Cornerstones - Boca Raton Regional Hospital

Fall 2010
B o c a R a t o n R E G I O N A L H o s p i t a l
A message from the President
same magnitude of effort will be needed to secure and
sustain the gains we have made and move us to even
more meaningful and substantive achievements.
We must no longer look back. Our entire focus must
be on the opportunities that lie ahead. We have come
together as a team and have a renewed pride in our
Hospital and in ourselves as healthcare professionals.
It is a marvelous thing to observe and feel.
True greatness is within our grasp. It will be gained not
by what we did yesterday, but by what we do today…
and tomorrow.
I look forward with confidence and enthusiasm to what
we can accomplish together during this important time
for our Hospital.
Sincerely,
Cornerstones
Boca Regional Goes Green
Fiscally Responsible & A Great Place to Work
In addition to its clinical excellence, Boca Raton Regional
Hospital can now add environmentally conscious to its
expanding repertoire. In April, Boca Regional officially
began its recycling program. In an effort to decrease
unnecessary waste and increase operational efficiency,
the Hospital began recycling materials like cardboard,
paper and metals. In the few months since the program
was initiated, Boca Regional has recycled hundreds
of thousands of pounds of materials and the number
continues to grow daily.
Recycling is not the only thing Boca Regional is doing to
help the environment; the Hospital discontinued the use of
its incinerator – in order to reduce CO² emissions – and
adopted a new program to manage waste streams from
the Hospital. This new system will utilize reusable sharps
containers in order to prevent a significant amount of
cardboard and plastic from going to the landfill each year.
Dear Colleagues,
The summer months are now behind us and we are
moving into what is the busiest time for our Hospital.
We enter this year’s “season” with significant
momentum. We have solidified our finances, added
depth and expertise to our medical staff and have
initiatives in place to recruit and retain the best and
brightest at all levels of the organization. We have
enhanced and expanded key clinical strengths,
changed our name to better reflect our capabilities
and are aggressively conveying the role we play in
the region’s healthcare to referring physicians and
the public alike. It is an exciting time at Boca Raton
Regional Hospital.
Jerry J. Fedele
President and Chief Executive Officer
Boca Raton Regional Hospital
By implementing these programs, Boca Regional is
contributing to the ever growing initiative of “going green.”
By making a few simple eco-friendly changes, the Hospital
is doing its part to help conserve natural resources and
reduce pollution in the community.
Appointed to the Medical Staff (July - September)
It is critically important for us to look forward, not
backward. It would be far too easy to limit our
perspective and attitude to that of the road just
traveled as compared to the road we must now take.
Our recovery is over. We achieved what was necessary
for the organization. It was a magnificent effort and that
Bradley J.
Artel, MD
Cardiovascular
Disease
Hari
Brundavanam, MD
Critical Care Medicine /
Internal Medicine
Hillel D.
Cohen, MD
Gastroenterology
Mohamed
Erritouni, MD
Infectious Disease
Habibollah (Bobby)
Ghanavati, MD
Neurology
Martin
Greenberg, MD
Neuro-Surgery
Please submit any interesting story
ideas or pictures you’d like to share
to BocaBEAT@brrh.com.
All submissions must include
name and contact information.
Leonard R.
Hock, DO
Internal Medicine
Adil
Sanaulla, MD
Internal Medicine
Heather
Kessler-Reyes, MD
Pulmonary Disease
Susan W.
Shulman, DO
Pediatric
W. Anthony
Lee, MD
Endovascular
Surgery
Sharon M.
Smith-Thomas, MD
Obstetrics /
Gynecology
John A.
DiSilvestro, MD
Cardiovascular
Disease
j
Ronald M.
Levy, MD
Gastroenterology
Daniel E.
Torres, DMD
Oral / Maxillofacial
Surgery
Richard
Marques, DO
Internal Medicine
Jose L.
Martinez, MD
Pulmonary Disease
Madelaine
Vilme, MD
Internal Medicine
Jorge I.
Montalvan, MD
Internal Medicine
Zachary L.
Yablon, MD
Nephrology

B o c a r e g i o n a l W A Y
d e pa r t m e n t h i g h l i g h t s
Strive for excellence
Be in the know! There are five important areas that all employees should be aware of. These are key to our future
success and specific measures for each area are reported to the Board of Trustees on a monthly basis:
• Quality and Safety
• Patient Satisfaction
• Financial Performance
• Growth
• People
In this issue, we provide you with some important facts about Hospital Quality (Core Measures) and Patient Satisfaction.
