Legislative Meeting
Periodically we invite legislators to Allen Hospital to meet with Bill Leaver, President/CEO of the Iowa Health System and me.  We discuss legislation that is important to the health and well-being of the communities we serve, and we provide an overview of what is being done within Allen Health System.  Such a meeting was held on Thursday this week, and one of the issues we covered was the importance of child protection centers.  As you may know, Allen has developed the Allen Child Protection Center that serves the Cedar Valley area and takes referrals from outside the area as well. 

During fiscal year 2011, child protection centers in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Muscatine and Waterloo served 3,002 children, almost half under the age of 6.  These centers represent public/private-funded partnerships serving the medical and emotional needs of children who have been victims of rape, incest and abuse.  We are seeking to have state funding restored and for $250,000 to be allocated for the Waterloo Child Protection Center to provide annual support.

A number of other issues were discussed. I am grateful to Representatives Bob Kressig, Walt Rogers, Anesa Kajtazvoic, Deborah Berry and Senator Bill Dotzler for attending, listening and providing their input. 

Patient Satisfaction - September

Congratulations to the Allen departments who hit their stretch goal for patient satisfaction scores for September.   Each department is studying their patient satisfaction surveys and identifying ways to give patients and their families the very best care.  Click here for Panel 1 and click here for Panel 2.

Left to right: Sunny Layne, Jennifer Schmudlach, Nina Thomas, Lexa Starbeck, Katie Strub

KWWL Features Allen Child Protection Center

KWWL featured the Allen Child Protection Center this month. Here are excerpts from Sunny Layne’s story:
 
The latest statistics show one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before age 18. A sad and sobering number, but workers at Allen Child Protection Center are helping victims of physical and sexual abuse. Director Nina Thomas of the ACPC helps the most vulnerable among us feel safe.

Located in Cedar Falls, the ACPC opened nearly a year and a half ago to aid and protect abused children and build a legal case against their abusers. "Black Hawk County has high rates of physical and sexual abuse," State representative Bob Kressig said. Kressig helped secure state money to start the Child Protection Center. It serves 27 counties in northeast Iowa and is the fifth such center in the state.

Nurse practitioner Lexa Starbeck carefully examines each child from head to toe.  A $23,000 donated colposcope allows her to document magnified images of the body without being intrusive. Highly-trained forensic interviewers talk with the children.

Since its beginning in May 2010, ACPC has interviewed nearly 250 children, which has led to the arrest of 40 people. Black Hawk County ranks 4th highest in the state in cases of child abuse.   Child advocates say most cases of abuse go unreported.  Allen Child Protection Center relies mostly on grants and donations.  If you would like to donate or know more, call (319) 277-7463.”

Allen Hospital Auxiliary members, you should have received your invitation to our “Celebrate the Season Event” to be held in the Gift Shop on Thursday, November 10.

You will have the opportunity to invite your friends and family to join you for the “Invitation Only Event!”

Not an Auxiliary member but would like to be invited to our evening event? Contact Sara at 3164 to join today!

The Radiology Department is now using Vocera badges.

Previously when you said “Radiology” into your Vocera, it would ring to the Radiology Front Desk or transfer to another phone number.  As of today, when you say “Radiology,” it will cycle through people and modalities throughout Radiology.   To attempt to expedite calls and requests, we have set up the following groups/ modalities: 
  
X-Ray Tech          (General Diagnostic X-ray)
X-ray Nurse
C T                         
M R                       
Nuc Med Tech 
Ultrasound
Interventional Radiology
Mammo   (technologist working in Mammography)
Radiology Front Desk:    Calls 3715 , the radiology receptionist.  They will be able to transfer your call to the modality or person you need to talk to.
Radiology after hours :    calls the general diagnostic x-ray cell phone

As always with Vocera, if you know the name of the person you are attempting to reach you can ask for them specifically.   Thanks.

New Shipping Program Begins Nov 1st

We will begin utilizing a new freight program Nov 1st. All shipments will be sent/received via UPS unless the vendor is paying for it on their own account. This will apply to all shipments regardless of campus location. If you have preprinted shipping labels from FedEx or any questions, please contact Amber Crooks in Purchasing at ext. 3785.