November 3, 2023

Abe Anderson, Caring Kind recipient, honored at NHA banquet

Abe Anderson, CRNA, Great Plains Health Anesthesiology, is the Great Plains Health Caring Kind Award recipient for 2023.

A longstanding tradition of the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA), the award pays tribute to outstanding healthcare employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with coworkers and dedication to excellence in the role they play at their facility.

Each year, NHA member hospitals and health care systems select one person from their organization to recognize at the NHA’s annual convention and special awards luncheon, held October 27 in La Vista.

“Abe is a wonderful example of being genuine, which is one of our Great Plains Health values," said Ivan Mitchell, Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “He is friendly, approachable and highly regarded by his patients and colleagues alike. We couldn't be more pleased to celebrate his hard work with this award.”

In the anesthesia department, Abe takes the time to talk with patients and explain their plan of care in a way that patients and their loved ones understand.

His nomination read in part, “Abe has a way of connecting with people that puts them at ease. He is an exceptional provider and an even better person.”

More than 2,800 caring, skilled and dedicated health care professionals have received this award since its inception in 1979. The award program showcases the exemplary work and care hospital employees provide every day throughout the year.

Leadership Institute graduates

Congratulations to our GPHealth graduates from the NHA Leadership Institute:

• Alex Wilkerson, director of emergency services
• Elisha Pueppka-Widick, director of cardiopulmonary services
• Mary Roberts, marketing manager

They were recognized at an awards banquet on October 25 in La Vista. The program is designed to give hospital leaders tools and resources to develop their skills.

In-person Foundation gala returns Dec. 1

The Great Plains Health Care Foundation is hosting its annual gala starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 1 at Venue 304, returning to an in-person event for the first time since 2019.

“The theme of the event is, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ just like the holiday movie that shows how each person’s life makes an important impact on others,” said Megan McGown, Great Plains Health Chief Development Officer and Foundation director. “We see that impact happening each and every day through the lives of our Foundation donors who come together to improve the patient experience.”

Proceeds support the construction of a pediatric rehab space within the new Sports and Therapy and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation center. Whether a child needs speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy or all three types of therapy – this project provides children a space that is specific for every part of their developmental journey.

The gala features an exquisite dinner by North 40 Chophouse, a live auction presented by Rod Wright, upscale silent auction and music by Night Sounds Entertainment.

“We are grateful for our committee chairpersons, Shreya Agrawal and Karen Knisley, who have dedicated countless hours of their time to make this an unforgettable and meaningful gala,” added McGown. “We also appreciate committee members Laura Troshynski, Nancy Faulhaber, Mary Roberts and Foundation staff Bailey Trusty for their commitment and hard work.”

There is a limited number of tickets. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit gphealth.org/gala or email [email protected]

To do: complete wellness screening by Nov. 15

The end of the wellness program year is approaching!

There are changes to the wellness deadline and submission location.

The last day to get your information submitted is earlier this year than it has been in the past. All information must be submitted to employee health ([email protected]) by November 15 to get the discount for next year.

As a reminder:

• Spouses are not required to participate this year
• Three preventative exams or visits are required
• Track your flu shot

Don’t procrastinate in getting your visits scheduled. As the year winds down, the available appointments times will fill up quickly!​ See the wellness form here.

Community honors breast cancer awareness month

HERO of the month: Kathy Phares

Congratulations to our October HERO of the month, Kathy Phares.

Kathy was nominated by Lynae Maier. Here is what Lynae said about Kathy:

“Kathy always goes above and beyond not only for our patients, but for our employees as well. With all the changes being made at the Pavilion, she has flowed through it without so much as a stumble. She has shown so much grace with the process of moving two clinics to the new building and acquiring another clinic to move in. the way she calms everyone’s anxiety down shows just how great of a leader she is. She is always willing to speak with patients and employees who have concerns or questions. Kathy is a great example of our mission, vision and values! Thank you Kathy for all that you do!”

Why are you a H.E.R.O club member? I continue to be a HERO club member because it is an easy way to give back to GPH – I know the funds will be used for projects that have a direct impact on patients and staff which ties right into the hospital mission.

What would tell new employees about the H.E.R.O club? The HERO club is an easy way as a new employee to become involved at GPH. One less fancy coffee a pay period and you have your funds set aside! And nothing feels better than when you can be a part of a Foundation Grant that directs HERO club funds into your clinical area to make a positive impact on patient care.

