February 5, 2014
Letter of Appreciation from a Grateful Husband and Father
What follows may be difficult to read, but will touch every one of you in a very meaningful way. I found it tragic, but very gratifying. I also found validation in my heartfelt belief that Bartlett is about the people who serve our community by staying focused on the needs of our patients, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Thank you for allowing me to share this with you… Jim Strader
“Dear Bartlett Regional Hospital Board of Directors,
I want to take a moment of your time and inform you of the excellent care my wife, myself, and our three babies received Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
My wife began experiencing labor pains in the early evening hours the night before Christmas. We rushed to the ER and were quickly admitted and received care from the ER staff as well as from Dr. Cook. An ultrasound was administered, and during this time my wife’s water broke and the process of delivering our babies began.
Sadly, our babies were only 18 weeks and could not survive longer than a few minutes after their birth.
It was incredibly difficult news to hear, but we were told with sympathetic certainty what we could expect. The news was awful for us, but we could also see the impact of this on staff members as well. No one fell apart, but tissues were needed for more than just my wife and myself. Jobs were done quickly, efficiently, and completely, but who wouldn’t be moved by such a circumstance?
Once in the OB Unit, our Nurse, Malia took excellent care of us. She was gentle, knowledgeable, and answered all of our very difficult questions. Though she put on a very brave face, we could see at times that her empathy welled up inside her and brought her to the very edge of her emotions. Again, as a feeling, caring, and empathetic human being, how could she not have to fight off her emotions as well?
I cannot overstate her role as she was our primary caregiver in terms of our immediate and frequent needs. Dr. Urata was wonderful. He was kind, caring, and calm. He was considerate and patient, and began our procedure with warm words and a comforting spirit. I’ve never had a doctor give me a hug - but it was greatly needed (and appreciated).
I don’t know that we could have had anyone better at that particular moment. I know many doctors would have done a fantastic job, but there was just something special in his demeanor and presence that matched what was needed at the time.
Heidi, our aftercare nurse in the OB the next day (Christmas), could not have been better. She was everything we needed:a kind voice, a gentle nature, and a wonderful soul. She took care of us in just the ways we needed her to.
The entire staff, from the ER room to the OB, was professional, caring, and sympathetic to our experience, and it felt like they were more than just our medical care providers. I will tell you the compassion was greatly appreciated. I don’t want to make it seem as though the staff was emotionally overwhelmed by this, but neither do I want it to seem as though they were overly clinical and robotic - in fact, they were the best possible mix of both. They provided a very caring and nurturing environment, and they not only addressed our medical needs, but also our emotional needs. I cannot compliment the staff any higher.
My gratitude and appreciation is limitless. As difficult as this has been, I am forever grateful for the care and tenderness of the staff, as our beautiful baby girls were cared for with sweetness and love, as my wife was treated with empathy and respect, and as I was treated with support and understanding. I have no doubt that medically everything was performed to the highest standards (I am fully aware that my wife’s life was saved by Dr. Urata and Malia).
Again, I am indebted for the work the staff put into my family’s unfortunate circumstance. I am impressed with their heartfelt empathy, especially when it was combined with the determination to do their job without emotion becoming a barrier to our medical needs. I guess what I am trying to say is the human side of seeing a couple lose their three babies (especially over Christmas Eve and into Christmas Morning) was not lost on them. It was their experience too, and it couldn’t have been light on their hearts. But they were able to perform to the highest standards despite their own emotional struggles with what unexpectedly knocked on their door that night. I’m sure for them, as it was for us, it was not how they thought their holiday would go. I’m sure they all went home and hugged their loved ones a little tighter.
I just want to thank them, and I want you to know what kind of wonderful human beings you have helping people through very difficult times in their lives.
Share this as often as you would like and with anyone whom you'd want to see it. Post it in every department if you would like - these folks deserve the recognition.”CEO’s Corner
By Jeff Egbert
I am pleased to announce that Sara Parker will assume the role of Compliance Officer recently vacated by John Wray, in combination with her role as Bartlett’s Risk Manager. Sara has been with Bartlett for 8 months, and was previously the Risk Manager at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage. In her role as Risk Manager at ANMC, Sara worked closely with the Board of Directors and Compliance Department related to risk and compliance issues. Sara also participated in Medicare audits and surveys in her position at ANMC.
