Elk Regional Offering Saturday Appointments for Digital Mammograms

Ladies, have you had your annual mammogram yet? If not, now is your chance! We're offering Saturday appointments for digital mammograms on Sept. 28, Oct. 12, and Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to Noon all three days! To make your appointment, give us a call at 1-800-370-9640, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

Elk Regional works with Adagio Health to offer FREE breast screening services to eligible women! The mammogram voucher program is funded by the Pittsburgh affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. To see if you qualify, call the good folks at Adagio at 1-888-687-0505.

Let us help keep you safe and healthy!

Come See Elk Regional at the Bavarian Fall Fest!

We're busy getting ready for the Bavarian Fall Fest, which is happening this weekend on the Diamond in downtown St. Marys!

We'll have a large booth on the boulevard across from St. Marys Pharmacy, where we'll be selling all things pink in preparation for our breast cancer awareness events ... and it JUST SO HAPPENS that the good folks at St. Marys Pharmacy are our breast cancer awareness partners this year! How awesome is that?!

As if that weren't enough, the wonderful ladies of our Auxiliary will have a booth on Erie Avenue outside the ReSale Shop, where they'll be selling Walking Tacos!

Swing by our booths and say hi! We can't wait to see you

Elk Regional Marks Sept. 11th Anniversary

Today marks the twelfth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Twelve years later, there's so much healing still to be done. We at Elk Regional are praying hard for the families who lost loved ones as a result of that horrible day. Take a moment today to tell your family and friends how much you love and appreciate them. Be proud of your country. 

God bless us all, and God bless the United States of America.

Elk Regional Announces Flu Shot Clinics

It's flu shot season! Elk Regional Health Center and Community Nurses, Inc. have lots of clinics scheduled for your convenience!

Patients of Keystone Medical Associates on the Million Dollar Highway in St. Marys can get flu shots during these dates and times:

• Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to Noon
• Sept. 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Other flu shot clinics are available at Senior Centers throughout the region. Shots obtained at these clinics can be billed to Medicare Part B, if it is your primary insurance, and some Medicare HMO's. Please bring all insurance cards! The cost for those on other insurance plans will be $30.

These clinics are available at:

• Kane Senior Center, 10-11:30 a.m., Oct. 7
• Mount Jewett Senior Center, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., Oct. 7
• Jones Township Senior Center, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oct. 8
• Johnsonburg Senior Center, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 8
• Eldred Senior Center, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Oct. 9
• Bradford Senior Center, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 9
• Retired Citizens Association of Ridgway, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oct. 10
• Bennett's Valley Senior Center, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 10
• St. Marys Senior Center, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Oct. 14
• Fox Township Senior Center, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 14
• Port Allegany Senior Center, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Oct. 15
• Smethport Senior Center, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 15
• Driftwood Senior Center, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oct. 16
• Emporium Senior Center, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 16

For more information, check out the Events tab on our Facebook page or the Events Calendar on our Web site. Let us keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy!

Elk Regional Offering Inexpensive Prostate Screening Exams

Did you know that men over the age of 40 should have a prostate exam every year? We're offering $15 blood draws and FREE follow up appointments with urologist Donald Rudick, M.D.! You can schedule your blood draw appointment at any time between Sept. 24 & Sept. 26. Follow up appointments are available on Oct. 1 or Oct. 2. Call us at (800) 370-9640 to set up your appointments!

Elk Regional Announces Jacket Giveaway

Fall is here! Are you ready? The 500th person to Like our Facebook page will win an awesome Elk Regional fall jacket! The jacket is lined and has zippered pockets, a detachable hood, adjustable wrist cuffs, and an embroidered Elk Regional logo! We've got ladies and unisex sizes in navy-and-grey and blue-and-black. Spread the word to your friends and tell them to Like our page! We'll announce the winner on Facebook!

Elk Regional Auxiliary Meets Campaign Fundraising Goal

For the second year in a row, the Elk Regional Health Center Auxiliary has met its fundraising goal toward its pledge to The Elk Regional Capital Campaign.

When the capital campaign launched in September 2010, the Auxiliary pledged $250,000, payable in installments of $50,000 per year for five years. The Auxiliary’s pledge was a significant portion of the $1.4 million pledged to the campaign by the Elk Regional family, which also included employees, volunteers, the medical staff, and a matching donation from the Elk Regional Health Center Foundation.

“I am thrilled to say that we have been able to meet our fundraising goal for the second year in a row,” said Anita Wendel, the Auxiliary President. “We are grateful to have strong support from this very generous community.”

Accepting the Auxiliary’s check for $50,000 on behalf of Elk Regional Health Center was Rose M. Campbell, RN, BSN, MBA, the Health Center’s President.

“The Auxiliary has a very long and proud history of support for Elk Regional Health Center,” Mrs. Campbell said. “Since the Auxiliary was founded in 1922, the organization has never lost sight of its ultimate goal – to help this hospital improve. The hospital has always been the very grateful recipient of the Auxiliary’s support.”

Elk Regional’s Auxiliary raises funds through the operation of the ReSale Shop on Erie Avenue, the Peppermint Stick Gift Shop in the main lobby of the Health Center, and through special events such as uniform sales, book sales, purse sales, and raffles.

Over the years, the Auxiliary has funded many important projects at Elk Regional, including significant donations toward the cost of constructing the hospital’s former and current maternity units. The Auxiliary has also funded the Health Center’s cardiac rehabilitation program; purchased equipment for the Health Center’s Women’s Imaging Center; purchased furniture for the main lobby, multipurpose room, and solariums at Pinecrest Manor; funded the construction of a large canopy over the main entrance of Pinecrest Manor; and made a strong contribution to a major equipment purchase for the Health Center’s Intensive Care Unit.

More than $4 million was pledged to The Elk Regional Capital Campaign, a $2.5 million fundraising initiative that was designed to financially support the $10.3 million expansion project at Elk Regional Health Center.

For more information about the Auxiliary, including information on how to become a member, call the Public Relations Department at (814) 788-8532 or (814) 788-8832.



PHOTO: Anita Wendell, center, the President of the Elk Regional Health Center Auxiliary, presents a check for $50,000 to Elk Regional Health Center President Rose M. Campbell, RN, BSN, MBA, marking the second year in a row that the Auxiliary has met its fundraising goal for its $250,000 pledge to the Elk Regional Capital Campaign. With Mrs. Wendell and Mrs. Campbell are, from left, Therese Skryzpek, Nancy Caskey, Andie Beveridge, Jennifer Bauer, Jolene Wolfe, Pat Bressler, and Charlotte Floravit, the Health Center’s Director of Public Relations.

Elk Regional Earns Incentive Money for Electronic Medical Records

Elk Regional Health Center has earned more than $250,000 in incentive money from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for its Electronic Medical Records program.

The EMR Incentive Program provides payments to eligible professionals and hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade, or demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic medical records technology. Eligible professionals can each receive up to $44,000 over five years under the program.

Elk Regional Health Center has completed the first portion of Stage 1 Meaningful Use.

Sixteen of the Health Center’s physicians earned incentives through the program, along with nine mid-level providers that include Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners and Certified Physician Assistants. In all, Elk Regional’s care providers earned $258,000 in incentive money.

“The electronic medical record program is a great illustration of the collaborative efforts that our employees make to enhance patient care,” said Ron A. Skarka, the Chief Operating Officer at Elk Regional Health Center. “It’s a shining example of team work. Electronic medical records are fundamentally transforming the way physicians and mid-level care providers, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, provide care. That transformation is for the better, and it’s gratifying to know that our patients will be able to reap the benefits.”

Electronic medical records allow Elk Regional’s health care providers to record patient information electronically instead of using paper records. The system is critical to the Health Center’s ability to provide patients with efficient, coordinated, safe, and high-quality care.

Using electronic medical records, multiple care providers in different locations can simultaneously view a patient’s medical record on their computers and get up-to-the-minute information on test results and physician notes and recommendations. This collaboration enables care providers to work more efficiently in determining if further consultation or testing is required. Electronic medical records also provide important information about medications, including the dosage and time for renewal, and a complete record of a patient’s immunizations and allergies.