What do you like most about the H.E.R.O club? I like the fact that grants through the HERO club are employee driven – Employees come up with the ideas for their area, apply for the funds and then get to see just how their work and effort pay off for patient care. Employee lead activities are often the most meaningful for us all.

What project or activity is your favorite that the H.E.R.O club does and supports? Again, I love seeing the efforts that staff put into HERO club applications for grant funds, and when their application is approved for their clinical area, it is a great win for patients as well as staff.

Leader of the quarter: Dana Dowler

Congratulations to Dana Dowler, engineering director and co-safety officer, who is honored as the leader of the quarter for Q3.

He was surprised with the award on Thursday in safety huddle.

"He's the guy you can always count on. He is a great teammate and we are proud to have him," said Summer Owen, CFO.

His positive spirit and work ethic were key throughout the entire process of building the GPHealth OSMB. We appreciate all he does daily!

Clinic celebrates Orthopaedic Nurses Week

Orthopaedic Nurses Week is October 30 to November 3.

Orthopaedic nurses care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions that require special care to help patients overcome functional limitations and injuries.

Pain management, mobility, post-operative care and healing rise to the top of priorities for this specialty. We benefit from the joy and gratification that comes with seeing our orthopaedic patient make progress, whether it be standing for the first time after surgery, walking independently after years of using an assistive device or having quality time with their family and friends.

Submitted by: Jill Stevenson MSN, RN, ONC, Patient Navigator Joint Replacement Program

Team shoutout: Pavilion serves community

The GPHealth team at the North Platte Health Pavilion got together and wanted to do a winter blanket drive to help keep the community warm.

Together, the team collected more than 30 blankets!

They will be separating the blankets to Deborah's Legacy, Bridge of Hope, RDAP, and the Connection shelter. We also collected towels for the Animal Shelter! We wanted to ensure that they can stay warm during these winter months. 

Epic documentation for Daylight Savings Time end

• ​Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 5. 
• At 2 a.m., clocks will be turned backwards one hour. 
• Please review the  One Chart - Daylight Savings Time Guide on how to document during the time change.

DST: Plum 360 pump interoperability

• Complete a Pump Rate Verify as close to the first 0159 as possible (prior to time change) 
• Messages from Epic to the pump will be turned off during the second 0100-0200 hour (after time change)
• Manually enter volumes that occur during the second 0100-0200 hour in flowsheets (intake/output) 
• Manually chart rate changes (titrations) that occur during the second 0100-0200 hour and add a note that the changes were made during the extra hour. If an infusion is stopped during this time, the RN must manually document stop on the MAR and disassociate the pump. 
• At 0201, documentation from the pump to One Chart will continue with normal documentation workflow 
• If information is not communicating from the pump to One Chart after 0201 complete the following: Power down the pump, press “On”, select “No” to new patient, press “Start” for each infusion. 
• If an infusion was initiated during the second 0100-0200 hour, the RN must complete a Back Association after 0201.

If you place EMG orders, this Epic update is for you

• Great Plains Health welcomed Dr. Sorenson and her team to our organization on 11.1.23.
• With this transition, EMGs will be ordered internally by placing ambulatory referrals to the appropriate clinics/providers for which you would like the EMG to be performed. This will ensure the order appears to the correct scheduling department.
• Click Here to review the changes. 

Happy (Belated) Halloween!

Earlier this week, our littlest of patients at Great Plains Health arrived just in time to celebrate their first holiday with some fun Halloween costumes.

Elizabeth Clair, RNC-LRN, shared the following message about the activity on the second floor:

"We had so many babies over the weekend with a beautiful harvest moon that we wanted to share their cute costumes that are made and sent to us by Connected Forever. We got to work on Tuesday with 10 babies and delivered #11 before noon. This is the most babies I've seen for a very long time, and I've been here a very long time!"

Department spotlight: GPHealth Wound Healing Center

The Great Plains Health Wound Healing Center offers patients access to state-of-the-art outpatient clinical wound care.

They specialize in advanced wound care, using a variety of clinical treatments, therapies and support services to treat chronic wounds, including the region's only hyperbaric chambers.

Wound care physicians: Eduardo Freitas, MD, infectious disease, Clinton Schafer, MD, podiatry, and Jacob Wiesen, MD, general surgery.

