Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center picked up two Guardian of Excellence Awards earlier this month, recognizing the hospital for physician and employee satisfaction. This was announced by hospital CEO Dennis Franks at the NMRMC Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday.
These prestigious awards were given out by Press Ganey, which runs the largest patient satisfaction survey in the US. Press Ganey surveys found that Neosho Memorial scored in the top 95 percent of hospitals in the country when it comes to the satisfaction of physicians and employees.
Franks also said that employees of the hospital will be updated on the construction that is going on of the new surgical center and obstetrics unit at upcoming Town Hall meetings on December 9 and 10. He described the work being done around the facility as being “past the holding-hands phase, and now into actively courting.”
He said that while nothing disastrous has happened during construction so far, it is really just getting started. He said that work to be done on the new medical building across Seventh Street from the hospital has been briefly delayed by engineering issues and weather.
Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer Newton told the Board about efforts to keep patient satisfaction scores high throughout the construction. Among these are efforts to promote the hospital’s free valet parking service for patients. This promotion is at the suggestion of the new Patient and Family Engagement Council, which suggested that many patients think they have to pay for the hospital’s valet service.
Newton also said that the hospital is currently recruiting Registered Nurses to work nights, and gave an update on reviews of the Cerner technology now being used to keep electronic medical records in the hospital.
Chief Financial Officer Nancy Woodyard told the Board about how ICD 10 updates are slowing the hospital’s receipt of Medicare payments.
Franks also updated the Board on his efforts to convince Governor Sam Brownback to expand Medicaid in Kansas, pointing to the success of hospitals in Indiana after doing so. He said that State Senator Jeff King is among the legislators who have offered endorsement of Kansas adopting a similar plan; however, Franks said Brownback opposes it because there is no requirement for employment of able-bodied adults and because there aren’t specific services offered for the disabled.
Franks also recognized Dr. Scott Coates for being elected to the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons.
There was discussion about the med-surg unit’s efforts to find new ways to prevent falls. Statistics kept by the Hospital Engagement Network will begin to keep better track of patient falls that cause injury.
