inTouch with Memorial Hospital

Volunteers are Key to Memorial Hospital’s Success

MHCS Marketing Team — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:52:00 GMT

As an employee of Memorial Hospital, I am very grateful to the many individuals from our community who volunteer here. Our dedicated team of 300+ volunteers is full of hardworking, compassionate individuals who are freely giving their time and talents to Memorial Hospital. It’s difficult to imagine what our staff’s workdays would be like without volunteers – the day would certainly be much more stressful.

Having managed volunteer services at Memorial for the past 17 years, I can tell you that volunteers are extremely important to the hospital. They allow our staff to focus their time on caring for patients and their families, which is why we are here.

During the past year, volunteers have logged nearly 32,000 hours at Memorial Hospital – that’s equal to having an additional 16 fulltime employees!

Our volunteers help in with tasks such as:

delivering meals to patients;
delivering mail to hospital departments;
transporting patients to procedures;
greeting patients and visitors as they enter the hospital;
working in the gift shop;
completing administrative/clerical tasks;
much, much more.

I could go on for a week describing the many jobs volunteers help Memorial employees with on a daily basis. To thank the hospital’s many volunteers, we hold an annual recognition event, which was on April 29 this year. The event is always a good time, and shows our volunteers just how much they mean to Memorial Hospital.

I have to finish with a plug. If you have free time, and want to make a difference in our community, call me at 419.334.6609 and I can help set you up with a volunteer gig - right here at Memorial Hospital.

About the Author:
Annette Overmyer has been with Memorial Hospital for over 31 years. She is the manager of the Golden Threads Senior Program, volunteer department and interpreter services. Annette is certified through the Ohio Health Care Volunteer Management Association; her passion is working with senior citizens. Annette also has four horses, four dogs, 23 cats (all outside barn cats that she would be glad to part ways with) and one rooster, who escaped from the pen on butchering day this year, so you could say that he was pardoned!

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Attention Seniors: Be at your best with a healthy breakfast

MHCS Marketing Team — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT

While going through one of the fast food establishments for a morning coffee I witnessed a senior group in full force (at a mini convention shall I say ) having their morning breakfast. Of course having oatmeal, toast or egg and an English muffin without the cheese may be a healthy choice; however, I have some other simple healthy options to consider prior to any fast-food morning meetings.

Greek Yogurt

Try the Greek Yogurt – it’s a great grab and go option. Greek Yogurt is similar to regular yogurt; it provides nutrients such as calcium and B vitamins. The best punch it provides though is double the protein of regular yogurt for about the same amount of calories. Try the plain Greek yogurt instead of fruit flavored yogurts that contain added simple sugars. If you want to add some flavor, put in your own favorite fresh berry, fruit or banana slices – a handful of walnuts or a simple sprinkle of flax seed can make another great addition.

Veggie Omelet

Another option is to cook a veggie omelet with three egg whites to one yolk. The egg white contains protein, and the yolk provides both A and B vitamins. By eliminating a few yolks you can reduce the fat and cholesterol of the omelet. Add fresh spinach, peppers and tomatoes to your omelet for additional vitamins and fiber.

Whole grain English Muffin with peanut butter

A super quick breakfast idea, and a staple in all households is peanut butter. When selecting peanut butter types it doesn’t really matter if its creamy, chunky, organic or natural, as long as the ingredient listed is peanuts. When choosing an English muffin double-check that all the ingredients are 100 percent whole grain (100 percent whole wheat, 100 percent brown rice flour). A recent study demonstrated that eating more whole grains, and fewer refined grains, could be associated with a lower risk for obesity and chronic diseases.

Quinoa cereal with cinnamon

Lastly give this a serious try. I think you will enjoy this different hot cereal option. Quinoa is a high protein grain generally used in salads and dinner entrees. Quinoa and soy products are the only plant based protein sources of complete protein, which means it contains all of the essential amino acids; thus making this a good breakfast choice for vegetarians. When preparing quinoa as a hot cereal over the stove, add almond milk, cinnamon and raisins for extra flavor.

Try one of the above options to rise and shine with the right food fuel so that each morning you can be at your best.

photo credit: Leilany Argil

About the Author:
Nancy Brown, R.D. is Memorial Hospital's Clinical Dietician. She is a registered dietician who performs nutrition assessments for the hospital’s patients, assists individuals with meal plans, and provides educational sessions on health topics related to healthy diet and general nutrition. Nancy's favorite aspect of her job is helping people achieve their personal wellness goals. Nancy stays healthy with the produce from her herb and vegetable garden, and hopes that you’ll follow her blog on a path to wellness.

