APRIL 2015
NVRH One of Top 52 Hospitals Nationwide with the
Cleanest Patient Rooms
Becker’s Hospital Review has named Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital one of the top 52 hospitals
nationwide with the cleanest patient rooms, as reported by patients. Data was pulled from “Hospital Compare” from
January through December 2013, the most recent data available. Hospital Compare has information about the quality of
care at over 4,000 hospitals across the country and routinely compares information important to patients.
Hospitals with 89 percent or more of patients reported that their room and bathroom were “always” clean on
their patient satisfaction surveys. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), developed the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare
Providers and Systems) Survey, also known as Hospital CAHPS®, to provide a standardized survey instrument and data
collection methodology for measuring patients’ perspectives on hospital care. The HCAHPS Survey is administered to a
random sample of patients continuously throughout the
year.
For reference, the national average rate for patients
reporting their room and bathroom were “always” clean
is 74 percent. 89% of NVRH patients report that their
room and bathroom were “always” clean.
NVRH was the only hospital on the top 52 list in
the six New England States, with the exception of three
hospitals in Maine.
continued 
 A portion of the EVS team: Theresa Dingman, Viola Fradiani, Janet
Simpson, Anna Talbot, Brian Keenan, Pam Applebee, Donna Taylor and
Georgette Griffin. Missing from the picture, but important members of the
team are: Carol Allen, Bill Austin, Shelby Castonguay, Destiny Corliss, Paul
Dusseault, Steven Hartwell, Teala Hooker, Lana Mitchell, Elaine Noyes, JoAnn Shores, Stephen Walker and Meghan Willson-Bunnell.
In this issue of The BrightLook
 Corner Medical Earns National Recognition
 Human Resources Corner
 NVRH Employee Wellness Fair Coming
 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
 Quality Management Department
 Provider Credentialing Process
 QIPS Plan Decoded
 New Screening Program for Sick Employees
 Earth Day
 Four Generations
 NVRH Donates to Local Non-Profits in Honor of
its Doctors
 Mud Luscious
 Construction Update
 Keep Children Safe from Liquid Nicotine
Poisoning
 Auxiliary/Volunteer News
 In Gratitude
 Healthier Living Workshop Taught for Ten Years
 Good Luck to Deb Bach
 Green Mountain United Way Fundraiser
 Babysitting Class
 Corporator Meeting - Tammy Wilkins
 A+ Standard of Caring - February 2015
The BrightLook is a monthly publication
for NVRH employees, volunteers, physicians,
corporators and board members.
Our next deadline is May 14 for the
May 2015 issue. Please contact Hilary De
Carlo at ext. 7303 if you have an article or
picture(s) to submit.
Pam Applebee, Manager of Environmental Services is very proud of her department. She has been at NVRH for
the past fourteen years, and has worked in the field in both nursing homes and hospitals for forty years. “I care deeply
about our patients’ health and care, and I expect my team to do what I would do if I were a patient. I am tough, and I
have a great crew. We work together to solve problems. I’m very grateful to all of them for their hard work.” Applebee
went on to say that although they are at 89%, she never stops aiming for better outcomes.
Colleen Sinon, Vice President of Quality Management Programs is extremely supportive of Applebee and
her department. “Pam is passionate and dedicated to obtaining and maintaining cleanliness in the hospital. She is very
creative about training and educational opportunities within her department. I’m extremely pleased that she and her team
are being recognized for their hard work and commitment to our patients and their families.”
Corner medical EARNS national recognition for PATIENT-CENTERED CARE
NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home™ standards emphasize enhanced care
through patient-clinician partnership
The National Committee for Quality Assurance
(NCQA) today announced that Corner Medical has received
NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition
for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that
focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships.
The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is
a model of primary care that combines teamwork and
information technology to improve care, improve patients’
experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster
ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of
episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the
health care system. Research shows that medical homes
can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve
patient and provider reported experiences of care.
“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition
raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing
access, health information technology and coordinated
care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret
E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Corner Medical has the
tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the
right care, at the right time.”
Corner Medical was first recognized as an NCQA
Medical Home in 2008. To earn recognition, which is valid
for three years, Corner Medical demonstrated the ability to
meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the
joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy
of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.
Dr. Tom Broderick, Medical Director at Corner
Medical has only praise for the team: “my thanks to all the
staff and providers at Corner Medical for a job well done in
achieving the Medical Home’s highest designation”
“I am so proud of Corner Medical’s level of commitment to excellence in healthcare,” said Corner Medical
Practice Manager Paula Gaskin. “We have been a Medical
Home for many years and it takes dedication to continue at
a Level III. Every employee had some involvement in the
survey preparation; from front desk registration, appointment scheduling and referral management to the nurses
and clinicians direct care to our patients. It truly was a full
office effort to achieve and maintain the standards at this
level.”
To find clinicians and their practices with NCQA
PCMH Recognition, visit http://recognition.ncqa.org.
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a
wide range of health care organizations. NCQA is committed
to providing health care quality information for consumers,
purchasers, health care providers and researchers.
2
Hi Everyone
Spring is here! And with it comes a great opportunity to get out of your car and enjoy the
outdoors while reducing carbon emissions. The Way To Go VT Commuter Challenge is May 4th
– 15th. The idea is for folks to find alternative means to get to work for at least a few days during
the challenge to help the environment. This can be done by carpooling, taking public transportation (RCT Bus Routes), walking or biking to work. You simply sign up on the Way To Go VT
website, join the NVRH Team and log on to enter your miles and how you got to work during
the 2 week challenge. You can track your progress, the team progress and see real time stats on
how much you’ve helped to reduce vehicle emissions. Plus, you’ll be entered to win some pretty snazzy prizes from Way To
Go VT including ipads, a GoPro camera, a FitBit and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Of course, everyone from across the
state who participates is eligible to win those prizes so I have secured some special prizes JUST for NVRH employees.
