GUILD B DONATES $5,000 TO LAKE CHELAN HEALTH FOR PURCHASE OF HOYER JOURNEY SIT TO STAND LIFT

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Co-President Pam James, on behalf of the Lake Chelan Health Guild B, presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to Jaime Minnock, Chief Nursing Officer, and the hospital at the November 30th Board of Commissioners meeting. The meeting was held virtually via zoom and the check was presented virtually in the hospital Board room. The $5,000 donation will be used to fund a Hoyer Journey Sit to Stand Lift that is needed to assist patients early on in their care recovery for mobility issues. It will greatly assist staff in the hospital to get patients mobilized for more varied daily activities aside from just lifting from bed to chair. The Rehabilitation department and  medical unit staff will be able to use this piece of equipment. Pam was accompanied by her Guild’s Co-President, Melissa Robins, Secretary Victoria Wheatley, Treasurer Nancy Parker (not pictured) and Past President Mary Ann Warren and long-time Guild B member Catherine Kent. Pam shared that Guild B wished they were able to raise more this year to donate, but with the COVID-19 challenges as they were, Guild B was glad to be able to present this $5000.00 check.

Lake Chelan Health is very grateful for the work that Guild B did to raise the funds for this equipment. Guild B for many years has also raised money for the hospital through their annual Home Tour event, which they have postponed the last two years due to the COVID pandemic.

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LAKE CHELAN EMS RECEIVES RECOGNITION AWARD FOR FALL PREVENTION WORK WITH THE LAKE CHELAN VALLEY COMMUNITY

The Washington State Department of Health of presented Lake Chelan Health EMS with an award plaque for their work related to reducing falls in the community.  Lake Chelan Health EMS is one of two hospitals in Washington to receive this  recognition award.

Falls in Washington state are the number one cause for injury.  Approximately 55% of 911 calls are related to falls. In the Lake Chelan Valley, the number one cause of injury is falls.  Approximately 200 calls ran by Lake Chelan Health EMS are related to injuries sustained from falls, which is why Ray Eickmeyer, Director of EMS and his team decided to drill down the reasons for the high volume of falls.

Some fall facts:

  • According to CDC, 1 in 4 elderly adults will fall this year
  • Among people aged 65 or up, falls account for 17% of 911 calls
  • Of these, 1 in 5 did not result in a transport
  • About 23% of patients not transported had a provider impression of “traumatic injury”
  • Up to 30% of falls cause moderate to severe injuries
  • Almost half of non-transported patients subsequently required health care within 2 weeks
  • 1 in 3 non-transported patients were seen in ED or hospitalized within 28 days of their initial fall
  • People who fall once are 2 to 3 times more likely to fall again within 1 year
  • A pilot study showed that linking older adults to community-based fall prevention program reduced fall rates by 55%

The EMS team focused on four areas to prevent falls from occurring and recurring.

  1. Reduce avoidable hospital-ED visits by 20% within 15 months
  2. Reduce hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge by 20% within 15 months
  3. Increase access/use of primary care by reducing individuals without a PCP by 20% within 15 months
  4. Prevention/intervention-reduce high risk patients from having worsening issues by reducing chronic disease patient admission rates in the hospital by 20% within 15 months

The EMS team adopted five major tactics to reach their goals, which also involved partnering with other organizations in the Lake Chelan Valley to meet the needs of residents that could not be provided by Lake Chelan Health EMS.

  • Fall Risk Screening (CDC STEDI)
  • Home Safety Assessment (remove hazards) & install ramps/handrails
  • Medication Review
  • SAIL program (and transportation to these classes)
  • LifeAlert Button installations

Community Partnerships:

  • With Chelan Rotary to provide free Ramps and install handrails in home and bathrooms
  • With the Chelan Senior Center and Lake Chelan Health Rehabilitation department who provides free Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) classes at the center
  • A partnership was developed with Link Transit and Okanogan Public Health to provide free transport to SAIL classes
  • Partnering with Life Alert to allow EMS to help clients sign-up and install a Life Alert system
  • With primary care providers
  • With hospital staff

