OMHS 2009 Community Report
December 7, 2009
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Our Report
At OMHS, our approach to healthcare is built upon five key strategies--the Big Dots, we like to call them: quality, growth, people, service and finances. Excellence in each category, we believe, leads to better, higher-quality healthcare for the patient and our community.
Building on the idea of top five percent achievement, we'd like to share with you our top five accomplishments in each strategy area.
QUALITY
da Vinci Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery at OMHS means advanced options for patients
Shorter surgeries, faster recovery times and less scarring; OMHS surgeons and patients alike have quickly discovered the benefits of the da Vinci® Surgical System.
Seated at a console, da Vinci surgeons view 3-D images of the operative area inside the patient. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist, and finger actions into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments.
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zeego Robotic Imaging
 zeego puts OR at forefront of robotic imaging technology
Doctors at OMHS are using advanced robotic imaging equipment called the Artis zeego® to perform delicate endovascular and heart procedures at higher levels of quality and safety.
In September, OMHS became one of only six hospitals in the US to install the zeego in an operating room and one of only 21 to utilize the system. The technology exposes patients and the care team to less radiation and requires fewer amounts of contrast dye injected into patients--easing strain on the kidneys.
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LEAN
 LEAN maximizing healthcare efficiency
The LEAN team develops efficient processes for patient care, keeping OMHS on the forefront of continuous healthcare improvement. First launched by Toyota, LEAN processes focus on increased efficiency by identifying and eliminating wasteful use of products or time.
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OtisKnee
 Advanced knee replacement surgery putting patients back on their feet
OtisKnee® represents one of the latest achievements in knee replacement surgery. Patients receive an MRI scan a few weeks before surgery. Then, specialized computer software converts the scan into a
3-D model of the diseased knee, corrects the arthritic changes and creates another image of the knee in its normal, non-arthritic state.
The surgeon receives customized guides that allow precise sizing and positioning of the patient's knee implant. Benefits for the patient include shorter surgery, less blood loss and quicker recovery.
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Pill Camera
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Video capsule makes exams easier to digest
Capsule endoscopy, commonly called the pill camera, enables doctors at OMHS to examine the small intestine by having a patient ingest a video capsule with its own camera and light source. Patients can move freely during the exam, which lasts about eight hours. While the video capsule travels through the body, it sends images to a data recorder worn around the waist.
Before, a patient with abdominal pain or bleeding received an examination with a colonoscope or a long scope inserted through the mouth or throat. But neither method would allow doctors to completely examine the small intestine. At times, patients might even have to go to the operating room to have their abdomens opened surgically in order to have organs examined.
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John Hast, M.D.
Gastroenterology
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GROWTH
New Hospital
The new hospital property is beginning to take shape
At OMHS, our long-term plans include strategies to provide healthcare for multiple counties throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana for generations. The present hospital operates 359 inpatient beds, but in 2013 when the new hospital opens, capacity will expand to 440, with a design created for a safer environment for patient care and service to families.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for March 2010.
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Neonatal Expansion
 New moms to stay with newborns
Neonatal Associates, part of the University of Louisville Physicians group, will begin providing a board certified neonatologist and neonatal nurse practitioners to care for babies with short-term illnesses and other medical conditions in January 2010. The new partnership expands the neonatal intensive care unit at OMHS, allowing families to remain close to home when their newborns require hospital care. Babies with low birth weight or born prematurely will also be able to receive neonatal care at OMHS.
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Expanding Access
 Creating more opportunities to provide care throughout western Kentucky and southern Indiana
By adding clinics, OMHS is making preventive and immediate healthcare available to more individuals. With MultiCare clinics in Madisonville, Tell City and Beaver Dam, we're working to build healthier families and communities.
In October, we announced an exciting new venture, The Clinic at Walmart, to serve Newburgh, Henderson and Owensboro.
