All Methodist Healthcare Hospitals in San Antonio earn ‘Top Performer on Key Quality Measures®’ recognition

methodist hcs logoMethodist Healthcare announced that all of its hospitals have been recognized as  2013 Top Performers on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in the United States. Methodist Hospital and its campuses at Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Heart Hospital, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, Methodist Texsan Hospital, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital and Northeast Methodist Hospital* plus Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Hospital were recognized as part of The Joint Commission’s 2014 annual report, “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, and children’s asthma.  Methodist Healthcare is the only hospital system in San Antonio to receive this Top Performer status.

The Top Performer program recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions that increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, stroke, venous thromboembolism and perinatal care, as well as for inpatient psychiatric services and immunizations.

Three out of the last four years Methodist Hospital’s campuses have been recognized as  Top Performers.  Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Hospital were recognized two out of the last four years.

To be a 2013 Top Performer, hospitals had to meet three performance criteria based on 2013 accountability measure data, including:

  • Achieving cumulative performance of 95 percent or above across all reported accountability measures;
  • Achieving performance of 95 percent or above on each and every reported accountability measure where there were at least 30 denominator cases; and
  • Having at least one core measure set that had a composite rate of 95 percent or above, and (within that measure set) all applicable individual accountability measures had a performance rate of 95 percent or above.

“Delivering the right treatment in the right way at the right time is a cornerstone of high-quality health care. I commend the efforts of Methodist Healthcare for their excellent performance on the use of evidence-based interventions,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP, M.P.P., M.P.H., president and CEO, The Joint Commission.

“We understand what matters most to patients at Methodist Healthcare is the quality and safety of the care they receive. That is why we have made it a top priority to improve positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO for Methodist Healthcare. “Methodist Healthcare is proud to be named a Top Performer as it recognizes the knowledge, teamwork and dedication of our entire hospital staff,” he continued.

For more information about the Top Performer program, visit http://www.jointcommission.org/accreditation/top_performers.aspx.

*These hospitals share the same Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provider number with Methodist Hospital and therefore are evaluated as a single entity by The Joint Commission; Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Center, each has its own provider number.

About Methodist Healthcare
Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio (MHS) began as Methodist Hospital, chartered in 1955 by the United Methodist Church.  Since that time, MHS has grown to what is now the largest health care provider in South and Central Texas with 27 facilities, including nine acute care hospitals serving over 90,000 inpatients and 390,000 outpatients annually, expanding its vision of world class health care to San Antonio and 26 surrounding counties.

The System’s ownership structure is a 50/50 co-ownership between not-for-profit Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) and for-profit Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). With equal partnership control, MHS assures a dynamic balance in its mission: serving humanity to honor God by providing exceptional and cost-effective healthcare accessible to all.

Led by a culture of Methodist Excellence, the over 8,000 staff and volunteers combined with a medical staff of over 2,500, dedicate themselves to continuous quality improvement by committing to live by Methodist Excellence mission, vision and values.

Methodist Healthcare has achieved many awards for clinical excellence and quality outcomes as well innovation and people’s choice awards. Receiving the Texas Award for Performance Excellence in 2014 is a testament to Methodist Healthcare being selected as the most preferred and trusted health care system each and every year.

 

CHRISTUS Physician Group adds Dr. Rashida Champion Henderson and Dr. Jennefer Carl Sutton to its primary care network

CHRISTUSSantaRosa_colorRashida Champion Henderson, MD, and Jennefer Carl Sutton, MD, have joined the CHRISTUS Physician Group (CPG), a network of local physicians in San Antonio. The addition of Dr. Henderson and Dr. Sutton to CPG is an example of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa’s commitment to provide access to convenient, high-quality primary health care close to home. Dr. Henderson has opened her practice, CHRISTUS Family Medicine – Westover Hills, in the western portion of Bexar County located at 11212 State Highway 151, Medical Plaza 1, San Antonio, Texas  78251. Dr. Jennefer Sutton will be opening CHRISTUS Family Medicine – Shavano Park in north-central San Antonio near Highway 1604 and NW Military Drive at 4118 Pond Hill Road, Shavano Park, Texas  78231.

