Improving healthcare. One patient at a time.

Transcription

1 Improving healthcare. One patient at a time. Healthcare, at its heart, is about improvement. Every day we strive to improve the condition of injured or sick patients. Every day we push for more effective and efficient ways to deliver care. And every day we seek out new treatments, technologies and procedures to make the patient experience better. And yet, it seems U.S. healthcare facilities as a whole are more challenged than ever to deliver quality care to the respective communities they serve. Operational and patient costs are at an all-time high, while many Americans struggle to find access to the care they need. Despite such challenges, we at Carson Tahoe share an optimism that is driving us forward to innovative solutions, which are taking care in our region to a new level. Through a unified approach and proactive measures to rise above the national healthcare fog, I m proud to say that we re leading the way in healthcare excellence. Once again, we were named one of the most beautiful hospitals in the nation ranked 5th by Soliant Health. We received Joint Commission re-accreditation, assuring quality standards are being met system-wide. Our Cancer Center remains the only Gold Level facility in Nevada. We are proud to have achieved Baby- Friendly Status by UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

2 Our Mission at Carson Tahoe Health is to enhance the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Our Core Values include putting patients first and treating everyone with dignity and respect. Our LTACH (Long Term Acute Care Hospital) was the recipient of five Bright Spot awards by HealthInsights and the Nevada Hospital Association. Sierra Surgery Hospital, located on the Carson Tahoe campus, was awarded Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission, as well as #1 in Nevada for Patient Satisfaction by HealthInsight. We were one of only a few hospitals nationally to meet the federal mandate for the Meaningful Use phase two deadline, which is set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to govern the use of electronic medical records. We introduced the Carson Tahoe Nurse Health Line in partnership with REMSA to direct our community to the most appropriate and cost effective care. We created the Wellness Mile trail loop, inviting visitors to stay fit while they get to explore our incredible campus. And we conducted a website makeover, including a new blog, physician directory and Search Engine Optimization audit, to ensure that our patients have online access to wellness and system information at their fingertips. This past year has seen so many achievements, and I can t tell you how gratifying it is to be part of the team that is reshaping the way our community thinks about healthcare. Because, in the end, that s really what it s all about our community. Carson Tahoe Health Board of Directors Elizabeth Duffrin Treasurer Ed Epperson ACHE, Fellow President & CEO James Gibson Secretary Don Hataway Assistant Secretary Dr. Timothy McFarren Chief of Staff Larry Messina Director Jonathan Miller Director Richard Staub Vice Chair Kathy Triplett Chair Dr. Jeffrey Upton Director Dr. Andrea Weed Director Friends, neighbors and loved ones whose lives we touch every day this is why we do what we do. This is why we re committed to improving healthcare with each new day. Sincerely, Ed Epperson President & CEO REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 1

3 Where the art and science of healing come together. We define community benefits as: Improving access to healthcare Reducing geographic, financial or cultural barriers to health services Enhancing public health Advancing healthcare knowledge Helping to train future healthcare professionals Contributions to Community Health 2013 The ability to provide assistance to those who cannot pay for medical care is a direct result of Carson Tahoe s sound business decisions and careful financial planning. Uncompensated Care $28,516,428 Community Health Improvement Services $2,697,049 Total Contributions $31,213,477 Maintaining negative margin inpatient service lines to prevent gaps in service Supporting community organizations REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

4 Wellness starts here. At Carson Tahoe, our community s well-being is at the heart of all we do. To that end, our team is continually expanding and enhancing our support and educational efforts, not only within our hospital walls, but also throughout the entire region. Throughout the year, we collaborate with area businesses and institutions to bring a healthier state of mind to the workplace. Beyond that, we reach out to the community at large through educational seminars and symposiums, special events, health fairs, community programs, sponsorships and more. Additionally, in response to the recent Community Health Needs Assessment survey, the Carson Tahoe Health & Wellness Institute has expanded health screenings and educational opportunities. We re proud to call northern Nevada our home, and even more proud to be considered the wellness leaders in our community.

