Commonwealth Health Corporation Recipient of the 2014 Gallup Great Workplace Award

Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC), parent company of The Medical Center, has received the 2014 Gallup Great Workplace Award which recognizes the best-performing workforces in the world. CHC is one of 36 organizations to receive the prestigious Gallup award this year.

“Employee engagement is one of CHC’s core strategic goals. It is not a one-time initiative but a culture that is woven throughout all aspects of our corporation,” said Connie Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation. “We at CHC recognize that a highly engaged workplace means a better place for our employees to work and a better place for our patients to receive quality care.”

CHC began utilizing the consulting services of Gallup in 2008 and since that time has experienced significant gains in employee engagement. Results from a 2013 employee engagement survey of CHC’s employees, combined with a demonstrated link between engagement and business outcomes, qualified CHC to apply for the award.

“In order to maintain long-term growth and profitability, we must invest time, energy and resources into engaging our employees,” said Smith. “We have found that engaged employees improve overall patient care and help in managing the impact of declining reimbursements and financial challenges due to the disproportionate share of government subsidized care provided by our hospitals and other facilities.” Over the past six years, CHC has experienced reduced employee turnover, decreased patient complaints, increased employee donations to CHC’s charity care programs, and improved financial performance.

CHC will be presented the award during the Gallup Spring Summit on May 13-15, 2014 in Omaha, Nebraska. During the summit, Great Workplace Award winners including CHC will present the best practices they applied to their workplace and the improved business results they achieved through building an engaged workforce.

“These award-winning organizations set a new standard for workplace excellence,” said Dr. James Harter, Chief Scientist with Gallup. “They have proven track records for improving lives along with performance. The management tenets they practice have proven value in both thriving and struggling economies overall.”

About the Gallup and the Gallup Great Workplace Award

Combining more than 75 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup delivers forward-thinking research, analytics, and advice to help leaders solve their most pressing problems. Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of the world’s constituents, employees, and customers than any other organization. Gallup’s 2,000 professionals deliver services at client organizations, through the Web, and in nearly 40 offices around the world.

The Gallup Great Workplace Award recognizes the best-performing workforces in the world. Only organizations who meet specific criteria may apply for the award. Applicants’ results are compared across a workplace research database composed of millions of work teams in more than 100 countries. A panel of workplace experts assesses each application and selects the winners.

The Medical Center Offers Lung Cancer Screening with Low-dose CT

For the early detection of lung cancer in high risk individuals, The Medical Center now offers a lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (CT). Screenings using low-dose CT can detect cancer early when it is most treatable.

A draft recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests that adults who have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer but who are at high risk for developing lung cancer should be screened every year with low-dose CT. High risk is defined as people who meet the following criteria:

• Are between 55 and 79 years old, and
  
• Have a history of heavy smoking, and
  
• Are either current smokers or who have quit within the past 15 years.
  

Heavy smoking is defined as a smoking history of 30 “pack years” or more. A “pack year” is smoking an average of one pack per day for one year. For example, someone is considered a heavy smoker if they smoke one pack per day for 30 years or smoke two packs per day for 15 years. Adults who meet the criteria above should also be asymptomatic for lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the symptoms of lung cancer include:

• A cough that does not go away or gets worse
  
• Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
  
• Hoarseness
  
• Weight loss and loss of appetite
  
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Feeling tired or weak
  
• Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back
  
• New onset of wheezing
  

A low dose CT scan is a test which utilizes x-ray technology to scan the body. CT uses low doses of radiation to produce a series of detailed pictures of the lungs. Unlike traditional x-ray, CT can more accurately identify early stage cancer when it is most treatable.

The cost of the scan is $125 and currently not covered by insurance companies. The fee is payable at the time of service. Only individuals who meet the criteria should be screened using low-dose CT. To check eligibility for the screening, individuals can call The Medical Center at 270-745-1199 or 1-800-231-9621 or talk with their physician. Low-dose CT scans can be scheduled at The Medical Center in Bowling Green, Scottsville, or Franklin, or at Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging. A physician order is required for the screening.

About Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Cancer Consortium, Kentucky’s death rate from cancer is 46% higher than the national rate. Over 3,500 people died from lung cancer in 2010. It is estimated that over 4,500 cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year. Of those cases, 80% are diagnosed at a late stage.

The number one risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. It is estimated that about 85 percent of lung cancers are caused by smoking. In the United States, Kentucky has the highest rate of smoking.

The risk of developing lung cancer increases with age, with most cancers occurring in people age 55 and older. The risk of lung cancer also increases with the amount and length of time someone smokes.

Commonwealth Health Corporation Employee Giving Reaches $1 Million

Commonwealth Health Foundation has announced that contributions through the ECHO (Employees Contributing to Help Others) program has reached $1 million. The program was established in 2000 to enable employees of Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC) to contribute to the Foundation which serves as the philanthropic arm of CHC.

“Employee giving is a powerful statement to our patients and community that the employees believe in our mission and are united in our commitment to help CHC improve the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation.

Currently the ECHO program has more than 800 active employees participating through payroll deduction. This total includes employees of CHC and its subsidiaries.

Donations to the program can be designated to support Commonwealth Health Free Clinic and The Dental Clinic, the Hospitality House or both. Commonwealth Health Free Clinic provides free medical services to the working uninsured, while The Dental Clinic offers a low cost alternative to those in need of basic dental care. The Hospitality House is a “home away from home” that serves the family members and caregivers of seriously ill patients receiving treatment at The Medical Center and Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital.

The Medical Center at Scottsville Completes $2.3 Million Expansion

The Medical Center at Scottsville announced today the completion of its expansion project that will enhance services provided to Allen County. The 5,700 square foot expansion estimated at nearly $2.3 million includes new space for the hospital’s Physician Specialty Clinics and the addition of a permanent MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) system.

