Iowa’s hospitals believe health care consumers should expect high value from health care providers. This means hospitals continually seek out ways to improve and ensure that each patient receives the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
Ida Grove: ‘Lean’ is Time Well-Spent
Quality is a vital characteristic that Horn Memorial Hospital (HMH), located in Ida Gove, strives to achieve when caring for patients and within all departments of the hospital. HMH staff regularly evaluates ways to improve quality and most recently implemented the “Lean” process to help eliminate waste in the organization.
Spirit Lake: A New Record for Safety and Efficiency
Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake recently transitioned to a completely electronic health record in its emergency department. LRH Director of Outpatient Services Lois Hawn said, “We’ve been planning for and taking steps toward the new system for a few months now. We’re excited about how our new system will benefit patients.”
Mason City: Emergency Preparedness, by Design
Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa wanted more than a new emergency center for the Mason City community. Hospital leaders and staff wanted to create a positive healing environment, efficient seamless patient flow and an experience with more privacy for their growing patient population.
Sioux City: The Rewards of Wellness
Team members of the Workforce Health Initiative at Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City say it’s rewarding to know their programs are paying off not only for the individuals involved but entities using their services.
Lana Bleil, program manager for Mercy Business Health Services, says Mercy’s work with the employees of Woodbury County is a great example of the value of preventative programs. Jackie Smith, the chair of the Woodbury County board of supervisors agrees. Earlier this month, the supervisors learned that their Mercy-run wellness program had saved the county nearly $640,000 over the past year.
Nevada: Health Coaching Spurs Success
In the wake of the tragic loss of her teenage son last May, Jean Haltom was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Still reeling from the car accident that claimed the life of her child, Haltom says she was overwhelmed with the diagnosis.
“When you first find out you’re diabetic, it’s a life-changer,” she says. “It’s not just a diet. It is the rest of your life.”
To help her manage the life-changing diagnosis, Jean was referred to Story Medical’s Health Coach Meagan Ausborn-Henderson.