More Blogs by MHCS Dieticians >>

The Sandwich Generation

MHCS Marketing Team — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:27:00 GMT

What is the “Sandwich Generation”?

This is a fairly recent term referring to people who are dealing with their own “traditional” family issues while also taking care of aging parents or grandparents. Carol Abaya, M.A., from New Jersey, is given credit for naming this increasingly common situation by giving it the name “Sandwich Generation”. She breaks it into three different categories:

Traditional Sandwich - includes those people balancing aging parents who need help and/or care and their own children.
Club Sandwich - includes those in their 50s and 60s, sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren.
Open Faced Sandwich - includes anyone not in one of the first two categories who is involved in elder care.

Ms. Abaya states more than 25% of American families are involved some way in elder care.

As more baby boomers become both sandwiched generationers and elderly, it’s becoming more important to understand aging dynamics and family relationships. It is not easy to become elderly or to become a parent to your parent. We are typically trained to believe adults should be able to take care of themselves; as more people live well into their 80’s and beyond and families are more spread out across our nation, assisting our families’ elderly becomes more difficult. It appears that at some point, nearly every one of us may eventually be involved in elder care.

Imagine telling your always independent father he is no longer a safe driver and must relinquish his driving privileges. Imagine having to help bathe your mother, or change her clothes because she has soiled herself. Think of the humiliation that parent is feeling, having been “in charge and in control” most of his or her life, now losing control of driving or of bodily functioning and being cared for like a small child. Many times they become angry and upset over what is happening. Most of us who are now considered “middle aged” do not relish the thought of having to care for our aging parents in such ways, nor do we look forward to the possibility of having to argue with them in order to provide the best, and safest, care for them.

If you or someone you know has become part of the Sandwich Generation and are struggling with coping with all the stressors, visit us at Fremont Memorial Hospital's Center for Mental Health and Well-Being.

Also, there are some websites that may be helpful. www.eldercare.gov, National Family Caregivers Association, U.S. Administration on Aging, AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), National Assoc. of Area Agencies on Aging, Family Caregiver Alliance, www.ConnectMeOhio.org.

About the author:

Barbara Williamson, L.P.C.C.-S. has worked in mental health care since 1989. She also brings experience in teaching and child welfare to the center. Williamson specializes in a variety of areas, including sexual abuse, marital issues, divorce/loss, anxiety and depression.

Barbara is a licensed professional clinical counselor; she is licensed by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Williamson earned a Master of Education in Counseling from Bowling Green State University; she has taken an additional 24 hours of clinical training at Heidelberg University. Williamson works with children, adolescents and adults. Barbara sees clients full time at the Findlay, Ohio location of the Memorial Hospital Center for Mental Health & Well-Being.

Communicating to Good Health

MHCS Marketing Team — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:07:00 GMT

Communication is a key ingredient in obtaining and maintaining good health. Asking questions can help you to take care of your health, prepare for medical tests and take your medicines the right way. To better understand your health, Memorial Home Health nurses recommend that you ask these three questions every time you talk with your physician, nurse, therapist, pharmacist or other health care provider:

What is my main problem?
What do I need to do?
Why is it important for me to do this?

Everyone finds things confusing at times; asking questions helps you understand how to stay well or to get better. If you ask and you still don’t understand, you might say, “This is new to me. Will you please explain that to me again?” If you are still confused about your medications, ask for help in setting up your medications in a pillbox.

Medication errors injure more than 1 million people a year in the United States, and one of the most common causes of medication errors is poor communication between health care providers and their patients. I encourages you to take an active role in your health care. Learn about the medications you take and never hesitate to ask questions or share concerns with your health care provider. A key to good health is communication, never be afraid to ask a question, especially when it comes to health care.

About the Author:
Carrie Drown has worked at Memorial Hospital since 1987 and is currently the Director of Memorial Home Health. She attended The University of Toledo/MCO for her BSN and MSN, and earned her MBA from Tiffin University. She has been in home health care for over 20 years and really enjoys helping patients return to their home to recover following illnesses or surgeries. When Carrie is not at work, her 4 children keep her very busy.

