Dr. Blatny Sr. Receives Meritorious Service Award from NHA

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Richard Blatny Sr., MDDr. Richard Blatny Sr., MD, a family medicine physician at Jefferson Community Health & Life Fairbury Clinic, was honored with the Meritorious Service Award from the Nebraska Hospital Association on Oct. 24 during the NHA annual convention at LaVista.

Dr. Blatny Sr. has been serving the community of Fairbury since 1973. He has been an active part of the medical community locally and statewide. In September he semi-retired, and has limited office hours and is taking emergency call through the end of the year

“Dr. Blatny Sr. is very deserving of the Meritorious Service Award recognizing longevity and breadth of service of an individual to health care in the state,” said Chad Jurgens, JCH&L CEO.

Dr. Blatny Sr. received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1969 from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha, completed his internship in 1970 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force from 1970 to 1973. In 1973 he began serving the community as a family physician and partner at the Fairbury Clinic PC. He is certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. In 2016, the Fairbury Clinic was purchased by Jefferson Community Health &

Life.

As an active part of the medical community – both locally and state wide, Dr. Blatny Sr. has been active in the Nebraska Medical Association. He served as president in 2014-2015.

Dr. Blatny Sr. is a past winner of the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians Physician of the Year award. He is a past chairman of the Nebraska Medical Association Legislative Committee, past president of the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians, past delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians, and a past board member of CIMRO of Nebraska. He is a former board member of Jefferson Community Health & Life, and has served as medical director of Heritage Care Center. He is also a former board member of the St. Michael’s School.

Dr. Blatny Sr. is a member of the Nebraska Medical Association, the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association, and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The Meritorious Service award given by the Nebraska Hospital Association recognizes the long-term contributions of members to the Association and their individual hospitals. The award recognizes longevity and breadth of service of an individual,  not only to their facility, but to health care in the state.

Kumpf Named JCH&L Caring Kind Employee

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Jenny Kumpf, outpatient clinic services unit clerk, was named Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Caring Kind Employee for 2018. Kumpf was among 76 recognized at the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) annual convention on October 26, 2018.

Kumpf’s nominates said she exemplifies the Caring Kind spirit with her smile, her eagerness to help both patients and coworkers, and her dedication to go above and beyond in her job. Nominators commend her for taking customers where they need to go, and for working well with all departments for services patients might need. Patients appreciate your willingness to work with their schedules, and communicate any changes.

For 39 years, the Caring Kind award has been given to Nebraska’s most caring and compassionate hospital employees. The award honors outstanding health care employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with co-workers and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities.

“The Caring Kind Award has truly become a rich tradition for the NHA and our members. The recipients demonstrate a level of kindness, caring, dedication and commitment to their patients that goes above and beyond,” said NHA President Laura J. Redoutey, FACHE. “I look forward to this event every year – it celebrates all that is good in serving others.”

Hospitals across the state each select one Caring Kind award recipient from within their respective institutions to be recognized during the NHA Annual Convention.

Nearly 2,500 skilled and dedicated health care professionals have received this award since its inception in 1979. This year, 76 employees were honored before more than 500 people in attendance at The Caring Kind Awards Luncheon held at the Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel & Conference Center in La Vista.

The event showcases the exemplary work and care hospital employees provide every day throughout the year. Every Nebraska hospital employee plays a critical role in providing high-quality, cost-effective treatment and ensuring the safety of themselves, their co-workers and patients each and every day. These honorees are star performers through their dedication to patients and teamwork, ensuring that care is safe, quality-driven and cost-effective for consumers, as well as for the organizations they represent.

The NHA congratulates The Caring Kind award recipients for 2018:

