SFMC's 1st Anniversary

Surpasses Expectations, Increases Jobs, Services, Patient Satisfaction
By Stacey Knott

St. Francis Medical Center celebrated its first anniversary Aug. 17 with a pancake breakfast and commemorative cookies.

The $207 million hospital surpassed all expectations in its first year, especially during tough economic times.

On opening day, Aug. 16, 2008, Penrose Community Hospital on Academy Blvd. officially transferred all patients and services to SFMC and closed.  The PCH Emergency Room then became Penrose Community Urgent Care.  

St. Francis Medical Center celebrated several milestones: 

• SFMC sees approximately 20-30 more patients per day on average than previously at PCH.

• SFMC has 168 patient beds, compared to only 98 beds at PCH.

• SFMC employs 670 associates, versus only 622 at PCH.  This doesn’t include people who work at Sister’s Grove Pavilion and North Care, also located on the SFMC campus.

• SFMC’s patient satisfaction scores have increased by 10 percent over the previous year.

• SFMC Birth Center had more than 2,000 births since opening.

• In addition to the services that transferred from PCH to SFMC, the new hospital also offers a cardiac catheterization lab and gastroenterology lab, as well as the only retail hospital lactation store in the area. 

• SFMC brings directly $70 million in net revenues to the community, not including the Sister’s Grove or North Care businesses.

• SFMC plans to open a Ronald McDonald Family Room for parents in the coming weeks.  It currently offers a Newborn Hope Resource Room for parents of premature babies.

• Penrose Community Urgent Care is seeing 1,000 patients per month, which is double the expectation.

Some of SFMC’s other features include:

• Full-service emergency services, including Level IV Trauma Center
• Critical care services and ICU
• Cardiac services
• Women’s Pavilion and Birth Center including a Level III Neonatal ICU & Pediatric unit
• Surgical Services
• Diagnostic/Imaging Services
• Full-service in-patient pharmacy

Penrose Community Urgent Care, located at 3205 N. Academy Blvd., is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.  It provides convenient, no-appointment urgent care for minor illnesses and injuries, including:  coughs, colds and upset stomachs; sprains, strains, fractures and lacerations; and outpatient (walk-in) radiology and lab service. 

For more information, visit www.penrosestfrancis.org.

News Briefs

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
In an effort to save time and paper, Education will no longer distribute hard copies of applications and guidelines for tuition reimbursement.  Associates can access these documents via My Virtual Workplace.  For more information, please contact PSF Education at 776-5186.
     How to Access:
• Log into My Virtual Workplace
• Click on the Reference Tab
• Click on Docushare
• Click on PSF General Folders
• Click on Education Resources
• Click on Tuition Assistance Forms
• Click on Tuition Application (and print) AND click on Tuition Guidelines (and print)

SAVE THE DATE: ZOO PICNIC, SEPT. 13
The Penrose-St. Francis Health Services Family Picnic is Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last admission at 8 p.m.) at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. A buffet is served from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge at Moose Lake.  This event is for Penrose-St. Francis Associates and their immediate family members only. Immediate family members are those who currently live in the household.  Please show your badge at the front entrance gate to get your wrist band for admission to the zoo and buffet.  If you are working that day and unable to attend, your immediate family is still welcome. Please have them check in at the front entrance table with your name. The carousel will be free after 6:30 p.m.  Show your PSF spirit and wear your Mission & Motion T-shirt!  For questions, please call the Penrose-St. Francis Associate Activities Committee 776-5517.

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SET Family Medical Clinics, a local 501(c)(3)non-profit organization, is hosting a Family Market Fundraiser Aug. 29, at Penrose-St. Francis Health Center located at 825 E. Pikes Peak Ave. Garage sale items and volunteers are needed for the event. Donations are tax deductible. Bring donations to the SET office at 825 East Pikes Peak Ave, Bldg. 29 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opportunities are available for anyone willing to help too. To volunteer or for more information, please call 776-8850.  Or visit the website at www.setofcs.org.

HR AT PENROSE HOSPITAL
The PSF Human Resources Department is delayed in moving back to Penrose Hospital. In the meantime, HR is offering onsite support hours Mondays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. HR representatives will be located in the PH Wellness Center in the E-Tower basement. For questions or more information, please contact Gary Morse at 776-4782 or Cecilia Peat at 776-4785.

ASSOCIATE REMINDERS
• HR forms and policies can be found on DocuShare through “My Virtual Workplace” web site.
• All job postings and applications are online at http://www.penrosestfrancis.org
• Associates who need a computer for compliance training purposes, may contact Education Resources at 776-5186. They have a computer located in a private area. 

Vim & Vigor

Click on the photo above.