I may not have any snazzy gadgets and I sure don’t have any pints of Chunky Monkey, but I can offer you a very good chance
of winning something depending on just how many NVRH employees sign up to do the Commuter Challenge. And, hey, if
enough of you sign up, maybe I’ll finagle some more prizes.
Here’s what I have so far for prizes (all generously donated by area businesses!):
Human
Resources
Corner
A One Year Season Pass to Kingdom Trails (value $75)
$25 Gift Card for The Pizza Man in Lyndonville
Gift Card for the Tamarack Grill at Burke Mountain
$15 Gift Certificates for Eastern & Main Market in St. J
Gift Certificate for a bike tune up at Rollickers Bikes & Boards in St. J
I totally understand that for many of you it’s just not feasible with your schedules to participate, but for others of you,
think about how you can make it work. Many of you live right in St. J or Lyndonville – why not try walking or riding a bike
to work for a few days? You never know, you just might enjoy it and exercise is a great way to start the day off or reflect on it
on the way home. I spent 15 years living in Boston without a car and riding a bike almost every day to work for nine months a
year - it wasn’t always fun and Boston drivers sure as shootin’ aint’ like VT drivers, but it was great exercise, I got to enjoy the
semi-not-so-fresh-but-fresher-than-the-subway air, some interesting city sights and often got around faster than I ever would
have in a car. Around here, though, we have fresh country air and polite drivers! If you’re nervous about biking around here,
Local Motion will be at Rollickers on Railroad Street in St. J on April 25th and May 2nd to lead some Everyday Bicycling
Workshops – stay tuned for details.
If you’re interested in carpooling to work, but aren’t sure who to carpool with, the Bulletin Board on The Pulse is a
good communication tool to help you find coworkers to share the ride.
Just something for you all to think about and I hope to see some of your names on the Team list soon.
This month we welcome some new faces to NVRH! Pictured left to right are:
Heather Nelson, Respiratory Care Practitioner; Vicki Plaster Perry, LPN at
Corner Medical; Charles Murray, CRNA in Anesthesia; Cara Worth, student at
Champlain College, job shadowing at NVRH; Jane Price, Registered Nurse on
Med/Surg; and Teresa Stimpson, LPN at Corner Medical.
Welcome to Charles (Chuck) Murray, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
(second from left)! Our complete team of CRNAs includes Carroll Ruhlman,
Chuck, Rebecca Barski and David Hetzelt.
3
SAVE THE DATES!
NVRH Employee Wellness Fair Coming Soon!
Don’t miss the NVRH Employee Wellness Fair on Thursday, April 30 from noon – 5 pm and Friday, May 1 from 7am –
1 pm in conference rooms 126 & 127. Be sure to wear your sneakers to start off on the right foot to health & wellness!
The HR Department will be kicking off the 2015 Wellness Incentive at the fair with Health Plans, Inc. on site to go
over all the details and help you log on to the wellness portal. All employees (per diem, PT and FT) are eligible to participate
and earn cash incentives. Several vendors will be at the Fair including the NVRH Nutrition/Diabetes and Smoking Cessation
Departments, RecFit, the St. J Academy Fieldhouse, Yoga Demos, Reiki , the St. J Food Coop, Chair Massages and Dennis
Casey. There will even be freshly made smoothies!
And there will be lots of cool RAFFLE PRIZES! Among other items, you could win a Kingdom Trails Season Pass,
Vegetable Juicer, Brita Water Filter, Gift Certificate to Village Sports Shop, VT State Parks Pass, Gift Card to Farm Way, NVRH
Gym Bag, Gift Certificate for Membership at Fitness Unbound (24 hour gym in St. J), a Dakine Hydration System Backpack,
Greens Fees to the St. J Country Club, Gift Certificates for Yoga and lots more!
The 2015 wellness incentive allows you to earn credits using the online wellness portal, www.hpiwellness.com. You
decide what your fitness, nutrition and wellness goals are and use the site to help you succeed. The credits translate into
dollars in your paycheck! Benefit- eligible employees can earn a maximum of $200 entirely by using the online credits
system or they can combine it with the NVRH Wellness Reimbursement and earn $100 by using the portal and the other $100
by filling out the form to be reimbursed for trail passes, equipment, etc. Non-benefit eligible employees may earn a maximum
of $100 in incentives using the online wellness portal credit system.
In order to get started you must enter your biometric numbers (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol) and complete
the Health Risk Assessment on the portal – this is mandatory to start earning the cash incentive. If you’ve had your biometric
numbers done by your PCP in the last 6 months, you can use those, or if you are due to see your PCP soon, you can get your
numbers at that time. (Covered 100% on the NVRH Medical Plans if they are part of your annual preventative exam). All
employees may also get biometric numbers done at NVRH at no cost. Screenings are by appointment and only take 15
minutes. You will get the numbers right away and it is a non-fasting cholesterol check. Call Laura in Human Resources at
748-7312 or email [email protected] to make an appointment for your biometric screening.
See you at the Wellness Fair!
Karyn Patno, MD is Vermont’s Only Nationally Certified Pediatrician in Child Abuse
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month; Dr. Karyn Patno, long-time
Pediatrician with Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital’s St. Johnsbury Pediatrics is
a board certified Child Abuse Pediatrician through the American Board of Pediatrics.
Dr. Patno is the first and only pediatrician to be certified as a specialist in child abuse
pediatrics in Vermont; she has worked in the field for over six years.
Dr. Patno started the ChildSafe Program of Vermont in February 2008. She
sees ChildSafe patients at St. Johnsbury Pediatrics on Tuesdays and Fridays. Additionally, she sees patients at the University of Vermont Medical Center Children’s Hospital. This expansion of the ChildSafe Clinic in Burlington allowed children from across
the state to more easily access child abuse specialty services.