  • Eltaib Abdellah | Chase County Community Hospital | Imperial
  • Peggy Adams | Community Medical Center, Inc. | Falls City
  • Emily Afrank | Faith Regional Health Services | Norfolk
  • Sean Akers | Children’s Hospital & Medical Center | Omaha
  • Becky Antes | Community Memorial Hospital | Syracuse
  • Jennifer Arnold | Regional West Health Services | Scottsbluff
  • JoAnn Aschoff | St. Joseph’s Retirement Community | West Point
  • Tim Bader | Kearney Regional Medical Center | Kearney
  • Florence Basilio | Oakland Mercy Hospital | Oakland
  • Shannon Beck | Merrick Medical Center | Central City
  • Matthew Benn | VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System | Omaha
  • Ann Bergman | Cozad Community Health System | Cozad
  • AAron Blanchard | Memorial Community Health | Aurora
  • Rachel Brabec | Boys Town National Research Hospital | Omaha
  • Kyle Broadfoot | Tri Valley Health System | Cambridge
  • Hanna Brumbaugh | Pawnee County Memorial Hospital | Pawnee City
  • Jason Calhoon | Harlan County Health System | Alma
  • Peggy Casey | Fillmore County Hospital | Geneva
  • Sue Creekmore | York General | York
  • Laura Daro | Butler County Health Care Center | David City
  • Michelle Dick | Thayer County Health Services | Hebron
  • Jill Doolittle | CHI Health St. Elizabeth | Lincoln
  • Joan Fillipi | Providence Medical Center | Wayne
  • Cynthe Ford | Methodist Women’s Hospital | Omaha
  • Amanda Fossler | Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center | Beatrice
  • Sharon Fowler | CHI Health Midlands | Papillion
  • Eduardo Freitas, MD | Great Plains Health | North Platte
  • Beth Grant | Friend Community Healthcare System | Friend
  • Michael Gray | Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals | Lincoln
  • Jill Hardy | CHI Health St. Mary’s | Nebraska City
  • Karen Hart | Antelope Memorial Hospital | Neligh
  • Jolynn Hartman | Fremont Health | Fremont
  • Janine Harvey | Nemaha County Hospital | Auburn
  • Theresa Hawk | Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital | O’Neill
  • Colleen Hoff | Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center | Broken Bow
  • Christine Johnson | CHI Health St. Francis | Grand Island
  • Emily Johnson | Sidney Regional Medical Center | Sidney
  • Krystal Kaup | Rock County Hospital | Bassett
  • Deb Kessler | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus
  • Lorrie Klepper | Memorial Health Care Systems | Seward
  • Jenny Kumpf | Jefferson Community Health & Life | Fairbury
  • Melissa Lindauer | OrthoNebraska | Omaha
  • Megan Loeffler | Mary Lanning Healthcare | Hastings
  • Sarah Lunbery | Box Butte General Hospital | Alliance
  • Dan Lygrisse | Brodstone Memorial Hospital | Superior
  • Marla Martin | Crete Area Medical Center | Crete
  • Tegwin Matthews | CHI Health Immanuel | Omaha
  • Kristina Messersmith | Lexington Regional Health Center | Lexington
  • Patricia Minnick | Franklin County Memorial Hospital | Franklin
  • Christi Moock | Bryan Health | Lincoln
  • Brian Moody | CHI Health Good Samaritan | Kearney
  • Joy Nelson | CHI Health Plainview | Plainview
  • Julie Nelson | Regional West Garden County | Oshkosh
  • Tammy Nelson | Phelps Memorial Health Center | Holdrege
  • Paul Nepal | CHI Health Lakeside | Omaha
  • Lisa Nissen | Osmond General Hospital | Osmond
  • Alisha Obando | Chadron Community Hospital & Health Services | Chadron
  • Mary Ogorzolka | Community Hospital | McCook
  • Jean Peck | CHI Health CUMC Bergan Mercy | Omaha
  • Elizabeth Perkins | Nebraska Medicine | Omaha
  • Michelle Peterson | Nebraska Methodist Hospital | Omaha
  • Colette Powell | Ogallala Community Hospital | Ogallala
  • Roy Robbins | Saunders Medical Center | Wahoo
  • Jacob Runyan | Brown County Hospital | Ainsworth
  • Ardanna Sepers | Dundy County Hospital | Benkelman
  • Joy Setlik | Valley County Health System | Ord
  • Rebecca Seybold | Kearney County Health Services | Minden
  • Carla Smith | Pender Community Hospital | Pender
  • Louise Stewart | Annie Jeffrey Memorial County Health Center | Osceola
  • Marissa Stoklasa | CHI Health Schuyler | Schuyler
  • Jane Stone | Howard County Medical Center | St. Paul
  • Kathy Swanda | Johnson County Hospital | Tecumseh
  • Jayson Talaue | Avera Creighton Hospital | Creighton
  • Jessica Thomassen | West Holt Medical Services | Atkinson
  • Lorilee Titus | Memorial Community Hospital & Health System | Blair
  • Kathy Young | Boone County Health Center | Albion

 

The Nebraska Hospital Association is the unified voice for Nebraska’s hospitals and health systems. The Association offers collaborative leadership, assisting its members to provide comprehensive care to their communities, improving the health status of those communities. For more information, visit the NHA website at www.NebraskaHospitals.org.

Hoins Graduates from NHA Leadership Institute

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Patrick Hoins, facilities director at Jefferson Community Health & Life, was one of 37 graduates of the Nebraska Hospital Association Leadership Institute Class XV during NHA’s 91st Annual Convention Awards Banquet. The banquet was held on Oct. 24 at Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel & Conference Center in La Vista.

