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News Headlines
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Mercy to hold Child Passenger Safety Clinics throughout summer
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Mercy reaches conditional agreement with Augustana on sale of nursing home
Mercy Home Care to hold open house in new downtown offices
Mercy’s Home Care Department has moved from the Mercy campus to offices located in downtown Moose Lake. The public is invited to tour their new offices located at 316 Elm Street at an Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16.
Mercy Home Care delivers a wide range of health and supportive services to people in their homes. These services include:
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Skilled nursing care
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Home health aides
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Homemaker services
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Lifeline medical alert service
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Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
People using home care services include those recovering from illness or surgery, those with disabilities and those with chronic or terminal illness.
“Home care services allow people of all ages to get the safe and effective care they need, all in the comfort of their own home,” said Judy Molis, Director of Mercy’s Home Care department. “These services can range from medical and nursing care to therapy treatments to assistance with the essential activities of daily living. For some, these services allow them to continue to stay in their home, living independent lives.”
For more information about Mercy’s Home Care services, please call 218-485-5506.
Mercy to begin Diabetes Support Group on July 12
Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center will begin offering a free Diabetes Support Group on July 12.
The Diabetes Support Group will meet at 2:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month in Mercy’s Community Room 1. The group will be facilitated by Betty Zebrasky, RN, and will include education and support.
Please call 218-485-5836 for more information.
Mercy’s Diabetes Program continues ADA recognition
The Diabetes Education Program at Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center was recently awarded continued Recognition from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for meeting national standards in diabetes self-management education. Mercy was originally recognized in 2004.
Mercy’s Diabetes Education program features important information that helps patients with all forms of diabetes develop good diabetes care practices, helping reduce their risk of developing serious complications. Patients do not need to be newly diagnosed to attend the program.
“We have worked hard to develop the best possible education for our patients with diabetes,” said Allicen Waxlax, RN, Diabetes Educator. “Meeting the ADA national standards in diabetes education means that our program is of the highest quality and is consistent with other top programs not only in our own state, but throughout the nation. Our goal has always been to provide state-of-the-art information to our patients with diabetes so that they can successfully live with and control this chronic disease.”
“Our goal is to help patients reduce their risk of serious complications by educating them to better manage their diabetes treatment regimen,” she continued.
Mercy offers diabetes education through scheduled classes in Moose Lake and through individual sessions by appointment at Mercy in Moose Lake as well as Gateway Clinic in Sandstone.
In addition to Waxlax, Mercy’s program is led by diabetes educator and dietitian Linda Appelgren as well as Faith Peterson, FNP-C, Betty Zebrasky, RN, and Azur Coleman, EPC.
For more information regarding Mercy’s program, including enrollment, please call the Mercy Diabetes Program office at 218-485-5836.
Mercy receives ACR accreditation in mammography
Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of the practice. Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. They assess the qualifications of the personnel and the adequacy of facility equipment. The surveyors report their findings to the ACR’s Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report.
Mercy recently began offering state-of-the-art digital mammography to women undergoing routine mammograms.
For more information or to schedule a mammogram, call Mercy at 218-485-5578.
Mercy invites community to digital mammography open house
Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center invites the public to tour its state-of-the-art digital mammography system at an Open House to be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 10.
Mercy began offering digital mammography to women undergoing routine mammograms beginning in late February.
“We are very excited to be able to offer the newest technology for breast cancer detection,” said Anna Koski, Mercy Diagnostic Imaging Supervisor. “Our new equipment produces incredibly sharp images and is quicker, offering women the convenience of having their mammogram without repeated imaging and exposure to radiation.
“Each and every patient at Mercy receives personalized care designed to meet her individual needs,” Koski added. “Our staff is highly trained and our equipment is state-of-the-art. We are committed to providing exceptional care to the women in our community.”
The Open House will include tours of the newly updated mammography area, educational materials on breast health, and refreshments. Drawings for some special gifts will also be held. In addition, women will be able to schedule an appointment for this important screening procedure. Visitors are asked to use the Outpatient Entrance for easiest access to the Open House.
From the patient’s point of view, a digital mammogram feels identical to conventional screening, though women may notice shorter exam times and a reduction in call-backs to obtain additional images. Both use x-ray to generate images of the breast. However, digital mammography is different from conventional mammography in how the image of the breast is viewed and, more importantly, manipulated. Because digital mammography is “filmless,” the radiologist can view and manipulate the images on high-resolution computer monitors that enhance visualization of the structures within the breast tissue. They can also adjust brightness and contrast, and zoom in on specific areas to help detect small calcifications, masses, and other changes that may be signs of early cancer.
To supplement this technology, Mercy also incorporates digital Computer-Aided Detection (CAD). Digital CAD highlights characteristics commonly associated with breast cancer. When activated, it flags abnormalities to help the radiologist detect early breast cancer. CAD is, in essence, a second set of eyes to support and enhance the radiologist's judgment.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics demonstrate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life.
