1

Happy New Year!Have you made a new year’s resolution? I have made three. I will be more present, make round-ing a priority and commit to improving the patient experience. It’s not just small talk. Now is the time to plan to make a positive impact on your life and those around you.

As an organization, we have several promises of improvement to keep in 2016. I know we can keep them, because we did it in 2015. We came together and accomplished some great things. We made tremendous progress toward a better patient experience, and I thank you for making that happen. Now it’s time to take stock of what went right, what can be done again, what we can do better and what new goals we can strive for in 2016.

Our job is not done, and that’s why resolutions help us focus on what’s next. We have many challenges ahead, and we have the right team inplace to meet them head on.

Thank you for working together in 2015.

Let’s use everything we accomplished and learned in 2015 to make 2016 even better.

editionWednesday

January 6, 2016

Q: Just curious what the point of the shoe covers are that are worn in the OR. I have seen them being worn in the hall-ways, bathrooms, and the café, and just wondering if they are strictly to protect the employees shoes, or to promote ster-ilization in the OR. Should these be seen outside of surgery?

A: Our current policy for surgical attire in the operating room refers to shoes dedicated to the facility. If shoes are not dedicated to the facility, then shoe covers must be worn. Shoes must be kept free of gross soil, and shoe covers must be changed when they become wet, visibly soiled, or torn. The purpose of shoe covers is to protect dedicated facility shoes or, in the case of non-dedicated shoes, to lessen the amount of outside contamination into the OR suites by donning the shoe covers. The floors in the OR suites are not con-sidered a “sterile field”. Operating Room policies are written with guidance through our reputable Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) recommend-ed practices.Jean Firman, Surgery

Q: Are the results from the biometric screening sent to our primary provider?

A: No, but we encourage you to print the results and share them with your provider.Annie Horrigan, Wellness

We answer questions as quickly as possible, but it can take several weeks. If your ques-tion is more urgent, please contact the ap-propriate department, or call the Marketing & Communication o�ce at (319) 235-3868, and we will help get you your answer sooner.

Allen Foundation CARE Counts Classifieds Patient Safety Scorecard Phone Book

EAPworks Wednesday Edition Health Beat MAPLES Waterloo Neighborhood

See 2015 highlights on pages 4 & 5.

Pam DelagardellePresident & CEO

Resolutions help us focus on what’s next.

Now is the time to plan to make apositive impact on your life and those around you.

2015: A Year in Review

2

Q: If I just received noticed that mymom’s insurance will be dropping me at the end of this year. How do I go about getting insurance through Allen and the discount since I never did the biometrics screening?

A: Loss of previous insurance is aqualifying event and will allow you to sign up for insurance with UnityPoint Health. You must be at least a .4 FTE and you only have 30 days from the date of your insurance change to apply. The discount requirements are waived for 2016 as a new covered employee. You will need to contact AskHR at (888) 543-2275 to start the process.Steve Sesterhenn, HR

Q: Can we get more fish served in thecafeteria?

A: Currently fish entrees are o�eredone to two times per week. Menu updates are planned about four times a year, so this will potentially change in the near future. If there is a particular fish entrée you would like to see o�ered or o�ered more please feel free to email me directly at Lisa.Kremer@unitypoint.org. Lisa Kremer, Café

Q: A question was posted about weath-er-related absences and it was stated that if a road was closed that was excused. Does this mean or include ‘travel not advised’?

A: Law enforcement needs to formallyclose the road. ‘Travel not advised’ is not a formal closing. Steve Sesterhenn, HR

Q: Can there be more microwavesplaced in the dining area by the cafeteria?

A: At this time, there are only twooutlets available in that space, so we can only accommodate two microwaves. We will keep your comment in mind for future renovations to that space. Until that time our suggestion would be to utilize a micro-wave in your department break room. Lisa Kremer, Café

CARE CountsDo you see a co-worker, volunteer, or provider who goes above and beyond in living the CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence? Great CARE happens every day at Allen. Take time to nominate someone for a CARE Counts Recognition award. You’ll feel good and so will the person you nominate.

It’s easy!• Use the quick link that’s on page 1 of every

Wednesday Edition on the blue quick link bar, or• Go to the Allen intranet homepage and click the

‘Submit a CARE Counts Nomination’ icon in thelower left corner. If you don’t see it at first, click onthe F5 key to refresh the homepage. Complete theshort nomination form and submit.

Meet Kevin Vermeer, New President and CEO of UnityPoint HealthClick here for a brief introduction and special video mes-sage from Kevin.

NetLearning ChangesIn 2016, NetLearning will be assigned quarterly to decrease the number of modules assigned all at once. On January 1, you will have modules assigned to you that will be due by midnight on March 31, 2016. Depend-ing on your department, you will see 3-4 modules that need to be done in the first quarter.

Please contact your manager or Professional Development if have any questions.

Clinical Alarms Management is a PriorityThe Clinical Alarms Committee was formed in 2014 to enforce alarm management as a priority for safety of patients and the quality of their experience.

Please review these documents regarding the initiative to meet Joint Commission requirements:• Alarm Management: Key Points• National Patient Safety Goal #6: Reduce the Harm Associated With

Clinical Alarm Systems

Additionally, all units need to review the revised Bedside Patient Moni-toring Alarms policy. Those units which care for patients on ventilators need to review the Ventilator Invasive and Non-Invasive Alarms policy.