Dr. Henderson graduated from Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, and went on to complete her Masters in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Louisiana Tech University. In 2009, she completed her Doctor of Medicine at Louisiana State University Health Science Center and completed her Family Residency and Geriatric Fellowship with the Medical Center of Central Georgia / Mercer University School of Medicine. Dr. Henderson is board-certified in Family Medicine and board-eligible in Geriatric Medicine. She provides family medicine and geriatric medicine services, from every day common ailments to acute and chronic conditions. Dr. Rashida Champion Henderson is currently welcoming new patients.  To schedule an appointment, call 210.703.8955.

Dr. Jennefer Carl Sutton is committed to one ideal: building lasting relationships with her patients. This belief guided her through medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and grew stronger as she completed her residency at Georgetown University, where she served as the program’s chief resident. Dr. Sutton combines her extensive experience and deep concern for patients in order to provide an extraordinary level of care.  She enjoys helping her patients live life to its fullest and is welcoming new patients. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sutton, call 210.705.5545. 

“CHRISTUS Physician Group strives to be a leader in service, and we do that by providing valuable, community-focused care,” says Jason Markham, COO of CHRISTUS Physician Group. “Success hinges on four pillars – focusing on superior clinical quality, creating an exceptional personal experience for each patient, running efficient clinics to maximize value to those we serve, and focusing on the unique needs of the communities.”

CHRISTUS Physician Group was formed by CHRISTUS Health in 1993 as a faith-based, not-for-profit physician employment and practice management organization with a deep-rooted mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.  Today, CPG employs more than 90 physicians and other health care providers in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, and other specialties. The Group focuses on delivering excellent health care in a service-focused, compassionate environment.

CHRISTUS Physician Group clinics accept a variety of health insurance plans, which vary from clinic to clinic. Patients are encouraged to select a physician or other health care provider by visiting christusphysiciangroup.org and call the office of their choice for more details on current health plan information, operating hours, and services offered.

About CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System
Founded in 1869 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston and San Antonio, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa is a Catholic, faith-based, nonprofit health and wellness ministry dedicated to extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and providing the highest quality medical care and services available. As one of the top health care organizations in South-Central Texas, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa has five hospital campuses, with campuses located in the South Texas Medical Center, in New Braunfels, in Westover Hills, and a short-stay surgical hospital in Alamo Heights. Located downtown, the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, formerly known as CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, is the first hospital in San Antonio solely dedicated to the care of children. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System also owns a majority interest in CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physicians Ambulatory Surgery Centers – San Antonio, LLC, a joint venture physician partnership which is comprised of two outpatient surgery centers in San Antonio with facilities in Stone Oak and the Medical Center.  Additionally, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System owns a majority interest in the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physicians Ambulatory Surgery Center in New Braunfels, a joint venture physician partnership.  CHRISTUS Santa Rosa is the preferred health system of the San Antonio SPURS. For additional information on CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, visit
www.christussantarosa.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/christussantarosa and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CSRHS.

 

 

North SA Chamber offers online, on-demand training

 

North Chamber logo 4c stackedcoggno logo (1)As part of our efforts to improve business resources for our members, the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce offers an online training web shop – thanks to a partnership with Coggno.com, the premier Internet source for thousands of online training courses that businesses can access anytime, anywhere. Now member businesses can utilize online courses to create a well-trained, knowledgeable workforce in an efficient, convenient and cost-effective manner; and courses can be accessed at computer workstations, as well as from home computers, tablets and even smart phones. All that’s needed is an Internet connection and a desire to learn.

