News About Kindred People and Places
Here are some current happenings at Kindred facilities across the country.
Kindred Fort Worth Southwest Staff is All Smiles About New Program
By Jacinda Flores
Fort Worth, TX --- In October 2002, Kindred Hospital Tarrant County
Fort Worth Southwest developed a performance improvement team to enhance
customer
service. After an extensive interdisciplinary collaboration, they created
the S.M.I.L.E. (Someone Making Illness a Little Easier) Customer Service
program. This program was created primarily as a result of average survey
responses. Average was just not good enough for the staff. The coordinated
efforts of the team led to the implementation of the S.M.I.L.E. program,
which gives credit as specific compliance. They separated the program
into two one-hour sessions.
The program consists of a manifesto, which every employee voluntarily
signs as they promise to incorporate the values and principles of respect,
professionalism, trust, integrity and empathy into his/her everyday practice
at Kindred Southwest. The first session consists of the four agreements
(by Don Miguel Ruiz)
- Be impeccable with your word.
- Don’t take anything personally.
- Don’t make assumptions.
- Always do your best.
In the second session multiple communication techniques, such as body
language, how to build trusting relationships, expressions with tact
and active listening exercises, were incorporated. The use of role-play
in true-to-life scenarios was also utilized with great success.
As adjuncts to the sessions the committee has placed thank you cards
and "Lookout" clipboards on the floors. The thank you cards
are for staff appreciation, for going the "extra s.m.i.l.e." These
are for individuals or ordinary people who make an extraordinary difference.
The Lookout Program was designed to enhance communication among the staff
regarding the special needs of the patients. Whether it is worries about
their pets or that they prefer chocolate over vanilla shakes, the staff
will be aware and see to their special needs.
Due to the implementation of our program, our survey results have increased
in all areas. There is also better accountability among the staff and
morale has improved. Feedback from families has been increasingly positive,
with an emphasis on the friendliness and courtesy of the staff.
As you may have surmised, a little "S.M.I.L.E." goes a long
way! .
A Kindred Hospital St. Louis Success
St. Louis, MO --- What began as a routine day for 48-year-old
Michael ended in a catastrophic motor vehicle accident. Michael suffered
severe
injuries when he was ejected from his car. After initial treatment at
Barnes Jewish Hospital, he was admitted to Kindred Hospital St. Louis
on October 3, 2003.
He was on full ventilator support with a closed head injury and chest
trauma. Prior to his accident, Michael had also been diagnosed with amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS), and this was an additional complication.
During his 26 days at Kindred, Michael made amazing progress. Upon admission,
Michael was unable to breathe, swallow, speak, or stand on his own. As
the result of an enormous amount of strenuous work and fortitude, in
addition to the intensive treatment and support from the multidisciplinary
team at Kindred St. Louis, Michael weaned from the vent and was decannulated.
He passed his swallow test and began eating, and started walking using
parallel bars. Michael is also regaining the ability to speak clearly.
On October 29, he transferred to a rehab center specializing in head
injuries to begin the next stage of his ongoing recovery.
At the time of his discharge, Michael’s enthusiasm could be seen
on his face as he smiled, waved goodbye, and whispered a simple "thank
you" to all Kindred employees who participated in his care.
Eastside Physical Therapist Bikes to Support Multiple Sclerosis Society
By Kelly Reece
Rehab Coordinator
Bangor, ME --- Kari A. Graceland, physical therapist at Eastside
Rehabilitation and Living Center, has participated for four years in
the Maine Chapter
of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society MS Bike Tour. This year on
August 2-3, she and her team participated in the 150-mile tour.
This 150-mile tour has been an annual event for the last 19 years across
the country with the Maine Chapter offering not only the 150-mile two-day
tour, but also the option to ride 50 miles each day, or to participate
in the one-day 25-mile family fun ride.
Kari has always managed the 150-mile "Bike to the Breakwater" tour,
leading a small team the last three years. Family and professional experience
are Kari's motivators, as well as a goal to maintain a healthy level
of fitness. She has cousins and friends of the family who have the disabling
disease. Her team, "The Training Wheels," included four riders
this year, Robin Kauffman, Devin Spraque, and Cody Spruce, and raised
$4,710. Kari raised over $3,700 of that amount alone.
