Deadline for Butterfly Release Orders is July 31

Have you purchased your butterfly for the upcoming 2012 Butterfly Release? If not, you've only got until July 31 to get your order in! For a printable order form, click here.

“Whisper Your Wish to a Butterfly” will be held in the Serenity Garden at Elk Regional Health Center on Sunday, Aug. 5 at 4 p.m. The annual Butterfly Release includes a celebration of life service, inspirational readings and music, reading of loved ones’ names, and light refreshments. It's a beautiful way to honor or memorialize someone special in your life!

Proceeds benefit the Community Nurses, Inc. Hospice Program.

Elk Regional Unveils New, Improved ‘Q Care’

As a result of feedback from patients, Elk Regional has revamped its innovative Q Care service. With a new location, new hours, and lower costs, the walk-in service is more convenient and inexpensive than ever.

“We’ve been listening to our patients,” said Gregory P. Bauer, the President and CEO of Elk Regional Health System. “Q Care was introduced last year as a result of feedback from our patients. And now, we’re revamping it as a result of additional patient feedback.”

The new Q Care is located on the first floor of the Medical Office Building. The office is close to the Medical Office Building entrance and is easily accessible to patients coming to Q Care from the Health Center.
Q Care will now be open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Because Q Care is no longer part of the Emergency Department at Elk Regional Health Center, the cost of a visit has been reduced. A visit to the new Q Care costs the same as a visit to a physician office, with the same co-pays and deductibles.

“Our patients made it clear that they wanted a walk-in service that was not only simple to use, convenient, and fast, but inexpensive as well,” Bauer said. “The changes we are introducing today respond to all of these concerns and empower patients to get healthcare services when and where it works best for them. We are proud to introduce the new, improved Q Care as a response to patient feedback.”

Q Care patients will no longer need to be seen by a triage nurse. Instead, they can walk back to Q Care and be seen quickly. Prominent signs will be posted in the Main Lobby at Elk Regional Health Center to help patients decide if their symptoms warrant a trip to the Emergency Department or if they can be seen in Q Care.

Q Care serves patients suffering from unexpected but non-emergency medical conditions that include ear aches; sprains or strains; minor cuts, burns, bumps, or bruises; sore throats; flu-like symptoms; minor aches and pains; and coughs, colds, and sinus problems. Patients will be referred to their family physician for any necessary follow-up care.

“Q Care is a focused treatment alternative to the regular Emergency Department,” said Jim Condon, RN, the nurse manager of Elk Regional’s Emergency Department. “It allows us to minimize wait times, alleviate crowding in the Emergency Department, and make the Emergency Department more efficient by allowing the staff there to focus on only the most critical cases.”

Q Care is backed by the Emergency Department at Elk Regional, which means patients who require more advanced care can quickly be seen by an Emergency Department doctor. Patients who come in to Q Care will also have access to all of Elk Regional’s physicians and specialists. Diagnostic services such as laboratory and x-ray are fully integrated into the system and are available on-site.

Q Care is also fully integrated with Elk Regional’s electronic medical record system. Any care provided at Q Care, including physician notes, x-ray images, and test results, is immediately available to Elk Regional’s physicians, providing patients with unmatched continuity of care.

Patients with non-emergency medical conditions who need to be seen quickly can also go to Elk Regional’s MedExpress, which is located at the Ridgway campus and is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week, except holidays. Like Q Care, MedExpress offers patients access to laboratory and x-ray services.

“Offering our patients convenient access to the care they need is important to us,” Bauer said. “Our patients have a variety of choices. Patients with non-emergency medical needs can come to Q Care in St. Marys or to MedExpress in Ridgway. Our Same Day Promise offers patients the opportunity for a same-day appointment with a health care provider. And after all the offices are closed, patients can come to our Emergency Department – the only facility in the region providing care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”

Pinecrest Manor Hires Assistant Director of Nursing

Mary Kilhoffer, RN

Pinecrest Manor officials have announced that Mary Rita Kilhoffer, RN, has become the facility’s new Assistant Director of Nursing.

