Pictured: (left) Rhonda Green (center) Rosalie Miller
(right) Kristen Acosta

LJCMC May Employee of the Month is Rosalie Miller

Rosalie Miller has been a loyal employee for over 4 years, working in our Environmental Services department. She is consistent with the quality of her work and can be counted on when needed for help. She is very kind to others in conversation, with a smile that is contagious, brightening the workplace with her positive spirit. It is people like Ms. Miller that keep our patients comfortable and smiling!

Congratulations to Rosalie!

All employees were honored during the week of May 6 for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. The 2013 theme for Hospital Week was "A Guiding Light for Changing Times", which is most appropriate for our ongoing transitions and adjustments through the past year. Please enjoy the slide show with scenes from Employee Activities throughout the week. Much thanks to SLMA for sponsoring the Employee Breakfast and donating door prizes. And as always, we appreciate Burt's Snack Shop team's generosity, providing a wonderful BBQ Rib Luncheon for all to start the week off.

On April 12, 2013, Chabert enjoyed an annual visit from the The Young Learners Program. The program is a unique approach to preparing children for Kindergarten. The philosophy is to "educate" through many opportunities of practice. This program includes hands-on activities that reinforce the shape, sound and use of each letter. Fields trips play a very important role in providing that environment. The Pre-Kindergarten class has visited Chabert Medical Center for 24 years. The tour includes the X-ray dept and a personal visit with the CEO. The children enjoy wearing nurse caps and face masks while talking to the staff about hospital careers. When the community joins schools in educating our young, it is a win-win situation.

Pictured: (left) Rhonda Green (center) Penny Cuneo
(right) Tara Coleman

LJCMC April Employee of the Month is Penny Cuneo

Penny has been a loyal Chabert employee for over 15 years in various nursing roles. She is now the Nurse Chart Auditor for the Compliance Department. Penny is always willing to take on more duties for the betterment of the department and in areas that are short-staffed. She is very conscientious about providing correct information to the different hospital departments, giving prompt answers to questions. She has a positive attitude and is very diligent to complete all documents, keeping the organization on track with regulatory agencies.

Congratulations to Penny!

Pictured: (left) Rhonda Green (center) Joann Smith
(right) Kathleen Champagne

LJCMC April Employee of the Month is Joann Smith

JoAnn Smith has been a dedicated employee since for 8 years. She is a team player and always has a smile on her face. Her organizational skills are an asset to providing the dietary department, providing meals for patients and employees in a professional, safe manner. She is polite with co-workers and has a very pleasant and positive spirit.

Congratulations to Joann!

Chabert employees with May birthdays enjoyed a luncheon on May 16th, 2013. Rhonda Green, Chief Executive Officer shares a celebration every month with employees to have a personalized time to share hospital news and to hear feedback from staff. Employees enjoy special attention and treats, and take this time to elect the Employee of the Month after reviewing all nominations.

It is with sadness that we say goodbye to one of our most loyal and dedicated employees, Paul Coston.  Mr. Coston passed away this week unexpectedly.  Paul was a former employee of the month.   Paul had been employed with Chabert Medical Center since 1998. He was always willing to help others with a warm smile and willing spirit.  His supervisor Kristin Acosta described Paul’s greatest quality as encouraging other department employees to meet the challenge of making our hospital "sparkle and shine."  He will be missed.  We will keep his friends and families in our prayers

The Diabetes Education and Wellness Program hosted its 42nd Diabetes Graduation program on April 12, 2013.  The patients have completed 10 hours of self-management training provided by the American Diabetes Association for Education Recognition guidelines.  Over 2300 patients have completed this program at Chabert Medical Center.

In honor of National Doctor’s Day, all physicians were recognized for the excellent level of care provided year-round.  Annually, our staff votes to choose the doctor of the year and the resident of the year.  This year’s recipients are:

Doctor of the Year: Dr. Robert Perret (pictured here)

Resident of the Year: Dr. Canh Hoang (pictured here)

Congratulations to these two physicians and all physicians for their hard work and dedication to our patients and hospital.  They truly go above and beyond.

Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center has earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) for 2013 by the profession's national organization, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). The AARC is a membership organization representing more than 50,000 health professionals involved in respiratory care nationwide. The recognition program is aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory care services available in hospitals. The QRCR program was started by the AARC in 2003 to help consumers identify those facilities using qualified respiratory therapists to provide respiratory care. Hospitals earning the QRCR designation ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their services. The AARC's QRCR program grew out of growing concerns among health care leaders and the general public regarding the safety and quality of health care services provided to patients. The recognition award places Chabert Medical Center and the Respiratory Care department in an elite membership group as only about 700 hospitals out of the 5,000 hospitals in the U.S. have been named a Quality Respiratory Care institution. In summary, the AARC communication stated: Hospitals that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines, and should be commended for their commitment to quality care. "You should be very proud of this accomplishment. The citizens in your community are lucky to have a facility such as yours, in which they can be assured of receiving the highest standards of respiratory care." A list of QRCR hospitals is maintained at the association's website for consumers, www.YourLungHealth.org .

Lisa Zeringue, Pulmonary Services Respiratory Therapist at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center was recently elected 2013 President of Chapter-7 of the Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care (LSRC). The LSRC is the state affiliate to the professions national organization, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). Since 1947, the AARC has been committed to enhancing the professionalism of respiratory therapists, improving job performance, and helping broaden the scope of knowledge essential to career success. With more than 50,000 members nationwide, the AARC is the only professional society for respiratory therapists in hospitals and with home care companies, managers of respiratory and cardiopulmonary services, and educators who provide respiratory care training. Her official installation took place at the annual business meeting of the LSRC Board of Directors and its membership held in Lafayette on January, 25, 2013. Lisa will immediately assume the leadership role for Chapter-7 representing the interest of credentialed respiratory therapists and students from the parishes of Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, St. Charles, St. Mary, St. James and St. John the Baptist. Congratulations to Lisa for this outstanding honor and recognition and for her efforts in representing the Respiratory Care profession and Chabert Medical Center. Pictured is:(left) Raymond Pisani, 2013 LSRC President and (right) Lisa Zeringue.

The Cancer Resource Center is the first of its kind in the area, and was designed to be the focal point of information for all patients, their families, and the public when they are in need of up-to-date cancer information and resources. The center is located on the 4th floor of the hospital, serving Chabert patients as well as community visitors since March 2010.

Shea Austin, Health Initiatives Representative for the American Cancer Society, wrote the following note, in gratitude for our volunteers.

"Gail Jackson-Wolfe and myself completed an interview with HTV over a week ago . We discussed the importance of needing more volunteers at the Cancer Resource Center and what the center means for the community.

Gail was a pro and a did a wonderful job! Thanks to all the volunteers for all you do for the patients and caregivers in your community and to Chabert Medical Center for the phenomenal partnership.

Those 5 minutes for the duration of the interview flew by and I also wanted to include within the interview how much your dedication, support, and diligence is greatly appreciated. Thanks for helping create more birthdays!

Sincerely,

Shea"

The 16th Annual Health Care Effectiveness Forum was held in Baton Rouge on January 29, 2012.  Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center received Clinical Excellence awards in seven of the nine categories and were recipients of the Clinical Lead award in four of the categories.

In order to receive the Clinical Excellence Award, the program must reach ALL goals and parameters set by the state leads for all disease management initiatives.  Obtaining and sustaining this level of performance takes hard work and organizational dedication.

The Clinical Lead award is determined by the state leads for each initiative.  The awards are presented to those who go above and beyond in order to serve our patients and help reach the goals of the disease management programs.

2012 Disease Management Awards:

Congratulations to all of our winners!

CAP Reaffirms Accreditation of Laboratory Services at
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has reaffirmed the accreditation of laboratory services at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center (LJCMC) in a letter dated December 3, 2012 to LJCMC Pathology Laboratory Medical Director, Jane K. Dry MD. The CAP announced that LJCMC has successfully met the Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP) Standards for Accreditation in the following areas: General Laboratory/Pathology Services, Point of Care Testing (POCT) and the Respiratory Care Blood Gas Laboratory. The announcement followed an extensive onsite survey by a CAP accreditation team in September of this year. During its onsite summation the survey team was very complimentary of the high quality of testing, department organization, quality management programs, and professionalism of staff. CAP, celebrating 50 years as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society serving more than 18,000 physician members and the global laboratory community. It is the world's largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is the worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance and advocates accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care. More than 7,000 laboratories are accredited by the CAP, and approximately 22,000 laboratories are enrolled in the College's proficiency testing programs. The LJCMC laboratory accreditation is valid for a two-year period and may be maintained on a continuous basis relative to meeting certain criteria such as maintaining appropriate written policy and procedures, annual participation in a CAP-accepted proficiency testing program, maintenance of a well educated and credentialed staff, and annual internal evaluation of quality measures and outcomes. In summary, the CAP executive office communication stated; "The Accreditation Committee congratulates you on the accreditation of the laboratory under your direction and the excellence of the services you are providing. We look forward to working with you in the future and commend your achievement of the "gold standard" of laboratory accreditation."

Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center Nurses
Honored at Great 100 Celebration

Six nurses at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center (LJCMC) in Houma, La., were among the Great 100 nurses honored by the Great 100 Nurses Foundation at the 26th annual Great 100 Nurses celebration. The event honors 100 great registered nurses in Louisiana and their contribution to their profession and the state.
LJCMC nurses Mary Lou Carbo, Marguerite Breaux, Charlotte Daigle, Holly Daquana, Tracy Robert and Kelly Trahan were among the 100 nurses chosen to be this year's honorees.
"Without our nurses, the excellent reputation of Chabert wouldn't exist," said Rhonda Green, LJCMC CEO. "The Chabert nurses chosen to be among the Great 100 contribute daily to the hospital's tradition of quality healthcare, and they are to a large degree responsible for the delivery of this healthcare."
The event recognizes exemplary nurses based on their concern for humanity and contribution to their community and the nursing profession. Colleagues, community leaders, physicians, patients and nurses' families nominate nurses for the honor.
Nurse executives, hospital administrators, physicians, community and political leaders, family and friends of this year's 100 honorees as well as past honorees attended the event at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, La., on October 24.
Speaking at the celebration, P.K. Scheerle, chair of Great 100 and founder of the event, discussed the history of the annual recognition and the Great 100 Nurses Foundation. Conceived in 1986, the celebration honors 100 great nurses and their contribution to Louisiana and their profession. Patients, colleagues, community leaders, friends and families of nurses nominate candidates, who are selected based on their concern for humanity, their contribution to the community and the nursing profession.
Funds raised at the event are placed in a dedicated fund called The Great 100 Nurses Foundation, which is housed at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. With no administrative overhead, the foundation will use 100 percent of the fund for this year's efforts, which include media coverage for the nurse heroes, recruitment and retention of experienced nurses at the bedside, healthcare research, publication of nursing advancements and implementation of such advancements.

Pictured for Left to Right: Ken Duet, MA, RRT, LRT (Director of Ancillary Services), Lacy Poiencot, LOTR, CLT (Occupational Therapist), Elise Anderson, LOTR (Occupational Therapist), and John De Lara, PT, DPT, CBIS (Physical Therapy Supervisor)

"Wrapping It Up for Success" Occupational Therapy Department at Chabert Medical Center selected for Susan G. Komen grant award!
The Occupational Therapy Department at Chabert Medical Center was recently selected as a grant recipient for funding by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Bayou Region Affiliate to cover the costs of compression garments/gauntlets and bandaging materials for individuals affected by lymphedema. Participants are largely post-mastectomy due to a diagnosis of breast cancer. Lymphedema is a permanent condition that develops when fluid collects in tissues and results in chronic swelling (edema). Lymphedema can occur anywhere in the body. However, it occurs most often following treatment for cancer and can also occur as a result of trauma to the lymphatic system from injury or surgery. A poorly developed or damaged lymphatic or venous system can also result in lymphedema. Funds will be used to assist in compression garments to reduce the lymphedema in these patients. The targeted population will be those who are uninsured or underinsured in all parishes serviced by the affiliate. The mission of Occupational Therapy practitioners will focus on participation in meaningful activities and work to help their patients minimize the risk of developing or increasing their lymphedema. Occupational therapists will also assist affected individuals to successfully manage their condition and participate in the activities they value.

Pictured for Left to Right: Naveed Awan, former LJC Ancillary Services Director, Dr. LaSandra Barton, LJC Pulmonologist, Ken Duet, LJC Cardiopulmonary Manager, Lisa Zeringue, LJC Pulmonary Lab Therapist, and Shantelle Graves, LSRC President

Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center has been selected by the Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care (LSRC) as the 2012 Hospital of the Year for Respiratory Care for facilities less than 200 beds. The LSRC stated: "the LJCMC team strives to provide the highest quality of Cardiopulmonary Services. The hospital has a respiratory therapy staff that is highly competent, professional, and is committed to providing the highest standard of care." The LSRC created the Hospital of the Year award for Respiratory Care approximately five years ago to recognize those facilities that met or exceeded specific clinical and quality indicators such as: % of respiratory therapy staff with the RRT credential; % of staff with specialized credentials/certifications; % of staff with active American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) membership; % of staff with advanced competencies/skills; use of therapist driven protocols; blood gas laboratory accreditation, efficiency and safety, and overall services offered by the department. In reviewing the hospital's application for the award, the LSRC noted that Chabert supports the growth and development of the respiratory care team through continuing education and fostering accountability and responsibility for sound professional judgment. This hospital believes that aiding and facilitating an interdisciplinary team approach plays an active role in allowing therapists to assess and treat patients according to established policy and protocols resulting in the delivery of exceptional care to patients with respiratory illness. The award was presented at the Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care 42nd Annual Educational Meeting and Conference in Baton Rouge.

Chabert Medical Center received an honorable mention Dorland Health Award on May 9, 2012. The Chabert entry focused on multiple Quality Improvement successes and our Medical Home NCQA accomplishments. Case Management Manager, Wendy Rotolo, RN, MSN, MHA, OCN spearheaded the endeavor, resulting in yet another national acknowledgment for our hospital. Congratulations and thank you to Wendy and her team!

About Dorland Health: http://www.dorlandhealth.com/

Dorland Health, an Access Intelligence, LLC Company, is a leading publisher and media company providing education, training, tools, information resources, guidance and practical advice for practitioners and specialists in the healthcare field. Dorland Health services include the Professional Patient Advocate Institute, Case In Point, Case In Point Weekly, OR Manager, Patient Advocate Report, industry-specific resource directories and reports, conferences and events, webinars, award programs, special reports, and offers continuing education credit.

Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center (LJCMC) has received a 2011 Louisiana Hospital Capstone Quality Award, presented by eQHealth Solutions, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana. The award was announced at the 2012 Louisiana Medicare Quality Summit & Awards hosted by eQHealth Solutions in Baton Rouge on May 3. LJCMC was presented the award for improving the quality of health care for our patients in the clinical areas of heart failure, pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction, and surgical care. The awards for acute care hospitals are based on the Hospital Inpatient Value-Based Purchasing program methodology as per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Final Rule.
Baseline Time Period: April 2009 - March 2010 (one year)
Performance Time Period: April 2010 - March 2011 (one year)

eQHealth Solutions established the award to recognize Louisiana hospitals that successfully implement quality initiatives directed toward improving patient care in the hospital setting, specifically in the areas of: Acute Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, Pneumonia, and Surgical Care. These topics have been designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The quality improvement efforts at LJCMC are led by Tonia Chauvin, RN Supervisor, Shanna Ledet, RN, MSN and Stacey Pellegrin, RN of the Quality Management Department. Medical staff efforts led by Dr. Michael Garcia, Medical Director. The collaborative design has been crucial to the hospital's success in this arena. Specific interventions that have been undertaken to improve the quality of care patients receive include:

"We use proven, evidence-based practices to assure that consistent medical care for all patients is provided," said Quality Management Director, Shane Robichaux, RN, MN. "Our combined efforts were successful in improving the quality of care provided to our patients."

"We are proud of the quality improvement initiatives being carried out at Chabert Medical Center. We are realizing direct benefits as patient health improves and lives are saved," said Rhonda Green, Chief Executive Officer.

The Hospital Capstone Quality Awards are based on select criteria and measured improvements in the specified clinical areas, including the patient satisfaction survey scores. There were 24 hospitals in the state that received the 2011 Louisiana Hospital Capstone Quality Award. For more information about the 2011 Hospital Capstone Quality Awards, please visit http://louisianaqio.eqhs.org

LSU ICON Announces First Round of Pilot Grant Awardees
The LSU's Improving Clinical Outcomes Network (LSU ICON) has announced the recipients of its first round of 2012 Pilot Grants. Four grants with a total of $199,792 were awarded to researchers at LSU Health Care Services Division, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans and Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

The funded grants are:

Effect of Rapid Clinic Follow-up after Hospital Discharge on 30-day Heart Failure Readmission.
PI- Lee Arcement, MD from LSU HCSD
Appropriate Statin Therapy for Heart Failure Patients.
PI- Lee Arcement, MD from LSU HCSD
Prospective Telemedicine Screening for Diabetics at High Risk for Retinopathy.
PI- Jayne Weiss, MD from LSUHSC-NO
Designing Screening Algorithms for Diabetes, Pre-diabetes, Insulin Resistance, and Diabetes Risk Factors.
PI- Ron Horswell, PhD from Pennington Biomedical.


http://lsuicon.org/about/news/20120315.asp

Of the total grants submitted system wide to the LSU ICON network, (all 10 LSU hospitals were eligible to apply plus HCSD main campus plus LSU school of medicine plus LSU school of public health plus pennington) 56 grant applications were sent in for grant review. LJ Chabert/ Dr Lee Arcement submitted a total of 12 proposals (12 of 56 originated from LJC and/or Dr Arcement); of the 4 eventually awarded (see below), two were selected from Chabert;

Dr Phillip Paine (second year resident) and Dr Dragana Lovre (intern) of LJCMC IM residency are co investigators on these studies respectively.

