The Pulse of Providence is designed exclusively for our associates and friends:

Ascension

Health Professional Affiliates

Medical Staff/Retired Physicians

Providence Health Center Board of Trustees

Providence Foundation Board of Trustees Founders Society Providence Forum

Providence Healthcare Network Advisory Board Ethics Committee

Providence Volunteer Services

Providence Health Alliance Board of Directors

Providence Nursing School Alumni

Family Practice Residency Staff

Also in this Issue:

Dispensary of Hope: Plaza Pharmacy ProvidesPrescriptions to those in NeedContinuing a Legacy of Compassionate Care:The 1905 CampaignTeaming Together for Health, Hope: Medical Mission at Home

Healthcare that Works

Healthcarethat is Safe

Healthcarethat LeavesNo OneBehind

Staying Healthy and Safe with Good Hand Hygiene

Clean Because We Care

Donate Blood, Save Lives

In this Issue:

J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 1 7

Our Call to Action—Healthcare that Works, Healthcare that is Safe and Healthcare that Leaves No One Behind

Saying “Thank You”: Daisy and Bee AwardsRecognize Excellence

Listening to Patients and Families

TEAMPROVIDENCE Welcomes New Associates

uLetter from the President

uCorporate Compliance Corner

uTEAMPROVIDENCE Associate Campaign

uWellness Corner

uChaplain Corner

uRecent Retirees

uMark Your Calendars

uVolunteer Voice

uBraggin’ Rights

Saying “Thank You”Saying “Thank You”Daisy and Bee Awards Recognize ExcellenceDaisy and Bee Awards Recognize Excellence

Providence Healthcare Network is committed to providing each patient, visitor and associate with person-centered care. We want anyone who enters our facilities to have a positive experience. Because TEAMPROVIDENCE is made up of extraordinary women and men who are dedicated to their call to serve, we often have associates who go above and beyond in making sure each patient’s experience is an exceptional one. To help us say “thank you,” each month a nursing and non-nursing associate will be recognized for their excellence.

The DAISY Award was developed by the Barnes family and is now in over 2,500 facilities in all 50 states and 15 countries worldwide. The goal of the DAISY award is to recognize a nurse who has gone above and beyond to deliver compassionate care. Each month, a nurse from either Providence Hospital

by Erica Ballard, Patient Experience Coordinator

Click Here to continue “Saying Thank You” Daisy and Bee Awards...

Save the Date!Providence Golf Classic

Friday, October 13, 2017Cottonwood Creek Golf Course • 8:00 am and 1:30 pm tee times

Contact Paige.Corley@ascension.org or 254.751.4717 to sign up for a team or for sponsorship information.

Letter from the President

2 • The Pulse of Providence

Steven Province, Interim President Providence Healthcare Network

Our founders were forward thinkers, evolving to meet the needs of those we are called to serve. As the landscape of health care continues to change, we too adapt and grow to sustain the loving ministry of Catholic health care for years to come.

To better serve our mission, our One Ascension journey continues with a focus on more aligned structures, operating with greater consistency and sharing best practices to ensure excellent patient care.

In 2014, we adopted changes to our organizational structure to ensure appropriate staffing for those providing direct patient care. Earlier this month, we concluded a similar review of our leadership structure, and made changes within that team.

While these changes were hard, this new structure is truly integrated and helps us better connect with Ascension ministries across the country. It builds a culture of continuous improvement to ensure a sustainable and flourishing future.

We have implemented new practices along the way, improving what we do, and how we do them. Of recent note, you are likely seeing fewer ALL-PHN emails in your inbox. Heartbeat Weekly, which launched this month, consolidates multiple messages into one weekly communication.

To further enhance communication efforts, this will be the last issue of the Pulse of Providence newsletter. The same great information and stories from this newsletter will be woven into the Ascension Texas intranet, Ascension Texas News and each Heartbeat email update. Be sure to submit compelling story ideas, exciting events, new initiatives, and news about family celebrations or professional achievements.

Thank you to all who attended our recent Town Hall series. Your questions and feedback help identify ways to keep getting better at providing the highest level of compassionate, excellent care. I am proud how TEAMPROVIDENCE continues to hold our mission as the core of who we are and why we exist—enabling us to embrace change and meet the needs of those we are called to serve.

Respectfully,

Continued from cover...

