Provena Health News

Neuro Patients at St. Joseph's Celebrate with their Medical Heroes

Provena Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

As seen in the Herald News
By Janet Lundquist

JOLIET — A toddler recovered from a fall that left him minutes from brain death. A 23-year-old suffering a stroke received quick intervention and a new lease on life. A teenager who suffered a brain injury in a fall from an all-terrain vehicle fully recovered under a month of careful monitoring.

The patients met their doctors and the people who got them to the hospital under much better circumstances Wednesday, in a happy reunion hosted by Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center.

The hospital hosted a breakfast in recognition of the Will and Grundy counties’ emergency medical technicians who hospital officials say have helped St. Joseph’s become the best in the state for neuroscience.

The hospital received the Neurosciences Excellence Award, the Stroke Care Excellence Award and a Neurosurgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, an independent health-care evaluation organization.

The combined HealthGrades rankings makes the hospital No. 1 in the state for neuroscience, hospital officials say.

The hospital opened its Ne

Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Earns ACR Accreditation

Provena Health — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

Provena United Samaritans Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in stereotactic breast biopsy as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

A breast biopsy is performed to remove cells — either surgically or through a less invasive procedure involving a hollow needle — from an area in the breast suspected to be cancerous. These cells are examined under a microscope to determine a diagnosis. In stereotactic breast biopsy, a special mammography machine helps guide the physician’s instruments to the site of an abnormal growth.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. The findings are then reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation.

Provena President and CEO Mike Brown says he’s thrilled to hear

Kankakee-Area's First Cochlear Implant Surgeries a Success

Provena Health — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

Meet Connie Giguere and Rev. Robert Harwell. Last Thanksgiving, both of them felt locked out of the real world. Why? They couldn’t hear.

By Christmas, however, their worlds had changed dramatically and in a way they could only have dreamed about. Both heard the sounds of the season and the voices of family and friends for the first time in many years. It was the greatest gift of all.

Both Giguere and Harwell were the first patients in Kankakee County to undergo cochlear implantation at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital. In late November 2011, Francis L. Hobson, M.D., did the procedure for each patient. Dr. Hobson is board-certified in otolaryngology with an otology skull-base fellowship.

A cochlear implant (CI) provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. It is an electronic device that is surgically placed into the cochlea or inner ear and consists of a receiver and an electrode array, which contains the electronic circuits that receive signals from the external system and send electrical currents to the auditory nerve.

The external components inc

New Leadership at Provena Villa Franciscan

Provena Health — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

Melissa Adams has been promoted to Administrator of Provena Villa Franciscan in Joliet, IL effective January 16, 2012. In her new role, Adams will direct and coordinate the day-to-day operations at Provena Villa Franciscan, a ministry of Provena Life Connections that provides rehabilitation (physical, occupational, and speech therapy), skilled nursing and intermediate care, Alzheimer’s and related dementia care, respite care and comfort care.&nb

Provena Mercy Stroke Care Program Receives Reaccreditation

Provena Health — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

AURORA IL – Provena Mercy Medical Center’s Advanced Primary Stroke Program recently was recognized for its ability to provide stroke care that can significantly improve outcomes for patients.

Provena Mercy received recertification as a Primary Stroke Center from The Joint Commission, an independent organization that measures performance standards of health care organizations across the United States.

To become a Primary Stroke Center, Provena Mercy health care providers prepared extensively to provide the necessary documentation for The Joint Commission, which reviewed the structure of the Provena Mercy’s stroke program, its current stroke patients and the care provided to them, use of data and the competencies of staff and licensed independent practitioners. Certification is awarded for a two-year period.

This distinction demonstrates that Provena Mercy’s stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.

Surveyors commented on a nu

From Student to Teacher: Provena Fortin Villa Learning Center's New Teacher...

Provena Health — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

Provena Fortin Villa Learning Center in Kankakaee, Ill., recently welcomed Sarah Schmidt as the new pre-kindergarten teacher and curriculum coordinator.

Ms. Schmidt comes to the center with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Governor’s State University and previous education experience at Montessori Lincoln Cultural Center School, Gertrude B. Nielsen School, the Kankakee Park District and more.

Sarah is no stranger to Provena Fortin Villa Learning Center. While completing her undergraduate coursework, she worked at the center. “While I worked at the ce

Provena Mercy Medical Center Names New CEO

Provena Health — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

Maureen A. Bryant has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Provena Mercy Medical Center, Aurora, effective February 6, 2012.