New SFMC Procedure

St. Francis Medical Center Adds Medical Procedure
Hospital Lives Up to Billing as “Full-Service”
By Stacey Knott

St. Francis Medical Center has hit another milestone.  The hospital recently added another capability to its “full-service” status.

The hospital, which just celebrated its first anniversary, now performs Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography tests.  ERCP is an endoscopic way to look inside the ducts that connect the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the first part of the duodenum, which is part of the small intestine.

“During the test, dye is injected allowing for fluoroscopic images of the biliary and pancreatic ducts,” said Victoria Jack-Blue, SFMC Gastrointestinal Lab charge nurse. “Instruments can be used to clear a blockage, place stents, and break and remove small stones that may be clogging ducts. Cytology testing can also be performed.”

The new procedure takes extensive training and a large team. The Penrose Hospital GI staff helped train the SFMC GI team, which includes gastrointestinal physicians and nurses, anesthesiologists, operating room leaders, radiology technicians and equipment technicians. 

“This is important because it represents another major step in SFMC living up to its billing as a "full-service" hospital,” said Mark Hartman, SFMC Vice President of Operations.  “Prior to this we were shipping approximately two patients per week from our emergency department to Penrose Hospital for this procedure, which often then leads to surgery.”

SFMC can also perform surgery if needed, so patients can be tested and treated all in one location in the northeast Colorado Springs facility.

"This was truly a team effort across Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, involving collaboration from multiple departments at both hospitals as well as a variety of physician specialists," Mark said.

Recently the SFMC GI team performed the first Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography test at SFMC. The people who helped make this happen include, from left to right: Mary Tanner, SFMC Radiology technician; Mark Hartman, SFMC VP of Operations; Dr. Erik Van Os, gastroenterologist; Aaron Hackman, SFMC Radiology manager; Lloyd Lewis, SFMC sterile equipment technician; Sharrie Tomsen, GI Lab nurse; Laura Rhodes, GI Lab unit secretary; and Vickie Jack-Blue, GI Lab charge nurse. Not pictured, Dr. Robert Dougan, anesthesiologist. (Photo by Julie Cox)

Hypertension Intervention

Click on the photo above for a larger, printable pdf version.

Banding Together

By Stanley H. Darnell

The Rewards and Recognition Committee would like to remind associates that select Managers and Directors have been handing out “Values Wristbands” to associates, physicians, and volunteers who they have observed living Centura’s Core Values day to day.

The seven Centura standards are Compassion, Excellence, Imagination, Integrity, Spirituality, Stewardship, and Respect. 

The wristbands are lavender with dark purple writing and there are only a thousand of them to go around. If you see an associate with one of these on their wrists, please congratulate them and ask them which standard(s) they were recognized for. 

These are only a few of the people who have been recognized for showing outstanding examples of Centura’s Core Values:

Daniel Sullivan from CCOM/CSSC
Outstanding Compassion

Annette Mishmash from Ortho/Med at SFMC
Outstanding Excellence

Anna Soennecken Penrose Hospital Audiology
Excellence and Imagination

Thank you all for living our Core Values every day!

Pasta in the Park

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services was proud to be one of many sponsors who participated in TESSA's annual fundraiser, Pasta in the Park, Aug. 15 at the Myron Stratton Home in Colorado Springs.  

Guests enjoyed a pasta sauce cook-off competition with wine tasting, dinner catered by the Picnic Basket, and silent and live auctions.   They were also entertained by Phat Daddy & the Phat Horn Doctors.

PSF’s Brandy Lobster Sauce prepared by St. Francis Medical Center’s chef Taylor Olson, was a big hit, especially since it was served by Sharon Jacobs, SFMC nutritionist and Michelle Somers, Penrose Hospital nutritionist, and Julie Cox, PSF Marketing Coordinator. 

TESSA is the primary agency dedicated specifically and solely to the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault in El Paso and Teller Counties in Colorado.  TESSA offers a wide variety of prevention, intervention, and treatment services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and limited services to offenders. Currently, TESSA has over 50 staff (full-time and part-time) working to serve clients in seven different locations. To learn more about TESSA, visit their website at www.tessacs.org.

Going Green

Going Green Tips of the Week… RECYCLING SOLUTIONS: Just throw it out, it’s biodegradable! Or is it?

We’ve heard people and companies brag about biodegradable materials since this whole green craze started. And though we love them, we don’t love the misconceptions that surround them.
The prime example, “I can just throw this bottle out, because it will break down.” That would be true if we kept our landfills open to the elements such as light, air and water. This, however, is not the case. 

