|
Greenville Regional Hospital Board of Directors Chairman Morris L. “Buddy” Bond has announced the appointment of Boyd A. McCracken, M.D., and Charles R. Daisy, M.D., to the board as lifetime honorary board members. Both men have served the Greenville community for many years as local family physicians.
Boyd A. McCracken, M.D., currently sees patients at the McCracken-Dawdy-Hall Family Practice Center, located on the campus of Greenville Regional Hospital. Charles R. Daisy, M.D., resides in Florida, following his retirement in the spring of 2006.
“We are thrilled to have Drs. McCracken and Daisy continue to serve the hospital in this honorary capacity,” said Bond. “In this role, they will receive minutes from each board meeting for review and potential feedback. Perhaps most valuably, each of these gentlemen has agreed to make themselves available to me and our president and CEO, Jim Hayes, for consultation. Where appropriate, they may be appointed to a board-level committee as well.
“These men have demonstrated great leadership for the local medical community throughout their careers and I am very pleased that the community will continue to benefit from their professional knowledge and experience in the years to come.”
After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1961, Daisy completed a one-year rotating internship at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago.
“During my residency I determined that I wanted to go into practice on my own in downstate, IL,” said Daisy, a native of Anna-Jonesboro, IL. “My wife and I love our hometown, but we wanted to start anew somewhere else and to be closer to a metropolitan area. We began looking at Carlinville, Vandalia, and Greenville.”
Greenville was the first stop on the Daisys’ trip from Chicago. The visit was prompted by an ad in the Illinois State Medical Society Newsletter, announcing that Greenville was in need of a physician. Daisy called and scheduled a visit, facilitated by Boyd E. McCracken, M.D., and his wife, Julia.
“I had made up my mind not to move to a community that didn’t have a hospital,” said Daisy. “Most towns the size of Greenville didn’t have one. However, Utlaut Memorial Hospital had started in the fall of 1960. It was new and I sensed such a spirit of progressiveness. There was significant potential for growth in the area.”
Dr. McCracken informed Daisy that Max Fraenkel, M.D., was looking for a partner.
Charles and Donna Daisy relocated to Greenville in 1963 and Dr. Daisy began practicing with Dr. Max Fraenkel at Greenville Medical Associates.
“As a medical staff, we looked at many other medical communities, to see how their staffs functioned and to determine what we wanted for our practices and Utlaut Memorial Hospital,” said Daisy. “By observing other medical staffs, within a radius of 40 to 50 miles, we began to realize that in Greenville we had an unusually harmonious relationship with one another. Competition wasn’t a problem here. And on any given evening, during the dinner hour, or late into the night, you could see me, Dr. McCracken, Dr. Kenneth Kaufman, or Dr. James Goggin all at the hospital at the same time, making rounds to see our patients or to cover the Emergency Room. It was at this time that we decided one physician, on a rotating basis, would be available for after-hours medical needs, consequently providing all physicians more free time.
“That cohesiveness and cooperation is a rare characteristic among medical staffs. I believe it is that spirit that caused Utlaut Memorial Hospital/Greenville Regional Hospital to succeed. I, along with the others in the early medical community in Greenville, am very pleased to see that camaraderie continue among the current medical staff.”
In addition to his role on the medical staff, Daisy served on the hospital’s board of directors for 26 years, serving part of that time as vice chairman.
Boyd A. McCracken, M.D., graduated from Milliken University in Decatur in 1969 and pursued a medical degree from the Chicago School of Medicine. Following a family practice residency in Springfield, McCracken went into practice with his father, Boyd E. McCracken, M.D., in Greenville in 1977.
“I watched my father through the years and I helped him occasionally as a child,” said Dr. McCracken. “I assisted him with various procedures before there was a hospital in Greenville. He has been a role model throughout my life.
“These types of legacies are common in small towns. It has been enriching and fulfilling to practice medicine in my hometown. I’ve had the privilege of caring for many people over the years who had a role in my upbringing.
“I’m also encouraged to see a new generation of physicians, such as Phil Siefken, Andy Goggin, and Anne Borwick, returning to their hometown to practice medicine. The people of Greenville should be honored to see this tradition continue. It’s a compliment that these individuals would choose to return home.”
