Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Caring Club House Grateful for Blanket Donations
The Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation is incredibly grateful for the students at the Watertown Christian School! Together, the students made and donated 16 warm and fuzzy blankets to patients staying at the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House. When Principal Nancy Weber contacted the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation about the students’ desire to keep this donation in the community, it meant so very much. As she said, ‘Our students are the hands and feet of God, doing good works in His name by showing care and compassion for others.’ The students and teachers held a special service to bless the donated blankets. Patients who are guests of the Caring Club House are already appreciating them!
The Prairie Lakes Caring Club House serves as a “home away from home” providing lodging for out of town patients, caregivers and family members who are receiving care through Prairie Lakes. As a regional medical center, more people from the region come to Prairie Lakes for specialty medical care. Nearly 1,000 guests are served each year.
Funded and furnished completely through community support and donations, the Caring Club House is a not-for-profit, community-based project of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, with support from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Annual operating costs of the Caring Club House are approximately $17,000. The contribution of these blankets will truly bring comfort to the patients staying there.
Watertown Christian students donating blankets to Alison Gilbertson, Foundation Director (lower right).
Published in
News and Announcements
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Awarded for Emergency Care
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has been named a recipient of the Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care for a third consecutive year. This evidence-based designation is the only Emergency Care award that identifies the country’s best healthcare institutions based on robust criteria that considers female patient satisfaction, clinical excellence, and what women state that they want from a hospital.
“Receiving this award for the third consecutive year recognizes the emergency care team’s dedication to our patients’ health,” said Jill Fuller, CEO. “Receiving emergency care is often stressful and Prairie Lakes is proud of our staff and their commitment to providing patients with a positive experience.”
The America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care are hospitals that consistently rank among the best of the 3,800 hospitals reporting on the performance of their respective Emergency Departments. They are judged on the following Emergency Department performance measures reported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
- Average number of minutes before outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack received an ECG,
- Average time patients spent in the Emergency Department, before they were admitted to the hospital as an inpatient,
- Average time patients spent in the Emergency Department before they were seen by a healthcare professional,
- Average time patients spent waiting in the Emergency Department, after the doctor decided to admit them as an inpatient, but before leaving the Emergency Department for their inpatient room,
- Average time patients spent in the Emergency Department before being sent home,
- Average time patients who came to the Emergency Department with broken bones had to wait before receiving pain medication,
- Percentage of patients who came to the Emergency Department with stroke symptoms who received brain scan results within 45 minutes of arrival,
- Percentage of patients who left the Emergency Department before being seen.
Each of the measures indicated above were weighted according to a survey of over 1,000 women on their relative priority, and listed above in order of importance. Points were then totaled for all measures, per hospital. Those hospitals with total scores that placed them in the top 10% nationally, earned the Women’s Choice Award.
“We have found that recommendations are an important consideration used by women in selecting a hospital for themselves and their family. By helping women know which hospitals in their area provide the best critical care, we are able to help them make better decisions, especially when it comes to emergency situations,” says Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women’s Choice Award.
For more information on the 2016 America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/awarded/best-hospitals/emergency-care/
Photo (left to right):
- Jolene Comes, Emergency Department Resource Nurse
- Monica Everson, Emergency Department Resource Nurse
- Jill Fuller, President and CEO
- Jody Foster, Emergency Department Director
- Dr. Singh, Emergency Department Medical Director
- Dr. Scipione, Emergency Department Physician
- Dr. Bear, Emergency Department Physician
- Stefanie Robinson, Emergency Department Resource Nurse and Trauma Nurse Leader
- Shelly Turbak, Chief Nursing Officer
- Sara Jorgenson, Emergency Department Resource Nurse
Published in
News and Announcements
Monday, January 11, 2016
Browse Gift Shop Items Online
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is excited to announce the availability to view items for purchase in the Prairie Lakes Gift Shop. To view items, visit www.prairielakes.com and click the Gift Shop page under the Patients & Visitors tab.
To make a purchase, shoppers may call the Gift Shop at 882-7843 during hours of operation to speak to a volunteer to place an order using a credit card. Volunteers will then deliver the purchased item to the patient’s room to brighten their day. If there is no answer, please leave a message and the volunteer will return your call.
Patients, families and the general public are always welcome to peruse the Gift Shop adjacent to the main lobby of the hospital to see the unique merchandise during hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm. All proceeds from the Gift Shop support the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation.
Published in
News and Announcements
Sunday, January 03, 2016
Welcome the First Baby of 2016
Corey Jager of Hayti welcomed her new baby girl Raelynne Kay Jager at 9:07 p.m. January 1st, weighing 7 lbs 10 oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches in length. Raelynne is the first baby to be born at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in Watertown for the 2016 year.