Throwing a biodegradable bottle into a landfill means it’s not going to break down, at least in a time frame that counts. Landfills are meant to keep the elements out, and it is precisely these elements that need to be present in order for a material to successfully biodegrade.

Need some cold, hard evidence? I think we can all agree that food is the most biodegradable material out there. It can break down in an ice cold fridge, so a landfill, it seems, would be a perfect environment. 

Think again: A trash study project conducted by the University of Arizona found some interesting things during their years of trash digging in more than 20 landfills across North America, including “hundreds of undecomposed hot dogs, corn starch and lettuce dating back to the 1960s.” Since produce doesn’t come with a date, they used some of the still readable 2,425 newspapers they found to get the date of disposal.

The Going Green Section of the Penrose Pulse was developed to educate and inform Penrose-St. Francis associates, physicians, and volunteers on how to Reduce and Reuse valuable resources. 

Liver Life Walk

On Aug. 15, members of the community came together to participate in the first local Liver Life Walk at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs. 

The 5K walk event benefited the American Liver Foundation.

During the walk around the park, participants walked for the more than 30 million Americans, including children, who are affected by one of more than 100 diseases of the liver.

As a proud sponsor of this event, Team Penrose-St. Francis walked, and Diane DeMasters, Penrose Hospital Gastrointestinal clinical manager, spoke to the crowd.

To learn more about the American Liver Foundation, liver disease, visit the website at HTTP://WWW.LIVERFOUNDATION.ORG.

HIIP News

SEPTEMBER LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN: “DUATHLON THROUGH THE ROCKIES”
Come and find out about our newest Challenge! Are you ready to do a Du-Athlon?  This is an eight week challenge beginning Sept. 21-Nov. 15.  It incorporates personal goals of biking, walking, running and physical activity over eight Colorado peaks across the Rockies. Keep in shape after Lighten Up Colorado and get fit this fall. Presented and created by Rachel Cline, Club HIIP Intern.
Invest in YOU! Only $20 to sign up for the Duathlon Challenge! If you complete your challenge, then you’ll receive a $15 Gift Card to Dick’s Sporting Goods! Come prepared to sign up at the LNL and bring cash or a check made out to “PSF Wellness.” Your registration fee includes a packet of information, exercise tips, emails, postcards across the Rockies, and more!

Sept. 9, SFMC/North Care Building, Julie Penrose Health Education & Research Center, 12:05 - 12:35 p.m. Sept. 10, PH/E-Tower Basement Gala Room, 12:05 - 12:35 p.m.

HYPERTENTION INTERVENTION
Want to try another way to protect your heart?
Fridays Noon to 12:30 p.m.: Aug. 28, Sep. 4, 11, 18 at SFMC/Conference Room 2
Was your blood pressure high at the health screening? Did you ever want to try relaxation, guided imagery or meditation? Each of these can help protect your heart by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and bringing a sense of peace and calm. Join us for the Club HIIP Education class series on lowering your blood pressure.
Incentive: If you start class with high blood pressure (above 120-125/80-89) and are able to lower it to within normal ranges (below 120-125/80-89) by week four you will receive a $20 gift card! You must attend three out of the four classes to be eligible.

FY10 HIIP EDUCATION CLASSES
Circuit Training for Two: Aug. 26 from 4-4:45 p.m. at PH/E-Tower Basement Aerobics Room

PSF EXTENDED FITNESS CLASSES
Pick up a schedule at HIIP Wall pockets at all sites for registration form.
Penrose Hospital
Nia: Session 3: Starts Aug. 25 from 4-5 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 6 weeks

WELLNESS CENTER ORIENTATIONS
Please register for orientations via HealthCalc on My Virtual Workplace or call 776-5839, ext 2.
PH Wellness Center- Tuesday at 4 p.m.
SFMC Wellness Center- Thursday at 5 p.m.
Anyone over 40 years old must have a physician’s form signed giving permission to use Wellness Centers. *SFMC Wellness Center Orientations: Please note that if you used to have access to the PCH Wellness Center, you must attend an orientation at SFMC in order to gain access to that facility

WALKING CLUBS
PH Walking Club: Every Thursday at 7:15-7:50 a.m. outside of valet. Contact Michelle Somers x5034
SFHC Walking Club:  Every Monday at 11:30 a.m. outside of the Foundation building. Contact Tracy x7085
SFMC Walking Club:  Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. meet outside 1st floor/valet entrance- Winter season- the group will walk the stairs indoors. Contact Rox x11064

End-of-Life Health Care

Click on the photo above for a larger, printable pdf version.

Health Learning Center

All classes require pre-registration / cancellation a minimum of 24 hours prior. A $20 no show fee will be billed to the participant if registration not cancelled 24 hours in advance. To register or for more information, please call the Penrose Health Learning Center at 776-3600. 

