August 9, 2006

Jameson Recognizes Employee Team Efforts

Jameson Health System recognized 17 employees for outstanding team work by awarding three teams the new “Joining Together Award”.  This award was established to recognize Jameson employees who “join together” as a team and work collaboratively to achieve excellence that benefits Jameson Health System and the community it serves.

The winning programs were, the Jameson Walking Program, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Prevention Program, and Jameson Care Center New Menu System.  All three programs have significantly increased clinical patient care and quality, improved patient satisfaction, and resulted in cost savings.

The Walking Program team include, Terry Gibson, Chris Sylvester, Debbie Perretta, Brenda Gierlach, Rene Donofrio, Carolee Wharry and Vicki Kraft.  This team of employees developed a program to get patients out of bed and moving, thereby assisting with the recovery process and enabling patients to go home sooner with the confidence of their ability to be independent at home.  Since the inception of the program 1,387 patients have walked over 1,056 miles.

The Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Prevention Program team members include Michelle Lum, Nancy Gibson, Dr. Ali, Donna Cochran, Marc DiGregorio, and Roy Hamet.  This innovative program involved changing respiratory care protocols and procedures to reduce and/or eliminate infection rates for ventilator patients.  During an 18-month period, zero cases of ventilator associated pneumonia were reported, which in turn improved patient care and quality and contributed to cost savings.

The Jameson Care Center, New Menu System program team members include, Cosimo Bulisco, Karen Peterson, Cindy Mooney, Tracy Slater, and Valerie Servick.  Their team developed a new menu system to provide residents with more choices on the menu and involve them in choosing the foods they prefer.  The program has increased their nutritional status, as they are choosing foods they like and has given residents back some control over their lives.  They enjoy socializing with the menu hostesses each day as well.  This program has increased the resident’s quality of life, reduced food waste and improved work efficiency thereby contributing to cost savings. 

Jameson Health System would like to congratulate these fine employees for going above and beyond in the delivery of health care to the community.

Jameson Health System has served the community for over 75 years providing high-quality, community-based health care services to Lawrence County.  With 300 beds, Jameson operates as a full-service acute care facility occupying two campuses, Jameson Hospital North and Jameson Hospital South.  Many outreach centers throughout Lawrence County provide access to a broad and integrated continuum of health and human services to the community.