The electronic medical record project at Elk Regional Health Center was led by a team including Jamie Yount of the Health Center’s Physician Billing Department; Joyce Fox, a physician office manager; and Jackie Housler, Melissa Shields, and Lisa Connelly of the Health Center’s Information Technology Department. The group worked closely with Lori Morton, a project coordinator with PA REACH, an organization that provides outreach, education, and technical assistance to care providers who want to implement electronic medical record.

Physicians and mid-level care providers who achieved meaningful use of electronic medical records at Elk Regional include family medicine providers Rowan Baird, M.D.; T. Murray Baker, M.D., David Caruso, M.D., Rosemaria Cienciva, M.D., Amy Kelly, D.O., Gregory Little, M.D., Dennis Parlavecchio, M.D., Tonya Aversa, CRNP, Lisa Bauer, CRNP, Crista Bennett, PA-C, Anne Briendel, PA-C, Ashley Kentoski, PA-C, Cristen Kilpeck, PA-C, Kelli Norman, PA-C, and Jodi Regulski, PA-C; internal medicine specialist Anujit Singh, D.O.; orthopaedic providers Ted Eshbach, M.D., David Johe, M.D., Naveen Singanamala, M.D., Megen Handley, CRNP, and Andrea Inzana, PA-C; pediatrician Nancy Rieder, M.D.; obstetric and gynecological specialists Steven Koch, M.D., Wu-Jan Lin, M.D., and Julie Szymanski, CNM; and pain management specialist Shanti Raju, M.D. Office managers from all of the practices also participated.

“Technology is evolving and improving at breakneck speed and Elk Regional is keeping up,” said Mary Ann Schwabenbauer, the Chief Information Officer at Elk Regional Health Center. “Our electronic medical record system is just another example of our commitment to using technology to enhance the patient experience. We are always searching for ways to produce better results for our physicians and their patients. This system will help us do that.”


PHOTO: A group of physicians, office managers, and team members who helped Elk Regional earn more than $250,000 in incentive money from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In the front row, from left, are Jamie Yount;  Jodi Regulski, PA-C; Tonya Aversa, CRNP; T. Murray Baker, M.D.; David Caruso, M.D.; Shanti Raju, M.D.; and Steven Koch, M.D. In the back row are, from left, Lori Morton, a project coordinator with PA REACH; Crista Bennett, PA-C; Anne Breindel, PA-C; Tana Sherry; Ron Skarka, Chief Operating Officer; Carol Gray; Anne Wolfe; and Anna Lewis.

Elk Regional A Major Economic Anchor

Elk Regional Health Center is an economic mainstay that contributes millions to the local and regional economies and provides nearly 1,100 people throughout the region with stable employment.

As the largest employer in Elk and Cameron counties, Elk Regional spends more than $90.5 million each year. The ripple effect of that spending means the Health Center’s total annual economic benefit is an impressive $152.6 million.

Elk Regional By The Numbers   $90.5 Million Amount Elk Regional Spends Annually   $152.6 Million Elk Regional's Total Annual Economic Impact   $43.7 Million Amount Elk Regional Spends Annually in Salaries   1,100 Number of People Elk Regional Employs   $49,469 Average Annual Salary of Our Employees   $20.6 Million Amount in Salaries Our Spending Supports Regionally   577 Jobs Number of Jobs in Our Area Supported by Our Spending

Elk Regional is one of four member hospitals of Penn Highlands Healthcare. Together, the Penn Highlands member hospitals spend about $377.1 million every year. The ripple effect of that spending means Penn Highlands Healthcare boasts an annual regional economic impact of more than $869 million.

“Without a doubt, Elk Regional and the Penn Highlands Healthcare member hospitals are the region’s most significant economic anchors,” said Ron Skarka, the Chief Operating Officer at Elk Regional Health Center. “We are proud to be a local and regional economic mainstay. Our spending supports businesses both locally and regionally, allowing them to employ people who live right here in our community. We are a major economic driver and will continue to have a positive impact on the region’s economic landscape.”

Other member hospitals of Penn Highlands Healthcare are Brookville Hospital, Clearfield Hospital, and DuBois Regional Medical Center.

Elk Regional spends about $43.7 million in salaries each year. The Health Center and its affiliate organizations employ nearly 1,100 people who enjoy an average annual salary of $49,469. As Health Center employees spend their money to purchase goods and services from local retailers, their spending supports another $20.6 million in salaries at local and regional businesses, which translates into support for about 577 full-time equivalent jobs.

The Penn Highlands Healthcare member hospitals collectively spend more than $181.8 million in salaries each year and employ more than 3,100 people who enjoy an average annual salary of $58,324. As employees spend their money to purchase goods and services from local retailers, their spending supports another $160.2 million in salaries throughout the region, which translates to 3,671 full-time equivalent jobs.

“The Penn Highlands Healthcare member hospitals all provide essential health care and stable employment,” Mr. Skarka said. “Support for your local hospital certainly translates into support for its patients. But more than that, supporting your community hospital means that you are supporting the local workforce and the local economy.”

The health sector’s influence is also significant across northwestern Pennsylvania and the state – and in spite of the nation’s sluggish economic recovery, hospitals remain one of the strongest economic contributors in the Commonwealth. In 2011, the last year for which full statistics are available, economic contributions made by Pennsylvania’s hospitals to their local communities and the state added up to nearly $98 billion.

According to the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania, hospitals are major economic engines in their communities. In 55 of the state’s 67 counties, hospitals are among the top five employers. Collectively, hospitals throughout the Commonwealth employ almost 269,000 people and spend $14 billion on salaries and wages. Across the Commonwealth, the health care industry supports one in every 10 jobs outside of the industry.

In northwest Pennsylvania alone, hospitals have a total annual economic benefit of more than $3.56 billion.

“Looking at these numbers, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that a strong, vibrant hospital is absolutely essential to the health of our region,” Mr. Skarka said. “Without Elk Regional, nearly 1,100 people would be without a job. I cannot imagine how devastating that would be to the families in our region.”

Elk Regional’s importance stretches beyond the Health Center’s economic impact. Through its affiliate organizations the Health Center provides residents in a large geographic area with easy access to a broad spectrum of essential health care services including primary care, surgery, rehabilitation, laboratory and imaging services, home health care, long-term care, emergency care, mental health services, inpatient and outpatient renal dialysis, and maternity care.

The newest report on hospital economic impact in Pennsylvania was recently released by the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania. The report, The Community & Economic Impact of Pennsylvania Hospitals, is available online here. The report updates the study released in 2011 and includes data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, and HAP member hospitals and health systems.

2013 Move & Groove Event Schedule Announced

Elk Regional Health Center officials have announced the schedule of events for the third annual Move & Groove for a Cure, a cluster of events designed to increase awareness about breast cancer and raise money to support women’s health initiatives at the Health Center.   

As it did in previous years, the Move & Groove for a Cure will include a booth the Bavarian Fall Fest as well as a 5K Run/Walk, a Zumba Fitness Party, and the Bras for a Cause event. But this year’s 5K Run/Walk will have a bit of a twist: it will be a glow-in-the-dark event.

“We’ve decided to shake things up a bit this year,” said Charlotte Floravit, the Public Relations Director at Elk Regional Health Center. “Previous Move & Groove events were absolutely unforgettable, and we know this year’s events will be memorable as well. We have been amazed by the support and enthusiasm the community has shown.”

Since Elk Regional launched the Move & Groove events in 2011, almost $20,000 has been raised in support of women’s health initiatives at Elk Regional Health Center, enabling the purchase of a wheelchair for the Women’s Imaging Center, towel warmer’s for the ultrasound unit, and privacy curtains for the Health Center’s new Maternity Unit.

Bavarian Fall Fest
Elk Regional Health Center will showcase its Move & Groove for a Cure event with a booth at the Bavarian Fall Fest, scheduled for Sept. 20-22 on the Diamond in downtown St. Marys. Those who stop by the booth will be able to purchase breast cancer awareness items. Registration forms for the 5K Run/Walk and the Zumba Fitness Party will also be available.