“We understand that our member businesses are operating in a fast-paced work environment and can’t always send every employee out for essential training,” says North Chamber President/CEO Duane Wilson. “Through the delivery of this comprehensive, online training catalog that aggregates courses from the top online training providers, we’re addressing the need for a more prepared workforce and time scarcity with on-demand course availability,” he adds.

The North SA Chamber online training catalog features hundreds of high-quality affordable courses created by world-class training developers, and covers virtually all industries including human resources, management, healthcare, safety and many more. Most staple HR and compliance courses are available for about $20, while other, more specialized courses range in price.

Additionally, members receive a free Learning Management System (LMS) along with the training they purchase. The LMS allows organizations to distribute courses easily to their employees with just a URL link; track and monitor employees’ training progress; and report and archive training results for compliance purposes.

Top Benefits of Online Training

  • Reduced costs: no need for travel, employee down time
  • Access to talent: highly specialized curriculum
  • Geographic reach and scalability: ability to train employees with distance learning
  • Compliance: for organizations that are required to comply with a multitude of regulations
  • Mitigate risk: training helps to prevent failures, liabilities and litigation
  • Focus on core business: outsource training development, management and delivery
  • Convenience: courses available on-demand, are self-paced and supervisors may distribute to and track courses for each employee via the free Learning Management System (LMS)Take advantage of this opportunity to build a more productive, skilled workforce. Visit the North SA Chamber Training Online Shop today.

Follow these steps to access training

  • Visit www.northsachamber.com and click on Training Online Shop to explore the online catalog
  • Click on a course category from the topic menu
  • View the course options
  • Click “Add to Cart” to select a course for purchase
  • Click “Checkout” when you have selected all the courses you want to purchase

Methodist Healthcare FIRST hospital system to pilot CDC Ebola Microsite to aid in educating U.S. healthcare workers

methodist hcs logoThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reached out to Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio to be the first hospital system in the U.S. to pilot the CDC’s Ebola Microsite for U.S. health care workers on its health care system’s website www.SAHealth.com .

The only other two entities hosting the microsite are the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  The microsite is geared at targeting U.S. health care workers on up-to-date Ebola guidelines and recommendations.  This microsite project includes dozens of CDC web pages, a news feed, and a Twitter feed that has been pulled into Methodist Healthcare’s website.

This collaboration with the CDC reinforces Methodist Healthcare’s commitment to the absolute safety of its own health care workers and those in the community it serves.

Though NO cases of the Ebola Virus Disease have been found in San Antonio, Methodist Healthcare is following all recommendations of the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services in the event that they should receive a patient infected with Ebola.

At Methodist Healthcare the safety of patients, staff, volunteers, physicians and visitors is always a top priority as the health care system has a robust infection control system, with a staff trained and prepared to take care of patients with a variety of infectious diseases, including Ebola.  In addition, the System has an epidemiologic emergency policy in place.

Methodist Healthcare’s standard policy is to use universal precautions for every patient, in addition, they have specific practices for Ebola, which include:

  • Isolation of patients with suspected Ebola from contact with unprotected persons
  • Wearing of protective clothing (including masks, gloves, impermeable gowns, and goggles or face shields) by persons who care for Ebola patients
  • Limitation of people who have access to the areas where the Ebola patients would be treated
  • The use of other infection-control measures (such as complete equipment sterilization and routine use of disinfectant)
  • Avoid touching the bodies of patients who have died from Ebola Methodist also has specific practices in place to help identify and manage potential cases.

Methodist also has specific practices in place to help identify and manage potential cases. These include:

  • A screening tool to document contagious respiratory illnesses or fever combined with recent travel outside the U.S.
  • Isolation precautions for patients who exhibit symptoms and have recently traveled to affected areas
  • Use of personal protective equipment by caregivers
  • Rigorous use of effective cleaning and disinfection practices for equipment surfaces, supplies and other items used in providing care for the patient
  • Internal communications among care-givers to limit potential exposure
  • Immediate reporting to our local health departmentThe public is invited to look up the most current news and education pieces on Ebola by visiting Methodist Healthcare’s website at www.SAHealth.com, and by following them on Facebook and Twitter.

