It is with great pleasure that I announce that McLeod Regional Medical Center has been recognized nationally as the winner by the American Hospital Association for our organization’s work to improve care for our patients and their families. I am so thankful to all our teams for their dedication and hard work to make this very significant honor possible.

The 2010 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize™, awarded to one hospital in the country, was presented to McLeod Regional Medical Center in San Diego California on Thursday. A team of staff, physicians and leadership representatives attended the event. Dr. William Boulware, Chief of the McLeod Regional Medical Staff, accepted the award on behalf of McLeod. The prize, supported by grants from the McKesson Corporation, will fund the travel and additional training in quality and safety for the organization.

McLeod was selected by a multi-disciplinary committee of health care quality and patient safety experts from across the nation for the honor, based on the McLeod culture of quality and efforts to achieve the Institute of Medicine’s six quality aims for health care — by engaging physicians, staff and leadership in efforts to improve quality through safety, patient-centered care, timeliness, efficiency, effectiveness and equity.

The goals of the American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize are to raise awareness of the need for a hospital-wide commitment to highly reliable, exceptional quality, patient-centered care as well as to reward successful efforts to develop and promote system wide approaches toward improvements in quality of care.

The Quest for Quality award is a tribute to the work of all our people and their commitment to leading the way for better health and health care in the communities we serve. I wanted to thank each and every one of you for your extraordinary work and your role in helping us achieve this outstanding honor.

All U.S. hospitals are eligible for the annual American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize.

McLeod Regional Medical Center was the 2010 winner, Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan was a finalist and Queens Hospital Center in New York received the Citation of Merit. McLeod is the only hospital in South Carolina to be presented with this national recognition.

The prize honors hospitals that:
• have committed in a systematic manner to achieving the Institute of Medicine’s six quality aims–safety, patient-centeredness, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, and equity;
• can document progress in achievement of all six of the IOM aims; and
• provide replicable models and systems for the hospital field.

In 2007, McLeod was recognized with a Citation of Merit by the American Hospital Association in the ‘American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize.’ 

Among the previous Honorees are Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH; Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, VA; and Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.

We are proud of this achievement by our medical staff and our people who work on behalf of our patients and their families daily. We are committed to ongoing efforts toward improvements and continue to apply the Six Aims in quality: Safety, Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Care, Timeliness, Efficiency and Equity to our programs and services.

We look forward to a year of celebrating this honor with our people and the community. More information will be forthcoming about these opportunities.

Thanks for all you do and your devotion to making McLeod the choice for medical excellence.

Sincerely,
Rob 

About AHA
The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities.  The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include almost 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care.  Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.

About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 14th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care.  Over the course of its 177-year history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients.

According to Robins and Morton, our construction firm building the new Emergency Department in Dillon, the tradition of ‘Topping Out’ has its roots in Medieval Europe.  The ceremony represents good will and good fortune to those who will enter the building.  The ceremony celebrates the moment when the last beam is placed at the top of the building under construction

The final beam signed by McLeod Dillon employees and the American flag were erected during the McLeod Dillon Topping Out Ceremony.

The ‘Topping Out’ ceremony was held at lunch on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.  After lunch, I was able to take a tour of the construction site, see the ceremonial tree and American flag fixed atop the last beam.  We have also been cleared to begin using the new ambulance entrance.

Later today, Debbie Locklair our Administrator for Dillon, received this note from one of the team members at Dillon:

“Debbie,

The Topping Out Ceremony today was great. Thank you also for the delicious meal you provided for us at this event. This was a great day for us here at the hospital and Dillon County.  This along with other events make employees feel important and a big part of the hospital.  We have always been a team here at this hospital and we will even be better with this new ED.

Thank you.”

We will all look forward to opening the new Emergency Department in Dillon.  It will be a new and better way to provide care for patients and families in Dillon.

Thanks,
Rob

A key to this league is sportsmanship and family participation with McLeod competing against swimmers from Florence Family YMCA, Oakdale Country Club and Florence Country Club.  Participants ages ranged from 4 to 18 promoting youth fitness and positive family fun.  

Congratulations team. We look forward to next year.