The Pulse of Providence • 3

Congratulations Retirees!

Olga Rodriguez celebrated her retirement with friends and family and co-workers during a reception on Friday May, 26. Olga served at Providence in Environmental Services for 13 years. She looks forward to spending more time with her family, including her five beautiful daughters, 13 wonderful grandchildren and two special great grandchildren.

After 10 years of service at Providence, Wanda Bledsoe celebrated her retirement with family and friends on July 7. She served in environmental services for nine of her ten years at Providence, with one year in administration. While she has no set plans, retirement will allow more time for a few of her favorite things: gardening, crafting, singing, writing and time at the beach. She is particularly excited to spend more time with her family including her husband of 30 years, five children, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Click Here for more photos.

or Providence DePaul Center will be recognized in a public ceremony on their unit. Each recipient receives a certificate, presented by the Chief Nursing Officer, a DAISY award pin, a hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculpture from Zimbabwe, a banner to hang in their unit all month and Cinnabon cinnamon rolls to share with their nursing unit. Click here to learn why cinnamon rolls were so important to the Barnes family.

Congratulations to our first DAISY award recipient, Donna Parker, CHF clinic. Click here to read how she impacts the lives of many, and click here to see more photos from the ceremony celebration.

Please share your story with us of how a nurse touched your life or the life of a loved one. Please give us as much information as possible when nominating a nurse. If your nominee is chosen to be honored with the DAISY award we would love for you to be part of the ceremony!

Providence also understands that nurses could not have the opportunity to provide compassionate care if it wasn’t for their non-nurse teammates. We know our facilities are filled with associates who are Being Exceptional Everyday (BEE)!! After all, “Every DAISY needs a BEE and every BEE needs a DAISY!” Each month, Providence will recognize a non-nurse associate from Providence Hospital or DePaul. The associate is recognized in a public ceremony on their unit. Each recipient receives a certificate, presented by the Chief Nursing Officer, a BEE award pin, a Burt’s Beeswax gift pack, a banner to hang in their unit all month and Cinnabon cinnamon rolls to share with their department.

Please share your story of how a non-nurse associate has touched your life. Please give us as much information as possible when nominating a nurse. If your nominee is chosen to be honored with the BEE award we would love for you to be part of the ceremony!

Saying “Thank You”Saying “Thank You”Daisy and Bee Awards Recognize ExcellenceDaisy and Bee Awards Recognize Excellence

Click Here for more photos.

4 • The Pulse of Providence

Associates Support Providence through the TEAMPROVIDENCE Associate Giving Campaign

Associates Support Providence through the TEAMPROVIDENCE Associate Giving Campaign

by Paige Corley, Foundation Events Coordinator

Each year, Providence associates are asked to make a gift to the Providence Foundation through the TEAMPROVIDENCE Associate Campaign. We just wrapped up this year’s campaign, and the results are once again outstanding!

Through the collective efforts of Providence associates, we have raised $215,992.50 in support of Providence with a participation rate of over 40 percent! Several departments met or exceeded their team fundraising goals including: Providence Clinics, Case Management, Accounting/Finance, DME, Cath Lab, Rehabilitative Services, Nursing Administration, DePaul, Emergency Department, Providence Park, and Environmental Services. Not to be outdone, Environmental Services continued its tradition of 100 percent participation rate! Together, through these funds, we advance our mission and continue to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve and our Providence family.

Providence associates have the opportunity to support one or more of the following funds. Through the generous donations of many, each fund raised the following amount:

Thank you TEAMPROVIDENCE for making this year’s campaign a great success. A special thank you goes out to each of the Team Captains who carried out the campaign throughout each of their departments. For more information on how you can help support Providence, please contact the Foundation office at 254.751.4762.