Who may benefit from our specialized care?

A patient with a wound that has not begun to heal in two weeks or is not completely healed in six weeks may benefit from the proven, best-practice methodologies at the Wound Healing Center.

Indications for wound therapy include:

Diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds, neuropathic ulcers, vasculitis, pressure ulcers, burns, ischemic ulcers, peristomal skin irritations, venous insufficiency, traumatic wounds, ostomy care and other chronic non-healing wounds.

Individualized treatment plans may include:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, wound dressing, bioengineered skin grafting, compression therapy, debridement, edema management, noninvasive vascular assessment, allografting/autografting and negative pressure wound therapy

For more information about wound healing, call 308.568.8648.

Reminder: Employee health location and Responder 4 change

Employees are reminded that employee health is now located by diagnostic imaging in the space where wound care used to be located before wound care moved to its current spot in 2017. See the attached map for more information.

In addition, biomed has renamed the employee health office for Responder 4 code blue from “outpatient C1” to “employee health.” For more information on Responder 4, please contact biomed at Ext. 7820

Thank you, APPs!

GPHealth hosted an appreciation gathering on Monday, October 16 at the Cedar Room for our advanced practice providers (APPs).

We had a good turnout and enjoyed some good food and company with lots of fun conversations.

We appreciate our APPs for being an integral part of our healthcare teams and for their work to ensure continuity of care and individualized treatment.

2024 ADVANCE Clinical Ladder cohort

After review by the ADVANCE cl​inical ladder committee, the following individuals have been accepted to the GPHealth 2024 ADVANCE clinical ladder program.

Their involvement in this program will build upon their current clinical skills, knowledge, expertise and recognize them for their efforts.

Congratulations to:

• Outpatient Rheumatology: Lisa Hoskovec
• Women’s Services: Hannah Kamau, Elizabeth Kerchal, Hayley Jenny
• Critical Care: Rosemary Osafo, Taylor Bergstrand, Ashley Sherwood
• Medical Surgical: Abigail Franzen
• Emergency Room: Ann Marie Baker
• Hearth Catheterization Lab: Nathan Holthusen

Timecard adjustments for DST ending

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 5 at 2 a.m.

Timecard adjustments:

• If you are working Sunday during these early hours, you will be able to clock in and out normally and will not need to adjust your timecard, this will be done automatically for you.
• Please keep in mind that you will be paid for the total hours that you are here working. If you have questions about your timecard, please refer those to your manager.

On-call time:

• If you are on-call Sunday morning at 2 a.m., during the time change hour, your total hours will increase by one hour with the time change.
• If you are on-call "all day" on Sunday, you will be on-call for 25 hours.
• Please adjust your on-call time accordingly.

For more information, please call Becky Madsen, payroll supervisor, at Ext. 7426

Lab system downtime: Nov. 5

• There will be a la​b system downtime on Sunday, November 5, 2023, beginning at 1:55 a.m. (0155) and ending at 2:05 AM (0205) for a total of 70 minutes due to the fall back time change and the repeated hour. Please begin downtime procedures for LAB to collect ORDERS ONLY at 0:55 AM on Sunday.
•  Applications affected: Sunquest Lab System, and Laboratory Point of Care systems.
• Nurse to collect orders (i.e. urinalysis, blood gases, and cultures except blood cultures) – continue to place and process orders in EPIC as normal. This process is not affected. These are orders where an EPIC requisition normally prints. Lab generated collection labels will be unavailable.
• Lab to collect orders (i.e. CBC, Electrolytes) – use downtime procedures. Any order where a blood specimen is drawn by lab or nursing using lab generated collection labels.
• The lab’s collect application will be unavailable.
• Laboratory Point of Care systems – All forms of the Laboratory Point of Care systems can be used throughout the downtime. Results will not appear in EPIC until the downtime has concluded. 
• The affected Laboratory Point of Care systems include the following: Inform meters – glucose, ISTAT meters – ABGs, ACTs and other chemistry tests, Coag Inform II meters – INR
• If you have questions or concerns regarding this downtime please contact the lab front desk at Ext. 7450.

"I had a great experience with Dr. Rubenthaler. She listened and took my concerns seriously and was sure to make me confident that answers were to be found. Thank you for your intentional care! It made all the difference to see a smile on the doctor's face and have everything explained to me one on one with the provider." - Online review, Great Plains Family Medicine