August 2016 - Lancaster General Health

August 2016
“I’m doing this because I love you, I don’t need anything special”
Organ donation story creates unexpected bond among family members
Nearly 10 years ago, Mark
Farnham was a healthy dadof-three preparing for his
40th birthday.
the surgery and today I’m just
as active,” he added.
“We were thrilled when LG
Health partnered with Penn
Medicine,” said Adrienne
Farnham. “Transplant services
here give us easy access to
Penn without having to make
that trip to Philly.”
A routine doctor
appointment followed by
further testing revealed a
diagnosis of IgA nephropathy,
or Berger’s disease.
Farnham’s kidneys were
functioning at 23 percent.
This year, the Farnhams
“They told me I would need a
became grandparents for the
transplant within a year,” he
first time when their oldest
recalled. “Which was crazy
daughter welcomed a baby
because I had no symptoms,”
boy. Their second daughter
Adrienne and Mark Farnham with their three children, Kelcey,
he said. “I had just started a
is an ICU nurse in Virginia.
Katelyn and Ryan.
PhD program and was coaching
“Our experiences really made an
in-law Tom Vietti was identified as a
all three of my kids’ sports’ teams.”
impression
on her,” Farnham said. “She
match, both patients went through
saw
the
amazing
care we received at
additional testing and “the rest was
Farnham was sent to Penn Medicine,
Penn
Medicine
and
LG Health, and
just scheduling a convenient time for
where he was prescribed medication
decided she wanted to be an intensive
everyone,” Farnham joked.
to hold off the need for a transplant
care nurse.” And Farnham, who works
– an effort that was successful for
at Lancaster Bible College, has the
On June 3, 2010, which happened
five years. In the summer of 2009,
opportunity to work with his son who
to be the Farnham’s 21st wedding
Farnham’s condition took a turn for the anniversary, Mark Farnham and
is pursuing a ministry career. “Our
worse and his kidney function dropped Vietti underwent surgery – removing
children are thriving and I’m so blessed
to about 14 percent. “I was added to
to be able to watch them grow into
a kidney from Vietti and giving it to
the transplant list,” he said. “But the
adulthood,” he said.
Farnham.
doctors told us that could take four to
five years.”
June 3, will forever be a special date
“I don’t want any special recognition,”
for Farnham. It’s the day he celebrates
Vietti said before surgery. “I’m just
Farnham’s wife, Adrienne, a former
his wedding anniversary with his wife;
doing this because I love you.”
school teacher and now executive
and it’s the day he celebrates his
assistant at LG Health, and the rest
second chance at life.
Now, more than six years after the
of his family jumped to action, going
surgery, both men continue to be
through testing to see if they may be
To learn more about organ donation,
healthy and the family has much to
a match. In February 2010, his older
visit www.donors1.org.
celebrate. “Life is good,” Farnham
sister’s husband was tested – he was
said. “I immediately felt better after
a match. Once Farnham’s brother-
President’s Message
Several national distinctions awarded to Lancaster General Hospital
By Jan Bergen, President & CEO
Today’s patients
are actively
engaged in
managing their
own health and
making informed
healthcare
decisions.
Fortunately,
consumers can
turn to several
trusted sources for guidance on where to find safe, reliable
and effective care. I’m proud to tell you that Lancaster
General Hospital has recently earned several national
distinctions for quality and safety.
LGH is recognized among U.S. News & World Report’s
Best Hospitals for 2016-17, ranking No. 5 among
Pennsylvania hospitals. LGH also ranked “best” nationally in
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, and Pulmonology. Our “high
performing” specialties include Diabetes & Endocrinology,
Geriatrics, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, and
Orthopedics.
Our Penn Medicine sister hospitals, Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian, earned
exceptional ratings. The Penn hospitals ranked ninth
nationally and No. 1 in Pennsylvania, earning “best” rankings
in 11 specialties and “high performing” in four more.
LGH recently achieved the American Nurses Credentialing
Center’s prestigious Magnet Recognition for the fourth
consecutive time. Magnet is the highest national honor for
excellence in professional nursing practice.