About Methodist Healthcare
Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio (MHS) began as Methodist Hospital, chartered in 1955 by the United Methodist Church.  Since that time, MHS has grown to what is now the largest health care provider in South and Central Texas with 27 facilities, including nine acute care hospitals serving over 90,000 inpatients and 390,000 outpatients annually, expanding its vision of world class health care to San Antonio and 26 surrounding counties.

 

The System’s ownership structure is a 50/50 co-ownership between not-for-profit Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) and for-profit Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). With equal partnership control, MHS assures a dynamic balance in its mission: serving humanity to honor God by providing exceptional and cost-effective healthcare accessible to all.

 

Led by a culture of Methodist Excellence, the over 8,000 staff and volunteers combined with a medical staff of over 2,500, dedicate themselves to continuous quality improvement by committing to live by Methodist Excellence mission,vision and values.

Methodist Healthcare has achieved many awards for clinical excellence and quality outcomes as well innovation and people’s choice awards. Receiving the Texas Award for Performance Excellence in 2014 is a testament to Methodist Healthcare being selected as the most preferred and trusted health care system each and every year.

Best of Breast: Cancer experts to converge at 12th Annual Breast Cancer Conference

methodist hcs logoSome of the best experts in the field of breast cancer research will take time out of their hectic schedules to present at the 12th Annual Alamo City Cancer Council’s Breast Cancer Update Conference presented by Methodist Healthcare. This year the community event will be held at a new location – the Oblate School of Theology’s Whitley Center at 285 Oblate Drive on Saturday, September 13th starting at 8 a.m. This ½ day free conference is open to the San Antonio community and brings experts in the field of breast cancer research and treatment together to update the public and healthcare providers on the latest advancements in breast cancer.

The day will begin with a keynote presentation entitled “Immunotherapy and Breast Cancer,” presented by Dr. Skip Burris of Tennessee Oncology. Dr. Burris is a board certified oncologist with more than 20 years of phase 1 clinical trial experience. He received his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy and medical degree from the University of South Alabama. After graduating, he completed his residency in hematology/oncology at the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC).

Seven concurrent sessions will be held throughout the morning, with attendees choosing two to attend. The day will then conclude with a lunchtime presentation on “Surgical Approaches in Breast Reconstruction” presented by Dr. Jessica Belz of PRMA and Dr. Christy Chai of the Oncology Department at SAMMC.

Alamo City Cancer Council Director Sharon Wilks, M.D., F.A.C.P. started the conference in 2003 and states, “the breast cancer update conference serves as a forum to bring a diverse group of attendees together to learn more about the advancements in breast cancer. From the newly diagnosed patient to the seasoned medical professional, there are learning opportunities for everyone at the conference. We are also especially grateful to Methodist Healthcare for their tremendous support as the presenting sponsor of this years event.” The conference is free to the general public and continental breakfast, a box lunch and free parking are included for all attendees.

And with national Breast Cancer Awareness Month right around the corner Alamo City Cancer Council Executive Director Gretchen Garceau-Kragh, says, “the conference is a great way to kick off our participation in the national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. By collaborating with the other cancer related non-profit agencies in San Antonio to help raise awareness of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we hope to educate even more individuals as they move from cancer patient to cancer survivor.” Nurses in need of continuing education credit pay only $45 in advance and $55 at the door for their credentialing. Like last year, hundreds of attendees are expected for this educational day out and an opportunity to connect with breast cancer survivors, friends and experts.

For more information or to pre-register to attend, please visit alamocitycancercouncil.org or call 210-816-0683.

The Alamo City Cancer Council is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organized based in San Antonio. Its mission is to provide education, resources and services for any project that supports the cause of the eradication of cancer.

