Annual Report Bridging a Path to a Healthier Community

2005 Annual Report Bridging a Path to a Healthier Community Inland Northwest Health Services 2005 Introduction from the CEO INHS is a company of stories. They are the stories of our customers — the health care providers constantly in search of better, safer ways to meet the needs of their patients. They are the stories of our patients going through the rehabilitation process with the single goal of getting back to families, home and work. They are the stories of people anticipating the birth of a child or trying to break the grip of tobacco in their lives. They are the stories of lives saved by air ambulance transport to a trauma center. They are the stories of the employees of all INHS service lines and the lives they touch and improve on a daily basis. Each of these stories is linked by the vision that created our company more than a decade ago. It is a vision built on the idea that collaboration is the most fundamental path to success for any venture. It is also an apt description of how our health care system operates; no individual can care for a patient in isolation. Physicians work with nurses and pharmacists who work with therapists who depend on facilities staff and administrators. Successful collaboration is the essence of effective health care. It is also the principal guiding our growth — growth that is occurring despite a rapidly changing social and political environment. Thanks to the continued support of our sponsors, Empire Health Services and Providence Health Care, INHS remains focused on the many opportunities the future offers. To the board members, community volunteers, employees, patients and their families who have been part of our story in 2005, I thank you. We look forward to the continuing evolution of INHS and the many, many lives we will touch in the years ahead. Thomas M. Fritz Chief Executive Officer INHS Bridges a Path to a Healthier Community INHS may be a simple acronym for a company name, but for thousands living in the Inland Northwest, the four letters represent much more. “INHS touches the lives of patients in so many different aspects — from Northwest MedStar’s critical transport of patients and CHER’s myriad of educational offerings, to the leading-edge work of IRM and Northwest TeleHealth to the efforts of Children’s Miracle Network and St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute,” said Jorge Bombel, vice chair of the INHS board of directors and a member of the board of directors for Providence Health Care. INHS and its divisions work on behalf of its sponsoring hospitals — Deaconess Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Sacred Heart Medical Center, and Valley Hospital and Medical Center — to bring safer, more cost-effective, and higher quality care to Spokane and the region. Robin Shaw, M.D. Kootenai Medical Center “ INHS and its quality programs and services continue to make significant contributions to health care in our region. Their work is vital to the health of the people living in our community.” — Rich Hadley, President and CEO of the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce A driving force behind INHS’ efforts is the extensive health information network managed by Information Resource Management. The network securely connects 32 hospitals to 2.4 million electronic patient records and provides more than 1,000 physicians and nurses with clinical information such as patient history, physician orders, medication information, laboratory results and radiology images. “The technology gives us instant access to critical patient information,” said Robin Shaw, M.D., emergency physician at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. “It enables us to focus on the task at hand and quickly and safely treat the patient, while at the same time reduce the probability of error associated with miscommunication or illegible orders.” The IRM network is the backbone for many technologies currently in place at regional hospitals to help physicians and nurses provide safer and more efficient patient care. Care Fills Community Need When 5-year-old Blake asks for a drink of water, it is a moment of triumph for his parents Sam and Chad. “For any other parent, it would be like their child just brought home a report card with straight A’s,” Chad said. Diagnosed with autism at two, Blake undergoes hours of intensive therapy daily to help him communicate, eat, and play. While what may be viewed by most as an ordinary part of life, Blake asking for a drink of water is a major breakthrough. “Blake has made huge progress,” Chad said. “His therapy at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute has been a major part of that.” There was a time when Sam and Chad were faced with the possibility that St. Luke’s would no longer be an option for their son. A change in the state’s reimbursement policy nearly forced the closing of the outpatient pediatric program, which would have left 600 children without the therapy they need. “There would have been no place for Blake and for other kids with developmental needs to go,” Chad said. “St. Luke’s is vitally