Service Award Recipients Honored-Part 1

RMC recently honored 169 longtime employees during two Annual Service Awards events. Employees with 20 or more years of service, including a 40-year award recipient, were honored for their commitment to the hospital with a dinner at Classic on Noble. Eighteen employees received 20-year awards; nine received 25-year awards; eleven received 30-year awards; three received 35-year awards; and one 40-year service award was presented. Each recipient was spotlighted by the Vice President of their department who shared something about each person and presented each with a Certificate of Recognition.

Five, ten and 15-year employees were honored in RMC’s private dining room, where the Vice Presidents also individually recognized employees. Eighty employees were recognized for five years of service; 23 were honored for their decade of service; and 25 staff received awards for 15 years of service.

These outstanding members of our staff have put in 2,095 combined years of service to RMC. Congratulations to all these dedicated members of RMC!

Service Award Recipients Honored-Part 2

More photos.

Service Award Recipients Honored-Part 3

RMC Employees Donate Time and Talent to Make A Difference

RMC Employees ready to Make A Difference for United Way

Rodney Clarke is ready for the heavy work

Still smiles at the end of the day

Employees from throughout the hospital gathered to support United Way’s Day of Caring project.  Their task, beautify the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home and that they did!  If you would like to sign up for the 2010 project, mark your calendar for the first of August and get ready to make a difference in our community.

Another Summer Ends for Volunteens

The 2009 Volunteen Program came to a close with a cookout celebrating their efforts. Parents and supervisors of the Volunteens were in attendance to reflect over a summer that we hope will last a lifetime.

Employees Celebrate July Birthdays

RMC Employees born in the month of July were recently treated to a birthday party. Guests shared great company, great food, and great prizes.

Look for an invitation during your special month!

Trendy Styles, Affordable Prices

The RMC Gift Shop just received a new shipment of designer-inspired handbags and purses. Bags of all colors and sizes are available for the affordable price of $29.95.

 For more information, visit the gift shop or call ext. 5378.

Volunteers Introduce Door-to-Door Shuttle Service

Becky Smith gets a ride from volunteer driver John Reynolds.

Thanks to Volunteer Services, visitors to RMC will no longer have to walk between buildings on campus. Visitors will now receive friendly door-to-door transportation on the RMC Courtesy Shuttle.

 The shuttle circulates regularly throughout campus to provide free, convenient transportation to and from hospital parking areas. The goal is to provide service  Monday through Friday but at present some shifts are not filled. The number to call for the shuttle – 235-5121.

“People have been very complimentary of the service,” said volunteer shuttle driver John Reynolds. “It’s working out very well so far.”

This program is another example of RMC’s efforts to accommodate guests and to ensure a positive experience for visitors on our campus.

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Vickie Simmons at 235-5147.

Lab Recognized for Excellence

The Laboratory at RMC has been awarded accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent onsite inspection.

RMC was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided.

“I would like to thank all laboratory personnel for the hard work and dedicated service they provide to our hospital community,” said RMC CEO J. David McCormack. “We are all very fortunate to have such dedicated professionals to provide excellent care to the patients of RMC.”        

Thomas A. Garland, MD and William H. Talbot, MD of Anniston Pathology serve as Medical Directors for clinical and anatomic pathology laboratories at Regional Medical Center. The laboratory performs 1,500,000 tests annually.

During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine the entire staff’s qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed specifically to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

RMC’s Infection Rate Continues to Improve

RMC improved its overall infection rate from 3.26 percent in 2007 to 2.86 percent in 2008. This decline in the overall infection rate means that fewer patients are leaving RMC with hospital-acquired infections. The ultimate goal of all healthcare facilities regarding hospital-acquired infections is to strive for zero.

 

The following five units had a decrease in their infection rates from 2007 to 2008:

• ICU: 8 percent to 6 percent
• 8W: 4 percent to 3 percent
• Med/Renal: 5 percent to 4 percent
• Peds/Gyn: 2 percent to 1 percent
• Oncology: 4 percent to 2 percent

“This is great news,” said Infection Control Practitioner Vangie Smith. “We want to congratulate the staff and managers of these units for a job well done. Keep up the good work!”

Infection prevention is the responsibility of everyone working in our hospital. Remember to follow the basic prevention guidelines: wash your hands before and after every patient contact, wear personal protective equipment when there is a risk of exposure to blood/body fluid, and clean/disinfect all equipment between patients.