More Blogs by Carrie Drown >>

photo credit: Alex E. Proimos

The Age of Insomnia

MHCS Marketing Team — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 20:20:00 GMT

Many seniors worry about their sleep. In his book, Say Goodnight to Insomnia, Gregg Jacobs, PhD of the University of Massachusetts Sleep Disorders Center, states that up to half of American adults report problems with insomnia, and spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on prescription and over the counter sleeping pills.

Potential problems with sleeping pills
Prescription sleep aids can be helpful, but may also be habit forming. Over the counter sleep aids such as the “PM” brands can be useful for occasional insomnia, but regular use can potentially cause these side affects:

Daytime confusion
Increased falls
Urinary problems

It is possible to improve sleep without drugs. Dr. Jacobs has a number of recommendations for improving sleep naturally.

Know your sleep patterns
The first step is realistic expectations of sleep patterns, especially as we age. Many older adults become unnecessarily anxious when they are not able to achieve eight hours of sleep per night. As we age, natural changes in the brain result in a pattern of lighter sleep, shorter duration of sleep and more frequent waking. While this can sometimes be a nuisance, it is not a danger. In fact, the less we worry about our sleep, the easier it is to fall asleep, and research shows that a bad night’s sleep can cause mild irritability, but no long-term negative effects on health.

Nap-time value
For older adults, a short nap can also help. Five to six hours of nighttime sleep and a short afternoon nap is a healthy pattern; however, keep naps to an hour or less, as longer naps can interfere with the next night’s sleep.

Healthy Lifestyles
Here are some healthy habits that promote good sleep:

Incorporate moderate exercise, such as daily walking, into your routine.
Increase your exposure to sunlight. If you cannot stay awake in the evening, some late afternoon or early evening light exposure can help with staying awake longer and sleeping later.
Avoid alcohol in the evening. Although a “nightcap” can bring on sleepiness, alcohol will cause lighter and more easily disrupted sleep, as well as more frequent trips to the bathroom.
Avoid drinking large amounts of fluid in the evening in order to prevent extra trips to the bathroom at night.
Avoid caffeine after 3 p.m.

If you have tried all of these ideas and are still having regular difficulty with insomnia or daytime fatigue, see your doctor. Certain symptoms may be suggestive of a sleep disorder, such as frequent loud snoring, jerking or twitching movements while sleeping or trying to fall asleep as well as involuntary nodding off in the middle of the day. Individuals experiencing these symptoms may require evaluation by a sleep specialist.

Sometimes sleep problems are due to clinical depression or severe anxiety. If you have been feeling sad, worried or irritable most of the time without any relief, see your doctor to discuss treatment-sleep patterns can improve with proper treatment of any of the above disorders.

About the Author:

Dr. Tracey Hoelzle is a board-certified Psychiatrist who joined Memorial Hospital's Center for Mental Health & Well-Being in 2007. She sees adult patients for a variety of mental health concerns, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders and women's issues. Dr. Hoelzle is married to local family practice physician Mark Hoelzle, M.D.; she is a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Fremont. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading and exercise.

Sundaes for Seniors

MHCS Marketing Team — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:10:00 GMT

On March 28 I had the pleasure of serving sundaes at the WSOS Senior Center for their monthly birthday celebration. Hospice of Memorial Hospital was honored to sponsor dessert at this month’s party. I, along with my colleagues Pat Lucius from hospice; Carol Miller, hospice volunteer; and Andrew Smith from marketing at the hospital scooped ice cream and added all the fixings for nearly 100 seniors. Pat and Carol each spoke to the group about the rewards of working and volunteering for our great hospice team.

Eileen Bauer, (me) Kay Szymanowski and Marge Hofelich at the celebration.

My colleagues and I at Hospice of Memorial Hospital have been working extremely hard to help our communities’ seniors. Since the beginning of 2013, I have met with Sandusky and Ottawa County Senior Centers, nursing homes, assisted livings, independent livings, churches, schools, veterans and civic groups to provide hospice education, and connect them with our many important hospice services.

That's me with Al Cook and his wife Ethella

I have also begun a Threshold Choir that meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the Eliza Ramsey Home in Clyde from 3 – 4 p.m. or 6 – 7 p.m. This is a women’s choir singing a capella at the bedsides of people who are struggling; some with living, some with dying. Music is chosen to respond to each person’s musical taste, spiritual direction and physical capacity. Please call me at Hospice of Memorial Hospital at 419.547.6419 for more information.