Mercy is committed to the fight against breast cancer. If you would like to schedule a mammogram or have questions about this important breast health screening, please contact Mercy at 218-485-5578 or talk with your health care provider.
Mercy to participate in medical record locator service
Patients seeking care at Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center can be confident that doctors can now quickly locate their health records across several regional health care providers—saving critical time in emergencies, ensuring care is based on accurate medical history and saving scarce health care dollars.
Beginning in June, Mercy is participating in HIE-Bridge™, a new Health Information Exchange project that uses a secure Web-based service to allow health care providers to locate patients’ medical records at other participating organizations. Initially, 17 health care organizations in the region – including the region’s two largest providers, SMDC Health System and St. Luke’s – are participating; that number is expected to grow significantly.
Providing the best medical care requires accurate health care records. However, records frequently aren’t available for people seeking emergency treatment, those with impaired memories or patients whose records are at several institutions—creating delays while staff members try to track down records by calling various institutions.
HIE-Bridge™ fills a critical need by allowing authorized medical personnel to locate medical records quickly through the secure Web server. Once medical records are located, the patient must then give written consent for the hospital to request the records.
Patients who wish to may opt out of the record locator service.
The project was developed by the Community Health Information Collaborative (CHIC), a Duluth-based nonprofit that promotes the use of health information technology to improve health care delivery. HIE-Bridge™ also will provide the telecommunications infrastructure that ultimately could support electronic sharing of patient medical records in a secure environment.
“HIE-Bridge™ puts cutting-edge technology to use for health care providers and the patients they serve,” said Cheryl Stephens, executive director of CHIC. “For the last decade, as policymakers have been talking about health information exchange, we have been laying the groundwork to make it a reality.”
CHIC nationally received a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in May 2008 to help develop and test a nationwide health information network that ultimately will enable health information to follow the consumer, making it available for clinical decision makers across the board, lowering health care costs, reducing medical errors and ultimately improving patient care.
CHIC’s region includes 18 counties in northeastern Minnesota that covers 30,000 square miles and is home to 650,000 residents.
While developing such a network is complicated, the reasons behind it are simple.
“Someday, our doctors may be able to say that they saved a life because they were able to find critical patient information more quickly with HIE-Bridge™,” said Jason Douglas, Mercy CEO. “That’s really all the motivation we need.”
Mercy to hold free Child Passenger Safety Clinics throughout summer
Take the time to brush up on how to properly secure your children in the correct safety restraint and better understand the importance of booster seats. To make sure your safety restraint is protecting your child, Mercy will offer free inspections at Child Passenger Safety Clinics scheduled throughout the summer in different communities.
Mercy staff specially trained and certified in Child Passenger Safety (CPS) will conduct the free Safety Clinics, making sure that the proper car seat or booster is being used based on the age, height and weight of the child and that the seat or booster is properly installed.
Safety Clinics will be held:
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June 14, 4 to 6 p.m., Barnum Fire Hall
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August 5, 9 to 11 a.m., Sandstone Fire Hall
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September 27, 4 to 6 p.m., Moose Lake Fire Hall
Parents, grandparents, day care providers and babysitters are all encouraged to participate. Bring your car, safety restraint and child to the Safety Clinic. Appointments are not necessary.
For more information about Mercy’s Car Seat Safety Clinic, please call 218-485-5521.
Mercy Ambulance Service receives recognition
The staff of Mercy’s Ambulance Service is being recognized for their work at the 15th Annual EMS Recognition Event sponsored by St. Luke’s in Duluth in April.
Mercy Ambulance will be featured in a case study focusing on prehospital care as part of the appreciation component of the event.
“In the featured case, the prehospital care and the decisions made on the scene of the accident were critical in the survival of the patient,” said Sue Bengtson, Mercy EMS Manager.
“We feel very honored to be recognized for our efforts on behalf of this patient,” she added. Bengtson also praised the volunteer first responders on the scene for their quick decision making.
“We work as a team with the first responders throughout the area,” she explained. “We completely trust our local first responders. Because our service area is so wide, with some areas having a 30-45 minute response time just because of the distance involved, local first responders play a critical role in emergency care. Not only do they do an initial assessment, but they are frequently key in directing us to the site as the accident scene can often times be in the woods or on a remote trail.”
Mercy Ambulance provides 24-hour/seven-days-a-week emergency service to northern Pine and southern Carlton Counties and is staffed by Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics. Mercy ambulance is considered a volunteer service; staff members, who hold down full time jobs elsewhere, are classified as casual employees at Mercy who give of their free time to serve the community as EMTs and Paramedics.
Mercy Ambulance EMTs and Paramedics are trained in the latest life-saving skills and techniques and receive monthly as well as annual training and continuing education.
Nursing home labor agreements reached
Augustana Care Corporation of Minneapolis and the two primary unions representing nursing home employees at Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center have reached labor agreements, with union members voting to ratify both labor contracts. The successful vote allows Augustana and Mercy to address the next phase of finalizing the sale of the nursing home and Kenwood Place to Augustana, focusing on licensure, building logistics and other legal requirements. This phase is expected to take approximately three months with a tentative completion date set for April 1, 2010.
