Columbia Memorial | Health Compass | Spring 2019

The importance of Planetree By Erik Thorsen, CEO If you’ve been a patient at Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH), you may have seen the gold Planetree seal on a brochure or a sign. That seal means that CMH has been evaluated by the Planetree organization and judged to be a person-centered health system. At CMH, our Planetree designation is a point of pride. In July 2013, we earned that seal thanks to the dedication of many community members and caregivers. We had been preparing for designation by refining policies and processes and building programs like Pet Therapy and No One Dies Alone. Put in practice, our person- centered focus means that we care for people first. That means you are the center of the health care process. Planetree is not a word that we toss around lightly. It is important to us because it helps us remember our purpose. We are here to support you and our local community. This spring, we’re going through a new recertification process with Planetree. Although the terms will change from “designation” to “certification,” the meaning is the same. We may serve you during some of the most vulnerable moments of your life, and it will be our privilege to go the extra mile so you can welcome a new baby, heal from an illness or say goodbye with a No One Dies Alone volunteer. In this issue of the CMH Health Compass , please join us as we share some stories about Planetree in action. By Kristen Moss, Planetree Supervisor A Planetree certification is more than a gold stamp next to our logo. The certification is an achievement and recognition of CMH’s culture of person-centered care, which encourages us to strive to provide excellent care to our patients and their loved ones, our caregivers, and our community. Caring for you and your loved ones At CMH, you are cared for as an individual with unique preferences, goals and experiences. You are the center of your health care team, so we collaborate with you to help you reach your health care goals. CMH’s person-centered care includes the ability to review your chart, aroma and massage therapies, pet therapy visits, delicious and comforting food, and healing spaces indoors and out. We also have open visiting hours and a care partner program that empowers your loved ones to be a part of the care team while you’re in the hospital. Patient feedback is vital to improving CMH. Our Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) meets monthly with hospital caregivers to share their thoughts and collaborate on improvement projects. Caring for our staff Our caregivers make CMH excellent. We are committed to making CMH a “best place to work.” We have worked to improve caregiver benefits while decreasing the cost to them and to incorporate their feedback when making policy changes. “Be Well CMH” is an employee wellness program to help caregivers and their families live happier and healthier lives. 11 ways to be an engaged patient 1. Ask for care instructions to be provided to you in writing—or in pictures and infographics. 2. Document your wishes for end- of-life care. And encourage your loved ones to do so as well. 3. Identify your daily routine—the time your meds are taken, times you wake and go to sleep, preferred bathing times—and ask that these be honored. 4. Ask to see your medical record. And, if you don’t understand something in it, ask questions until you do. 5. Sign on to your patient portal. When you read something you know is not right, ask to have it corrected. 6. When you receive exceptional care, let the highest levels of the organization know. Be as specific as you can. 7. When you have concerns about your care, speak up in the moment. 8. Ask how you can get involved in the Patient and Family Advisory Council. For the full list, visit planetree.org. Our world revolves around you 9. If your care provider uses language you don’t understand, ask them to repeat themselves in different words. 10. Complete patient satisfaction surveys honestly and constructively. Take the time to answer open-ended questions. 11. Tell your care provider how you would define a quality outcome—in your own terms (for instance, being able to walk up a flight of stairs, being able to play with your grandchildren without getting winded, etc.). 2 HEALTH COMPASS SPRING 2019