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We Can Do This!

Savings related to our We Can Do This initiative remain at $7.4 million.
The amount will increase as further savings are identified, and decrease as
unanticipated expenses are incurred.

Here’s this week’s update:

Over 400 cost-savings suggestions from employees have been submitted
since our suggestion program began! Nine suggestions have been
implemented and thirty suggestions are under evaluation. Suggestions and the names of the lucky submitters (printed with permission) are:

Remove 1 of the 2 gowns included in the OR D&C kits – Kristy Simmons, Operating Room
Eliminate the printed report that generates when medications are removed from Pyxis – Tanya LeBlanc, Day Surgery

These suggestions result in savings of $4,418 annually!

Thanks to all employees who responded to the employee suggestion survey. Remember that each suggestion included in the survey was submitted
by fellow employees through the employee suggestion program, and was
not the recommendation of administration. Here’s a recap of the survey
results, and the actions taken:

Elimination of small give-away items was supported by 83% of
respondents. We will eliminate these items for the remainder of
the fiscal year.
Elimination of Hospital Week give-away items was supported by
62% of respondents. A gift is important to celebrate during Hospital
Week, but a useful, less-costly gift will be researched.
Elimination of special recognition items (ex:T-shirts and caps
after hurricanes) was supported by 86% of respondents. We will
eliminate these items for the rest of this fiscal year.
The majority of respondents voted to keep most discounts.
However, 75% of employees voted to eliminate the printing
services discount, so that change will be made.
The possibility of closing the cafeteria after 8:00 p.m. was of high
concern to night shift employees. There will be no change to cafeteria
hours of operation.
Give-away items were meaningful to 62% of respondents. These
items will be distributed less frequently for now based on survey
responses to the first 2 points above and reconsidered next year.
Suspension of plaza events for the remainder of this fiscal year
was supported by 88% of respondents. The traditional plaza events
play a big role in our feeling of family and have a positive effect on
employee morale. The Employee Relations Committee will work on a
revised schedule of events that will retain those that are most popular,
but strive to lower the cost of the events.
Service awards are valued by 55% of respondents. A new service
award program is in the works that will provide you with greater
selection and more timely receipt of your award – watch for
details coming soon.

Savings related to implementation of these suggestions is $26,300, and employees
who submitted the selected suggestions will be notified soon. These savings bring
our new suggestion program savings total to $45,200!

The group cost savings opportunity is blanket conservation. Clean blankets
are often discarded so that warm blankets may be placed on the same
patient, or are thrown on the floors or in the dirty linen hampers. These
blankets could be folded, placed at the foot of the bed and reused for the
same patient to provide extra warmth until discharge. Please be considerate
of our linen processing costs when replacing blankets.

Patient Right's Brochure Revision
There has been a revision to the patient right’s brochure “Your Responsibilities
and Rights”. As a distinguishing feature, the cover has been revised and is now
a “red” rose with a revision date of 2/09.

Content changes include:

Additional information for the patient regarding their ability to follow the
proposed plan of care, adapting the plan to meet their specific needs and
if adaptations are not recommended, the patient is responsible for
understanding the consequences and accepting the outcomes if they
do not follow the care, service or treatment plan.
Information regarding the Patient/Family Initiated Rapid Response team

Mardi Gras Mambo

The Mardi Gras Mambo could be heard through the conference rooms
on Wednesday, February 18 during the annual nursing leadership retreat.

Leah Terrell and Karrie Delise

The theme for this year's event was Mardi Gras
and the costume contest was won by Leah
Terrell and Karrie Delise. The retreat focused
on patient safety and quality initiatives, participation in clinical collaboratives, and Jean Watson's theory of caring. Over fifty nursing leaders attended the event and prepared for upcoming clinical projects.

Calendar of Events

Weight Loss Surgery: Your Questions Answered
April 8, 2009
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Woman's Hospital Conference Rooms 1, 2, & 3

Attend the FREE informative seminar, led by one of the region's most
experienced weight loss surgeons, Brent Allain, MD, to learn more about
the options available to you and to have your questions answered. If you're
considering weight loss surgery, you can rely upon the team at Woman's
to be there for you every step of the way. For more information, visit
womans.org or call Resources for Women at 225-924-8444.

Employee Support Groups
Caring for Aging Parents
April 13, 2009
7:30 am - 9:00 am and 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Woman's Hospital Radiology Conference Room

Life is busy, and we’re all juggling work and family. Sometimes, we face
other struggles that stretch us even further and impact our health, well-being
and relationships. It helps to talk to others who are experiencing the same
stresses and feelings. Beginning in April, the Social Services Department has
teamed with Human Resources to offer support group meetings for employees
who are caring for aging parents, dealing with a loved one’s addiction or mental
illness or who are grieving.

Meetings are informal, no registration is required, and you can come and go
as needed. You can even bring your breakfast or lunch. We’ll have guest
speakers at some meetings and will provide you with information on internal
and community resources. Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to
meet and share with coworkers who are coping with situations very similar to
yours. Morning and afternoon meetings are scheduled for each topic, and
topics will rotate from month to month.