Quality
As part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) require hospitals to collect and submit “Core Measures.” These processes of care pertain to
particular medical conditions and procedures. For most patients, providing this recommended care helps our patients
to achieve the best possible results. Members of the public can access our performance with these processes when
making decisions about their health care. These results, also referred to as National Quality Improvements Goals,
can be viewed through the Joint Commission’s Quality Check website [www.qualitycheck.org]. The most recent data
displayed is for the time period of April 2009 to March 2010.
Our performance
CORE MEASURE
Score
Heart attack care +
Heart failure care
√
Pneumonia care
√
Surgical care improvement project -
Patient Satisfaction
+ = This organization’s performance is above the target range/value
√ = This organization’s performance is similar to the target range/value
- = This organization’s performance is below the target range/value
Each member of the Boca Regional team should consider providing the highest level of quality, safety and service
as a personal responsibility. It takes each one of us to achieve excellence in performance. Find out how your area
contributes to or supports these Core Measure processes.
Our patients may receive a survey in the mail after receiving services at Boca Raton Regional
Hospital, asking questions about their experience during their visit.
Inpatient Hospital goal = 70th Percentile
Outpatient Services goal = 70th Percentile
Emergency Services goal = 70th Percentile
Outpatient Oncology goal = 70th Percentile
A score in the 70th percentile means that we achieved patient satisfaction scores that exceed 70% of the Hospitals
in the Press Ganey database. High performing hospitals recognize that achieving high levels of patient satisfaction
can be a significant differentiating factor and help to drive success in other areas as well. Every employee has an
opportunity to help us be successful in this area.
Do you know your area’s score? If not, be sure to ask your Department Leader!
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
With the American Heart Association Heart Walk behind us, we are
becoming more aware of heart disease. Almost everyone is touched by
this disease in some way--be it a family member, friend or coworker.
The staff of the Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute’s Cardiac and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation program is comprised of three RNs as well as six exercise
specialists who have bachelor’s degrees in exercise science or master’s
degrees in exercise physiology. Patients can begin cardiac rehab
following bypass surgery, valve replacement or repair, angioplasty, heart
attack, heart transplant or angina. Patients can enter our program as
soon as three weeks following bypass surgery. Our job is to evaluate
each patient and set realistic short and long-term goals for each. One
main goal is to get each patient back to their level of activity and quality
of life prior to the event. It is not unusual to hear patients say that they
feel the best they have ever felt after completing our programs. To help
patients achieve these goals, an exercise and education program is
specific for each patient.
The Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program can see up to
80 patients each day in season. To ensure patient safety, constant
ECG, blood pressure, and heart rate monitoring are conducted. Patients
usually come in three days a week for as long as three months. In
that time, patients work on exercise duration and usually achieve up
to 45 minutes of continuous exercise. When they reach that goal, they
begin working on exercise intensity. Patients use a variety of equipment
including treadmills, elliptical trainers, recumbent step machines,
Airdyne bicycles, and upper body cycles. Additionally, education is
an important component of cardiac rehab. Patients are educated on
individual risk-factor reduction throughout the program.
When patient census is low in cardiac rehab, the staff switches over
to pulmonary rehab, helping patients with lung disease including
emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, lung transplant or Cystic
Fibrosis. Much like cardiac rehabilitation, an exercise and education
program focusing on disease management skills are implemented as
patients are able to manage their daily activities with less shortness of
breath plus more endurance and strength.
If you, or someone you know, has heart or lung disease talk to your
doctor and remember the Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute’s Cardiac and
Pulmonary Rehabilitation facility is right off the Hospital’s main lobby.