In addition to his role as a medical professional, Dr. McCracken served on the Greenville Regional Hospital Board of Directors for 26 years. Throughout the years McCracken has served as vice chairman of the board and served on numerous committees. He currently serves on the Corporate Strategy Committee. “I didn’t expect to serve that kind of tenure when I came on the board, and I don’t think anyone else did either,” said McCracken. “Contributing to the running of a large business, as the hospital is, is foreign to doctors. But it’s been a fulfilling experience and I’m honored to have served on a board that had so many selfless and giving people around the table over the years.
“There are many challenges that every hospital faces, especially in times like we’re facing now. But Greenville Regional Hospital weathered many storms in the past and I’m confident that it will emerge once again as the regional leader in healthcare, because of good stewardship and solid management. I have a strong feeling this institution will continue to not only survive, but to prosper well into the future.”
Greenville Regional Hospital President & CEO Jim Hayes commented, “Greenville Regional Hospital has been blessed with a tremendous medical staff throughout its history. These individuals have worked together for the common good of our community. That solidarity is a rarity among many medical staffs in other places. This cooperative spirit among our team of physicians has been a big part of the history and success of Greenville Regional Hospital and both Dr. McCracken and Dr. Daisy have played a huge role in that.”
Greenville Regional Hospital will present Health Fair 2009 Friday, March 20th from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Greenville First United Methodist Church, located at 310 South Second Street.
Over 40 national, state, and local organizations and exhibitors will be participating. Thirteen free health tests, an optional low-cost comprehensive blood test, a combination comprehensive and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and a wide variety of health information will be available at the health fair. Child care services will be provided by hospital volunteers.
A comprehensive blood test, which includes a complete blood chemistry, a cardiac risk profile, an anemia test, a complete blood count, tests for kidney and liver diseases as well as other illnesses, and a thyroid test, will be offered for $30 at the health fair. The comprehensive blood test normally costs $487, a savings of 94 percent.
Many health fair participants have learned of personal health problems by taking the comprehensive blood test. Several individuals credit the health fair comprehensive blood test with saving their lives by detecting illnesses and diseas¬es the individuals were not aware of.
It is recommended that the comprehensive blood test be taken annually. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to take the blood test offered at the health fair.
A special price of only $40 will be charged for men wanting both the comprehensive blood test and the Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test. This combined test normally costs $595, a savings of 93 percent.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men should receive the PSA test annually, beginning at age 50. Men at high risk, however, should begin testing at age 45. Men at high risk include African Americans and men who have a close relative who had prostate cancer before age 65. Men at even higher risk, or those with several close relatives with prostate cancer at an early age, could begin testing at age 40. Depending on the results of the first tests, they might not need more testing until age 45.
Those planning to have either blood test performed should not eat for at least 12 hours before the test, except for water, black coffee, or plain tea. No diet drinks or juice should be consumed and no chewing gum should be used. Prescribed medication should continue to be taken. Diabetics should follow their normal therapy.
Results of the blood tests will be mailed to each participant in four to six weeks. Last year, a record number of blood tests, approximately 3,500, were drawn in conjunction with the health fair.
Pre-registration for Health Fair 2009 will begin Monday, March 9th at seven locations throughout Bond County. Pre-registration will be held in Greenville on March 9th at the First United Methodist Church, 310 South Second St., from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and at First Bank, 200 West Main St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration will be held on March 9th and March 13th at National Bank in Keyesport from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration will be held on March 9th, 13th, and 16th at the Pocahontas Village Hall, 101 West Kavanaugh Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; at the Mulberry Grove Fire House, 1897 IL Rt. 40, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and at the Sorento Municipal Center, 105 East Taylor St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration will be held daily, Monday through Friday, March 9th through the 18th, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Bond County Senior Center in Greenville.
While pre-registration is not a requirement, it is necessary for individuals planning to receive a blood test prior to 2:30 p.m. Those who have not pre-registered for a blood test will be accepted after 2:30 p.m. Those who have not pre-registered, however, may take the free health tests and visit the booths and displays at any time throughout the day.
Greenville Regional Hospital’s annual health fair is one of the largest in the St. Louis area. Last year’s event maintained a record attendance of approximately 3,200 individuals.
Health fair tests conducted free of charge include: cataract screening, hearing, vision, glaucoma, scoliosis, body fat composition screening, pulmonary function, and oral health screening. Video ear inspections and hand grip-strength testing will be performed. Height, weight, and blood pressure readings will also be taken.
Bone density testing will be provided at a cost of $5. In-home colon-rectal hemocult test kits will be offered at the health fair for $5. This test is designed to test for the presence of blood in a stool specimen, which can be an early sign of colon cancer or other diseases. Individuals over 40 years should conduct the test annually, or as often as recommended by a physician.
