ParkingIn response to patient requests for more parking around the hospital, Howard Memorial Hospital (HMH) has developed new programs to free up parking spaces near key service areas. The goal is to free up as many spots as possible for our patients and visitors between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. To ensure adequate parking for patients, employees will continue to be prohibited from parking near service areas and in spaces meant for patients and visitors. These areas include:

• The parking lot on the East side of the campus by the Lions Entrance

• The Emergency parking lot

• The spaces on Poplar Street in front of the Outpatient Imaging Clinic

• The Little Lake Health Clinic

• The first three parking spaces on the north side of the ER parking lot entrance in front of the Administration modular

• All spaces in the Madrone Professional Complex

• All paved spaces at the Eleven Oaks Building

HMH Security now will actively monitor and enforce the parking program. In addition, Plant Operations is rolling out an employee incentive program to encourage employees to park away from service locations and in designated areas labeled, “HMH Permit Parking Only.” These permit parking only spots are located in the 11 Oaks parking lot. Employees can visit Ginny in the Plant Operations office to pick up a free permit parking tag to hang from your vehicle’s rear view mirror. Vehicles parked in the permit only parking spots will be eligible to be entered into a monthly drawing for a pre-paid fuel card.

“With our Planetree initiative, our goals are to enhance every patient’s experience and to provide individualized care and service,” Planetree Coordinator Diane Moratti said. We have empowered employees and staff to anticipate patient needs and take ownership of providing excellent care, including making hospital services easy to access.”

If you have any questions please contact Plant Operations

The Patient’s Voice............ 2

CEO’s Message ................. 3

Win by Being a Loser ........ 4

Microsoft Conversion ....... 5

In the Spirit of Wellness .... 6

New Hospital Update ....... 6

Spring Cleaning ................ 7

Calendar of Events ........... 8

MissionHoward Memorial Hospital is a family of caring professionals committed to providing the highest quality of service. In partnership with physicians and community leaders, our purpose is to improve our patients’ physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and to enhance the health of our community.

HMHIn-TouchIn-TouchIn This Issue

Neighbors Helping Neighbors®

April 2013

The Patient’s VoiceHow do we listen to the voice of the patient? How do we know what they need, and what their families need? How do we give the best patient-centered care if we do not have everything in place to listen?

We do have some formal processes in place, as well as many informal processes to listen to the patient’s voice. Our Orthopedic Joint Care Program conducts pre-op classes for the patient and their coach. The program also offers Reunion Luncheons when patients and family come back to talk about their experiences.

We conduct patient satisfaction surveys through NRC. Patient concerns and compliments are received throughout the hospital, and forwarded to the appropriate person. Our staff are the front line to hearing from the patient and their family.

But are we doing enough to truly listen to our patients? It is imperative that a Planetree designated hospital has an ongoing mechanism in place to solicit meaningful dialogue, input and reactions from patients, families, and the community on current practices and new initiatives. This can be achieved through an active patient/family or community advisory council with regular meetings.

The next step in our Planetree journey needs to be setting up a patient/community advisory council. The Institute for Family-Centered Care (IFCC) states, “Patients and families are essential to effecting transformational change in health care and to enhancing its quality and safety.” In establishing a Patient/Family or Community Council we can enhance four key elements in our patient-centered care:

• Dignity and respect towards patients and families

• Information sharing that is open and timely

• Participation: patient and families actively participate in care and decision-making

• Collaboration with patients and families on an institution-wide basis in areas such as:

• Policy and program development• Facility design• Professional education• Delivery of care

Think about finding time in your busy schedules to join an action team. If interested in helping to create the Patient/Family or Community Council, just give us a call! We need YOU! Patsy x3012 or Diane x3117

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What inspires you? Who do you inspire?There once was a patient with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. Her toes and fingers were contracted. She had been unable to walk for nearly a year. Her condition worsened to the point of being bedbound. There was nowhere for her to go, she became hospitalized.

After being in the hospital for a few months, her spirits began to lift and she tried physical therapy again. She began to sit up and eventually stand. Her physical therapist recommended special shoes and an orthotist identified the perfect shoes for her. Unfortunately Medicare would not pay for these shoes.

It was winter and the holidays were near. An email was sent to all hospital staff asking for money to help pay for the special shoes. It was anticipated to take a week to get enough donations for the shoes… instead it took just two hours to exceed the goal. The patient got her special shoes and began walking again.

This story happened right here at HMH! We inspire each other. Who do you inspire? Sometimes we inspire people around us and don’t even know it. So if you have been inspired, let the person know that they inspired you. We have more impact on each other than you might imagine.