There are 441 Magnet-designated healthcare organizations
worldwide and 27 in Pennsylvania, including all five of
Penn Medicine’s acute-care facilities. LGH is just the third
Pennsylvania hospital to achieve Magnet recognition four
times.
LGH’s dedication to patient safety earned an “A” grade in
The Leapfrog Group’s most recent Hospital Safety Score,
which rates how well hospitals protect patients from
preventable medical errors, injuries and infections. This gold
standard rating for patient safety helps patients and families
who are facing a hospital stay to easily identify a safe place
to receive care.
Lancaster General Health has no higher priority than
providing safe, high-quality, compassionate healthcare to all
of our patients. We also recognize the importance of sharing
this critical information transparently with all consumers, so
they can make informed healthcare decisions.
We can all be very proud of these national distinctions for
excellence, which affirm our commitment to our patients
and align with our mission to advance the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. Thank you for your
exceptional dedication to quality, safety and our patients,
every day.
Customer Service Hall of Fame
Honoring staff members named in patient surveys
Lancaster General Hospital
Children’s Health Center: Deb Rutter, RN
4 East: Stephanie Ulrich, RN; Bridgett Daly, RN; Kimberly Parker, RN; Annaliese
Eickholz, RN; Lisa Doutrich, RN; Allison Duckworth, PtCA; Marco Ceroone, Food
Service; Sanda Stefanescu, Housekeeper; Muhammad Tahir, PtCA; Ryan Bair, RN;
Lakkyn Prinkey, PtCA; Louise Babikow RN; Sarah Mihajlov, Volunteer; Katrina
Evans, RN; Zelinette Valentin, USC/PtCA; Myrna Mairana, RN; David Fries, PtCA;
Ashley Thomas, RN; Shirley Senda, RN; Joshua Padilla, PtCA; Steve Sauder,
Transport; Michelle Nissly, PT; Jodi Sandhaw, PAC
4 West: Amanda Shea Miller, RN
4 Lime: Matt Lewis, PtCA; TJ Pepo, PtCA; Arlene Reed, RN; Lisa George, RN; Laura
Houck, RN; Ken Robinson, PtCA; Joseph Lippart, PtCA; Diana Vanderslice, RN;
Steph George, RN; Lisa McGoveron, RN; Jen Kiscaden, RN
5 East: Walter Stewart, PtCA
6 Lime: Autumn Kunes, RN; Cierra Iddings, RN; Alicia Snyder, RN; Joe Horst, RN
6 East: Ellie Frank, RN
7 West: Mullen Walton, RN; Hanna Schooley, BSN, RN; Kelly Rittenhouse, RN; Kelly
Pergolese, RN; Crystal Brunson, PtCA; Danny Rehak, PtCA
Our Mission
To advance the health and well-being of
the communities we serve.
Our Vision
Delivering on the promise of a
healthier future.
The Experience is a monthly publication
for employees of Lancaster General
Health.
Contact: Corporate Communications
Melissa Frill Esterly, Editor
mesterly2@lghealth.org
Adding a little adventure to fitness
Fitness series encourages exploration of local outdoor activities
Lancaster General Health’s
MyHealthyLiving Employee
Wellness Program team
coordinates various
wellness challenges and
fitness opportunities for
LG Health employees. The
adventure Series is among
those opportunities.
Typically held on a
Saturday every other
month, the Adventure
Series invites employees
and their families to explore
outdoor activities, such as
walking, hiking or biking.
had a fantastic turnout,”
Kline added. “The event
was an engaging fitness
opportunity for all who
attended.”
Interested in learning
more about the
Adventure Series?
More than two dozen LG Health employees and family members are
ready for their kayaking adventure at Shank’s Mare.