The results: There was

  • 68% reduction of avoidable ED visits
  • 95% decreased 30-day hospital re-admission rate
  • 15% increase of PCP follow-up
  • 78% Decrease in high frequency 911 callers
  • 86% improved customer experience
  • 25% decreased patient falls

Because of the high level of caring in the Lake Chelan Valley, Lake Chelan EMS has been able to make a major impact in reducing injuries sustained from preventable falls.  If you know of someone that could benefit from the Lake Chelan Health EMS Paramedicine program, please call 509-682-3300 or Call 509-682-8523 to inquire about SAIL classes.

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Lake Chelan Health EMS earns national recognition for efforts to improve STEMI treatment

 

Lake Chelan Health EMS has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS and healthcare system.

“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, M.D., Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.”

Program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care for STEMI patients.

“Lake Chelan Health EMS is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Ray Eickmeyer, Director of EMS. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”

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Lake Chelan Health Replacement Hospital Groundbreaking Ceremony

Lake Chelan Health will celebrate breaking ground for the replacement hospital April 23rd at 1:30pm at our new hospital site 110 S. Apple Blossom Drive, Chelan.  The community is invited and encouraged to join us for this tremendous celebration of moving health care forward in the Lake Chelan Valley.

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LAKE CHELAN HEALTH BOARD APPOINTS JEREMY JAECH AS COMMISSIONER

Chelan, WA, April 7, 2021– Lake Chelan Health Board of Commissioners appointed Jeremy Jaech to fill the vacant seat of Commissioner #5 at a Special Meeting of the Board held on April 5, 2020.

Jaech is a resident of Manson, WA and has relevant experience serving on the University of Washington Board of Regents, including serving as Chair of the regent’s advisory board on UW Medicine. Jaech focused his efforts on improving the governance of UW Medicine. “Healthcare is clearly an important issue to me and now the Chelan hospital and associated activities in the health district are of even greater interest,” said Jeremy. He will serve as Commissioner for the remainder of 2021.

The position for Commissioner #5 will be up during filing week in May for a 2-year unexpired term. Positions #2 and #3 are also up during filing week this May for the November 2021 ballot.

Founded in 1948, Lake Chelan Health hospital is a DNV accredited Critical Access Hospital with supporting Express Care and Specialty Care clinics in Chelan, Washington. The health system provides a 24-hour emergency room, surgical center, inpatient, labor and delivery services, as well as physical, speech and occupational rehabilitative therapy.

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LAKE CHELAN HEALTH BOARD INVITES LETTERS OF INTEREST FOR OPEN POSITION

Chelan, WA, March 5, 2021– Lake Chelan Health Commissioner Phyllis Gleasman has resigned from her position.  The Commissioners and Lake Chelan Health are deeply appreciative of her years of service, dedication, and leadership.   Phyllis was a tireless champion for the replacement hospital.

Lake Chelan Health Board of Commissioners are accepting letters of interest from candidates who would like to fill the board seat vacated by Phyllis Gleasman.

Chelan County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners directly oversee hospital policy and governance and will appoint the new commissioner to fulfill the remaining 2021 term. The appointed member will serve until the next election.

Letters of interest should include candidate’s credentials and experience, as well as reasons why they want to serve as a Lake Chelan Health board member.

The Board of Commissioners are looking for an individual who is dedicated to moving healthcare forward in the Lake Chelan Valley and has displayed a commitment to advancing medical services offered by Lake Chelan Health.  Candidates must also have time to study, attend meetings, and serve as an advocate for projects supporting Lake Chelan Health.

Candidates must submit letters to Kylie, at PO Box 908, Chelan, WA 98816 or fax to 509-682-2452.   Letters of Interest will be accepted until position is filled. A job description is available upon request.

Founded in 1948, Lake Chelan Health hospital is a fully-accredited 25-bed Critical Access Hospital with supporting Express Care and Specialty Care clinics in Chelan, Washington.  The health system provides a 24-hour emergency room, surgical center, and inpatient services, as well as physical, speech and occupational rehabilitative therapy.