Me putting on the fixins'

About the Author:
Brenda Kuieck is the Hospice of Memorial Hospital Community Outreach Coordinator. Brenda works with community members and her hospice colleagues to create programs that increase awareness in regards to the many important services that hospice provides. She has been with Hospice of Memorial Hospital since 2012. Brenda is actively involved in the community with organizations such as Grace Community Church, Kiwanis, Sandusky County Cancer Coalition, Leadership Sandusky County, Alzheimer’s Association, Sandusky County Senior Coalition and many others. Brenda is a Fremont native and resident.

Mission in Action: Memorial Matters

MHCS Marketing Team — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:33:00 GMT

The Memorial Hospital Leadership Team has committed to assisting the local soup kitchen at Grace Lutheran Church by providing the staffing for one meal per month. Eight leaders are needed monthly to serve and clean up after each meal.

Pictured L to R: Loraine Coutcher, Sue Bahleda, Brenda Falter,
Joe Buti, Tom Puffenberger, Jim Hawk and Mary Sanchez.

Memorial’s pharmacy director, Randy Koch, has organized the soup kitchen effort. According to Randy, “We have tremendous support for the program – all shifts are covered through June."

Call outs:

More than 18.1% of Ohio households were food insecure in 2011, increasing from 16.4% in 2010.

On average, daily, 658,981 Ohio students are participating in the free and reduced lunch program.

Did you know? Memorial Hospital’s leadership team volunteered locally for more than 89 hours during January and February of this year. Leaders volunteered for organizations such as Sandusky County Positive People, Share & Care, the Red Cross and more.

About the Author:
Chasity O’Neill has been with Memorial Hospital since 2008. She came to the hospital from The University of Toledo, where she worked as a director of development. She also previously work for the Medical College of Ohio Foundation as their director of annual giving. Chasity is a graduate of The University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

More Blogs by Chasity O’Neill >>

I got those mean old low down dirty worried blues….

MHCS Marketing Team — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:04:00 GMT

“I Got Those Mean Old Low Down Dirty Worried Blues”…. Sound familiar? We tend to think when we are having problems, we might feel depressed or blue, OR we might feel anxious or worried….but both? At the same time??? These two issues probably happen concurrently more often than we are aware.

Symptoms of depression include low/sad mood, lack of interest and pleasure, often sleeping and/or eating too much or too little. Symptoms of anxiety can include worry, disturbed sleep and eating, fatigue, tension and restlessness, and dizziness. Both anxiety and depression can bring about feelings of fear and worthlessness, hopelessness and low self-esteem. It seems often one feeds off the other. Consider if you are involved in a serious depressive episode that might have even required hospitalization; worrying the same thing may happen again may turn into full-blown anxiety! It seems like a vicious cycle at times.

Treating simultaneous symptoms can be tricky: which came first, the depression or the anxiety? Do we treat one and not the other, or do we try and deal with both issues at the same time? “Talk therapy” has been shown to be extremely helpful in such situations, using CBT (Cognitive-behavioral therapy) wherein the client learns new ways of dealing with old situations. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things like people, situations and events.

The benefit of this process is that we can change the ways in which we think/feel and respond better, even if the situation that bothers us does not change. In other words, if we try everything we know to fix or change something that is bothering or not working well for us, and nothing changes, the only thing we really have control over is changing our response to that thing. CBT can help us learn to process things differently and typically lasts around 12-16 weeks/sessions. Many people feel much better at the end of such treatment.

So what’s the answer to the question “which do we treat first?” Treating both simultaneously seems to be the best method; many times, medications may be prescribed to help when symptoms are interfering with social or occupational functioning of the individual. This is something to discuss with one’s primary doctor or psychiatrist. Remember, medication does NOT fix the whole problem. Medication, in conjunction with outpatient counseling, has been shown to have the best results. Don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it.

About the author:

A plate full of portion control

MHCS Marketing Team — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:34:00 GMT

Food is frequently the centerpiece of social gatherings, family functions and professional engagements. Dining out is full of healthy vs. extremely unhealthy options, and daily life can get in the way making nutritious dietary decisions. When confronted with any of these situations, consider the importance of having an appropriate daily caloric intake and the impact that can have on maintaining a healthy weight, which is essential to living a healthful lifestyle.