important to our community.” Thanks to the efforts of St. Luke’s staff, along with Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire and Senator Lisa Brown, a new funding solution now ensures children will continue to benefit from St. Luke’s pediatric outpatient program. “One of the most important things we can do for our kids is to make sure they are healthy and have a chance to thrive. Every child should have access to quality health care, regardless of their families’ circumstances,” Governor Gregoire said. “Thanks to St Luke’s, all children regardless of the kind of insurance they have or don’t have, will get the kind of care they need, when they need it.” Chad knows first-hand the importance of St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute to his son Blake, and to others who depend on its programs. But as a flight nurse for Northwest MedStar, Chad has an even greater appreciation for INHS and the impact all of its divisions have on the lives of those in the region. “Northwest MedStar’s critical care transport makes a huge difference for the people in our region, especially for those in the outlying areas,” he said. “MedStar, St. Luke’s, and other INHS divisions provide people access to quality health care who otherwise might not have it.” In June, St. Luke’s pediatric outpatient program was officially renamed Northwest Center for Children’s Rehabilitation at St. Luke’s. INHS Innovation Connects People to Health Care Rural residents Carol Schuh and her husband Art of Harrington, Wash. are grateful for the diabetes education provided by Community Health Education and Resources (CHER). In fact, they credit the classes for potentially saving Carol’s life. “We learned we were doing my insulin wrong and making my diabetes worse,” Carol explained. “Now we know how to do it right and better manage the disease.” Instead of driving the 50 miles to Spokane for the classes Carol needed, the retired couple only had to make a short 13-mile trek to nearby Davenport, thanks to a partnership between CHER and Northwest TeleHealth. Last year, CHER provided diabetes education over Northwest TeleHealth’s video conferencing network to 372 people living as far away as Republic, Wash., a 100-mile drive from Spokane. This was more than triple the number of participants in 2004. Jennifer Polello, Health Education Manager for CHER “With the increase in diabetes across the nation, rural communities are often experiencing similar increases, and the lack of access to education has had a profound impact on patient outcomes,” said Jennifer Polello, Health Education Manager for the CHER diabetes program. “The collaboration between CHER and Northwest TeleHealth allows us to serve all of Eastern Washington and bridge the gap in diabetes education to the rural communities.” “ With the increase in diabetes across the nation, rural communities are often experiencing similar increases and the lack of access to education has had a profound impact on patient outcomes.” — Jennifer Polello “The future in health care depends on creating world-class health care services and quality care by using technology. INHS is uniquely positioned to do just that.” — Christopher Marr, chair, INHS Board of Directors Information Resource Management (IRM) “One of the best improvements IRM helped us make was the change from paper to electronic patient records. The real-time records save us time, help us better allocate resources and preplan for patient throughput. They help us make decisions about patient care in a more efficient and timely manner. Michelle Egan Assistant Nurse Manager, Sacred Heart Medical Center Accomplishments • Fifty-five analysts were added in a year that started with the “go live” of a complete hospital information system for Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls, Idaho and ended with the kickoff of two new implementations — Mason General Hospital in Shelton, Washington and Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho. At year’s end, 32 facilities were supported by IRM and overall revenues increased 33 percent. • Designed and developed a system which dramatically improved productivity and efficiency for Sacred Heart Medical Center leading to interest from other hospitals. • Developed a sophisticated software linkage between the hospital information system and a physician electronic medical record (EMR) system. The new interface provides clinical results to the hospitals, and delivers orders to the physician’s EMR in the office. The unique connection allows a physician to schedule tests and admit patients, from the desktop. Over 100 physicians signed on in 2005. • INHS and area leaders led an effort which resulted in INHS receiving designation as a Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO), one of the first in the United States. The designation aligns Spokane and regional hospitals with the Federal Government’s improvement and efficiency programs. IRM developed real-time resource monitoring for the emergency room, inpatient units and operating rooms. “ TeleER makes care flow smoother and gets the patient where they need to be sooner — resulting in better outcomes