HT HEALTHY TIMES A Regional West Publication
SUMMER 2020
Regional West Connect:
Making Access to Providers Easier Than Ever Page 8
Regional West’s
COVID-19 Response Page 3
Expanding
Critical Care Services Page 5
John Mentgen, FACHE Regional West President & CEO
A MESSAGE TO OUR READERS
Thank you to our dedicated physicians, nurses, clinicians, leadership team, and all of the health system staff for their tremendous efforts and dedication each day. Regional West constantly works to be prepared to assist COVID-19 patients while continuing to provide exceptional healthcare services for non-COVID-19 healthcare needs. I’m proud Regional West is able to support our communities and region with these health system activities. Regional West started offering the da Vinci® robotic surgery system earlier this year with great success. Our patients are thrilled with the shorter recovery period. The newly opened Critical Care Unit will assist with our patients needing specialized critical care services to include those suffering from COVID-19 and other critical illnesses. Regional West is focused on advancing the health and wellness of the individuals and communities throughout the region that we are honored to serve. As the region’s only acute-care referral center, we’re committed to serving you, and we’re able to do so in large part due to the caliber of our providers and staff. Thank you for allowing us to be your partner in health.
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Regional West’s COVID-19 7 Healthcare Technology: 3 Response
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All About Patient Safety
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RWHS.org
Healthy Times is published as a community service for friends and patrons of Regional West. The content and information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition and before beginning any exercise or diet program.
Comments, questions? Email Julie.Franklin@RWHS.org.
John Mentgen, FACHE Regional West Health Services President & CEO Julie Franklin Director of Marketing & Public Relations Joanne Krieg Writer/Editor Teresa Clark Editor Ken Kurtz, Spectrum Photo Stenbakken Media Contributing Photographers
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The Pursuit of Innovation
5 Expanding Critical Care Services, Close to Home
4021 Avenue B Scottsbluff, NE 69361 308-635-3711
Did You Know?
Connect to Care Anywhere, Anytime
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Produced in partnership with True North Custom
Skin Care and Reconstruction From Head to Toe
1 1 Day and Night: 24-Hour
Connection with MyRegionalWest
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YOUTUBE
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New Strategies and Creative Solutions Paved the Way for Regional West’s
COVID-19 RESPONSE By late March of this year, when the region’s first cases of COVID-19 were reported, pandemic response plans were well underway at all Regional West healthcare facilities, including The Village at Regional West. The first step was taken even before the novel coronavirus was named COVID-19 and before a single case was reported in the U.S. At the end of January, seasonal visitation restrictions were implemented and masks were provided to visitors at the Medical Center and The Village in response to an increase in respiratory illnesses in the region. Indirectly, the restrictions became the first in a series of infection control initiatives designed to protect patients and staff and prevent the spread of the global disease. By mid-March, Regional West began to cancel events, limit access to only a few Medical Center entrances, screen visitors about recent travel, and further restrict visitation. “The rapid spread of COVID-19 around the country compelled us adopt significant restrictions and implement new strategies in the delivery of care so we could continue to provide the care our patients needed,” says Regional West Chief Medical Officer Matthew Bruner, MD, FACOG. “As we continue to provide care throughout the hospital and clinics, it’s a priority to limit exposure to all types of respiratory illness. We limit access because patients need to get better; they don’t need to be exposed to other illnesses.” To protect patients and staff, Regional West converted its Urgent Care clinic to a dedicated respiratory clinic. Doing so allowed patients with respiratory symptoms to be carefully isolated to reduce the potential spread of infection. The implementation of virtual healthcare visits allowed patients with other health concerns to “see”
their providers from the security of their homes using mobile devices and computers. To continue to safely secure blood donations and allow patients to drop off lab specimens and access testing services, West Nebraska Blood Center and laboratory testing services were temporarily moved off the main Regional West campus and into isolated conference rooms at the Hampton Inn and Suites. As the number of COVID-19 cases increased throughout the region, the need for testing increased. Patients who were referred for COVID-19 testing by a healthcare provider were able to drive up to a convenient off-site location where a nurse would collect a nasal specimen as patients remained in their vehicles. “We followed the same model we use for our annual drive-thru flu shot clinic to create a safe, convenient specimen collection system,” says Tim Osterholm, MPA, Regional West executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Nurses skilled in respiratory screening and testing conducted all COVID-19 specimen collections at a single location so we were able to save personal protective equipment [PPE] resources, promote quality specimen collection, and reduce the potential for healthy persons to be exposed to those with the illness.” Some of the COVID-driven changes that were implemented by necessity will continue once the pandemic passes. Virtual healthcare visits, for example, have become a mainstay in the delivery of healthcare. Other changes required new ideas and rapid implementation by staff, providers, and administrators to provide continuity of quality care.