5K Run/Walk Event
This year’s 5K Run/Walk will kick off at 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27. The start/finish will be at the St. Marys Eagles Club on Trout Run Road in St. Marys. The deadline to pre-register is Friday, Sept. 13. Pre-registration cost is $20, which includes an event T-shirt. Same-day registration cost is $25 and does not include a t-shirt due to ordering restrictions.

Zumba Fitness Party
The Zumba Fitness Party will take place on Saturday, October 19 at St. Marys Area High School between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pre-registration will be available online and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Bras for a Cause
The Second Annual Bras for a Cause event will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 in the basement of Gunner’s, located on the Diamond in downtown St. Marys. As part of the event, adult women are encouraged to purchase a bra and decorate it for breast cancer awareness month. Then, participating women can wear their decorated bra to the event over a shirt so that it can be entered in the contest and judged. The winning bra will be the showpiece at local breast cancer awareness events until it is “dethroned” at the 2014 Bras for a Cause event.
The event is being held in conjunction with St. Marys Pharmacy and Elk Mountain Winery.

Registration Information
Online pre-registration for the Glow-in-the-Dark 5K Run/Walk is now available by clicking here. Online payment can be made through Elk Regional’s Web site using a PayPal account or a valid credit or debit card.

In addition to the online registration option, forms will soon be available in the local newspapers and in the main lobby at Elk Regional Health Center’s St. Marys campus. Forms and payment should be returned to Move & Groove for a Cure, c/o Public Relations Department, Elk Regional Health Center, 763 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857. All checks should be made out to the Elk Regional Health Center.

“This is a fight that everyone can take part in,” Mrs. Floravit said. “We all know someone whose life has been changed by cancer. If we all work together, we can ensure that every woman in our area is empowered and educated to take control of her health.”

Strong Women Class Returns for Fall 2013

By 2020, half of all Americans over the age of 50 will have weak bones, creating a higher risk for fractures. One in every five people with a hip fracture ends up in a nursing home. But aging doesn't have mean a decline in physical fitness.

Elk Regional Health Center, working with the Penn State Cooperative Extension and DuBois Regional Medical Center, to bring the Strong Women Program to St. Marys and Emporium again this fall!

We will be holding two free orientation meetings in August:

• On August 13 at 4 p.m. at the St. Marys Public Library, 127 Center Street in St. Marys
  
• On August 20 at 8:30 a.m. at the Cameron County Recreation Center, 300 Chestnut Street in Emporium

Come and learn about the Strong Women program!

Classes will be held twice per week for 12 weeks.

In St. Marys, classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the St. Marys Public Library. The morning class will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the afternoon class will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In Emporium, classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. at the Cameron County Recreation Center. Classes in Emporium begin on Sept. 3.

Up-to-date nutrition and health information will be included in each session. Cost for participants is $80 ... but if you're registered by August 23, the cost is just $60! Online registration is available by clicking here.
For more information, call Robin Kuleck at the Penn State Cooperative Extension, at (814) 765-7878, extension 2, or email her at rkuleck@psu.edu.

About Strong Women
Developed by Dr. Miriam Nelson at Tufts University, Strong Women is a community-based strength training program that puts scientific research into practical application. Participants see dramatic improvements in age-related conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and weight gain. The program was specially developed for women 40 years of age and older and is appropriate for women who are sedentary and those who are active.

Strong bones allow movement and protect the body's organs from injury. Strong bones are the result of a healthy diet and exercise. Weakened bones are more difficult to heal and strengthen. Scientific research demonstrates that exercising with weights increases strength, muscle mass, and bone density. Performed just twice per week, strength training can help reverse the physicial changes associated with growing older.

St. Marys Office of Amy Kelly, D.O. to Relocate

On Monday, August 12, 2013, the St. Marys office of Amy Kelly, D.O., will relocate to the ground floor of the Outpatient Rehabilitation Building, 757 Johnsonburg Road. The building is located behind Pinecrest Manor on the Health Center's St. Marys campus. The office’s new telephone number will be (814) 788-8580.

Community Nurses Inc. to Host Caring for Your Heart Program

Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in America? Cardiovascular diseases — which include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and congenital cardiovascular defects — affect more than one in three American adults. By 2030, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is estimated to rise 10 percent to more than 40 percent of American adults, or 116 million people.

Steps are being taken locally to make people aware of their risk and to keep them from becoming one of the statistics.

Our colleagues at Community Nurses, Inc. will present a program on Caring for Your Heart at three locations in the tri-county area.

• Wednesday, August 7 at 6 p.m. in the Education Center at Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys campus
• Thursday, August 15 at 1 p.m. at the Greater Bradford Senior Center on Campus Drive
  
• Wednesday, August 28 at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Emporium
  

The event will provide information for those who already have heart disease as well as those who may be at risk and not know it. Screenings and a risk assessment will help identify those at risk and an informative presentation will educate people of all ages on the types, signs, symptoms, prevention, and management of heart disease.

Caring for Your Heart is a cardiovascular disease awareness and prevention project presented by the Community Nurses and funded by a grant from the A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust. There is no fee for the program and no reservation is needed. Refreshments will be served.

Dr. Koch, Julie Szymanski Move to New Office

Did you know that the office of Steven Koch, M.D., and Julie Szymanski, a Certified Nurse Midwife, has moved to a new location? They're now located in Suite 240 on the second floor of the Medical Office Building on our St. Marys campus! The office’s telephone number is still (814) 788-8118.

Dr. Koch and Mrs. Szymanski specialize in obstetric and gynecological care for adult women of all ages. Mrs. Szymanski, the region’s only Certified Nurse Midwife, offers patients the option of water birth.

Elk Regional Earns Two Achivement Awards

Elk Regional Health Center was one of 19 hospitals in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to earn an Achievement Award from the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) – and the only hospital to earn recognition in two categories.

This year, there were 131 entries from hospitals across the Commonwealth for HAP’s prestigious Achievement Awards, which are given in five categories including workplace, community benefit, patient safety, patient care, and operational excellence. One winner is selected to receive the Innovation Award.

Elk Regional won recognition in the operational excellence category for the culture transformation it is undergoing in an effort to improve patient satisfaction. It also won in the community benefit category for its use of a Web page and social media to increase patient engagement and to enhance the public education Elk Regional regularly conducts through more traditional channels.

“I know I speak for everyone at Elk Regional Health Center when I say that we are thrilled to have earned two of HAP’s Achievement Awards,” said Charlotte Floravit, the Public Relations Director at Elk Regional Health Center. “Everyone at Elk Regional is committed to our culture transformation, and it has been so rewarding to hear our patients and their loved ones tell us that they can see a difference at Elk Regional. We have also enjoyed the opportunity to interact on a daily basis with our patients and their loved ones online through our Web site and social media pages. These efforts have one very important thing in common – our patients.”

Culture Transformation
Elk Regional began its journey from “good” to “great” in the fall of 2012, when employees at every level of the organization were given formal customer service training by Bruce Loeffler, who developed and oversaw service excellence and showmanship training for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center. Mr. Loeffler’s training program is still in use at Walt Disney World today.

By creating a culture of service excellence, Elk Regional took an important step toward improving its patient satisfaction scores. Like all hospitals across America, Elk Regional’s patient satisfaction scores are measured by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) using survey results provided by patients who have been discharged. As a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, the amount of federal reimbursement money a hospital earns is determined by patient satisfaction scores. Hospitals that perform better are rewarded, while hospitals that perform poorly lose money.

The results were almost immediate. The number of patient grievances filed with hospital staff dropped significantly, while employees began reporting a higher level of engagement and increased morale.

“The challenge we put before ourselves last year was simply to do everyday work better,” Mrs. Floravit said. “An organization cannot progress without a culture of excellence and without an alignment of common purpose at every level of the organization. Staff engagement is at the heart of every single positive patient experience, and we are proud to say that our efforts have made and will continue to make a difference for our patients and their loved ones.”