for the patient.” — Chris McGlothlen Northwest TeleHealth “As a small community hospital, we have limited on-site resources. Northwest TeleHealth’s TeleER gives us immediate access to urban specialists. Having this expertise at our fingertips allows us to increase the level of care to the residents of this rural community. We’re also excited about the project’s enhanced “virtual bed” technology, which will give remote specialists all the data — radiology images, patient records, video conferencing — in one system, further streamlining patient care.” Chris McGlothlen, Physician Assistant Director, Emergency Room, Newport Community Hospital Accomplishments • Better outcomes for rural patients were made possible through TeleER. Initiated in three sites, TeleER ‘virtually’ connects rural emergency rooms to urban specialists and provides around-the-clock access to a ‘virtual bed’ staffed by specialists in emergency services, trauma, wound care and pediatrics. • Trained and supported 64 Northwest TeleHealth site coordinators. • Coordinated 2,000 video conferencing events, a 50 percent increase over the previous year. • Installed six new TelePharmacy sites in Washington at Othello Community Hospital, Othello; St. Joseph’s Hospital, Chewelah; Lincoln County, Davenport; Pullman Regional Hospital, Pullman; Island Hospital, Anacortes; and Mid Valley Hospital, Omak. • Installed new TeleHealth sites in Grangeville, Idaho, and Inchelium and Ritzville, Washington. • Presented at numerous national and regional conferences on video conferencing, TeleER, and EMS Live@Nite™. Northwest Telehealth increased video conferencing systems to 95 and deployed over 60 different locations and institutions. “ We’re confident that with the help of CHER, our employees will be better equipped to manage their health care and become better consumers of health care services.” — Carol Klein Community Health Education and Resources (CHER) “As part of Itron’s new company-wide wellness program, we’ve partnered with CHER to perform onsite health screenings for employees at our corporate offices in Spokane and four other major sites throughout the United States. We are very impressed with CHER’s high level of professionalism. Our employees are enthusiastic about the screenings and have given very positive feedback. CHER is knowledgeable, attentive and respectful to the confidentiality of our employees.” Carol Klein Manager of Corporate Benefits Itron, Inc. Accomplishments • Health@work™ contracted with 29 regional businesses (representing 3,645 employees) to administer CHER’s worksite wellness program. • 14,479 people in the Spokane community benefited from diabetes, parenting, preventative, and community health education. • Camp Fun in the Sun, CHER’s camp for children with diabetes, hosted 135 children. • Health@school™ partnered with Spokane Public Schools to develop a diabetes education curriculum and online learning tools for Washington school district employees. • Implemented Step to It, a walking/exercising challenge which uses CHER’s online tracking web site, for clients of the O.C. Olson Diabetes Education Center. • Sponsored the Spokane leg of Governor Gregoire’s Walk Across Washington challenge and hosted 193 people who walked a designated course through Riverfront Park. • Nearly 200 teens learned safe babysitting techniques at CHER’s Babysitting Basics classes. CHER’s Parenting Programs educated 1,053 parents in prepared childbirth, breastfeeding and baby care classes. “ The staff is fantastic. I can’t say enough about their professionalism, kindness and courtesy. It was an outstanding experience.” — Bill Marineau, M.D. St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute “Ten days after major surgery on my back, I arrived at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute extremely weak, using a walker, and hardly moving without help. After only a week of inpatient therapy, I developed quite a bit more strength and was able to go home and continue in the outpatient therapy program. I’m in better shape than I have been in the last 15 years.” Bill Marineau, M.D. Former Medical Director MSC and Spokane resident Accomplishments • Provided 20,789 inpatient days of service in 2005; St. Luke’s is the largest provider of inpatient rehabilitation services in the state. • Provided more than 5,500 individuals with outpatient therapy service, for a total of 74,000 outpatient visits — an increase over 2004. • Completed 2005 with a positive revenue of $568,471 — a two percent profit margin. • Expanded the Spokane Center of Occupational Health and Education (COHE) to 13 additional counties. • Increased patient safety through enhanced electronic medical record systems including Barcode Medication Verification (BMV) expansion and improved electronic documentation. • Underwent a successful Department of Health Survey and completed the Periodic Performance Review for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). • Secured $485,198 in new research funding. Stephan Humphries, M.D., was hired in 2005 as the new medical director for St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute. “ Northwest MedStar