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WORKING TOGETHER Regional West is the network hospital for eight Critical Access Hospitals in the region that comprise the Rural Nebraska Healthcare Network (RNHN), a not-for-profit corporation. Through RNHN, these entities, including Regional West Medical Center, are able to review, discuss, and determine how best to work together to coordinate care for COVID-19 patients in our region. Regional West is working with area hospitals to coordinate care services for patients — including staffing and supplies — as the volume changes in our communities. This effort is organized through RNHN CEOs, CNOs, and others. This is an advantage for our patients in the region for access to healthcare services. “I’m very proud of the many ways our staff, medical staff, and leadership have responded to this situation innovatively as we are constantly working to be prepared for COVID-19 patients while also ensuring we continue providing exceptional healthcare services for non-COVID-19 healthcare needs,” says John Mentgen, FACHE, president and CEO, Regional West Health Services. “Their actions demonstrate that the safety of our patients and staff continues to be Regional West’s highest priority.” Regional West is now preparing for influenza season, which is just months away. As always, we advise everyone over 6 months of age to get a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends pneumonia vaccination for children younger than 2 years old and adults ages 65 and older. Now and during flu season, it’s vitally important to continue following the good health lessons learned from the pandemic: wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, practice social distancing appropriately, and stay home if you don’t feel well or have a fever.
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The Pursuit of
Innovation From 3D tomography to the da Vinci® Surgical System, Regional West Foundation is paving the way for the Medical Center’s tech advances. In 2018, it was the YMCA at Regional West, a facility focused on staff health. In 2019, it was a million-dollar 3D tomography machine and all-new cardiac catheterization lab. This year, it’s the da Vinci® Surgical System, a premier robotic surgery system that enhances surgical precision, flexibility, control, and vision. John Massey In the last few years, Regional West Foundation’s fundraising has moved mountains in Regional West’s push for the latest technology to better serve regional residents. At a glance, the Foundation’s role is simple: it raises, manages, and distributes funds to enhance services, programs, and projects of Regional West Health Services. Management and disbursement of funds is guided through the Foundation board of directors, a mix of hospital and community leaders who share a common interest in healthcare philanthropy. But it’s the way projects are manifested that makes the Foundation a stand-out member of Regional West. Each year, the Foundation garners support for Regional West initiatives through a variety of fundraising tactics. These approaches include activities such as employee campaigns, community donations, the golf scramble, and an annual gala. Their work culminates in raising millions of dollars a year for state-of-the-art technology, as well as updating medical equipment and the facilities to house the new technology. “We are humbled to have such great support from our staff and community members. Their generosity is essential to Regional West’s mission to provide excellent healthcare for our region,” says John Massey, Regional West Foundation Board of Directors chair. The Foundation’s work doesn’t stop at Regional West’s main campus. Each year, the Foundation grants approximately $75,000 in educational scholarships to students from the Regional West service area. Around 75% of scholarship recipients pursue employment in the Regional West service area following graduation, meaning more workers are staying in the panhandle to create a strong local economy. To learn how you can give, call the Foundation at 308-630-2244 or visit RegionalWestFoundation.org.