Pictured above is the team that worked on the culture transformation project that earned Elk Regional an achievement award. From left are Christine Garner, RN, Director of Quality; Kathy FinGado, Corporate Compliance Officer; Charlotte Floravit, Director of Public Relations; Timothy Ohrum, Vice President of Advocacy for the Hospital & Health System Association of Pennsylvania; Curt Oberholtzer, SPHR, Chief Human Resources Officer; Seanna D’Amore, Director of Human Resources; and Karen Meholic, Director of Elk Regional Professional Group.

Community Engagement
Like most hospitals and health systems, Elk Regional has always had a very strong focus on traditional marketing and advertising outlets. While those strategies remain part of landscape in which our organization must communicate, the ways in which people consume information have changed dramatically.

In the spring of 2010, Elk Regional was preparing to launch a completely redesigned Web site. As that project was under way, the organization’s Public Relations Department made the decision to simultaneously launch a social media portfolio for the organization that included a Facebook page, a Twitter profile, a YouTube channel, and a blog.

Elk Regional now interacts daily with nearly 460 people on its Facebook page and more than 100 people via Twitter. Information videos posted on its YouTube channel have received more than 11,200 views, and the Health Center's official blog attracts several hundred visits every month. The social media pages are intended to supplement information posted on the Health Center’s official Web site, which averages nearly 20,000 page views every month.

“Studies have shown that almost 50 percent of adults in the United States use some form of social media,” Mrs. Floravit said. “We felt that communicating effectively with our patients meant offering them a way to connect with us in the digital space. Since we launched our new Web site and social media profiles, we’ve added a mobile-friendly Web site and are considering adding other social media sites, such as Instagram, to our online portfolio.”

A Notice to Patients

Last Saturday, the Elk Regional family lost one of its own when Raj K. Jolly, M.D., a well-respected ear, nose, and throat specialist who spent more than 30 years caring for patients, passed away. Our thoughts and prayers have been with his family during this difficult time. God bless.

Patients of Dr. Jolly who would like to have their medical records may contact the office of Richard Foust, Au.D. at (814) 834-7721. Dr. Foust will continue to provide audiology and hearing aid services.

Coming Soon to a Mountain Near You: Boulder Dash

We're sponsoring Boulder Dash this year -- a 20-mile run/hike through the beautiful Pennsylvania Wilds (State Game Lands 44) outside of Ridgway. You'll be faced with 4,200 feet of vertical rise as you make your way over the course. Still can't envision the trail? There's a trail video and maps to show you exactly what you're getting into -- err, the natural beauty of the course!

Boulder Dash is set for August 17! Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Ridgway carnival grounds. The run/hike kicks off at 8 a.m. from the Elk County Courthouse. The event officially ends at 5 p.m., and runners/hikers will be able to take part in the St. Leo's Summer Festival in downtown Ridgway.

For more information and online registration, click here! We'll see you there!

2013 Butterfly Release Order Forms Now Available!

The 2013 Community Nurses, Inc. Butterfly Release is fast approaching! Have you ordered your butterfly? If not, hurry: orders must be received by July 26th!

Click here to download a printable order form!

Order forms are also available:

• in the Main Lobby at Elk Regional Health Center's St. Marys and Ridgway campuses;
• at the Reception desk at Pinecrest Manor;
• at the Reception desk at Community Nurses offices in St. Marys and Bradford; and
• at pharmacies throughout the community, including St. Marys Pharmacy, Cliffee's, Johnsonburg CVS, Emporium Pharmacy, Bennett's Valley Pharmacy, and SMP Kane.

This year's Butterfly Release is set for Sunday, August 4 at 4 p.m. in The Serenity Garden on the campus of Elk Regional Health Center. The Garden is located behind the hospital near the Outpatient Rehabilitation Building.

"Whisper Your Wish to a Butterfly" is an annual event that benefits Community Nurses Hospice. The Butterfly Release includes a celebration of life service, inspirational readings and music, reading of loved ones’ names, and light refreshments. The attendees release their butterfly at the ceremony to memorialize or honor their loved one. If those who purchase a butterfly are unable to attend, a Community Nurses staff member will release their butterfly for them. All are invited to attend whether or not you are able to purchase a butterfly.

If you have questions or would like additional information, call Community Nurses at (814) 781-4729.

Elk Regional Announces Upcoming Breast Cancer Awareness Events

Happy Thursday afternoon! It's time to mark your calendars for our 2013 breast cancer awareness events: 

• Sept. 20-22 at the Bavarian Fall Fest on the Diamond; 
• Sept. 27, when we'll hold our Glow in the Dark 5K Run/Walk (yep, you read that right!); 
• Oct. 5 for the Zumba Fitness Party; and 
• Oct. 17 for the Second Annual Bras for a Cause event! 

 More details will be announced soon. We can't wait to see you!

Heat Wave Continues

The heat wave continues! For at least the rest of this week, we'll all have to contend with high temperatures and humidity. Temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s and could go even higher.

Check in on elderly neighbors and loved ones and make sure they're staying cool and drinking plenty of water. Ensure that outdoor pets have easy access to shade and fresh water. And make sure the kids take frequent breaks while playing outside to get cold drinks and rest up!

For more tips on how to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion, check out some tips and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by clicking here.

Be safe out there!

Elk Regional Sponsoring Elk County Boulder Dash

Are you adventurous? Up for some time in the woods?

Elk Regional Health Center is sponsoring the Elk County Boulder Dash, a 20-mile run/hike through the beautiful mountains of the Pennsylvania Wilds, on August 17! Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Ridgway carnival grounds. The run/hike kicks off at 8 a.m. from the Elk County Courthouse.

The event officially ends at 5 p.m. -- but since the St. Leo's Summer Festival is going on, there will be plenty to do! Oh, and did we mention that the weekend of August 17 is the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s celebration of the reestablishment of the Elk Herd? Make a weekend of it with the family ... some time in the beauty of the Pennsylvania Wilds, a great summer festival at St. Leo's, and time to ooh and ahh over the elk!

For more information and online registration, visit the Boulder Dash online! We'll see you there!

You & Diabetes Type 2 Presentation Scheduled

Could you have diabetes and not know it? Our colleagues at Community Nurses, Inc. will present "You and Diabetes Type 2" tomorrow night at 6 p.m. in the Education Center at our St. Marys campus.

The evening includes free screenings to determine your risk, a presentation on symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment, the opportunity to speak with Elk Regional's Certified Diabetes Educators, and nutritious snacks. It's FREE and there is no reservation required!

If you have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, have high blood pressure, or just want to stay healthy ... this is a great opportunity to get checked, learn more, and be aware! We'll see you there!

Elk Regional Officially Joins Penn Highlands Healthcare

Elk Regional Health Center has officially become an affiliate of Penn Highlands Healthcare, a parent corporation that also includes Brookville Hospital, Clearfield Hospital, and DuBois Regional Medical Center.

The affiliation brings together the region’s largest health care providers and creates an organization that will enhance the expansion of services, the acquisition of resources, and opportunities for operational efficiencies for each member hospital. In addition, the communities served by each of the member hospitals will enjoy increased local access to physician specialists, improved quality and coordination of care, and enhanced physician recruitment and retention efforts.

“I am pleased to welcome the addition of Elk Regional to Penn Highlands Healthcare,” said Dennis L. Merrey, Chairman of the Penn Highlands Board of Directors. “The combined strength of our organizations will provide many benefits to the communities we serve. We look forward to working together.”

“It is exciting that this important milestone has been achieved,” said Robert W. O’Leary, Chairman of the Elk Regional Health Center Board of Directors. “There is little doubt that the benefits of a partnership between Elk Regional and Penn Highlands are numerous. We believe that this affiliation will elevate patient care and will be a win-win situation for the residents of this region.”

Elk Regional Health Center joins DuBois Regional Medical Center and Clearfield Hospital as top-level affiliates of Penn Highlands Healthcare. Brookville Hospital is a subsidiary of DuBois Regional Medical Center.

