Health Care News

On June 25, 2016, Grace Health located in Battle Creek, Michigan was awarded PCMH (Patient-Centered Medical Home) recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home Program for 2016 – 2019.

“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Grace Health has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and others. It was developed to assess whether clinical practices are functioning as medical homes and recognize them for these efforts.  The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that support access, communication and patient involvement.

This recognition aligns with Grace Health’s mission which states, “At Grace Health, we provide quality health care with the belief that all individuals have the right to considerate service at all times, with recognition of their personal dignity.” Although Grace Health is PCMH Recognized by the NCQA, the Center continues to evaluate processes and services provided to help ensure the needs of its patients are being met.

June 3, 2016 marked the first anniversary of CenteringPregnancy at Grace Health. With CenteringPregnancy, women meet with their healthcare provider and other women with similar due dates throughout their pregnancy.  This first group included 9 women who were due around November.  The women spent 2 hours with their nurse midwife and nurse getting all of their questions answered plus they learned from the other women in the group by sharing their experiences.  The women also received a complimentary book regarding pregnancy.  CenteringPregnancy offers monthly visits for the first 5 months and every two weeks until the birth.  After the women had their babies, a reunion was held on December 30, 2015, with the women, their support person, and their babies.  The group got together at Grace Health for the 1^st anniversary of CenteringPregnancy.  Although they have completed the program, the women still stay in contact with one another.  It has been found that CenteringPregnancy not only provides women and their support person with educational information about their pregnancy and what it expect, but it also gives them the opportunity to create lasting friendships.  What do our patients think about Centering?  “It is very helpful and a great way to meet other moms”.  Several patients commented that they liked having other mothers in their same situation to talk with and relate to.  One of the father’s said he would recommend it to everyone as a way to go through a pregnancy and receive prenatal care.

Two of Grace Health’s certified nurse midwives, Bethany Gonzalez, CNM and Heather Foulke, CNM, recently completed Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) training in Kalamazoo at Western Medical School for Family Practice.  Sonya Datta-Sandhu, CNM and Kerrie Tollerud, CNM completed this training a month ago in Chicago at University of Illinois Family Practice Residency Program – Grace Health now has a total of 4 Certified Nurse Midwives trained in ALSO.

ALSO is an evidence-based multi-disciplinary training program that prepares maternity health care providers to better manage obstetric emergencies. The training helps to bridge gaps in knowledge and boost skill sets by using a team-based approach, hands-on training, and mnemonics to reduce errors and save lives.

During the training Bethany and Heather learned team-based approaches in managing emergency situations, including postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, and pre-eclampsia. The ALSO training also addressed preventive care and practice concerns, such as, first-trimester complications, communication techniques to enhance team interactions and safety in patient care, helping parents cope with a birth crisis, diagnostic ultrasound, and putting evidenced-based practice to work.  After completing the training, written exam and simulation, Bethany’s and Heather’s skills have increased and they are now better prepared to respond to obstetrical emergencies.

Participating in evidence-based programs, is one of the ways Grace Health providers enhance their skills to improve health care provided within our community.

Grace Health’s mission is to provide quality care with the belief that all individuals have the right to considerate service at all times with recognition of their personal dignity.

Grace Health and the Kalamazoo Chapter of American Sewing Guild are partnering to provide sleepers for Grace Health’s newborns. On Tuesday, April 12, we will be cutting fabric and assembling kits with directions for sewing safe sleepers. Everyone is invited to drop in and spend an hour or two, or the whole day. Our goal is to make 200 safe sleepers.

Volunteers are needed for:

• Greeting and signing in people
• Cutting fabric into sleeper lengths
• Cutting out the sleepers
• Assembling kits with the necessary parts
• Checking and packing kits into boxes
• Check out kits to Sewing Guild members who will sew at home

When:  Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Time:  10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Where:  Grace Health’s Sanitas Conference Center – Entrance A, 181 West Emmett Street, Battle Creek, MI 49037

When you arrive, come in Entrance A and take either the elevator or stairs to the lower level.

Prevention of infant deaths is a priority of Calhoun County. Sleep related deaths are preventable. Join us on Community Fabric Cutting Day and help us with the safe sleepers so we can keep our youngest members of the community safe.

RSVP is not necessary, but appreciated for refreshments.  To RSVP or get additional information,  call 269-441-3467.

Two of Grace Health’s certified nurse midwives, Sonya Datta-Sandhu, CNM and Kerrie Tollerud, CNM, recently completed Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO^®) training in Chicago at University of Illinois Family Practice Residency Program.

ALSO^® is an evidence-based multi-disciplinary training program that prepares maternity health care providers to better manage obstetric emergencies. The training helps to bridge gaps in knowledge and boost skill sets by using a team-based approach, hands-on training, and mnemonics to reduce errors and save lives.

During the training Sonya and Kerri learned team-based approaches in managing emergency situations, including postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, and pre-eclampsia. The ALSO training also addressed preventive care and practice concerns, such as, first-trimester complications, communication techniques to enhance team interactions and safety in patient care, helping parents cope with a birth crisis, diagnostic ultrasound, and putting evidenced-based practice to work.  After completing the training, written exam and simulation, Sonya’s and Kerrie’s skills have increased and they are now better prepared to respond to obstetrical emergencies.

