star-Quality Child Care Program. As a participant
in this program for three years, Hospi-Tots
has recently been recognized as the only three
star rated, double accredited child care center in
the state of Tennessee.
Hospi-Tots has been accredited for three
years by the National Association for the Education
of Young Children, the nation’s largest and
most influential organization of early childhood
educators, and the National Accreditation Commission
for Early Care and Education Programs,
an organization established to assist licensed
and regulated child care centers in providing
quality enhancements for children, professional
development opportunities for staff and effective
management skills for administrators and owners.
The Star-Quality Child Care Program is a
part of the state’s comprehensive plan to provide
more information to parents and improve the
quality of child care in Tennessee. It is a voluntary
program for child care providers that encourages
and recognizes quality child care programs.
Donations, Donations...
(Pictured right): The employees of Anesthesia,
Recovery, Endoscopy, Same Day
Surgery and a local church recently donated
household goods and gifts to Roberta
Vanblaricum. Roberta is a student
completing clinicals in the Surgery Department
whose home was destroyed by fire.
Best wishes to Roberta and her family in
the future.
Tennessee
Department of
Human Services
Requirements
• A child is allowed to attend
a child care facility
licensed by the state for
no more than 12 hours a
day.
• A child with a fever of
“101” must be removed
from the day care center
and be fever-free without
a reducer for 24 hours
prior to their return to the
center.
• A child must be accompanied
by an approved
adult as they enter the
center and until the child
encounters the teacher.
• An approved adult must
pick up the child from the
teacher and log out the
child each time they exit
the center.
(Pictured left): Lowe’s of Columbia recently
donated more than 1,200 child proofing
items to Women’s Services, including
outlet covers, corner bumpers, door knob
covers and more. The items will be given
to mothers who deliver at MRH. Pictured (l
- r) are Ben Endsley, Administration Manager
at Lowe’s; Teresa Bobo, Department
Manager at Lowe’s; Chantel Mize, RN;
Mickie DeHaven, Director of Women’s
Services; and Mary Matheny, OB Nurse
Manager.
2

MRH Employee News and Views
Anderson Promoted to Infection Control/Employee
Health Coordinator
Roger Anderson, RN, has been promoted to Infection
Control/Employee Health Coordinator. Anderson
has been employed with MRH since January 2005 as
Nursing Performance Improvement Coordinator. Prior
to MRH, Anderson served as the Director of Quality
Management at Fox Army Health Center in Redstone
Arsenal, Alabama.
Anderson has a BSN from the University of Arizona
and an MSPH in Epidemiology from the University of
South Carolina. He brings a wide-range of skills to this position with a clinical
background in Perioperative Nursing and several years experience in Infection
Control. In addition, he is certifi ed in Infection Control and has served in the
past as Infection Control Consultant to the Army Surgeon General.
“With his advanced degree and years of experience, he will make a great
asset to the Infection Control Department,” said Jamie Davis, Chief Nursing
Offi cer.
Edwards Successfully Completes CHC Examination
Kim Edwards, Privacy Offi cer for the Compliance
Department, has successfully completed the Certifi ed
in Healthcare Compliance Examination, thus earning
the “CHC” designation.
The CHC Examination was released in 2000; and
since that date, more than 500 individuals have earned
this professional credential. To be eligible for the examination,
candidates must have a minimum of one year
full-time work experience in healthcare compliance, as
well as 20 credits of continuing education.
Founded by the Health Care Compliance Association
in 1998, the Healthcare Compliance Certifi cation Board exists to develop
criteria for the determination of competence in the practice of healthcare compliance
at a variety of levels and to recognize individuals meeting these criteria.
Silva Receives Manual Therapy Certification
Flavio Silva, Assistant Director of Physical Medicine,
recently received his Manual Therapy Certifi cation
(MTC) from the University of St. Augustine, Florida,
one of three highly proclaimed certifi cation programs in
the United States.
The University began the certifi cate process in
1981 with the dual purpose of encouraging excellence
in manual therapy and in communicating via its
published list of graduates. Silva attained certifi cation
through a series of seminars and successful completion
of written, oral and practical exams.