All of Elk Regional’s affiliate organizations will remain in place, including Community Nurses, Inc.; the Regional Ambulatory Surgery Center; Elk Regional Professional Group; ELCO Housing; the Elk Regional Health Center Auxiliary; and the Elk Regional Health Center Foundation. Pinecrest Manor, the 138-bed long-term care facility, will remain a division of Elk Regional Health Center.

The Penn Highlands Board of Directors is made up of representatives, including physicians, from each of the member hospitals.

Serving with Mr. Merrey on the Penn Highlands Board of Directors are Brookville Hospital representative Ron King; Clearfield Hospital representatives William Wood, Dr. Thomas Carnevale, and Dr. Richard Bedger; DuBois Regional Medical Center representatives Edward Nasuti, Thomas Gasbarre, Richard Pfingstler, Scott Foradora, Dr. Hazem El-Kassas, Dr. Gregory Roscoe, and Dr. Carmine Marchioli; and Elk Regional Health Center representatives Mr. O’Leary, Robert Ordiway, and James Ryan. Raymond A. Graeca, the CEO of Penn Highlands Healthcare, also serves on the Board of Directors.

Each member hospital of Penn Highlands Healthcare retains its community base, medical staff, and Board of Directors. Past and future community donations designated for each hospital remain in the control of that organization and are used according to the donor’s wishes.

A strategic planning committee, composed primarily of physicians from the member hospitals, is working to develop effective approaches for long-range planning.

PHOTO: Robert W. O’Leary, right, the Chairman of the Elk Regional Health Center Board of Directors, signs the affiliation agreement as Dennis L. Merrey, the Chairman of the Penn Highlands Healthcare Board of Directors, looks on. The affiliation agreement was effective Monday, July 1.

Flash Flood Warning in Effect This Morning

Earlier this morning, the National Weather Service in State College issued a flash flood warning for parts or all of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Potter, Centre, Lycoming and Clinton counties. The warning is in effect until 10:45 a.m.

For continually updated information from the NWS, click here.

If you see water of ANY depth on the road, please do not drive or walk through it! Allow yourself extra time to get where you're going in case roads are closed. Take it slow and be mindful of going too fast -- especially around wet curves. It's easy to hydroplane and lose control of your vehicle.

Be safe out there!

Elk Regional's CHNA Plan Available for Download

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 requires that all hospitals conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and adopt an implementation strategy at least once every three years.

Elk Regional Health Center began this process in the spring of 2012 to establish, evaluate, and understand the region’s health needs. Through the CHNA process, Elk Regional was able to evaluate the region's health needs -- an important first step toward connecting health and human services with the needs of the region's residents. The process was undertaken in partnership with Brookville Hospital, Clearfield Hospital, and DuBois Regional Medical Center.

Because Elk Regional is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, it is required to submit IRS Form 990 annually. As part of the IRS 990 requirements, an implementation plan that was based on the outcome of the CHNA process will be adopted as part of Elk Regional's overall strategic plan.The implementation plan addresses each of the health needs identified through the CHNA process and explores avenues to better meet the needs.

To download and read the CHNA implementation plan, click here.

Save Lives Before the Holiday Weekend :)

Before you head out of town next week for July 4th festivities, maybe you could squeeze in about 30 minutes to give blood and save a few lives? We're hosting the Community Blood Bank on Tuesday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Education Center at our St. Marys campus. They're the ONLY supplier of blood & blood products to Elk Regional Health Center.

Those who donate ...

• Have a photo I.D.
• 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)

You can visit the Community Blood Bank online or connect with them on Facebook and Twitter!

Potential Scam Targets Elderly, Home Bound

We’d like to call attention to a potential scam that could target elderly and home-bound individuals in our area.

An unidentified telemarketing company is making high-pressure telephone calls promoting a personal emergency response service, such as the LifeLine service. The caller will try to pressure the individual into providing their credit card information, bank account information, or other sensitive personal identification information over the phone. 

These calls are not valid. If your care provider feels that you or a loved one might benefit from the LifeLine service (or a different personal emergency response service), they will speak with you in person. Organizations who offer LifeLine do not make sales telephone calls to individuals to promote the LifeLine service.

If you or your loved one are LifeLine subscribers and find yourselves faced with a situation that makes you unsure of your safety, you can press your personal help button to speak to someone in LifeLine’s Emergency Response Center.

To report that you have received a potential scam telephone call, please call (800) 242-1306, extension 4506.

Elk Regional to Host Emergency Preparedness Drill

Local emergency, healthcare, medical and law enforcements agencies throughout the county will participate in an annual emergency preparedness drill that will be held beginning at approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4 at Elk Regional Health Center’s St. Marys campus on Johnsonburg Road.

The drill is being hosted by Elk Regional Health Center and the Elk County Department of Emergency Management and is being coordinated under the direction of Agosti Fire Safety Services.

This collaborative effort allows the local agencies to work together and be prepared for an actual disaster. Agencies taking part in this drill include the St. Marys City Police Department, Elk County 911, St. Marys and Fox Township Ambulance Services, and the Crystal Fire Department.  

Elk Regional Health Center asks area residents to refrain from using the parking areas near the historic stone building while the drill is taking place.

Elk Regional, St. Marys to be Featured by PBS

Have you heard? Elk Regional and the St. Marys community will be featured in "Our Town: St. Marys," a television special that will air on PBS (Channel 3) on June 6th at 8 p.m. You will also be able to watch the special online on WPSU's Web site.

We're pretty excited!! Mark your calendars!

Book Sale Drop Off

Do you have some books you'd like to get rid of? There's nothing better than sharing them with others! Bring your used books to the cafeteria at St. Marys Catholic Middle School tonight beginning at 6 p.m. in support of the upcoming Community Nurses, Inc. Used Book Sale! To drop off your books, drive around to the Convent side of the building.

For more drop-off dates, visit the Events tab on our Facebook page or check out the Events Calendar on our Web site. Thank you for your support!

Community Nurses to Host Seminar on Aging

For a printable flyer, click here.

Safe Sitter Registration Set for May 21

Community Nurses, Inc., an affiliate of the Elk Regional Health System, will be offering Safe Sitter classes to boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15 this summer.

Safe Sitter is a medically accurate, hands-on class that teaches boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 15 how to handle emergencies when caring for children. Children cannot always communicate their needs or protect themselves, which means the babysitter must be able to handle whatever situation arises.

Registration for the Safe Sitter program will be held Tuesday, May 21 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Community Nurses office in St. Marys, which is located on the second floor of the Outpatient Rehabilitation Building behind the Health Center. A parent or guardian must accompany the student to registration. A $25 fee is due at registration.

The Safe Sitter class is a one-day class. Classes will be held on June 6 and July 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Marys Boys & Girls Club.

Classes are limited to 12 students.

Life Saving Care.

When "just another day" turned into a life-threatening emergency, we were there.

Tuesday, February 19 was a day that began like any other. But on his way to work, Adam Correll felt an odd sensation in his stomach. He blacked out at the wheel and blood from a ruptured artery began gushing into his abdomen. Half an hour after he left his house that morning, Adam was in our Emergency Department fighting for his life.

Click here to read about how we saved Adam's life and kept a young family whole.

Golfers Tee Off for Elk Regional's Golf Classic

In just a few hours, 128 golfers will tee off at Bavarian Hills Golf Course for the 21st Annual Elk Regional Health System Foundation Golf Classic! The Golf Classic is our Foundation's largest fundraiser. The Foundation supports the Health Center and provides college scholarships to students who are pursuing careers in health care. Thank you to Bavarian Hills, to our community, and to our sponsors and golfers for your support! We appreciate everything you do!

Elk Regional Celebrates National Hospital Week

We're celebrating National Hospital Week this week with all sorts of cafeteria goodies to thank our employees for their unwavering dedication to our hospital and to our patients and their families!