New to Our Team (July - September)
Kathleen Adorno
Immacula Chery
Courtney Dill
Brian Griffith
Edgar Lerma
Frank Occhipinti
Marie Saint Clous
Emmanuela Tourenne
Dawn Augustine
Christopher Chie-For
Robert Dominick
Mark Harris
Helen Ling
Rosalind Ortiz
Shakira Sarquis-Kolber
Marie Toussaint
Brandon Bechler
Destiny Clark
Kris Everett
Karen Heck
Melissa Lorenz
Robert Osnato
Nancy Shirley
David Voteau
Stephanie Bishop
Edye Cleary
Alexis Flagler
Danielle Hildebrandt
Joann Lugo
Peter Palin
Ria Sobrian
Linda Weber
Kelly Brazzeal
Mary Connolly
Caroline Flynn
Donna Johnson
Jami Mahon
Taneisha Quinn
Sue Steele
Jeanne Wiener
Leslie Burman
Darren Cook
Marla Gershkoff
Yvonne Jones
Brenda Martinez
Diana Raymond
Amber Stefanelli
Tonya Wright
Sarah Cabell
Joni Dennis
Dottie Goff
Vera Jones
Jennifer Melvin
Patricia Redd
Bethie Sylvain
Sara Caldwell
Tiana DeQuesada
Leonardo Gomez
Yuko Kobayashi
Elin Mohomed
Cynthia Rennick
Mimose Tessier
William Chalman
Paula Despirito
Jodi Gribble
Kevin Landau
Supreena Norman
Lois Ronis
Jolene Torres
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A R O U N D B o c a r e g i o n a l
2010 American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk was a success!
“Team BRRH” had an American Heart Association record-breaking 678 registered walkers. To date we have raised $42,220.89 surpassing our goal of $30,000.
Foundation Focus
A generous gift for women’s health
The BRRH Foundation has received a $10 million donation from philanthropist Christine E. Lynn, which
will name the Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
The transformational gift is an important step in the creation of a regional destination for women’s health
services at Boca Regional. A comprehensive array of integrated services will be specifically targeted to
women as they pass through the continuum of healthcare issues during their lifetime, from reproductive
years and maternity care, through menopause and aging.
In announcing the gift, Mrs. Lynn said that she was giving the gift in honor of Gloria Drummond, the
founder of the Hospital, on the occasion of Gloria’s 80th birthday celebration. “I know that Gloria shares
my wish that women in our community be afforded the finest, most advanced healthcare,” Mrs. Lynn
said. “With the quality of our physicians, the superb staff and dedication to emerging technology, the
Institute will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of women throughout South Florida.”
“The gift will be utilized to construct a new, state-of-the-art facility for women’s services, creating an
attractive and comfortable setting with an emphasis on clinical excellence, efficiency and privacy,” said
Jan Savarick, President of BRRH Foundation.
“We are so appreciative of Christine’s generosity,” continued Savarick. “The gift launches a
campaign to raise additional funds to support the services and technology of the Lynn Women’s
Health & Wellness Institute.”
What a party!
Go Pink Luncheon
The Sandler Pavilion was filled with over 400 guests as the Hospital and Debbie-Rand Memorial
Service League celebrated the 80th birthday of our First Lady – Gloria Drummond.
More than 1,200 attendees filled the ballroom at the Boca Raton
Resort & Club for the 7th Annual Go Pink Luncheon to hear cancer
survivor and women’s health activist Fran Drescher. Drescher,
best known for her role in the TV hit, “The Nanny,” is a best-selling
author and outspoken advocate for women’s health awareness,
early detection and treatment and patient empowerment.
The Go Pink Luncheon is one of Boca Raton Regional Hospital
Foundation’s signature events. It has grown into south Florida’s
premier event for women’s health education and wellness,
attracting attendees from throughout the region. Louise Morrell,
MD, Medical Director of the Lynn Cancer Institute, was the special
guest speaker.
Proceeds benefit the Foundation’s Go Pink
Challenge, supporting the Lynn Women’s
Health & Wellness Institute and the Lynn
Cancer Institute. Funds raised through
the Challenge have been utilized
to purchase a 3-D ultrasound, a
PEM scanner, and the Kathryn
Krickstein Pressel MammoVan.

Physicians of the Month
JULY
Employee of the Month
J U LY
Alfred Albert, Environmental Services
Jeffrey Miller, MD
Urology
AUGUST
A U G U S T
Alfred Albert, Environment Services, has been with the Hospital since May 2006 and has only missed
one day of work in his tenure. He is always courteous and greets everyone he passes. His approach
to work is truly outstanding and makes sure the public areas are clean and presentable. He has been
extremely flexible when sudden drop in patient census has meant the opportunity to clean department
units. What stands out about Alfred is his initiative to help without waiting to be asked. He is friendly,
always has a smile and he never says “no.”