It's a "Monster" of a Reunion we're throwing
We'd love to see your kids and how much they are growing!
Sunday, April 19 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Woman's Hospital Founder's Plaza

Nutrition Programs
Available to Members and the General Public.

Join “Nutrition Bites” to discuss healthy eating and receive nutrition counseling
and education in a group setting. A bimonthly weight tracking program and an individualized meal plan guide are included.

4 Sessions: Members $40 / $50 General Public
8 Sessions: Members $76 / $95 General Public

Women, Fitness and Weight Loss - This six-week comprehensive program
includes individual consultations with our Exercise Physiologist and Registered
Dietitian, supervised group personal training sessions three times per week,
and additional nutrition programs.

April 13th – May 21st from 6:00 – 7:00 pm Members - $450 / General Public - $550

Eat Well to Live Well – Eating healthy when you are busy can be challenging.
his program will give you the tools you need to eat healthy and maintain a balance
in your life. Choose from a three- or six-month program that includes weekly private nutrition counseling, group education classes, cooking classes and grocery store tours.

3 – Month – Apr. 13th –Jun. 29th – Member: $140/Month - General Public:$190/Month
6 – Month – Apr. 20th – Sept. 28th – Member: $110/Month –General Public:$140/Month

From Eating for 2 to Eating for 1 – During pregnancy and breastfeeding,
our basic nutrition needs can sometimes double. Trying to get back in shape
and readjust our diet can be a challenge. Learn what your nutrition needs
are now and how to lose the extra baby weight.

April 15th, 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Member: $10 – General Public: $25

10 Steps to Achieve a Healthier Lifestyle – Achieving our goals and maintaining
a healthy lifestyle requires more then a low calorie meal plan. This class will help
you discover the behaviors, attitudes and habits that have been preventing you
from reaching your goals.

April 22nd, 5:45 – 6:30 pm. Free for members. General Public: $5

The Root of the Hunger – Obsession with the body, continual dieting, and excessive exercise should not be considered normal behavior. Become empowered to let go of unnecessary obsessions and inspired to reconnect with your feminine spirit.
Presented by Hilary Shaw, MS, MA, LDN, RD, Counselor Intern and Nutrition Therapist.

Members: Free – General Public: $5.00

Meals in Minutes – Serve a home cooked meal every night by only cooking 2 nights a week. Learn ways to prepare nutritious foods that even the pickiest eaters will love.
This class will provide cooking a demonstration and food sampling.

April 29th, 5:30 – 7:00 pm Member: $30 – General Public: $50

Fitness Programs

Great Assets – Our six-week personal training program targeting the buttocks
and thighs. Each supportive, high energy training session focuses on developing
the lower body with strength and conditioning exercises. This 12 session
program works!

April 27th – June 4th Members: $200 – General Public: $275

Sports Performance Camp – This 12 session program is designed to optimize
athletic performance and reduce the potential for injury through comprehensive
training programs that improve ore strength and balance, increase explosive power,
and enhance agility and speed in the sport of your choice. The camp also includes
weekly workshops that promote healthy eating habits for maximizing sport
performance and pointers on how posture impacts athletic skills.

April 6th – May 13th or May 25th – July 1st Members: $295 – General Public: $350

Natural Rhythm Cycling – A two hour cycling/yoga combination class.
Understand and experience rhythm through riding for longer lengths of time.
Burn 800 – 900 calories. Class includes two 40-minute rides and concludes with
a bike specific yoga stretch. Intermediate to advanced fitness levels are recommended.

Saturday, April 18th 9:30 – 11:30 Members: $8 – General Public $16

Therapy Center Summer Programs

Call 924-8709 to register for summer programs. Limited enrollment.

Camp ABC – Eight session summer camp for 5-6 year olds to address motor
coordination, letter formation and reading readiness. Camp T-shirt and a
daily snack are included. Two sessions to choose from.

Tuesdays and Thursdays - June 2nd – June 25th or July 7th – July 30th
9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Fee: $240

Ready Set Jump! Into Preschool – Six session program that prepares
children ages 4-5 for preschool. Prewriting skills will be mastered as they
are introduced to handwriting readiness activities. Children will also learn
directionality, body awareness, colors, and shapes.

Mondays and Wednesdays – July 6th – July 22nd
9:00 – 10:30 am. Fee: $185

TEAM Readers – An 8-week program geared for elementary aged children
who struggle with reading, have poor reading comprehension, read below
grade level, and/or have dyslexia.

Wednesdays, June 10th – July 29th.
Grades 1 & 2 – 9:00 – 10:30 am
Grades 3rd – 5th 10:30 – Noon
Fee: $300

Aquatic Kid Fit – Ideal for children 9 and older who have decreased strength,
coordination or endurance. This group meets one afternoon per week in our
warm water therapy pool and is instructed by a licensed therapist.

Thursdays in May, June, and July from 5:00 – 6:00 pm $60/Month

Aqua Tots – An interactive water program for children ages 2-8 and a parent.
Designed for children with special needs.

Saturdays in June from 10:30 – 11:30 am $48/Month

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