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.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
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.”
“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.”
Monday, July 23, 2012
Pinecrest Manor Hires Assistant Director of Nursing
 |
| Mary Kilhoffer, RN |
“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.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Pinecrest Manor Hires Quality Nurse
 |
| Christine Kocjancic, RN |
“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.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Elk Regional Supports the Elk County Humane Society
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.
Monday, July 16, 2012
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!
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!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
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!
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!
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