Horn Memorial Hospital Requiring Photo Identification at Admission

Properly identifying patients is the first step in patient safety in any healthcare facility. Throughout the national healthcare industry, the improper identification of patients has resulted in medication errors, transfusion and testing errors, and wrong-person procedures.  Accurately identifying patients in healthcare facilities also reduces medical identity theft and insurance fraud.

Horn Memorial Hospital takes patient safety very seriously and has many systems in place to make sure that patients are properly identified from the point of admission to the time they are discharged.

The first opportunity to properly identify a patient is during the admission process.  “If you are a patient age 16 years or older, you will be asked to present photo identification during the admission process,” explains Carrie Arens, Horn Memorial Hospital Revenue Cycle Director. “If you do not have photo identification with you, we will continue with the admission process, and you will be asked to bring photo identification with you to your next visit.”  For patients unable to admit themselves, a family member will be asked to provide the patient’s photo identification and all other information required at admission.

Acceptable forms of photo identification include a state driver’s license, state identification card, tribal identification card, United States uniformed service identification card, a Passport, or a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).  In addition to a photo, the identification card should include your first and last name, middle initial, and date of birth.  Any Iowa resident may request a photo identification card at the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) service center; there is no age limit to apply for the card. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of name, identity and United States citizenship, as well as date of birth and social security number.

At Horn Memorial Hospital, once we have properly identified you during the admission process, the admitting staff will place an armband on your wrist. This armband includes unique patient identifying information such as: your name and date of birth, your admitting physician’s name, your unique medical record number, and the date of service.

The next step of proper patient identification occurs every time you come in contact with hospital personnel. The staff of Horn Memorial will ask your name and date of birth before administering any medical service or procedure, and before administering medications or blood products.

“We know that this process may seem cumbersome and unnecessary for a small town hospital, where we know so many of our patients,” says Arens. “However, the procedures are standard practices in all medical facilities throughout the country. The systems are in place to protect all patients and we train our staff to follow the steps with each and every person.”

“When you enter our hospital for services, be prepared to present your personal identification and be patient with our staff when they verify your identity throughout your care in our facility,” said Arens. “We strive to provide high quality, compassionate health care to all of our patients.  Patient safety is our highest priority.”

Horn Memorial Celebrates Hospital’s Overall Rating, Housekeeping Rating

The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems for Hospitals, or HCAHPS, is a series of patient surveys that focus on quality from the patient perspective.  Horn Memorial Hospital participates in the surveys because the feedback from patients and visitors is valuable and helps create programs and systems of care that better serve our patients.  Patients that are hospitalized are randomly chosen to participate in the surveys.  Horn Memorial has a 47% return rate, which is very strong in comparison to peers. 

There are many areas in which Horn Memorial outperforms its peers.  One such measure is the Overall Rating of Horn Memorial.  In 2015, 87% of patients surveyed rated Horn Memorial at a “9” or “10” on a 10 point scale, with “0” being the worst possible hospital and “10” being the best possible hospital.  In comparison, the state of Iowa’s hospitals collectively averaged 76%, and the national average was 72% for this measure.  Hospital CEO Chris Nichols comments, “This is a tremendous achievement and a credit to the entire HMH team.  It proves what we ALREADY know, that we provide great care to our patients.  But we’re also always looking for ways to improve what we do.  I think that commitment is why we stand out and will hopefully continue to do so.”

Another area where HMH stands out is the “cleanliness of the hospital environment.”  For that measure, so far in 2016, Horn ranks in the 98th percentile among its hospital peers.  Meaning, in the entire database of hospitals who use the same measurement tool (over 2000), Horn rated better than 98% of them.  There’s no doubt that the cleanliness of the hospital environment influences patient’s “overall” experience.  Visitors and vendors who do not frequent Horn on a regular basis often comment on the overall cleanliness of the facility.  The hospital is celebrating this achievement with a party for the entire housekeeping staff on September 14th.  Members of the HMH Environmental Services team as shown in the picture from the back row:  Zach Jepsen, Erin Hammond, Jessica Brown, Bev Roe; front row:  Kit Svendsen, Ingrid Ulven, Felisha Payne, and Kelly Harris.  Environmental Services staff who was absent at the time of the photo were Nona Engelke and John Burk.