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KBP Partners With Bayer
 Promise for the future
Kentucky BioProcessing adapted its good manufacturing process (cGMP) over the past year to provide services for Bayer Innovation GmbH, Germany. In addition to Bayer, KBP now provides services for 15 plant-based biotech products, including the cGMP production of a product for an investigational new drug application recently filed with the Food & Drug Administration.
OMHS purchased the bioprocessing plant in Mid America Airpark in March 2006.
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HIV Research
 Promising HIV research is happening right here in Owensboro
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published research now taking place at the Owensboro Cancer Research Program in its academic journal. A study that includes work by Kenneth Palmer, PhD, touts a protein called griffithsin, which offers promising potential to develop a drug to reduce the spread of HIV. Griffithsin binds sugar molecules on the surface of HIV, preventing the virus from infecting the immune system.
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PEOPLE
3,000 Employees
 OMHS employment surges
In 1995, the combined employment of then Daviess County and Mercy hospitals provided jobs for 2,000. Today, OMHS employs nearly 3,200--positioning it as one of the region's largest employers that will continue to grow. OMHS has established a number of partnerships with local and regional colleges and universities to continue educating those who want to prepare for healthcare careers. One of the most recent additions includes a bachelor's degree made available through the University of Louisville on-site at OMHS.
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Employee Satisfaction
 OMHS now among the highest ranked hospitals for employee satisfaction
Serving a growing workforce also includes providing employees and physicians with opportunities to offer their feedback and suggestions about hospital services, employment benefits and other aspects of their jobs. As part of this process, OMHS conducts employee and physician opinion surveys every other year. Survey results have led to a number of improvements and rank OMHS as an above average employer compared to like-size hospitals.
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Physician Recruitment
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Medical staff development plan brings additional doctors
During fiscal 2009, OMHS added 16 physicians to its medical staff, largely resulting from periodic surveys to determine the need for doctors in each specialty. We base our recruitment efforts on an ongoing assessment, which takes place every other year and includes interviews with doctors along with a demographic analysis of our region.
OMHS also targets students in medical school, internship and residency programs who call Owensboro or a nearby community home in hopes they will return once they have completed their training. In addition to searching for hospital-employed physicians, the recruitment team offers support to physician practices in their search for new partners.
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David Brey, M.D.
Rheumatology
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Future Trends
 Our aging population is driving changes for patient care
In 2007, only one third of patients fell into the 65+ category, but in 2009, OMHS saw those numbers rise significantly, climbing to 43.6 percent*, correlating with the nation's aging population. In 2000, Americans over 65 numbered 35 million. Today, US Census Bureau projections estimate this segment of the population will more than double--reaching 71 million by 2030. The surge in seniors will continue to raise the demand for medical care in Owensboro and the 10 surrounding counties served by OMHS.
*Source: Thomson Reuters
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Hospitalist Program
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OMHS hospitalists provide seamless patient care
Hospitalists are doctors or nurse practitioners who specialize in treating hospitalized patients. For patients without a personal physician, hospitalists provide care for the entire hospital stay. The OMHS Hospitalist Program is a wonderful option for families to consider.
Internal medicine physicians can also partner with OMHS hospitalists to see patients, allowing the provider more time to devote to outpatient care.
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Caroline Henderson
Manager for the new hospitalist program, which debuted in Sept. 2009.
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SERVICE
OMHS Gives Back
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Community Benefit program exceeds $64 million
In keeping with our mission and charitable purpose, OMHS provided $64.5 million in community benefit contributions during fiscal year 2009. The cost of providing traditional Charity Care and other unpaid costs of patient care totaled $47.2 million.
Our Community Benefit Grant program is our most recognized initiative to give back to the community. The program offers financial assistance to non-profit organizations that provide specific programs and services addressing identified community health needs.
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Listening To Patients
 Patients are talking and we are listening
OMHS achieved the highest-ever scores among other hospitals of similar size for home care services and inpatient medical care. The hospital collaborates with Arbor Associates to provide surveys by telephone interview to gather feedback from patients after they return home. Over the last year, an increasing number of patients have told us they would "definitely recommend" OMHS services to their families and friends*.
