Community Benefit Report
Each year, hundreds of dedicated nurses, physicians, therapists, technologists, volunteers and other medical professionals help Alton Memorial Hospital fulfill its mission of improving the health of the people and communities it serves. And each year, Alton Memorial Hospital invests significantly in the health of the region through technology, facility improvements, staff training, community outreach and charitable work.
Progress as Promised: The Duncan Wing Construction
Quality Care
Generosity of Many
Technological Advancements
Physician Recruitment
Fostering Partnerships Through Grants
Serving Our Communities
Progress as Promised: The Duncan Wing Construction
In January, the roof was completed on the 89,000-square-foot Duncan Wing. The final structural beam -- autographed by employees, visitors and donors -- was installed at the highest point of the building. The Hospital's new circle drive opened in June, and valet services moved to that space. Construction crews are now completing the interior. Laboratory services, inpatient pharmacy, registration, nursing and physical therapy are planning moves into their new spaces. Ribbon cutting is 2 p.m.-5 p.m. March 10, 2010.
Quality Care
Alton Memorial Hospital received top honors from the prestigious PRC National Excellence in Healthcare Awards. The Cancer Care Center, Human Motion Institute at Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton North Rehabilitation and Sports Performance Center, and Twin Rivers MRI each received 5-star awards, given to outpatient services for service excellence.
Eunice Smith Home scored in the top 10 percent of all nursing homes in the nation in patient satisfaction.
The Commission on Cancer found the Hospital in complete compliance with all 36 of its program standards. The Hospital also achieved commendation ratings for four standards in demonstrating excellence in quality care of cancer patients. These results make Alton Memorial the only area hospital with a deficiency-free survey.
In November, Alton Memorial received the 2009-2010 Best in Value Award in recognition of excellence in quality, affordability, efficiency and satisfaction. This award, presented by the Hospital Value Index, places Alton Memorial within the top 15 percent of hospitals nationwide for exemplary service to patients, and ranks the Hospital in the top 10 in affordability in Illinois.
Generosity of Many
The Hospital is replacing its aging fleet of ambulances with new vehicles equipped with the latest life-saving technology. In April, Alton Memorial hosted the first "Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners & Fish Hookers Ball" at Nilo Farms raising $59,000 toward the purchase of a new ambulance. Each ambulance now features the latest technology with advanced cardiac monitors using Bluetooth technology for transmitting EKGs to the Hospital. The technology also notifies Hospital teams prior to the ambulance's arrival, saving precious minutes.
Technological Advancements
Providing state-of-the-art care without leaving the state has brought a number of significant devices online. Each allows physicians and medical professionals to diagnose and provide treatment with greater clarity and precision.
Imaging has never been stronger at Alton Memorial Hospital. In February, renovation to the mammography area included two new digital machines. Imaging now features a separate waiting area with patient dressing rooms. The department is now digital, enabling physicians to access images almost immediately. The nuclear medicine area was remodeled and features new equipment including a 64-Slice CT scanner.
In late April, the Hospital invested $350,000 for new operating room equipment that provides high definition images and greater clarity during urological procedures. And the ICU received $200,000 for new patient monitors.
Physician Recruitment
After recruiting just a few physicians a year ago, attracting the finest medical professionals to the region remains a top priority. This year, Alton Memorial welcomed several new doctors to the community including:
- Orlando Ruiz-Rodriguez, MD, pulmonology
- Linda Grismer, MD, rheumatology
- Aayesha Khan, MD, otolaryngology
- Michael Liu, MD, neurology
- John Codd, MD, vascular surgery
- Tabitha Jones, MD, pediatrics
- Paul Loethen, MD, general surgery
- Jamie North, MD, obstetrics and gynecology
- Soldrea Thompson, MD, obstetrics and gynecology
Fostering Partnerships Through Grants
The State of Illinois awarded Alton Memorial a $25,000 grant to promote breast health. The grant was one of 52 given to local health departments and community organizations for breast cancer education and supportive services. With the grant, Alton Memorial partnered with the Madison County Health Department to provide free screenings to uninsured women.
Serving Our Communities
As a non-profit hospital, Alton Memorial fulfills its mission and gives back to the community in a variety of ways. The Alton Memorial Board of Directors established a community benefit committee in 2006 to provide input for the Hospital's charitable work. Since then, outreach to the medically underserved, and promotion of wellness and prevention programming have all increased.
- Community Education -- In 2009, Alton Memorial Hospital provided a variety of health and cancer screenings, lectures, classes, health fairs and other health and wellness programming serving about 7,000; new programming focused on women's health with monthly educational programming
- Charity Care -- Vitally important to the Hospital mission is meeting the health care needs of all patients, regardless of their ability to pay; Alton Memorial Hospital is the Riverbend's leading provider of charity care and services to those on Medicaid; last year the Hospital provided more than $7.8 million in charity care for those who could not afford to pay for services
- Parish Nursing -- Sponsored by the Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation, the parish nurse program continues its growth with 11 nearby churches and two retirement villages; during the past year, nurses working with congregations made more than 18,000 visits and distributed more than 1,200 flu vaccines
- School Outreach -- Funding from the Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation this year enabled Alton Memorial to offer the BJC School Outreach and Your Development program to schools in the Hospital's service area; In 2009, the program made more than 6,800 wellness contacts; this year's program shows elementary through high school students the effects of drugs and alcohol on a body
- Healthy Partnerships -- Alton Memorial Hospital partnered with businesses, schools and various community organizations to enhance healthy living and awareness; These include: American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, American Lung Association, Arthritis Foundation, American Diabetes Association, Illinois Poison Center, Madison County Health Department, Mexico Village People, American Red Cross, Senior Services Plus and Alton YWCA. Alton Memorial Hospital sponsors many health and special events in the community throughout the year and provided $547,100 in community benefit last year