JUNE 2019

JUNE 2019

Every year, CARES Week is an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional care we provide to patients every day. This year, it was made even more exciting when we announced plans to invest $325 million in capital projects – right here in the community where we live and work. This is an extraordinarily exciting time to be at CaroMont Health, and I am proud of all we will do for our patients and community over the next five years. In case you missed the announcement, please click here.

Another recent announcement is our partnership with Gaston County Schools to support their Health Sciences Academy at East Gaston High School. Part of the school CHOICE program, the Health Sciences Academy will provide high school students with the skills and foundational knowledge they need for success in the health services field, including nurse aide, pharmacy technician, animal science, health and fitness, and dietary management.

Superintendent Jeffrey Booker and I, as well as leaders at Gaston College and Belmont Abbey College, share a strong vision for the future of our community and recognize the need to provide a clear pathway for health sciences education – from high school to college and then on to employment.

While final details are still being determined, CaroMont Health plans to provide equipment and supplies for specific program tracks, experiential learning opportunities at CaroMont Regional Medical Center and other areas of the health system, and ongoing engagement of students and parents involved in the program. The Academy will welcome its first class this fall.

These projects and partnerships are a reflection of our unwavering commitment to our patients and Gaston County. Thank you for all you do to make CaroMont Health our community’s most trusted healthcare partner.

Message from Chris Peek, CEO: Investing in the Future of Our Community

CHRIS PEEKPRESIDENT & CEO

JUNE 2019

CaroMont Regional Medical Center has again been awarded a grade “A” for patient safety and quality by The Leapfrog Group. This is the eighth cycle in which the hospital has earned top marks, more than any hospital in the Charlotte region!

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harm to patients.

“To be recognized nationally as an ‘A’ hospital is an accomplishment the whole community should take pride in,” said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ grade are making it a priority to protect patients from preventable medical harm and error. We congratulate hospital leaders, board members, staff, volunteers and clinicians who work so hard to earn this A.”

To see our scores as they compare with other hospitals, visit the Hospital Safety Score website at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

CaroMont Regional Medical Center Earns an “A” Grade for Patient Safety

CARES Week 2019 HighlightsThank you to everyone who participated in and volunteered during CARES Week! Check out some of the highlights!

JUNE 2019

Best of Gaston Awards – Finalists and WinnersThe Best of Gaston Awards, hosted annually by the Gaston Gazette and voted on by members of the public, celebrates the best businesses, organizations and individuals in Gaston County.

CARESHighlight

CaroMont Health

Chris PeekCaroMont Health

BEST OVERALLCOMPANY TO WORK FOR

PERSON OF THE YEAR

Kelvin Harris, MDCaroMont Women’s Health

Summit

BEST OBGYN

Dustin P. Letts, MDCaroMont Heart & Vascular

BEST CARDIOLOGIST

Mark Thompson, MDCaroMont Heart & Vascular

BEST CARDIOLOGIST

Anthony R. Arn, MDCaroMont Heart & Vascular

BEST CARDIOLOGIST

Susan Owensby, MDCaroMont Pediatric Partners

Belmont

BEST PEDIATRICIAN

Ellen Davis, MDCaroMont Pediatric Partners

Gastonia

BEST PEDIATRICIAN

Sandra Schultz, MDCaroMont

Breast Surgical Specialists

BEST SURGEON

Carlos Sicilia, MDCaroMont

Surgical Associates

BEST SURGEON

South PointFamily Practice

BEST FAMILY PHYSICIAN

CaroMont Urgent CareGaston Day & Dallas

BEST URGENT CARE

Gaston Hospice

NON-PROFITCIVIC ORGANIZATION

Auxiliary Gift ShopCaroMont Health

BEST GIFT STORE

Jeannie Davis, RNGaston Hospice

BEST NURSE

Mary West, RNGaston Hospice

BEST NURSE

Jeffrey Wright, PACaroMont Pediatric Partners

Belmont

BEST PHYSICIAN ASST.

Marty Bradshaw, PASouth Point Family Practice

BEST PHYSICIAN ASST.

Congratulations to all of our

CaroMont Health winners and finalists!