“Commonwealth Health Corporation and The Medical Center at Scottsville are proud to once again broaden the availability of quality healthcare services to the residents of Scottsville and Allen County,” said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation, the parent company of The Medical Center at Scottsville. “We are dedicated to improving technology and the availability of medical specialties, enabling residents to stay close to home for quality healthcare services.”

“With the growing demand for healthcare services from residents of Allen and surrounding counties, The Medical Center at Scottsville continues to expand to meet those needs both in facilities and services,” said Eric Hagan, Vice President of The Medical Center. “Enhancing our diagnostic imaging services with a permanent MRI improves local access to advanced technology for our physicians and patients.”

Currently, The Medical Center at Scottsville offers mobile MRI services once a week. The hospital has purchased the EXCELART Vantage MRI system from Toshiba America Medical Systems. The permanent MRI complements the hospital’s diagnostic imaging services that recently upgraded to 4D ultrasound and digital mammography.

In addition to the MRI suite, the expansion includes clinical space dedicated to The Medical Center at Scottsville’s Physician Specialty Clinics. Currently, the hospital provides space in the Scottsville Medical Plaza to specialists from Bowling Green who see patients on designated days and times each week. Physician Specialty Clinics include cardiology, general surgery, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedics, psychiatry, and pulmonology.

With the building expansion and relocation of the Physician Specialty Clinics, the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic will occupy the entire space in the Scottsville Medical Plaza. Currently, the Rural Health Clinic operates in half of the building while the other half is allocated to the Physician Specialty Clinics.

“The relocation of the Physician Specialty Clinics will provide the Rural Health Clinic with much needed space that has the potential to improve patient flow and wait times,” said Hagan. The Rural Health Clinic which is staffed by three physicians and two nurse practitioners see an average of 120 patients a day.

Another benefit of the building expansion is the connection of the Scottsville Medical Plaza to the hospital. Rural Health Clinic patients who have diagnostic imaging exams ordered will no longer have to walk between buildings for services. The expansion connects the Scottsville Medical Plaza to the hospital allowing for convenient, interior access to other hospital departments.

Commonwealth Health Corporation Recognized as an American Heart Association Start! Fit-Friendly Company

Commonwealth Health Corporation has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association’s Start! initiative for helping employees eat better and move more.

"Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at Commonwealth Health Corporation. We are honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! movement as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company," said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation. "We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible. This will benefit our employees' health and produce even more positive results for our company overall."

As a Platinum-level employer, Commonwealth Health Corporation promotes a wellness culture within the workplace and offers employees a variety of programs to promote healthy living. Some of the programs offered include:

• Fitness Facility Reimbursement including personal trainer expenses
  
• 100 Mile Club where employees receive milestone incentives for miles tracked
  
• Walking Wednesdays to encourage walking during warmer months
  
• Weight Loss Program Reimbursement provides up to $75 for participating in a weight loss program for at least 3 months
  
• Physical activity classes provided by Employee Health staff and independent contractors
  
• Smoking Cessation Reimbursement for up to $150 a year for participating in approved smoking cessation programs
  
• Discounted premium on health insurance if employee completes annual wellness visit with a healthcare provider
  
• Free annual influenza vaccine provided to all employees with incentives for participation.
  
• On-site Employee Health Medical Clinic provides the services of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to treat limited acute-type conditions at no charge
  
• Free Employee Assistance Program counseling services for employees and family members.
  

The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees’ health and wellness a priority. American employers face increasing healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity that cost an estimated $225.8 billion a year. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. Start! helps change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.

"We in Southcentral Kentucky are truly blessed to have The Medical Center. Not only do they give outstanding care to their patients, but they truly care about their employees," said Michelle Alloway, Great Rivers Affiliate Division Director for the American Heart Association. “That’s why when it came to companies receiving this honor, I could not think of a better one to receive it. CHC is truly deserving of this honor, for they do a fantastic job of keeping their employees health as a priority."

For more information about the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program and how it is helping to improve the health of Americans by focusing on an activity that is convenient, free and easy, call (270) 842-5700 or visit startwalkingnow.org.

The Medical Center at Scottsville to Open Fountain Run Rural Health Clinic

Contact: Doris Thomas, Vice President, 270-745-1589

The Medical Center at Scottsville will open the Fountain Run Rural Health Clinic on Tuesday, June 1. The clinic, located at 47 Akersville Road in Fountain Run, will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fountain Run Rural Health Clinic will provide services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries as well as provide preventative health screenings. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (270) 434-4857. Walk-ins are accepted.

The clinic will be staffed by Jason Shuffitt, ARNP. Jason earned his master’s degree in nursing from Western Kentucky University and is pursuing his doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Arizona to be completed fall 2010. He is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The Medical Center at Scottsville also operates the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic located in the Scottsville Medical Plaza at 466 Burnley Road next to the hospital. Shuffitt also will see patients at the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic along side Grover Dils, M.D, Michael Lang, D.O., Lynetta Stiltner, D.O. and Gwen Wright, ARNP.

Applications for The Medical Center at Scottsville Scholarship Now Being Accepted

Applications are now being accepted for The Medical Center at Scottsville Scholarship for the 2010-2011 school year. The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior of Allen County-Scottsville High School who plans to attend Western Kentucky University (WKU). The annual scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and a book fee allowance for one year and may be awarded to one student or divided between two.

Applications can be obtained by contacting Melissa Williams, Senior Guidance Counselor at Allen County High School. For more information, please contact Katie Beard, Marketing/Development Coordinator at (270) 745-1543 or bearke@chc.net. Applications are due on or before March 15.