MADD Bulletin to supporters

Posted on January 27, 2016

Dear MADD supporter: “Hawai’i remains one of only 18 states that has not established constitutional rights for victims of crime.  For over a decade, MADD Hawai’i has been working with other victim service agencies to amend our state constitution to change this situation.  Marsy’s Law for Hawai’i, a foundation dedicated to strengthening victims’ rights, joined the effort last year.  Together, we remain committed to passing legislation that will result in a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing specific rights for victims of crime.  The constitutional amendment will ensure that victims are treated fairly and with dignity and receive information about, and are allowed to fully participate in, the criminal justice process. Our success depends on our ability to generate testimony and overwhelming support for the amendment.  Now the 2016 Legislative Session has begun, we need you to: Call or write to your legislator and ask them to support the amendment, and Attend committee hearings at the capitol and present testimony if appropriate – otherwise just being in the hearing room as a supporter adds power to our messages If you do not know who your legislator is, go to the Hawai’i State Legislature’s website at:http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=all. At the top right, there is a spot where you can enter your street name to identify your legislator. Your representative or senator’s email address can be found on this page, too. When you write testimony, use your own words as much as possible since legislators are most persuaded by your own unique story or perspective. Legislative hearings will begin very soon and we must be ready to testify and attend to show strong support for the constitutional amendment.  We are available now to assist you in preparing your testimony so that it is ready to be submitted before the hearings, which have tight deadlines.  Please either call the MADD office at 532-6232 or send an email todoreida.oneill@madd.org at your earliest convenience.  We look forward to working with you to get the constitutional amendment for victims’ rights passed. Mahalo and warm aloha, Carol McNamee Founder, MADD Hawai’i”

USDA: Know your Food Group Targets!

Posted on January 19, 2016

Tip: Know your food group targets!

ChooseMyPlate.gov sent this bulletin at 01/18/2016 08:45 AM EST

Know your food group targets! Use SuperTracker to find out what kinds of foods to eat and how much. Receive a personalized plan to make healthier choices. My Plan Food-a-Pedia Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

USDA Tip of the Day: Looking for an Easy Grab and Go?

Posted on January 19, 2016

Tip: Looking for an easy grab & go?

ChooseMyPlate.gov sent this bulletin at 01/14/2016 07:20 AM EST

Looking for an easy grab & go? Keep healthy beverage options on hand. Have reusable water bottles  available in the refrigerator for easy grab-and-go. More tips to make better beverage choices. Compare drink options using SuperTracker. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

USDA TIP OF THE DAY

Posted on January 19, 2016

Tip: Support the bones that support you!

ChooseMyPlate.gov sent this bulletin at 01/15/2016 07:10 AM EST

Support the bones that support you! Keep your body strong by moving to low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt. More tips for strong bones. Ways to be more active. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

DOH to hold weekly Dengue Info Sessions

Posted on January 16, 2016

News from Hilo Medical Center

Posted on December 27, 2015

News from Hilo Medical Center December 2015
Hilo Medical Center

Mission, Vision and Values

Contact Hilo Medical Center
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East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation

As the Big Island’s leading providers of inpatient and outpatient care, the East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), consisting of Hilo Medical Center, Hale Hoola Hamakua and Kau Hospital, delivers a full range of services and programs. Our three hospitals include 373 beds and over 1,300 employees and a medical staff comprised of 250 physicians, physician assistants and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, representing 33 specialties. The region has a network of 10 outpatient clinics offering primary and specialty care. Hilo Medical Center functions as a Level III Trauma Center, which includes the second busiest emergency room in the state, providing 24-hour care and serving more than 44,000 patients annually. Hale Hoola Hamakua and Kau Hospital are designated as Critical Access Hospitals.

The East Hawaii Region of HHSC is part of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a public entity established in 1996 by the State of Hawaii to fulfill the promise to provide quality, hometown healthcare.

For more information, go to: http://www.hilomedicalcenter.org, http://www.halehoolahamakua.org or http://www.kauhospital.org.

Hilo Medical Center Ranks as Top Performing Hospital in Hawaii
Nationwide ranking in the top 2% for preventing hospital-acquired conditions

Hilo Medical Center continues to receive national attention for its transformation to one of Hawaii’s top performing hospitals.

“Last week, we were informed that Hilo Medical Center had the best scores in the state for preventing hospital-acquired conditions,” said Dan Brinkman, East Hawaii Regional CEO of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. “In fact, just 54 hospitals in the country posted better scores. This ranking demonstrates the high quality of our services that result in better outcomes for our patients.”

l to r: Chad Shibuya, Infection Control Director; Pedro Odasco, Environmental Services Worker; Tandy Newsome, Quality Management Director; Noriko Panek, Critical Care Unit Nurse; Dr. Francis Cavanaugh and Darrel Mosher, Respiratory Therapy Manager; all contribute to Hilo Medical Center’s success in preventing hospital-acquired conditions and top ranking in the state.

Hospitals, both public and private nationwide, are required to track and measure key indicators. They are then ranked under the nation’s Department of Health and Human Services. Those hospitals that rank poorly are penalized by adjusted Medicare payments.

“Beyond the financial incentive, we have an incredible team of physicians, nurses, aides and housekeepers in all clinical areas who care deeply about our community and are committed to quality and patient satisfaction,” said Brinkman.

The ranking by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) scores Hilo Medical Center with a 1.5 for hospital-acquired conditions, placing it among the top 2% of the 3,308 hospitals across the nation involved in the CMS HAC Reduction Program. Hospitals in Hawaii were ranked (in order):

1. Hilo Medical Center
2. North Hawaii Community Hospital
3. Kuakini Medical Center
4. Kona Community Hospital
5. Castle Medical Center
6. Straub Clinic and Hospital
7. The Queen’s Medical Center
8. Kaiser Foundation Hospital
9. Wilcox Memorial Hospital
10. Wahiawa General Hospital
11. Pali Momi Medical Center
12. Maui Memorial Medical Center

Hilo Medical Center created multi-disciplinary teams to research best practices for minimizing patient infections, particularly with patients who have foley catheters, central lines, a surgical procedure, or are assisted by a ventilator. “Once these evidence-based practices were identified, we educated all clinical staff and tracked compliance data,” said Arthur Sampaga Jr., Chief Nursing Officer. “I applaud the clinical staff for making these best practices part of their everyday routine.”

“Our staff continues to find ways to produce exceptional results,” said Chad Shibuya, HMC Infection Control Director. “Everyone who touches a patient, including our housekeeping staff, helps maintain a safe environment and deserves credit for our excellence.”

Hilo Medical Center’s top Hawaii ranking follows several other recent honors and accolades recognizing important milestones in its transformation as a leading hospital in Hawaii.
Sharing Our ‘Buy Local” Message

What do Stephen Wong, Mike Dowsett, Virginia Maeda, Lisa Young, Chantelle Kaapuni-Figueroa, Dennis Vierra, Rosemarie Hurley, Gary Safarik, Stacie Mandaloniz, Chelden Caitano, Jacob Batalona, Barbara Beatty, and the Harmeling, Kurohara and Gancinias ohanas have in common? They’ve all shared their very personal stories of the excellent care they’ve received at Hilo Medical Center, Hale Ho’ola Hamakua and Ka’u Hospital.

Mahalo to our ambassadors who participated in our Hawaii Tribune-Herald and social media campaigns that feature the high quality healthcare East Hawaii residents receive right here at home.