Patients Rank Iowa Hospitals First in National Survey

U.S. Government Asks about Hospital Environment, Communication

DES MOINES – Patients responding to a U.S. government survey have made Iowa hospitals first in the nation. 

The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Survey, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care.

A state-by-state summary of the latest HCAHPS results shows Iowa tied for first with two other states for overall hospital rating.  Nearly three out four patients gave Iowa hospitals the highest possible rating (either a “9” or “10” on a 10-point scale).  Kansas and Nebraska hospitals received the same overall score.

In addition to giving an overall rating, surveyed patients also responded to nine other aspects of their hospital experience, including communication with physicians and nurses, responsiveness of the hospital staff, cleanliness, quietness, pain management, communication about medicine and discharge information.  In nine out of these 10 ratings, Iowa’s score was no lower than fifth-highest (Iowa ranked eighth for hospital quietness).

“The HCAHPS results show that it is a priority at Iowa hospitals to make every patient comfortable and well informed about their care,” said Kirk Norris, president and CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association.  “A positive, supportive environment for patients is vital to the high-quality care that is found throughout Iowa hospitals.”

Hospitals that are paid by Medicare under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) are required to participate in the HCAHPS survey.  Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), which are small facilities and not part of IPPS, have the option of participating.  Of Iowa’s 118 hospitals, 72 participate in HCAHPS and several of those are among the state’s 82 CAHs.

The most current HCAHPS Survey is based on patients discharged between July 2010 and June 2011.  The first public reporting of HCAHPS results in March 2008 included 2,521 hospitals and 1.1 million completed surveys; the spring 2012 public reporting entailed 3,851 hospitals and 2.8 million completed surveys.

HCAHPS data is used on the federal Hospital Compare website (http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/), where consumers can see information about hospital quality and compare results for individual hospitals.

The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government and consumer audiences.  All of Iowa’s 118 community hospitals are IHA members.

HMH Auxiliary Volunteers Honored at Luncheon



The HMH Auxiliary honored their volunteers at a salad lunch held on May 1^st in the HMH Conference Center.  The luncheon was given as small token of appreciation to the volunteers who give endless hours supporting Horn Memorial Hospital in various ways.  The following Auxiliary volunteers received recognition pins for hours served.  700-hour honoree:  JoAnn Heath.  600-hour honorees:  Lavonne Murray and Mildred Fleenor.  500-hour honorees:  Marjorie Lantz, Janet Mahood, and Ramona Schubert.  400-hour honoree:  Marilyn Skaren.  300-hour honorees:  Twyla Martin and Millie Schuett.  250-hour honorees:  Virginia Wellendorf and Carol Mohrhauser.  200-hour honorees:  Kathy Wilke, Cecile Bargar, Joan Petersen, and Kathleen Lichtenberg.  150-hour honorees:  Alice Hanson, Marge Hauschildt, Wanda Kauffman, Dixie Lansink, Ardyce Wolterman, and Melissa Augsburger.  100-hour honoree:  Donna Forbes. 

Back Row: Bev Jessen, Judy Blanco, Cecile Bargar, Carol Grayson, Dixie Lansink, Carol Mohrhauser, Kim Miller, Marlene Zobel, and Roberta Freese.  Middle Row:  Susan Miller, Joanne Farley, Judy Lansink, LaVonne Murray, Donna Forbes, Virginia Wellendorf, Joan Petersen, Wanda Kauffman, Leilla Lansink, Velma Smith, and Betty Hanson.  Front Row:  Melissa Augsburger, Jane O’Tool, Mildred Fleenor, Millie Schuett, Alice Hanson, Marilyn Skaren, and Marge Lantz.

 



Horn Foundation's 2nd Annual Golf Outing Raises $28,000

The Horn Memorial Hospital Foundation raised $28,000 at their second annual Golf Outing held Friday, May 4^th at the Ida Grove Golf and Country Club.  With 95 sponsors and 17 teams of golfers, Dale Ullrich, Chairman of the Foundation Board, deemed this annual event a great success!   

Funds raised through this golf outing have been designated towards Women’s Health, and more specifically will be used to finalize the last few details of the Digital Mammography project.  The Foundation has successfully set and reached their goal of providing digital mammography at Horn Memorial Hospital with digital mammography services beginning mid-June.

