Week of February 20, 2023
Chris Siebenaler
CEO, Regional Senior Vice President
We’ve had a busy February!
Through the first three weeks of February, all patient visit indicators show higher volumes as compared to February 2022, with the Emergency Department increasing by 19%. Thank you to each of you for taking such great care of our patients!
In other news, we had our annual reaccreditation survey from DNV last week. The surveyors were quite complimentary of what they experienced at HMSL. As with every survey, we have a few opportunities to improve our processes, which we are promptly implementing.
Finally, it was great to see everyone over the last few weeks at our Town Hall meetings. This year, we conducted the meetings both in-person and virtually. For those who attended a town hall meeting, we would love to receive your feedback. In these sessions, we looked back on the tremendous work you did in 2022 and provided a roadmap for what is ahead of us in 2023, including our four Top Level Improvement Priorities (TLIPs). You can click here for an infographic that shows the details behind our TLIPs. We also debuted a video that provided just a snippet of what you accomplished in 2022. In this video, we captured nearly 100 improvements across the hospital! You can watch that video below.
Let’s all stay connected — we’ll share even more videos in the weeks to come featuring you and your improvements. Our next set of Town Hall meetings are tentatively planned for this summer. We know that these meetings provide an important opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments, receive your feedback, and connect each of you to Performance Excellence – Everybody, Every Day.
Thanks for all you do in caring for our community.
Workplace Violence Prevention Tip of the Month
When an incidence of workplace violence occurs, do you know how to get help? The HMSL Threat Assessment Team (TAT) partners with unit/department leadership and staff to ensure a safe environment through assessment to determine the most appropriate and effective mitigation strategy for an incident or workplace violence threat. The team is made up of leaders from across the hospital in a variety of departments. Consultation is available for all workplace violence concerns, in any department, and an action plan will be created if applicable. Click here to learn more.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday will be observed on Wednesday, Feb. 22 this year and marks the beginning of the season of Lent for Christians. It lasts six weeks and is a time for many to prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance and moderation. HMSL Spiritual Care will offer ashes at various times on this day. Click here for a schedule of times.
There is Still Time!
In honor of National Heart Health month, it’s time to get moving! During the month of February, attend five in-person group fitness classes to earn an additional 2,000 Virgin Pulse points on top of the 1,000 points you already earn for those classes. Bring a friend and you will both earn 500 Well Done Bonus points.
Vote for Volunteers
Volunteer Services is excited to re-introduce the "Volunteer of the Year" award as well as introducing a "Volunteer of the Quarter" award. Volunteers include our hospital volunteers and those in Spiritual Care, Senior Wellness and Pet Therapy. You can click here to read more about how you can nominate a volunteer.
Reminder: Junior Volunteers
HMSL Volunteer Services is excited to welcome the 2023 Junior Volunteer Summer Program for high school students (16-18 years of age). Applications will be available for pick up at the HR front desk any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The deadline to submit applications is this Friday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m.
PATIENT COMPLIMENTS
CT Patient: "Everyone at Houston Methodist Sugar Land was very friendly and helpful! We came here because of an appointment with Dr. Tran. It's very far from home, but we had a great experience."
Main 4 East Patient: "The overall hospital stay was very good. Everyone was very kind and caring. Nurses did a great job. Miguel in ICU, Jessica, 4th floor cardiac staff were excellent — all the nurses and PCAs! Special thanks to Dr. Toussaint Smith, Dr. Ali Mahmood and his surgical team!"
Brazos 6 Patient: "When we had a specific heart question, staff had my cardiologist, Dr. Ellis, come to my room - not just share a message from him. This hospital is large enough to have all that you need and small enough to be personal."
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, Feb. 22: Hand hygiene bonus payout
Wednesday, Feb. 22: Ash Wednesday
Friday, Feb. 24: Deadline to submit Junior Volunteers application
Saturday, Feb. 25: Deadline for PTO Sell at 75%
JUST FOR FUN DATES
Friday, Feb. 24: @ Golden State Warriors
Sunday, Feb. 26: @ Portland Trail Blazers
Wednesday, Feb. 22: The Simon & Garfunkel Story, Smart Financial Centre
Friday, Feb. 25: John Mellencamp, Smart Financial Centre
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life,
as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
- Booker T. Washington