May 23, 2023

Every day, we show compassion for our patients, their loved ones, and one another. Below are a few recent examples from our intranet's Recognition Wall. To recognize a co-worker or view more staff recognitions, click here.

Kailey Schnoor, Paramedic, Base Lead, Aspirus MedEvac

Nice job in early recognition of utilizing the aircraft and solid patient care prior to our arrival. Great work!

Kari Ruhr, Occupational Therapist, Howard Young Medical Center

Thank you for your help last week when it got kinda crazy. I appreciate you asking :) if I am ok.

Elizabeth Lambert, Nurse Practitioner, Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital

Thank you for your willingness to learn Neurology Botox treatments.

Troy Suhm, Information Technology, Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital

Thank you for updating the Interpreter Cart and going over the process with our department. You are always so willing to help us out and help us to be able to take better care of our patients. We appreciate everything that you do.

Marna Bauer, Primary Care Manager, Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic

Marna ~ thank you for your dedication and hard work to support your department. You are always willing to help your co-workers. Your knowledge and ability to find solutions to issues/concerns as we all continue to learn our new organization is amazing. Our team is very fortunate to have you.

Kelli Klessig, Primary Care Manager, Aspirus Eagle River Clinic

Kelli ~ Letting you know how much I appreciate the work you are doing in conjunction with my eConsult pilot. I recognize you have a large scope of providers and I'm sure this is just one more thing on your plate. Appreciate your partnership always!

Congratulations to Brittany Kautz, recipient of the Aspirus Eagle River Hospital Good Catch Award! The Good Catch award is based upon a commitment to High Reliability Principles for Safety to bring awareness to situations where an employee’s actions prevented harm to those we care for in the Northwoods.

Here is a summary of Brittany’s Good Catch:

“While prepping a patient for a CT scan with contrast, Brittany asked the patient if they had previously had issues with IV contrast. The patient reported an allergy that had not been identified prior to the order being placed. Brittany called the provider, and the order was changed; in catching this, she prevented potential serious harm to the patient.”

Good Catch, Brittany!

Each month our Good Catch Team reviews all the Good Catches submitted and chooses the best catches to be recognized within our region. Submit your good catches and you could be the next "Good Catch Award Winner!"

Aspirus Woodruff Clinic - Maple Street is hosting an open house on Thursday, June 22, from 4-6 p.m.

Aspirus employees and community members are invited to tour the newly renovated Family Practice Clinic, the remodeled Specialty Clinic and the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center. Attendees will meet Aspirus Health Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Medical Assistants and clinic leaders. You’ll also be able to schedule an appointment.

Aspirus Health renovated its Aspirus Woodruff Clinic - Maple Street as part of a multiphase plan to consolidate its two primary care clinics in Woodruff and enhance overall patient experience. The former cardiology suite at HYMC was remodeled to provide additional space for specialty care services with updated interior finishes. The Family Practice Clinic and registration area were also updated to create a calmer environment and improve safety and patient experience while enhancing workflow for staff. 

Save the date and tell your friends! To learn more about Aspirus Woodruff Clinic - Maple Street, providers and services available, call 715-356-8702 or visit aspirus.org.

The Rhinelander Fire Department (RFD) has new life-saving technology thanks to a donation from the Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital Foundation.

The Foundation provided two modems for the Fire Department’s LifePak 15 Cardiac Monitors/Defibrillators; the modems allow the RFD to transmit 12-lead electrocardiograms (EKGs) obtained in the field to Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital or Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

With a nearly one-hour transport time from Rhinelander to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, there is an increased need for accuracy. “When a patient suffers a heart attack [ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)], each minute means more heart muscle damage,” said Charlie Kotke, RN, Aspirus MedEvac Regional Manager. 

“Transmission of the 12-lead EKG can save approximately 20 minutes on average to activate the STEMI response, including ground or air transportation, to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for immediate intervention by the cardiologist in the Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) to open the blocked vessel and stop heart muscle damage,” said Michael Clark, MD, Aspirus MedEvac Medical Director. “These modems allow paramedics and emergency department physicians to collaboratively review the EKG and, most importantly, EKG transmission allows for more timely and accurate identification of heart attacks in the field.”

Click here to read the full story.

On March 14, Howard Young Medical Center launched the Linda Stolder Rottman Scholarship in partnership with the Howard Young Foundation.

Linda worked in dietary at HYMC before her and her son’s tragic death. Linda and her son Max were beloved by her family and the staff members in dietary, as well as all of Howard Young Medical Center staff. 

This scholarship will be presented to selected Howard Young Medical Center employees and their offspring. A minimum one-year employment by a family member will be required for eligibility. All advanced areas of study will be given equal weight and scholarships will not be restricted to four-year institutions. Those pursuing in-person education, however, 

will be given preference over online students. 

Click here to learn more about the scholarship and click here to view the application. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2023.

Do you have an announcement you'd like to include in the North Division Newsletter?

Please send it to Aspirus North Division Regional Communications & Community Engagement Lead Matt Thompson at Matthew.Thompson@aspirus.org. Please provide any items for this newsletter by end-of-day Friday for use the following week.