Associate Partnership Pulse Survey

The Press-Ganey Pulse survey begins on Monday, January 25th. You will be receiving an e-mail from Press-Ganey on that day, providing you with the link to the survey website; another prompt will occur on February 1st.  No PIN number is required, as the link provides you a direct connection to the survey.

Access Assistance:
The Associate Satisfaction Team has worked hard to increase computer access for all PSF associates.  If you cannot find a computer in your work area, please note the following  locations of available computers for associate use:

 Penrose Hospital
  -  WEBB Library (5 computers)
  - 8th Floor Lobby (2 computers) 
    (Note: Patients have first access but at least one is usually available)
  - Facilities (4 computers)

 St. Francis Medical Center
  - Human Resources, 2nd Level (2 computers)

 St. Francis Health Services
   - Human Resources, 5th Floor (1 computer)

Make sure your e-mail inbox is not full, and make sure you can still log in. If you forgot your password or appear to be locked out of your e-mail, please call the IT Help Desk at Extension 4200, and they can reset your e-mail account.

Click on this link for a flyer on the Pulse survey. repository/newsletters/Photos/Penrose/2010/January 2010/AssoSurvey FINAL.pdf

Preventative Maintenance

In an effort to make sure that all of the Medical Devices at PSF are up to date on their Preventative Maintenance (PM), the Biomed Department is asking for your help in finding items that may have been overlooked. 

Please take a look at all of the items in your area that Biomed maintains or repairs for you and make sure they have a current PM sticker on them. If you find an item that is past due for its PM, please remove the item from service, place a pink tag on it and place it where you normally store broken equipment.  Please call Biomed at ext. 5301 and have a work order placed. Biomed will service the item as soon as possible.

Questions or concerns about this process can be addressed by calling the Biomed Department at ext. 5301. Thank you for your help.

Haiti Relief Effort

You can support the Haiti relief effort through a simple payroll deduction in the cafeteria.

As we hear the news and see the images from Haiti, we grieve for those affected by the massive earthquake that took place in Port-au-Prince last week, and we hold the people of Haiti in our thoughts and prayers.

Many associates have asked how they can help. As Gary Campbell notes below, the biggest need right now is financial contributions to the relief agencies so they can continue their very important work.

A simple process has been developed to allow associates an opportunity to support the relief effort through payroll deduction. 

• See the cashier at any of our three cafeterias
• Let the cashier know that you would like to make a donation to help the disaster victims in Haiti
• The cashier will scan your badge
• Tell them how much you would like to be deducted from your next paycheck
• The amount is up to you

This program will only run through Saturday, Jan. 30. All of the funds raised will be used to support Centura missions related to the Haiti relief effort.

An excerpt from Gary Campbell's message:

The survivors of the earthquake are now in immediate need of shelter, water, food and medical supplies. To help meet these urgent needs now, Centura Health has made a $10,000 donation to relief efforts, with the funds divided equally between our two sponsors’ disaster relief organizations: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Both organizations are actively involved in disaster relief in Haiti.
 
In addition, CHI has provided a contribution of $40,000 to relief efforts, and AHS is working with the State Department to provide a ready pool of medical personnel to assist in Haiti, as well as encouraging its associates and hospitals to contribute to relief efforts of their choosing.
 
Our financial contributions are truly the best effort that we can extend at this time rather than sending drugs, supplies or equipment. While we may think these types of donations to be more valuable, they may in fact be a hindrance as relief workers try and coordinate the delivery of supplies and resources. While we may get further information and direction at a later time, for now, our best means of assisting are financial donations.

Retirement plan annual enrollment

The Centura Health 401(a) Retirement Plan Annual Enrollment for the 2010 plan year begins on Monday, Jan. 18, and continues through Jan. 29, 2010. Letters were mailed to associates homes this week.
 
Great-West Retirement Services representatives will be available at St. Francis Medical Center to answer questions and discuss your options. 

Thursday, Jan. 28, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
St. Francis Medical Center – Cafeteria

Centura Health makes a retirement plan contribution on your behalf if you’ve worked and been paid for 1,000 eligible hours of service in a calendar year. The 2009 contribution will be credited to your account in the spring of 2010. The annual enrollment allows you to choose whether your 2010 retirement plan contribution (credited in the spring of 2011), if you are eligible, is made to the Basic Option or the Combination Option. For more information, refer to both sides of the letter you received at home.