Published in
News and Announcements
Monday, November 30, 2015
PLHS Volunteer Receives Award
Dodie Chase started volunteering at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in 1998. November 18th in the presence of her family, co-volunteers, Prairie Lakes staff and friends the Volunteers of America presented Dodie with their "Caught You Making a Difference" award. We thank Dodie for making a difference in the lives of patients at Prairie Lakes for 27 years!
Published in
News and Announcements
Monday, December 14, 2015
Staff and Volunteers Bake for Hospice
Thank you to all Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and Sodexo staff who donated holiday goodies! Because of their kindness and generousity, 104 boxes of goodies were delivered to Prairie Lakes Home Health and Hospice patients.
Published in
News and Announcements
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Holiday Donation to Cancer Center Patients
At the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center gift bags sit under the tree thanks to the Pink Ladies Dart League. The donated gift bags contain items to comfort patients; including, snacks, lotion, warm socks, water, chapstick, crossword puzzles, hand sanitizer, and tissues. The Pink Ladies are uplifting spirits of cancer patients this holiday season as a part of their mission to make a difference in the community. Since their establishment in July the Pink Ladies have raised funds for several causes through raffles and tournaments.
Published in
News and Announcements
Monday, November 09, 2015
Premature Birth Report Card
November is Prematurity Awareness Month® and when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on premature birth. The awareness month kicks off with the release of the Premature Birth Report Card and reports on premature births down to the county. The United States earned a "C". With a grade of "C," the United States as a whole has a long way to go in reducing our preterm birth rate. In the U.S., 1 in 10 babies is born too soon, and the preterm birth rate is higher than that of most high-income countries.
South Dakota earned a "B" grade with a preterm birth rate of 8.5% and Codington County earned a "A" grade with a preterm birth rate of 6.8%.
"The last weeks of pregnancy are crucial to a baby’s health because many vital organs, including the brain and lungs, are still developing," said Sue Dolen, Director of Obstetric Services at Prairie Lakes. "Prairie Lakes prevents preterm births in our region by reducing the numbers of early elective deliveries unless medically indicated. Prairie Lakes follows the recommendations of the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and American Hospital Association (AHA). There are firm guidelines that prevent physicians from scheduling an elective induction of labor prior to 39 completed weeks of pregnancy. Each birth case is reviewed concurrently and retrospectively with medical staff."
Published in
News and Announcements
Monday, November 02, 2015
Thankful for Hospice
Ileta (Dolly) Gasner experienced helpful and compassionate care provided by the Prairie Lakes Hospice Team with her mother, Thelma Peterson and again with her husband, Terrance.
“(Prairie Lakes) Hospice was good about medication (management) and moral support for the entire family,” said Dolly. “The nurses were upbeat and good natured. They made it easier to get through the difficult times. We don’t know what we would have done without Hospice.”
Reflective of her gratitude, Dolly provided a charitable donation to the Hospice Fund/Give Comfort through the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation. Her desire is for others to benefit from this service like her family has.
If you are interested in providing a gift to the Hospice program, please contact the Foundation at 882-7631. Your gift enables us to continue the very important work of Hospice by enhancing the quality of life for patients and families in the final stages of life.
Published in
News and Announcements
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Quilt Raffle Winner
Congratulations to Donna Zirbes of Watertown who won the beautiful handmade quilt made by Mary Donegan! Proceeds from the quilt raffle go to benefit the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House. Pictured here from left to right are Donna Zirbes, Mary Donegan and Caring Club House Caretaker Linda Page. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Published in
News and Announcements
More...
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
2015 Community Value Five Star® Hospital
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System was recently recognized as a top-ranked Community Value Provider by Cleverley + Associates (Columbus, OH). Cleverley + Associates, a leading healthcare financial consulting firm specializing in operational benchmarking and performance enhancement strategies, released the findings as part of its new publication: State of the Hospital Industry - 2015 Edition.
“For a second time we are honored to be named a Community Value Five Star® hospital,” said Jill Fuller, CEO of Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. “We strive to provide high quality, affordable and compassionate healthcare to people living in Watertown and surrounding communities. This award exemplifies the work we do daily to not only provide the best healthcare and specialty services to the region, but to do so while remaining financially strong and investing in our infrastructure, the continuum of care, and the communities we serve.”
For the twelfth year, the 2015 State of the Hospital Industry reports an exclusive measure developed by Cleverley + Associates: the Community Value Index® (CVI). The CVI is a proprietary index created to offer a measure of the value that a hospital provides to its community. The book outlines the data used to calculate the CVI as well as provides a list of the Top 100 and all Five-Star (top quintile) hospitals.
“The topic of hospital value is increasingly being discussed. Issues of pricing and community benefit have been well-publicized but little has been offered to measure the broad scope of value,” adds James Cleverley, co-author. “In response, the Community Value Index® was created to provide an assessment of a hospital’s performance in four areas: financial strength and reinvestment, cost of care, pricing, and quality. Fundamentally, the CVI suggests that a hospital provides value to the community when it is financially viable, is appropriately reinvesting back into the facility, maintains a low cost structure, has reasonable charges, and provides high quality care to patients.”