The NHA Leadership Institute, which has nearly 400 alumni, is a 10-month intensive leadership development program that is geared toward providing middle management and up-and-coming leaders within Nebraska member hospitals with the necessary skills to become exceptional leaders.

Participants in the intensive leadership development program completed 40 hours of instruction and training, individual development planning, personality assessments, feedback exercises and management coaching. The NHA Leadership Institute is a partnership between the NHA and expert faculty from Bellevue University.

They also engaged in a variety of leadership-oriented topics, including building a foundation of leadership, using 360-degree assessments for improved leadership, working with conflict, analyzing performance issues, personality traits in the workplace, coaching for improved performance, leading across the generations, leading teams and succession management.

“We are very proud of this year’s graduates of the NHA Leadership Institute as they have demonstrated a desire and commitment to becoming exceptional health care leaders for Nebraska,” said NHA President Laura J. Redoutey. “It’s a credit to the commitment of our participants and the excellent work performed by our partner, Bellevue University.”

The NHA acknowledges and congratulates the following Class XV graduates of this year’s NHA Leadership Institute:

Jill Allen, RN, BSN | Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center | Beatrice, Nebraska

Erin Barnes, RN | CHI Health St. Mary’s | Nebraska City, Nebraska

Bill Bolte, MT (ASCP) | York General | York, Nebraska

Keri Carraher, RN | Boone County Health Center | Albion, Nebraska

Meg Craig | Box Butte General Hospital | Alliance, Nebraska

Bree Frazier, RN, BSN | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Mandy Greve, A+, ICE | Box Butte General Hospital | Alliance, Nebraska

Chelsey Hartwell, RN, BSN | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Pat Hoins | Jefferson Community Health & Life | Fairbury, Nebraska

Sue Hrnicek, MSN, RN, CNOR | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, Nebraska

Sara Ingram | Valley County Health System | Ord, Nebraska

Devin Johansen | Merrick Medical Center | Central City, Nebraska

Carrie Junker, RT | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Zac Kavan | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, Nebraska

Jenni Klanecky, RN | Howard County Medical Center | St. Paul, Nebraska

John Kowalski, PT | York General | York, Nebraska

Renee Kurpgeweit | Providence Medical Center | Wayne, Nebraska

Erin Lacey | Saunders Medical Center | Wahoo, Nebraska

Cheryl Langfeldt | Crete Area Medical Center | Crete, Nebraska

Brooke Langley | Harlan County Health System | Alma, Nebraska

Mandy Lauck | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, Nebraska

Heidi Lauenstein, RN | Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center | Beatrice, Nebraska

Misty Liss | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, Nebraska

Jana Mangers, RHIT | York General | York, Nebraska

Brooke McCullough | Community Medical Center, Inc. | Falls City, Nebraska

Dylan McGill, MHA, CPT | Saunders Medical Center | Wahoo, Nebraska

Sue Moore, RN, MS | Great Plains Health | North Platte, Nebraska

Donnie Nichelson | Lexington Regional Health Center | Lexington, Nebraska

Matt Odle | Great Plains Health | North Platte, Nebraska

Cody Pachta, MLS (ASCP) | Thayer County Health Services | Hebron, Nebraska

Joanna Rayford | Providence Medical Center | Wayne, NE

Alicia Ridlen, RN, BSN | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Joe Ryland | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Cheryl Watson | Howard County Medical Center | St. Paul, Nebraska

Rael Woehrle, RP | Lexington Regional Health Center | Lexington, Nebraska

Jesse Young | Community Hospital & Health Center | Beatrice, Nebraska

Kelsey Zitek | Saunders Medical Center | Wahoo, Nebraska

 

The Nebraska Hospital Association is the unified voice for Nebraska’s hospitals and health systems. The association offers collaborative leadership, assisting its members to provide comprehensive care to their communities, improving the health status of those communities. For more information, visit the NHA website at www.NebraskaHospitals.org.

Big Blue Test Coming to Burkley Fitness Center

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FAIRBURY – How does exercise affect your blood sugar? Find out on Nov. 26 with the Big Blue Test at Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center.

JCH&L Diabetes Educator Bekah Kimberlin, PharmD, will be at the fitness center on Nov. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to take blood sugars pre- and post-exercise. Between blood sugar checks, participants are encouraged to exercise for 14-30 minutes, doing the workout of their choice, or a suggested workout.

“Exercise is one of the many factors which affect your blood sugar. This is an opportunity to see how exercise affects yours – with no cost and no obligation,” said Kimberlin.