“Mary has been a dedicated team member for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge to the position,” said David A. Wolfe, NHA, the Administrator of Pinecrest Manor. “We look forward to having Mary help us make Pinecrest Manor a great place to work.”

Mrs. Kilhoffer has 15 years of clinical experience and 12 years of experience in a long-term care setting.

She has worked for Elk Regional since 1997, when she became a clinical nurse and charge nurse at the Health Center. In 2000, she became a shift supervisor at Pinecrest Manor. In 2001, she became the unit manager of the A & B wing at Pinecrest. Four years later, in 2005, she became the nursing assistant instructor and coordinator at Pinecrest.

Over the years, her duties have included direct patient and resident care; interaction with the families of residents and patients; staff management and evaluation; day-to-day supervision of a nursing unit; nursing education; and close coordination with ancillary departments, such as Laboratory and Radiology, to promote quality of care.

As Assistant Director of Nursing, Mrs. Kilhoffer will work closely with Marie Goode, RN, Pinecrest’s Director of Nursing, to supervise nursing staff, help manage patient data and medical records, and interact with physicians, residents, and family members.

“For the last 12 years, the staff and residents here at Pinecrest have been the beneficiaries of Mary’s skill and experience,” Mrs. Goode said.  “I’m looking forward to working with her in her new role.”

Mrs. Kilhoffer and her husband, Louis Kilhoffer, Jr., live in Ridgway.

Pinecrest Manor Hires Quality Nurse

Christine Kocjancic, RN

Pinecrest Manor officials have announced that Christine Kocjancic, RN, has become the facility’s new Quality Specialist.

“Christine has many years of experience working in the field of health care quality,” said David A. Wolfe, NHA, the Administrator of Pinecrest Manor. “Her considerable knowledge of quality measures as outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as the federal government’s five-star Nursing Home Compare, will be invaluable to us.”

Mrs. Kocjancic has 21 years of nursing experience. She spent 17 years of her career working for the award-winning McKean County VNA & Hospice, part of the Bradford Regional Medical Center, most recently as the Quality Improvement Coordinator. While at Bradford Regional, she also worked in the Risk Management/Infection Control Department.

As the Quality Improvement Coordinator, Mrs. Kocjancic audited patient charts to ensure complete and accurate documentation; reviewed patient charts for clinical accuracy and appropriate standard of care; ensured that the facility was in compliance with all quality improvement regulations; and worked with infection control personnel to audit charts and provide notification to the Department of Health regarding communicable diseases.

She also produced information specific to the core quality measures as identified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and surgical care improvement.

“I’m looking forward to working with Christine in her role here at Pinecrest,” said Marie Goode, RN, Pinecrest Manor’s Director of Nursing. “We are always looking for ways in which we can improve the quality of care we provide to our residents, and Christine is going to be an important part of that effort as we move forward.”

Mrs. Kocjancic and her family live in Kane.

Elk Regional Supports the Elk County Humane Society

Elk Regional Health System employees recently celebrated Hospital Week with a month-long campaign to support the Elk County Humane Society. Throughout the month, Elk Regional employees volunteered to walk dogs for the organization. Employees also donated items including food, toys, leashes, and cleaning supplies.

Pictured are Lacy Rivett and Christine Sweeney, both of the Health Center’s Human Resources Department; Gwen Hoffman, a Humane Society volunteer; Amanda Swanson, RN, of the Health Center’s Organizational Development Department; Ellen Scutella and Joesey Williams, both of the Health Center’s Human Resources Department.

Benefit Run for Hospice Announced

On Saturday, July 28, riders from District Four of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) will sponsor a benefit run to support the Community Nurses, Inc. Hospice program.

The event will be held rain or shine and will include all street legal vehicles. Registration will be at the Emporium Moose Club from 11 a.m. to noon. The run will end at the Eagles Club in St. Marys. Food will be provided.

Participation is inexpensive: just make a $15 donation per rider and a $10 donation per passenger!