In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Patno teaches throughout the state. She
directs the Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Program and is active in working with
a number of Special Investigative Units. Dr. Patno also works with many of the State’s Attorney offices testifying in court on
child abuse cases.
NVRH CEO Paul Bengtson, is very supportive of Dr. Patno’s work and commitment to the children in the Northeast
Kingdom, as well as the state of Vermont. “She’s a real leader in this very important endeavor.”
For further information, please call St. Johnsbury Pediatrics at 802-748-7677.
4
Q
Quality Management Department
I would like to take a moment to share information with you about the Quality Management
Department. Areas of responsibility include the Quality Risk Management programs,
Credentialing, Survey Readiness, Infection Prevention, Compliance and support for the Patient
Experience program which includes management of the Complaint process. The areas of
responsibility are actually organizational structures with specific functions that cross over into
every department within the hospital. I am responsible for the overall program and work primarily
with Quality and Risk Management issues including Survey Readiness and the Complaint
process. Jim Coulson has primary
responsibility for Infection Prevention and Compliance.
Candace Traxinger provides support for Medical Staff
leadership and has primary responsibility for the Credentialing
process. Kim Darby has focused on the Quality Improvement
& Patient Safety (QIPS) Plan implementation and
communication of the plan elements to all staff members.
Multidisciplinary Committees are essential and
provide the structure through which we collectively work to
create a Culture of Safety for the community members we
serve and the employees who work here. Key designated
committees are listed within the QIPS Plan and include the
Medical Staff Committees, Environment of Care, Radiation
Safety, Ethics, Shared Governance, Patient Safety, Patient
Care Standards, Patient Experience, Employee Safety and
Payment Error Prevention. There are many other established
and essential committees within NVRH. Sharing ideas and
contributing to group discussion is a valuable resource as we
work continuously to improve the care we provide. Please
consider joining your colleagues on one or more of the
Candace Traxinger, Medical Staff Coordinator; Kim Darby, Quality
established NVRH Committees.
Improvement Specialist; Jim Coulson, Infection Control and Compliance
QUALITY
Officer; Colleen Sinon, Vice President Quality Management Programs.
Submitted by Colleen Sinon
Provider Credentialing Process
Did you know that one of the highest-risk procedures performed in a hospital is not performed in the OR, delivery
room, the Lab, or Emergency Department? Nor does a surgeon, podiatrist, or hospitalist perform this high-risk procedure.
The procedure is credentialing which is an activity that is performed in the Medical Staff Coordinator’s office. Credentialing
is designed for physicians (MD and DO), dentists, podiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants. Credentialing is
sometimes viewed as an inconvenience. There are many forms, lengthy application and application process, many requests
and many verifications to get through for the initial request for medical staff membership and privileges. Both federal law
and accrediting agencies such as The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also require a regular reappointment
period. For a period not to exceed two years, decisions to grant, deny, or limit an initially requested privilege are
communicated through an NVRH process. Each requesting provider’s current licensure status, training, experience, current
competence, and ability to perform his/her privileges are reviewed and analyzed. During this process the applicant must also
request and receive approval to provide clinical services called privileges to care for patients at NVRH.
So all of those on the organized medical staff who are credentialed and privileged must undergo assessment. The
Medical Executive Committee (MEC) must determine that the practitioner provides effective care that is consistent with the
hospital’s standards of ongoing quality and performance improvement program. There is a common process and procedure
to evaluate each provider based on pre-existing criteria for both Medical Staff membership and privileges. For those who
believe in a system based on fairness and consistence, this process makes sense. After all, would you want to be treated
by a provider that was credentialed based on political, economic, or personal criteria that had nothing to do with clinical
competency or professional conduct?
Submitted by Candace Traxinger
5
QIPS PLAN DECODED
What is QIPS?
It stands for Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Plan. As we keep with the hospital’s mission to enhance the health of the
community we serve, the organizational Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Plan allows for a systematic, continuous, and
non-punitive approach to improving performance by focusing on the processes and mechanisms that address these values.
CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) requires hospitals to have a Quality Improvement Plan in place. During site
visits the Surveyors speak with front line staff members regarding improvement activities occurring in their unit.
The PURPOSE
To ensure the Governing Body, Medical Staff, Professional Staff and Support Staff deliver the highest quality patient-centered
care through evidence-based practice in a safe environment.
The GOAL
To continuously and systematically plan, design, measure, assess and improve key hospital-wide functions and processes
relative to outcomes of care, treatment, and services. Managers are responsible for developing an annual unit plan with
input from front line staff that reflects safety processes and outcomes. Findings are a discussion at staff meeting. Managers
submit quarterly reports and a year-end summary of the five components to the Quality Management department that follows
a PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) model for evaluating improvement activity and addresses the following questions:
a. What are we trying to accomplish?
b. How will we know that a change is an improvement?
c. What change can we make that will result in improvement?
Activity is reported through the organization and evaluated on Safe, Timely, Efficient, Equitable, and Patient centered and it
is reviewed with the Board of Trustees. Improvement includes an overall assessment of the efficacy of quality improvement
activities with a focus on continuously improvControl Metrics
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Equipment
Medication
ing care, and patient safety practices throughtemp. checks
temperature
calibration
dates
out the hospital. The program consists of five
Improvement
Renovations
Patient
Lift free
Cardiac rehab.
