Sumter’s Got Talent

If you’re not doing anything on Feb. 26th, you need to head on over to Patriot Hall. And if you already have other plans, you might want to reconsider and still join us. It’s time for the annual Sumter Arts Showcase, and I promise you will not find anything better.

For 13 years now, Miss Libby’s School of Dance has organized this Showcase to raise money for The Tuomey Foundation. And they have done an outstanding job! They have contributed more than $175,000 to hospital-related projects through the Sumter Arts Showcase and its generous sponsors, including the Sumter Junior Welfare League. This year, all proceeds are designated to enhance infant and newborn care in the nurseries at Tuomey.

The Broadway-style variety show is simply something you don’t want to miss. Of course, it has some of the best dancers in our community, but it’s even more than that. There is music, theater, comedy, the Sumter-Shaw Community Concert Band, Lakewood and Sumter high schools and the Alice Drive Baptist Church Choir. It has something for everyone.

And we all know “Miss” Libby Singleton, and we thank her for the wonderful vision and inspiration. And her co-owners, Seth and Jennifer Reimer, are doing an incredible job as the new kids on the block. This is their second year co-producing the show, and it just keeps getting better. (And we’ll never forget that this is the brainchild of former owner Debbie Bowen. We miss you Debbie!)

With more than 100 performers in the show, I’m certain you’ll find something you love. So make plans now to join us! If you want more information, or want to go ahead and buy your tickets now, contact The Tuomey Foundation at (803) 774-9014 or Miss Libby's School of Dance at (803) 469-8277. You will not be disappointed!

Top Marks for Tuomey

When it comes to grades, Tuomey just got an A+ on a major exam. And I could not be more proud of the team that led us there. Although it takes every single Tuomey employee to make the wheels turn, there are several folks who head up our Joint Commission survey – and we simply could not do it without them. Debbie Mixon, Lois McCracken and Gloria Bateman are incredible! And let me explain why.

You see, we go through an accreditation survey process every three years. It is more than you could ever imagine. And it is tough! We have four or five Joint Commission surveyors here on our campus for four full days. And they look at everything – and I mean EVERYTHING. From physician care to HR files and pharmacy charts to lab results and nurses’ reports. They look at ceiling tiles and fire walls as well as every step you take in the building. They talk to patients and families and employees and board members. There is probably not one square inch that they don’t look at, inspect or review. It is grueling!

And according to The Joint Commision’s website, there are “more than 17,000 health care providers who use Joint Commission standards to guide how they administer care and continuously improve performance. The Joint Commission is also the only accrediting organization with the capability and experience to evaluate health care organizations across the continuum of care.”

They survey us every three years. And these are surprise visits. We do have an idea of what quarter in the year they might come, but that’s about it. They simply show up on our doorsteps at 7:30 in the morning – and there they go – straight into the hospital!

So, as you can imagine, this is not something you prepare for overnight. You have to stay Joint Commission-ready, throughout the year. And everyone plays a role; every department has a set of guidelines specifically written for their areas. But someone has to be in charge and watch over everything. And that’s where Debbie, Lois, and Gloria come in. They keep us on our toes at all times. They are constantly reviewing policies, standards and guidelines. They can probably quote you chapter and verse on just about everything TJC looks at and reviews. I just can’t tell you enough about these ladies. I often brag about “Team Tuomey,” and I am always so proud of the work we do – so forgive me this week if I go on and on about the team we have here in Sumter. They just don’t come any better.

And just one more word about TJC before I stop for the week. As grueling as the process is, I’m glad they visited us. And I’m glad they keep us on our toes at all times. Because it makes us better – not for us – but for you and your families. When you need us, and you’re worried about a loved one, you know they are getting the best possible care. Safety guidelines are followed, quality care is a commitment, and the folks at Tuomey are always working to make things better. Not because we have to, but because we WANT to. It is part of “Doing the Right Thing.”

A new name for a great service

The name might be changing, but the dedication to children is only getting better. Many of you are probably familiar with our program called Health Reach. It’s been around since 1996, and the employees who run it have countless heart-warming stories about the children touched by their efforts to keep them healthy and in school.

Due to some internal Tuomey changes in structure, and the way the program is funded, we have to change the name. It will now be called Care Reach. But for folks in the community, that’s about the only thing you’ll notice that’s changing. Chris Watson is still going to run the program for us – and when it comes to caregivers, they don’t come with a bigger, more compassionate heart than Chris.

It’s such a tremendous program! They connect children in Sumter and Lee counties with the medical and dental care they need. And in case you’re wondering, Care Reach has no generated income and no billable services, nor does it ever charge a child for care. In 2007 alone, Tuomey spent more than $260,000 serving children through this program.

Protecting the health of our children, regardless of their family's financial capabilities, is the sole purpose of Care Reach. This program stretches deep into the heart of Sumter and Lee counties and connects children with the doctors and dentists they need. Typically, these children are referred by school nurses and have problems that could affect educational outcomes. The nurses and providers in the program take a holistic approach to helping children, including enrolling them in Medicaid and addressing their behavioral issues, as well as their physical health problems.

Sometimes, as Chris has explained to me so many times, one cavity can turn into many more, and then there’s the oral surgery they’ll need or the additional visits to check out issues now related to their gums. And if your teeth hurt, you are not going to learn. It’s that simple.

It’s an incredible program that has served our community for more than a decade, and one that we feel should continue. When you’re helping thousands of children – more than 3,000 in the first decade – it’s a program you need to support. And we’re doing our part to make a difference in the lives of children.

