August 22, 2023

Passion for excellence. Compassion for people.

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.

Kimberly Fairchild, Aspirus Riverview Behavioral Health

Thank you, Kim, for being so wonderful and helping me yesterday with an urgent phone call. I appreciate your willingness to help this patient in need. I' m so happy you are part of our team!

Michelle Poeschel, Laboratory, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital 

Thank you for the way you care for your patients. Your foresight and diligence are appreciated. Your actions today truly helped secure the appropriate care for your patient.

Kimberly Turner, Emergency, Aspirus Plover Hospital

Thank you for rapidly going into action and making sure the waiting room is clean after a sick patient and showing compassion by helping the patient. You are an awesome TEAM LEAD and are always setting a great example.

Sara Waltenberg, Nutritional Services, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Sara is always willing to help anyone who has a question or needs assistance. She has come in several times on her days off or will start early in a different area as needed. Sara has offered suggestions on ways to improve procedures for efficiency. I believe she is a valuable employee.

Kelley Udulutch, Emergency Reception, Aspirus Plover Hospital

Kelley ~ Thank you so very much for picking up and working so many extra shifts! You know how hard it is to work alone at that busy desk. You are a great teammate, and we are lucky to have you. Thanks for being so reliable and dependable. You are appreciated!

Jeanette Newman, Radiology, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Thank you so much for all of your help getting our patient scheduled for an emergent appointment today. We greatly appreciate (and so does our patient) the extra step you went to get her taken care of.

What Our Patients are Saying

Some Comments from Recent NRC Patient Satisfaction Surveys

MaryAnn Hollenback, APNP, Aspirus Doctors Clinic

I told my sisters how wonderful it felt to actually to have been heard. She truly listened to my health issues. Started immediately to find out what's causing my pain and symptoms. Very explanatory of further testing to evaluate and hopefully take care of these recurring symptoms. She was personable, caring and kind. Everyone was nice and all went smoothly and timely. The gentleman doing my X-rays was helpful and pleasant.

Dr. Timothy Wirtz, Family Medicine, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Plover Road

Dr. Wirtz is always a careful listener and a thorough practitioner. He is easy to talk to and offers suggestions for treatment that make sense. I'm very glad he is my doctor.

Dr. Steven Slezak, Ophthalmology, Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Illinois Avenue

The staff and Dr. Slezak were outstanding. I'm so appreciative of the care I received. I can count on one hand the doctors I trust. Dr. Slezak is one of them. Thank you to everyone on his team. I can finally see!

Carrie Diehn, FNP-BC, APNP, Aspirus Riverview Clinic-Wisconsin Rapids

Carrie Diehn goes the extra mile to care about my health. She explains my options and truthfully uses "hard love" to help me get my act together, as I'm obese and diabetic. She's awesome, and Jamie her nurse is an awesome lady too.

Patient Safety Tip

Sticker or tape residue on walls or equipment

Paper signs hanging in departments

Why: During Environment of Care rounds and Joint Commission tracers, many areas have paper signs that are soiled and peeling or sticker residue. 

Content: Sticker residue on surfaces and peeling tape can harbor bacteria. Paper signs that become soiled from environmental factors can also harbor bacteria. These bacteria can cause an environmental risk of infection to our patients and staff. 

Reference: EC.02.06.1 EP1 & IC.02.01.01 EP1

Call to Action: Any signs hanging in work areas should be wipeable. They should be laminated or in a plastic shield that can be cleaned. Any surface that contains sticker residue should be cleaned to remove the residue. Any peeling stickers, tape, or signs should be replaced so they are not peeling or removed to leave a clean surface.

Questions?  

Alex Jaye, Environment of Care & Emergency Management Projects Administrator, ARH

Amanda Walloch, Director Quality Improvement, ASP

Vicki Peshek, Director Quality Improvement, ARH

Sharing Our Expertise

Kudos to Jackie Burner, Licensed Athletic Trainer with Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital, who recently provided medical coverage for "Hustle S'more for Lions Camp."

The fundraiser was held August 12 at the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt. Attendees could take part in a 1-mile donut dash, 5K run/walk, 10K run/walk, or 15-mile bike ride. Proceeds provide quality camp experiences for Wisconsin youth and adults with disabilities.