Bryant's healthcare career has included more than 24 years in executive leadership positions for hospitals primarily located on the east coast. Her most recent experience has been at Morton Hospital and Medical Center in Massachusetts where she spent two years as the President and CEO and 10 years as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Most recently as President and CEO, she led Morton through a complex process to identify potential partners, ultimately leading to the approval and transition of the hospital to Steward Health Care System in 2011.

Prior to joining Morton Hospital and Medical Center, Bryant was the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Albany Medical Center in New York for three years. She also had the opportunity to become familiar with a portion of the New Ministry local market during the three years she spent as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet. Earlier in her career

Patient Rooms at Provena United Samaritans Get New, Comfortable Furniture

Provena Health — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST

Once again, the Provena United Samaritans Medical Foundation Board of Directors has risen to meet the needs of our patients, guests and community. In our continuing efforts to improve the patient experience at Provena United Samaritans, a project was undertaken to update the inpatient nursing care areas. Currently all of these areas are being repainted and new vinyl flooring is being installed. To finish this project, Provena added new furniture to patient rooms and replacing the current furniture. The staff on the units evaluated the needs and, with their patients' input, selected a line of bedside furniture to suit the identified needs. They chose a collection of bedside and over-the-bed tables designed by Michael Graves, who was a patient after suffering a terrible accident which left him paralyzed. Following recovery, he designed a line of furniture that would increase comfort and be more ergonomically sound for patients and guests. A variety of chairs have been chosen to meet the needs of both the patients and their families. Different heights, as well as bariatric options for the chairs, have been selected to accommodate

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Reac...

Provena Health — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Reaccredited - A History of Outstanding Inpatient Therapy

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center’s Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation once again has been accredited for a period of three years by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.

St. Joes also received Stroke Specialty accreditation, a separate certification reco

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, Vascular Laboratory Receives Accredita...

Provena Health — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST

Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 38 seconds of cardiovascular disease – disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the country, with nearly 800,000 new strokes occurring annually. The American Heart Association estimates that the direct and indirect cost for cardiovascular disease and stroke in the U.S. for 2010 is $576.7 billion.

Early detection of life threatening heart disorders, stroke and other diseases is possible through the use of vascular procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. While these tests are very helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on vascular testing. The skill of the vascular technologist performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowl

Provena Mercy Medical Center Recognized by Compa�eros en Salud

Provena Health — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST

Provena Mercy Medical Center was awarded the "2011 Mission Award- Partner of the Year" for outstanding service and support by Compañeros en Salud /Partners in Health, NFP at the organization’s recent annual awards. Compañeros en Salud/Partners in Health is an Aurora based coalition that focuses on addressing the healthcare and social issues that affects the Hispanic community and other diverse groups. Their mission is to provide the Hispanic community and other diverse groups with the means to access resources and services for their health and well-being.

Provena Mercy Medical Center has exhibited this commitment to the Hispanic/Latino communities and to Compañeros en Salud in several ways. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has cited some of the leading causes of illness and death among Hispanics to be heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. In addition, language barriers that affec

Provena Covenant Medical Center Named one of the Nation's Top Cardiovascula...

Provena Health — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST

Provena Covenant Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by Thomson Reuters, making them the only hospital in East Central Illinois and one of only three hospitals in Illinois to receive this honor.

The study examined the performance of more than 1,000 hospitals by analyzing outcomes for patients with heart failure and heart attacks and for those who received coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions such as angioplasties. As an award winner, Provena Covenant provides cardiac care to patients that is proven to offer a better chance of survival and lower complication rates than other community hospitals in Illinois.

“Last year physicians and staff in several areas across Provena Covenant worked tirelessly to improve and enhance several aspects of cardiovascular care in order to earn our accreditations as a full Cycle III Chest Pain Center with PCI and full Cycle I Heart Failure Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. These efforts made a big impact on the quality of our heart care and are what ultimately led us to winning t

Provena St. Mary's Chest Pain Center Achieves Re-Accreditation

Provena Health — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST

Provena St. Mary’s Hospital has received full re-accreditation status from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC). This commendation confirms that the hospital’s Chest Pain Center has achieved and demonstrates a higher level of expertise in caring for patients who have symptoms of heart attack.