5 Small changes that make a big difference. Sustainability and Green Initiatives Carson Tahoe Health has had a strong history of supporting the environment since initiating our recycling program in In March 2013, a Carson Tahoe Sustainability Plan & Environmental Report (called the Green Plan ) was developed to achieve a broader economic, social and environmental impact. Green Plan projects accomplished in 2013 include: Reduced 120,000 lbs. of waste through recycling Developed new garden at Regional Medical Center and donated 200 pounds of harvest to community groups Installed meters to capture evaporative water rate Hosted Earth Day event to educate employees on how to go green Installed high-efficiency LED lights Implemented green building materials, including the installation of solar films on windows and eco-friendly carpet

6 One network rooted in community. We re always thinking about ways to improve our community, whether it s through our wellness programs or our many educational resources. With a goal of helping raise awareness of the importance of preventative healthcare in our everyday lives, Carson Tahoe is reaching out every day to keep our community healthy. ADA certified Diabetes Education program Dedicating resources to nursing education in the community Partnerships with nursing schools/ colleges Scholarships, nursing and technician preceptorships Expanded Community HealthCheck Lab program Nutritional Services Cancer Resource Center CPR training Cancer 101 MOM s clinic Health & Wellness Institute Merriner Cottages CEUs & CMEs for medical staff Symposiums and physician lectures Here s to Your Health magazine Support groups Cancer, Stroke, Cardiac, Diabetes, Breastfeeding Improved access to online services, physicians and patient health portals Introduced Here s to your Health blog at CarsonTahoeHealth.com/ BestHealth Breast cancer awareness & education Community health screenings Consistent information and education exchanged through social media forums Prostate cancer screenings CT lung scans HeartSmart screenings Bone density screenings REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 5

7 Advancing Technology, Investing in Tomorrow In 2013, we invested $12,925,494 in capital equipment, including $2,977,699 in IT upgrades and new technology. While we are always focused on the task at hand of caring for patients around the clock, we also keep an eye toward the future. One of the most important aspects of planning for tomorrow includes the acquisition of new technologies to stay on the cutting edge. Carson Tahoe is redefining the standard in healthcare for our community through advanced level services developed to improve patient safety, comfort and outcomes. We ve raised the bar on highly skilled interventional procedures that are minimally invasive, providing shorter procedure times and reducing risks to patients. We ve also expanded our Emergency Department and introduced a new Hybrid Operating Suite, which combines the conventions of an operating room with highly technical, state-of-the-art endovascular imaging equipment. With the Affordable Care Act in effect, we are doing everything possible to acclimate our patients to the impact it has had on our healthcare network and the community as a whole. As always, our goal is to provide our community with the best possible information and resources to make informed and educated decisions as it relates to their ongoing health REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

8 A healthy outlook on our financial future. We always strive to bring good health to our patients. That same approach is applied to our financial process as well. After all, a healthy bottom line ensures that we re able to continue to provide exceptional care day in and day out. While financial challenges such as an increase in Medicaid patients, rising medical costs and new technology expenditures are a constant, Carson Tahoe remains dedicated to taking a proactive view to managing these costs in order to stay financially solvent and on budget. The ever-changing healthcare environment is one in which Carson Tahoe can and will thrive. In order to meet this challenge, it is imperative to understand that Carson Tahoe will provide an excellent patient experience while meeting quality standards at the highest level. These will be accomplished while maintaining fiscal prudence and responsibility at every level.

9 At the crossroads of caring. Carson Tahoe Health Foundation National trends in healthcare are putting extreme financial pressure on the operations of not-for-profit hospitals. At this crossroads where community generosity intersects with the critical needs of the Carson Tahoe Health system, the Carson Tahoe Health Foundation is continually striving to do our part to improve the patient experience through contributions from grateful patients, outreach campaigns, corporate and private grants, local donors and public fundraising events. Thanks to $808,412 in generous contributions received in 2013, we were able to initiate a lifesaving re-design of the Emergency Department entrance and parking area, provide increased support for patient needs that extend beyond the hospital walls, and continue offering no-cost lodging at the Merriner Cottages for rural cancer patients who receive extended medical treatment far from home. Donor support is making a difference in the lives of people throughout our community every single day. When you or a family member needs medical care in a healing environment, rest assured that Carson Tahoe Health has you covered. Kitty McKay Carson Tahoe Health Foundation