If you need more information on Care Reach, or would like to help support the program – call Chris Watson at 774-9009. You’ll be proud of the work they do!

Ten things for 2010

OK, I’m not going to call them resolutions! Just 10 things to think about for 2010. Ten things that we can all do – realistically – to make our lives better. We all start out with great intentions in January, but sometimes we make our goals a little too high. So we are going to be realistic here. We are going to make 2010 great by following these simple rules (at least most of the time).

1. Be realistic. That’s my first promise to myself this year. What’s the saying: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” And it wasn’t. So whatever bad habits we have, we are going to change them slowly. We can’t fix everything today. Give yourself a break.



2. Make a plan. Stick to it. And prayer does help.



3. Get out and move. Exercise is great for everyone and it makes us feel better. And we’ll get healthier along the way. Walk a few extra feet in the parking lot, take the stairs, ride a bike with your child, golf with your son, go swim at the lake this summer. Just move!



4. Manage your stress. I know, I know. This one is easier said than done. But we should all try. Make a list, think about what’s important, set goals, prioritize. When you can check things off a list, you will feel better. Breathe. Take a yoga class.



5. Cut out some salt. And some sugar. Take small steps, but know that these two things aren’t all that great for you. And salt raises your blood pressure.



6. If you haven’t quit smoking, DO IT NOW! It’s time. I know it’s hard, but do it. Now! There are doctors out there who can help.



7. Get a physical each year. It’s important to know what’s going on with your body. Find a good family doctor and visit him or her. There are so many reasons to take good care of you.



8. Control your portions. Use a smaller plate and a smaller bowl. I know that sounds simple, but nutrition experts say it really works. Eat your fruits and veggies, nuts, beans, and lean proteins.



9. Do something for you. Especially you moms out there. You do so much for your families, that you sometimes neglect yourself. Go to a movie with a friend, have a small piece of (dark) chocolate. Get a manicure.



10. Help others. This one is probably the most important, and will make you feel better than most anything. Whether it’s donating blood, supporting the SPCA, giving canned food to a needy cause or money to United Ministries, you should make a difference. Knowing that you have helped someone who really needs it, that’s making a change!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all your friends at Tuomey Healthcare System.

See you all in 2010!

The Lights of Christmas

If you haven’t stopped by Tuomey lately, now’s the time to visit. The main hospital lobby, the Women’s Pavilion, the Outpatient Surgery Center and our Calhoun Street entrance are beautiful right now, thanks to the Christmas trees decorated and sponsored by so many friends of Tuomey. The decorations are incredible – handmade ornaments, traditional bright red balls, beautiful white lights – these trees have it all!

And the best part? In addition to brightening up the hospital, all proceeds are going toward Tuomey’s Hospice program. More than $50,000 has been raised this year alone through our Festival of Trees program. The Tuomey Foundation does an incredible job with this event each year, and the chairman of this event, J. Grady Locklear, gives his heart and soul to this festival, year after year. Thank you Dr. Locklear – it’s an understatement to say that we could not do this without you.

Each year, as we kick off the Festival of Trees and Circle of Lights program, we have a special Hospice family who turns on the lights at the opening program. They really get the event started, and help us to all remember why we do what we do. This year we were so proud to have the Moses family with us to do the honors. I cannot begin to tell you how much this family means to me personally, and to the history of this hospital (and entire community). The lights were turned on this year in memory of Tat Moses, one of our long-time employees who recently passed away from cancer. On hand were her husband, Richard Moses, and children, Dr. Henry Moses, a surgeon, and Mary Deakin, an RN at Tuomey. Richard served on the Tuomey board for more than 25 years, and has remained such a dedicated supporter of this hospital. We’re so blessed to have this family in our community.

If you can’t make it down to visit the trees, check them out on-line. There’s a great slide show at www.tuomey.com, showcasing the opening night’s event. It’s worth a visit.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Tuomey Home Health Wins BIG

When it comes to Home Health care, I’ve always known we have the best in the business. Now we have the national accolades to prove it. If you didn’t get a chance to read Belton White’s article in last week’s Item, click here to read the article.

Headed up by Kathy McMaster and Kim Price, you won’t find a more comprehensive program anywhere. If it can be done with a doctor’s order in your home, we can take care of it. And apparently better than just about anyone. Tuomey’s Home Health team was recognized recently with a 2009 Summit Award from Press Ganey, a company that partners with more than 10,000 healthcare facilities to rate and survey customer satisfaction.

Tuomey was one of only 74 winners at the national meeting, and the ONLY one who provides in-home services. The Tuomey program was recognized for maintaining an extremely high level of patient satisfaction over a three-year period. In fact, their patient satisfaction scores were in the 95th percentile or higher for those three years.

In addition to this incredible honor, the Home Health team was also named to the 2009 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top performing home health agencies in the U.S. This annual review identifies the top 25 percent of agencies and then highlights the top 500 within that group. Winners are ranked by an analysis of quality outcomes and improvement, as well as financial performance.

Manager Kim Price gives all the credit to her staff, but I want to take this time to applaud everyone – from the top of this department down. You give incredible clinical care, obviously, but that extra touch is really what makes you all shine. You are focused on the patient and his or her family; you always seem to work with a joyful spirit; and the patient comes first –every single time.

If you’re not really sure what all Home Health can do, check us out at www.tuomey.com/outreach/inhomeservices. I promise – you won’t find anyone who can do it better!