Please note that if you wish to stay in your current option, no action is necessary for the 2010 plan year. However, if you wish to change your option, you'll need to complete the election form portion of the letter, and return the letter to:

Great West Retirement Services
1775 Sherman Street, Suite 2040
Denver, CO  80203

Or fax the letter to Great-West Retirement Services at 303-861-2160. Please be sure to make a copy of the completed letter for your records.
 
Please call your Great-West Retirement Services representative at 800-947-4409 to ask questions or schedule an appointment.

Lunch with Margaret

The first lunch with Margaret on Jan. 19.

"I very much enjoyed having lunch and getting to know some of our associates and volunteers a little better," said Margaret.  "I look forward to meeting new people every month and participating in a dialogue in an informal setting with them."


Ever think about what you would do if you were CEO for a day? What do you like best about working here? Join Margaret Sabin, President and CEO of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, for a FREE lunch and an informal chat. Let her know what rocks your Centura world! Most lunches will be held on the last Friday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., in the Barry Nolan Board Room at Penrose Hospital or in SFMC’s Conference Room 1. There will also be two night “lunches” for associates working the evening shift. 

Lunch is open to everyone – associates, volunteers and physicians – working at any PSF facility.  Space is limited to 20 people per month, so an R.S.V.P is required by e-mailing Julie Cox at juliecox@centura.org. Please designate which month you would like to attend.  Include your contact information, the department and facility you work for, and a number where you can be reached.

Your lunch date choices are:

Penrose Hospital – Barry Nolan Conference Room – 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
February 26
March 26
May 21
June 25
July 30
October 29
November 26

St. Francis Medical Center – Conference Room 1 – 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
April 30
August  27
December  17

Night Shift – Penrose Hospital – Barry Nolan Board Room – 11:30 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.
March 30
September  24

New Women's Surgical Center at SFMC

Click on the flyer for a printable version.

HealthGrades Award

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services received the 2010 Excellence Award for Pulmonary Care from HealthGrades.

The Pulmonary Medicine/Respiratory Therapy team at Penrose Hospital.


The Pulmonary Medicine/Respiratory Therapy team at St. Francis Medical Center.

Get With The Guidelines Award

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services has received the American Stroke Association’s Get With The GuidelinesSM–Stroke Bronze Performance Achievement Award. The award recognizes PSF’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

Education Opportunity

Click on the flyer for a printable version.

Webb Memorial Library Information

The library will be closed January 22 – January 27.  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. If you ever need to use the Webb Library when it is closed, call Security at 2111. You will need to show your badge for entry. 

Webb Library has just added some new books to the collection.  Here are a few of them:
• Nursing leadership: a concise encyclopedia
• Cardiac surgery essentials for critical care nursing
• Fluids and electrolytes made incredibly easy
• Essentials of physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Essentials of perioperative nursing
• Core Curriculum for medical-surgical nursing

You can find all of these on our New Books shelf located at the front of the library. If you haven’t checked out materials previously from Webb Library, please complete a Webb Library information form and leave it on the Reference Desk, as well as completing the checkout card for each book you take. Books are due back within three weeks of when they are checked out. We will highlight additional new books in future issues of the Penrose Pulse.

Don’t forget that Webb Library’s Intranet site is now available on MVW under the Reference Tab. In this way, associates and physicians will have access to information about the library and our resources, as well as links to many online databases, including OVID and EBSCO where you can do your own searching and get some full-text articles.

ESPN and PSF

Morgan Broekhuis, ESPN RISE Player of the Year from the Colorado Springs Christian School, is the daughter of Lisa Broekhuis who works at the Health Learning Center. 

But this isn't Morgan's only connection to PSF.

"This fall, October 2009,  her high school volleyball team, Colorado Springs Christian School, hosted a "CSCS Plays for the Pink" (cancer awareness) volleyball game as a community project and raised $1,809," said Lisa. "All the proceeds from that "Play for the Pink" game went to the Penrose Foundation to be earmarked toward a digital mammography machine."

From ESPN RISE -
Morgan Broekhuis has been named ESPN RISE Volleyball Player of the Year. The senior setter/hitter lead her team with 465 kills, 411 assists, 40 blocks, 167 digs, and 30 aces.