Projects
St. J Pedi
Experience
environ
space
components:
 control metric
Patient Safety
Medication
Patient ID
Blood
Critical test
Goals
safety
HIPPA
transfusion
results
 improvement projects
Immediate
Sprinkler
Ebola
Air quality
Stairwell
 patient safety goals/projects
Study Area
heads
preparedness
in sleep lab
evaluation
 immediate study areas
State-Region-Nat’l
Million Heart
ICON -opiate
Improving
Healthy living
 state, regional, and national studies
Project/Study
national
exposed
Breastfeeding
campaign for
campaign
(office practice)
Submitted by Kim Darby
newborn
(regional
collaboration)
supports
(state proj.)
pediatric
population
New Screening Program for Sick Employees
The Infection Prevention, Human Resources and Quality Management Departments have been working to develop
a program to expand the Employee Health capabilities of the Occupational Medicine Department. In addition to being the
department responsible for the screening of employees prior to their actual hire and the vaccination program, this program
would see to the screening of employees to prevent the spread of communicable diseases to both other employees and
patients at NVRH. From an infection prevention viewpoint it is recognized that healthcare workers can serve as a reservoir
for the spread of infectious diseases and it is in everybody’s best interest to screen and limit exposure potentials wherever
possible.
The new program would not take the place of being seen by one’s Primary Care Provider or even, in some instances,
an Emergency Department provider. The program, when instituted, would serve to intervene quickly to limit possible exposure
in the facility of diseases such as influenza, strep throat, and virus infections like shingles, hepatitis or others that may
manifest in employees. The Nurse Practitioners at Occupational Medicine will be writing up visit notes on any employee seen
and contacting their primary care provider if the situation warranted such a call. The notes and treatment documentation will
be available in the electronic medical record. Because of their status as licensed medical providers, treatment protocols such
as antivirals for influenza or antibiotics for strep throat and any necessary work restrictions could be immediately initiated.
Details of the policy and procedures are being worked on between the various departments involved. An
announcement will be made when the program becomes available. The new program aligns with the mission statement of
NVRH that seeks to improve the health of all people in the community we serve.
Submitted by Jim Coulson
6
EARTH DAY - April 22, 2015
What? Why? Who needs to celebrate Earth Day?
As part of Nutrition and Food Service at NVRH, the following quote brings to light the
importance of our relationship to the earth:
“THE State of the Soil is weak. We are strong in terms of tillage, but weak in terms of fertility. We are strong
measured in chemical and mechanical power—millions and millions of tons of NPK, petrochemicals, herbicides and
pesticides and the sophisticated technologies to apply them—but we are weak in terms of soil erosion, weak in terms of our
connection to the land, weak in terms of sense of place. Our industrial systems are taking carbon from the soil instead of
building carbon in the soil. We have less and less organic matter, and fewer and fewer people who know what it feels, smells or
tastes like.” Woody Tasch remarks at Food and Enterprise, February, 2015
Our department strives to be an example for the community we serve regarding food purchasing practices, planning
and preparation of the meals we offer. We have had some successes, but we have more to do.
Since we started composting with Black Dirt Farm, we have diverted 101,000 pounds from the water and waste stream
to provide soil building material. They report to us that this is the environmental equivalent of not burning over 4000 gallons
of gasoline. We feed more than 101,000 pounds of food scraps to locally raised pigs as well.
*81% of our dairy purchases are local and/or rBGH free
*78% of the beef we purchase is locally raised and organic
*61% of our poultry products are sustainably raised or locally sourced
*45% of our eggs are local and/or organic
And, we have started to purchase pork products from a local farmer as well.
We have more to do, but this Earth Day we CELEBRATE that we are on our way
to offering nutritious food options to our patients and the public that protect one of our
most precious resources, the soil in which we grow our food.
Four Generations: Raymond Cloutier (great grandfather), Jared Cloutier
(father) and David Cloutier (grandfather) surround Maxwell Cloutier, held
by Jared. Recently born in the Birth Center to Jared and Miranda, Maxwell
and his extended family are doing well. Grandmother, Kathy Cloutier, works
in Medical Records. The family had three new grandsons in two weeks!
Congratulations to all!
7
Nutrition
CORNER
NVRH Donates To Local Non-Profits
in Honor of its Doctors
Monday, March 30, is National Doctors’ Day. Signed into law in 1990, Doctors Day celebrates the contribution of
physicians who care for its’ citizens. Before being signed into law, the day had been informally celebrated since 1933.
In honor of its doctors this year, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital gave contributions to two local non-profit
agencies, the St. Johnsbury Meals on Wheels and Senior Meal Site, and the Kiwanis Pool.
Diane Coburn, the Director of the St. Johnsbury Meals on Wheels and Senior Meal Site at the St. Johnsbury House
expressed her gratitude for the donation. “I really believe in what we’re doing, and am committed to feeding our seniors
well.” Coburn has been the Director of the program for 12 years; the St. Johnsbury program is part of the National Meals
on Wheels of America Program. Coburn added
that volunteers are always needed.
Thaddeus Thresher, President of the
Kiwanis Club and Robin Jacobs, Secretary,
accepted the donation on behalf of the club.
They both thanked the hospital, stating that
they work year-round to raise the $50,000$60,000 to open the pool 2 months per
summer. To their knowledge, it’s the last
free pool in the country, and every child
can take advantage of the free swimming
lessons offered. The pool requires extensive
maintenance each year; this year’s fundraising
auction was their 65th and was in memory of
Ben Harris, who was a 75 year member of The
Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Mark Price, President of the
Medical Staff and long-time pediatrician in St.
Johnsbury, stated that “our NVRH physicians,
my colleagues and friends, take care of all
ages in our community. We appreciate the
hospital for honoring us in this way – giving
back to the community we live and work in.”
Mark Price, MD, President of the NVRH Medical Staff and
pediatrician hands donations to Thaddeus Thresher and
Robin Jacobs, President and Secretary of The Kiwanis Club;
and Diane Coburn, Director of The Meals on Wheels program
in St. Johnsbury in honor of NVRH doctors for National
Doctors Day.
8
Construction Update
Work continues on the renovation of Womens’ Wellness. The
physicians are in their new office and new exam rooms are in
the corner where Dr. Walko’s office used to be. They are not
quite being used as exam rooms yet, since the area where
the nurses’ station will be (and where the nurses used to have
their offices) is torn up, so nurses are using the new exam
rooms temporarily as offices.