Expanding Critical Care Services
Close to Home As a Level II Trauma Center and acute care referral center, Regional West Medical Center increasingly cares for many of the most critically ill and injured patients in the region. Critical care requires complex interventions and constant monitoring due to serious impairment of a patient’s vital organ systems. With the evolution of healthcare over the past few decades — from lengthy stays in the past to outpatient treatment for a majority of health conditions and procedures — intensive care services are now in great demand. This evolution led Regional West to convert the second floor’s 2-East wing to the new 12-bed Critical Care Unit, expanding the Medical Center’s critical care capacity to 40. “The demand for critical care services has grown nationwide. People are living longer with chronic illnesses, so when they are hospitalized they often require a higher intensity of care. In addition, we care for people of all ages who experience serious illnesses and injuries; and they, too, require critical care services,” says Tim Osterholm, MPA, Regional West executive vice president and chief operating officer. “It’s important to provide critical care close to home to allow patients’ families to be with them when they are seriously ill or injured.” The new unit has 12 large, private rooms designed with the latest technology and a state-ofthe-art nurses’ station. Four rooms offer negative airflow capability for isolation of patients with potentially infectious diseases. Several rooms are designed for the care of bariatric patients. Critical care is administered by skilled providers, including but not limited to neurosurgeons, pulmonologists, cardiologists, hospitalists, trauma surgeons, and more. The current Intensive Care and Progressive Care units, as well as the new unit,
are staffed by skilled and experienced critical caretrained nurses and therapists. Because the 2-East patient care unit was located directly above the Regional West cafeteria, the kitchen and cafeteria had to be closed for more than six months as demolition and construction proceeded. The Food & Nutrition Services department met the challenge of providing hot meals and nutritious food to patients by preparing them off-site in the kitchen of a local restaurant that was vacant. Food & Nutrition Services Director Lori Miller and Assistant Director Jenny Larsen organized staff to transport meals to and from the hospital, secured local restaurants to provide mobile food trucks offering hot lunches on-site for staff and visitors, and set up a temporary Park Bench Express for food purchases. The kitchen and cafeteria downtime provided an opportunity for structural repairs and updating of critical heating, electrical, and fire suppression systems to meet current building codes, as well as renewing the cafe with new flooring, paint, and other amenities. “The completion of the new Critical Care Unit and renewal of the Park Bench Café mark additional milestones in our strategic plan to expand services, update our facility, and continue to provide exceptional care for regional residents,” says Regional West President and CEO John Mentgen.
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Did You Know? Ready to take control of your diabetes? Regional West’s Diabetes Care Center offers Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) as well as medical care, education, and support. Call 308-630-3700 to schedule an appointment and learn how to better manage your condition.
Immunizations for all ages are available year-around at Regional West Community Health. To schedule an appointment, call 308-630-1126.
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From drive-up to mail service for customers in Nebraska and Wyoming, Community Pharmacy offers a range of convenient services seven days a week. Questions about your prescriptions or over the counter medication? Call 308-630-1900. Regional West offers sports and school physicals for area students. Visit Regional West’s Facebook page for more information.
For as little as $65 a year, Air Link members are covered in over 320 locations and 38 states for air medical transport services. To enroll or for more information, contact Michelle Beeney at AirMedCare Network at 308-641-7833 or AMCNRep.com/ Michelle-Beeney.
Time for your regular screening mammogram appointment? No problem! To schedule an appointment for 3D tomography, call us at 308-630-2700, option 1.
“IT’S ALL ABOUT PATIENT SAFETY” Galina Gandy, Regional West’s chief information officer, is passionate about healthcare information technology. “I love healthcare technology because of how it connects to the patient. Utilizing it enhances safety and quality. It allows clinicians to spend more time with patients and to make better informed decisions, because the information they need is at their Galina Gandy fingertips,” she says. Chief Information Officer Gandy began her career in medical transcription and transitioned to working as a radiology technologist. In radiography, she was immersed in technology and found it fascinating. As her interest in information
technology (IT) grew, she made another career move to IT. That was more than 20 years ago, and since then she has worked in IT for large medical systems throughout the Northwest, including Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. She has extensive experience in all aspects of IT, including implementing IT infrastructure and capital improvement projects, process engineering, and design, and she led the implementation of an electronic health record across a five-state network. Gandy and her husband, Dana, moved to Scottsbluff from Astoria, Oregon, last summer. They’ve enjoyed exploring the region and love western Nebraska’s quality of life. Outside of work they enjoy flying, fishing, traveling, and music. Together they enjoyed many years of volunteering with the Civil Air Patrol. 308-635-3711 | RWHS.org | Healthy Times 7
Connect to Care Anywhere,
Anytime
Time and distance are no longer barriers to receiving care for minor medical conditions, thanks to the new Regional West Connect app.
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Regional West Connect allows you to have a video visit on your computer or mobile device with a board-certified Regional West internal medicine physician, family practice physician, pediatrician, or advanced practice provider. If a Regional West provider is unavailable, you can see a board-certified physician or licensed nurse practitioner with our partner organization, Teladoc, which specializes in virtual care. With Regional West Connect, you have swift, round-the-clock access to a medical professional every day of the year. You can receive a diagnosis and get a treatment plan, prescription, or referral for more in-depth care for a variety of nonemergency medical conditions, including: • Hives • Allergies • Insect bites • Asthma •M ild vomiting or • Bronchitis diarrhea • Colds • Pink eye • Earache • Rashes • Flu • Headache • Sinusitis “Modern healthcare is personalized, and everyone wants to save time,” says Serozan Amroliwalla (“Dr. Sero”), MD, internal medicine physician and vice president of medicine at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Internal Medicine. “Regional West Connect helps us deliver appropriate and timely care to patients. If, for example, a patient has a cold or a persistent cough, they can get care using this app instead of driving to their provider’s office or an urgent care clinic, or making an unnecessary visit to the Emergency Department.”