Horn Updates Construction, Fundraising for Inpatient Project

Work has begun on Horn Memorial’s new 18-bed, 13,000 square foot inpatient unit that will feature all private rooms with bathrooms/showers and an outdoor courtyard with walking path and sitting areas for patients, families, guests, and employees.  Ground was broken by HMH leadership and the Board of Trustees on May 23, 2016.  Since then, the old “west wing” was abated and demolished.  After demolition was completed, crews spent about a week on shoring and trenching for utility lines.  Currently, the basement is being dug with plans for footings bring poured and basement walls put up throughout the month of August.  By September 1, steel columns will be visible. The whole project is slightly ahead of schedule with a completion date of October, 2017.

The community support and fundraising for this much needed update has been instrumental in getting the project off the ground. 

Less than a year ago, Horn Memorial began their venture to fundraise $1.5 million for a new Inpatient Unit that is estimated to cost $9 million.  Since November 2015 the hospital and a group of community members has successfully raised $1.4 million of that goal.   Efforts continue with the hope to meet and surpass the $1.5 million fundraising goal before completion of the project.

Twenty nine areas/rooms were identified as opportunities for naming rights, and to date, 22 of the 29 areas/rooms have been reserved.  The areas left include one patient corridor and six patient rooms.  Hospital CEO Chris Nichols comments, “The support of this project has been remarkable.  Many of our donors and community partners have stepped up in huge way.  For our larger donors, many have chosen to honor or memorialize a loved one.  Several times I’ve been moved just hearing the stories that people share about who the room is dedicated to.  Others have chosen naming rights to a whole family or business.  The timelessness of the naming rights to a particular room or area, and the fact that those names will be displayed for at least the next 50 years, carry great meaning to people, as does Horn Memorial.” 

The HMH Inpatient Project remains a great opportunity to memorialize or honor loved ones, perhaps even someone who has benefited from the care at Horn Memorial.  All donations at and above $500 will be recognized on a new donor recognition wall that will be placed inside the new unit.  If interested in becoming a partner in HMH’s Inpatient project, please contact Marketing Director, Sarah Harm at 712-364-7227.

Horn Public Health Extends Immunization Clinic Hours in August

A new school year is fast approaching and now is the time to review your child’s immunization record to be sure their vaccinations are up-to-date.  It is especially important for children entering kindergarten, 7^th grade, and college. Students continuing on to post-secondary education need to check with their college or institution to see what vaccinations are required or recommended.

Horn Public Health will hold extended Vaccine for Children (VFC) clinics in August.  The clinics will be Tuesday, August 9 and Wednesday, August 10 from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. To be eligible for VFC clinics, a child must meet one of the eligibility requirements: is enrolled in Medicaid, does not have health insurance, is American Indian or Alaskan Native, or is underinsured (has health insurance that does not pay for vaccinations). Public Health is located in the upper level of the Medical Arts Building at 700 East 2^nd Street in Ida Grove.  Please bring your child’s new Medicaid/MCO cards. Parents can call 712-364-7311 with questions.

The Iowa school immunization law requires parents to vaccinate their children against diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, rubella, polio, hepatitis B and chickenpox as a condition of entry into kindergarten.  Booster immunizations can be given any time after a child’s fourth birthday.

Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, Iowa requires a one-time booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) for students in grades 7 and above, if born on or after September 15, 2000.  In addition, there are adolescent vaccines available to help protect against meningitis, HPV, Hepatitis A, and chickenpox.

As a reminder, it is important to maintain immunization records in a safe place. Proof of immunizations may be necessary throughout life.

Horn Celebrates 50 Years with an Ice Cream Social

Back Row:   Angela Frank, Scott Forby, and Deb Jensen

Front Row:  Tina Madsen, Katrina Utterback and Kendy Zavala

Congratulations to these six employees who were recently awarded a scholarship from the HMH Auxiliary!

Lieutenant General, Susan Lawrence, pledges support to Horn Memorial’s Inpatient Building Project

Ida Grove native and retired Lieutenant General, Susan Lawrence, pledges her support to Horn Memorial Hospital’s $9 million Inpatient Building Project.  Susan recently purchased the naming rights to number 10 of the 17 patient rooms.  While visiting with the CEO, Chris Nichols, she commented, “I am proud of all of the new projects going on in my home town.  I’ve been following the hospital’s building project through the local papers and wanted to be part of it.  My grandmother, Evelyn Ferguson, was a donor to the original hospital 50 years ago, and I wanted to continue this legacy.” 

The project continues to remain on schedule with asbestos abatement to the West Wing beginning the week of June 6^th.  Community fundraising has been extremely successful thus far.  The “break ground goal” of $1-million was surpassed in April, and the project goal of $1.5 million is within reach.  To get involved and donate to the project, please contact Marketing Director, Sarah Harm, at 364.7227 or sharm@hornmemorialhospital.org.