adds yet another dimension to the big picture of EMS services provided in North Idaho.” — Jim Kozak Northwest MedStar “Northwest MedStar is a valuable resource for the region’s emergency responders, particularly in outlying areas where ALS (Advanced Life Support) services frequently are not available and in situations where speed of transport is critical. Northwest MedStar provides important tools that strengthen the services of EMS agencies. They deliver outreach education for agencies that typically don’t have access to continuing education opportunities. Also, their GPS receiver distribution program is extremely helpful to responders in remote areas.” Jim Kozak Region 1 EMS Consultant, Idaho Emergency Medical Service Bureau Accomplishments • Transported 3,284 patients, a three percent increase over the previous year. • Distributed Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receivers to 13 fire and emergency medical response (EMS) agencies in North Idaho. Since 1998, Northwest MedStar has distributed 500 GPS receivers to rural emergency responders. • Taught 110 outreach education classes on emergency care to a total of 1,200 medical providers and first responders. • Enhanced aircraft safety with acquisition and operational use of night vision goggles, installation of an automated ground proximity warning system in the fixed wing aircraft, and installation of an aircraft satellite tracking capability. • Enhanced patient care with new dispatch and clinical charting software, portable ‘Toughbook’ laptops, improved portable infant incubator, SimBaby advanced infant simulator, and all-in-one portable defibrillators/monitors. Northwest MedStar provides transport for critical care patients of all ages, including the tiniest preemies. “This service is very important to me and to my ability to get the care I need. I don’t know what I would do without Northwest MedVan.” — James Wells Morris Northwest MedVan and Spokane MedDirect “I depend on Northwest MedVan to get me to my doctor appointments about twice a week. They always pick me up early and get me to my appointments in plenty of time. They provide great customer service, their drivers are courteous, and they are willing to go the extra mile.” James Wells Morris Spokane resident Accomplishments • Northwest MedVan provided 24,205 rides, driving a total of 148,949 miles transporting patients to their physician and hospital appointments. This includes an increase of 11 percent in wheelchair transports. • Calls from 9,469 regional physicians requesting patient referral and consultation were connected to Spokane hospitals and physician specialists by Spokane MedDirect resource representatives. “ With a simple toll-free call to Spokane MedDirect, I can quickly find and consult with a specialist or locate a medical office to refer a patient. Spokane MedDirect saves so much time. Their services mean a lot to the providers in our rural area.” — Sarah Walden, Family Nurse Practitioner, Republic Medical Clinic Spokane area patients rely on Northwest MedVan for transport to physician and hospital appointments. “CMN donates the toys, equipment and technology the kids need during their hospital stay. They play a big part in saving your child’s life.” — Heather Ingram Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) “My daughter Mailey was first diagnosed with leukemia when she was two. We have been in and out of hospitals the four years since. It has been a long haul. It is such a blessing to be part of Children’s Miracle Network. CMN is an excellent resource and a great way to meet families and kids going through similar experiences. It’s been an inspiration for Mailey and me to know we’re not alone.” Heather Ingram Spokane parent Accomplishments • Twelve member hospitals and pediatric programs were able to purchase more than 1,000 pieces of equipment to serve the needs of their special little patients. • Enabled more than 30 families to share their stories with more than 60,000 listeners during the KIX Cares for Kids Radiothon. This allowed families to educate the community about how Children's Miracle Network benefits hospitals. • Raised more than $1.25 million to benefit local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and programs. • Funds raised through Children’s Miracle Network helped more than 48,497 inpatients and 44,384 outpatients receive pediatric care. Pediatric Treatments at participating hospitals • • • • • • • • • Oncology — 2,428 Cardiology — 1,000 Congenital Defects — 166 Pulmonary — 95 Orthopedic — 433 Diabetes — 250 Emergency Room — 18,971 Neurology — 363 Other — 67,012 “Our partnership with CMN helps us make the children’s lives brighter during their time here facing illness. It helps them be a kid!” — Kim Ward, Nurse Manager, Pediatric Oncology “We are able to provide the specialty equipment and services that our children deserve.” — Susan Stacey, Nurse Manager, Pediatrics/Pediatrics Intensive Care 2006 Board of Directors Executive Team Back row (from left): Tom Fritz Chief Executive Officer Fred Galusha Chief Information Officer John Craig Chief Financial Officer Front row (from left): Gary Smith Chief