Portions, Portions, Portions

As a registered dietitian for 23 years I often speak with patients who regularly consume excessive portion sizes at meals. Understanding healthy portion size is helpful when determining daily calorie intake. In fact, even eating too much of a healthy food can be detrimental to weight maintenance. Even though portion sizes at restaurants and fast-food chains seem to continuously grow, this does not need to be the case for at-home meals and snacks.

Too much on my plate

Daily life can be so hectic. I have used the expression “I have too much on my plate” more than once, but sometimes have little control over my daily schedule. Luckily, when it comes to nutrition, I alone decide what is on my plate.

The “plate method,” as I call it, is a simple, common sense approach to understanding portion control and healthy eating habits. Follow these instructions anytime food is available to avoid having a plate that is too full:

The Plate Method:

Use a six-inch dinner plate.
Fill ½ of plate with non-starchy vegetables, like broccoli, carrots or peppers.
Fill ¼ of plate with a starchy vegetable, such as corn, peas or potatoes, or use a grain like whole-wheat pasta or rice.
To fill up your plate, add lean meat like chicken or fish, or another healthy source of protein like soy. This portion size should be approximately the size of a deck of cards.
Finally, add 1 cup of low-fat milk or yogurt, a fruit serving and/or a dark green salad to complete your meal.

By employing this meal-time method, you have a license to fill your plate.

…but the label says low fat.

Although low fat foods do generally have fewer calories than non-low-fat foods, the calorie difference is not substantial enough to allow for increased portion sizes. On average, foods considered low fat have 11 percent fewer calories (than their non-low fat equivalents). Still, in my experience, people tend to consume larger quantities of low fat foods; therefore negating the (potential) benefits of selecting a “low-fat diet.”

I love eating… and so can you

Portion size is key to consuming a healthy amount of calories. When choosing what to eat on a daily basis, moderation is essential. It’s okay to sneak in ice cream or cake one day, so long as you balance that with an apple or banana the next day. For a better understanding of your daily caloric needs, consult with a dietitian or your family physician.

FYI: March is National Nutrition Month. National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Pictured: Hospital employee Tom Puffenberger getting a dose of diet advice in my office.

More Blogs by MHCS Dieticians >>

We got the beat with Cardiac Rehab

MHCS Marketing Team — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:32:00 GMT

February is American Heart Month, but for Memorial Hospital’s employees in the cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) department, the heart is always beating at the front and center of health care.

According to Beth Kreh-Stanley, R.N., from cardiac rehab, “American Heart Month is a great tool for raising heart-health awareness; however, it is essential to, every day, be conscious of how one’s choices could affect the heart.”

I recently had the pleasure of sitting through a cardiac rehab sessions and talking with some of the patients and staff. It was a very interesting experience. I left feeling excited and proud of what our hospital does for patients with heart health issues.

At Memorial Hospital, patients generally enter the cardiac rehab program after they have had a major heart health issue, such as surgery, blocked arteries or heart attacks; therefore, it is the role of cardiac rehab nurses to help patients get their hearts back in shape, and do their best to ensure they (the patients) will not have to return.

“Our primary responsibility is as patient advocates,” added Beth. “We monitor patients hearts during rehab and report any abnormalities to them and their physicians in case a new course of treatment may be required.”

Although monitoring vitals is an essential component to the care provided in cardiac rehab, Beth believes there is another, equally important, element to the program. “The nurses in cardiac rehab provide support and encouragement to patients; we help them cope with this difficult life situation,” she said.

Fremont resident, and cardiac rehab participant Tom Knisely, agrees that encouragement and support from the nurses are key to patient recovery. Tom entered the program after echocardiogram he underwent at the hospital detected some heart abnormalities, which were causing serious health problems.

“The staff in cardiac rehab have made a great environment for healing; they constantly encourage patients to keep getting better,” he said. “The patients also root each other on.”

Exercise is a primary component of care in cardiac rehab. Patients in the program exercise up to three days a week for 45 minutes a day at the hospital. The cardiac rehab room at the hospital is equipped with five different exercise machines, including a treadmill, stationary bike, arm ergometer and recumbent cross trainer (NuStep). Patients in the program exercise for five to seven minutes at a healthy pace on each machine during each rehab session; there is also a warm-up and cool-down during class.

Tom feels he has benefited tremendously from the exercise portion of the Memorial Hospital program. Tom has been through approximately 28 rehab sessions since December of 2012. He has lost 54 pounds since starting cardiac rehab; he also used to require a wheel chair for transportation, now he can get around entirely on his own.

