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During January and February of this year, Allen Hospital patient volume was well below budget and below last year’s volume. This of course has a significant impact on our revenue and makes it very important that we reduce our cost to compensate for the reduction in revenue. We always want to accomplish these reductions without negatively impacting patient care.
One opportunity that we took recently to reduce our costs was to eliminate contract security coverage of United Medical Park. Our experience has been that there is little need for dedicated security coverage, and we have a plant service associate at UMP who is trained in conflict resolution. The plant service associate is available if needed and has the ability to contact other resources such as 911 if that’s necessary.
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We do value our UMP associates and after much thought, we think that this change will provide for their security without the added costs of a contract service. Cost reductions are difficult, but we feel this change makes sense without resulting in negative consequences.
On another subject, it’s nice to see that six of our nurses have been recognized among the 100 Great Iowa Nurses for 2011. Jacqueline Leutzinger, Anna Wehling-Weepie and Kendra Williams Perez are being honored from Allen College. Lisa Franzen and Milda Mullesch are being honored from Allen Hospital, and Cathleen Hopkins is being recognized from Grundy County Memorial Hospital, one of two rural Allen affiliates. Watch for information to come on the May ceremony in Des Moines.
Patient Satisfaction January 2011
Congratulations to these Allen departments who hit their stretch goal for patient satisfaction scores. Each department is studying their patient satisfaction surveys and identifying ways to give patients and their families the very best care.
Click here for Poster 1 and here for Poster 2. Results are also posted outside of the Allen Cafe.
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Care Counts Luncheon
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Top Left: Dr. Hill, Dr. Crandall and
John Knox, CEO
Bottom Left: Danielle Knavel and Jennifer Lenehan, along with John Knox.
Top Right: Katie Bries, RN: Digestive Health Center-Logan; Ryanne North, Nurse Manager, DHC and John Knox.
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A Care Counts Luncheon was hosted on March, 2 honoring a special group of associates. They include 19 CARE Counts All-Star associates and providers and 5 CARE Counts Ambassadors. The Allen associates were selected from a pool of 61 nominations.
What defines a CARE Counts All-Star and Ambassador? Our CARE Counts All-Stars are first nominated by peers, patients, or leaders and then selected by a recognition team for their above and beyond demonstration of the CARE values.
CARE Counts Ambassadors are associates who have received the CARE Counts All-Star recognition previously but continue to be nominated. They are recognized as Ambassadors for their ongoing demonstration of AllenCare.
To see the All-Stars and Ambassadors, click here. To read the touching stories, and see all associates nominated, ">click here.
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Save the Date
The Beat Goes On
April 15, 2011
More information to come!
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Allen Credit Union March Auto Loan Special
During the month of March, Allen Credit Union will be financing 2000 to 2008 model year vehicles at 3.99%.
Call or stop in for more information 235-3678.
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Allen Hospital to Host
Healthcare Education Fair
Allen Hospital will be hosting an Education Fair on March 16th, from 11am to 4pm, in the South Dining Room. If you are interested in pursuing a healthcare career or furthering your education, this is the place for you. The fair will include many area colleges and universities. Representatives will be on site to discuss their programs and the many options available for enrollment. Human Resources will also be on site to discuss reimbursement options available to Allen employees. Please consider coming to this great opportunity to learn more about the many career options in healthcare today!
- Erin Peters, MSN, RN, Professional Development Coordinator
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Top 10, a peer nominated award, will recognize a group of excellent nurses at Allen Hospital. Allen's Top 10 will replace the Nursing Recognition Award from past years. Nominations forms will be available in each department and should be returned to the Clinical Services office. To print off a nomination form, click here.
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Family Members with Mental Illness?
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Black Hawk County is offering a FREE 12-week class for family members who have relatives with mental illness.
A person who took the class stated, “I think this has been a life changing experience.” The class covers different mental illnesses and the most effective treatments to promote recovery. In addition, it will help family members with problem solving, communication techniques, and strategies for handling crises and relapse. Finally, it offers ideas for self-care: how to cope with worry, stress, and emotional overload.
The class will run every Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. starting March 24 and ending June 9. The location is the First Congregational Church in Waterloo, 608 West 4th Street. Call the NAMI office at 235-5263 if you have questions or would like to register for the class.
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Black History Month
by Alisa Walker |
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I'd like to introduce you to Walter Hawkins, an African American scientist and inventor. Hawkins was raised by his sister after becoming orphaned as a young child. He faced a difficult upbringing when African Americans were often challenged to find adequate encouragement in education and at work.
In 1942, he was offered a positioned at AT&T Bell Laboratories. He became the first African American scientist on staff. While working at Bell Laboratories, he helped make universal telephone service possible by developing a plastic to insulate telephone wires.
In 1975, he became the first African American engineer to be inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. In 1976, Hawkins retired from Bell Labs, but remained an active mentor, educator and industrial visionary for many years. In 1992, he was honored with a National Medal of Technology presented by former President George H.W. Bush.
This concludes my Black History Spotlight for 2011. Look forward to sharing more information with you in 2012.
Allen Gift Shop News
Upcoming Allen Auxiliary Calendar of Events for 2011
All events are held in Meeting Room #5
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March 22 and 23
South Bend Chocolate
April 25 and 26
Books Are Fun
May 26 and 27
Scrubs and Beyond
June 8
Egyptian Sheets Sale
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All You Can Eat Pancake Supper
Shrove Tuesday, March 8
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Pancakes, Sausage, Baked Ham, Fruit
Adults $5.00 Children - $2.50
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
