The Medical Center Wins Consumer Choice Award

Residents of Bowling Green and Warren County have chosen The Medical Center as the number one healthcare facility in the area. The Medical Center at Bowling Green received the Consumer Choice Award as the result of a survey conducted by the National Research Corporation. In the annual survey, The Medical Center came out on top with consumers in the areas of quality and image.

Four Kentucky hospitals received the Consumer Choice Award this year. Other Kentucky winners include Baptist East in Louisville, Central Baptist in Lexington and the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Medical Center also in Lexington.

Consumers were asked about the overall quality of the hospital, the expertise of its physicians and nurses, and the image and reputation of the facility.

“It is an honor when we receive an award that directly represents the voice of our patients. To care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve is The Medical Center’s mission statement. The Consumer Choice Award exemplifies what The Medical Center strives to deliver every day to our community,” said Connie Smith, Chief Executive Officer of The Medical Center.

The award identifies hospitals which healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality in more than 300 markets including more than 250,000 households throughout the United States. Annually, the National Research Corporation awards hospitals whose consumers have recognized them for providing the highest quality healthcare.

This is the third time The Medical Center in Bowling Green has received the Consumer Choice Award.

Scott, Murphy and Daniel, The Medical Center and the Kentucky Labor Cabinet partner to Protect Kentucky Workers

Partners sign a formal agreement to prevent accidents and injuries among workers constructing The Medical Center-WKU Health Sciences Complex.

Today, a formal signing ceremony was held to recognize Scott, Murphy & Daniel and The Medical Center for entering into a formal safety partnership with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet. The partnership is aimed at reducing accidents and injuries through the implementation of safety training and safe working procedures during the construction of The Medical Center-WKU Health Sciences Complex that benefit `workers constructing the new facility.

The Construction Partnership Program is a voluntary agreement in which safety and health experts from the Kentucky Office of Occupational Safety and Health (KOSH), Division of Education and Training make quarterly, consultative visits to the building site to provide extensive safety and health surveys.

Labor Cabinet Secretary Mark Brown signed the agreement with Scott, Murphy and Daniel and The Medical Center Officials.

Education and training on Kentucky OSH standards are provided when applicable. This continuous engagement between the Partners eliminates the need for random compliance inspections during the construction of The Medical Center-WKU Health Sciences Complex as long as state requirements are being met.

In support of Western Kentucky University, The Medical Center is constructing the new facility to house the university’s nursing and physical therapy programs and to provide educational space for the hospital. Eighty percent of the facility will be used by WKU to accommodate assembly, training, classroom and business functions for WKU. The remaining 20 percent will be used by The Medical Center for an auditorium and bed labs for clinical training.

The Medical Center-WKU Health Sciences Complex will be a three story, ~73,400 SF free-standing Facility located at 700 First Avenue in Bowling Green, KY. It has been designed and engineered to allow for a future Fourth and Fifth Floor vertical expansion of the Third Floor footprint. Vehicular parking is provided via two new lots.

The Medical Center to Expand Diagnostic Imaging Services with Acquisition of Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging

The Medical Center and Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging (WKDI) have entered into an agreement for the hospital to acquire WKDI. The acquisition of WKDI is a cost effective means to expand The Medical Center’s services by offering a second location for outpatient imaging. Continued growth in the demand for diagnostic imaging services in the region necessitates the need for expansion.

“Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging has an exceptional reputation in Southcentral Kentucky as a leader in providing quality imaging services with excellent customer service for its patients,” said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation, the parent company of The Medical Center. “WKDI is a welcomed addition to The Medical Center family that will further enhance the quality of services we provide the community.”

“Since 1996, Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging has played an important role in the healthcare needs of thousands in Southcentral Kentucky,” said Rodney D. Veitschegger, Jr., M.D., co-owner of WKDI. “Dr. Sean Willgruber and I very much appreciate the patients and referring physicians who have allowed us the privilege of serving them. The merger with The Medical Center will expand the availability of services to patients of both WKDI and The Medical Center. The entire staff at WKDI is committed to a seamless transition.”

WKDI will be an outpatient department of The Medical Center and will begin operations under the new ownership effective October 1. WKDI will maintain its original name and all imaging services currently provided will continue. Patients should not experience any change in service as a result of the acquisition.