The 6-foot-5 setter is breaking the mold and changing the game with her physique and skills. Broekhuis, just this week, left her 3A high school with an untarnished 30-0 record and is off to the Cornhusker State to enroll early at Nebraska.

Among many other accolades in her high school career, Broekhuis was recently honored as the Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year for the second straight year and an Under Armour All-American. 
 
In 2008 she was named to the U.S. Women's National Training Team and in 2009 she was selected to the U.S. Women's Junior National Team.

News Briefs

Trauma Symposium
Save the Date for the Biennial Symposium on Trauma & Critical Care, Friday, April 9, 2010.

Pressure Ulcer Prevention Class
The Pressure Ulcer Prevention class sponsored by Medline will be held March 11 from 08 - 1600 at the Julie Penrose Health Education and Research Center in the North Care Building.  The date was changed from March 9 as previously announced in the TLC.  This free class is open to any PSF nursing staff.  You will receive 6 CE and free lunch.  Watch for reservation forms coming to your units.  Previous attendees have said how much they enjoyed the speaker and received a lot of new information. 

NO ONE DIES ALONE
Through the efforts of volunteers, No One Dies Alone provides a reassuring presence to dying patients who would otherwise be alone. This program is for patients who are expected to die within 48-72 hours and have no friends or family locally or who have no family involved or present.
Each patient is assessed to determine if they meet referral criteria for the program and then a vigil is activated by contacting the No One Dies Alone Vigil Coordinator. The coordinator then creates a schedule of coverage for the patient, attempting to provide a companion for as many hours as possible.

Patient Identification
If you identify a patient who may die alone, please communicate with the Charge Nurse and have them page the No One Dies Alone vigil coordinator. Patients at Penrose Hospital can be served at any time by the volunteer team that has already been established.  We will begin serving patients at St. Francis Medical Center on March 1, 2010 after the orientation session has been completed.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Ginny Vravick, Palliative Care CNS, 719-776-5646, VIRGINIAVRAVICK@CENTURA.ORG, or Theresa Gregoire, Chaplain, 719-776-2682, THERESAGREGOIRE@CENTURA.ORG.

Community Blood Drive Schedule for January 2010

Jan. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., St. Michael’s (The Blood Vessel), 7400 Tudor Road,
Colorado Springs, 80919
Jan. 26, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Coronado High School, 1590 W. Fillmore, Colorado Springs, 80907 

ELNEC-Core Training Program
(End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium)
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services
Julie Penrose Auditorium
February 24th-25th, 2010

Nurses spend more time with patients who are facing the end of life than any other member of the health care team.  Yet, studies have shown that many nurses feel inadequately prepared to provide the comprehensive care so important at the end of life.  Expert nursing care has the potential to greatly reduce the burden and distress of those facing life’s end and the ability to offer support for the many physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. 
For more information, please contact Ginny Vravick, Palliative Care CNS, 719-776-5646, VIRGINIAVRAVICK@CENTURA.ORG

HIIP News

                       
2010 CLUB HIIP HEALTH SCREENING                     
YOU ARE WANTED! 
Join us at the Club HIIP 2010 “Hoe Down” Health Screening! Save the Date!                
The health screenings will include: Blood pressure checks, cholesterol/ HDL/glucose lab, BMI, neck/back massages, carpal tunnel evaluations, osteoporosis heel scan, pulmonary function, hearing, vision and more! Info will be available on smoking cessation, ask a dietitian and cancer prevention. There will be food, prizes, and contests!                                    
Tues, Feb 23      9 a.m.-noon  SFHC/5th Floor Conference Rooms                                                                           
Wed, Feb 24      2-4:30 p.m.  SFMC/Conference Rooms 1-3                                                                          
Thurs, Feb 25     8:30 a.m.-noon SFMC/Conference Rooms 1-3
 Wed, March 3    2-6 p.m.  PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room
 Thurs, March 4 8 a.m.-noon  PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room
 Fri, March 5   9 a.m.- noon  PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room                                       
Saddle Up and Register to Participate in the screening: Please go to www.healthcalc.net/penrose log in and go to “HIIP Classes” to sign up or call 776-7494.  **Walk-ins permitted after the first 2 hours of the screenings

