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I often say how HealthShare/THA depends on the talented and hard-working members of our board of directors. Without their guidance and direction, we would not be enjoying the success of recent years and the high expectations we have for the future. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you to each and every member of the board for their service. We'd like to extend a special thanks to those directors whose terms are ending:
James Merritt, president, Merrit Hawkins & Associates;
J. Patrick Murray, FACHE, CEO,Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital; and
Jon Foster, FACHE, president/CEO, St. David's Healthcare.
Jon Foster served as chair of the Board of Directors for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, and we especially appreciate his hard work and dedicated service.
Also, it’s my pleasure to welcome these new members to the HealthShare/THA board of directors:
Barclay Berdan, FACHE, senior executive vice president, Texas Health Resources, Arlington, incoming chair;
Michael McAndrew, CHE, CEO, Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, Sulphur Springs; and Bob Ellzey, FACHE, CEO, Laird Memorial Medical Center, in Kilgore.
Each year at HealthShare/THA is more productive and profitable than the last, and we are sure that the 2007-2008 fiscal year will be no different. We look forward to continuing to serve Texas hospitals with the leadership and support of our wonderful board members.
Vicki Pascasio, FACHE
President/CEO
NEWS
Get ready to place your bets! It's time once again for HealthShare/THA's Casino Night at the THA Annual Leadership Conference. Mark your calendar for Monday, October 15, 7:30 to 10:30 pm, in the Rio Grande room at Austin's Renassiance Hotel. Come ready to have a great time and win fun prizes. If you haven't registered for the conference yet, visit www.thaonline.org or call Arlena Buck at 800/252-9403 ext 1055.
PROFILES
Benefits Attract Employees
For Texas hospitals facing the ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining quality employees, a strong employee benefits package is a powerful tool. Your employees can choose benefits they need at prices they can afford from a selection offered through HealthShare/THA. One is the HealthTrans pharmacy discount card, which offers average discounts of 15 percent for brand name and 46 percent for generic prescription medications. The Card enhances a typical funded medical plan pharmacy benefit with greater discounts or supplemental coverage on medications not typically covered. It can also be used to save on over-the-counter products such as Nicorette and diabetic supplies. Employees and family members have unlimited use of the Card, which is recognized at Walgreen’s, Tom Thumb, Target, Kroger, Randall’s, CVS and other major pharmacies as well as many independent ones. Employees can access the program and print out discount cards through the HealthShare/THA website, or a supply of cards can be mailed to your facility for distributing to employees. For more information call Mike Payne at 800/252-9404 ext. 1542.
Fun Stuff - iPhones
HealthShare/THA-endorsed VSurvey reports that the way we use cell phones will change forever, thanks to the new Apple iPhone, a "cell phone on steroids." This new tool allows you to check and respond to email, sync with Outlook, take pictures, access WiFi networks, listen to music, watch videos, view Google Maps - even enter Patient Tracer data in to VSurvey. "Widgets" or "window gadgets" make it possible to use interactive weather and stock reports, and the iPhone lets you browse and listen to voicemail the way you do email - scrolling through messages to the important ones. Users must be AT&T customers and sign a 2-year contract, according to VSurvey. For more information about VSurvey, visit verge-solutions.com or call Barbara Norman at 408/227-1314.
Quiet, Please
Press Ganey Associates, Inc. notes that hospital operations generally continue during construction projects, so patients and staff are often subjected to inconvience and annoyance, including noise. To minimize the effect of construction noise on patient satisfaction, test for noise in areas around construction to determine whether some functions should be moved temporarily. Do not fill patient rooms above or below construction areas if possible, and provide patients with complimentary ear plugs and a note of apology at check-in. Providing CD players or radios with headphones to patients and visitors in areas near construction can also help. Post signs in public areas apologizing for the inconvience, and provide a contact for patients - and nursing units - to let a hospital official know if the noise becomes too burdensome. Keep a select number of beds open for relocating patients who are bothered by the noise. For more on maintaining patient satisfaction during construction, visit pressganey.com/products_services/readings_findings/satmon/article.php?article_id=386 or call Tracy Wilson at 800/816-9504.
SPOTLIGHT
Nominate Texas Doctors
Nominations are being accepted through September 5th for the 2007 Country Doctor of the Year, an honor bestowed by Staff Care to recognize the spirit, skill and dedication of our rural medical practitioners. Anyone can nominate a physician practicing in a community of 30,000 people or less and engaged in primary care areas. Forms are available at www.countrydoctoraward.com, or call Staff Care at 800/685-2272.
Directory of Services
HealthShare/THA provides products, programs and services that help your hospital reduce costs and improve operational performance. THA members enjoy discounts from many of our endorsed companies. A complete list of companies and products is included in each issue of Sharing, and more details are available on our website healthshare-tha.com and in the Marketplace on the Texas Hospital Association website texashospital.org or call us at 800/252-9404.
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