We look forward to Sara’s fresh and personalized approach to Compliance. Sara’s approach to Risk Management at Bartlett has focused on building relationships to assist in improving Bartlett’s culture of safety. She plans to continue using this approach in her role as Compliance Officer. This change gives Bartlett the opportunity to re-evaluate and restructure the Compliance program. Sara is excited about the opportunity to orient to the Compliance Officer position and to determine how she can best support Bartlett in this role.
Fall Prevention & Tai Chi Program
By Jo Boehme
Bartlett Regional Hospital is offering a 12-week Fall Prevention & Tai Chi program for adults incorporating gentle standing tai chi exercise and a variety of educational topics by Bartlett’s professional staff. Bartlett Foundation has generously contributed funding via a grant; this lets us offer this program at a reduced cost to participants.
Class size is limited. Participants must meet screening criteria including:
- Feel they could benefit from improved balance to reduce fall risk
- Be able to get around in the community without a cane/walker
- Agree to attend 12 weekly classes and do regular “homework”
- Obtain medical clearance from their primary care provider
Where: Bartlett Regional Hospital, Valliant Admin Building classroom
When: Wednesdays, 10 - 11am, March 5 – May 21, 2014
Primary Instructor: Jo Boehme, Occupational Therapist
Guest Instructors: Professional staff from Bartlett Regional Hospital departments will share expertise related to fall prevention, including nutrition, heart health, better breathing, medication side effects, home safety and exercise.
Cost: $60 for the 12-week program
How to apply:
Please call Bartlett Physical Rehab Department (796-8431) for information on how to receive the required application forms. The deadline for return of the completed forms is February 21, 2014. We will contact you by February 28, 2014 to confirm acceptance for this class.
Solarium VisitorComputer Use
Information Technology (IT) and Medical/Surgical Department (M/S), will be instituting a new access control plan for the Solarium computers.
The passwords will be changed and new passwords will be available from the unit clerk or nursing staff. These passwords will be changed frequently.
Please contact Mike Lopez (8989) or any other staff member from IT or M/S.
This is a reminder to please store all of your food garbage in appropriate waste cans.
Security officers have reported finding food, on several occasions, in areas that may attract bears.
Do not leave any food items on campus.
It is a safety issue for people and the bears.
Lab Notes
By John Fortin
Work continues as we prepare for CAP and with restructuring the laboratory and histology. Current status for our inspection indicates a couple of concerns with document control and with competency assessment. The overall emphasis is on bringing consistency to all aspects for pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical.
Major projects for January:
- Manager is getting the competency and evaluation packets together for 2014.
- Review by staff for new Quality Control process.
- Quality Management reports were created and will be on trial for January.
- Med Tech 2 CAP pre-inspection submitted.
- Review of documents by staff continues to assure all are up to date.
- Process flows follow-up with the laboratory aides has been challenging as there has been some pushback by a few staff.
- Nurse Manual is being reviewed, but current version has been identified as outdated.
- New analyzers are set for installation in January.
- Hand off of success. This is the last month the Lab will be following up for nurse documentation.
Notes from Human Resources
By Emma House
Help Decrease our Health Plan Cost – Registerfor Electronic Explanation of Benefits (EOBs)
As of August 2013, there were 1,531 eligible CBJ/BRH employees who could register on the Premera website for Electronic EOBs.
As of August 2013, only 374 employees have registered for the Premera site access and only 159 have signed up for Electronic EOB’s.
We are currently at 10% enrollment for electronic EOB’s and our goal is to increase this to 20% before May 2014.
Go to to register or login as a Member.
Premera NurseLine Reminder
Available 24 hours, 1-800-841-8343
Figuring Out Symptoms
Are you wondering about your health or symptoms?
- Wondering what your symptoms might mean?
- Wondering what you should do?
- Wondering if you should call your doctor after-hours?
- Thinking about going to the emergency room but are not sure?
Call the 24-Hour NurseLine anytime about your medical needs or concerns. It is free and confidential. Caring nurses will help provide you with peace of mind. Make a note of the number in your cellphone or other place you can reference later. Always call 911 or your local emergency number if you are having a medical emergency.
NurseLine gives general information, does not diagnose or prescribe, and cannot give coverage determinations.
Save the Date!
2014 Employee
Service Awards
Saturday, April 5, 2014
5:00 PM
Westmark Baranof Hotel
Details to Follow!
Family Medical Leave is a Federal Requirement
For medical related leave more than three days continuous or intermittent.
- The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 and the Alaska Family Leave Act (AFLA) of 1992 are not optional – they are required employee job-protected types of leave due to personal and/or family medical-related reasons.