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LAKE CHELAN HEALTH RECEIVES NATIONAL QUALITY-BASED ACCREDITATION FROM DNV GL

Chelan, WA, February 2, 2020 – Lake Chelan Health announces the successful completion of its new accreditation from DNV GL.

To receive accreditation an organization must demonstrate that it meets or exceeds patient safety standards set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As a world-leading certification body with objectives to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV GL is committed to supporting healthcare organizations improve patient safety.

DNV’s accreditation program, called NIAHO (National Integrated Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) uses the highest level of Quality Management Systems to conduct annual hospital surveys – instead of every 3 to 5 years – and encourages hospitals to openly share information across departments to continually improve clinical workflows and safety protocols.

“DNV accreditation is a significant achievement for Lake Chelan Health,” says CEO George Rohrich. “The strong work of the entire team made this possible. Congratulations, Lake Chelan Health!”

Lake Chelan Health joins more than 600 hospitals nationwide including 33 in Washington State to receive DNV accreditation. For more information about DNV GL hospital accreditation visit www.dnvglcert.com/healthcare.

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Lake Chelan Health Resumes Patient Admissions, Services

Lake Chelan Health is cleared to admit patients to the hospital and resume all services. Patients that had previously tested positive for COVID-19 are no longer infectious and off isolation precautions. In mid-January, five patients began showing initial symptoms of the virus and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. The Chelan Douglas Health District (CDHD) has been providing guidance to the Lake Chelan Health staff and reviewed all safety precautions.

The first recommendations by the CDHD included placing the hospital on diversion to not admit any new patients and suspend physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. Lake Chelan Health CNO, Jaime Minnock, worked with CDHD in leading the investigation into how the virus entered the facility and reached patients. Emphasis was immediately placed on testing of all staff working directly with patients for the prior 14 days. 98 employees were tested within hours and all initial tests came back negative for COVID-19. Follow up testing was conducted which also resulted in no positive tests.

The Lake Chelan Health team has practiced every safety precaution for months to prevent the spread of the virus, and we are extremely proud of the team for their diligence in stopping what could have been a disastrous outbreak.

CDHD reviewed our investigation concerning how the virus was potentially introduced and transmitted. The health district commended our staff on the established safety precautions and were comfortable with the mitigation strategies. Lake Chelan Health has updated its visitor policy to no visitors or extra guests accompanying patients to appointments, except for end-of-life care, pediatrics, and allowing one support person or partner for obstetrical ultrasounds and delivery.

We appreciate the guidance and support received from the CDHD in safely working through this COVID-19 outbreak.

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Lake Chelan Health Resuming Therapy Services

Lake Chelan Health Resuming Therapy Services

Lake Chelan Health is continuing visitor restrictions and is not admitting new patients to the hospital after five inpatients tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Therapy services, which include physical, speech and occupational therapy have resumed with guidance from the Chelan Douglas Health District (CDHD). All other services remain open and available.

All positive patients remain in isolation and separate from non-infected patients. In collaboration with the CDHD, 98 staff were first tested for COVID-19 on Friday January 15, 2021 and results were negative.

We will continue to follow the necessary safety precautions to protect our patients, staff, and community.

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Lake Chelan Health Restricting Non-Emergent Services

Lake Chelan Health Restricting Non-Emergent Services
After Five Patients Test Positive for COVID-19

Lake Chelan Health is currently not accepting visitors or admitting new patients to the hospital due to five inpatients testing positive for COVID-19.  We have temporarily suspended rehab services, which include physical, speech and occupational therapy until further notice. The Emergency Department will remain open but will be limited to only the patient seeking emergency services and possible support person.  All other services remain open and available.

All positive patients have been placed on isolation and have been separated from non-infected patients.  With guidance from the health district, staff that have been in contact with the patients will be tested.

As can be expected in a pandemic, we have been preparing for situations like this and we have responded with the necessary safety precautions to protect our patients, staff, and community.

Lake Chelan Health will continue to work closely with Public Health as we learn more.

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