The 1905 Fund (Honors the Daughters of Charity’s legacy of service while providing for Providence’s most urgent needs; primary source of grant funds) ........................................................................................ $81,943.92

Medical Mission at Home Fund (Assists in covering costs ofMedical Mission at Home) ............................................................................................... $30,350.67

Agape Fund (Provides financial assistance for patients in need) ..................................... $24,868.69

Breast Health “Pink Partner” Fund (Provides mammograms for patients in need) ....................................................................................................... $13,236.68

Providence Park Long Term Care Endowment Fund (Provides for needs at Providence Park) ......................................................................... $35,061.62

Associate Emergency Relief Fund (Provides financial assistancefor associates in need) .................................................................................................... $35,061.62

Providence Foundation invites you to Partner with Providence by making a gift to The 1905 Campaign. Your gift will not only honor the Daughters of Charity’s legacy, but also help continue their century-long commitment of providing high-quality, compassionate care for all Central Texans. The 1905 Campaign helps fund Providence’s greatest needs, such as providing advanced healthcare services, state of the art medical equipment and innovative technology, close to home. Contact Providence Foundation at 254.751.4762 or Foundation@phn-waco.org to support The 1905 Campaign. Click Here to see the video.

Continuing a Legacy of Compassionate Care: The 1905 Campaign Continuing a Legacy of Compassionate Care: The 1905 Campaign

The Pulse of Providence • 5

Medical Mission at HomeTeaming Together for Health, Hope:

Access to affordable healthcare remains a challenge for many. That’s why we need your help at Waco’s next Ascension Medical Mission at Home on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the Waco Convention Center. During the day-long event, we’ll provide free care to those who are uninsured or underinsured and need access to healthcare services. Stay tuned for more information about how you can be a part of this special day.

Click here to see how this day of service impacted the lives of many during our first Medical Mission at Home experience.

Fruit Juice & Your Child’s DietFruit Juice & Your Child’s Diet

by Kathy Olansen, MS, RDN, LD, TouchPoint Food & Nutrition Services

Fruit juice has historically been considered to be a nutritious component of a child’s diet, but excessive consumption can actually contribute to obesity, poor overall nutrition and tooth decay. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released new fruit juice consumption recommendations for infants, children, and adolescents.

1.) Daily fruit juice consumption recommendations by age: • Infants (<12 months): Do not give to infants unless clinically indicated. •Toddlers (1-3 yrs): Limit to 4 oz/day (1/2 cup). •Young children (4-6 yrs): Limit to 4-6 oz/day (1/2-3/4 cup). •Older children & adolescents (7-18 yrs): Limit to 8 oz/day (1 cup).

2.) Offer whole fruit instead of fruit juice. Fruit juice lacks the fiber found in whole fruit.

3.) Toddlers and young children should not be given juice from bottles or other easily transportable containers that allow for continuous consumption throughout the day.

“The new AAP recommendation on fruit juice limitation supports what we, as a group, have been practicing for some time,” said Amy Estes, PNP, Providence Pediatric Clinic-Lacy Lakeview. “When compared to the nutritional benefit of whole fruit, fruit juice offers little more than added sugar and additional calories. Simply put, there is no nutritional benefit of fruit juice in a child’s diet, if they are eating a wide variety of whole fruit daily,” she said. For most children, fluid requirements can adequately be met with low-fat or nonfat milk and water.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics statement: Fruit Juice in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Current Recommendations

Access to prescription medication is key to the health and wellness of our community, yet not being able to afford prescription care is a challenge for many. Through a partnership with Dispensary of Hope, a charitable medication distributor, un-insured patients who meet the guidelines can get their medication from at no cost from Plaza Pharmacy. Manufacturers donate unused medications to Dispensary of Hope and are then distributed to participating care sites across the country. Michelle Johnson, RPh, Plaza Pharmacy, says medications available change based on what is donated from manufacturers. Plaza Pharmacy receives medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart conditions as well as antibiotics, seizure medications, antidepressants, breathing medications and antiviral medications. “This program is important because it connects patients with medications that they would not be able to afford,” Johnson said. “We are fulfilling our Mission by serving those who are most in need,” she said. The program began at Providence in May 2017 and in just two months, over 70 patients have enrolled in the program and several have returned for refills. “Seeing patients get the medications they need is rewarding because we know these prescriptions can be a vital part of their journey to wellness,” Johnson said.

Dispensary of Hope: Prescription Medication for those in NeedDispensary of Hope: Prescription Medication for those in Need

6 • The Pulse of Providence

Providence Welcomes our New

AssociatesFor more pictures from recent

New Associate Experience sessions, Click Here.

Eric Braun, MD Providence Family Health Clinic – Lacy LakeviewFor more information

about Dr. Braun, click here.

Brian Hood, MD Providence

Neurosurgical Associates

For more information about Dr. Hood,

click here.