- FMLA is required documentation due to your own or your immediate family members’ illness or medical reason if you are absent for three or more continuous or intermittent days.
- FMLA forms are required if you are eligible or not – your FMLA status must be approved or denied, tracked, and reported by HR.
- HR must be notified of absences three or more days continuous or intermittent due to your own personal or immediate family medical reasons.
- Formscan be located through the W: share drive or on the BRH website. Please contact Human Resources if you have questions or need any assistance at 796-8418.
FMLA/AFLA and Your Personal Leave (PL)
How your Personal Leave (PL) is used during FMLA or AFLA
You must use your accrued personal paid leave while you are on FMLA and AFLA.
Your leave bank must be exhausted before you may request HR to collect Leave Donations on your behalf. You must request donated leave through HR.
Once you have exhausted your paid leave and donated leave, you will go into leave without pay.
Upon returning to work, you may need to setup a payment agreement with Payroll for your health insurance deductions.
PRN and Casual employees may be eligible for FMLA/AFLA based on hours worked. You are required to notify HR of your medical-related absence(s).
For any clarification on FMLA/AFLA and use of PL, please contact HR at 796-8418.
From FMLA/AFLA to Returning to Work
If you are absent for three or more days due to a personal or family illness or medical reason, if it is approved or not approved, you must complete the Fitness for Duty Certificationand return the completed certification to Human Resources before returning to work. The Fitness for Duty Certification must be completed by the employee, the supervisor, and the physician.
Discarded batteries are to be placed in baggies and stored in the soiled utility rooms to be removed by Environmental Services.
Batteries are then taken to the hazardous waste shed to await transport to the monthly city hazardous waste event by maintenance staff.
Celebrate National Wear Red Day® with “Go Red For Women” on Friday, February 7, 2014
Shared by Dianne Bigge
Help fight women’s No. 1 killer—heart disease. Join the movement nationwide.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined. For more than 10 years, the American Heart Association has sponsored National Wear Red Day® to raise awareness in the fight against heart disease in women.
In 2003, the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute took action against a disease that was claiming the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year – a disease that women weren’t paying attention to. A disease they truly believed, and many still believe, affects more men than women.
Stemming from that action, National Wear Red Day was born. It’s held on the first Friday in February every year to raise awareness about heart disease being the No. 1 killer of women.
This coming National Wear Red Day, Feb. 7, 2014, marks our 11-year anniversary.
Over the last 11 years, improvements include:
- 21 percent fewer women dying from heart disease
- 23 percent more women aware that it’s their No. 1 health threat
- Publishing of gender-specific results, established differences in symptoms and responses to medications, and women-specific guidelines for prevention and treatment
National Recreational Therapy Month
By Jennifer Brown
February is National Recreational Therapy Month! The Mental Health Unit and Rainforest Recovery Center would like to recognize and thank Recreational Therapist, Heather Gilchrest, for her hard work and dedication serving patients at both programs at Bartlett Regional Hospital.
Through her work as a Recreational Therapist, Heather strives to provide our patients with the many benefits of recreational therapy, including an improved quality of life, improved independence, improved health and improved outcomes. Thank you, Heather, for the valuable services you provide for our patients!
2014 Mother Schlicht Memorial Scholarship
As an expression of gratitude for the clinical nursing staff at Bartlett Regional Hospital, Dr. Schlicht generously offers a $1,000 scholarship to be used towards continuing education. Each year staff nominates their peers on the following award criteria:
- Compassion for patients
- Excellence of care
- Cooperation with others
Congratulations to Mary Neary, Mental Health Unit RN, for being awarded the 2014 Mother Schlicht Memorial Scholarship! Mary was nominated by her peers for demonstrating excellence in nursing and is well-deserving of this award. The Mental Health Unit would like to congratulate Mary and would like to thank her for her compassionate work. It’s an honor to recognize Mary and the good work she does for the hospital, patients and nursing profession!
It is important to note there were many well-deserving nominees for this award. The nursing care at Bartlett is outstanding and there are many champions at the bedside putting patients first. Congratulations to all the nominees and a big thank you to Dr. Schlicht for generously supporting nursing!
Meet Karen Selig, New Speech Language Pathologist
Karen Selig is a new speech language pathologist with Bartlett’s Physical Rehabilitation Department.
Karen is originally from Sacramento, CA and worked in Scottsdale, AZ for the past 6 years. She has over 17 years of experience treating adult neurological and pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders related to speech, swallowing, language and cognitive functioning.