Connect With Us Today
www.AlamoCityCancerCouncil.org
Facebook.com/AlamoCityCancerCouncil
Twitter @AlamoCCC

 

July Word from the Chairman

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PR

New Exclusive Member Benefit
As you may know, the North SA Chamber has endeavored to help you amplify your involvement with additional benefits including enhanced digital and online resources and exclusive member programming like special rates for employee benefits. In fact, many of you may have participated in the prior discounted group medical program that was discontinued earlier this year in accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Throughout the economic recovery and phased implementation of ACA, we have educated members on the law’s impact on business operations, and now it’s quite satisfying to be able to offer our members access to rich supplemental benefits and rates that comply with ACA law.

Introducing – North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife
We’re proud to announce that we have teamed up with MetLife to present the North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program that offers members competitive group rates for life, dental, disability and vision coverage. The North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife provides our small business members with less than 10 employees access to plans that they would not have been able to obtain on their own, while also expanding the benefit offering to organizations with up to 999 employees – and the product suite is available through any area insurance agent or broker.

I want to recognize and thank board member and Membership Council Chair, Aaron Seaman with SWBC, for working to bring this new supplemental coverage program to North SA Chamber members.It was through Aaron’s leadership and a willingness by MetLife to serve customers through the association marketplace that the plan was conceptualized over several months and brought to fruition. I want to commend MetLife for tailoring their approach to offer insurance products to fit the specific needs of the North SA Chamber membership.

Learn more about Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife

To learn more about how MetLife can benefit you, we encourage you to contact your agent or broker or search the FIND A MEMBER online directory to find a North SA Chamber member agent or broker.

North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife
The program offers competitive group rates for North SA Chamber members with 2 to 999 employees, featuring a Product Suite including:

  • Basic Term Life Insurance including Supplemental Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Group Dental Benefits that include Pediatric Dental Essential Health Benefits (EHB), where appropriate
  • Employer-Sponsored Short & Long Term Disability
  • Voluntary Short-term Disability (VSTD)
  • VisionAccess Program*

Now is an exciting time for the North SA Chamber, our members and our growing city. We welcome you and your employees to participate and hope you’ll be able to take advantage of this exclusive member benefit.

Like most group insurance policies, MetLife group policies contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. Eligibility varies by product based on the number of eligible versus participating employees. Ask your MetLife group representative for costs and complete details.

*   The MetLife VisionAccess program is a discount program and not an insured benefit. It is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP), Rancho Cordova, CA. VSP is not affiliated with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or its affiliates.

North SA Chamber now offering online, on-demand training: SPECIAL OFFER – members receive 1 FREE course

North Chamber logo 4c stackedAs part of our efforts to improve business resources for our members, the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is now offering an online training web shop – thanks to a partnership with Coggno.com, the premier Internet source for thousands of online training courses that businesses can access anytime, coggno logo (1)anywhere. Now member businesses can utilize online courses to create a well-trained, knowledgeable workforce in an efficient, convenient and cost-effective manner; and courses can be accessed at computer workstations, as well as from home computers, tablets and even smart phones. All that’s needed is an Internet connection and a desire to learn.

“We understand that our member businesses are operating in a fast-paced work environment and can’t always send every employee out for essential training,” says North Chamber President/CEO Duane Wilson. “Through the delivery of this comprehensive, online training catalog that aggregates courses from the top online training providers, we’re addressing the need for a more prepared workforce and time scarcity with on-demand course availability,” he adds.

The North SA Chamber online training catalog features hundreds of high-quality affordable courses created by world-class training developers, and covers virtually all industries including human resources, management, healthcare, safety and many more. Most staple HR and compliance courses are available for about $20, while other, more specialized courses range in price.

Additionally, members receive a free Learning Management System (LMS) along with the training they purchase. The LMS allows organizations to distribute courses easily to their employees with just a URL link; track and monitor employees’ training progress; and report and archive training results for compliance purposes.

