Major Medical Makeovers

There have been many "Medical Makeovers" at Southwest Regional Medical Center over the past 17 months.  Time and again, comparisons are made between the way things were before and they way they are now.  While the process is on-going, there are many examples of the progress that has been made to improve the quality of health care services for our community.

Medical Makeover #1: Financial Stability

Prior to ownership by Essent Healthcare, the hospital posted excessive operating losses.   Now Southwest Regional Medical Center is a financially stable organization re-investing nearly 2 million dollars in the facility in the first 17 months of Essent ownership. 

Medical Makeover #2: Increased Inpatient Capacity

The number of patients admitted to the hospital was in the single digit numbers on days prior to the sale.  Now, 20 additional beds have been added to our inpatient capacity, making Southwest Regional Medical Center a 74 bed hospital. Many days, there are over 60 patients admitted to the hospital.

Medical Makeover #3: Opening of the Intensive Care Unit

A new 5 bed intensive care unit was added in February of 2006 enabling critically ill patients to receive care right here in Greene County.  A new state of the art Puritan Bennett 840 series ventilator has been purchased to support the level of care required by the patients in our ICU.

Medical Makeover #4: Opening of the Behavioral Health Services

The inpatient behavioral health program began accepting referrals on July 1, 2006, adding 15 beds and occupying a space that had been previously empty for 7 years. There is also an outpatient program for those needing a less restrictive environment for treatment.  Dr. Ravindra Mehta, licensed in psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry, has joined our medical staff to lead the behavioral health program.

Medical Makeover #5: Bronchoscopes

This procedure is used to evaluate conditions of the lungs, lymph nodes and airways. Before the sale of the hospital to Essent Healthcare, the procedure had not been performed in the facility for over 2 years.

Medical Makeover #6:  A Happier You!

According to a recent survey, our overall patient satisfaction rating was 99.4% for inpatients and 98.5 for outpatients.  Perhaps this is why we are serving more and more patients everyday!  And not only are we serving more patients, we are serving sicker patients meaning you trust us to give you the very best care anywhere, right here at home.

Medical Makeover #7: Happier Employees

Our overall employee satisfaction rating of 92% is higher than national average of 89%.

Medical Makeover #8: A Healthier Community

Over 150 employees and community members have signed on for our Chose to Lose program.  Our wellness center offers certified personal trainers to help you meet your fitness goals. 

Medical Makeover #9: Physical Improvements

As you stroll throughout the building you may notice upgraded flooring, freshly painted walls and new furniture.  Even many of our televisions have been replaced with modernized flat screen versions.

Medical Staff Makeovers

Medical Makeover # 10: Opening of a Allergy Clinic

Dr. Paul Ogershok, a physician with board certification in asthma, allergies and immunology is now providing a full range of services in the Medial Arts Building.  Dr. Ogershok works with patients who have persistent sinus and allergy problems, conducts skin scratch allergy testing and allergy shots among many other things.

Medical Makeover #11: Addition of a Hospitalist Program

Dr. Manuel Bautista was added as a full time Hospitalist and Intensivist in March of 2006 to help manage the ICU and oversee the needs of our inpatient population.  This service provides patients with better access to medical information during their stay.

Medical Makeover #12: More Choice in Surgical Services

We recently added Dr. Jack Bergstein, general surgeon, to our medical staff. Dr. Bergstein was approved by the Capitol Program under the Clinton and Bush administrations as an approved trauma surgeon for both Presidents. Dr. Arthur Santos, vascular surgeon, has also received privileges at SRMC.

Medical Makeover #13: Happier (and more) Physicians

We have added 6 new doctors over the past year to provide new expertise right here in our community.  We also have a physician recruiter on staff locally who is continuously looking to add other new areas of specialization.  With satisfaction ratings of 91%, above the national average, we are not suprised that more and more doctors want to join our team.   

Quality Makeovers

Medical Makeover #14: Higher Standards of Quality

We have adopted JCAHO (Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospital Organizations) as our standard of practice, in regards to rules and regulations, policies and procedures.  We also monitor and measure nearly 200 quality indicators.  In a recent study released by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, Southwest Regional Medical Center has a lower rate of infection than the regional and statewide averages.

Medical Makeover # 15: Accredited Echocardiography Laboratory

The cardiology department received accreditation by the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories in May of 2006. 