FEBRUARY LUNCH 'N LEARN
"Retirement 101: Back To Basics”
Want to save for retirement, but not sure how? Are you already saving and have questions about the features of the Centura retirement plan? Clueless, but know you need to save? This is the Lunch ‘N’ Learn for YOU! Presented by Marula Blue, Great West Retirement Representative.                               
Key points covered:                                             
- Features and benefits of your Centura Retirement Plan 
- Investment options                                                         
- Internal revenue code basics     
-Withdrawal requirements                                     
- Eligibility requirement and how to enroll   
-Rollover                         
Wed, February 10th, 12:05-12:35 p.m., SFMC/Northcare Building, 2nd Fl Julie Penrose Center, Breakout Room                                                 
Thurs, February 11th, 12:05-12:35 p.m., PH/E-Tower Basement Gala Room        

FY10 HIIP EDUCATION CLASSES
4070 Talk, Wednesday, Feb 3, 11:15 a.m.-noon., ASC/2nd Floor Breakroom

SELF CARE
Thursday, Feb. 4, 7:30-8:15 a.m., SFMC/Conference Room 2                                                                    

PSF EXTENDED FITNESS CLASSES
Pick up a schedule at HIIP Wall pockets at all sites for registration form       
St. Francis Medical Center                                    
Bootcamp: Session 1: Starts, Tuesday, Feb. 2 from 5-5:45 p.m. in the North Care Bldg, 2nd Floor Julie Penrose Center for a  6 week session                                        
Penrose Main                                                                                                  
Pilates: Session 6: Starts, Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 5-6 p.m. in the PH/E-Tower Aerobics Room for 5 weeks                                 
****HIIP Coupon available at all HIIP Flyer boards, New Year New Year Promotion: Bring a friend to sign up for one of Club HIIP’s Group Fitness Classes, and you both will receive $5 off your registration fee!!! Ring in the new year with better health, fitness and cheer!

WELLNESS CENTER ORIENTATIONS
Please register for orientations via HealthCalc on My Virtual Workplace or call 776-5839                
PH Wellness Center- Feb. 4 at 8 a.m.                                                              
SFMC Wellness Center-Feb. 10 at 1 p.m.                                                                       
PH Wellness Center- Feb. 16 at 4 p.m.                                         
Anyone over 40 years old must have a physician’s form signed giving permission to use Wellness Centers.  

WELLNESS CENTER CLOSURE DATES                       
The PH wellness center will be closed on the following dates/times due to a special event and annual cleaning. 
Closed: Wed. Jan 27, at 2 p.m.            Reopen: Fri. Jan 29, at 5 a.m.             T
Thank you for your patience & cooperation.

WALKING CLUBS
PH Walking Club: Every Thursday at 7:15-7:50 a.m. outside of valet.
Contact Michelle Somers x5034
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

HLC First Quarter Classes

Check out these community health and wellness classes at the Health Learning Center.

T’ai Chi – A form of ancient Chinese martial arts that works to improve body awareness, strength and coordination.
February 2 - February 25
March 2 - March 25
9 – 10 a.m.
Cost:  $40/ 4-week session

Individual and Family Fitness – A fun and comprehensive class to help you, your friends and your family get moving in 2010.  Experience an overview of different types and intensities of exercise including cardio, resistance training, circuit training and more. A wonderful class for the individual or family (children ages 8 and above with parents please) this class will challenge all fitness levels with its varied class format. One hour twice per week for 4-weeks.
Tuesday and Thursdays
February 2 - February 25
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cost:    $40 / 4-week session

New!  Treat Your Heart: Cooking Demo and Sampling – Our Registered Dietitians are absolutely the best cooks!  Their recipes taste so wonderful and yet are still healthy treats for your heart.  Join the Penrose Health Learning Center dietitians in learning quick and easy, tasty combinations for meals and snacks.
Wednesday February 24
5:45 pm – 7:15 pm    
Cost: $25

Essential Core Training - Core strength and stability is essential in maintaining functional ability for activities of daily living.  Core training is not just sit ups and crunches but incorporates stability muscles from your chest to your knees to create a foundation for all movement.  Come and join us for great workouts and “take home” information.
Mondays
February 15 - March 8
5:30 – 6:15 pm
Cost: $30

Increasing Movement through Circuit Training - Participants will meet in an organized class once per week, complete the same workout (non-equipment specific) once per week on their own and design and complete one circuit per week on their own.
Wednesdays: February 3 - 24
5:30 – 6:10 pm
Cost: $30