Top Benefits of Online Training

  • Reduced costs: no need for travel, employee down time
  • Access to talent: highly specialized curriculum
  • Geographic reach and scalability: ability to train employees with distance learning
  • Compliance: for organizations that are required to comply with a multitude of regulations
  • Mitigate risk: training helps to prevent failures, liabilities and litigation
  • Focus on core business: outsource training development, management and delivery
  • Convenience: courses available on-demand, are self-paced and supervisors may distribute to and track courses for each employee via the free Learning Management System (LMS)Take advantage of this opportunity to build a more productive, skilled workforce. Visit the North SA Chamber Training Online Shop today.

Follow these steps to access training

  • Visit www.northsachamber.com and click on Training Online Shop to explore the online catalog
  • Click on a course category from the topic menu
  • View the course options
  • Click “Add to Cart” to select a course for purchase
  • Click “Checkout” when you have selected all the courses you want to purchase

Online Training Launch: Special Offer – 1 FREE Training Course per Member Business As a special promotion to kick-off our new online training program, we are giving away a free online training course* valued at $100 or less, to every North SA Chamber member (one course per company). Just follow these quick few steps…

  1. Create a free Coggno account here.
  2. Browse our online training section for a course you would like to share with your employees.
  3. Send your Coggno username to info@coggno.com with the course title and our chamber’s name.
  4. A Coggno representative will send you a coupon to get your free course.

* For courses $100 and under, offer expires in 30 days (Wednesday, May 28, 2014). Courses valid for up to a year!

 

 

Methodist Healthcare receives Texas Award for Performance Excellence

methodist hcs logo

 

 

 

Methodist Healthcare has been selected to receive the Texas Award for Performance Excellence (TAPE) from the Quality Texas Foundation, representing the highest level of quality an organization can achieve in the state of Texas. Methodist Healthcare is the first and only health care system in South Texas and the third organization in San Antonio to receive the TAPE award since the inception of the award in 1994.

Utilizing the same criteria and process as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the Texas Award for Performance Excellence is an annual recognition of Texas organizations that have achieved performance excellence and have applied outstanding quality principles in their day-to-day operations. TAPE winners are role model organizations demonstrating exceptional performance in all areas of organizational management – leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce focus, operations focus and results.

Texas Award for Performance Excellence Logo.wmz“This award is a validation of the hard work our employees, physicians, volunteers and board members have accomplished over the past years in Methodist Healthcare’s journey to excellence,” stated Jaime Wesolowski, President and CEO, Methodist Healthcare. “Our commitment to quality and process improvement enables us to provide better service and outcomes to our patients and that is what drives us to be nothing less than excellent,” continued Wesolowski.

There are many milestones the health system has achieved in its journey; a few quality indicators the system excels in are:

  • Evidenced Based Care Measures (Composite Core Measures) are in the top 10 percent of the nation, for those care interventions known to improve patient mortality and complications.
  • The Methodist Healthcare in-hospital mortality is only 50 percent of what is expected given the severity of illness levels of Methodist patients. For Methodist this translates into 530 fewer patients dying each year than should be expected.
  • The Patient Safety Indicator (PSI) 90 is a composite score of several in-hospital patient complications.  Methodist Healthcare scores significantly lower (better) at 0.46 than the national average of 0.6, indicating a much lower hospital complication rate than most hospitals.

State examiners from the TAPE Baldrige-based program visited Methodist Healthcare hospitals in January to evaluate how well employees, physicians, volunteers and board members demonstrate and standardize excellence across the system. Methodist will receive a detailed report from Quality Texas Foundation on the health system’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. Methodist staff will use the report to prepare for the national Baldrige process as part of the System’s continuing pursuit of excellence.

Methodist Healthcare will receive the award at the Texas Quest for Excellence Conference on June 23, in Addison, Texas.