Rachael Carpenter, Facilities Management
Danni Driscoll, MD
Anesthesiology
SEPTEMBER
Rachael Carpenter, Facilities Management, is always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.
Besides her daily responsibilities, she maintains all of the EOC documents required by Joint Commission.
She has a large role in the Hospital’s safety process assuring that paperwork is completed for all
inspections and surveys are readily available to inspectors when requested. Rachael is also involved in
Boca Regional’s Hazardous Waste Program and Life Safety Program by coordinating information, assisting
with training and ensuring that all licenses and certificates are up-to-date throughout the Hospital and
off-site locations. In addition to working at the Hospital, Rachael is also attending nursing school. Because
of her dedication, knowledge and willingness to learn, we salute her.
S E P T E M B E R
Jon Schauer, DO
Anesthesiology
Total Rewards
Healthy Habits
Boca Regional: Operation Health
Anita Healy, Patient Access
For the past two years, Anita Healy, Patient Access, has been the ER Patient Access Supervisor and has
made several contributions to the overall improvement of the department. She has implemented a 100%
QA (Quality Assurance) tracking process and increased point of service collections by 78%. Anita possesses
strong, creative problem-solving skills and improved relations with the ER clinical staff. She has also caught
several outsiders attempting identity theft and always puts customer service first.
Our Quality / Accolades
It is the mission of the Wellness Committee to
create a collaborative environment, comprised of
health and wellness resources and to facilitate
healthy choices to improve employee overall
well-being.
In an effort to fulfill this objective, the Committee
conducted an Employee Survey and based on its
results, has implemented lunch-time classes that
promote healthy habits.
Classes include Stress Management, Diet and
Nutrition, Emotional Eating, FAD Diets, Chronic
Pain, Weight Watchers and many more that focus
on health and wellness.
The Wellness Committee has also created the “Just
Walk 10,000 Steps-a-Day” program, which began
on October 18th. It is an 8-week program that
encourages employees of Boca Regional to engage
in short sessions of physical activity throughout the
day. The program stresses the benefits participants
can achieve through the accumulation of incidental
daily activities and recommends adding a few
additional steps; things like parking in the back of
the parking lot or taking a 10 minute walk at lunch
can have a significant impact in this program.
All of these programs have been established in
an effort to promote the health and wellness of all
Boca Regional employees. Through the Wellness
Committee’s commitment to health and education,
the Hospital continues to support its employees
in their pursuit of improved personal health and
prevention of disease.
National study finds Boca Raton Regional Hospital
in Top 5% for Multiple Procedures and Diagnosis
HealthGrades ® , the leading independent healthcare ratings
organization, published a study finding that Boca Raton
Regional Hospital is again among the top 5% in the nation
for Cardiac, Stroke, Prostatectomy and GI care. The nation’s
nearly 5,000 hospitals were all included in this sweeping
study, which examined mortality rates and complication rates
from government data from 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Employee Health Center
Boca Beat Contributing Staff
Editors
Mindy Raymond
Vice President, HR
Brian Altschuler
Executive Director, HR
Thomas Chakurda
Vice President, Marketing
Contributing Editors
Joann Wade
Director, Medical Staff
Jonathan Harrison
Organizational Development
Barbara Sferra
Human Resources
Eileen Horvath
Foundation
In Florida, the 2011 awards ranks Boca Raton Regional
Hospital as:
• #1 for cardiac surgery (second year in a row)
• #1 for overall cardiac services
• #1 for treatment of stroke
• #2 for gastrointestinal services
• #3 for gastrointestinal medical treatment
July marked the successful launch of the Employee Health Center. To date, 25-30 employees per month have received
services at the Center. One employee remarked how convenient it was to receive care without having to miss work. In order to better
serve the employees, please contact the Human Resources Front Desk at 955.4075 to schedule an individual appointment.
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: 1:00pm to 5:00pm • Wednesday: 11:00am to 2:00pm • Thursday & Friday: 7:30am to 11:00am
Marlene Moni
Marketing Manager
Allison Trowbridge
Marketing
Boca Beat
Graphic Designer
Nancy Mae Perez
Marketing
The Boca Beat is produced for and about the employees, volunteers,
physicians and friends of Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
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