About The Medical Center Diagnostic Imaging Center

The Medical Center Diagnostic Imaging Center provides radiology, cardiac scoring, 64-slice CT, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), echocardiography, stress testing, holter monitoring, digital mammography, angiography, PET/CT, CT-3D treatment planning, vascular imaging, bone density evaluation, stereotactic breast biopsy, and dual head nuclear cameras. The Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology in MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine and Mammography as well as accredited by The Joint Commission.

About Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging

Western Kentucky Diagnostic Imaging (WKDI) provides high field MRI, open MRI, digital mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound, bone density evaluation, fluoroscopy, CT scan, nuclear medicine and x-ray services. WKDI is accredited by the American College of Radiology in MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine and Mammography. WKDI is located at 1635 Scottsville Road in Bowling Green.

Commonwealth Health Corporation Employee Giving Reaches $1 Million

Commonwealth Health Foundation has announced that contributions through the ECHO (Employees Contributing to Help Others) program has reached $1 million. The program was established in 2000 to enable employees of Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC) to contribute to the Foundation which serves as the philanthropic arm of CHC.

“Employee giving is a powerful statement to our patients and community that the employees believe in our mission and are united in our commitment to help CHC improve the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation.

Currently the ECHO program has more than 800 active employees participating through payroll deduction. This total includes employees of CHC and its subsidiaries.

Donations to the program can be designated to support Commonwealth Health Free Clinic and The Dental Clinic, the Hospitality House or both. Commonwealth Health Free Clinic provides free medical services to the working uninsured, while The Dental Clinic offers a low cost alternative to those in need of basic dental care. The Hospitality House is a “home away from home” that serves the family members and caregivers of seriously ill patients receiving treatment at The Medical Center and Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital.

The Medical Center to Construct $18.4 Million Health Sciences Complex

Connie Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation, parent company of The Medical Center, announced today plans to construct a 73,471 square foot, three-story facility on the hospital's campus at a cost of $18.4 million. In support of Western Kentucky University, The Medical Center is constructing the new facility to house the university's nursing and physical therapy programs and to provide educational space for the hospital. The facility will be named The Medical Center-WKU Health Sciences Complex.

The project will address the national nursing shortage by providing much needed space for WKU to expand its program and double the number of students who can enroll in the university’s nursing program. Eighty percent of the facility will be used by WKU to accommodate assembly, training, classroom and business functions for WKU. The remaining 20 percent will be used by The Medical Center for an auditorium and bed labs for clinical training.

"Southcentral Kentucky, like the rest of the nation, is facing a serious nursing shortage," said Smith. "We must be diligent in finding ways to prevent a deficit of new nurses in the future. Nursing is a critical component of a hospital's delivery of care. Enabling Western Kentucky University to expand their program and ultimately their supply of nurses to the healthcare industry will have significant impact on The Medical Center's ability to maintain the quality care we provide in this region. Not as highly publicized but just as vital is the need to guard against a shortage of physical therapists by providing educational space for the university's physical therapy doctorate program."

"Education is an important agent for change, and WKU is committed to providing the means of change that will improve the quality of life for Southcentral Kentucky and beyond," said Dr. Gary A. Ransdell, WKU President. "Increasing the number of nurses and physical therapists will help address the critical healthcare needs we face today. Public-private partnerships such as this with the City of Bowling Green and the TIF District, the state of Kentucky and, most important, Commonwealth Health Corporation and The Medical Center at Bowling Green, allow us to provide the means to make those changes possible. This is a win-win situation with our community and region being the ultimate beneficiaries."

The Medical Center will issue bonds to pay for construction. WKU will lease the facility from The Medical Center for 25 years, income from which will be used toward debt service and operating expenses.

The facility will be located at 700 First Avenue on the edge of the hospital's campus that borders 31W Bypass. The project is estimated to be completed by the 2013 fall semester at WKU. Stengel Hill Architecture has designed the facility to allow for future expansion. Scott, Murphy & Daniel, LLC has been selected as the general contractor.

The Medical Center Enhances Training with Newborn Simulator

The Medical Center has acquired new technology that provides enhanced training for staff involved with neonatal care. The Gaumard "Newborn HAL" simulator is a computer programmable "baby" that is being used to train nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics.

Approximately 10 percent of all newborns need some assistance to begin breathing at birth. Without timely help, these newborns can die or suffer lifelong consequences.

"It is critically important for all medical personnel who provide care during the first moments of life to be prepared with the skills required to quickly assess the infant's condition and provide the necessary resuscitation measures," said Debbie Smith, Charge Nurse of The Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The Medical Center NICU provides 24/7 neonatology services and cares for infants greater than 28 weeks gestation.