About TAPE
Administered by the Quality Texas Foundation, the Texas Award for Performance Excellence was established in 1993. The award is open to government, education, health care, non-profit and other businesses. These organizations go through a rigorous application process where quality and performance excellence must be demonstrated on a variety of measures including: organizational leadership; strategic planning; focus on customers; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and results.

Methodist Healthcare System – Journey to Excellence
Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio began as Methodist Hospital, chartered in 1955 by the United Methodist Church.  Since that time, Methodist Healthcare has grown to what is now the largest health care provider in South and Central Texas with 27 facilities, including nine acute care hospitals serving over 90,000 inpatients and 390,000 outpatients annually, expanding its vision of world class health care to San Antonio and 26 surrounding counties.

Methodist’s ownership structure is a 50/50 co-ownership between not-for-profit.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries and for-profit Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) which is a truly unique business model for health systems in the country. With equal partnership control, Methodist Healthcare assures a dynamic balance in its mission: serving humanity to honor Godby providing exceptional and cost-effective health care accessible to all.  Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens Methodist Healthcare’s community outreach through its services to the underserved and dollars to community organizations and to its own clinics; Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided over $500 million to the community since its inception in 1995.

Led by a culture of Methodist Excellence, the nearly 9,000 staff and volunteers combined with a medical staff of over 2,500, dedicate themselves to continuous quality improvement by committing to live by the mission, vision and values of Methodist Excellence. Six pillars of excellence are embedded in Methodist Excellence (people, service, quality, growth, finance and community); department, hospital and system strategic goals are developed under each pillar and provide a framework for achieving sustained organizational success.

At the heart of Methodist Excellence is the System’s core competency, “building partnerships to serve our community.” This guiding principle defines the essence of MHS partnerships: (1) community centered, (2) patient focused, and (3) physician driven.

Methodist Excellence is the foundation of all aspects of the health care system; from hiring process to strategic planning, and ultimately to excellence in quality patient care. The journey to excellence has led

Methodist Healthcare to achieve many awards for clinical excellence and quality outcomes, as well as innovation and people’s choice awards. Receiving the Texas Award for Performance Excellence is a testament to Methodist Healthcare being selected as the most preferred and trusted health care provider each and every year.

 

Health coverage vs. health care

01-FaithFamilyLogo“Now that everyone will have medical insurance, what is your non-profit, charity clinic going to do?”  I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked that question by people who still do not understand the gaps that remain in the healthcare arena.

Faith Family Clinic is unique in that we do not receive government funding to provide medical care and are truly a community supported organization.  Serving in a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) we encounter high percentages of racial/ethnic minorities who live in communities characterized by a confluence of multiple levels of disadvantage: too few primary care providers, high rates of poverty, and poor population health.  Those making less than 133% of federal poverty level ($26,321 for family of 3) are not required to purchase insurance because they make too little and they work for a company which does not provide medical coverage.  In San Antonio, this represents a single mom with two children who makes $12/hour.  Maybe you know her as the waitress who served you lunch, or works at the dry cleaners, or convenience store where you get your car filled.

Every day we struggle to accommodate the requests from these working families who need to see a doctor in a timely fashion.  From a simple cold or flu to more serious conditions of diabetes and asthma, the working poor need quality healthcare they can afford.  However, there is still a gap between affordable coverage and affordable care.  Some have found medical insurance coverage that they may be able to afford, but they find it comes with an extremely high deductible.  Just this week I talked to a pastor of a smaller congregation who was able to find an insurance policy for his family of 6 but it came with a $10,000 deductible!  While he may have found affordable coverage, he will continue to struggle with affordable care.

dollar-e1352058119864MemberCare is our primary care membership solution for individuals or businesses who want to offer cost-effective access to medical care.  We have found smaller employers with under 50 employees, though not required to provide medical coverage, that are interested in offering benefits that are cost-effective for them and beneficial to the employee and family.  By providing employees with affordable access to quality, primary medical care employers may also help reduce turnover, absenteeism, increase productivity as well as enhance recruitment to their “small shop”.  Faith Family MemberCare works like a gym membership.  Enrolled employees and their enrolled family members have access to all the primary medical care they need, when they need it for a flat monthly fee.  MemberCare is NOT insurance but actual membership in our clinics at $50/month for one, $75/ month for two or $100/month for the whole family at no additional costs, office fees or co-pays.