LET’S VISIT Getting started is simple. Download the app for free from the App Store or Google Play, then set up your account by entering some personal and insurance information. You can also enter the name of a pharmacy where you’d like prescriptions sent. Once you create your account, you can save your information so you’ll only have to enter your username and password for subsequent visits. Once your account is set up, you’re ready to request an immediate visit with a provider (if you need a routine follow-up, you can request an appointment for a specific time). You’ll answer some questions about your symptoms and the condition for which you’d like to be seen, which will allow the provider to learn why you’re seeking care before
your visit starts. You may wait for a few minutes in a virtual waiting room before a provider appears on the screen. To begin the appointment, your provider will ask for a thorough medical history, which is an important step, especially during a video visit. “Much of what we’re able to do is based on a good history,” says Lisa Bewley, MSN, CPNP-PC, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Pediatrics who helped develop Regional West Connect. “This is a different way of thinking about medicine, and it’s especially important to cover the bases with a solid medical history because the provider isn’t with the patient in person to lay hands on him or her. Patients should be sure to have allergy and medication lists ready for their appointment and be prepared to discuss their health history, symptoms, and previous treatments.” With your help, the provider will conduct a physical exam. You’ll receive a diagnosis and a treatment plan, which may include a prescription for you to pick up at your designated pharmacy. If you need additional, in-person care, the provider will refer you to an urgent care center or the Emergency Department. You’ll pay $69 for your Regional West Connect visit. Your primary care provider will receive a record of your visit through Regional West’s electronic health record or via fax, and you’ll be able to see a summary of the visit in your Regional West Connect account.
WHY CONNECT? Using Regional West Connect is a great way for busy individuals and families to get medical care quickly when they’re at home or work, traveling, or away at college. Whether it’s 4 a.m. and your child can’t stop coughing, you’re on vacation and have questions about a rash, or you have 30 minutes before work and want to know what to do about a fever, care is as close as your computer, tablet, or smartphone. “Regional West Connect greatly increases access to care, especially for people who live in rural areas,” Bewley says. “This app allows parents to get care for their children quickly so they don’t have to take so much time off from work and their kids can return to school or day care sooner.” For more information about how Regional West Connect can make healthcare more convenient for your family, visit www.RegionalWestConnect.org.
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SKIN CARE AND RECONSTRUCTION
From Head to Toe Whether you’re considering plastic surgery or treatment for a skin disorder, there is no need to travel far — exceptional care is right here in western Nebraska. At Regional West, we offer a variety of aesthetic and medical services. Our three providers — Matthew Malamet, MD, FACS, plastic and reconstructive surgeon; John Blomstedt III, DO, specialist in skin and aesthetics; and Jennifer Schlothauer, NP-C, nurse practitioner — bring a wide range of services to the community.
WELCOMING A NEW PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON John Blomstedt III, DO
Matthew Malamet, MD, FACS
Jennifer Schlothauer, NP-C
Last September, Dr. Malamet joined Regional West Physicians Clinic-Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Trained in both plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as aesthetics, Dr. Malamet offers many years of experience in a variety of procedures. “Patients who have been severely injured or those who have breast cancer and are considering reconstruction no longer need to travel for care. We can do it here,” Dr. Malamet says. Some of the services Dr. Malamet offers include: • Reconstruction: breast, hands, and more • Breast enhancement • Lifts • Liposuction • Tummy tucks • Botox and fillers Dr. Malamet says he finds it rewarding to help others reach their goals, whether aesthetic, functional, or reconstructive, and he enjoys the interaction with patients along the way. “I treat each patient as if he or she were a family member,” Dr. Malamet says. “Every consultation is spent thoroughly discussing the
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treatment plan and making sure they understand what to expect. We want our patients to feel comfortable throughout the entire process.”