Manual therapy is a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specifi c hands-on
techniques, including but not limited to manipulation/mobilization, used by the
physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures.
3
Promotions
Roger Anderson
from P. I. Coordinator, Nursing
Admin., to Coordinator, Infection
Control/Employee Health
Patricia Diane Andrews
from Patient Escort, Radiology, to
Nurse Tech, 5W
Erik Brent Baker
from RN, Emergency Dept., to
Nurse Anesthetist, Anesthesia
Jessica Bytwerk
from Certifi ed Technician to Cert.
Tech/IS Assistant, Pharmacy
Casey Boshers
from Student Nurse Tech to
Extern II, 5W
John Churchwell
from Service Worker to Specialist,
Environmental Services
Christina Henze
from Surgical Tech II to Extern II,
Surgery
Larry Inman
from Maintenance Tech to
Maintenance Mechanic,
Plant Operations
Kim Jenkins
from Technician to Certifi ed
Technician, Pharmacy
Kathleen King
from Phlebotomist to Certifi ed
Phlebotomist, Lab
Ronald Trent Lewis
from Technician, Physical
Medicine, to Physical Therapist,
LACC Physical Therapy
continued page 4...

Promotions
continued
Marie J. Ruthsatz
from LPN to Extern II, 3W
Andrea Sykes
from Student Nurse Tech to
Extern II, 5W
Christie Troutman
from Certifi ed Technician to
Cert. Tech/IS Assistant,
Pharmacy
Fern Tocco
from Student Nurse Tech to
Extern II, 5W
Transfers
Jim Highsmith
from Paramedic, EMS, to Patient
Care Assistant, Emergency Dept.
Births
Wendy Crowder,
Laboratory, and her husband,
Clint, welcomed Elizabeth Kate
Crowder on January 3. She
weighed 7 lbs. and 4 ozs.
Tracy Hickman,
Nursing, and her husband, Phillip,
welcomed Ashton Kay Hickman
on January 12. She weighed 7
lbs. and 1 oz.
In Memory of
Retirees
Hazel Celeste Norton Burroughs,
age 91, passed away on
December 30. She worked as
an LPN at the hospital until her
retirement in 1979.
MRH Recognizes Retirements...
Pictured (left to right) are Assistant
Administrator John Collier, Williams
and Director of Dietary Mac Olivier.
4
Ethelene Williams
Ethelene Williams retired from
Dietary on December 24, 2005 with
more than 37 years of service.
“Ethelene Williams was one of our
most loyal and dedicated employees
of the Dietary Department. You could
always count on her to be here on
time and work whenever you needed
her. She sets the standard for all to follow
her good work ethic. We will all
miss her not being here cooking our
daily breads and desserts,” said Mac
Olivier, Director of Dietary.
Bev Brown
Bev Brown retired as Oncology Nurse
Manager in December 2005 with 17 years of
service at MRH and more than 20 years of
dedication and service to the Oncology fi eld.
“Bev has been an asset to her patients,
her staff, and this hospital. She has always
been a hard worker, team player and a patient
advocate. We will miss her but look forward
to her contribution as a leader in our development
of a hospital-based spiritual program,”
said Jamie Davis, Chief Nursing Offi cer.
Brown, who has been an integral part of
the Oncology unit, will continue her service
with MRH part-time assuming a new role in
spearheading a hospital-wide spiritual program.
The new initiative will be a joint program
with area churches in an effort to provide spiritual guidance to employees
and patients while focusing on the treatment of the whole person - body,
mind and spirit. Although Brown will be greatly missed in the Oncology Department,
she will still remain an important part of their department, as well
as the entire hospital. Stay tuned for more information on this new program.
Pictured with Jorgensen (left) is
Mickie DeHaven, Director of Women’s
Services (right).
Pictured with Brown (left) is
Jamie Davis, Chief Nursing
Officer (right).
Elizabeth Jorgensen
Elizabeth Jorgensen retired on
January 1 with more than 18 years of
service in Labor and Delivery.
“Elizabeth has been an asset to
our department. We will miss her, but
wish her all the best in her retirement,”
said Dee Hoover, Nurse Manager for
Labor & Delivery.