Thank you for representing Aspirus at this event, Jackie!

Submitted by Jodi Waltenberg, Certified Athletic Trainer-Team Lead, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital.

Meet with a Financial Advisor

A representative with Francis LLC will hold free, personal money advisory meetings at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital on August 29 and September 7. Click below to reserve your spot today!  

Blood Drive at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital September 8

Spread the Word ~ We are Welcoming New Volunteers!

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital is looking for some great people who have big hearts and a little time to help us care for our patients and visitors.

We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from, including:

• Hospital Escorts (PACE) 
• Emergency Department 
• Surgery Department 
• VolunTeens 

For details, click the button below.

Southwest Division News

Krista Cooper Wins DAISY Award

Congratulations to Krista Cooper, Registered Nurse with Aspirus Riverview Hospital's med surg unit, and winner of our Southwest Division's quarterly DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Krista was nominated by the daughter of a patient, who wrote:

My 91-year-old father was a patient for two weeks in April. During that time, he had wonderful care from both CNAs and RNs. Krista, however, went above and beyond, treating my father with compassion, professionalism, exemplary nursing skills, and a sense of humor. Her compassion while putting an NG (nasogastric) tube into a very frightened and ill patient was amazing. The time she took with all of us explaining what was happening was so comforting. Over the time of Dad's stay, he so enjoyed the banter between the two of them. It was so touching watching her talk with him, instead of to him. She even popped in occasionally to check in when he wasn't her patient for the day. Thank you, Krista. Your kindness, compassion, expertise, and sense of humor did not go unnoticed!

The DAISY Award recognizes the outstanding and extraordinary care nurses provide every day. Our DAISY Award winners and nominees exceed the needs and expectations of patients and families by displaying the Aspirus core values of Compassion, Accountability, Collaboration, Foresight and Joy.

Our Aspirus Southwest Division DAISY Award winners receive a pin and certificate, a statuette of “The Healer's Touch,” a covered parking space, and a banner and cinnamon rolls for their department.

Kudos to our other Southwest nominees for the quarter as well:

Stephaney Bredl ~ Brittany Davy ~ Karen Hodge ~ Shelby Paige (2)

Jade Plummer ~ Kelly Meddaugh ~ Leslie Ironside ~ Jean Spaulding

Tabitha Neumann ~ Hannah Perez ~ Lisa Anderson ~ Jenna Bord

Telycia Ciriacks ~ Sara Cirilli ~ Morgan Mallek

Nicole "Coco" Sprague ~ Tracy Peplinski ~ Kelly Jaminski

Aspirus Riverview Hospital Honored for Rural Stroke Care

Aspirus Riverview Hospital was recently honored with the 2023 Get With The Guidelines® - Rural Stroke BRONZE achievement award from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

The award recognizes hospitals that demonstrate at least 85 percent compliance in each of the seven Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Achievement Measures. Silver is after 12 months; gold is after 24 months.

People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than our urban counterparts, have a 40 percent higher likelihood of developing heart disease, and face a 30 percent increased risk for stroke mortality – a gap that has grown over the past two decades, according to the American Heart Association.

Aspirus is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines. Get With The Guidelines® enables us to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis.

Earlier this year, three other Aspirus hospitals were similarly honored:

• Aspirus Wausau Hospital - Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Aspirus Langlade Hospital - Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GOLD PLUS with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll & Get With The Guidelines® - Rural Stroke BRONZE
• Aspirus Medford Hospital - Get With The Guidelines® - Rural Stroke BRONZE

Show Off Your Talent

Photographers: Aspirus Riverview's surgery team invites you to beautify its department by entering its photo contest. Here are the details:

• Seeking scenic photos of our community
• Deadline is October 31, 2023
• Submit your high-resolution photo files via email to [email protected]

The surgery department team hopes to select approximately 15 photos to print and frame for display in its patient, consult, procedure and waiting rooms, courtesy of an Aspirus Riverview Foundation grant.

Bob Smith

President, Southeast WI Division

Brian Kief

President, South & Southwest WI Divisions

Submit newsletter contributions by noon on Thursdays to [email protected].