“I have a lot more energy,” Tom added. “My heart feels stronger too, and the program has given me a more positive attitude toward recovery.”

Cardiac rehab nurses also provide patients with important education, which includes dietary tips, risk factor reduction info, home exercise plans and medication information. The educational materials are important so that patients understand how their behaviors can improve heart health.

According to Beth, “By encouraging our patients to implement healthy behaviors at home, all the time, and not just while in our care, we hope to help them maintain a healthy heart and prevent future heart problems.”

John Gonya, another Fremont resident and cardiac rehab patient, is also pleased with the results he is having in cardiac rehab. John has been in cardiac rehab since January; he entered the program after having open-heart surgery.

"My breathing is a lot easier since entering cardiac rehab," he said. "There is also much less tightness in my chest."

During my visits to cardiac rehab sessions, one theme has continuously come up -the theme of teamwork. The patients and staff seem to be mutual partners in recovery. They are working together to make sure hearts stay healthy.

"I really enjoy the camaraderie and encouragement I feel during the sessions," added John. "Not just with from other patients, but also the staff."

Tom echoed John's sentiment. "Fremont and Memorial Hospital are blessed to have these quality individuals helping us keep our hearts healthy.

Cardiac rehabilitation is provided with a physician referral on the first floor of the hospital. For more information, call the cardiopulmonary services department at 419.334.6615.

Photo caption-Top: Tom Knisely and Beth Kreh-Stanley
Photo caption-Bottom: Michele Glaser with John Gonya

About the Author:
Andrew Smith has been with Memorial Hospital since 2009. Andrew has previously worked in marketing and development at The University of Toledo/Medical College of Ohio. He has also taught English at Terra Community College. Andrew is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio (go Hawks!) with a Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing.

He lives in Fremont with his wife Erinn and their daughters Riley and Harper.

Sustain the Gain: Memorial Hospital Patient Satisfaction

MHCS Marketing Team — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:42:00 GMT

At Memorial, we are constantly surveying our patients in order to understand where we are having success and where there are opporunities for improvement. Survery results are only a snapshot of the patient experience; however, they are a useful tool when prioritizing new hospital initiatives. Here are some of our more recent survey results.

Inpatient Units achieved the 85^th percentile in the State of Ohio. The goal set by the hospital was to achieve the 75^th percentile. Our nurses and doctors have been working extremely hard to improve the inpatient experience.
Medical/Surgical achieved the 95^th percentile in the State of Ohio. Truly an incredible accomplishment and a record high for this unit.
Mammography has achieved the 99th percentile rank in the State of Ohio for the month of December. For the past four months they have achieved either a 98 or 99^th rank each month.
Diagnostic Imaging also had a great improvement moving from the 31^st percentile rank to the 70^th.
Ambulatory Surgery, which includes Pain Management and Surgery achieved a percentile rank of 95 for the month of December. Our goal is to achieve a rank of 65.
HCAHPS Overall Rating of Care achieved a top box score of 73.5. The goal set for the hospital is 75.
HCAHPS Environment achieved a top box score of 72.1.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to these scores. It takes all of our departments to create a team that makes the overall patient experience extraordinary. At Memorial Hospital believe that we can achieve the highest quality in patient care by remembering every patient, every day, and every encounter.

About the Author:
Leslie Meyer's professional background includes 16 years of mental health and employee assistance counseling. Her experience in understanding human behavior and group dynamics has led her to focus on improving the patient experience at Memorial Hospital. She leads Memorial Hospital's service excellence initiatives and assists the hospital in focusing on improving to service provided to our patients.

Leslie has two teenage children and has been married for over 20 years. She enjoys traveling, spending time at Lakeside and competing in running and triathlon events.

More Blogs by Leslie Meyer >>

Last Chance to Play! Guess this Chef for a Chance to Win a Memorial Hospital Tote Bag!

MHCS Marketing Team — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:30:00 GMT

Clue: This chef is the Chief Financial Officer at Carbo Forge Inc.

We want your help to reveal the chefs that will be at our Cookin' Men event this February! Think you know who this local community leader who will be donning his chef hat is?

First, make sure you are signed-up for this contest! Then submit your guess of who you think this volunteer chef is as a blog comment below to be automatically entered into our weekly drawing for free Memorial Hospital tote bag!