New! YoChi - This unique class will incorporate exercise components of both seated Yoga and Tai Chi to promote relaxation and stress reduction.  
Wednesdays
March 3 - March 24
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Cost:  $30/ 4 week session

Join The Health Learning Center Gym – Did you know that a one month membership at the HLC gym is equal to one class option through Colorado Springs Utilities?  Join us for one or more months and get your workouts kick started under the guidance of our fitness experts.  Call the registration number for an exercise intake appointment.  By appointment only. Contact 776-4761 to schedule your intake to initiate your membership. The cost is $46 per month / no contracts – month to month membership.

NEW! Your Heart is a Muscle, Too – Finding the right balance of fuel and fitness to maximize your energy levels. An exercise expert and a Registered Dietitian will be your speakers.
Wednesday, February 10
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Cost: $25

New!  Individual Fitness Assessment – Measure your fitness levels against the national averages and note areas in which you excel and potential areas of need. A sub-max VO2 treadmill test as well as evaluations for flexibility, strength and strength endurance will be performed.  Results will be reviewed and discussed with a fitness expert to help direct you in your future fitness goals. 
Date/Time: By appointment only.
Contact 776-4761 to schedule your appointment
Cost: $50

New!  Moderating Blood Sugars – Whether your blood sugars are totally within range or not, managing blood glucose levels throughout your day will help to effectively fuel your body as well as to avoid those sugar peaks and valleys. Discussions with our Diabetes Educators will help you to see the big picture. 
Thursday, March 11.
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $25

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

All Wellness classes held at Penrose Health Learning Center, 1644 Medical Center Point (Union and Templeton Gap) unless otherwise noted.

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

Cafeteria Menu

PENROSE HOSPITAL Breakfast & Lunch Menu (for more choices including Dinner, call # 776-5408) 
For SFMC menu, please call menu line at # 571-1001  

MONDAY 
Breakfast - Western Breakfast Skillet, Eggs Florentine, Sausage & Biscuits 
Lunch - Seafood Stuffed Lemon Sole, Chicken Fried Steak, Baked Potato Bar,  
  BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Southweat Panini, Cherry Pineapple Cake.  
   
TUESDAY 
Breakfast - French Toast & Syrup, Sausage,Egg,Cheese McMuffin, Chipped Beef  
Lunch - Chicken Fajitas, Beef Taco Bowl, Turkey Cheddar Pepper Panini, 
  Jalopeno Poppers, Chicken Wings, Tex Mex Chips, Blackberry Cobbler 
   
WEDNESDAY 
Breakfast - Fruit Topped Pancakes, Breakfast Burritos, Green Chili, Red Potato Fries 
Lunch - Curry Chicken & Vegetable, Grilled Chicken Spinach Jack Sandwich, 
  BBQ Beef Brisket, Bourbon Glazed Salmon, Apple Strudel 
   
THURSDAY 
Breakfast - Denver Omelet, Waffles, Sausge Gravy & Biscuit, Shredded Hash Browns 
Lunch - Grilled Turkey Bacon Swiss, Fresh Veggie Stir Fry, Beef Pepper Steak, 
  Fried Chicken,  Baked Potato Bar, Corn Bread, Scotcharoo's. 
   
FRIDAY 
Breakfast - Bagel Breakfast Sandwich, Green Chili Omelet, Tater Tots 
Lunch - Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Baked Orange Roughy, Bourbon Ham, 
  Grilled Reuben's, Spaghetti, Scalloped Potatoes, German Peach Cake. 
   
SATURDAY 
Breakfast - Minnesota Baked Casserole, Chipped Beef & Biscuit,Hash Browns 
Lunch -  Turkey Pot Pie, Meat Lasagna & Garlic Bread, Red Hook Shrimp, 
  Herbed Jasmine Rice, Long Green Beans ,Blueberry Cherry Cobbler. 
   
SUNDAY 
Breakfast - Pancakes & Syrup, Red Potato Fries, Grits, Eggs & Sausage & Ham 
Lunch - Crispy Fried Chicken, Sourcream Mashed Potatoes, Meatball Sandwich, 
  Beer Battered Fish,  Mac & Cheese, Fresh Baked Biscuits, Apple Dumplings.