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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10222018 City Council Laydown - Providence SMC Update& o Z z- C dam►-, IJ Providence Seward Medical & Care Center Update Seward City Council Meeting October 22, 2018 Contained herein are some updates since the last update provided in May. Additional details or updates in other areas can be provided to City Council upon request. CT / Lab Project October 9, 2018 marked the official start of our project to remodel the radiology department, purchase and installation of a CT scanner inside the hospital building and update the infrastructure supporting the laboratory department. The new CT will be more powerful than prior equipment, providing better images for more accurate diagnosis and new scans not previously available. This new unit will also emit a lower radiation dose, reducing long-term risk of radiation exposure, especially for pediatric patients. Housing the equipment inside the building will minimize future occurrences of patient or caregiver injuries associated with use of the trailer or inclement weather and reduce the risk of privacy issues associated with transporting the patient outside. The laboratory portion of the project will increase the number of air exchanges, and improve heating, cooling and humidity controls to better support future equipment. The new equipment, scheduled to be installed in 2019 will be faster and increase the number of tests that can be performed locally. Special thanks to the following who provided letters of support — Alaska Department of Corrections, City of Seward, Glacier Family Medicine, Lois Daubney, Seward Community Health Center, Seward Chamber of Commerce, Seward Police Department, and Seward Senior Center — and to Providence Alaska Foundation and City of Seward for their financial support. Both projects are currently scheduled to be completed January, 2019. Seward Mountain Haven On June 6, 2018 Seward Mountain Haven achieve a full census of 40 elders for the first time since its opening in 2009. This achievement was the culmination of several changes that included greater collaboration with Providence Extended Care and Providence Transitional Care teams on referrals and admissions and the addition of new clinical services that allowed us to care for elders with greater medical and behavioral needs. Our current census is 37 with a scheduled admission for this week and several other referrals under review. We will continue to be diligent in maintaining a high census, serving as many elders as we can while maintaining high quality clinical care and the Green House Project principles for elder centered care Ground Ambulance Medevac Alaska started providing ground ambulance transfers to Anchorage in July. This has been on a case by case basis dependent on weather, road conditions and whether Medevac had available staff. This has been a significant step forward in support of our patients needing higher levels of care. As noted, this service is only available on a case by case basis and is dispatched from Anchorage so it may not be available or appropriate for all transfers but it does provide another option. We are also working on a non -emergent transport agreement with Medevac for hospital inpatient or Mountain Haven elder transports to medical or specialist appointments in Anchorage or transports due to admissions, transfers or discharges. Telemedicine Services Telemedicine services for provider and wound care visits for Mountain Haven elders were added this summer. This services allows our providers to "see" elders and provide care for acute issues remotely. This service can reduce unnecessary visits to the emergency department. Radiology, stroke and critical care are the other services currently supported through telemedicine. In the works are remote telemetry monitoring for hospital patients and telepsychiatry for both the hospital and Mountain Haven. Telemedicine services allow us to provide specialized care for patients in Seward not otherwise available so they can remain close to home or support their care while pending transfer. Specialty Clinics Podiatry Clinic — Dr. Heather Kaufman, a podiatrist in Anchorage has been coming to Seward quarterly. Her next clinic will be November 3, 2018 at the Providence / Seward Community Health Center building. To schedule an appointment, call Anchorage Foot and Ankle Clinic at (907) 344-2155. Endoscopy Clinic — Dr. Sweeney has conducted 2 endoscopy clinics in Seward, the last in September where we had 12 patients, a full and busy day. This was well received by the patients and we look forward to holding more regular clinics in 2019 and beyond. An announcement will be made once dates are determined. Community Health Needs Assessment Survey Over 700 community members participated in this year's Community Health Needs Assessment Survey. The responses have been tabulated and the final report is in the process of being finalized. Once completed, we'll be sure to share online as well as directly with several key stakeholders in the community. Community Benefit Grants PSMCC announced last week that it is accepting applications for community benefit grants. These grants are provided to applicants who can demonstrate their program or service meets a community health need as identified in the needs assessment survey and is in line with the mission and core values of Providence St. Joseph Health. The applications will be reviewed by the Health Advisory Council for award determination. This will be the second round of grants awarded this calendar year. The first set was based on grant money from prior years and was awarded in June to Seward Area Hospice, Seward Community Health Center, the Boys and Girls Club's Triple Play program and to Seward Prevention Coalition for three separate programs — Sources of Strength, Parents as Teachers and Diabetes Prevention programs. Applications for the current round are due November 8, 2018 with award announcements expected prior to year-end. Financial Outlook — 2019 Budget Looking ahead, continued focus on maintaining a high census at Mountain Haven and efforts to recruit and retain permanent staff to reduce the need for temporary staff ("travelers") are 2 significant factors to meet budget and other financial targets. Additional new revenue, such as those from specialty clinics and improved processes for greater operating efficiencies and cost savings while not compromising quality will further contribute to a positive financial outcome. We have had conversations with City Administration to discuss our financial plan, ensuring we continue to meet the Mountain Haven bond obligation as well as reducing our other liabilities as well. Leadership Transition Don Hanna, the interim administrator will start November 1". Don has a wide range of experience in health care administration in various facilities and communities in the Pacific Northwest. Don and I have been in communication and are working towards a smooth transition and continuation of work and improvement projects already underway. Providence has enjoyed a strong partnership with the City of Seward and continuing and strengthening that partnership will be a priority for the next administrator. We have also begun recruiting for our next Finance Director. This position will now report to the Alaska Region CFO with a matrix relationship to the local administrator. This change in reporting structure is in line with the structure across all Providence ministries and will provide greater financial support to the position. However, even with this change, the position will continue to be located in Seward and their priority, the success of PSMCC. Lastly, on a personal note, this will serve as my last update to City Council. It has been a pleasure and my honor to serve Providence and the community of Seward. I have learned so much from our caregivers, the patients and elders we have served and community members who have supported and challenged us to do better. My family and I have made many friends and are lucky to have called Seward our home. Seward will always hold a special place in our hearts and for that we thank you. —Joe Fong "As expressions of God's healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially the poor and vulnerable"