*Source: Arbor & Associates Comparative Database
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ER Security
 Your safety is our priority
In June, OMHS heightened security in the Emergency Department by requiring everyone coming into the area to pass through a metal detector, attended by a security officer 24 hours a day--seven days a week. The system checks for knives, guns or other metal objects considered as weapons. More than 63,000 patients seek treatment in the ER each year, not counting family and friends who accompany them.
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January Ice Storm
 OMHS shines in the storm
The January Ice Storm was one of the fiercest on record, leaving thousands without power, but displaying what OMHS is truly about: caring people willing to do whatever it takes to take care of patients and the community. Doctors, bedside caregivers and volunteers worked long hours--many all week. Yet they handled their jobs with good humor and positive attitudes. Another example was the respiratory care station that occupied the Conference Center. The area housed about 25 people who, without electric power, had no place to plug in oxygen tanks and other respiratory equipment. Several employees went the extra mile to staff the makeshift shelter and make visitors comfortable.
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HealthPark Honored
 HealthPark recognized for excellence
The OMHS HealthPark has received top honors from the Medical Fitness Association (MFA)--receiving the organization's Distinguished Achievement Award to recognize leaders and innovators in medical health and fitness improvement. MFA officials said the HealthPark qualified as a recipient for the award because it "clearly serves as a benchmark for medical fitness centers that other organizations can emulate."
The HealthPark integrates a number of clinical programs with exercise and nutrition, taking a comprehensive approach to fitness and rehabiliation. Thousands utilize the facility--including 4,900 fitness center members, as well as many with identifiable health risks, those seeking to manage chronic diseases or improve their health.
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FINANCES
New Hospital Finances
OMHS maintains financial solvency in preparation for the new hospital
In the year ending May 31, 2009, gross revenue increased by more than $81 million over the previous year. Similarly, operating revenues increased by over $47 million. The hospital retained $13 million--or $6.2 million over 2008--for future needs, new services and debt retirement. Our financial statement indicates that attaining quality goals and establishing LEAN process improvements assists in improving patient outcomes and controlling costs. The net result is a healthy bottom line.
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Charity Care
Cost of uncompensated care at OMHS now exceeds $47 million
This figure is supported by records that identify and monitor the level of charity, bad debt, and uncompensated care. Charity care includes charges for which OMHS did not receive payment for services and supplies furnished, as defined by the hospital's charity care policy and the estimated cost of those services and supplies.
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Payroll $139M
Stable employment
With nearly 3,200 employees, OMHS payroll reached $139,040 million* during the last year--the largest in our history. The new jobs, along with increases in salaries and benefits funneled an additional $9.4 million dollars into the regional economy. Our reach as a regional medical center also impacts several regional counties with good-paying, stable employment.
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Charging Less
OMHS offers top value
When compared to other regional hospitals, OMHS continues to offer outstanding value. Patients not only receive care from one of the nation's top-rated hospitals--but at a facility where charges are among the lowest. For every dollar OMHS charges for healthcare services, many other regional hospitals charge more.
Value of $1 Charged
| Owensboro Medical Health System |
$1.00 |
| Trover Health System (Madisonville) |
$1.00 |
| The Medical Center (Bowling Green) |
$1.22 |
| St. Mary's Medical Center (Evansville) |
$1.23 |
| Deaconess Hospital (Evansville) |
$1.27 |
| Vanderbilt University Hospital (Nashville) |
$1.50 |
| Norton Hospital (Louisville) |
$1.75 |
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Contributing To The Economy
$13 million in tax payments
Tax payments keep the regional economy moving forward. OMHS remitted nearly $13 million in taxes to state and municipal governments last year. At the state level, OMHS Provider Tax payments of $5.7 million were used to match Federal Medicaid dollars, bringing more money into the state and regional economy. With over 3,168 employees, OMHS payroll taxes of $6,993,953 represented a valuable source of revenue for government operations and programming.
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ARCHIVES
2008-2009 Report
2007-2008 Report