Kenmore Mercy Hospital
Connections
News and announcements for associates, patients, and their families. Summer 2018
A Message from Walt Ludwig, President & CEO As you read this edition of our Connections, it is obvious that our hospital continues to be a leader in patient safety, patient experience, and nursing care. Your commitment to quality patient care is reflected in the regional and national awards we receive. Kenmore Mercy is a busier hospital this year. Not only did we experience a huge flu season, but the change in services at DeGraff Memorial Hospital has resulted in an increase in patients from the North Tonawanda and Wheatfield areas. I and others on our team have been working with community and civic groups in those areas to let people know that Kenmore Mercy is a great place for patient care. Thanks to your work, once patients experience our services, they leave with a new understanding of the great care provided here. We continue to make improvements in services and facilities. Our new MRI, one of the most advanced in the region, opened in May. We are also planning to make some improvements to the lobby and continue our renovation work on the nursing units. Earlier this year, we made improvements to our security workforce switching to a new larger, more robust organization. We also negotiated a new contract with Tim Horton’s to extend hours later into the evening. As I complete my first six months as CEO of Kenmore Mercy, I am very thankful for the commitment I see every day by the associates here. It is your work that truly makes Kenmore Mercy Hospital a great place for care.
Ninth Leapfrog “A” Achieved While New York State’s hospitals ranked among the worst in the nation (No. 48) in The Leapfrog Group’s biannual Hospital Safety Grade Report for Spring 2018, Kenmore Mercy maintained its “A” rating. This is the hospital’s ninth consecutive “A” since 2014. It is also the only hospital in New York State to earn nine consecutive “A” ratings. The Safety Grade assigns an “A, B, C, D or F” grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care. The grades are calculated by “top patient safety experts” and are peer reviewed before release, according to Leapfrog. “This is the only national rating of how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm and death, such as medical errors, infections, and injuries,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Receiving an ‘A’ Safety Grade means a hospital is among the best in the country for preventing these terrible problems and putting their patients first, 24 hours a day.” The Leapfrog Group’s continued recognition of Kenmore Mercy as a top-rated hospital is a direct result of the hard work and compassionate care of the nurses, physicians and staff who have all dedicated themselves to putting quality and patient safety above all other concerns. “I am very proud that Kenmore Mercy Hospital has again received an ‘A’ grade from The Leapfrog Group. Nine consecutive “A’s” for safety and quality reflects the daily commitment of our entire healthcare team,” said Walt Ludwig, president & CEO of Kenmore Mercy Hospital.
Save The Date!
Associate Appreciation Picnic
Wednesday, July 18 Meals will be served under the tent *Doctor of Distinction Award Presentation for Dr. Jay Newman at noon