Each hospital is the very heart of its community, and Elk Regional is no different. Over more than 110 years, we have evolved into a major regional economic driver and a source of cutting-edge medical care and technology. Thanks to the dedication of our founders and our employees, local health care has survived in the face of epidemics, fires and budget crises, not to mention radical changes in technology, medical knowledge and culture.

Happy Hospital Week, everyone -- and a huge THANK YOU to our wonderful employees!

Make A Difference: Give Blood

Want to make a difference in 30 minutes? Don't miss our upcoming community blood drives in conjunction with Community Blood Bank! We're hosting one today, May 7, in the Education Center at our St. Marys campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and another one tomorrow, May 8, in Ridgway at the Elk County Courthouse Annex from noon to 4 p.m.

Community Blood Bank is the ONLY supplier of blood and blood products to Elk Regional and seven other regional hospitals. Help us keep the supply at safe levels!

Those who donate must ...

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

Community Nurses Announces Book Sale Dates

For a printable flyer, click here.

Group of Local Quilters Does Something Wonderful for Elk Regional's Littlest Patients

Thanks to the generosity of local quilters, infants and young children who come to Elk Regional for care and need to be transferred to another hospital will be able to take comfort in the warmth of a hand-made quilt.

Tammy Cherry and Emily Snelick, the sisters-in-law who own Tangled Threads on Erie Avenue, recently presented 50 child-sized quilts to the Emergency Department and The Maternity Unit at Elk Regional Health Center. Local quilters spent the several months making the quilts as part of the “Cuddling Kids” project. Each child who receives a quilt at Elk Regional will be able to keep it.

From left are Jim Condon, RN, the Emergency Department nurse manager; Emily Snelick, an owner of Tangled Threads; Susan Straub, RN, of the Emergency Department; Tammy Cherry, an owner of Tangled Threads holding Gage Schneider; Maria Schneider holding Geno Schneider; Laura Lorenzo, RN, of the Maternity Unit; and Sara Myers, RN, the Maternity Unit nurse manager.

Elk Regional Gives Back to the Wilcox Volunteer Fire Department

Elk Regional Health System employees recently made a donation to the Wilcox Volunteer Fire Department. The donation was made through the Elk Regional Gives Back program, through which employees pay a small fee to wear jeans to work on some Fridays. Each quarter, the funds raised are collected and given to local non-profit organizations that serve residents of Elk and Cameron counties.

Presenting the check to Fred Maletto III, the Fire Department’s President and Captain, is Keith VanHorn, the Director of Facilities at Elk Regional Health Center. With them, from left, are Tony Cherry and George Wingard of the Health Center’s Maintenance Department and Thor Lehman, a Captain at the Wilcox Volunteer Fire Department.

Elk Regional Gives Back to the Ridgway Public Library

We are proud to have recently supported the Ridgway Public Library through our Elk Regional Gives Back program! "Elk Regional Gives Back" is part of our efforts to be a good corporate citizen and help make our area a better place to live, work, and play!

Through the Elk Regional Gives Back program, employees pay a small fee to wear jeans to work on some Fridays. Each quarter, the funds raised are collected and given to local non-profit organizations that serve residents of Elk and Cameron counties.

Presenting the check to Lann Yurchick, the Library Executive Director, are from left, Judy O’Rourke and Jean Wingard of the Health Center’s Women’s Imaging Center.

Register Today for Our Community Health Screening

Have you registered for our upcoming Community Health Screening? Hurry, the deadline to do so is April 10!

The Community Health Screening will be held April 13 from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Ridgway YMCA! We're offering five inexpensive tests that will help you gauge your health and your risk for certain diseases, such as diabetes, colon-rectal cancer, prostate cancer and thyroid disease.

For details and registration information, check out the Events tab on our Facebook page or the Events Calendar on our Web site!

Let us help keep you safe and healthy!

Elk Regional Gives Back to CAPSEA

One of our favorite things to do is support local non-profits that work to make our area a better place to live, work, and play! Our employees recently made a donation to Citizens Against Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Abuse (CAPSEA), a wonderful organization that provides a variety of services to victims of abuse in Elk and Cameron counties.


The donation was made through the Elk Regional Gives Back program, through which employees pay a small fee to wear jeans to work on some Fridays. Each month, the funds raised are collected and given to local non-profit organizations that serve residents of Elk and Cameron counties.

Presenting the check to Billie Jo Weyant, center, the CAPSEA Executive Director, are, from left, Jan Armanini and Maggie Simchick of the Health Center’s Registration Department.

To learn more about CAPSEA, click here. 

Latest Edition of Our Newsletter Now Available for Download

Did you know you can read Elk Regional's community newsletter online? The February 2013 edition is now available for free download! You can also download and read all past editions going back to the Summer 2010 edition. 

To read our newsletter, click here!

Elk Regional Highlights Quality & Safety Efforts

Elk Regional Health Center recently highlighted its achievements in quality and patient safety as The Hospital & Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) released its second annual quality and patient safety report, located here.

The report, Pennsylvania Hospital Quality: Achieving More Together, provides an overview of the quality and patient safety initiatives being undertaken in hospitals across the Commonwealth.

At Elk Regional, quality and patient safety have been advanced through the implementation of a wide variety of new initiatives at Elk Regional Health Center and Pinecrest Manor, the Health Center’s long-term care facility.

“Elk Regional’s goal is to be the premier provider of health and wellness services in the communities it serves,” said Gregory P. Bauer, the President and CEO of Elk Regional Health System. “We are realizing that goal through a focus on quality at all levels of the Health System. We are deeply committed to the development and enhancement of quality indicators and programs that promote clinical care and safety improvements not only at the point of patient care but throughout the facility as well.”

Elk Regional Health Center recently joined “Quality Blue Lite,” an initiative of Highmark, Inc. that strives to improve quality of care and the efficiency with which care is provided by aligning provider reimbursement with performance. Providers such as Elk Regional are evaluated using a rigorous performance measurement system that includes benchmarks in the categories of quality and cost.

As part of the “Quality Blue Lite” program, the Health Center’s quality programs will be measured in several categories. Program evaluations will be performed twice per year utilizing defined, standardized performance metrics established by national quality organizations, such as the National Quality Forum, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 

A new quality initiative in place at Pinecrest Manor focuses on five categories of care and works to improve them by using evidence based guidelines that are considered the gold standard for best practice. The guidelines are the result of years of research by institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The quality team at Pinecrest is focusing upon five categories of care that they consider most important for the quality of life of the facility’s residents: pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, pain management, falls with major injuries, and activities of daily living. Measures to address these categories of care have been put into place and are revisited and reevaluated regularly.

The HAP report on quality and patient safety summarizes a number of notable achievements that have positioned Pennsylvania hospitals as national leaders in quality and safety, and contains examples of hospital successes in the areas of infection prevention, obstetrical adverse events, reduction of readmissions, and universal vaccination.

The report also highlights the work of the Pennsylvania Hospital Engagement Network (PA-HEN), part of the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Partnership for Patients initiative. To date, 138 Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems, including Elk Regional, have committed to participating in the network, which is aligned with national goals of achieving a 40 percent reduction in preventable harm and a 20 percent reduction in preventable readmissions by the end of 2013.

“Our improvements in quality and patient safety have been made possible by the continuous dedication and leadership of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals,” Mr. Bauer said. “As state and federal lawmakers make critical fiscal decisions, it is imperative that they not cut funding to hospitals. Without adequate reimbursement, we cannot sustain quality and patient safety advances at the same pace.”

Stressed? Let Us Help!

Stressed? Our "Daily Steps to Less Stress" class can help!

It's a six-week program that helps you identify stressors and teaches specific relaxation techniques to reduce and manage stress.

Classes will be held every Thursday beginning April 4 at 5 p.m. in the Diabetic Education Conference Room at our St. Marys campus.

Cost for those with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance is free. For non-Highmark members, the cost is $75.

Registration is now open! Call (814) 788-8707 to register!

Elk Regional Announces Community Health Screening

Elk Regional Health Center is pleased to announce a Community Health Screening!