Participating in evidence-based programs, is one way that Grace Health providers enhance their skills and improve health care provided within our community.

Did you know that tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease among U.S. children? It is even more prevalent than asthma!

Many parents question when to start bringing their children to the dentist. It is recommended that children visit the dentist as soon as their first teeth erupt by their first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to practice prevention against tooth decay as well as creates positive dental experiences early on.

Encouraging your child to drink water vs. drinking sugary beverages (juice, pop) early on will greatly decrease the risk of your child developing cavities in the future.

While your child may want to be independent in brushing their own teeth, evidence suggests they need assistance until at least age 8. Let your child have a turn with the toothbrush, then follow up after them to ensure a thorough job has been done.

“It’s just a baby tooth, it’s going to fall out anyway.” While this is mostly true it is more than “just a baby tooth” baby teeth play an important role in the mouth. They not only help the child to chew properly, they aid in proper speech and act as placeholders for the permanent teeth to erupt in the proper place. Some people even retain certain baby teeth into adulthood! Many don’t know that the baby molars which erupt around age 2 stay in the mouth until about age 10-12, they serve an important purpose for quite a long time, thus making it very important to take care of them and have them restored if children do get cavities on them.

Grace Health’s 2^nd CenteringPregnancy Reunion was held on Wednesday, February 10.  This is the 2^nd group of women and their spouse/support person to use CenteringPrengancy for their prenatal care since it began at Grace Health on June 3, 2015.  The Reunion gave staff the opportunity to reconnect with the women after the birth of their babies, share information, and continue to build relationships. During their pregnancy, women with similar due dates and their spouse/support person meet as a group with their health care provider to share questions, advice and experiences.  Each group visit lasts about 2 hours and includes an individual health check-up and time for discussion with the group.  When asked what they thought of Centering, many women stated it was a good experience and would definitely recommend it to others.  Not only did women get to spend extra time with their health care provider, share experiences, and ask questions, but they also developed friendships that may last a lifetime.

Each year Grace Health provides its patients with a survey in order to evaluate services provided and make needed corrections. Between October 26, 2015 and November 6, 2015, a total of 1,488 surveys were completed by Grace Health patients.

The results are in. Here is what our patients said:

Family Practice/Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
• 98% of patients were able to get an appointment at soon as they needed.
• 90% of patients felt their provider was familiar with their medical history.
• 65% of patients said they were asked about their health goals.
• 59% of patients were asked about their moods or emotions.
• 90% of patients were asked about the medicines they were taking.
• 98% of patients understood their plan of care from their visit.

OB/GYN
• 98% of patients were able to get an appointment as soon as they needed.
• 88% of patients felt their provider knew their medical history.
• 65% of patients said they were asked about their health goals.
• 61% of patients were asked about their moods or emotions.
• 88% of patients were asked about the medicines they were taking.
• 99% of patients understood their plan of care from their visit.

Dental
• 98% of patients felt the dental staff/dentists were polite and helpful.
• 99% said their treatment plan was clearly explained.
• 99% indicated that all of their questions were answered.
• 99% commented that the front desk staff was polite & helpful.
• 82% received a reminder phone call.

Thank you to all our patients who provided feedback. Your input is sincerely appreciated.

Grace Health had its first CenteringPregnancy Reunion on December 30, 2015. This is the first group to use CenteringPregnancy at Grace Health for their prenatal care.  During their pregnancy, women with similar due dates and their spouse/support person meet as a group with their health care provider to share questions, advice and experiences.  Each group visit lasts about 2 hours and includes an individual health check-up and time for discussion with the group.  When asked what they thought about Centering, Jessica Brown stated “Centering was very helpful and resourceful.  I would definitely recommend it to others.”  Both Jessica and Katie Setler agreed that “it was good to be with other women who were experiencing the same things they were.”  Breasha Jackson stated “Centering was helpful and I looked forward to it every week”.  Ashley Sidebottom commented “it was a good experience and good information.” The CenteringPregnancy Reunion gave staff the opportunity to reconnect with the women after the birth of their babies, share information, and continue to build relationships. Not only did women get to spend extra time with their health care provider, share experiences, and ask questions, but they also developed friendships that may last a lifetime.

Barnabas met with Dr. Eric Macleod in our Behavioral Health Department and learned a few tips on relaxing during the holiday season.  He decided to share what he learned about relaxing:

• Don’t try to do too much at one time. The most important part of the holiday is spending time with family and friends, not cramming too many activities into the time you spend together.
• If you have time off, why not catch up on a little rest?  Allowing yourself to sleep a bit more is a rare luxury.  Enjoy it.
• Avoid overspending.  Spending too much on gifts is stressful and if you don’ t have the money now, only imagine the stress you will have when you see the credit card bills!
• Eating too many dog bones and table scraps seems like a good plan at first but don’t forget to go walk your canine friends every once in a while. Exercise helps the mind and body.
• When things get out of hand take a few moments to collect yourself and take a few deep breaths.  People will wait.
• Take time to be thankful for all the wonderful things that have happened in the past year.
• Remember, when bad things happen, it was a bad experience, not a bad life.
• If you need a caring someone to listen to you, help is always there at Grace Health.

Barnabas and the Grace Health staff hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season.