Mud Luscious
Moonscapes left by
Passing cars
And rubber boots
Lead to town
Snow banks melting, water
Trickling bell-like, singing
Towards the roaring
Brook
Yearlings under the apple tree
Pause as the cat
Strolls by,
Intent
The footings have been poured for the expansion and
renovation of Kingdom Internal Medicine, so stay tuned. Our
Plant Operations staff will be going back and forth between
Womens’ Wellness and Kingdom Internal Medicine during the
summer.
Geese search in the
Corn stubble,
While hopeful turkeys
Strut
Early flowers poke
Leaves up to
Sunlight through corn
Snow
Ahhh, Spring!
You might remember that Kurt Eschmann’s lovely photo
appeared in last month’s BrightLook, and I asked for a
caption. Surprisingly enough, most of the captions were
focused around the Running of the Bulls, which made total
sense after I’d looked at the photo again. So, the winner is
Carol Chmura, whose caption is The Running of the Master
Plumber!
Betsy Merrill
9
KEEP CHILDREN SAFE
from Liquid Nicotine Poisoning
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there has been a 2810% increase in
reports involving liquid nicotine (also known as eJuice or eLiquid) and eCigarette exposures to children since
2011. In 2014, more than half of these reports involved children younger than 6 years of age, and there was at
least one death reported.
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH), a member of Prevent Child Injury, is participating
in activities this year to teach community members how to prevent these common and serious poison
exposures. “Liquid nicotine is very concentrated. It easily soaks into the skin, and very small doses are toxic to
children,” said Rose Sheehan of NVRH’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Coalition.
“By properly storing, using, and disposing of liquid nicotine and e-Cigarette cartridges, parents can reduce the
risk that a child will be harmed.”
Properly storing, using, and disposing of liquid nicotine and other “vaping” products in the home can
prevent many of these injuries. To remind parents and caregivers of this important safety issue, child health
advocates across the country are joining together to promote liquid nicotine safety.
To safely store and dispose of liquid nicotine, follow these tips:
Keep eCigarettes out of reach of children.
Store liquid nicotine in a place that is too high for children to reach or see, and consider using a lock to
make sure children cannot get to liquid nicotine and supplies.
Refill e-Cigarette cartridges when children are not around, and put liquid nicotine away immediately
after every use.
Immediately clean up any spills with paper towels. Bag them and place them in a trash can that a child
cannot open.
Follow the recommendations on the label for safe disposal. If there are no instructions, pour unused
liquid into a bag of kitty litter or coffee grounds. Put empty containers, paper towels, and other used
supplies into the bag. Tie the bag tightly and throw it away in a trash can that a child cannot open.
Have the number for the poison help line, 1-800-222-1222, posted in a visible place in your home, and
saved in your phone. Call immediately if you think a child has come in contact with liquid nicotine.
More prevention tips are available at www.preventchildinjury.org.
Prevent Child Injury is a national group of organizations and individuals, including researchers, health
professionals, educators, and child advocates, working together to prevent injuries to children and adolescents
in the U.S. In collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prevent Child Injury
promotes coordinated communication to the public about prevention of child injury, which is the leading cause
of death of our nation’s youth. To become a member of Prevent Child Injury or for more information and
resources on this and other child injury topics, please visit www.preventchildinjury.org.
The NVRH ATOD Prevention Coalition is committed to educating the community about the
potential dangers of e-Cigarettes. If you would like to know more, or would like an educational presentation
implemented at your place of business, please call Rose at 748-7532.
10
11
Auxiliary/Volunteer
NEWS
By Pat Forest, Volunteer Coordinator
The NVRH Auxiliary is proud to announce the winners
of the NVRH Scholastic Achievement Awards for 2015. They
are: Victoria Ballou, Katherine Ham, Emma Stecker and Jaime Harrington. More information will follow on each winner
after the awards are given.
Each student will receive a $1,000 award to help
further their education in the health care field. The awards
will be given to the students at our May 8th meeting. At the
meeting, we will also be drawing the winners of the Annual
NVRH Auxiliary Raffle. Remember tickets are on sale at the
main information desk $2 each or 3 for $5. The prizes are:
1st $300 cash
2nd $200 cash
3rd $100 cash
4th $ 50 cash
…and many gifts and craft items that have been donated.
Upcoming Events:
May 4 – Bag Ali 9:30am-4:00pm
May 8 – NVRH Auxiliary Meeting Dinner 4:30pm
Cafeteria – Meeting 5:30pm
May 15 – Asian Silk & Silver 9:00am-4:00pm
May 29 – Uniform Professionals 7:30am–4:00pm
Elsie Lawrence, information
desk volunteer returned
from Florida with a dozen
prayer shawls knit over the
winter.
VOLUNTEER WEEK APRIL 12-18
Celebrate our Volunteers!
Last year, hospital volunteers gave 22,000 hours of
their time to support us. Volunteers are in the Birth Center,
Business Office, Cherry Wheel Gift Shop, Circle of Care Boutique, Community Connections, Physician Practices, Diagnostic Imaging, Family Support Team, Food Service, Gregory
Rubin Reynolds Day Surgery Unit, Home Knitting, Information
Desk, Laundry, Medical Library, Medical/Surgical Unit, Purchasing, Reiki, Tea Cart, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Nutrition &
Diabetes, Therapy Dogs, Music Therapy, Women’s Wellness,
and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center-North.
All NVRH Volunteers are automatically members of
the NVRH Auxiliary. The purpose of the Auxiliary is to support the hospital and its mission. Last year, in support of the
hospital, the Auxiliary/Volunteers gave back to the hospital,
by way of the Wish List, $31,753 in new equipment for 15
departments. These purchases included new equipment for
updating the monitors in the lobby and business center, new
information monitors in the ER and the ER waiting area, hand
rails, work stool, microwave convection oven, high-low table,
Stat Specimen Monitor, furniture for the Day Room, noise reduction machines, blood pressure cuffs and stands and many
more items.