When: Saturday, April 13

Time: 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Where: The Ridgway YMCA, 34 North Broad Street in Ridgway

Details: 
During the Community Health Screening, Elk Regional will offer five inexpensive tests that will help you gauge your health and your risk for certain diseases, such as diabetes, colon-rectal cancer, prostate cancer and thyroid disease.

• Blood Analysis: $40
• Hemoglobin A1C (Diabetes Screening) : $15
• Colon-Rectal Cancer: $8 for a simple, at-home kit
• PSA Test (Prostate Cancer): $15
• Thyroid Test: $10

Please note that 12-hour fasting is required!

For more information or to make an appointment, call us at 1 (800) 370-9640. Registration can be made Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The registration deadline is April 10, 2013. Checks should be made payable to the Ridgway YMCA.

Auxiliary Holds Spring Uniform Sale on 3/14 and 3/15

Do you wear scrubs to work? Are you in need of a few new pairs? Come out to our Uniform Sale and stock up! The sale is happening today until 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Education Center on our St. Marys campus. Cash, checks, and valid credit and debit cards are accepted.

Best of all, proceeds benefit the Elk Regional Health System Auxiliary! We'll see you there! :)

Elk Regional and Mr. Yuk Educate Children About Poisons

It's mid-March, and you know what that means: Elk Regional and Mr. Yuk are spending Poison Prevention Week visiting local elementary schools to teach kindergarteners about poisonous things they might find in their home! Each child is given a coloring book and stickers they and their family can use to mark dangerous substances they should avoid.

If you need some Mr. Yuk stickers, call the Public Relations Department at (814) 788-8532 or (814) 788-8832. Let us help keep your little ones safe and healthy!

Elk Regional Auxiliary to Hold "Gold Rush" Event

The Elk Regional Health System Auxiliary is sponsoring "Gold Rush," a chance for you to bring in your unwanted gold, silver, and platinum and leave with cash!

On March 11 and 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., come to the Education Center at Elk Regional's St. Marys Campus with your unwanted items. Gold Rush employees will sort, test, and weigh your items in front of you and give you a fair price for your items!

They will accept:

• necklaces
• bracelets
• class rings
• rings
• earrings 
• gold watches
• gold coins
• white gold, rose gold, and platinum
• sterling silver jewelry
• sterling silver coins
• sterling flatware and serving sets

Come out and support our Auxiliary, which made a $250,000 pledge to The Elk Regional Capital Campaign in support of our building project!

Elk Regional Lifts Visitation Restrictions

Updated 2/27/13, 8:50 a.m.

Elk Regional has lifted visitation restrictions that were put into place as a result of the flu outbreak! Visitation is now unrestricted for patients in the Health Center's Medical/Surgical Unit, for the Health Center's Maternity Unit, and for residents of Pinecrest Manor. 

Thank you for your support and for helping us keep our patients and residents safe and healthy during this flu season!

To read about Elk Regional's visitation policy, click here.

CNI to Screen Documentary on End-of-Life Issues

Join our colleagues at Community Nurses, Inc. this Sunday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall at St. Leo's in Ridgway for a screening of "Consider the Conversation," a thought-provoking film that looks at the many issues we all face at the end-of-life. This film will raise profound questions about how we both hope and plan to spend our final days. You won't want to miss this!

Elk Regional Gives Back to the Salvation Army

Our employees recently made a donation to the Salvation Army of Elk County through the Elk Regional Gives Back program!

As part of the program, employees pay a small fee to wear jeans to work on some Fridays. Each month, the funds raised are collected and given to local non-profit organizations that serve residents of Elk and Cameron counties.

Presenting the check to Lieutenant Esther Wilson is Paul Dandoy of the Health Center’s Laboratory. With them are, from left, Arlene DeCarli of the Pharmacy and Curt Oberholtzer, the Health Center’s Chief Human Resources Officer.

Elk Regional to Hold Patient Appreciation Day at 2013 Business Expo

Elk Regional Health System will hold its annual Patient Appreciation Day celebration during the 2013 Business Expo on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Red Fern. Patient Appreciation Day will be held in the back room.

“It’s important to us to offer easy access to free health screenings and information about the services available in our community,” said Charlotte Floravit, the Director of Public Relations at Elk Regional. “The Business Expo is the perfect place to do it. We had a great turn out last year and we’re looking forward to another great event this year.”

At Patient Appreciation Day, Elk Regional will offer a variety of free health screenings, including blood sugar, blood pressure, pulse ox, and heel bone density scans.

Shanti Raju, M.D., Elk Regional’s Pain Management Specialist, will be available between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to answer questions about the Health Center’s Pain Management Clinic and the services she provides.

Paulette Schreiber, a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, will be available throughout the day to answer questions about women’s health and services offered by Elk Regional Health Center.

Free information about a variety of programs and services will also be available. Participants can learn about Elk Regional’s Auxiliary and how they can get involved in supporting the Health Center and its mission. Representatives will be available to teach nutrition, healthy eating tips, and diabetic education.

Tracy Wildnauer, Elk Regional’s Physician Referral Specialist and Preventive Medicine Coordinator, will be available to answer questions. Ms. Wildnauer can help patients find a family physician or specialist and can also schedule patients for physician-ordered preventive health exams such as mammograms and colonoscopies.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about:

• home health nursing, hospice, support services, adult day care and Lifeline services offered by Community Nurses, Inc., the region’s premier home health agency and an affiliate of the Elk Regional Health System;
• the Generations Unit at Elk Regional Health Center, an inpatient behavioral health unit for patients age 55 and older;
• Pinecrest Manor, the long-term care facility at Elk Regional Health Center, will be available to answer questions;
• Rehabilitation services provided by Elk Regional, which are offered on an outpatient basis in five locations throughout the region and on an inpatient basis at Pinecrest Manor and at the Health Center; and
• the Sleep Lab, where Elk Regional conducts overnight sleep tests designed to assist in the diagnosis of sleeping disorders.

The 2013 Business Expo is sponsored by the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce and The River, 98.9 FM. For more information, visit the Chamber's Web site.

Elk Regional Issues Flu Update

Updated 2/14/13 at 10 a.m.

The number of new flu cases we're seeing each week has dropped significantly! However, in the interests of caution, our visitation restrictions remain in place at the Health Center, in our Maternity Unit, and at Pinecrest Manor. Our Infection Control team continues to carefully monitor the flu situation.

Current Visitation Restrictions:

• Only immediate adult family members may visit patients at the Health Center or residents at Pinecrest Manor. No children under the age of 18 should be brought to the facility.
• Visitation to the Health Center's Maternity Unit is restricted to parents and grandparents ONLY. This means that no other family members, including children, regardless of their relationship to the patient, may visit.

If you have any questions about these restrictions, please call the Public Relations Department at (814) 788-8532 or (814) 788-8832.

Elk Regional Gives Back to the St. Marys Public Library

Our employees recently made a donation to the St. Marys Public Library through our Elk Regional Gives Back program!

As part of the program, employees pay a small fee to wear jeans to work on some Fridays. Each month, the funds raised are collected and given to local non-profit organizations that serve residents of Elk and Cameron counties.

Presenting the check to Scarlette Corbin Zimmer, the Library Director, is Renee Caruso of the Health Center’s Radiology Department. With them from left are Kristen Kolash; Susan Huff; Jennifer Grotzinger, and Cheryl Reinsburrow.

Elk Regional Welcomes a Ridgway Native

Elk Regional Rehabilitation Employees Support Local Food Bank

Employees of the Outpatient Rehabilitation Department at Elk Regional Health Center recently made a $310 donation to the Christian Food Bank.

The initiative was begun at the start of 2012, when employees Jody Smith and Kathleen Harris each began putting aside $2 per week. Later in the year, the women invited other employees in the department to take part.

Pictured in the front row, from left, are Mark Hoffman, the Director of Rehabilitation Services; Kathy Harris; Mary Hayes; Shawna Meyer; Kim Stauffer; Denny Hansen; and Becky Piccolo. In the back row, from left, are Lynnette Rupprecht; Kate Brem; Merri Shrefler; Kristen Cobaugh; Gette Bardo; Michelle Gerber; and Ken Dorman. Other employees, not pictured, also took part in the initiative.