Other information and services provided during Health Fair 2009 include free child-safety gun locks and child fingerprinting, performed by the Greenville Police Department; free therapeutic shoulder mini-massages; the collection of used eye glasses for the Greenville Lions Club; information on living wills and durable power of attorney for health care, presented by representatives of Greenville Regional Hospital and Fair Oaks; and a demonstration of the Lifeline In-Home Emergency Response Sytem, also provided by Greenville Regional Hospital.
For more information on Health Fair 2009 please call the Greenville Regional Hospital Health Fair Information Line at 618.664.2777 or visit www.GreenvilleRegionalHospital.com.
Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary members presented a donation of $262,500 Monday to Greenville Regional Hospital officials.
Since it’s formation in 1957, the auxiliary has donated $3,353,016 to Greenville Regional Hospital and Fair Oaks, the hospital’s adjoining 108-bed skilled nursing facility. Fundraising milestones achieved by the auxiliary include surpassing the $1 million mark in giving in 1999, the $2 million level in 2004, and the $3 million plateau in 2008.
Monies donated at the auxiliary’s first meeting of the year will help complete the expansion and renovation of the Imaging Services Department, purchase 25 Lifeline In-Home Emergency Response System units, and obtain patient education items to be placed in the hospital’s new mammography suite.
Over the past eight years, the auxiliary has primarily designated its contributions for support of the Greenville Regional Hospital expansion project, completed in 2004; the expansion and renovation of the hospital’s laboratory, opened in 2007; and the expansion and renovation of the hospital’s Imaging Services Department, partially completed in 2008.
Of the $262,500 donation, $246,772.50 will be designated for the completion of the Imaging Services expansion and renovation. The price tag for the Imaging Services project is approximately $1.4 million. Construction activities associated with the project are nearing completion. $15,227.50 will be used to purchase 25 Lifeline In-Home Emergency Response Units. These units will replace existing equipment retired from service.
For the seventh consecutive year, receipts from a booth at the annual Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary Holiday Bazaar were designated for cancer awareness and/or treatment. The “For Women Only Booth,” generated approximately $945. $500 of the booth’s proceeds will be used to obtain patient education items, including breast self-examination models.
The Auxiliary’s most recent gift surpassed the $250,000 plateau for the fourth consecutive year. The donation went above the $200,000 giving level for the seventh time and moved beyond the $100,000 mark for the 12th consecutive year.
Accepting the check from Auxiliary President Joyce Keillor and Auxiliary Treasurer Sharon Ahern were: Morris “Buddy” Bond, Chairman of the Greenville Regional Hospital Board of Directors; Greenville Regional Hospital President and CEO Jim Hayes; and Greenville Regional Hospital Director of Advancement and Communication Ryan Mifflin.
Twenty-five fundraising events were sponsored by the Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary in 2008. In addition to the various fundraising activities, rental fees for the Lifeline In-Home Emergency Response System totaled approximately $7,000 for the year and were donated to the Auxiliary’s total. The Auxiliary Gift Shop, located inside Greenville Regional Hospital, donated profits of $11,000.
The organizations annual holiday bazaar—held last December—had the fifth-highest proceeds in its history, totaling $36,983.
Sales at the Auxiliary’s Thrift Shop were $264,894, a new record.
The previous Thrift Shop sales record was set in 2006 with receipts of $254,000. The 2008 revenues surpassed this mark by more than 4%. From 2007 to 2008, Thrift Shop proceeds increased by 9%. The move to the new and larger Thrift Shop last year is credited with the sales growth.
In addition to the Holiday Bazaar proceeds, the Auxiliary’s annual book fair, held in June, raised revenues of over $10,700, the second-highest total.
Other events conducted by the Auxiliary in 2008 included contributions to the “Light a Luminary for a Loved One or Friend” project, two bake sales, a spring salad luncheon, pinochle flights, four new book sales, and the sale of homemade apple butter , peach butter, and strawberry preserves during Apple Day in Greenville. Along with the traditional Auxiliary projects, fundraising events initiated in recent years were continued in 2008, including jewelry and uniform sales.
Tuesday’s general membership meeting was conducted in the Greenville Regional Hospital Community Room. Reports on the operation of the auxiliary in 2008 were presented during the meeting and new officers were installed.