Cody McMahan, MD

Providence DePaul Clinic

For more information about Dr. McMahan,

click here.

William McHenry, MD

Providence Family Health Clinic – Lacy LakeviewFor more information about Dr. McHenry,

click here.

Sang Park, MD Providence DePaul

ClinicFor more information

about Dr. Park, click here.

Welcome to TEAMPROVIDENCEWelcome to TEAMPROVIDENCE

Lina Ancha, PAProvidence Thyroid,

Endocrinology & Diabetes Clinic

For more information about Ms. Ancha,

click here.

Kimberly Barnett, PA

Providence Family Health Clinic – Woodway

For more information about Ms. Barnett,

click here.

In order to continue to provide the services our patients need, when they need them, our network continues to expand.

Providence Welcomes our New Healthcare Providers

The Pulse of Providence • 7

Congratulations to 5 North, winner of the “Clean Because We Care” trophy for the month of May.

Congratulations to 4 North, winner of the “Clean Because we Care” trophy for the month of June.

Staying Healthy and Safe with Good Hand HygieneStaying Healthy and Safe with Good Hand HygieneThank you for your continued commitment to clean hands! The graph shows a continued uptick as associates are reminded what counts as compliance. Remember! Hand hygiene must occur at the door upon entering and when exiting the patient room in order to be counted as compliant.

Hand hygiene compliance is a big part of being a high reliability ministry; foaming in and out-every time- is critical to keeping you, your fellow associates, your patients, their families, and yes, even your friends and family at home, safe and healthy. Our goal is to maintain a hand hygiene culture of compliance greater than 90 percent. We are all responsible for hand hygiene and we want the great work we are doing to be reported. Please do your part to continue this upward trend!

Remember! We are all responsible for hand hygiene. Thank you for the continued teamwork and collaboration to help us reach, and maintain our goal.

In our journey to compliance greater than 90 percent, it’s important to celebrate as we make steps toward improvement. Congratulations to 5 North and 4 North who received the “Clean Because we Care” trophy for achieving the highest compliance rates. 4 North achieved 100 percent during one observation time frame. Keep up the great work—the trophy could be traveling your way next month!

Traveling Trophy

If you are unable to donate the day of our drive, head over to Carter BloodCare and let them know you are with Providence!

August 3November 3

All blood drives are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. located in classrooms 1 & 2

8 • The Pulse of Providence

Corporate Compliance Director/Privacy Officer Diana (Holub) Horn, RN, CHC, CHPC, at 254.751.4771.

And as always, if you have questions about the Standards of Conduct or come across any situation which you believe violates the Standards of Conduct, contact your supervisor or Diana Horn. Anonymous reports can be

made to the Values Line at 1.800.707.2198 or www.AscensionHealthValuesLine.org.

HIPAA for ProfessionalsHIPAA for Professionals

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) included Administrative Simplification provisions that required Health and Human Services (HHS) to adopt national standards for electronic health care transactions and code sets, unique health identifiers, and security. At the same time, Congress recognized that advances in electronic technology could erode the privacy of health information. Consequently, Congress incorporated into HIPAA provisions that mandated the adoption of Federal privacy protections for individually identifiable health information. HHS published a final Privacy Rule in December 2000 that set national standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information by covered entities. HHS published a final Security Rule in February 2003. This rule sets national standards for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information.

During the course of our day-to-day responsibilities as healthcare professionals, it is important that we carefully consider our obligation to protect of our patients’ health information. With each encounter, our patients entrust us to safeguard their personal information as if it were our own. Following these rules can help you protect your patients, yourself and our ministry: Access minimum patient information to perform your job. If you don’t need it to perform your job, don’t access it. Do not access out of curiosity about your friends, neighbors, co-workers, family members or ANYONE you are not personally caring for.

Want to learn more about the HIPAA Privacy & Security Rules? Visit https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/index.html. The website is easy to navigate and has links to education and training as well as FAQs that are organized by category. If you need more information, please call or email me.

1.) Use and disclose information ONLY for treatment, payment and healthcare operations (TPO). Anything outside of TPO requires the patient’s authorization.

2.) Don’t send patient information in unsecured text messages or email accounts.

3.) If you find hard copy patient information (PHI), report it if necessary and put it in the shred-it bins.