CONTINUED CARE FOR MEDICAL AND COSMETIC SERVICES The Regional West Physicians ClinicSkin Clinic & Medical Aesthetic Center provides cosmetic services and treatments for a range of skin disorders. Dr. Blomstedt has served a decade at the clinic, taking care of local patients, as well as traveling to several satellite clinics. “We provide expert treatment for many skin concerns,” Dr. Blomstedt says. “People spend years trying to handle treatment on their own when they could benefit greatly from visiting a professional.” A few of the many services provided include: • Acne treatment • Botox and fillers • Mole removal • Psoriasis management • Skin cancer diagnosis and treatment • Skin grafts • Tattoo removal Patients do not need a referral for an appointment and, depending on the service, many treatments can be done same day. “You will feel welcomed here,” Schlothauer says. “We have been serving the community for years, and we continue to expand and diversify our services and see incredible outcomes with our patients.” To schedule an appointment at Regional West Physicians Clinic‑Skin Clinic & Medical Aesthetic Center, call 308-630-2595. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Malamet, call 308-630-2500.
DAY AND NIGHT:
24-Hour Connection with MyRegionalWest
View your health information anytime, anywhere on Regional West’s free online portal. Twenty-first century patients need round-the-clock access to their health information in order to make the best health decisions. With MyRegionalWest — our secure, interactive patient portal — patients have 24hour access to their health information. With just a few clicks, you can view everything from imaging and lab results to upcoming appointments, which makes managing your health easier than ever.
A STREAMLINED RESOURCE After a visit with a Regional West provider, a link will be sent directly to your personal email address with an invitation to sign up with MyRegionalWest. The link will lead to the registration page where you can view and confirm your information. Once registered, you can view a health summary of recent visits, allergies and medical history, and reminders for upcoming events. Instead of waiting for business hours to place a phone call to your provider’s office, you can send a message through MyRegionalWest to request an appointment, ask for a medication refill, or send a question. Your provider’s staff will send a message in reply through MyRegionalWest, which you can read at your convenience. On MyRegionalWest, you can view information from your medical record back to Sept. 15, 2018.
A SECURE CONNECTION Security is essential for any healthcare portal, including ours. MyRegionalWest protects patient privacy and will never distribute email addresses or any information in MyRegionalWest without patient authorization. Nothing is stored on the internet; all patient information is securely stored in the
facility’s Electronic Health Record system, with MyRegionalWest pulling this information upon login. In addition to these security measures, patient identity is verified at the facility before a MyRegionalWest enrollment invitation is sent and access to medical records is granted. Only the patient has access to his or her account, and users are signed out after a dormancy period of 15 minutes to safeguard information. Accounts are solely controlled through a username and password combination chosen by the patient.
A ONE-STOP SHOP MyRegionalWest also allows families to manage their health information together. Parents can add children from newborns to 19 years of age to their MyRegionalWest account under the same email address. Additionally, both spouses can add children to their accounts as proxies/dependents. Once in MyRegionalWest, patients can toggle between themselves and proxies to see their respective information, making it a convenient, all-inclusive resource for health information management. Call 308-225-3804 or visit MyRegionalWest.com for more information.
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Regional West 4021 Avenue B Scottsbluff, NE 69361
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 93
Regional West Medical Center complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. For more information, see link on our website at www.rwhs.org/patients/nondiscrimination-notice-physicians-clinic. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al. (TTY: 1-800-833-7352). CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số . (TTY: 1-800-833-7352). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電。 (TTY: 1-800-833-7352).
Award-Winning Care Our mission is to serve all the people in regional communities as a steward of their health and healthcare. Regional West is proud to provide:
Regional West Medical Center, Home Care, and Hospice earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe, quality patient care. The hospital and the Home Care and Hospice departments all underwent a rigorous, unannounced on-site review in August 2019.
• Acute Rehabilitation • Air Link-Rotor & Fixed Wing Air Ambulance Service • Ambulance Service - Ground • Anesthesiology • Bariatric Surgery • Birth & Infant Care • Blood Banking & Transfusion Medicine • Breast Healthcare • Cancer Services • Cardiology • Community Health • Diabetes Care • Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck Surgery • Emergency Medicine • Endocrinology • Family Medicine • Gastroenterology • Heart & Lung Care • Home Care • Hospice • Hospitalist Service • Imaging Services • Internal Medicine • Interventional Radiology • Laboratory Services • Nephrology • Neurology
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Neurosurgery & Spine Center N ewborn Intensive Care Unit Orthopaedics Outpatient Surgery Pain Management Pathology P ediatrics – Inpatient & Outpatient P harmacy – Inpatient & Community Pharmacy P lastic Surgery P sychiatry & Behavioral Health Pulmonology, Critical Care Radiation Oncology Rehabilitation Medicine Rehabilitation Services Skin Clinic & Medical Aesthetics Sleep Disorder Treatment Smoking Cessation S urgery, Vascular Diagnostics Trauma Services Urgent Care Urology Vascular Services Weight Loss Options Women’s Health Services Wound Care
