I'm getting ready to hit the skies (wish me luck with the new TSA security measures) to join my family in New York for the Thanksgiving holiday. It's easy to let this holiday slip by with the focus that is placed on Christmas and early sales and decorating and parties and eating…so I want to take a moment to observe this, Thanksgiving, by giving a quick list of just a few of the many things I am thankful for here at Good Samaritan. Feel free to add your own items via the "comments" section below.

I am thankful for...

...the best staff anywhere right here at Good Samaritan Hospital. That includes everyone who has a hand in carrying out our mission—no matter their department, no matter their home base, no matter their cost center. If you're here, you're working to carry out our mission and I am so honored to be among you all. You provide outstanding care and services in very genuine and hardworking ways. That honesty shows every day.

...truly amazing physicians on the GSH medical staff. We may be in the middle of rural America, but there is absolutely nothing rustic about the skill of our physicians. They are experts in fields on the cutting edge of medicine, and they are here to provide that expertise to the residents of our region. They're also a great bunch of men and women that I've truly enjoyed getting to know.

...the generosity of our staff and physicians. Our final United Way and GSH Foundation campaigns combined to total more than $66,000! Among other things, those funds will be used to help those less fortunate, to help subsidize programs for our community's children, to support programs and services here at Good Samaritan, and to boost the ambiance at our new cafeteria. I am truly thankful for these gifts.

...those who will be working on Thanksgiving. We're in a unique line of work where we never, ever shut our doors. We're never closed and that means people are always here, always working, always caring for others—even on holidays. My thanks to those who are taking time away from their families for their shifts at work this Thanksgiving weekend.

...the big muddy mess on the west side of our campus. That commotion means construction is underway—and that's exciting! We're growing to meet the needs of our community, our patients, our physicians and our staff. Our project is moving right along thanks to a variety of construction crews, and I like seeing their progress.

...the opportunity to work with such a great community of people right here in central Nebraska!

God has bestowed many blessings on us here at Good Samaritan, and in our own personal lives as well. I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

Mike

P.S. I'm also thankful for the thoughtfulness of our departments who are offering Thanksgiving baskets for visitors in our gathering rooms. Here's a shot from 2 North with their overflowing goody basket.

Have you heard about this new patient care concept called purposeful rounding? I hope you have, because it's going to be part of our everyday culture at GSH very soon.

From the first time purposeful rounding was introduced to me, I was sold. Before you say, "Who does he think he is, telling me how to care for my patients?" let me tell you why I like the concept.

First and foremost: It makes life easier for caregivers. When it comes to the people who are face to face with our patients, in their rooms, caring for any need they may have, I want their jobs to be structured in the absolute best way possible. I don't want the chaos of the day to overshadow their skill or their compassion—because we have the most skilled and compassionate staff for miles around!  (I knew this already, but ALL of the physicians I have interacted with have provided their own testimonial!) Purposeful rounding is designed to help caregivers take control of their day, and I think we can all agree that the more control we can gain in any corner of our busy lives, the better.

Case in point: Del Miller (if you've been through training, you've heard this story, but I think it bears repeating). Del's the president of our nursing staff, and he's also an RN on PCU. When he used the purposeful rounding concepts even before his official training, he went an entire 12-hour shift with only one call light. One call light! That's amazing. And I'm hearing more and more success stories like that as more and more staff go through the housewide training. From a nurse's perspective, that has to sound like a dream shift, but imagine what it's like from the patient's perspective. They were able to have their needs addressed without even calling someone into the room. Talk about a satisfying experience!

(Click here to watch Del’s complete testimonial.)

In addition to being good for caregivers, purposeful rounding is good for patients. In fact, other facilities—both bigger and smaller than ours—report increased positive outcomes for their patients as a result of purposeful rounding implementation. They're seeing significantly fewer falls and pressure ulcers, with better pain control, patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction. In short, purposeful rounding just makes sense and I hope you are able to see the benefits it has in store for everyone who enters our doors—staff and patients alike.

Purposeful rounding is another way we can create an EXCELLENT experience here at GSH. And you know how I feel about EXCELLENT experiences! Thank you for all you do to ensure excellence within our walls.

Mike

We've reached the final days of our annual Employee Contribution and United Way campaign—this Friday, November 12 is the end of the month-long fundraising effort. That means if you've been considering a donation but haven't yet made one, you still have time!

I strongly, strongly encourage everyone to donate—$1, $5, $50—whatever your budget will allow. No, you're not required to donate. We all have causes we support, donate to, volunteer at, etc., and this request may not come at the right time for you or your checkbook. (You can do payroll deduction!) We have a real opportunity to help with these donations, and if you can spare any amount, these campaigns are worthy recipients.

As of Monday, United Way of the Kearney Area had reached 70 percent of its 2011 campaign goal. They're working to raise $500,000 to fund community programs next year. Good Samaritan is one of the biggest employers in Kearney, and that means we have the potential to make a huge impact on this campaign. United Way has less than a month left to raise money needed to fund programs like the Ft. Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Jubilee Center, the Salvation Army—many organizations that help others in their very poignant times of need.

In addition, I would like you to consider a gift to the GSH Foundation that will benefit our new cafeteria and dining area. Donations will be used to give it the "extra" touches that will make the difference between an ordinary—nice, but ordinary cafeteria and an extraordinary dining space for staff, physicians and visitors. You're also welcome to donate PTO hours that can be converted to a cash gift to the GSH Foundation.

As of yesterday, our United Way total sits at $27,144 and our GSH Foundation total is $11,426. If you've already donated, I thank you for your generosity. If you haven't, it's not too late! Please consider a donation before the campaign wraps up on Friday.

Thanks.

Mike

I'm writing this blog entry today from the comfort of my new office on first floor (from what I've been told, it's where the HR office used to be). My administrative assistant Cheryl and I officially moved last Friday, and I can't tell you how excited I am to be so centrally located in our facility.

In a month or so, the new physicians lounge right next door to our offices will be finished and then we'll really start to notice some changes—I can't wait! One of the most important parts of my job is to work with our medical staff to provide the highest quality care available to our patients. It's hard to work together when we don't ever seem to be near each other. I'm more accessible to physicians this way—in addition to all of our employees, and I invite you stop by and say “hi” any time you like.

Here I am in my new office.

And here’s Cheryl in her new space.

I'll ask the question that's been asked a lot this week: Have you taken the personal health assessment yet? This online tool is a great way to gauge your current health status, and offers good advice to use in improving or maintaining your health. We also have a great opportunity through this assessment to participate in CHI's new Personal Wellness Program—if you're interested. Regardless of whether or not you want to participate in those programs, I really encourage everyone to take the assessment. As responsible consumers, we have an obligation to take a proactive role in our healthcare. This is a great first step in doing that.

And here's the awesome part: If you have the CHI medical plan AND you take the assessment, you get $100 off your 2011 payroll contribution toward health insurance! Oh, and here at Good Sam, we are offering some extra incentives to get you jazzed about the personal health assessment. These prizes are great—2 iPods, 2 Kindles, 2 $100 gift certificates for new athletic shoes, 2 MASSAGES!!!!, and 3 3-part personal training session in the Wellness/Fitness Center. All you have to do is, first, take the assessment, then send a Meditech to "Corporate Communications" or an email to gshscorpcom@catholichealth.net and you're entered! You need to take the assessment before November 19, and enter your name before November 20, though.

Please take a few minutes and take the personal health assessment. This is time you're devoting to your health, and taking care of yourself allows you take better care of those you love. There are few things more important than that.

Mike