4.) Don’t discuss patients in cafeterias, break rooms, elevators, church or on social media.

5.) Log off your workstation each time you leave it.

Mark Your Calendar!Mark Your Calendar! Sept. 27th St. Vincent Feast Day

October 7th Heart Walk

November 4th Providence Family Day at the Zoo

November 17th Food for Families Food Drive

December 21st Mission Waco Toy Store

December 5th Christmas Stroll

December 7th Associate Christmas Meal

January 27, 2018 Medical Mission at Home

The Pulse of Providence • 9

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. –Isaiah 40:28-31

Summer is a great time of the year! As the husband of a school teacher and the parent of three children, it is a more relaxed season. I don’t have to wake up as early to help people get out the door or where they need to be. Last summer I began riding a bicycle to work in order to save a little on gasoline and get a workout in— accomplishing two goals at once. The distance from my house to the hospital is a little over five miles. For most people who bicycle frequently, five miles is like a walk to the refrigerator to get a cold drink. For me, it’s a full workout. Then, after work I have to do it again, in the heat of the Texas summer days.

This summer I’ve had more difficulty getting back into cycling my commute. My first attempt, I realized very quickly that I was not in good enough shape to bike both and from work. In fact, before I was even halfway to the hospital I questioned whether I could even make it all the way. I began to grow weary and felt exhausted. It’s times like this that my prayer life becomes more intentional and fervent. I started promising God that if he would just get me to work safely, I’d be smarter next time or prepare better before starting off.

I made it safely and recovered, but the journey reminded me of the words found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. We are going through a time of unprecedented change in healthcare and I know we are all weary and exhausted as a result. God knows we can be tired, overwhelmed, anxious and fearful but if we wait on him, he will renew our strength. Let us remember that it is Him that we serve as we care for our patients, families and even each other.

Chaplain’s CornerChaplain’s Cornerby Harrison Roper, Director of Pastoral Spiritual Care

No one knows what our patients and their families need or want the most, better than our patients and their families! Patient/Family Advisory Council (PFAC), made up of patients and their families, partners with us to give input on projects, policies, handouts and much more to make the healthcare experience the best it can be. We are looking for people who have had an experience at our hospital—from a broken arm or stitches to a long ICU stay—to join the PFAC. For more information, call 254-751-4839 or click here to fill out an interest from.

Listening to Patients and Families Improves Care

10 • The Pulse of Providence

New Volunteer Officers InstalledProvidence volunteers are beginning the new fiscal year under the leadership of fellow officers installed by Providence interim president, Steve Province at a special luncheon on June 30. Officers for 2017-18 are: Sandra O’Connor, president; Lesley Heck, vice president; Denise Kammlah, corresponding secretary; April Cobb, recording secretary; and Daniel Moravec, parliamentarian.

Mark Your Calendars!

September 28-29 Luxury Linens Sale Classrooms 1-4

October 9-13 Durham-Ellis Nut Sale Hospital Lobby

October 31 Halloween Bake Sale By ToGos, 7:30 a.m. til Sold OutVolunteer Voice continued on next page....

The Pulse of Providence • 11

Family Celebrations

Professional Achievements

Summertime is here, and that means junior volunteers at Providence! 46 students from surrounding high schools opted to spend part of their summer vacation volunteering at Providence to become familiar with a hospital environment and explore healthcare as a possible career path. Does it make a difference? If you ask Kaycee Wood and her mother, Terri, the answer is YES!

My daughter Kaycee Wood volunteered the past 3 summers with your program. The first year she worked with Ed Uber in the Emergency Department and fell in love with helping others and the work she was able to do. We owe a lot of that to him because he was so good with those students. Due to this, she wanted to return the next 2 years. She has recently graduated and applied for a position in Radiology at Providence. She found out yesterday that they want to hire her. When she was interviewing they mentioned that what really impressed them was her volunteer service 3 years in a row and how she kept coming back to it each year. I feel in my heart that it was because of you, your Junior Volunteer program, and Ed that she has developed this calling to help others. I just wanted to tell you thank you very much for the work you all do and instilling values in these young men and women when they are here.

Thank you, Terri Wood Provider Coordinator, Providence Wound Care Center

Jr. Volunteers at Providence

Maria Cantu, Providence Family Health Clinic-Woodway, married John Adam Bourland on June 17. They celebrated with a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic.

