Jean Cipperley Achieves Renewal of Certified Diabetes Educator Status

The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) announced that Jean Cipperley, RN-BC, CDE, BSN, Health Promotions Director at Horn Memorial Hospital, had renewed the Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) status by successfully completing the continuing education renewal option process.  Candidates must meet rigorous requirements to be eligible for certification.  Achieving the CDE credential demonstrates to people with diabetes and employers that the healthcare professional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for people with diabetes. Currently, there are over 17,400 diabetes educators who hold NCBDE certification.

Jean Cipperley has held the Diabetes Educator Certification since 2002.  She utilizes her knowledge and skills by offering one-on-one and group teaching through the Health Promotions Department as well as facilitating a diabetes support group at Horn Memorial. Jean commented, “People with diabetes, whether they are newly diagnosed or had diabetes for years, benefit from the education.”

Educational Opportunity to Learn About Abusable Drugs

Join us for a presentation by Linda Kalin of the Poison Control Center. TOMORROW from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and repeated from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove.

Learn the latest news about designer drugs with nicknames like “K2” and “bath salts” being manufactured, imported and used by today’s youth. Linda is gearing this program toward adults. Feel free to bring family, friends, or neighbors to this informative program.

There are free CEUs for nurses and EMTs.

Golf 4 The Girls Donates $5,000 to Women's Health Suite



Golf 4 the Girls Planning Committee:  Carol Bresnahan, Brandi Sharkey, Kim Clausen, Tammie Dausel, and Wendy Cadwell



Thank you to the Golf 4 the Girls committee, sponsors, and golfers for organizing and participating in this golf outing fundraiser.  This event raised an astounding $5,000 in just one day!  Horn Memorial Hospital is honored to receive this donation that will go towards defraying the cost of the Women’s Health Suite room remodel.

Prairie Pedlar Donates to the HMH Defibrillator Project



Darnell Dennehey, Pam Wessel, Jean Cipperley, Kathy Henrich and Ashley Hoppee

 The Prairie Pedlar of Odebolt donated $445.42 to the HMH Defibrillator Project.  The donation comes from the proceeds of their "Give and Grow" program.  The Prairie Pedlar donated 10% of every purchase from customers that presented a Horn Memorial Give and Grow coupon .  This is the second year HMH has participated in the program.  Thanks to all of the community members who supported this project and to the Prairie Pedlar for offering such a great community program.

Horn Physicians Clinic-Ida Grove Receives $11,240 from the Jillian Grace Duck Race

Michell Weber, Malia, Adam, Brylie, Jodi and Ellie Lansink, and Dr. Al Veltri

The Jillian Grace Duck Race raised an astounding $11,240 this year! All of the hard work and commitment from Adam and Jodi Lansink along with their family and friends contributed to this year’s success.  With the guidance of the Lansink family, it has been decided that the 2012 funds will go towards a room remodel at Horn Physicians Clinic. “We are renovating one of our current rooms into a pediatric room.  The set up and design will be geared towards our younger patients to provide a more kid-friendly environment,” comments Michelle Weber, HPC Clinic Director.  An Open House will be scheduled later this year for the community.

Horn Promotes Patient Safety through the “Ask Me 3” Program



Look for these cards in your
Provider's Office or Patient Room

Horn Memorial Hospital and Horn Physicians Clinic are actively practicing and promoting the education program “Ask Me 3™” to improve the safety of patients.  Ask Me 3™ is a patient education program designed to promote communication between health care providers and patients in order to improve health outcomes. The program encourages patients to understand the answers to three questions:

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

“We are encouraging patients to ask their providers these three simple but essential questions in every health care interaction. Likewise, providers should always encourage their patients to understand the answers to these three questions,” comments Heather Gann, Quality Services Director.  “Studies show that people who understand health instructions make fewer mistakes when they take their medicine or prepare for a medical procedure. They may also get well sooner or be able to better manage a chronic health condition,” states Gann.



Take an active role in your health. 

Ask questions, you won’t regret it.

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.