“Provena St. Mary’s Hospital is dedicated to providing patients with the best heart care treatment available. As a re-accredited Chest Pain Center, we have integrated the newest procedures and best practices in heart care to ensure that patients receive the right care during the critical early stages of a heart attack in order to minimize or eliminate damage to this muscle,” explains Amy LaFine, R.N., M.S.N., Interim President & CEO at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital.

She continues, “In addition to faster treatment, re-accreditation of our Chest Pain Center for the second consecutive three-year term means improved patient outcomes, timely and accurate diagnoses, and ongoing community education to help individuals better understand heart disease and how to respond in emergencies.&r

Provena Mercy shows off major hospital room upgrade

Provena Health — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST

By Erika Wurst, Aurora Beacon News

The hospital is not a place people really want to end up, but if they check into Provena Mercy Medical Center, they may never want to leave.

Provena Mercy — which just celebrated its 100th year — is undergoing an $11 million renovation, and the fruits of that labor were revealed Tuesday morning during a VIP showing. Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, State Rep. Linda Chapa Lavia and proud members of the Provena Mercy Medical Center Foundation got a sneak peek of the new

Provena Covenant awards grand prize for Name the Robot Contest in a surpris...

Provena Health — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST

More than 180 local K-5 students submitted robot coloring contest pages and name submissions for the new da Vinci surgical robot system at Provena Covenant Medical Center as a part of the Name the Robot contest.

Of these, Robeson Elementary School 2^nd grader William Ding won the grand prize with his name submission of “Dr. R.U.S.S.,” which stands for Robotic Ultimate Surgical System. William won a certificate from Provena Covenant, along with a $100 Visa gift card and will get a private tour of the da Vinci operating room.

In addition to the grand prize, three runner-up prizes were awarded in preceding weeks to the school with the most entries and to the two most artistic robot coloring pages. Judah Christian School had more than 80 students submit entries, which earned them a $100 Visa gift card. Two most artistic awards were given in the K-2 and 3-5 age groups. Samuel McArthur, a kindergartner at Kenwood Elementary and Ashanti Williams, a 4^th grader at Prairie School, won a $50 Visa gift card each for the two most artistic entries.

With the most advance

PUSMC Named "Best Medical Clinic/Hospital" in Best of Danville Awards

Provena Health — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST

Provena United Samaritans is proud to announce that our ministry was named “Best Medical Clinic/Hospital” in the recent D102 Best of Danville awards. More than 1,000 community members voted for "the best" in a number of categories at locations throughout Danville.

Photo: Provena Covenant Medical Center & Provena United Samaritans Medical Center President/CEO Mike Brown accepted the award at a recent breakfast ceremony.

Provena's Festival of Trees also retained its place as "Best Community Event" for yet another year.

Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, Elgin, Launches InQuickER

Provena Health — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST

On November 8, 2011, Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, Elgin and Provena Acute Care, Lake in the Hills, launched InQuicker.com an on-line check-in service for ER care designed to increase patient convenience and satisfaction. InQuicker.com allows users with non-life threatening conditions to check wait times and hold their place in line, online while resting comfortable at home.

In their service area, a user visits InQuicker.com to find projected treatment times at Provena Saint Joseph Hospital Emergency Department or Provena Acute Care. After providing some demographic and symptom information and agreeing to terms and conditions, the user is added to the emergency department or

Provena United Samaritans Earns Gold Star Seal of Approval

Provena Health — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST

By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission‘s national standards for health care quality and safety, Provena United Samaritans Medical Center has earned reaccreditation and the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™.

"This is important for our organization because it shows our dedication and commitment to patient safety and providing excellent care to those who need it," says Mike Brown, CEO for Provena United Samaritans Medical Center and Provena Covenant.

The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of earlier this year. The accreditation award recognizes Provena’s dedication to complying with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis.
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations.

The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United S

Nazarethville to join new system formed by Provena Health and Resurrection ...

Provena Health — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST

Nazarethville, a nursing home located at 300 North River Road, Des Plaines, was recently approved to join Resurrection Health Care. Effective December 1, the facility will now become part of the new organization created by the merger of Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care.

According to Peter E. Goschy, Regional Vice President of Resurrection's Senior Services, "The Nazarethville Board of Directors approached Resurrection Health Care to discuss the possibility of joining our system. We were thrilled and honored that they would take this step. Nazarethville has provided outstanding care to this area for many years, and they are a welcome addition to our New Ministry."

