St. John’s passes State inspection with no deficiencies
by St. John’s Lutheran Hospital
August 20, 2010
LIBBY – St. John’s Lutheran Hospital is proud to announce that on July 8, 2010, they passed a surprise state inspection with zero deficiencies.
"We were pleased that the surveyors had no concerns and were quite impressed with the efficiency of our operation," stated Bill Patten, CEO at St. John’s. "A zero deficiency state inspection reinforces the quality of work we do here at St. John’s and reaffirms to our community that we are a trusted center for healthcare."
On behalf of the federal government, state auditors knock at the door to St. John’s Lutheran Hospital every one to six years and they are always unannounced. "We never know when the survey is going to happen so we have to be prepared for the inspection at all times," added Patten. He noted that while the inspectors are at St. John’s, some of the things they check for include outdated medications, compliance with EMTALA laws and other federal rules, as well as conformity to hospital rules, policies, and board governance bylaws. In order to get paid by Medicare / Medicaid and remain designated as a Critical Access Hospital, a designation which helps to ensure that St. John’s Lutheran Hospital can continue to provide excellent healthcare to the residents of South Lincoln County, the hospital must pass this survey with a limited number of deficiencies.
"This inspection is another indication of the fine work that our management team, staff, and medical staff have done to embrace our Journey to Excellence. Proof positive that we are making tangible progress in our quest to go from being good to being great," added Patten. "Our culture is truly changing, and the people that work in our hospital are focused on wanting to do things better, for all of the right reasons; this is very encouraging."
Patten added, "The improvement of the nursing division alone is something to be extremely proud of. The work that our Vice President of Nursing Services, Cathy Wolfe and her nursing management team have done is commendable and a large part of our perfect inspection this year."
Kathy Nelson, Chairperson of the SJLH Board of Trustees is enthusiastic about the survey outcome. "I couldn’t be more proud of our hospital and of all who work there. This was not an event for which our staff and employees prepared. It was an unannounced inspection by the state. The excellence of our organization shone through again." – Aug. 2010
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