Members of the Board of Trustees at the Hospital
are all volunteers. They give, on average, 97 hours of time per
month as Trustees. Many thanks to our current Board: Jane
Arthur, Catherine Boykin, Charles Bucknam, Martha Davis,
Terry Hoffer, Deborah Hunt, Martha Ide, Sam Kempton, Dr.
Terry Larsen, Laurel St. James-Long, Darcie McCann, Kristen
Michaud, James Newell (Chair), Steve Nichols, Ken Norris,
Thomas Paul, Dr. Mark Price, Thomas Robinson, Dr. Michael
Rousse, and Dr. William Sargent.
Shake a Volunteer’s Hand
Volunteers are a very special breed.
They’re not afraid to step in when they see the need.
They’re always willing to lend a hand,
To lift someone up who’s sinking in quicksand.
They always have something encouraging to say,
And they manage to say it in the kindest way.
They share their skills, talents and time.
And in return, they don’t ask for a dime.
So the next time you meet with some volunteers,
Shake their hands, and let them know you’re happy they’re here.
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continued 
On behalf of the volunteers, cake and punch was served in the hospital’s lobby on Wednesday, April 15 th from 1-3pm.
IN GRATITUDE
This week, April 20-27 is HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS WEEK. This
week is set aside each year to celebrate, honor, and recognize those who create and maintain the seamless
running of our medical offices. We cannot express enough gratitude for our frontline staff. They are the
face of our practices and backbone of our medical offices.
Today the Physician Practices department would like to take a minute to recognize those who
work in the medical offices that help keep the rest of us in order.
THANK YOU!!
Kingdom Internal Medicine:
Michelle Robinson
Jaime Berube
Catherine Sherwood
Corner Medical:
Karen Batchelder
Karen Badurski
Joyce Lemieux
Kim Before
Janis Loomis
Lise Lussier
Laurie Pearsons
Michelle Stevens
Amanda Vigeant
Wendy Stimets-Henderson
Becka Valdez
ENT:
Jaime Wales
SPECIALITY CLINICS:
Nancy Chasse
Laura Pierce
Jody Sylvain
Terri Therrien
Christie Locke
SURGERY:
Rita Libby
Vickie Ewen
Dina Danielson
ORTHOPAEDICS:
Kimberly Gammell
ST. JOHNSBURY PEDIATRICS:
Ashley Fenoff
Dawn Burroughs
Sherri Fournier
Michele Knight
Ashley VanZandt
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WOMEN’S WELLNESS:
Lorraine Black
Susan Boucher
Louise Cook
Mary Gorham
Tina McCue
Annie Montminy
FLOAT SECRETARY:
Tori Guibord-Morse
Healthier Living Workshop Taught for Ten Years at NVRH
The Healthier Living Workshop (HLW) is a free six week session for people living with chronic health conditions. The
program was developed at Stanford University Patient Education Research Center as a collaborative research project between
Stanford University and the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program.
The workshop has been taught at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital for ten years; the current one is being cotaught by Jody Taylor, RN, BSN, Chronic Care Coordinator at Corner Medical, and Shauna Barrett. This course is held at the
Corner Medical office from 5:30pm-8pm. Courses are held four times per year at different times during the day or evening,
always in an effort to accommodate patient schedules.
According to Taylor, the workshop can really make a difference for people; every week, goals and action plans are
made that are achievable, so success and change is always within reach. For instance, rather than making a goal of wanting
to lose weight, Taylor and Barrett encourage participants to break it down, and make a goal of eating vegetables 1, 2, 3 or 4
days a week, or eating potato chips with their lunch 2 times per week, rather than every day.
Research has shown that people with chronic conditions have similar concerns and problems, so group sharing is
empowering, knowing that one is not alone with his/her feelings. “Our intention is to assist people with self-management;
patients learn to take a key role in managing their health. We help people discover that the symptom cycle also comes with a
self-management toolbox,” said Taylor.
Topics covered in the six week series include an overview of self-management and chronic health conditions,
using your mind to manage symptoms, getting a good night’s sleep, making an action plan, feedback and problemsolving, dealing with difficult emotions, physical activity
and exercise, preventing falls, making decisions, pain and
fatigue management, better breathing, healthy eating,
communication skills, medication usage, making informed
treatment decisions, dealing with depression, working
with your healthcare professional and organization, weight
management and future plans. Support people are always
welcome.
According to Taylor, she thoroughly enjoys facilitating
change in people’s lives. She understands that living with a
chronic condition is difficult and that the mind is a powerful
tool for making situations better or worse. The Healthier Living
Workshop creates a framework for people to change their
lives.
Taylor has been teaching this course for three years
and has seen people make remarkable and significant
changes in their lives. “It’s a great program and seeing the
difference in people is enough for me!”
Shauna Barrett and Jody Taylor, co-instructors, speak to Ronald
Participants receive a 300-page booklet and
Langmaid and Charlotte Buckley, participants in the Healthier Living
relaxation audio tape. For further information, please call Pam Workshop being held at NVRH Corner Medical.
Smart at 748-7395.
GOOD LUCK TO DEB BACH!
Deb Bach, most recently Clinical Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department
at NVRH, has left to take the position of District Director for Public Health in
St. Johnsbury after working for over 20 years at the hospital. She called her
experience here “a wonderful ride, caring for her patients, meeting new people,
experiencing some things only an ER nurse would appreciate. Through it all, I made
friends I’ll never forget.” She’s very excited about her new challenge. Many thanks
for everything Deb, and good luck!
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Some NVRH Employees and friends bowled on Sunday, March 29th in the Green Mountain United Way Fundraiser. Eleven teams
participated and a fun time was had by all.