3

We’ve achieved55.57% giving

so far!

ALMOST THERE!

Giving &Receiving

If we reach 100% giving this will happen...

See allHigh Fives for

100% Giving onFacebook!

60 departmentshave reached

100% participationso far!

Pledge Now

January is National Birth Defect Prevention MonthCheck out our “Preventing Birth Defects” webpage for information on how mom’s-to-be can prepare their body for pregnancy and more resources from the CDC and March of Dimes.

Provider ProfileShama Jesudasen, MD

Shama Jesudasen, MD is nearing her two-year anniversary at UnityPoint Clinic – Hospitalists – Waterloo. She completed her medical education at Je�erson Medical College, her residency at Northeast Iowa Family Medicine and speaks two languages – English and Tamil.

Dr. Jesudasen credits her interest in medicine and caring for others to her par-ents, both of whom are physicians. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano and reading.

Welcome New Team MembersFront: Francis (CJ) Cowdrey, Customer Service Center

Middle, L–R: Abigail Delagardelle, Resource; Rachael Cole, Resource; Kimber-lee DuVall, Pharmacy; Kimberly Mueller, ED; Kayla Nielsen, Resource; Annal-ise Delagardelle, 3 Medical; Zachary Kuehl, Patient Access; Hailee Johnson, 4 Surgical; Karen Lyons, 4 Surgical.

Back, L–R: Rusty Dronebarger, Surgery; Sara Bolsinger, Dialysis; Brittany Maas, Lab; Shannon Mess, BHGMH; Lindsey Nie, Cath Lab; Shantel Summage, Centralized Scheduling; Cynthia Curren, Cafeteria; Rebecca Wells, Cafeteria; Michelle Wehr, Ultrasound; Nancy Brannon, PACU; MiKayla Streif, 3 Medical; Shyann Epps, ED; Kassandra Todd, Patient Access

Shining Stars

4

2015 A Year in ReviewJANUARY• Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center

becomes a�liated with UnityPoint Health – Waterloo

FEBRUARY• Allen Hospital turns 90 years old• United Way recognizes Allen Hospital for

record fundraising

MARCH• Three UnityPoint Health – Waterloo nurses

named to the Iowa Nurses Association list of 100 Great Iowa Nurses

• Allen Wound and Hyperbaric Center recog-nized as Healogics Center of the Year for theMidwest Zone

JUNE• UnityPoint Clinic locations with Patient

Centered Medical Home distinction rises to seven in Waterloo region

• Community Memorial CEO Mary Wells re-tires; Dustin Wright steps in

• Allen Hospital Emergency Department un-veils the new special care room

JULY• Becker’s Hospital Review names Allen Hos-

pital as one of its 100 Great Community Hospitals

5

2015 A Year in ReviewAUGUST• Allen Occupational Health breaks ground on

new facility in the Cedar Falls Industrial Park• Allen Hospital put on Community Value 100

list by Cleverley + Associates• The first class of Occupational Therapy stu-

dents begin class at Allen College• A new hospice suite is dedicated to the Willis

and Patricia Hansen Charitable Foundation• Allen Hospital named an Employer of Choice

by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

SEPTEMBER• Psychiatry Associates of Northeast Iowa

joins UnityPoint Clinic• UnityPoint Health – Prairie Parkway hosts

beam signing ceremony• Allen Hospital accepts Mission: Lifeline

grant from the American Heart Association

OCTOBER• Becker’s Hospital Review puts Allen Hospital

on its list of 100 Hospitals and Health Sys-tems with Great Heart Programs

NOVEMBER• UnityPoint Clinic – Family Medicine – Eldora

opens with Dr. Teresa Brown• The Joint Commission recognizes Allen as a

Top Performer on Key Quality Measures• UnityPoint Health and HealthPartners an-

nounce innovative new insurance venture

DECEMBER• UnityPoint at Home in Waterloo honored

with HomeCare Elite distinction

6

Submit articles to: Robin.Nicholson@unitypoint.orgDeadline for submissions: 8 a.m. Tuesday

Retirement Open House for Patty Skuster (Centralized Monitoring)Thursday, January 7 | 2-4 p.m.Meeting Room 1Patty is retiring after almost 45 years at Allen. Every-one is welcome to attend to wish Patty a fond fare-well.

Identifying Cardiac Dysrhythmias 2016January 13 & 218 a.m. - 4 p.m.Learning Center A

CEUs: approved for 1.68 CEUs through Allen College, IBN Provider #127. Participants must attend both days and obtain 80% on a written test in order to receive CEUs.

THINK HEALTHY

Earn 200 OnPoint for Health Points in One Morning!The Pink Nose, Warm Toes 5K/1K takes place this Sat-uday, January 9, at Grundy County Memorial Hospital. The 5K & 1K will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Registration fee is $20 and early registrants will receive a stocking hat. The 1K Walk is a free event and anyone registered will be entered into a prize drawing!

To receive OnPoint for Health points, you must send in a registration form, register the morning of the event and complete the walk/run.

Register early for the 5K to ensure you are one of the first 125 who will receive a stocking hat!

Registration Form