Technology and Equipment Makeovers

Medical Makeover #16: A new Radiology Room

New digital radiology equipment, General Electric Precision RXi, added in January 2006, replaced our old system.  The new equipment provides high quality digital images.

Medical Makeover #17: Information Technology Upgrades

Over the last year, our information technology infrastructure has been completely replaced.  We now have all new cable, routers, switches, and servers.  The addition of Meditech and Promed (see #23 to learn more) software systems allow us to more effectively serve the needs of our patients, meaning better services in less time.   

Medical Makeover #18: Expanded and Enhanced Laboratory Services

We have added two new Dade Sysmex Coag analyzers in the laboratory, meaning faster and more accurate results for our patients.  We have also expanded outpatient laboratory hours making it easier than ever for you to fit medical testing into your busy life.

Medical Makeover #19: Pharmacy Upgrades

The AccuDose pharmaceutical control system has been put in place to assist in control and tracking of medications and to prevent medication errors.

Medical Makeover #20: Putting Safety First

We have added security officers on premises during off hours to ensure safety for our employees, patients and visitors.  Additionally a new identification system has been put in place to provide a more secured facility for our patients.  

Medical Makeover #21: A new Echocardiography Machine

The GE Vivid 7 Echo-vascular Ultrasound machine provides state-of-the-art, fully digitized 3D images of the heart.  Echo-vascular ultrasound is used to diagnose diseases of the cardiovascular system including the heart legs, neck, arms or kidneys. The system will allow doctors to read results off site, providing more efficient and timely care.

Medical Makeover #22: Outpatient Renovation

A major renovation of the second floor is taking place right now.  This project will help to streamline outpatient services including emergency, diagnostic imaging, laboratory and physical therapy services.  Upon completion, it will be easier to maneuver the hospital from the inside and out.  And with improved registration processes, you know you will get in and out in a jiffy.  A new gift shop and improvements to the café are also planned.

Emergency Services Makeovers

Medical Makeover #23: New Software

Pro-Med has been implemented into the emergency department to enhance the quality, consistency, ability to measure and speed of services. Why does this matter to you?  Read Makeover #24 and learn why.

Medical Makeover #24: Reduced Wait Times

Our new software system (see makeover #23) has enabled us to determine what works and what doesn’t so we can get you in and out as quickly as possible.  Over the past 17 months:

Ø      The average initial assessment time for patients in the emergency department has dropped from 14 minutes to 7 minutes.

Ø      The average time for assessment by a nurse in the emergency department has dropped from 46 to 16 minutes.

Ø      The average time for assessment by a physician in the emergency department has dropped from one hour and 18 minutes to 56 minutes.

Ø      The average length of stay for a patient visiting the emergency department is 2 hours and 34 minutes, down from 3 hours 40 minutes and less than the national average wait time of 3.7 hours

Staffing Makeovers

Medical Makeover #25: Bringing our Best Home to Care for You

Over the last 17 months nearly 100 new employees have been hired and oriented.  Many are those living right in the community who had previously left to work elsewhere in fear that the hospital would close.  Bob Schiffbauer, Registered Nurse, puts it best:

      “Essent kept our hospital open and gave me the best job in the world.”

Medical Makeover #26: Happy Employees  

According to a recent employee satisfaction survey our overall employee satisfaction of 92%, is higher than the national average. Our recruitment incentive, annual employee picnic, training opportunities, Christmas party, employee newsletter and other fun activities are sure to contribute to this being a great place to work.

Community Relations Makeovers

Medical Makeover #27: Keeping You Informed

We believe it is important for you to know what is going on here at your community hospital.  That’s why we have adopted community newsletters, billboards, special newspaper features, a new website and news releases to help keep you informed. 

Medical Makeover #28: Giving Back

Over $50,000 has been given to support community events. We believe it is important to support the local communities who support us. We have made gifts to Waynesburg College, the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation, local high schools, American Cancer Society, Red Cross, United Way and many other local organizations.

Medical Makeover #29: Promoting Healthy Living 

The hospital has made a commitment to be out in the community to support healthy living across the county.  We participate in numerous health fairs, visit the senior citizens centers, offer blood screenings and attend as many community events as we can.  We are also an active member of the Greene County MAGIC coalition’s physical health committee and the Greene County Diabetes Coalition.

Medical Makeover #30: Reaching Out

Waynesburg College, who has a bachelor of science in nursing program, is now using the hospital as a clinical site. We are fortunate that some of their very best students have come to work for us upon graduating.