It is a proud moment and a feather in our cap for both our research section endeavors and our residency to be recognized among such competition. Such legitimate scholarly activity is required by the ACGME and this helps solidify that research requirement to maintain the residency.

Much Congratulations to all involved.

Pictured from left to right: Kirsten Cormany, Pulmonary Clinic RN, Ken Duet, Cardiopulmonary Manager, Allyson Kyzar, Pulmonary CRT, Michelle Maize, Respiratory Therapist Supervisor, and Dr. Nereida Parada, State Clinical Lead for Asthma Disease Management.

The New Year has been very rewarding for the Respiratory and Pulmonary departments at LJC. The LJC Respiratory Care Department has earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) under a nation-wide program started by the profession's national organization, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). With more than 50,000 members nationwide, the AARC is the only professional society for respiratory therapists. The recognition program is aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory care services available in hospitals. The QRCR program was started by the AARC to help consumers identify those facilities using qualified respiratory therapists to provide respiratory care. Hospitals earning the QRCR designation ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their services. The recognition award places the department and hospital in an elite membership group as only about 15% of all hospitals in the U.S applying for this award have been named a Quality Respiratory Care institution. Also, the Pulmonary department's Asthma Management Program received a Certificate of Special Recognition for Clinical Excellence in Asthma Care at the 15th Annual Health Care Effectiveness Forum hosted by the LSU Health Care Services Division in Baton Rouge. The award recognized the efforts of pulmonary team members for its outcomes in the education, treatment, and management of asthmatic patients within the LJC community.
On a final note, the AARC recently selected Ken Duet; Cardiopulmonary Manager at LJC for appointment to the profession's State Governmental Affairs Committee. Since 1947, the AARC has been committed to enhancing the professionalism, performance, and scope of knowledge essential to the success of all respiratory therapists including advocacy in both federal and state legislative and regulatory issues. Duet is one of only seven committee members selected nationally who will assume a liaison role in representing the profession's membership in dealing with local, state, and federal governments on public policies that affect patients and the respiratory care profession.

Leonard J. Chaberts team has been included for plans to start a state-sanctioned workplace wellness initiative instituted by the Louisiana Hospital Association. Please see details in attached article.

Congratulations to
Dr. Chadha and her team for ongoing progress to focus on managing disease states to avoid hospitalization and prevent complications.

Click here for complete article at Houmatoday.com

Pictured From Left to Right:

Elaine Gernhauser, Marion Joseph, Gail Jackson-Wolfe, Denise Washington (CRC Chairperson), Maudrey Begeron, Linda Matherne, Alice Foret, Jennifer Breaux (CRC Scheduler), Terry Drakenberg, Judy Dupre-Pecoraro, & Collette Breaux

American Cancer Society Cancer Resource Center volunteers gathered at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center on the evening of Thursday, December 8 to celebrate the important work being done to assist area cancer patients, caregivers and survivors. Volunteers exchanged holiday gifts, played fun games and discussed the impact the CRC has had since its official opening in April 2011. More than 154 Houma area patients and caregivers have been helped at the Cancer Resource Center. The Center is a partnership between the American Cancer Society and Chabert Medical Center. It is located on 4 East, Room 4426. Hours of operation are: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Our Quality Management Department has incorporated a new program to promote safety and to recognize employees who go the extra mile for safety.  Please click on link and learn more about how to nominate employees for doing the right thing

COMPLIANCE ALERT !!!!!

ALL PHI BREACHES MUST BE REPORTED

Employees including Medical Staff may report any safety and/or quality of care concerns related to services provided in the hospital to the Joint Commission without disciplinary action.  Employees are encouraged to follow the reporting procedure in the Unanticipated Adverse Event Policy.

Hotline 800-994-6610

complaint@jcaho.org

7/2005; Updated 5/2006