New! Cover Your Knees – “Cover Your Knees” is a special program being offered this fall to teach girls, their parents and coaches about preventing knee injuries. The program includes an overview of anatomy and risk factors, physical assessments for attending athletes as well as a participatory warm-up and conditioning program. Teams are welcome; parent or coach must accompany the athlete. Appropriate for ages 10-18. An orthopedic doctor, physical therapist, recreational therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist will present. Tuesday, Aug. 25, 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $5.  

T’ai Chi – A form of ancient Chinese martial arts that works to improve body awareness, strength and coordination.  Monthly, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning the first Tuesday of each month 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 1-24. The cost is $40 for the 4-week session.

Meditation – A body friendly meditation style using holistic movements and music to promote relaxation. The class will help you to quiet your inner dialog, reach a relaxed body and peaceful state of mind. Class is Wednesdays, Sept. 2-23, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $30.

New! Resistance Training with Bands – Resistance band training is a unique resistance training method that may easily be accomplished at home or work with very little space and just a few varied tensions of bands.  Join us for this creative class that will provide exercises and direction for your mobile training system.  Monday, Sept. 14, 5:30 to 7 p.m.  The cost is $20.

New!  Stretching – If you are like most of us, you were taught the importance of stretching back in grade school.  Science, however, has moved on.  Come learn the latest techniques on effective stretching and how it can improve your overall fitness.   Mondays, Sept. 14-28, 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. The cost is  $23 for 3-weeks. 

Aquatics Classes – The Penrose Health Learning Center in cooperation with Colorado Sports and Spine. A structured class two to three times per week, concentrating on range of motion, overall strengthening and general cardiovascular conditioning.  All Aquatics classes are located at 1625 Medical Center Point (Union and Templeton Gap).  The cost is $46 per month for 2x / week or $66 per month for 3x / week.
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Monday/Wednesday: 5-6 p.m.
- Monday/Friday: 12:30-1:30 p.m
- Tuesday/Thursday: 8:30-9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Cafeteria Menu

For the SFMC menu, please call the daily menu phone line 571-1001.

Penrose Hospital daily breakfast and lunch menu.

NOTE:  The Penrose Hospital cafeteria hot line will be closed for construction.  A temporary hot line will be in place by the cashier stand, however hot choices will be limited. The salad bar, sandwich bar, and grab and go cooler will remain open and accessible. Nutrition Services will host an outdoor BBQ every Friday during construction.

MONDAY
Breakfast: Eggs Florentine & Mornay Sauce; Lunch: Sloppy Joes, Chicken & Dumplings, Penne Pasta w/ Alfredo or Marinara, and Apple Raspberry Cobbler

TUESDAY
Breakfast: Sausage, Egg & Cheese McMuffin; Lunch: Green Pork Chili, Beef Taco Bowls, Chili Rellenos, and Warm Chocolate Brownies

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos; Lunch: Beef Stir Fry over Jasmine Rice, Chicken & Sausage, Jambalaya, Calamari & Marinara Sauce, and Raisin Bread Pudding

THURSDAY
Breakfast: Sausage Biscuits & Gravy; Lunch: BBQ Pork Wings, Burgundy Beef Stew in Bread Bowl, Spinach & Cheese Ravioli, and Sunshine Lemon Orange Cake

FRIDAY
Breakfast: Green Chili Cheese Omelet; Lunch: OUTDOOR BBQ: Island Pulled Pork, Bratwurst & Sauerkraut,  Hamburgers & Hotdogs, Corn on the Cob, Chipotle Baked Beans, Cookies, Chips, Lemonade and Iced Tea; Inside Menu: Corned Beef & Cabbage, Fresh Mahi Mahi w/ Tropical Salsa, Roast Turkey

SATURDAY
Breakfast: Minnesota Egg Casserole; Lunch: Popcorn Chicken, Meat Lasagna & Garlic Bread, Smoked BBQ Pork, and Blackberry Cobbler

SUNDAY
Breakfast: Pancakes; Lunch: Country Fried Chicken, Honey Baked Glazed Ham, Sweet Potato & Marshmallow, and Apple Dumplings

Webb Memorial Library

The Webb Memorial Library will be closed from through Wednesday, Aug. 26. Casey Welch, the medical librarian, will be on vacation. 

If you have a research request, e-mail it to caseywelch@centura.org, and she will get back to you, as soon as she can upon her return. 

If you ever need to use Webb Library when it is closed, call Security at 776-2111.  You must show your badge. 

As a reminder, you can access the Webb Memorial Library online catalog and the EBSCOhost databases on MVW under the reference tab.