News, announcements, and vital information for associates, their families, and friends of Kenmore Mercy Hospital. ctober Septem ber O201 3 20 14
Hospital Recognized for Quality Initiatives In its annual publication, Profiles in Quality Improvement, the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) recognized Kenmore Mercy Hospital for two projects.
Richard Buckley, MD, Michael Landi, MD, James Millard, Krzysztof Merkel, MD, Gary Constantino, Joseph Ralabate, MD, Dennis Incorvaia, Walt Ludwig, Grace Logie, RN, Linda Butski, RN, Donna Conti, RN, and Marcus Romanowski, MD, cut the ribbon to open the new suites.
New ORs Improve Surgical Capabilities Physicians, staff and volunteers gathered on June 27 to bless and dedicate Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s two new state-of-the-art operating rooms. John Repicci, DDS, MD, and Richard Buckley, MD, performed the first surgeries in the new surgery suites on July 8.
In the 45 years since Dr. Repicci became associated with Kenmore Mercy Hospital, many surgical procedures have changed. Laparoscopic procedures for appendix and gall bladder, for instance, have become routine. In addition, the hospital has seen significant growth in complex orthopedic surgeries and neurosurgery, creating a need for larger, more sophisticated surgical suites.
This phase of the hospital’s expansion brought the operating room total to ten. Both rooms are more than 700 square feet to allow for more sophisticated minimally invasive and robotic surgical technology.
With this project complete, the construction of Ambulatory Surgery Unit, which will be relocated to the old Emergency Department, is slated to begin this fall.
The hospital earned nominations for the HANYS 2014 Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety for two clinical improvement projects: “A Team Approach to Reduction in Central Line Infections” and “Implementation of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in a Community Hospital.” Using strategies developed through the central line infection project, the total number of hospital acquired central line infections decreased by 60 percent from 2012 to 2013. As a result of work done by the antimicrobial stewardship committee, the hospital saw a dramatic change in prescriber practice patterns, resulting in reduced costs.
“These initiatives are just two examples of Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s ongoing efforts to continuously improve the safety and quality of the care that we provide,” said James Millard, president & CEO of Kenmore Mercy Hospital. The Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety recognizes successful quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
Only 64 hospitals across New York were nominated for this award in 2014
Hospital Exceeding Patients’ Expectations The challenge of providing patients with a positive healthcare experience are undisputable. Recent patient surveys show that Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s dedication to meeting these high demands, while providing high quality care, is making a difference. Through June, Kenmore Mercy has consistently exceeded its goal of 73 percent of inpatients rating their experience a nine or ten. That’s five out of the six months in 2014 and represents a six percent increase over last year.
In addition, data collected for the first half of 2014, shows an impressive seven percent increase in the Emergency Department. “We have been paying attention to survey comments and have implemented changes to improve the atmosphere
at the hospital,” said Laura Verbanic, director of Quality & Patient Safety.
Some of the common patient complaints include wait time, responsiveness to call lights, room cleanliness, manner of staff, and poor communication.
A few of the tactics used in the past year to improve patients’ perceptions of the hospital include: implementation of “Picture Perfect” rooms, use luminometers to ensure patient rooms are clean, purposeful rounding by nursing, creation of a Patient & Family Advisory Council, the purchase of new furniture for both the patient floors and lobby, and use of the My Rounding Tool. Thank you to all of our associates for their work to achieve these impressive results!