March 28, 2007 Edition

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LHS has plan for success

Leah Osbahr, Lawrence Health Services president, provided an overview of a methodology for measuring organizational performance and achieving sustainable results during the LHS board meeting Monday evening. The "Balanced Scorecard" is a description of the organizations' new strategy. It links strategy to performance.

"We will be focusing on four indicators ~ financial, customer, clinical and business processes and learning and growth," said Osbahr.

Financial perspective identifies the long-term sustainability and the financial resources needed to fulfill the community mission. Customer perspective will address needs and expectations of the patients, physicians and community. Clinical and business process set goals that must be accomplished. Learning and growth components will focus on the skills, culture and technology necessary if a rural hospital is to become successful.

Steps to using a balanced scorecard include mapping exercises and building goals as an organization, according to Osbahr. The challenge is to instill the awareness of management's priorities by "drilling down" to individual employees.

"One of the first steps is reviewing our mission and vision statement," said Osbahr. "Our current mission statement is 'To provide personalized healthcare and wellness service through our health system, affiliations and relationships.' We are in the process of writing a new mission statement focused on providing quality healthcare in a safe, caring environment.

"Our current vision is 'To be the first choice in community healthcare for Lawrence County.' We are reconsidering this vision statement to better address the needs and expectations of our patients, medical staff and community.'"

Bill Maxwell, board president, suggested changing the focus from "community" to "the area we serve."

Also during the meeting, Sarah Wright, administrator of LHNC, announced that "Celebrate Life" would be the theme for this years' celebration of National Nursing Home Week, May 13-19. Events are being planned to lead up to a special celebration on Saturday involving residents and families. Activities will be focused on "the good old days."

In other business:

The board approved the report of Dr. Ted Lancaster, medical director of LHNC.
Wright provided a report of benchmark information, comparing reports from the industry to data collected at the nursing home during the month of February. Osbahr presented comparative information for the hospital side of operations.
Wright also introduced a new program, CARE, which stands for consider, appreciate and recognize employees. She will be meeting with every employee hired within the past 90 days.
The nursing home has formed a mock survey team, involving all disciplines.
Administrators are looking for a liability insurance program appropriate for the day care center.
An alarm control system is in place now in the daycare center to alert adults when someone enters the building.
Wright and a LHNC registered nurse will be attending long term care emergency training this summer. The program is titled PREPARE.
Human resource data was reviewed, including new employees, terminations and resignations.
Osbahr reviewed the National Patient Safety Goal, to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
The finance committee reported that net income is above budget and compares favorably to 2006.
The board approved the purchase of an electronic convection steamer for the dietary department.
Approvals were given for medical staff applications.
Policies for the electronic withdrawals and back accounts were reviewed and approved.

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