2012 Foundation Board Members include;  Dale Ullrich, Chairman; Kathy Edsen, Vice-Chairman; Barbara Votrobeck, Secretary; Cyndi Rock-Raasch, Treasurer, and members at large include Deb Einspahr, Peter Goldsmith, Karen Salmon, and Bonnie Teut.

For event photos visit: http://www.facebook.com/hornmemorialhospital

Horn Hospice Recognizes Volunteers

Present in photo from left:  Mike Andrews, Sharon Uhl, and Floyd Wilcke.

Horn Hospice recognized their volunteers at an appreciation dinner hosted by Hospice staff on Tuesday, April 10^th.  Horn Hospice currently has 16 active volunteers who give their heart and soul to the program.  With the help of these generous volunteers Horn Hospice is able to provide compassionate end of life care.  These 16 volunteers donated 461.25 hours of their time and traveled 1,931 total miles throughout the year to visit patients.  At the appreciation dinner, three volunteers were specially recognized for their commitment to Hospice.  Floyd Wilcke recorded 67.25 volunteer hours, Sharon Uhl volunteered 65 hours, and Mike Andrews volunteered 59.50.  “It takes all of these dedicated individuals to make our program a success, and we are very grateful for each of our volunteers.” commented Zanet Thies, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator. 

Active Hospice volunteers include:  Mike Andrews, Anne Beery, Karen Burnett, Betty Davison, Donna Forbes, JoDee Hewitt, Karen Lansink, Vicki Laugavitz, Cynthia Lindskoog, Cindy Mildenstein, Sue Schultz, Pam Shever, Jane Snyder, Sharon Uhl, Floyd Wilcke, and Florence Wunschel.

Holst Family Presents Donation



Present in photo:  Jim Holst, Stephanie Jacobson and Bob Holst



Jim and Bob Holst presented a donation to Stephanie Jacobson, Dietary Director at Horn Memorial Hospital, in memory of their mother, Sarah Holst.

Sarah was an employee of Horn Memorial Hospital and worked in the Dietary Department for many years. 

The Holst’s donation will be used to purchase new pots and pans for the Dietary Department.

Horn Promotes SERVICE EXCELLENCE



Present from left: Megan Schilling, Jean Whiteing
Linda Ausborn, Crystal Endrulat, and Tina Wellendorf



At Horn Memorial Hospital Service Excellence is about going beyond the basics of your job description to better serve patients and staff.  It isn’t just about your job, but about your attitude and how you represent the hospital and your community. The Service Excellence Committee provides opportunities for staff to do just that.

As a spring project, Service Excellence challenged staff to give back to the community by hosting a hospital-wide food drive for Mid Sioux. The committee set a goal of 200 items and was pleased with the outpouring of support having surpassed this goal by more than 50 items! In addition, a “Pay it Forward” program among staff has also been implemented. Through “Pay it Forward”, staff is encouraged to perform random acts of kindness and try to make someone else’s day a little brighter by doing something unexpected.

“’Pay it Forward’ gives people the opportunity to make someone else’s day brighter. Random acts of kindness don’t have to be extravagant or time-consuming, but can be something small or thoughtful. We hope that this will catch on among staff members and possibly even spread into the community.” said Megan Schilling, leader of the Service Excellence Committee.

The Service Excellence Committee also participates in a bi-annual Adopt-a-Highway Roadside Cleanup as a way to give back to the community. Horn’s goal through Service Excellence is to make an impact one small measure at a time.

“We are always trying to implement more ways for staff to work as a team and serve patients and our community beyond what is expected of them. We hope to use our efforts this spring as a starting point for future projects.” comments Megan Schilling.

HMH Receives ICCBF Grant Funds



Present in photo from left:  Jo Rettinghaus, Peg Cronin, and Crystal Endrulat



Horn Memorial Hospital and the Radiology Department accepted a $10,000 check from the Ida County Community Betterment Foundation from a grant received in 2011.  Funds from this grant were designated for the purchase of a digital mammography unit.  The Siemens “MAMMOMAT Inspiration” has been ordered and digital mammography services should be in place by early spring/late summer.

Thank you to the community and the Ida County Betterment Foundation for making digital mammography at Horn Memorial a reality!