If you'd like more information about the Community Nurses Hospice program, click here.

We'll see you there!

Community Nurses to Hold Bake Sale

Friday the 13th is looming ominously on the horizon. Don't let the day get to you -- keep bad luck away with a sweet treat (or two ... or three)!

Our friends at Community Nurses, Inc. are hosting a bake sale that day at the Adult Day Center on Maurus Street across from Elk County Catholic High School. Stop by on Friday, July 13 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and get a few home-made sweets.

Mark your calendar now, and let us make this Friday the 13th the tastiest one you've ever had!

Elk Regional Welcomes First Baby Born in New Maternity Unit

Zarina Addeo was the first baby born in the new Maternity Unit at Elk Regional Health Center.

Born on June 28 at 8:20 a.m., Zarina was delivered by Steven Koch, M.D. She weighed just over 9 pounds and was 23 inches long. Zarina is pictured here with her mother, Tracy Sorg; big sister Icienna Addeo; father Dave Addeo; Sara Myers, RN, the Nurse Manager of the Maternity Unit; Maternity Unit nurse Laura Lorenzo, RN; and Dr. Koch.

Zarina received a gift basket from the Maternity Unit nurses and a box of diapers from Elk Regional Health Center. Elk Regional’s new eight-bed Maternity Unit began accepting patients on June 19.

With A Birth, Elk Regional Says Goodbye to Former Maternity Unit

Gavin Paul Aul was the last baby born in the former Maternity Unit at Elk Regional Health Center.

Born on June 14 at 2:10 p.m., Gavin weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and was 22 inches long. Gavin is pictured here with his mother, Kaitlin Aul of St. Marys, and Laura Lorenzo, RN, of the Health Center’s Maternity Unit.

Gavin received a gift basket from the Maternity Unit nurses and a box of newborn diapers from Elk Regional Health Center. Elk Regional’s new eight-bed Maternity Unit began accepting patients on June 19.

Tips for Staying Safe in High Heat

Temperatures are going to soar into the mid-90s today, with humidity topping out at 75 percent. If you or the kids are active outside today, please be sure to drink plenty of water and spend time in the shade or air conditioning. Check in on your elderly loved ones and neighbors. And make sure any outside pets have access to shade and fresh water.

Follow the links to read more from The Mayo Clinic about the symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

And for more summertime safety tips, visit the CDC's page on Extreme Heat Tips.

Stay safe and cool today!

Latest Edition of "We Are Elk Regional" Available Online

The latest edition of We Are Elk Regional is now available online! Download the newest edition by clicking here.

Past editions going back to the Summer 2010 edition are also available for download.

We Are Elk Regional, the popular bi-monthly newsletter produced by Elk Regional Health System, is sent to 22,000 households throughout the region and is the premier source for news about the Health System and its affiliates.

Each edition of We Are Elk Regional is packed with information about new physicians who have joined Elk Regional's staff, the cutting-edge procedures they're offering, information about new technology that Elk Regional uses to bring the best in patient care to you and your loved ones and insightful stories about programs and services the Health System offers.

All of our online editions are available in PDF format, which uses a program called Adobe Reader that most computers can automatically use. If your computer does not have this program, you can click here for a free download.

Help Avert A Holiday Blood Shortage

We need your help.

The Community Blood Bank is expecting this week to be one of the worst weeks of the year for the local blood supply because July 4th falls on a Wednesday. Why is this a big deal? The CBB is the ONLY supplier of blood & blood products for Elk Regional. Lives depend upon us having a safe supply.

Come out to the Education Center at Elk Regional Health Center tomorrow between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and give blood. Take 30 minutes of your time and help us save lives. Please. This is important.

Those who donate:

• must be in general good health; 
• must weigh at least 110 pounds; 
• must have no new tattoos or piercings within the last year;
•  must be at least 17 yrs of age (or 16 yrs of age with a signed parental consent form from the Community Blood Bank); and
•  must have a photo I.D.

For more information about giving blood, visit the Community Blood Bank online.