“Reaching a labor agreement was a key step in this process,” said Tim Tucker, CEO for Augustana. “It reflects the commitment of union employees to the people in their care and we at Augustana look forward to working with employees in continuing to provide the best of care to the residents of the nursing home and Kenwood Place. We are excited to become an important part of the Moose Lake community.”
“We are pleased that this sale continues to move forward, preserving both services and jobs for our region,” said Jason Douglas, CEO, Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center. “We will work closely with Augustana to ensure a smooth transition, with no disruption in services to the people in our care.”
Mercy reaches conditional agreement with Augustana on sale of nursing home
The Administrative team and Board of Directors of Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center have reached a conditional agreement to sell the nursing home and Kenwood Place, Housing with Services, to Augustana Care Corporation of Minneapolis. Mercy’s sale of its nursing home reflects its decision to discontinue operation of long term care facilities.
When finalized, the agreement will ensure that an array of senior services, including the skilled nursing care currently provided by Mercy, will continue to be provided in the community.
A Letter of Intent has been signed by both organizations to move forward with the sale. Augustana’s acquisition is conditioned upon its negotiation of labor agreements, including financially viable wage and benefit terms for nursing home employees.
“Augustana’s 113-year history reflects their strong commitment to providing healthcare, housing and other services to older adults,” said Jason Douglas, Mercy’s CEO. “Because Augustana specializes in providing a continuum of senior services, we believe they are in the best position to sustain and even expand senior programs for the people of our area.”
“Augustana is honored to have been selected for this partnership.” said Tim Middendorf, Augustana’s COO. “Mercy Health Care Center and Augustana have a common history of providing high quality, compassionate care. Our goal is to strengthen nursing home operations, and return the nursing home to financial viability by bringing costs into alignment with nursing home revenues. We will focus our efforts on resident care, enhanced operating efficiencies, continued employment opportunities and a stronger advocacy effort. We look forward to being part of the Moose Lake community”
The decision to take this step was not an easy one, say Mercy administrators, but necessary as the cost of providing care in nursing homes far exceeds the rates set by the state. For Mercy, state under-funding contributed to a loss of $2.14 million from nursing home operations in 2007 and $2.17 million in 2008. Under the current structure, Mercy administrators project that yearly losses would continue to grow in future years due to rising costs and cutbacks in reimbursements. If allowed to continue, those losses could jeopardize Mercy’s ability to provide acute hospital services.
“There is no question that nursing homes throughout the state face financial crisis and Mercy is no exception,” said Douglas, citing the recent closures of nursing homes throughout the state. “In evaluating our options, we found none that allowed services to remain under our current structure, even with a continued demand for skilled nursing and assisted living services. After a careful two-year study and nearly a year of negotiations, we are happy that we are able to move forward on our best opportunity to have an experienced operator of long-term care facilities provide services and preserve jobs in the community for the long term.”
“We have toured their facilities and talked to their staff and were very impressed with the quality and scope of the services they provide,” Douglas said. “We believe Augustana will serve our community well.”
Augustana has maintained a reputation for the highest quality of care and customer service while expanding its mission within Minnesota and beyond. Known for a strong commitment to its Christian heritage, Augustana’s mission is centered on serving older adults through the provision of housing and health care.
Augustana is a faith based not-for-profit organization that has served the senior population for over 113 years. Augustana is financially sound and owns facilities in Minneapolis, Hopkins, Burnsville, Dassel and Hastings, as well as managing facilities in Minneapolis, Fergus Falls, Montevideo and Sioux City, Iowa. Augustana has over 1400 employees, 800 senior living apartments and 750 health care center beds. Augustana has been meeting the needs of seniors through innovative assisted living, memory care, sub-acute and community based services, such as: adult day care, Meals on Wheels, and Access Solutions, a unique home modification program. More information about Augustana can be found on its website: http://www.augustanacare.org/.
In the coming months, Augustana will meet with labor unions to negotiate the terms of employment for Mercy nursing home employees whom Augustana will eventually hire. Mercy will continue to work with Augustana to finalize the plan for a smooth transition of services.
Mercy offers rehab services in Cromwell
Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center recently began offering rehabilitation services to community members in a satellite office located in the new Cardinal Courts in Cromwell.
The rehab satellite clinic offers physical therapy services on a daily basis, excluding weekends. Occupational and speech therapy services are also offered as needed per referral.
“This is a good fit for us and the community,” said Lynn Folsted, PT, Director of Mercy Rehab Services. “In addition to the home care services we already provide, this satellite clinic should make it much easier for people in this area to get the rehab care they need, conveniently close to home.”
The rehab clinic is staffed by Cromwell residents Marcia Pocernich, Physical Therapist, and Kay Smith, Physical Therapy Assistant.
For more information about Mercy’s Rehab Services in Cromwell, call 218-644-3085.