Service is Sacred · Patient-Centered Care · Inspire Each Other · Respect for All · Improve · Trust

Rick Bockmann, CEO

Easter in the Commonwealth Gardens

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Win by Being a Loser!After taking part in the Biometric health screenings in March, I’ve been approached by countless members of our HMH family informing me that they are now motivated to improve their weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar control. While it’s not easy for anyone to hear that their BMI is in the obesity range or that their cholesterol numbers are putting them at risk for heart disease, the great news is that there is A LOT that we can do about it, but where do you start? Enter the first annual HMH Biggest Loser Challenge!

The HMH Biggest Loser Challenge is based loosely on the popular reality TV show in that the goal of the challenge is to educate it’s participants regarding lifestyle changes that can help with weight loss and ultimately improve health outcomes.

The HMH Biggest Loser Challenge is a 12 week program that will run from May 6th to July 28th. All County of Mendocino, Howard Memorial Hospital, Ukiah Valley Medical Center and Mendocino Coast District Hospital employees are invited to compete in the challenge. We are encouraging teams of three to six participants to join forces, come up with a team name and motivate each other through friendly competition to get your Wellness on!

Over the course of the 12 week program, there will be weekly “Wellness Challenges” that are open to all staff (whether registered as a Biggest Loser team member or not). We know that while not every one of us needs to lose weight, we can all make changes to improve our health. By taking part in weekly Wellness Challenges, you’ll be doing just that; making an effort each week to do your body good. What’s more, by completing a weekly challenge, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a Wellness-related prize.

To keep you motivated during the 12 week program, Biggest Loser Wellness from the Inside Out classes will be held monthly to support you in meeting your weight loss and wellness goals through healthy eating, stress management, and being active.

What else is in it for you? If looking and feeling better isn’t a big enough bonus, HMH will award prizes (stay tuned for more prize information) to the top 3 teams with the largest % of weight loss, as well as to the top 3 individuals with the most impressive % of weight loss. Keep in mind that all Biggest Loser participant names and weight information will be kept confidential and that weekly weight monitoring will be set up so that team members can anonymously take part in weight checks.

Remember that while seeing those BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar numbers may be frustrating or disheartening, it’s also an opportunity to take control of your health.

Interested in registering for the HMH Biggest Loser Challenge? Simply contact Annie at 456-3132 or DogaliAL@ah.org.

“The best six doctors anywhereAnd no one can deny itAre sunshine, water, rest, and airExercise and diet.These six will gladly you attendIf only you are willingYour mind they’ll easeYour will they’ll mendAnd charge you not a shilling.”

Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

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Microsoft Conversion is Coming this Month!On April 24 Howard Hospital will be migrating off GroupWise and Messenger to Microsoft Outlook and Lync (IM replacement). That is just 3 weeks away!

Why are we changing….• Easier sharing of documents, emails, and appointments with internal and external

people

• Logins eliminated for email, external websites and Novell client

• Timely and accurate mobile email on smartphones, iPads, etc. with bi-directional updating for those who have been set up for this service

• Greatly improved webmail client (webmail.ah.org)

• No more two day lag to empty your email trash can

• Modern instant messaging client with present information and video chat

• Worldwide standard infrastructure that makes it easier to implement and support other systems at each site

• A centrally-managed infrastructure that allows AH to achieve economies of scale and eliminate duplication

What you can expect…..• Conversion will happen in groups over 2 days

• The day before reboot your computer and leave it on and connected to the network

• Command Center will be setup to handle issues during the conversion (HMH Main Conference Room)

• New applications being installed – Office 2010 (as needed, OneNote, Outlook, and Lync)

• Opening Outlook for the first time may take up to 5 minutes to process the new configuration

• Your Email Address is changing (First .Last Name@ah.org, ex. Lentz.Ferrell@ah.org)

• GroupWise will be removed

When Again?....• Super User Training April 19th

• Conversion Starting the night of April 23rd – April 24th

How can you help…• Realize that there will be issues

• Make sure you are prepared and follow the instructions given.

• Report issues appropriately to the Command Center

• Please be patient when issues are addressed

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lentz Ferrell, ISite Director for HMH & UVMC, FerrelLM@ah.org or 463.7501, or any member of the IT team.

Loretta J. 1

Jennifer H. 3

Jeanne T. 3

Becky H. 4

Luis M. 5

Greg N. 5

Chris B. 7

Jadi M. 7

Denice B. 19

Ruth G. 19

Maria R. 19

Judy F. 22

Paul W. 23

Patsy B. 24

Tom P. 24

Millie L. 26

Sadie U. 28

Katelyn S. 29

Judy L. 30

Angela W. 30

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April

Did You Know?Facts and Tidbits of Info about the Construction of Our New Hospital

• Our Emergency Department will have six treatment bays and two trauma beds

• We will have four operating suites and one endoscopy suite.

Continuing work includes plumbing & electrical underground installation, as well as pouring the first floor slab. First floor framing is being laid out and will begin next month. Second floor inserts are being planned and implemented to support hanging ductwork, overhead plumbing and electrical, and other various utilities. Once these inserts are placed, the second floor slab will be poured.