It is not necessary to be a fitness center member to participate – just check in with the front desk when you arrive and tell them you would like a complimentary pass to participate in the Big Blue Test.

There will also be information on diabetes, diabetes prevention and living with diabetes. Diabetes risk tests are available all month at JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center.

“Knowing your risk for diabetes is important. We want those who are at risk to know there are ways to prevent diabetes, and we can teach you. For those who have diabetes, it is possible to live an active and healthy life, and we can help you learn ways to live the best quality of life and reduce your risk of serious complications,” Kimberlin said.

November is National Diabetes Month, and it’s a great time to learn more about diabetes. For more information, contact Kimberlin at 402-729-3351.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group to Meet Nov. 26

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The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will meet on Monday, Nov. 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a program on “Caregiver Training: Repetitive Behaviors.”  This webinar by the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program is training for caregivers on dealing with agitation and anxiety experienced by the loved ones they care for.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door on the left.

The Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group is a program of the Alzheimer’s Association which typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Health & Life. It is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no cost, and no pre-registration.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-6855.

JCH&L Offers Next Session of Smart Moves

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Lifestyle change program helps participants learn to live healthy

FAIRBURY — The seventh session of a successful lifestyle change program is being offered beginning in January 2019 at Jefferson Community Health & Life in Fairbury. The year-long program is designed for those who are at risk for diabetes and want to change their lifestyle to avoid getting diabetes. A free no-obligation introductory class will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Anyone who thinks they might be interested in Smart Moves is encouraged to attend this session. To sign up for the introductory class, call Lisa Edeal RD, LMNT, at 402-729-6846.

The full year-long program begins on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Classes will meet at 4 p.m.

Lifestyle coaches who lead the program are JCH&L Dietitian Lisa Edeal RD, LMNT; Bekah Kimberlin, PharmD; and Craig Bontrager, director of JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center.

“This program has been successful in helping participants to make lifestyle changes which positively impact their health,” Edeal said.

JCH&L’s program has received Full Recognition from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC). This designation is reserved for programs that have effectively delivered a quality, evidence-based program that meets all the standards for CDC recognition.

Studies show that diabetes can be prevented. Diabetes risk can be lowered by losing weight, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking part in a lifestyle change program, such as Smart Moves. Smart Moves is a program of the National Diabetes Prevention Program. JCH&L is participating with the support of Public Health Solutions District Health Department.

For the first part of the program, participants meet in a small-group setting weekly for one-hour presentations. For the second portion of the program, participants will meet twice a month.

The program provides lifestyle coaching and group support, promotes healthier eating and weight loss, explores ways to be physically active, creates strategies to overcome barriers, and teaches participants how to apply coping skills to stay successful.

The cost of the program is $225 for the full year. This fee includes not only the program, but also a six-month membership to the JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center (a $200 value.) Financial assistance is available for those who meet certain financial eligibility criteria.

Anyone interested in Smart Moves is encouraged to attend the free no-obligation introductory class. Call Lisa Edeal RD, LMNT, at (402) 729-6846 or email lisa.edeal@jchealthandlife.org to register or for more information.

 

 

Brandt Certified as Personal Trainer

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Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center staff member Clayton Brandt has achieved his personal training certification. Brandt was certified through the International Sports Science Association (ISSA,) and is available to schedule personal training session with clients.

“JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center is excited to enhance our personal training services,” said Craig Bontrager, fitness center director. “Personal training is a proven method to help people of all ages and ability levels to attain better physical fitness and wellness through one-on-one training.”

A certified personal trainer can set up a custom, personalized exercise program, instruct a client on how to do exercises properly, provide motivation, track progress and be a resource as a client advances on their fitness path.

Please contact JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center at 402-729-6139 or check out JCHealthandLife.org for more information about personal training.

JCH&L To Celebrate National Rural Health Day Nov. 15

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Jefferson Community Health & Life will join the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and other state/national rural stakeholders in celebrating National Rural Health Day on Thursday, November 15, with refreshments at its Fairbury Clinic and Plymouth Clinic.

NOSORH created National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related issues; and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those issues. National Rural Health Day is an annual day of recognition which occurs on the third Thursday of November and was awarded the 2018 “Outstanding Rural Health Program of the Year” by the National Rural Health Association.

Events recognizing National Rural Health Day and “Celebrating the Power of Rural” are being planned throughout the nation. Refreshments will be available in the lobbies of JCH&L Fairbury Clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Plymouth Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 60 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States. “These small towns, farming communities and frontier areas are wonderful places to live and work; they are places where neighbors know each other and work together,” said NOSORH Director Teryl Eisinger. “The hospitals and providers serving these rural communities not only provide quality patient care, but they also help keep good jobs in rural America.”