Letters of Appreciation
To My Maury Regional Hospital Family:
Words cannot express how much we appreciate all that you have
done for us. Everything from the care during my hospital stay, the
words of encouragement, the cards, the food brought to the house,
items you sent for the silent auction, food cooked for the bake sale,
items bought at the Tupperware sale and all the prayers that have
been said are much more than we could have ever imagined. Your
support has been overwhelming! We couldn’t have made it this far
without you. I have always known that I work with an exceptional
group of people but from the moment I was diagnosed with a brain
tumor, you have shown my family and I just how true that statement
is. You are truly our angels here on earth. We call you all friends!
We thank you for everything! Keep praying for us!
~Angie Osmon and family
I would like to thank all the nurses that cared for my daddy while he
was so very ill. Your wonderful care for him and my family made it
easier for me. I would also like to thank Dr. Monroe, Dr. Choksi, Dr.
Richardson, Dr. Grant Barr and Dr. Ledbetter for the care you gave
my dad and the patience you had with my family. It is never easy to
watch someone you love go through the stages of death, but knowing
my friends and co-workers were providing the care needed,
helped me tremendously. I slept better at night just knowing you
were there. A simple thank you does not seem to be much for everything
you did, but it truly comes from my heart. Thank you.
~Annette Bell
To Home Health:
Just to let you know how much I appreciate the things you all did for
my mother while she was in your care. She looked forward to the
nurses coming to give her a bath and all the other things they did for
her and she loved every one of you. Myself, I want to let the people
that never saw my mother know how beautiful her skin was and how
they worked hard for her skin not to break down. Every time she
went to the hospital and people came to see her, they were amazed
at the way her skin looked and the way the nurses took care of her.
They never rushed through their job, never acted ill at her if she
said something to them. In my opinion, Maury Regional has the best
home health system in the world...thanks to the physical therapy
people also. They worked hard to keep her from being bedfast. I
thank all of you for the kindness and love you showed for my mother
and me. May God richly bless every one of you. A special thanks to
Judy Crowell, Glenda Runions, Paulette Thacker and Brenda Adams.
Love all of you.
~Laura G. Appleton (daughter of Millie Phillips)
To Darlene Baxter:
In this day when service is so rarely extended, I must let you know
how very blessed I was at MRH’s Women’s Center. I am so grateful
to have access to this fine facility. I was there for routine screening.
Dana Salters, Brenda Stooksberry and Tina Piper not only performed
their responsibilities excellently but they positively made me
feel like I was an individual when they cared about my screenings
at this special Christmas season, they brought me pure joy! Please
express my sincere thanks to each of them personally. It is my hope
that they will get their much deserved recognition.
~Jane Cunningham
To Darlene Baxter:
Recently, I was a guest at your “hotel” (Rm 259). I experienced the
most kind, professional and caring care by the nursing staff headed
up by Mollie Howard. Please direct this sincere statement to its proper
destination.
~W.D. Turner
5
MRH gives local man second
chance at life
Excerpt from Daily Herald 12/28/05
I have noticed several billboards around Columbia
touting the cardiac services of several out
of town hospitals and feel that people need to
know what is available here.
On July 16, 2005, I had severe shoulder
pain and nausea. I thought it could be my heart
and called 911. Columbia Fire Department and
Maury Regional EMS arrived, and in a few minutes,
I was at the emergency room at Maury
Regional Hospital and surrounded by about 20
medical professionals.
Dr. Michael Richardson immediately diagnosed
me with a heart problem and summoned
a cardiologist. A few minutes later, Jackie Gibbs
appeared and took me into the Cath Lab and explained
the procedure for a stent.
Shortly, Dr. David Wyatt appeared and told
me that they could not do the stent and that I
would require surgery. I had the option at that
point to go to another hospital if I wished to do
so. I told him that I would like to do the procedure
there with him.
I was in and out for several days and when
I awakened, I was in the Cardiac ICU. I learned
that Dr. Wyatt and Dr. Jacques Heibig had been
with me in the operating room along with several
of my friends who happened to be assigned to
the surgery team that night. I also learned that if
I had decided to take the trip to another hospital,
I would have suffered a major heart attack and
more than likely would not have survived it.