For pictures and more info about our new hospital construction progress visit the Connect page: https://connect.ah.org/site/hmh/frank-r-howard-memorial-hospital/new-hospital-construction

Questions? Contact: Shauna de Marquez deMarqSL@ah.org x3187

In the Spirit of WellnessCathy Chandler

A group of women at HMH have formed a kayak group called Chicks that Yak. Although currently our group encompasses women, men are more than welcome to join in on the fun. Our outing locations are open for suggestions but we typically paddle Lake Mendocino, Blue Lakes or Big River in Mendocino. An upcoming event includes paddling on Whiskeytown Lake in Redding.

We encourage anyone interested in being out on the water and getting some exercise to join us. If you have a kayak or canoe, we would love to paddle with you. If you are interested but do not own a boat, rentals are available. If some of you have a boat not in use and would like to lend, rent or donate, please feel

free to contact us. Extra paddles & life vests are welcome as well.

It does not take much athleticism to paddle, however being comfortable on the water and the ability to swim are helpful. Some of us in the group have paddled before, while others started out as novices. We are all willing to help each other learn.

Come one. Come all. Tell your friends and lets enjoy some quality time out on the water!

Please contact Cathy at ChandlCA@ah.org or Trisha at McKeonT1@ah.org for more information.

Happy Paddling!

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Spring Cleaning for the SoulOnce a year you grab a mop, broom, and garbage bag to make your home sparkle. You don’t think twice about rolling up your sleeves in an effort to partake in an annual spring cleaning, but how many of us put half that effort into cleaning up our emotional clutter as well?

It’s time to do an emotional cleanse if:

You keep encountering the same drama with virtually the same people.

Loved ones have commented on your less than upbeat mood.

You catch yourself complaining or recycling old negative talk from the past.

Lately, your job, your friends, and your situation seem to be ill-suited for your life.

These are just a few signs that you’re unconsciously attracting what you don’t want. You may be harboring past grudges, replaying negative tapes of unworthiness or haven’t let go of an idea or belief that is currently weighing you down.

The best way to get back on track? Recognize that you are responsible for your life.

Take back control by letting go of unhealthy and toxic clutter that’s been weighing you down so you can make room for what you really want.

Work on being more mindful of what you say to yourself. If you catch yourself saying things like, “I’m such a loser” or, “I’m not good enough,” immediately replace them with more positive, hopeful, yet honest thoughts.

Create a daily gratitude list. Spend time focusing on what’s working in your life instead of what’s not.

Focus on one goal at a time. It’s just as easy to get overwhelmed with cleaning up your soul as it is with cleaning up a room. Realize that change takes time. Be patient and kind with yourself as you work on loving the whole of who you are, while doing the necessary work to improve your life.

What are you willing to let go of this spring to better your own life?

Dennis Long, Chaplain

New Faces

DeIoan Owen,Patient Service Representative

Lynn Unroe,Dietitian

Arlene Woods,Nurse Practitioner

Cindi Mohr, CPT ILab Assistant

Laurel MorrisAuxiliary Volunteer

Katie AsherUVMC Shared Case Manager

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Editorial Team: Kristen McCallum, Editor in Chief Patsy Broeske, Copy Editor DG Creative, Graphic Consultant

Compliance/HIPPA Reporting:Brandon Parker FCO & FSO x3001 Diane Moratti, FPO x3117 or 888-366-3833

HMH In Touch is published for employees, physicians, board members, and volunteers. Articles for submission should be sent before the 15th of the month. We reserve the right to edit for space and content.

Send Submissions to:Kristen McCallum x3127 Email: McCallKP@ah.org

Executive Team: Rick Bockmann, CEO Brandon Parker, VP Finance Karen Scott, VP Patient Care

Calendar of EventsApril

3 FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

4 RiskAssessmentSiteVisit•8:00a.m.and2:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

10 FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

16 Leadership•1:00-3:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

17 FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

18 BenefitsSession-LincolnFinancial•10:00a.m.-2:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

22 Earth Day

23 MicrosoftConversion•MainConferenceRoom

24 MicrosoftConversion•MainConferenceRoom

GeneralOrientationDay1•9:00a.m.-3:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

25 MicrosoftConversion•MainConferenceRoom

BenefitsSession•11:30a.m.-3:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

DiabetesSupportGroup•6:00-8:00p.m.•11OaksConferenceRoom

28 GetYourGardenReadyClass•12:20-4:30p.m.•CommonwealthGardens

May

1 StressManagementClass•5:30-7:30•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

FreedomfromSmoking•6:00-7:00p.m.•MainHospitalConferenceRoom

These events and more can be found on the Events Calendar on the Connect Page

https://connect.ah.org/site/hmh/frank-r-howard-memorial-hospital/calendar

April

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HMHIn-TouchIn-Touch