From Stacy Longnecker, MD

As a physician at Northside Medical Clinic/Ortonville Area Health Services, I see many pregnant women who are a few weeks from a full-term pregnancy and are feeling really uncomfortable. Some are ready to schedule a delivery by induction or cesarean section before they have reached their 39^th or 40^th week of pregnancy. They know friends or family members whose doctors have agreed to schedule such a delivery.

But I know that healthy babies are worth the wait. At least 39 weeks of pregnancy are crucial to a baby’s health – and I won’t schedule a delivery before that unless there is a medical necessity. Here at Ortonville Area Health Services, we’ve made a pledge to give babies a healthy start in life. In December 2013 we were recognized by the March of Dimes and Minnesota Hospital Association for this work. We have reduced the number of early deliveries that are medically unnecessary. When the award was received at the beginning of December, OAHS had 67 total births (more since that date) and 15 deliveries of those births were prior to the 39 weeks and only 4 of these were inductions or 6% of our deliveries. All 4 of these inductions were medically necessary.

Development of critical organs, including the brain, lungs, and liver, occurs during the last weeks of pregnancy. Research published last year shows the risk of infant death doubles when a baby is born at 37 weeks of pregnancy as compared to 39 or 40 weeks.

I have been working with the March of Dimes and our hospital to eliminate the medically unnecessary c-sections and inductions before 39 weeks of pregnancy because all babies deserve the best opportunity for a health start in life. We are proud of this recognition of our work by the March of Dimes and the Minnesota Hospital Association.

OAHS welcomes our 2013 Christmas Baby: Izieli Ramona

Isieli was born on December 26, 2103 at 10:36 p.m. weighing 6 lbs., 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. She was welcomed home by her parents and 4 siblings.

In just two short months, our OAHS family welcomed 19 new babies – 16 of those babies were present for this photo shoot.

Ortonville Area Health Services Receives Press Ganey 2013 Guardian of Excellence Award^SM for

Achieving 95^th Percentile in Patient Satisfaction

November 27, 2013: Ortonville Area Health Services is proud to announce it has been named a 2013 Guardian of Excellence Award winner by Press Ganey Associates, Inc. The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes top-performing facilities that consistently achieved the 95^th percentile of performance in Patient Satisfaction.

The Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award is a health care industry symbol of achievement. Fewer than 5% of all Press Ganey clients reach this threshold and consistently maintain it for the one year reporting period. Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care facilities, including more than half of all U.S. hospitals, to measure and improve the patient experience.

“We are proud to partner with Ortonville Area Health Services,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO of Press Ganey. “Achieving this level of excellence reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering outstanding service and quality. OAHS’s efforts benefit patients in the Ortonville area and will lead to improved patient experiences.”

“We are honored to be recognized with this award, “said Richard Ash, CEO.  Providing the best possible care for our patients is our mission and this award is a direct reflection of the commitment and dedication of everyone at OAHS toward achieving that mission.  It’s important to recognize that this award is the result of the combined teamwork of everyone. Excellent patient care is the culmination of teamwork of everyone at OAHS; every department, every person, every patient, every day. This award confirms that.

OAHS has committed to provide patient centered care to each patient and their family.  Ways the OAHS Inpatient Unit provides such care is by providing hourly rounding, bedside report and whiteboards for communication for each patient and their family benefits.  Each patient’s care is individualized to meet their needs when they require a hospital stay.  The dedicated caring professionals are committed to doing all they can to make the stay as comfortable as possible.  “It is truly an honor to know our patients reported the care they received exceeded their expectations.  It is our faithful patients that awarded OAHS and we thank each of you for committing to receiving your healthcare at OAHS.” Jennifer Wiik, MA, RN, Director of Nursing comments.

Press Ganey Associates, Inc.
Recognized as a leader in performance improvement for nearly 30 years, Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care organizations worldwide to create and sustain high-performing organizations, and, ultimately, improve the overall health care experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to help clients operate efficiently, improve quality, increase market share and optimize reimbursement. Press Ganey works with clients from across the continuum of care – hospitals, medical practices, home care agencies and other providers – including 50 percent of all U.S. hospitals. For more information, visit www.pressganey.com.

Bean Bag Toss was a popular event at the Big Stone County Fair and there were many qualifiers for both the KindleFire HD (over 12 years of age) and the Kindle (ages 12 and below).  The winner of the KindleFire HD is pictured at right, Bob Ward of Graceville, receiving his prize from OAHS employee, DIane Dwyer.

The Kindle winner is Duke McTighe receiving his prize from OAHS employee, Beth Swanson.

Thanks to all who visited our booth and played the game!

Ortonville Area Health Services offers opportunities for students to fulfill their internship and/or earn credits towards their degrees. Five students are currently completing an internship with the Organization including:
Courtney Dawald – Marketing Intern – Graduated from MSUM with Business Administration with Marketing Emphasis;

Theresa Craig, Kyrsten Karsky, Courtney Dawald, Kayla Findlay and Chelsie Parady

Kayla Findlay – enrolled in Physical Therapy program at the College of St. Scholastica;

Kyrsten Karsky – Pharmacy Student at NDSU;

Chelsie Parady, LPN at Southeast Technical Institute; and

 Theresa Craig, Medical Lab Student, Lake Area Tech

Ortonville Area Health Services and Sanford Health Network Scholarship Program announces that 2013 Ortonville High School graduate, Cassandra Sorenson, is one of the 18 recipients of the Sanford Health Network Scholarship Program.  The Sanford Health Network partners with local health care systems such as Ortonville Area Health Services to award various scholarships.  Cassandra was awarded a $2000 scholarship based on health care career choice, grade point average, application and essay.    Cassandra has been accepted into the Swenson College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus and will be majoring in Pre-Medicine.

Cassandra is the daughter of Patrick & Liz Sorenson of rural Louisburg.  During high school, Cassandra has been active in basketball, Key Club, Student council, concert band, jazz band, pep band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, drama, church choir and church youth group and honor roll member. She was also the Key Club treasurer, winter carnival senior attendant and Youth Group President.

OAHS and Sanford Health Network Scholarship Program congratulate Cassandra.