In our world of rising healthcare costs and limited coverage, Faith Family Clinic is committed to our mission of providing health and wellness services to the working uninsured and under-insured residents of our community.  For more information call 210-653-1511 or email info@faithfamilyclinic.org.

Jim Young, Executive Director/Founder

www.FaithFamilyClinic.org

Northeast Methodist Hospital excels in patient safety – awarded “A” in Spring 2014 Hospital Safety Score

NE_methodistNortheast Methodist Hospital, a campus of  Methodist Healthcare, was honored this week with an “A” grade in the semiannual 2014 update to the Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from accidents, errors, injuries and infections. The Hospital Safety Score has become the national standard on hospital safety with “A” grades representing the safest hospitals in the United States.

The Hospital Safety Score is compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading experts on patient safety and is administered byThe Leapfrog Group (Leapfrog), an independent industry watchdog. The first and only hospital safety rating to be analyzed in the peer-reviewed Journal of Patient Safety, the Score is designed to give the public information they can use to protect themselves and their families.

“Our ‘A’ score represents our staff’s diligence in making safety a top priority in patient care,” said Jack Martin, MD, Chief of Staff, Northeast Methodist Hospital.

“As patients take a more active role in selecting where to receive health care, it has never been more important to focus on hospital safety and transparency.”

“Safety should come first for our families when we pick a hospital, because errors and infections are common and deadly,” said Leah Binder, president & CEO of The Leapfrog Group, which produces the Hospital Safety Score. “No hospital is perfect, but we congratulate the Board, clinicians, administration, and staff of Northeast Methodist Hospital for achieving an “A” and showing us that you made the well-being of you patients your top priority.”

To see Methodist Healthcare’s scores as they compare nationally and locally, and to find safety tips for patients and their loved ones, visit the Hospital Safety Score website at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org. Local hospitals’ scores are also available on the free mobile app, available at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

Calculated under the guidance of Leapfrog’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to produce a single “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” score representing a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from preventable harm. More than 2,500 general U.S. hospitals were assigned scores this fall. A full analysis of the data and methodology used is available on the Hospital Safety Score website.

About Methodist Healthcare of San Antonio Methodist Healthcare System – San Antonio is the largest provider of health care in South and Central Texas with 26 facilities including nine hospitals serving 93,000 inpatients and 350,000 outpatients annually. The Methodist Healthcare team is comprised of 8,000 employees, making Methodist Healthcare the third largest private employer in San Antonio. The Texas Quality Foundation selected Methodist Healthcare to receive the 2014 Texas Award for Performance Excellence. Methodist Healthcare is the first and only health care system in South Texas to receive this award which requires an organization to demonstrate its commitment to the highest quality standards. Methodist Healthcare has won the National Research Foundation’s Consumer Choice Award for 14 consecutive years, more times than any other health care provider in Texas. For the past six years, Methodist Healthcare has received “Best Hospital” Gold Award by the San Antonio Express-News’ Readers’ Choice Awards. With more than 2,700 credentialed physicians, Methodist Healthcare provides the largest array of medical services in the region including neurosurgery, cardiovascular services, oncology and women’s services. Visit www.SAHealth.com to learn more.

About The Leapfrog Group The Leapfrog Group (www.leapfroggroup.org) is a national nonprofit organization using the collective leverage of large purchasers of health care to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality and affordability of health care for Americans. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey allows purchasers to structure their contracts and purchasing to reward the highest performing hospitals. The Leapfrog Group was founded in November 2000 with support from the Business Roundtable and national funders and is now independently operated with support from its purchaser and other members.