Sister Lucille Madura, CSFN, Administrator of Nazarethville said that, "Nazarethville will continue to operate under the sponsorship of the five religious congregations of women, including the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the other orders who sponsor our newly-merged organization. Our residents and employees will also remain at Nazarethville. Joining with Resurrection Health Care and then the newly merged organization with Provena Heal

Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care Close on Merger

Provena Health — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST

Today marks the official closing of the merger joining Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care to form the largest Catholic health care system in Illinois. The new health system, which provides a continuum of care from Chicago's lakefront to east central Illinois and many points in between, is now a single organization dedicated to the delivery of patient, resident and family-centered care.

Honoring the official "birthday" of the yet-unnamed organization, celebratory activities are taking place at the more 150 sites of care in the organization. Utilizing the unique 11/1/11 birthday, various materials being distributed and activities proclaim the new organization as having the "Power of One" in building a stronger, mission-driven Catholic health system. Prayer cards will be given to patients, residents, families, employees and physicians to reflect on the significance of the day in a spiritual way. And, even the tiniest patients are included in the festivities, as infants born on this day in the organization’s hospitals will receive complimentary onesies honor

Provena Home Care Agencies Named to HomeCare Elite for Sixth Year in a Row

Provena Health — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST

For the sixth consecutive year, select Provena Home Care agencies have been recognized as among the HomeCare Elite™, a compilation of the most successful home health agencies in the United States. This annual review identifies the top 25 percent of agencies, ranked by a three-part analysis of performance measures including quality of care, quality improvement and financial performance. The Provena home care agencies that achieved the HomeCare Elite award in 2011 included agencies in Bourbonnais, Elgin, Champaign and Gurnee.

“It is increasingly challenging to manage the cost/quality equation. The 2011 HomeCare Elite winners demonstrate a commitment to pro

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Provena Health — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST

Learn more about cancer care at your local Provena minisry.

Mammogram Parties at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center:

Trouble viewing the video? Visit the CBS2 website.

From the Beacon News - October 11, 2011

Mammograms - The Who, What, When and Why

It's been roughly two years since a government report recommended increasing the age at which women should begin breast cancer screenings. Yet today, there is still confu

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Named #1 for Neurosciences

Provena Health — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Named Number 1 in Illinois for Neurosciences by HealthGrades

Ranking Includes Stroke Care and Neurosurgery - Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center was named “tops” in Illinois for Neurosciences.

In a report released by HealthGrades, the nation’s most trusted, independent source of physician information and hospital quality ratings, St. Joes Medical Center’s combined ranking for neurosurgery and stroke care placed it as the best Neuroscience program in the state.

“With the opening of our new physical NeuroScience Institute, it is especially significant to receive recognition for the program started here several year

PUSMC Regional Cancer Center Renovations Complete

Provena Health — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST

Provena United Samaritans has completed $1 million in renovations to its Regional Cancer Center, and will hold a public Open House on Sunday, October 30, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The Center’s existing space has been under renovation for five months, and now features a more modernized look, enhanced privacy and comfort for patients, and a new pathway of care.

Patients and visitors will see a new central reception area, three new private bays for treatment and physician consultation, three private dressing rooms, an additional restroom and remodeled existing restrooms, two new conference areas, and a more convenient lab draw room. Additionally, the exterior of the building received a face-lift.

“All of the improvements made were based on needs expressed by our patients, physicians, and staff,” states Molly Nicholson, RN, MS, MBA, Vice President of Patient Care/ Chief Nursing Executive at Provena United Samaritans. “We’re excited that we’ll be able to provide a more efficient and more comfortable experie

Provena St. Mary's Hospital Receives American College of Cardiology Foundat...

Provena Health — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST

Provena St. Mary’s Hospital has received the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Silver Performance Achievement Award for 2011 – one of only 94 hospitals nationwide to do so. The award recognizes Provena St. Mary’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients, and signifies that Provena St. Mary’s Hospital has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

To receive the ACTION Registry–GWTG Silver Performance Achievement Award, Provena St. Mary’s Hospital consistently followed the treatment guidelines in ACTION Registry–GWTG for 4 consecutive quarters and met a performance standard of 85% for specific performance measures. Following these treatment guidelines improves adherence to ACC/AHA Clinical Guideline recommendations, monitors drug safety and the overa