Operating Officer, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute Nancy Vorhees Chief Operating Officer, Inland Northwest Health Partners Phyllis Gabel Chief Human Resources Officer Top photo (from left): Chris Marr, Chair, INHS Board of Directors and President, Swallow Turn Capital Jorge Bombel, Retired Brigadier General; Vice Chair, INHS Board of Directors Phil Stalp, Retired Physician Douglas Norquist, M.D., Northwest Orthopedic Specialists, PS Bottom photo (from left): Richard Umdenstock, President, Providence Services R. Ronald Wells, Wells and Company Jeff A. Nelson, President & CEO, Empire Health Services Not pictured: Ryland “Skip” Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Providence Health Care & Sacred Heart Medical Center The power of giving to the INHS Foundation means you have the opportunity to: Reach out — and give hope to a child, a community member, or a loved one at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute. Connect people — to quality health care through Northwest MedStar and Northwest MedVan transport services. Empower — someone with the knowledge and tools they need to reach their health goals. INHS Foundation You have read throughout this publication about the important impact Inland Northwest Health Services has on our region. Through our diverse health care services, we touch the lives of thousands of people every day — young and old, living near and far. They are your neighbors, family members, friends, and co-workers. The INHS Foundation is dedicated to the lives we touch by providing financial resources and generating public support for the services and programs provided by INHS. And with your help, we can touch more lives than ever before. Contributions to the INHS Foundation are vital to the services and programs we provide. Your gift can make a significant difference in our community and improve life for the people we serve. John Layman Chair, INHS Foundation Advisory Board Bridge — rural to urban through Northwest TeleHealth. Educate — a child and family on how to manage their diabetes through Community Health Education and Resources. “ I never knew how much one organization could affect my life and my family. I was happy to donate and give back to the people who supported me when I needed them the most.” — Anonymous Donor To make a difference by supporting the INHS Foundation, call: 509-473-6099 2006 INHS Foundation Advisory Board John Layman Board President Managing Partner, Layman, Layman, & McKinley Dr. Larry Cohen Professor and Chairman of Pharmacotherapy Deptartment, Washington State University George Schillinger Board Vice President Vice President, Black Rock Development, Inc. Susan Prince Vice President, Pring Corporation Brian Rekofke Board Secretary/Treasurer Attorney, Witherspoon-Kelley Attorneys Tyler Clements Owner, TGC 20 Sales, LLC Marty Dickinson President, Spokane Downtown Partnership Paula Johnson Community Volunteer Kit Querna Principal, Randall and Danskin Gina Smith Community Volunteer and Retired Teacher 2006 St. Luke’s Community Advisory Board Michael Dunford Vice President, Moloney and O’Neill Pamela D. Elkind, PhD Professor, Dept. of Sociology, Eastern Washington University Patrice K. Gorton Manager, Risk-Energy Resources, Avista Corporation Catherine Grainger Education and Career Development Coordinator, The Camas Institute Marcy Bennett Loan Officer, Banner Bank Brian L. Ernst Attorney, Beemer and Mumma Betsy Wilkerson Vice Chair, St. Luke’s Community Advisory Board John Moyer, MD Retired Physician Eldonna Shaw Gossett President and CEO, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce John Lynch Attorney Stream of Healing Thanks to the fundraising and coordination efforts of the St. Luke’s Auxiliary, the “Stream of Healing” at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute was formally dedicated on Tuesday, June 7, 2005. Inland Northwest Health Services . . . INHS Divisions: St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute Information Resource Management (IRM) Inland Northwest Health Partners Children’s Miracle Network™ (CMN) Community Health Education Resources (CHER) Northwest MedStar Northwest TeleHealth Northwest MedVan and Spokane MedDirect . . . connecting people to health care The INHS Foundation is dedicated to touching lives by generating financial resources for the programs and services of St. Luke’s, CHER, MedStar, and the family of services provided by Inland Northwest Health Services. www.inhs.org www.inhs.org INHS Divisions: St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute Information Resource Management (IRM) Inland Northwest Health Partners Children’s Miracle Network™ (CMN) Community Health Education Resources (CHER) Northwest MedStar Northwest TeleHealth Northwest MedVan and Spokane MedDirect INHS is a non-profit corporation sponsored by Deaconess Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital, Sacred Heart Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Spokane, Washington for the purpose of providing collaborative health care services for Spokane and the region. 157 South Howard, Suite 500 | Spokane, Washington 99201 | 509.232.8100