Partner In Progress - Ivinson Memorial Hospital
“I came upon a doctor who appeared in quite poor health. I said, ‘There’s nothing that I can do for you that you can’t do for yourself.’
He said, ‘Oh yes you can. Just hold my hand. I think that that would help.’
So, I sat with him a while then I asked him how he felt. He said, ‘I think I’m cured.’”
Conor Oberst, American Singer and Song Writer
The next time you pass Laramie’s Ivinson Memorial Hospital (IMH) on 30th Street, remember the word “Compassion.” Compassion is a guiding imperative in the patient-centered philosophy that IMH staff members advocate and embrace.
Carol Dozier, President/CEO for Ivinson Memorial Hospital, explains, “Our dedication to patient-centered care is based on a philosophy originally espoused by Planetree, which is a nonprofit organization of healthcare facilities founded in 1978 and headquartered in Derby, Connecticut. The philosophy promotes organizational culture change and delivering healthcare that puts the patient first, while respecting personal, cultural and religious differences. It also focuses on supporting the professional and personal aspirations of staff members. Staff can more effectively care for patients when their own needs are met, as well.”
As a holistic approach to healthcare, Dozier revealed that patient-centered care promotes mental, emotional, spiritual and physical healing. It empowers patients and families through the exchange of information and encourages partnerships with caregivers. Patients have the opportunity to make personal choices related to their care. Positive healthcare outcomes are maximized by integrating optimal medical therapies and incorporating art and nature into the healing environment. Emphasis is placed on kindness and compassion. Families, friends and loved ones are vital to the healing process.
IMH’s staff concentrates on making the patient hospital experience as satisfying as possible. Most of the ideas intended to accomplish this come directly from staff through brainstorming sessions. Some examples include:
- Pet therapy – human interaction with pets can be quite therapeutic.
- Housekeeping – a warm wash cloth every morning is a refreshing way to start the day.
- Dietary – since many family members stay in the patient’s room most of the time, baskets of snacks are provided to ensure they eat something.
- Cancer Center – celebration on the patient’s final day of therapy.
- Occasionally, bread and cookies are baked at the hospital to let the pleasant aroma emanate through the building.
- Prayer cards are made available to patients to serve spiritual needs.
- Baskets of apples and water are strategically placed throughout the hospital for patients, visitors and staff. IMH gives out approximately 1,200 apples per month.
Carol Dozier acknowledged, “In many respects, IMH is much like any other rural community hospital in the country…or any other economic entity for that matter. Our biggest challenges normally entail balancing the needs of our patients with needs for financial performance. Patient-centered healthcare can actually contribute to the financial side of the hospital. Aside from greater patient satisfaction and the quality of services, patient-centered hospitals tend to demonstrate enhanced staff recruitment, increased staff retention, decreased length of stay, decreased emergency room return visits, fewer medication errors and improved liability claims experience.
So, how does IMH measure the effectiveness of patient-centered care and treatment practices? According to Dozier, “Success is reflected in industry scores for quality medical care and patient satisfaction.” To illustrate, according to the HCAHPS Survey, conducted by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Patient Satisfaction, in the past 12 months, IMH exceeds both state and national averages in 9 out of 10 categories, including:
- Willingness to Recommend the Hospital
- Communication with Nurses
- Communication about Medications
- Responsiveness of Hospital Staff
- Discharge Information Explanation
- Pain Management
- Cleanliness of the Hospital Environment
- Quietness of the Hospital Environment
- Overall Satisfaction Rating
In addition, with regard to quality medical treatment for Heart Failure, for 7 consecutive quarters IMH is grouped with the top 10% of hospitals that scored 100% on 10 quality care criteria.
Also, with regard to Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), IMH scored 100% on 10 quality care criteria since the first Quarter of 2008. IMH’s total mortality rate during that period was 6.2%. The national mortality rate for AMI during that same period was 16.2%.
On your way back home, after passing Ivinson Memorial Hospital on 30th Street, remember the word “Fortunate.”