Thanks,
Rob

Senator Hugh K. Leatherman

On Thursday afternoon, I attended a recognition ceremony and reception for Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr. He is the Senator for District 31, which covers the Florence and Darlington areas. The event, held by the South Carolina Public Health Association, named Senator Leatherman as 2010 Legislator of the Year. This annual recognition is known as the ‘Douglas E. Bryant Legislator of the Year Award’ and was held at the Florence County (DHEC) Public Health Office for Region 4 in Florence.  Dick Tinsley and Gail Weaver also represented McLeod at the ceremony.

We appreciate the support and effort Senator Leatherman demonstrates for health care in our region and state. We congratulate him on this recognition.

Senator Leatherman is active on a variety of committees for our state and senate and has served in the South Carolina Senate since 1980. He is Chairman of the Finance Committee, the Interstate Cooperation Committee, as well as Operations and Management Committee. He also serves on Ethics; Labor, Commerce and Industry; Rules; State House; and Transportation. His leadership and active service on these committees positions him well to understand the issues facing the public health and health care community.

The South Carolina Public Health Association is a statewide organization for public health professionals. The goal of the organization is to promote personal health, community health, and to develop policy to improve health in the our state. The Award is given to a public servant who has demonstrated significant commitment to the public health of South Carolina through proven records of sponsorship, services and support of important public health initiatives.

Here is another example of Senator Leatherman’s service. See this link to a video clip of Senator Leatherman speaking on behalf of McLeod Health at a recent State Budget and Control Board meeting in Columbia. McLeod will be issuing tax-exempt bonds and refinancing some existing bonds at a lower interest rate, saving on the cost of financing. In the process, we needed the approval of the State Budget and Control Board. We appreciate Senator Leatherman recognizing the merits of our project for the community and region.

Thanks,
Rob

In 2007, McLeod was recognized with a Citation of Merit by the American Hospital Association in the ‘American Hospital Association – McKesson Quest for Quality Prize.’  From the AHA website you can see a list of hospitals and health systems across the United States who have also been recognized for their progress on the IOM Six Aims. http://www.aha.org/aha/news-center/awards/quest-for-quality/index.html

The goals of the American Hospital Association – McKesson Quest for Quality Prize are to raise awareness of the need for a hospital-wide commitment to highly reliable, exceptional quality, patient-centered care; reward successful efforts to develop and promote a systems-based approach toward improvements in quality of care; inspire hospitals to systematically integrate and align their quality improvement efforts throughout the organization; and communicate successful programs and strategies to the hospital field.

The prize can include one award Winner, up to two hospitals may be recognized as Finalists and other hospitals may be recognized with the Citation of Merit. All U.S. hospitals are eligible for the Quest for Quality Prize.

The prize honors hospitals that:
• have committed in a systematic manner to achieving the Institute of Medicine’s six quality aims–safety, patient-centeredness, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, and equity;
• can document progress in achievement of all six of the IOM aims; and
• provide replicable models and systems for the hospital field.

Previous Honorees:

2009
Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI., Winner
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA., Finalist
Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC., Citation of Merit

2008
Munson Medical Center, Traverse City, MI., Winner
University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Ann Arbor, MI., Finalist
Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, Citation of Merit
Saint Vincent Health Center, Erie, PA., Citation of Merit

2007
Columbus Regional Hospital, Columbus, IN, Winner
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA., Finalist
INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK., Finalist
Amarillo VA Health Care System, Amarillo, TX, Citation of Merit
McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, SC., Citation of Merit

2006
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, Winner
Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, MI, Citation of Merit
Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, Memphis, TN., Citation of Merit

2005
North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo, Mississippi, Winner
El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, California, Finalist
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, Finalist
Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, Allentown, PA., Citation of Merit

2004
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, VA., Winner
The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltmore, MD., Finalist
Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, Hastings, NE., Finalist
Advocate Health Care, Oak Brook, IL., Citation of Merit

2003
Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA., Winner
Beaumont Hospitals, Royal Oak, MI., Finalist
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI., Finalist
Olympic Medical Center, Port Angeles, WA., Citation of Merit.

2002, the prize’s first year
Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis, Winner
Fairview Hospital, Great Barrington, MA., Finalist
Children’s Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis, Finalist
Brigham & Women’s Hospital,Boston, Citation of Merit.