Best of Gaston Winner

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FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

FINALIST

JUNE 2019

Good Catch Awards

Catherine Glisson, CNA, was cleaning a patient room when she looked out of the window and saw a car on fire in the parking

lot. She immediately called 911 to notify the fire department, called CaroMont Health Public Safety, and alerted Ronnie Knight, Hyperbaric Technician. He grabbed an extinguisher and ran to the parking lot. His safe and effective intervention helped keep

the flames under control until the fire department arrived. James Harris, PA, was returning from lunch and also observed the

car on fire in the parking lot. He ran to get a fire extinguisher and also attempted to control the flames while waiting for the fire

department to arrive. Thanks to the quick action of all three employees, the fire was extinguished by first responders, patients

and visitors were kept safe from the incident, and the damage to property was contained and minimal.

Karin Thompson, RN, in The Birthplace, was working to discharge a patient when she noticed a few subtle signs of potential

seizure activity. She requested further assessment by the patient’s provider and the patient was kept overnight for observation.

During that time, two seizures were recorded, and ultimately, a brain bleed was discovered. Thanks to Karin’s attention to

detail and expert assessment, the patient got the care and treatment needed for this very serious issue.

The Good Catch Award recognizes employees for their contributions to the Patient Safety Program. For more information about

the Good Catch Award or to nominate someone who has made a Good Catch, please visit the Patient Safety page on CHIP.

Attendance Policy Update — Effective July 1

In response to leadership and employee feedback, Human Resources will modify the corporate

attendance policy for all CaroMont Health staff. Beginning July 1, 2019, attendance will be tracked on a rolling 12-month period instead of 18 months, as the policy currently reads.

For employees who have been notified and are currently in the disciplinary process for attendance

occurrences, absences incurred prior to the past 12-month calendar year will drop off on July 1.

Disciplinary steps, as previously detailed in the attendance policy, have not changed and still

culminate in an employee’s eligibility for termination on the eighth occurrence. Department

leadership still maintains the right to expedite any employee through the disciplinary process if

an employee is demonstrating a pattern of attendance issues.

For any questions or concerns regarding this policy change, please contact your direct supervisor.

KARIN THOMPSON, RNCATHERINE GLISSON, CNA& RONNIE KNIGHT

JAMES HARRIS, PA

JUNE 2019

16th Annual Heart Walk Most Successful to Date

On Wednesday, May 8, CaroMont Heart & Vascular and the Heart Society of Gaston County hosted the 16th Annual Heart Walk. Approximately 650 participants gathered behind CaroMont Specialty Surgery for activities, celebration and a group warm-up before walking around the campus of CaroMont Regional Medical Center.

This year’s walk raised $26,300 — a Heart Walk record! The funds will go a long way to help the Heart Society of Gaston County provide assistance for community health screenings, heart health awareness education targeting adults and youth in Gaston County, and to assist heart patients with prescription medication costs.

CaroMont Health Foundation and Auxiliary Announce Scholarship Recipients

Recently, the CaroMont Health Foundation and the CaroMont Regional Medical Center Auxiliary awarded 68 recipients nearly

$250,000 in scholarships. These scholarships included: the Lee Bucci Professional Nursing Scholarship, the Dr. Marty D’Amore

Scholarship, the Mr. and Mrs. Joe R. Hudson Nursing Scholarship, the Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship, the Lonnie and Rachel

Waggoner Nursing Education Scholarship, the Team CaroMont Scholarship, the Gertrude Clinton Health Career Scholarship

and the Amanda George Self Emergency Medicine Scholarship.

The CaroMont Health Foundation awarded $175,000 to 57 scholarship recipients, and the CaroMont Regional Medical Center

Auxiliary, made up of adult and teenage volunteers, awarded 42 scholarships worth $74,300. Of the 68 recipients, 42 are

CaroMont Health employees. These scholarships are made possible through generous donations to the CaroMont Health

Foundation and purchases made in the CaroMont Health Auxiliary gift shops. Thank you for helping these remarkable individuals

pursue their educational and professional aspirations and, ultimately, make an impact in our community. Congratulations 2019

scholarship recipients! Visit caromonthealth.org for more information.