Additionally, Kari was featured in several radio interviews for the Maine
Chapter, and has been honored with several awards for her fundraising
efforts. For those who do not believe they can ride that distance (and
Kari reports she is no "iron woman" athlete), Kari also recruits
volunteers, like PTA Robyn Pride. Robyn was a vital volunteer, rising
early in the morning to post the second day's route, staying one small
step ahead of the 400 cyclists.
Kari is a wonderful asset to the Kindred Rehab team at Eastside Rehab.
Her teamwork and dedication to providing quality care to her patients
is a constant. She is a positive role model to all who have come to know
her.
Kari welcomes any donations, but is especially eager to recruit new team
members.
2nd Annual San Francisco Bay Area Kindred Creative Arts Gallery
By Melissa
McGee
DDSM, California District
San Francisco, CA -- The eight Kindred healthcare
centers in the San Francisco Bay Area that are connected to the centralized
placement
center
held their second annual Creative Arts Gallery on Thursday, November
6, 2003, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
The mission of the creative arts gallery is to celebrate the creative
process, rather than the outcome. The art gallery displayed artwork
from residents from each of the centers, and each artist was presented
with
a certificate of recognition. In total, 65 residents were honored
by guest artist and speaker Bill Fravel, a watercolorist for over
25 years
with a studio in Davenport, California. Bill is also the husband
of Marilyn Fravel, Assistant Executive Director at Santa Cruz Healthcare
Center.
The art gallery included catered hors d'oeuvres, a champagne fountain,
a jazz trio, valet parking, and resident artwork. It was attended
by the artists, staff, discharge planners and other referral sources.
This year's attendance was greater than last year, and we look forward
to
continuing growth at next year's event.
North Shore Long-Term Care LPN Alliance Recognizes First Class of Students
By Shari L. LaRoche
Area Executive Director
Laurie A. Roberto
Area Executive Director
On Friday, November 14, 17 students comprising the pioneering practical
nursing class in the North Shore Long Term Care LPN Alliance were recognized
at a reception.
The alliance was formed in February 2003 as a joint effort between Life
Care Center of the North Shore, Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing
Center (Beverly, MA), and Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (Gloucester,
MA). The alliance was created to address the existing and growing shortage
of nursing home LPNs in Massachusetts. Cynthia Donaldson, Executive Director
at Seacoast, Ruth Dolan, Director of Nursing at Seacoast, Laurie Roberto,
Judy Manchester, Director of Nursing at Ledgewood, and Tony Traino, Executive
Director at Life Care, worked tirelessly for months to make the alliance's
LPN program a reality.
Working with North Shore Community College, the Southern Essex Workforce
Investment Board and North Shore Career Centers, the goal of the alliance
is to pursue creative approaches to increase the number of highly qualified
LPNs available for employment in skilled nursing facilities.
Since February, the alliance and North Shore Community College have established
a two-year practical nursing program that enables selected alliance employees
to work while they pursue their career goals in nursing. The facilities
of the alliance have helped to prepare and recruit 17 employees who started
the Practical Nursing Program in September 2003. The alliance submitted
and received approval for a Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund grant
that will assist with the cost of the program.
By paying just the costs of the program versus tuition we were able to
bring the costs down from approximately $12,500 per student to $7,700
per student for the two-year program. In the end, they were able to get
a grant from the Department of Employment and Training for $162,000 to
pay for 21 students.
Interested alliance employees must fill out an application for participation.
The executive director and Director of Nursing Services at each facility
review the applications and decide who they would like to support through
the process. The accepted applicants must pass the NET (Nursing Entrance
Test) before they are accepted into the program.
The reception was an important opportunity to recognize the efforts of
everyone who has contributed to this program -- students, Executive Directors,
Directors of Nursing Services, the Workforce Investment Board, the North
Shore Career Center, the Department of Employment and Training, the Massachusetts
Extended Care Federation and Commonwealth Corporation. Community members
are very interested in learning about this program because it is one of
only two such programs in Massachusetts.