In July, more than two dozen LG
Health employees and family
members took to the water to
kayak at Shank’s Mare Outfitters
in Wrightsville. “This was our
first event where we ventured
away from hikes on land and
tried an event on the water,”
said Brynn Kline, Manager of
Corporate Health. The event,
which was coordinated by Exercise
Physiologist George Cattell, filled
to capacity in record time. “We
The next Adventure will
occur in September. Visit
the MyHealthyLiving
Fitness StarNet page to
learn about upcoming
Adventure Series events.
Interested employees
can sign up through
MyLearning.
Mark your calendar: upcoming dates to know
Jan Bergen and LG Health leaders invite all employees to attend
employee meetings.
• BURLE | HR Conference Center at Noon-1 p.m. on Sept. 16.
• Lancaster General Hospital | Stager at Noon-1 p.m. on Sept. 20
and 3-4 p.m. on Sept. 28.
• Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute | Seraph Room at Noon-1
p.m. on Sept. 28.
• Women & Babies Hospital | Conference Center at Noon-1 p.m. on Sept. 30.
LG Health United Way Day of Caring and campaign kickoff.
• Day of Caring is Saturday, Sept 10. Employees and their families are invited to sign up for a volunteer event. See
StarNet for more information.
• The LG Health United Way campaign kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
The AHA Heart Walk is on Saturday, Sept. 17.
• Join the Heart & Vascular Institute Team or create your own LG Health team.
LG Health Experience Week is Oct. 10 to 14.
• LG Health will celebrate our many successes during fiscal year 2016.
Lancaster General Hospital earns Magnet designation
LGH one of 30 hospitals to achieve recognition four or more times
“This is a testament to our nursing leaders and
staff nurses at the bedside, who have once
again demonstrated immense leadership,
professionalism and collegiality,” said Lanyce
Roldan, Chief Nurse Executive. “They are the
reason we are Magnet and I am so proud to
lead this team.”
Nursing leaders celebrate LGH’s fourth Magnet recognition.
As Jan Bergen shared in her President’s Message, just 441
U.S. healthcare organizations out of more than 6,300 U.S.
hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition.
Pennsylvania is home to 27 hospitals who have achieved
Magnet recognition, including LGH. LGH is also one of three
hospitals in the state to have earned Magnet four or more
times. At the time of LGH’s Magnet Recognition, only 25
hospitals in the nation had earned the honor four times
and five hospitals had earned it five times; placing LGH
among an elite group of 30 hospitals.
To achieve initial Magnet recognition,
organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy
process that demands widespread participation
from leadership and staff. This process
includes an electronic application, written
documentation that describes the evidence of
meeting the rigorous Magnet standards, an onsite visit, and a review by the Commission on
Magnet Recognition.
Healthcare organizations must reapply for Magnet
recognition every four years based on adherence to
Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in
patient care and quality. An organization reapplying for
Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to
demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved
Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the fouryear period since the organization received its most recent
recognition.
Lancaster General Hospital ranked nationally by U.S. News &
World Report
More than 4,500 hospitals were
evaluated by U.S. News & World
Report’s for their performance in
nine inpatient surgical procedures
and chronic conditions: colon cancer
surgery, lung cancer surgery, heart
bypass surgery, aortic valve surgery,
abdominal aortic aneurysm repair,
hip replacement, knee replacement,
heart failure and COPD. 1,628 hospitals
earned the top rating of “high
performing” in at least one category.
Geriatrics, Nephrology, Neurology &
Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics.
LGH is one of 63 hospitals to earn
the “high performing” rating in all
nine types of care. LGH also earned
“high performing” in five other
specialties: Diabetes & Endocrinology,
Other Penn Medicine hospitals
earned top honors in the rankings.
Together, the combined enterprise
of the Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian
The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals
rankings recognize hospitals that excel
in treating patients. The report strives
to identify hospitals that provide highquality care for complicated illnesses
and for common care. It bases the
rankings on factors including patient
outcomes, nurse staffing levels and
surveys of physicians.
Medical Center was ranked as the
9th best hospital in the United States
on the magazine’s “Honor Roll,”
and was ranked first in the state of
Pennsylvania. Chester County Hospital
was ranked 12th in the state.