We eagerly await the announcements about the 2010 Honorees for the American Hospital Association – McKesson Quest for Quality Prize.  McLeod will continue to apply the Six Aims for Improvement … Safe, Effective, Patient-Centered, Timely, Efficient and Equitable … to our programs and services.  Thank you for sharing the vision to be the Choice for Medical Excellence.

Thanks,
Rob

In 2001, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published the book, ‘Crossing the Quality Chasm.’ The book was offered to health care leaders as a model for improving care for patients across the nation.

At McLeod Health, we read the book as a leadership team and discussed the implications of the recommendations upon our strategic plan.  ‘Six Aims’ are recommended for improving health care in the 21st century.  Health care should be:

“Safe – avoiding injuries to patients from the care that is intended to help them.

Effective – providing services based on scientific knowledge to all who could benefit and refraining from providing services to those not likely to benefit (avoiding under-use and over-use).

Patient-centered – providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions.

Timely – reducing waits and sometimes harmful delays for both those who receive and those who give care.

Efficient – avoiding waste, in particular waste of equipment, supplies, ideas and energy.

Equitable – providing care that does not vary in quality because of personal characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, geographic location, and socio-economic status.”

Our improvement projects in Clinical Effectiveness and Operational Effectiveness, as well as our goals for the year, are filtered through these ‘Six Aims’ for improving quality and safety.

Tuesday, in our Quality and Safety meeting in Florence, Dick Tinsley, Beki Cooley and Harriet Jeffords reviewed with us the patient outcomes for Wound Care and Rehabilitation.  In each area, we are benchmarking our performance against national quality data to measure how we are meeting the needs of our patients.  In Rehabilitation, we reviewed therapy outcomes in pain, motion and function across six quarters or eighteen months as compared to a national benchmark.  In each case, patients are receiving results in these outcomes.  Rehabilitation is using this information to improve patient outcomes, share with physicians, as well as develop individual education plans by therapist.

During this Quality and Safety meeting, we also heard an update by Teresa Anderson and Sherman Thomas on a project to improve patient satisfaction with the timeliness of food delivered to patients on nursing unit, 6 West.  They detailed the first few improvement cycles of … Plan, Do, Check, Act.  They are showing early improvement with changes to the process.

On Tuesday afternoon in Dillon, the Quality and Safety team heard an update from Joan Ervin on ‘Hand-offs and Transitions in Care.’ Health care has become complex due to specialization and we need to constantly examine and re-examine our processes to insure safety and effective care. The ‘Six Aims’ of the IOM are again influencing our service to patients.

I am encouraged by the work I see ongoing by teams across McLeod Health.  A quote by Goethe is appropriate … “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

Thank you for allowing the ‘Six Aims’ to direct our improvement work for and with our patients and families.

Thanks,
Rob

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, McLeod Health hosted four visitors from a hospital in Virginia. These guests were health care executives which included two physicians and two nurses. We were pleased to have them join us for an inside look at Quality and Safety programs at McLeod Health and fresh eyes regarding our program. It was a time to compare information as well as learn from one another.

Thanks to each member of our team for daily improving our services. Thanks for the work that you do on behalf of patients and staff. Your work is well known across the country and people have read about the outcomes we are receiving for patients. It is an encouraging confirmation that, while there is much to be done, we are consistently moving in the right direction.

Thanks,

Rob

E. Coy Irvin, M.D.

Dr. Irvin’s medical training and specialty is Family Medicine. He served patients in a Family Medicine practice for 20 years before joining Baptist Health in Pensacola, Florida, as the Chief Medical Officer in 2005.  Baptist Health is recognized as a previous recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

I would like to introduce you to Dr. Irvin by sharing his thoughts on several questions I had a chance to cover with him recently. Additional information will be available in a formal announcement.

RC: Dr. Irvin, what attracted you to medicine as a career choice?

CI: I grew up in a small town where family friends were General Practitioners.  I was moved by how much they loved caring for their patients and community.

RC: Your previous job was in leadership at Baptist Health in Pensacola, Florida.  As a member of a health system with a national reputation in service excellence, what advice do you have for serving patients and families?

CI: Patients want to know we are here for them, that we will protect them and that we will not hurt them.  They need to see us as “friends.”

RC: How can the health system better support physicians?