The care from all of the doctors and the entire
staff at Maury Regional Hospital was fantastic.
I feel that I would not have received any better
care at any other hospital. After I was released
from the hospital, I returned for the cardiac rehab
program at Maury Regional. It was fantastic.
Because of the fast response of everyone, I
did not suffer a heart attack and have no damage
to my heart. Thank you to everyone who called or
came by to visit and thanks for all of the prayers.
The people at Maury Regional Hospital treat you
like you are one of their family. Thank you Maury
Regional Hospital for assembling a great team
of doctors and health care professionals. They
gave me a second chance at life.
~Kenneth Lovett
Columbia

C ustomer Service
orner
Our focus this month is to be a STAR!
Show concern and listen:
• Take time to introduce yourself to the patient/
customer.
• Make eye contact.
• Do not interrupt.
• Remain calm; be aware of your body language
and facial expressions.
Take ownership:
• In many cases, a sincere apology is enough.
• Take time to listen.
• See the solution through the patient’s eyes.
• Live Maury Regional Hospital’s mission, vision
and values.
• Conduct yourself as a professional.
• Ask yourself “What can I do to resolve this
issue”
Apologize, regardless of the situation or who
is at fault:
• An apology is not about guilt. It is about not
meeting the customer’s expectation. Use
statements such as:
“ I’m sorry for your inconvenience.”
“ I’m sorry about the misunderstanding.”
“ I have the time; or Let me get someone who
can help.”
• Don’t shift the blame to the patient/customer,
another employee, or department.
Resolve the problem so it doesn’t happen
again:
• Ask, “What needs to be done to prevent this
from happening again What can I do to help”
• Follow up with: telephone call, thank-you card,
personal letter and/or hospital visit to verify that
the problem has been resolved to the patient’s
satisfaction.
• Complete the necessary forms.
• Thank our customers for choosing Maury
Regional Hospital!
EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE.
EXTRAORDINARY CARE.
Our focus is always on our patients…and providing
quality care to all!!
Dorothy Holland
Customer Service Satisfaction Coordinator
(931) 540-4331
Brewer Joins Medical Staff
William Wesley Brewer, M.D.,
a specialist in radiology, has joined
the medical staff at Maury Regional
Hospital. He is associated with
Southern Radiology Associates.
Dr. Brewer received his medical
degree from the University of
Tennessee School of Medicine
in Memphis. He completed his
internship at Baptist Hospital in
Memphis and his residency at
Shands Hospital at the University
of Florida in Gainesville. In addition,
Dr. Brewer completed a fellowship
in interventional radiology at Shands Hospital. Prior to
locating in Columbia, Dr. Brewer was in private practice in Oxford,
Mississippi.
Applications for the Health Careers
Foundation Scholarship/Loan Program for
the 2006-2007 Academic Year are now
available in Human Resources. Maury Regional
participates in the Health Careers
Foundation (HCF) Scholarship/Loan Program. The Health Careers
Foundation is a public foundation that provides scholarships/loans
up to $4,000 (one-half scholarship, one-half loan)
per academic year. Employees and non-employees may apply
for a scholarship/loan from the Health Careers Foundation. It
represents an excellent opportunity for you or a family member
to obtain fi nancial assistance to enter or continue in one of the
following programs:
Fields of study eligible for this program are:
• Dietetics
• Pharmacy
• Medical Records/Transcription/Coding
• Physical Therapy
• Medical Technology
• Radiological Sciences
• Nursing
• Respiratory Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Pathology
Completed applications along with original transcripts
should be submitted to the MRH Human Resources Department
– Benefi ts by March 15, 2006. A limited number of applications
are available. If you have any questions or need
additional information, please contact Lea Ables at extension
1968.
6

Department Spotlight: All About Endoscopy
Employees are pictured along with Nurse
Manager, Judy Culberson (front right).
This month, MRH focuses on Endoscopy. With 14 full-time and
six part-time employees, this department has scheduled cases Monday
through Saturday and offers 24-hour call coverage to patients.