The use of a high-fidelity simulator is an effective training tool for the obstetrical team, allowing repetitive training of high-risk clinical emergencies. Conducted in a risk-free environment, the training promotes team work, clinical decision-making and confidence among staff members.

Using the simulator, staff have the ability to run programmed scenarios, modify scenarios or create new ones. With wireless communication, "Newborn HAL" can be "treated" in one area and rushed to another, recording the actions of staff for performance feedback. The simulator is used with initial employee orientation in the NICU, ongoing competency assessment and continuing education for medical personnel.

The purchase of the newborn simulator was made possible in part by a $14,500 grant from WHAS Crusade for Children to Commonwealth Health Foundation. The total cost of the simulator was $22,500.

"The airline industry has long embraced simulator training for their staff education," said Amber Herman, Clinical Manager of Obstetrics and Neonatology. "Healthcare education is heading the same way, but the simulators are very expensive. The WHAS Crusade for Children grant helped fund the purchase of the simulator which will be used to expand our staff's skill and competency to better handle high-risk births in Southcentral Kentucky."

Kohl’s Grant Supports The Medical Center’s Newborn Care & Safety Program

Kohl’s Cares® has once again awarded Commonwealth Health Foundation a grant to enable The Medical Center to reach expectant parents with vital obstetrics education classes. This year’s grant totaling $32,814 will be used for The Medical Center’s Newborn Care and Safety Class which teaches expectant parents essential baby care skills.

“The Newborn Care and Safety Class is one of our most attended classes because expectant parents, as well as new parents, are very eager to learn how to care for their newborn,” said Amber Herman, OB Clinical Manager for The Medical Center. “Parents want to feel confident and comfortable in caring for their newborn, and this class teaches them the basic skills they need to know.”

The Newborn Care and Safety Class is a free, hands-on class where participants use baby dolls to practice swaddling and holding a newborn, diapering and giving the baby a bath. A variety of safety issues are addressed, and a CPR demonstration shows parents what to do in an emergency.

As a result of Kohl’s support, The Medical Center expanded its class offerings by adding a second location for the class. Now the class is held at Fairview Community Health Center Annex in addition to The Medical Center Health & Wellness Center. Classes at The Health & Wellness Center are typically full with a waiting list; classes at the Fairview Annex are overflowing each month. Last year 31 classes were held with 632 total participants, and 34 classes are already scheduled for 2012.

The Kohl’s grant also funds the purchase of safety tote bags for expectant parents who take part in the Newborn Care and Safety class. The tote bags, which include items such as a Lullaby CD, DNA identification kit, baby bath sponge, bath water temperature tester, infant CPR refrigerator magnet, and baby safety gift set, are provided to parents at no cost.

The Medical Center is the local Kohl’s Cares® beneficiary. Since 2006, Kohl’s has donated more than $133,000 to The Medical Center to support its health and wellness programs including construction of two community walking trails at local elementary schools.

Kohl's commitment to Commonwealth Health Foundation and The Medical Center is made possible through the Kohl's Cares® philanthropic initiative. Kohl’s Cares® includes a merchandise program featuring $5 books and plush toys where 100% of net profits benefit health and educational opportunities for children nationwide. Since 2000 when Kohl’s Cares® was introduced, Kohl's has raised more than $180 million through its merchandise program. In addition to its hospital partnerships, Kohl's Cares includes Kohl’s Cares® scholarship program, Kohl's Associates in Action program, and fundraising cards for local schools and nonprofit youth organizations.

About Kohl’s Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,127 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

About Commonwealth Health Foundation

Commonwealth Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC). Commonwealth Health Foundation helps build relationships and partnerships across Southcentral Kentucky that will inspire charitable giving by individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations. These gifts help support the mission of CHC to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.commonwealthhealthfoundation.org or call 270-796-5543.

About The Medical Center

The Medical Center at Bowling Green is the flagship hospital for Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC). Located in Bowling Green, Ky., The Medical Center is a 337-bed, full service, not-for-profit hospital specializing in heart, cancer care, obstetrics and neonatology, and orthopaedic services. With a mission to care for people and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves, CHC and its entities including The Medical Center at Bowling Green contributed $58.4 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2011. The Medical Center treats patients regardless of their ability to pay and annually provides millions in community benefit through charity care for the uninsured and shortfalls in governmental reimbursements (Medicare and Medicaid). To learn more, visit www.TheMedicalCenter.org.