Corner Medical
Wholly Bowlers
Tammy Wilkins, Office
Practice Manager,
gave an overview of the
Women’s Wellness Center
to Northeastern Vermont
Regional Hospital’s
Corporator group,
including utilization of
services, Rural Health
Clinic Status, patient
satisfaction improvement
projects and renovations.
The Corporators meet
quarterly, and represent the communities in the hospital’s
service area; they are important links in the essential
communication system between members of our community
and the hospital. The Corporators are an invaluable source of
wisdom and perspective for the hospital leadership.
Shauna Barrett, with her 5 month old daughter Ava, and
Erica Owen, RN taught the annual spring Babysitting Class
at NVRH on Saturday, April 18th. Eighteen girls, ages 11-15
participated. The class gives girls and boys the safety skills
and confidence to be a great babysitter. Each participant
receives a Certificate of completion.
“Your stomach shouldn’t be a wastebasket” -- Unknown
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A+ Standard of Caring
+ Staff knew I was in extreme pain and they were very
gentle when caring for me.
+ Access staff notified ED as soon as I arrived. No
wait time at all.
+ Everyone at NVRH that helped in my care was
amazing! Pam Brink, Mike Moss, Roger Leroux, Sue
Langmaid - Access staff and CT/xray staff. Thank you
SO much!
+ Nurse Mel was amazing.
+ Mike was cool.
+ The doctor did not see us - only a nurse practitioner.
We felt comfortable with the level of care we received.
+ Radiology was great with young child chest x-rays
and cautious about radiation exposure – very pleasant
radiology staff!
+ We were visiting the area from out of town - very
happy with our experience.
+ Dr. Greenburg got me laughing when he was mending my cut thumb. He got me to relax and it helped my
blood pressure go down. Blood pressure was high due
to injury.
FEBURARY 2015
Ambulatory Surgery
+ Very pleasant staff to work with.
+ Very nice & comfortable.
+ The nurses/staff were VERY comforting as I was
anxious about it - the volunteer (Diane) who did Reiki
was also wonderful!
+ The physician was very nice and down to earth - Very
skilled. I would recommend her to friends.
+ Overall as seen by this survey, I had a very positive
experience. My surgeon Dr. Kaufman was exceptional
as was nursing staff.
+ Friendly, caring, professionals and assistants at every
stage. They also ALL seemed to love working there
(some even said so) and that reflects so well on administrators as well. Keep up your superb work.
+ The warmed blankets on my bare tush were frosting
on an excellent cake. The aide had them sitting on the
gurney before I came in and so the gurney was warm
too!
+ Unable to reach me by phone - not sure why, but they
sent a card immediately in place of the call.
+ I was well cared for, all the staff were very nice and
caring.
+ Volunteer musician was excellent.
Inpatient Department
+ This was my first experience with hospitalist doctors.
It was an eye opening experience and was greatly appreciated that they did not hesitate to contact my specialist
in University of Vermont Health Center. Even though
I cannot remember all the doctors names they were very
sincere. The nurse practitioner Ms. Driscoll was very
helpful and concerned, and Dr. Ready for arranging the
transfer to Burlington and explaining the need for me
to be transferred and relaying this message to my wife.
Thank YOU!
+ Dr. Ready excellent / nurses excellent.
+ Darla was wonderful. She made me feel very at home
+ Chris in the ER was wonderful.
+ I was not aware of the admission process, but my wife
said it was very good.
+ The after-care I received from the ICU - and Med Surgnurses was absolutely superlative.
+ Daily visit from nutritionist to select food - Wonderful.
+ Could not have asked for better skilled or concerned
nurses.
+ The best. Intensive amount of lab work shared with
me carefully and thoroughly.
+ All my visitors had a good time and were very impressed with the success of my operation & the care I
received.
Emergency Department
+ CT scan person was fabulous! The best most positive
part of my ER visit.
+ The nurse was very helpful in the ambulance procedure.
+ The nurses were very attentive & nice & helpful.
+ Dr. Maury Greenburg was excellent!
+ My mother was allowed to stay with me the whole
time even when my scan was done, however she’s also a
nurse employed by NVRH.
+ What an incredible group of caregivers.
+ Xray & transporter were exceptional.
+ There were NO delays.
+ Outstanding! Was in treatment room within 5 minutes.
+ Quick diagnosis of severe problem. Appropriate
disposition to Fletcher Allen for more sophisticated
treatment of emboli.
+ Roger Leroux was great!
+ Mike Moss was amazing! I could not have gotten
better care.
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+ Dr. Dreisbach is simply an expert at hip replacement
- Nice bedside manner.
+ I was profoundly impressed by the investment of all
staff in my care. The best, personal care down to Aaron
and Ms. Buck delivering my food.
+ This was the best care I could imagine. I was blessed
and humbled. #1. The best team.
+ Best experience I have had - Convert me to this hospital staff - Bravo and thanks.
+ They were excellent even when my husband was
awful.
+ Everyone was great and everything great.
Outpatient Departments
+ As usual very professional.
+ All were very informative.
+ The receptionist brought in a special chair for me very thoughtful.
+ Wish I could remember the name of the young woman in x-ray who took my x-rays. She was wonderful!!
(1/15/15 @ 8:30 a.m.)
+ I have had 2 different appointments in imaging - they
were both excellent.
+ Lab tech is really good. Never hurts when drawing
blood. They talk to you as a human-being. Great girls
there.
+ Everyone helpful & nice to be around if you have to
be there.
+ Testing all handled professionally.
+ This department is the best such department I have
ever been to - courteous, friendly, very competent - excellent in every way.
+ All superb!
+ Superb in every aspect!
+ Quick, private, comfortable - professional yet friendly.
+ The hospital - its staff, its building, its equipment - is
the VERY BEST.
+ I’ve never had a bad experience getting a mammogram at NVRH.
+ I have used NVRH for 20+ years for many reasons
and have always had excellent experiences.
+ On time -- did a good job.
+ I have always had a positive experience when having a
mammogram.
+ Wait time was very short & appreciated.
+ The “new” digital mammography machine was much
more comfortable than previous equipment. As always,
excellent customer/patient service at NVRH!!
+ This was a completely easy, comfortable, and pleasant
experience for me + I had great service.
+ The lab staff ALWAYS greets me warmly, acts efficiently, and takes blood easily. I feel confident and safe.
+ I was there after Saturday hours and was still taken
care of. They were waiting for another person.
+ Tech was excellent.
+ I pre-registered on phone. Easiest way to go!
+ Your lab personnel are getting better all the time.
+ The ladies up front went above and beyond to find
out the price of the procedure for me before it happened... amazing!!
+ The young woman running the CT scan explained
everything in great detail and was very friendly. I can’t
remember her name, but she was blonde and very nice.
+ Overall experience was excellent. I was in and out
quickly, everyone was very friendly and helpful. Very
impressed. Of course I hope not to have to go back but
that’s not because of my experience there.
+ The mammo itself is better than ever.
+ A very positive experience!!!
+ Very friendly atmosphere.
+ The excellence of staff - technical expertise, courtesy,
friendliness - all of this makes a blood draw more than
bearable! Thank you + Everything went quickly and without issue.
Kingdom Internal Medicine
+ As always this office functions very efficiently.
+ The staff is “OUTSTANDING”. It amazes me how
they maintain a friendly, helpful attitude, while working
in such a busy environment.
+ The nursing staff goes above and beyond. They are
“EXCELLENT”.
+ I feel blessed to have such caring and quality medical
folks to tend to my needs.
+ To give you an idea of how great the care is here, that
I use this as a “yardstick” to measure other medical folks
by. And they never measure up to these standards.
+ P.S. - Please take a moment to pass on this raving review, as they need to know what an outstanding job they
do. Thank you.
+ Everyone in this office is friendly & professional, and
does their work very efficiently.
+ I like them all!!!
+ Claudia Lee is always attentive and explains in detail
her diagnosis, thoughts and concerns.
+ I like the KIM practice and go whenever I have a
concern. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t go there but, seeing that I’ve been a patient for 8 yrs. tells you that I am
appreciative of your services.
+ Very pleasant and very attentive and concerned about
pain.
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+ As always - FANTASTIC.
+ Staff and doctor were pleasant and professional.
+ I recommended the practice to both my daughter and
her mother.
+ I was seen quickly. Everyone was pleasant.
+ The nurses and receptionist are always very courteous
and helpful when needed.
+ Nice people, very courteous.
+ Answered all my questions in a way that I could understand what was said. Very caring and encouraging.
+ Very clean.
+ Staff was very courteous and is always able to get me
an appointment at a convenient time for me.
+ Even wiped down blood pressure cuff!
Corner Medical
+ NO problems with anyone at Corner Med. They are
all GREAT.
+ My opinion of Corner Medical is extremely high.
Great staff and both the nurse & my doctor are awesome.
+ Everyone courteous & polite.
+ Joyce Dobbertin has been my care giver for many
years. I have absolute trust in her - I love her.
+ I find it is always a good visit from beginning to end no problems.
+ I was treated pretty well - I have no bad experience
with the nurses or doctor at my appointment.
+ Dr. Scott is amazing. He is also my parents’ primary
care physician.
+ Entire appointment went quickly and smoothly, yet I
was not made to feel rushed.
+ I am always impressed by Sandy, Dr. Erisman’s nurse,
she is always caring, thoughtful, and informative.
+ Dr. Erisman is REMARKABLE & amazing. I know
she is busy however she makes you feel like you are
her only patient - spends as much time as needed or
more explains everything so that I can understand. I
believe she is the best doctor I have ever had, I trust her
completely - so DEDICATED & follows through! So
COMPETENT.
+ Everyone has always been professional, friendly &
wonderful (again!).
+ Corner Medical has always been wonderful with me &
I have recommended the clinic several times.
+ Mr. Moss from the ER is amazing, he took the time
with myself and daughter explaining info.
+ Nurse Sandy is excellent!
+ Dr. Sue - great!
+ Wonderful people there. Very helpful & caring.
+ Extremely pleasant & helpful.
+ Dr. Sullivan is extremely personable and seems genuinely interested in providing & explaining the care he is
administering.
+ I was seen @ my scheduled apt. time and was extremely pleased by the attention & care I was provided.
+ Have been a patient there for years and always very
satisfied.
+ This office is very efficient and the service is excellent.
Does not need improvement at this time.
+ Love Miriam - She is the only reason I go & stay
there.
+ Dr. Broderick & Mary Howland are exceptional
providers. Every patient should be as lucky as I am to
have them as providers.
+ Amy is always a wonderful nurse.
+ Joyce is a great provider, really only want to see her,
has seen me thru a lot of tough times.
St. Johnsbury Pediatrics
+ Dr. Price was very good at addressing my son’s questions & concerns.
Womens Wellness
+ Always clean down there.
+ When I am with Dr. Kenny I feel like I am the only
one she is focused on and she has limitless amount of
time for me.
+ Megan is super!
+ She took time to diagram surgery procedure to me &
husband. Answered all questions and made both of us
at ease knowing what to expect. Surgery next day.
+ The rooms were so clean and there was a good air
flow.
+ I have spoken with many already recommending the
staff in Wellness Center.
+ I love Women’s Wellness - always have! Very professional, comfortable space.
+ I always feel like I have enough time with clinicians
and that my appt. is thorough.
+ I have been going to Women’s Wellness for years because of the excellent staff and facility!
+ I feel very confident & comfortable with the staff.
Explanations are always informative and done so in a
way I can understand.
+ Dr. Kenny is awesome, explains everything, takes her
time, very caring!
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