Endoscopy offers a variety of procedures to examine the gastrointestinal
tract, including, but not limited, to the following:
Endoscopy Dictionary of Terms
• Endoscopy: inspection of body
organs using an endoscope, a
piece of equipment consisting of
a long tube and camera system.
• Colonoscopy - endoscopic examination
of the colon
• EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
- the inspection of the
esophagus and stomach
• ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram) - radiologically visualizes
the gallbladder biliary – common bile duct and the pancreatic tree (pancreatic
duct)
• Bronchoscopy - visualizing the bronchial tree
• Esophageal Motility - measures esophageal pressures
• Ambulatory 24-hour Esophageal Test - indwelling pH probe connected to a
monitoring device to evaluate reflux for a complete 24-hour circadian cycle
• Polpectomys – removes polyps without requiring an abdominal incision
New Technology
In January 2005, the Endoscopy Unit began conducting a non-invasive procedure
called capsule endoscopy, which allows the physician to examine the gastrointestinal
tract using a pill-sized video capsule called an endoscope, which
Pictured with the new capsule
endoscopy equipment from left
to right are Leah Laws, RN and
Tina Cox, LPN.
has its own lens and light source and will relay the images to a video monitor. This new technology is being used by
gastroenterologists as a new way of checking the small intestine after an EGD and Colonoscopy have already been
performed. It allows physicians to evaluate the small intestine in detail when a bleed cannot be found by an EGD or
Colonoscopy.
Did You Know..
Since the Care-A-Van service began in
September 2003 through the end of November
2005, 37,758 passengers have been
served!
Special thanks to all the departments who
make it happen...Auxiliary, Administration,
Plant Operations, Security and 34 volunteer
drivers.
Care-A-Van Extends
Hours of Service
Beginning January 2, the Care-A-Van has extended its hours
of operation to accommodate MRH customers. New hours of service
are as follows: Monday - Friday, continuous service from 7
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Care-A-Van drivers keep cell phones with them at all
times and can be reached by dialing 9-698-5928.
7

February Calendar of Events
1 2 5 6
Breast Feeding Support Group
(11 a.m. - 1 p.m., West Seventh
Church of Christ, call 490.7074)
Precious Treasures
(6 p.m., First Floor Conf.
Room, call 380.4114)
Free Tours of Labor & Delivery
for expectant parents
and families
( 2 p.m., call 381.1111,
ext. 2215)
Expectant Parent Class
“Labor”
(2 p.m. - 4 p.m., call 490.7046)
Expectant Parent Class
Lamaze®
(7 p.m. - 9 p.m., call
490.7046)
New Employee Orientation
(8 a.m., Auxiliary Conf. Room,
call 380.4017)
7 12 14 19
Diabetes Education Group
(11:30 a.m., Auxiliary Conf.
Room on the first floor, call
540.4324)
Expectant Parent Class
Refresher
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.,
call 490.7046)
Expectant Parent Class
Delivery
(2 p.m. - 4 p.m., call 490.7046)
Health Talk
Heart Failure
Daniel J. Skarzynski, M.D.
(7 p.m., Auxiliary Conference
Room, call 380.4031)
Expectant Parent Class
Baby Basics
(2 p.m. - 4 p.m.,
call 490.7046)
20
Breast Cancer Support Group
(5:30 p.m., call 381.1111,
ext. 2513)
Multiple Sclerosis
Support Group
(meetings held at Columbia
Senior Citizens Center, call
540.4243)
23 26
The Ostomy Partners
Support Group
(10 a.m. and 6 p.m., call
Rita Hillis at 540.4172)
Expectant Parent Class,
Breast Feeding
(2 p.m. - 4 p.m., call 490.7046)
28
Expectant Parent Class
Post Partum
(7 p.m. - 9 p.m., call 490.7046)
Heath Talk
Treating Heart Disease
Kevin M. Maquiling, M.D.
(7 p.m., Auxiliary Conf. Room,
call 380.4031)
Maury Regional Hospital
1224 Trotwood Avenue
Columbia, Tennessee 38401
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