ABOUT CLEVERLEY + ASSOCIATES
Cleverley + Associates is a Columbus, Ohio-based healthcare data and consulting services firm specializing in custom data analyses and reporting for healthcare providers, consultants, and vendors. The company’s primary focus is to provide healthcare providers with solutions and recommendations that will enhance their financial performance through better pricing decisions; improved coding, capital restructuring, cost and productivity enhancements; and/or investment management changes. For more information, call Cleverley + Associates at 888-779-5663 or visit www.cleverleyassociates.com.
Published in
News and Announcements
Monday, October 05, 2015
Welcome Dr. Addo, Medical Oncologist
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System welcomes Ferdinand E. K. Addo, MD, oncologist and hematologist. He joins staff at the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center; including, Bipin Amin, MD, Jeffrey Brindle, MD, and Kristina Rieffenberger, CNP.
Dr. Addo is board certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He served patients in Bismarck, N.D. for over twenty five years. The Prairie Lakes Cancer Center welcomes his extensive oncology and hematology experience.
“My approach to care is personable and patient focused,” said Dr. Addo. “I am committed to providing high quality cancer care in a community setting.”
Dr. Addo received his medical degree from University of Ghana Medical School in Legon, Accra, Ghana. He completed residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. and completed fellowships in both oncology and hematology at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
You may schedule an appointment with Dr. Addo by calling the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center at 605-882-6800. A referral is not required to schedule an appointment.
Published in
News and Announcements
Monday, September 14, 2015
The Coffee Cup’s Donation Warms Spirits
The Coffee Cup Fuel Stop near Summit, South Dakota is a strong supporter of patients at the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center.
In 2014, Caribou Coffee inside the Coffee Cup Fuel Stop raised 37 pounds to donate to cancer patients. Now that cold weather is coming soon, Caribou Coffee raised the bar and donated 40 pounds of their smoothest blend, La minita Peaberry, and coffee making supplies.
The donation is valued around $1,200 worth of coffee. A 1 lb. bag of La minita Peaberry usually cost about $21.99. Caribou Coffee, local businesses, community members and Caribou Coffee employees supported the cause to bring gourmet coffee to cancer patients.
La minita Peaberry is a silky pure light roast with cherry like flavor, notes of sweet milk chocolate and a smooth nutty finish. Most coffee cherries develop two seeds. Only around 7% of all the coffee in the world develops just one seed, resulting in this coffee's concentrated favors. These one seeded coffee cherries are called a pea berry.
“This is one of my personal favorites and I want to thank everyone who helped contribute to this wonderful cause,” said Caribou Coffee Manager, Joshua Simpson. “I encourage anyone who wants to make a contribution that it will make a definite impact with our upcoming fall donation.”
Watch this story on KSFY here: http://www.ksfy.com/home/headlines/Caribou-Coffee-Donates-to-Cancer-Center---328439981.html
Purchasing Amy’s Blend at any Caribou Coffee in October will benefit CancerCare. CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization committed to helping people cope with cancer through counseling, support, education, and financial assistance. Caribou Coffee on Highway 81 in Watertown and Caribou Coffee in Summit are holding separate fundraisers of coffee for the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center; in addition to the chain’s promotion.
Published in
News and Announcements
Monday, August 31, 2015
Hospital Hill Run Donation to the Caring Club House
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System held the 19th Annual Hospital Hill Run. Approximately 106 runners and 84 walkers participated to raise money for the Prairie Lakes Caring Club House, a service of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation. Two thousand dollars was generously donated to the Caring Club House, located on Prairie Lakes’ campus in Watertown, SD. Shown presenting the check are members of the Hospital Hill Run Committee: Tom Beaudry, Dr. Dan Reiffenberger, Barb McBrien and Kris Munger. Gratefully accepting this donation are Alison Gilbertson, Executive Director of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation and Linda Page, Caring Club House Caretaker.
The Prairie Lakes Caring Club House exists to meet the hospitality needs of out-of-town patients, families and caregivers who receive services through Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. As Prairie Lakes grows as a regional medical center more people come to Watertown for their healthcare needs. As part of our mission to provide compassionate care, we are proud to offer his special home to help ease the burdens individuals may face during a medical experience. Volunteers assist guests daily at the Caring Club House; approximately 1,000 guests are served each year.
Funded and furnished completely through community support and donations, the Caring Club House is a not-for-profit, community-based project of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, with support from Prairie Lakes Healthcare System. Annual operating costs of the Caring Club House are $17,000. All contributions of time, materials and monetary donations are welcome and extremely appreciated. Gifts are tax deductible. To learn more about how you can help, please call the Foundation office at 605-882-7631.
Published in
News and Announcements
We can help you find a doctor. Call 605-882-7000 or search online.