Ray and Dawn Schulz, Quality Management, welcomed their first grandchild, Alaina Rae Williams, on June 20. She weighed 7lbs. 14 oz. and was 20 inches long. Proud parents Alexandra and Mitchell Williams.

Austin Stanphill, son of Tammy Stanphill, Outpatient Rehab, graduated on May 1 from TSTC with Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Airframe Technology and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Powerplant Technology.

Brent Mynar, son of Cristy Mynar, graduated with honors from Abbott High School in May. Brent played baseball for the Panthers. The team made school history by winning the 1A baseball state championship and Brent was named MVP.

Meagan Meadors, Providence Foundation, married Matt Lefler on June 10.

Esperanza Castillo, 3 East, will be an aunt! Her brother, Eric, is excited to welcome his first child in July.

Jessica Buice, OPS, is expecting a baby in December.

Education welcomes Clinical Educator Kathleen Olivarez, MSN, RN-BC. Kathleen has 15 years of clinical and teaching experience and has worked in the ICU and taught at the University of Arizona College of Nursing. She and her family moved from Tucson, Arizona and look forward to becoming Crawford Pirates!

Dawn Schulz, Quality Management, made the Tarleton State University, College of Business, Dean’s List for the Spring 2017 semester.

OPS welcomes Selena Stewart to the team.

Congratulations to Stephanie Roberts Congdon, OPS, nurse educator, and Clair Otto, OPS, DMO educator on their new roles.

Glossary of Terms

The Pulse of Providence is published online bimonthly for associates and friends of Providence Healthcare Network. For comments or corrections, write or call Providence Marketing and Communications, 6901 Medical Parkway, Waco, Texas 76712, (254) 751-4070.

Jana Whitaker, Executive Editor • Contributing Editors, Jana Whitaker, Erin Rogers, April Leman and Mandy Sharp Design/Production, NSight Graphics & Digital Design / Patti Neckar

Opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of Providence Healthcare Network, its staff or attending physicians. Submissions may be edited. © 2014 Providence Healthcare Network

Our Call to Action: Healthcare that Works, Healthcare that is Safe, Healthcare that Leaves No One Behind.

Healthcare That Works calls us to meet the promise of a consistent, exceptional experience in every encounter with those we serve.

Healthcare that is Safe calls us to actively identify opportunities to improve patient safety.

Healthcare that Leaves No One Behind calls us to serve as advocates for those who are poor and vulnerable.

High Reliability Organization (HRO): The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality defines high-reliability organizations as “organizations with systems in place that are exceptionally consistent in accomplishing their goals and avoiding potentially catastrophic errors.”

Healing without Harm: Consistent with efforts to foster a culture of High Reliability, and always seeking to avoid Serious Safety Events, Healing without Harm by 2014 set a goal of a 40-percent reduction in serious safety events System-wide.

Serious Safety Event: A deviation from Generally Accepted Performance Standards that reaches the patient and causes moderate to severe permanent harm or death.

Hand Hygiene: The process of cleaning your hands to prevent the spread of germs. Wash hands with soap and water when they are visibly soiled. Otherwise, use hand rub.

Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) developed standard HCAHPS questions that allow the general public to compare scores of a hospital’s performance on a local, regional or national basis. www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/compare.html

The HCAHPS survey measures these eight areas and allows us to compare:

Clinical Integration: Clinical integration refers to the coordination of care across a continuum of services to improve the value of care provided.

Value: Value is achieved by looking for ways to reduce the cost of services provided, increase the quality of services provided and increase the patients’ experience.

Veterans Choice Program: The Veterans Choice Program is a temporary program made possible by the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 that allows eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare to receive care in their local communities. The program allocates federal funds toward non-VA medical care to help increase access and reduce wait times for our nation’s veterans.

Providence, along with Ascension ministries nationwide, is participating in a national partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide care to veterans through the Veterans Choice Program. Through this partnership, Providence providers are authorized to provide primary care, inpatient and outpatient specialty care, and mental health care for eligible veterans.

•Rating of Hospital 0-10•Hospital Environment•Nurse Communication

•Responsiveness of Hospital Staff•Physician Communication•Pain Management

• Communication about Medicines•Discharge Instructions

12 • The Pulse of Providence