CI: Major challenges to practicing medicine include growing bureaucracy and paperwork which takes away time from helping patients.  Anything we can do to give doctors more time to practice medicine will better help them serve their patients.

RC: As a busy leader… a physician and an executive leader, what are your hobbies and outside interests?

CI: I believe in giving back to our communities, so I have long been involved in volunteer work as well as the political process.  I also enjoy boating and, of course, my grandson, Riley.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Coy Irvin and his wife, Angie, to McLeod and the Florence community.

Thanks,

Rob

(From L to R) Kelley Prevatte, Director of the 9th Surgical Floor and Step-Down Unit, Mary Allred, Robert Garris, and Rosa Dowling.

This morning, I joined the senior leadership team for ‘Patient Rounds’ at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina.  Each day, at all three McLeod hospitals, leaders gather for a quick huddle, review information and then visit a nursing unit or patient care area as a team.  We aim to accomplish this daily initiative as part of our standard work in order to begin our day with why we are all here — our patients and our staff.  Our goal is to learn from the team, patients and families.  We ask a few questions of the individuals we meet so we can learn from them, then we rejoin the team for a second huddle to talk about insights we have captured from our visits.

This morning, we were scheduled to visit the 9th Floor and Trauma Surgical Care Unit in the McLeod Pavilion.  We wanted to be sure we understood the efforts of the medical team to communicate, answer questions, and provide explanation about treatments to their patients.

One patient related to the team that he was glad to be going home after a two-day stay.  He was very complimentary of the staff and how they communicated and cared for him.  We were also able to hear about another patient who had food allergies.  In this case, we were able to work with the medical team to intervene on future diet orders in order to meet this patient’s needs.  In addition to these interactions, I was able to speak with Kelley Prevatte, our Nursing Director on the 9th Floor.  Last week, McLeod and Dr. Mike Rose hosted visitors associated with Harvard University who were evaluating our hospital and South Carolina as a possible site for a healthcare reform initiative.  This group specifically asked to speak with Kelley because of her work with the IHI Open School.  In talking with Kelley this morning, I was able to gauge her thoughts about this group and what they hope to accomplish.

As we make these daily ‘Patient Rounds,’ please continue to share with us your ideas of how we can improve for our patients and staff in the areas of caring, quality and safety as we provide service to others.

Thanks,

Rob

Dot Johnson, who graduated from the McLeod Nursing School in 1948, congratulates Nathan on 65 years of service. Nathan "officially" joined McLeod on June 1, 1945.

Age and experience can bring wisdom. These were my thoughts today, as we celebrated sixty-five years of service by Nathan Brown of Plant Operations & Engineering. Nathan joined the hospital on June 1, 1945. He worked directly for Dr. F.H. McLeod prior to joining the hospital, so he is actually celebrating seventy-six or so years association with the McLeod family. By June 1, 1945, the year was a time of change. WWII was ending in Europe and the focus shifted to finishing the war in the Pacific. The sacrifices of many, on foreign field and at home, shaped the nation and people in profound ways.

When you are younger in age, life is a theory. As you age, life has become an experience. It is wise to learn to ask advice from those who are ten to twenty years older than yourself. It is wise to learn to listen to the experience of others – - to be directed by their questions and interests. In many ways, my interactions with Nathan over the years have improved my service to others. Nathan is always the one who puts his hand on my shoulder to ask how I am doing. Nathan is always the one who pats me on the back and encourages me in our work. Encouragement means to “add courage” and he has a lifetime of appreciation for others. Nathan is the one who will ask about my family. He always reminds me not to work too hard, to do what is right for the patients, and to get home in order to spend more time with my family.

At first, I thought he was just being friendly and making conversation. But over the years, the themes he revisits with me are instructive of the importance he places on the service to others at medical center, the family and individuals. Happiness is who you are, not something you get. Nathan has combined a lifetime of interactions with many to share his happiness and wisdom with others. Nathan is a good man and we appreciate his service to the medical center and community. We wanted to thank him for his work. He reluctantly agreed to attend today’s celebration … and wanted to be sure we understood that he would be back to work at the hospital in the morning.

Thanks Nathan,

Rob

Nathan enjoys a special tribute to his 65 years of McLeod work during ceremonies honoring his continued years of service.