Generations Unit Patients Now in New Rooms

We are pleased to announce that our Generations Unit patients are all snug in their new private rooms!

If you come to visit a Generations Unit patient, come in the Main Entrance and turn right past the Registration desk. Continue straight down the hall and the elevator will be on your left. Take it to the second floor, and turn left. Pick up the telephone outside the double doors, and a nurse will assist you.

The new floor at Elk Regional Health Center is now in full swing and boasts the most modern patient care units in the entire region! We are SO proud of our new units. Thank you again for your support!

Elk Regional Requests No Visitors as Patients Move to New Generations Unit

On Wednesday, Feb. 6, Elk Regional Health Center’s clinical care team will be relocating all of the patients on the Health Center’s Generations Unit to the newly constructed unit.

During the transition, which will take place on Wednesday morning and afternoon, Health Center officials have asked that family members and friends refrain from visiting Generations Unit patients in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new unit.

Visitors will be welcomed to the new unit beginning Thursday morning, Feb. 7. Questions about a patient’s new room number can be answered by Health Center personnel at the Registration desk or by nursing staff on the new unit.

To access the new Generations Unit on Thursday morning, Feb. 7, visitors should come in the main entrance, turn left past Registration, follow the hallway to the end and take the elevator to the second floor. 

For more information about the transition, please call the Health Center’s Public Relations Department at (814) 788-8532 or (814) 788-8832.

About The New Generations Unit
The Health Center’s new Generations Unit is a secure, 10-bed unit that provides inpatient care to patients over the age of 55 who suffer from behavioral or emotional health conditions. The new unit features private rooms with private bathrooms, plentiful exterior windows, hardwood floors, and group activity areas.

Patients Now In Private Rooms

We are thrilled to announce that our patients are all snug in their brand new private rooms!

If you come to visit a patient, you can access the new floor by using the elevators or stairs in the Main Lobby. Our new patient rooms are on the second floor. Visitors will no longer need to use the elevators near the Cafeteria.

Those who are visiting patients in the ICU can access the unit by coming in the Main Entrance, turning right past Registration, and going to the end of that hallway. The elevator will be on your left. To access the ICU, take the elevator to the first floor, and the doors will open into the ICU waiting room. 
 
If you have any questions about your loved one's new room number, please feel free to call us at (814) 788-8000.

ATTENTION VISITORS: Please note that Elk Regional Health Center and the Maternity Unit are still under visitation restrictions due to the flu outbreak. To read about those restrictions, please click here.

Elk Regional Requests No Visitors as Patients Move to New Unit

On Wednesday, Jan. 30, Elk Regional Health Center’s clinical care team will be relocating all of the patients on the Health Center’s medical, surgical, and pediatric unit to the newly constructed unit.

During the transition, which will take place on Wednesday morning and afternoon, Health Center officials have asked that family members and friends refrain from visiting patients in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new unit.

Visitors will be welcomed to the new unit beginning Thursday morning, January 31. Questions about a patient’s new room number can be answered by Health Center personnel at the Registration desk or by nursing staff on the new unit.

To access the new medical, surgical, and pediatric unit on Thursday morning, visitors should take the elevator in the main lobby to the second floor.

For more information about the transition, please call the Health Center’s Public Relations Department at (814) 788-8532 or (814) 788-8832.


About The New Medical, Surgical, Pediatric Unit
The Health Center’s new medical, surgical, and pediatric unit includes 42 private patient rooms, each with its own bathroom and shower. Each room has a large window that floods the room with natural light. In addition to the latest technology for bedside documentation, the new unit features a virtually noiseless, state-of-the-art nurse call system that enhances the unit’s serene, healing environment. The unit is anchored by two modern nurse work stations and includes a large space for inpatient physical therapy.

New Unit Passes Final Inspection

We are thrilled to announce that our beautiful new medical, surgical, and pediatric unit passed its final inspection from the PA Department of Health Division of Acute & Ambulatory Care! This means we'll be able to move patients into the new unit. Our clinical care team is busy finalizing those details.

What a GREAT way to kick off 2013! Thank you to all of you for your support! :)

Flu Update

UPDATED 9:45 A.M. ON JANUARY 21. The number of new flu cases is remaining consistent. By the end of the month, our Infection Control team will revisit the visitation restrictions that are currently in place at both Elk Regional Health Center and Pinecrest Manor.

We've listed the current restrictions below. Thank you to everyone for respecting our visitation restrictions and helping us keep our patients and residents safe!

Current Visitation Restrictions:

• Only immediate adult family members may visit patients at the Health Center or residents at Pinecrest Manor. No children under the age of 18 will be permitted to visit.
• Visitation to the Health Center's Maternity Unit is restricted to parents and grandparents ONLY. This means that no other family members, including children, regardless of their relationship to the patient, may visit.

These restrictions are in place until further notice. If you have any questions, please call the Public Relations Department at (814) 788-8532 or (814) 788-8832.

Elk Regional Restricts Visitation Due To Flu Outbreak

UPDATED 1:15 P.M. ON JANUARY 14.

Levels of influenza in the local area have reached a high enough level that Elk Regional Health Center officials have restricted visitation for patients and residents. But while the level of influenza being seen is high, officials say it’s not cause for alarm.

As of January 11, the Health Center officials have restricted visitation for patients of the Health Center and residents of Pinecrest Manor, Elk Regional’s long-term care facility, to immediate adult family members only. No children under the age of 18 will be permitted to visit any patient or resident until further notice.

In addition, visitation to the Health Center's Maternity Unit is now restricted to ONLY parents and grandparents. No other adult family members, and no children, regardless of their relationship to the patient, may visit the Maternity Unit until further notice.

“This is simply a precautionary measure,” said Joe Fleming, the Infection Control Officer at Elk Regional Health Center. “This is a standard response to the high levels of influenza we are currently experiencing.”
Mr. Fleming said the strain of influenza that is the most prevalent, both locally and nationally, is the H3N2 strain. This strain was included in this year’s batch of influenza vaccinations.

“Four or five new positive flu cultures come through our Laboratory every day from patients in both inpatient and outpatient care,” Mr. Fleming said. “A very small percentage of these patients require hospitalization. While we haven’t seen levels this high in about a decade, the situation is not cause for alarm. We are monitoring the situation very closely. If it worsens, we have plans in place to adapt.”

Elk Regional Health Center has taken a proactive approach to the flu season. Last year, prior to the start of flu season, the Health Center held a successful vaccination program for its employees. In addition, face masks and hand sanitizer are available to visitors who come to the Health Center or Pinecrest Manor.

Influenza, or the “flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza virus. When people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk, droplets of moisture from these actions can be inhaled and can infect people up to six feet away.

Unlike the common cold, the flu can come on abruptly.  Flu symptoms include a high fever of up to 104 degrees and extreme fatigue. An individual may also suffer from a sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, muscle aches and a cough. Some children may exhibit vomiting and diarrhea.

Most individuals who get the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some individuals will develop complications as a result of the flu. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from the flu.

“We very strongly recommend that people who have not gotten flu shot should do so,” Mr. Fleming said. “Even now, the vaccine would still be effective.”

Mr. Fleming said that the flu vaccination is appropriate for anyone who is six months of age or older and who is not allergic to egg proteins and does not have a history of Guillian-Barre Syndrome.

Since the start of flu season, Elk Regional Health Center has vaccinated approximately 700 individuals. To check the availability of influenza vaccinations, residents can contact their family physician or a local pharmacy.

In addition to the flu vaccine, hand washing also plays a very important role in prevention of the flu. Individuals should wash their hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.     

In the event that you contract influenza, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. If symptoms prevail, consult your family physician or visit the Med Express Center at Elk Regional’s Ridgway campus or Q Care on the first floor of the Medical Office Building at our St. Marys campus. The Med Express Center is open from 9 am until 7 p.m., seven days a week and Q Care is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.