These communities also face unique health care needs. “Today more than ever, rural communities must tackle accessibility issues, a lack of health care providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un- and underinsured citizens,” Eisinger said. “Meanwhile, rural hospitals are threatened with declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels that makes it challenging to serve their residents.”

State Offices of Rural Health play a key role in addressing those needs. All 50 states maintain a State Office of Rural Health, each of which shares a similar mission: to foster relationships, disseminate information and provide technical assistance that improves access to, and the quality of, health care for its rural citizens. In the past year alone, State Offices of Rural Health collectively provided technical assistance to more than 28,000 rural communities.

Additional information about National Rural Health Day can be found at PowerofRural.org. To learn more about NOSORH, visit www.nosorh.org; to learn more about Jefferson Community Health & Life visit JCHealthandLife.org.

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet Nov. 12

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a webinar Cognitive Issues: Advice for Parkinson’s Care Partners, webinar by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, clinical associate professor of neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door.

The Parkinson’s Support Group generally meets on the second Monday of each month.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity for area residents to share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. There is no cost for participants.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health Center at (402)-729-3351.

Gardenside Recognized as ‘High Performer’ by the Quality Innovation Network National Coordinating Center

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Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside in Fairbury hosted the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network and team members of the National Coordinating Center on Oct. 17, 2018. The National Coordinating Center is the CMS-designated Quality Innovation Network-National Coordinating Center which supports the nation’s quality improvement organizations, like Great Plains QIN, in their efforts to achieve CMS goals for better health, better care and lower costs.

The purpose of the visit was to identify innovative practices that contribute to success and or improvement. Similar site visits are occurring in healthcare organizations across the country. The intent is to spread innovative healthcare practices with other facilities and quality improvement organizations.

As a way to improve resident-centered care, the quality assurance team at Gardenside implemented ‘natural awakening’ as a way to improve the overall sleep hygiene and the health and safety of their residents while promoting a more ‘home-like’ environment.

“Natural Awakening enhances sleep hygiene and proves how a good night of undisturbed sleep is one of the most important services we can give residents. By eliminating or minimizing night-time interruptions the resident receives more restorative sleep that is needed to maintain and enhance their quality of life,” said Deb Sutton, RN, Gardenside Administrator.

The Gardenside team outlined several elements of their success. First, it is imperative to partner with the pharmacy team to decrease and alter medication times to reduce the frequency of medication passes and avoid having to wake residents to dispense medications. Second, visiting with residents and their family members prior to implementing the natural awakening program is necessary. This conversation allows the resident to share his/her preferred sleep environment and whether they have a preference for their wake-up time. The Gardenside team also adjusted the dining room schedule to adjust for residents having an expanded timeframe to eat breakfast.

“As a result of this effort to facilitate natural awakening, Gardenside has experienced a decrease in falls, antipsychotic medication use and infection rates. This information has been shared with other nursing homes through a number of educational sessions and the Gardenside team has willingly mentored homes who wish to implement natural awakening. The commitment to improving resident care is impressive. Gardenside sets the bar high in their continued quest for quality improvement. We are pleased to be able to help share their story with the NCC team and others,” said Krystal Hays, DNP, RN, RAC-CT; Quality Improvement Advisor with the Great Plains QIN.

“Improving the quality of care in our facility is and will continue to be a priority,” said Deb Sutton, Administrator. “Studies have shown that lack of sleep leads to a dramatic decline in a person’s ability to perform even simple tasks. Individuals who are sleep-deprived may experience drowsiness, irritability, lack of concentration and impaired performance. Furthermore, sleep deprivation compromises the immune system and persistent sleep deprivation can result in significant mood swings and erratic behavior. We believe in the power of natural awakening for improved health and quality of life. We enjoyed the opportunity to share our story; and will continue to do all we can to provide exceptional care at Gardenside and share what we have learned.”

“The Natural Awakening Program needs to be shared and spread throughout all nursing facilities; the NCC views this program as a best practice. The NCC has requested that Gardenside provide their knowledge on a future National Learning and Action Event,” said Jane Brock, MD, MSHP; Medical Director for the NCC.

Great Plains QIN is the Quality Improvement Organization for Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The GPQIN team works with healthcare providers and communities to implement data-driven quality initiatives to improve healthcare. Great Plains QIN offers technical assistance, tailored education, best practices, tools and resources. Through these efforts, we intend to improve patient safety, reduce harm and improve clinical care at the local and regional levels.

2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE