August 29, 2023

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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.

Tracy Drengberg, Environmental Services, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Tracy ~ Thank you for keeping our department clean and shiny. Tracy goes above and beyond and does more than she is required. She always brings joy and a smile to everyone's day, and her hard work doesn't go unnoticed. Keep up the hard work. We all love you!

Melissa Hitsman, Nursing-OB Outreach, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive

Kudos to Melissa for showing compassion to a family who was looking for direction in the parking lot while she was preparing to go home. She could have easily ignored them because they didn’t ask for assistance. But she was intuitive enough to know they were lost. FORESIGHT!

Dawn Cegielski, Nursing, Aspirus Riverview Behavioral Health

Dawn ~ Thank you for going above and beyond for a patient who was having a mental health crisis. You ensured the patient was supported while in the clinic, assisted with transfer to an inpatient unit, and even walked the patient out to the car. The provider and I are very thankful for you!

Karen Wavruk, Medical Reception, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive

Kudos to Karen for always doing an outstanding job in the specialty clinic. Karen brings so much JOY and takes the time to small talk with patients during the check-in process. She always gives her best when at the reception desk. We are lucky she is part of our team.

Danielle Kilps, Athletic Training, Aspirus Riverview Therapies

Dani ~ Thank you for the outstanding collaboration and compassion you provided to the patient at our onsite clinic. Your quick action in providing CPR and AED intervention gave the patient the best possible chance for survival that there could be. You should be very proud of the impact you had. I know I am!

Megan Morache, Radiation Oncology, Aspirus Cancer Care-Stevens Point

Megan recognized that it has been more stressful than usual in the department lately and found a simple way to brighten many co-workers' day. She bought everyone a specialty coffee from Starbucks and put it on each of our desks this morning for when we arrived at work! Thank you, Megan!

What Our Patients are Saying

Some Comments from Recent NRC Patient Satisfaction Surveys

Andrea Janikowski, Physical Therapist, Aspirus Outpatient Therapies-Stevens Point-Hoover Road

Andrea Janikowski is a superb physical therapist! She cares, she's skilled and informed, she listens beautifully, and she is outstanding at researching and figuring out complex and multidimensional physical problems.

Stacy Shulfer, PA-C, & Alethea Leu, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive

Stacy Shulfer has been my medical provider for quite a few years. She's been amazing! She is patient, a good listener, gives you the time you need, and treats you like she is truly invested in your well-being! You leave your appointment feeling confident that things are better than when you got there, because of her care! Not only is Stacy Shulfer amazing, but those at the appointment desk were amazing. My last appointment, I think it was Alethea who checked me into my appointment. That was one of the friendliest, smoothest, and best experiences I've had checking in for an appointment!

Ann Oligney, Physical Therapist, Aspirus Riverview Therapies

Ann O is amazing. She got me from wheelchair to walker to hands-free walking!! She taught me to use the tools (stretching techniques) to build up my muscle strength, expand my range of motion, and work thru the pain gently. I didn't think I'd ever walk again. This amazing lady is excellent, and I'm so happy she's my physical therapist.

Gina Schmidt, APNP, & April Pierzchalski, Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Hoover Road

Ms. Schmidt has been my primary care provider for several years now and has been nothing but outstanding with her care provided to me. She explains everything in great detail and listens so attentively to my questions and concerns. April, her nurse, completes all the vitals, and the initial screening, asking if I have any issues that I want to have addressed. She is very thorough! They both run the visit from beginning to end so professionally. Lastly, ensuring before I leave that I understand everything that was gone over, and if I have any questions.

Patient Safety Tip

Restraints Documentation

Why: Restraint documentation continues to be a high-risk, low-frequency situation that regulatory surveyors continue to assess compliance via chart review during survey.

Content: Thorough documentation is of the upmost importance when you have a patient in restraints.

Make sure you are clearly documenting when restraints are STARTED, CONTINUED, and DISCONTINUED.

Ensure all rows are completed when documenting your assessment per policy frequency (Medical Management Q4H minimally, Violent/Self-Destructive Q2H minimally).

Make sure alternatives and justification are documented.

Call to Action: Take the time to review the thorough documentation examples above and incorporate them into your nursing documentation.

Questions?

Amanda Walloch, Director – Quality Improvement, APH/ASP [email protected]

Vicki Peshek, Director – Quality Improvement, ARH [email protected]

Know Some Great People?

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital and Aspirus Riverview Hospital are looking for volunteers.

So if you know anyone with a big heart and a little time, please send them our way!

Learn More & Apply Online

Reminder: Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Now in Plover

In July, Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics expanded to Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive.

Dr. Renaker-Jansen is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery and takes a special interest in reconstructive surgery, breast and body cosmetic surgery, and skin cancer/facial rejuvenation.

Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics is based in Wausau and offers a broad range of plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic services. In Plover, Dr. Renaker-Jansen provides consultations, follow-up appointments, Botox, and fillers. The team also has an outreach clinic in Rhinelander.

To schedule an appointment or for more information about the services and products offered by Aspirus Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, call 715.870.2162 or visit www.aspirus.org/plastic-surgery.

Perk Alert: Aspirus employees enjoy 10 percent off in-office, non-surgical procedures (exluding InstaLift).

Southeast Division News

Hank Ritchie Wins DAISY Award

Congratulations to Henry "Hank" Ritchie, Registered Nurse with Aspirus Cancer Care-Stevens Point. He is the winner of our Southeast Division's quarterly DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Hank was nominated by a patient, who wrote:

Henry "Hank" has been with me since the beginning of my fight with multiple myeloma. He's done so many things to keep my spirits up and keep me fighting that it’s hard to name one thing. He's always available when I need him and has done wonders coordinating my treatment, helping my transplant docs talk to my oncologist, and keeping my meds in order with the pharmacy. I couldn't do this without him. We're both into retro video games/arcade games, and each time I would come in for chemo, Hank would bring in a handheld video game for me to play... something different from his collection each time. Really helped with the wait while the pharmacy mixed up my chemo. We've become good friends. He's a very special guy who I really appreciate.

Hank was also nominated by a patient's fiancé, who wrote:

For the past six months, Hank went above and beyond to provide exceptional care to my fiancé while he went through one of the toughest stages of life. Every two weeks, we spent hours in the oncology department with chemo treatments. He was able to provide great communication and friendly chatter to make my fiancé feel comfortable. He knew and remembered all of his preferences, regardless of how many patients he had seen day in and day out. He listened to me when I needed to advocate for additional treatment, and he was never bothered when I brought my nursing questions to the table. We are beyond thankful for the care we received, and Hank was a constant friendly face any time we entered the department.

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 Southeast Division DAISY Award winners receive a pin and certificate, a statuette of “The Healer's Touch,” and a banner and cinnamon rolls for their department.

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

Amanda Przybylski ~ Ashleigh Halverson ~ Soua Xiong

Amy Weeks ~ Linnea Kluck ~ Ginny Jagodzinski

Welcome to Our New Southeast Division Team Members

Amanda Frederick

Registered Nurse

Behavioral Health

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Amanda Lukasavage

Certified Nursing Assistant

Med Surg

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Debora Ortega

Certified Medical Assistant

Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Illinois Avenue

Jody Allard

Occupational Health Nurse

Business Health

Aspirus Stevens Point Occupational Health

Jon Streckert

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Therapy

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Kayleigh Davis

Supply Chain Technician

Supply Chain Operations

& Logistics

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

New Moms Class Featured in Business Council Video

Our New Moms Class at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital was this week's featured event for the Portage County Business Council's "Monday Mornings with Mike" video.

The weekly videos are broadly shared by the Portage County Business Council to promote the upcoming week's area events.

Our New Moms Class is held in the Garden Room of the hospital's cafeteria every Monday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. All new moms are invited to attend. The class is free, and no registration is needed.

View Video

New Moms Class Details

Labor Day Meal at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

A Green Solution for a Healthier Tomorrow

Trees and other plants create a healthier, less stressful environment for our patients, visitors, staff and community. Planting even one tree makes a difference.

That's why our Aspirus Stevens Point/Plover Hospital Tree Campus Healthcare Committee has been adding to the plantings that surround our facilities.

In June, our Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital campus additions included a tree as well as a butterfly garden comprised of black-eyed susans and twilight zone grass.

Submitted by our Aspirus Stevens Point/Plover Hospital Tree Campus Healthcare Committee

Learn More About How Trees Improve Our Overall Health

Monitor Upgrade an Example of First Two Years with Aspirus

August marks the two-year anniversary of the Stevens Point community's partnership with Aspirus Health.

Over the past two years, Aspirus has invested more than $2 million to support improvements to Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital that ensure the highest quality health care for patients and the community.

The most significant capital investment was a complete upgrade of patient monitors, allowing for improved access to data history, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, central monitoring, and enhanced alarm systems with bedside monitors. A total of 114 patient monitors were purchased for locations throughout the hospital, including the emergency department, intermediate care unit, radiology, surgery, medical/surgical unit, cardiac catheterization lab, and intensive care unit.

"These are needed investments in our community hospital that we have been able to provide because of the support we receive as part of the Aspirus Health system, along with philanthropic gifts we receive from generous donors," said Bob Smith, president of the Aspirus Southeast Division. "We are thankful to be part of an organization with a strong mission for healing people, promoting health and strengthening communities. And we are grateful for the continued support and generosity of our community."

Pictured: Registered nurses (from left) Haley White, Kay Woller and Rebecca Ciesielski demonstrate one of Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital’s 114 new patient monitors.

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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!