New officers for 2009-2010 include: Boyd Vieregge, Second Vice-President; and Donna Bristow, Recording Secretary. Vieregge becomes the first male to serve as a Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary officer. In 2007, he was the first male to serve as chairman of the Holiday Bazaar Steering Committee. Bristow has previously held the office of Recording Secretary.
Sharon Ahern was re-elected Tuesday night to the position of Auxiliary Treasurer. She has held the position for a number of years. Treasurer Ahern has earned the distinction of serving as a Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary officer longer than any other individual. She has been the auxiliary treasurer for over ten years.
Officers continuing to serve are Joyce Keillor, President; Nancy Machmer, Immediate Past President; Edie Gaffner, First-Vice President; Pam Tompkins, Corresponding Secretary; and Kathy Farnsworth, Historian.
Officers whose terms expired were Wanda Cooper, Second-Vice President, and Lida Vieregge, Recording Secretary.
Auxiliary membership for 2008 included approximately 740 individuals.
Ingenix, a leading health information, technology and consulting company, recently released its fifth annual report on the “Top 200 Coding Hospitals in the U.S.,” ranking hospitals according to the completeness and accuracy of their medical coding practices used to bill Medicare for inpatient medical services.
The report ranks Greenville Regional Hospital 35th in the nation out of 1,459 hospitals in the urban, non-teaching peer group.
The only other Illinois Hospitals listed were all grouped in the “Major Teaching” peer group and include: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, Evanston NW Healthcare, University of Chicago Medical Center, Loyola University Medical Center, and Mount Sinai Hospital
Medical coding involves turning an English description of a diagnosis, symptom, or procedure, into a number that is recognized world-wide for disease classification and reimbursement purposes.
Health care financing is experiencing an historic upheaval. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced a new Medicare payment methodology (MS-DRGs), is paying less for hospital-acquired conditions (HACs), and has increased pressure for correct coding due to its Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program. In response, Ingenix is adapting to this changing environment by changing its methodology for determining the top coding hospitals.
The hospitals listed in this report have demonstrated top coding performance—a crucial competence in this new era of severity-adjusted DRGs for Medicare. While many hospitals are improving quality of care, all facilities will have to document and code more thoroughly under the new system. These hospitals have demonstrated a high level of completeness and accuracy of medical coding and billing practices that are used to bill Medicare for inpatient medical services.
With so many new rules, regulations, and coding requirements, hospitals find it more difficult than ever to balance the need to remain compliant with the need to optimize reimbursement.
The health care industry’s increasing reliance on code-based prospective payment systems, such as diagnosis-related groups and ambulatory payment classifications, underscores the critical impact of clinical documentation and coding on hospital revenues. This study highlights the increasingly important role medical records coding and health information management are playing in the revenue cycle management process and emphasizes the value of using quantitative HIM measures of coding performance. The top coding hospitals in this study have a clear understanding of how coding fits into revenue cycle management and should be considered models for the industry.
These new challenges create new compliance risks for hospitals, making it critical to have accurate and complete coding fully supported by clinical documentation.
To determine ranking, 13 coding scenarios were identified as most frequently associated with coding errors. The top 50 hospitals were determined in each of the four peer groups by establishing a percent rank for each measure. The hospitals with the highest average rank across all measures were selected.
“We’re very proud of this designation,” said Greenville Regional Hospital President and CEO Jim Hayes. “Coding is something we take very seriously here. Accuracy in coding translates to more accurate information submitted for billing and more accurate statistics to document disease trends in our communities; both of which are tremendous benefits to the healthcare consumer.”
Crystal Leaser, CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), manager of the Greenville Regional Hospital Health Information Management Department said, “I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of our coders, Laura Sanders, RHIA, and Keisha Schumer, RHIT. Their contributions made this designation possible.” Ms. Leaser is also a coder.
Consultants from the Ingenix Health Information Management consulting division reviewed more than 50 indicators that point to coding excellence in the Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) and ICD-9-CM systems. Of the metrics reviewed, 13 exhibited a high correlation with coding accuracy. Ingenix ranked 4,607 U.S. hospitals within their peer groups on each of these 13 metrics and identified overall top performers.
919 hospitals were reviewed in the Rural, Non-Teaching category; 1,459 in the Urban, Non-Teaching category; 1,996 in the category of Minor Teaching (with less than 100 residents and interns; and 233 in the Major Teaching category (those with 100-plus residents and interns. The top 50 within each category were recognized in the Ingenix report.
|