Blogs

September 17, 2012 - Mid-month report

Sep 17, 2012 by Marc Strode, CEO
Folks,
Happy Monday!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and enjoyed some of the many fun events that went on in Del Rio this weekend.  From Brown Plaza celebration of Mexico's Independence Day to our United Way Carnival--one of 3 events of its kind taking place Saturday--to soccer games and then the Rams big victory Friday night!  And all of this with the backdrop of cooler weather and some rain!  I love this time of year!

The last time I blogged was on the heels of our great preliminary report for our TJC survey.  Some of ya'll might not realize that we actually underwent 2 surveys--one for the main hospital and the other for our Hospice program.  In fact, our Hospice program was assigned its own surveyor for 3 days.  Yikes.  So, a big congrats and hip, hip hooray for Bonnie, Marvin, Edna, Belinda and Christi who did just an oustanding job.  They too had an outstanding preliminary report.  We are waiting on both final reports just to confirm that nothing changed from what we heard when they left, most importantly that there is nothing that would trigger a follow up survey.  Stay tuned.  We have also been promised from our District Board a party (or parties to cover all shifts!) to celebrate not only TJC but our TORCH award we got earlier this month.  We are thinking a BBQ of some sort since we know this gang likes to eat (and cook)!

Speaking of cooking, last week the senior leaders work their shift for September.  Vicky was in Hospice, John in Admitting and Tom in Materials (Francine was hanging out at the radio station doing promos for the United Way event).  I had the good fortune of working in the kitchen.  Let me give a shout out to Isaac, Kathy, Jose, Connie, Maggie and Amando...I really enjoyed working w/ ya'll.  Thanks for letting me scramble all the eggs!  Ya'll do such a good job.  Ya'll have the system down and I appreciate you putting all your processes at risk when this rookie comes to town. 

If you were at the Rams game on Friday, did you hear the nice announcements about VVRMC?  That's part of our partnership w/ the athletic program and was nice to be recognized for our efforts.  Should be hearing that all season long, and this Friday check out the signage as you come into the stadium.  We love supporting the Rams and Queens.  We will also be allowing folks to wear their Rams scubs on game days and make this lone exception to our dress code to support the local team.  More to come on that one.

United Way.  Let's talk about that.  We had another great carnival that raised almost $3000!  We are going to smash through that goal of $20,000 raised this year.  A lot of that $3,000 was my tickets as I kept chasing that goal of hitting 3 balloons w/ my 3 darts....never could do it.  Every other kid out there showed me up.  There is always next year....

Two months are already in the books for this fiscal year.  We are off to a very good start.  Patient satisfaction is holding where we left off the last quarter of last year.  Especially strong and consistent in Med/Surg.  It is apparent to me that Jackie's unit has it figured out.  Thank ya'll so much for being able to maintain your level of performance for about 5 months now.  Don't take your foot off the gas pedal!  In the ER, our throughput is as good as it's been since I've been here.  Team is doing great as is Dr. Sanchez in providing medical staff leadership.  Patient sat looked awesome the first half of August and then it slipped back.  In Sept, so far same pattern w/ 1st half of them month looking much better.  Just gotta hold on for the other 1/2 of the surveys.  We're really pleased w/ the efforts on throughput.  Keep up the good work!  Core measures look great and financially we are on track. 

We will have a new hospitalist joining the team this Friday to partner up w/ Dr. K.  Dr. Salinas will not be returning.  Who comes this Friday will likely just be a filler until we can recruit Dr. K's clone---someone clinically expert who is a good guy or gal to have around and shares our spirit for service.  That's what we are looking for. 

The Shannon Clinic deal continues to be a priority to look at all the options around how VVRMC will ultimately respond to their news that San Angelo is pulling out of Del Rio.  I don't have an update yet but should be soon. 

Have a great week and Keep The Spirit,
Marc