ELIZABETHTOWN – Bladen County Hospital Laboratory recently passed a comprehensive inspection and was awarded accreditation by The Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations.
The two-year accreditation was granted in March after a rigorous two-day, on-site inspection from a commission surveyor.
The Joint Commission evaluated the laboratory’s performance in complying with nearly 300 quality control standards, related to quality control, safety, infection control, leadership, management and ongoing performance improvement.
Bladen County Hospital Laboratory has 11 employees and performs chemistry, hematology, microbiology and blood bank testing for the hospital and clinical offices within the Bladen Health Care system.
The Joint Commission is the gold standard in healthcare accreditation. It accredits more than 18,000 healthcare organizations nationwide, including approximately 3,000 clinical laboratories.
About Me
- Cape Fear Valley Health System
- Cape Fear Valley is a 765-bed regional health system serving a six-county region of Southeastern North Carolina, with more than 935,000 patients annually. A private not-for-profit organization and the state’s 9th largest health system, it includes Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital, Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center and Bladen County Hospital.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Two Bladen County RNs Named Exemplary Nurses
ELIZABETHTOWN – Two of Bladen County Hospital’s own were recently named Cape Fear Valley Health Exemplary Nurses for 2011.
Sabrina Melvin, RN, BSN, and Teresa Phipps, RN, BSN, were both honored during an awards ceremony, along with eight other Cape Fear Valley RNs. The ceremony was held May 9 at Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center in Fayetteville.
The Exemplary Nursing awards program was created in 2001 as a way to honor outstanding RNs throughout Cape Fear Valley Health. The health system’s staff nominate co-workers whose compassion, hard work and skill make them Exemplary Nurses.
Melvin is a Charge Nurse and serves on Performance Improvement and leadership committees with Bladen County Hospital. She was nominated for her work as a top assistant to the nursing manager, handling often-stressful situations with poise, maintaining working relationships with physicians and outside departments. She also assisted with the hospital’s new hospitalist program launch, guiding physicians and serving as a resource person for policies and procedures.
She executes interdepartmental functions with grace, competence, excellence and a smile, while also lending emotional and financial support to co-workers if needed.
Phipps works in Bladen County Hospital’s Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, and previously worked in the hospital’s ICU, Medical/Surgical Unit and Emergency Department.
In 1997, she helped establish the hospital’s Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, serving as Clinical and Program Director. There, she helped shape the program by developing documentation, policies, care plans and admission procedures.
Phipps was nominated for treating patients as a “whole person” and often befriending them on a personal level. She has also shown unwavering loyalty to her job by juggling her career while also taking care of her permanently disabled husband, Bo, a spinal injury patient, over the years.
Sabrina Melvin, RN, BSN, and Teresa Phipps, RN, BSN, were both honored during an awards ceremony, along with eight other Cape Fear Valley RNs. The ceremony was held May 9 at Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center in Fayetteville.
The Exemplary Nursing awards program was created in 2001 as a way to honor outstanding RNs throughout Cape Fear Valley Health. The health system’s staff nominate co-workers whose compassion, hard work and skill make them Exemplary Nurses.
Melvin is a Charge Nurse and serves on Performance Improvement and leadership committees with Bladen County Hospital. She was nominated for her work as a top assistant to the nursing manager, handling often-stressful situations with poise, maintaining working relationships with physicians and outside departments. She also assisted with the hospital’s new hospitalist program launch, guiding physicians and serving as a resource person for policies and procedures.
She executes interdepartmental functions with grace, competence, excellence and a smile, while also lending emotional and financial support to co-workers if needed.
Phipps works in Bladen County Hospital’s Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, and previously worked in the hospital’s ICU, Medical/Surgical Unit and Emergency Department.
In 1997, she helped establish the hospital’s Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, serving as Clinical and Program Director. There, she helped shape the program by developing documentation, policies, care plans and admission procedures.
Phipps was nominated for treating patients as a “whole person” and often befriending them on a personal level. She has also shown unwavering loyalty to her job by juggling her career while also taking care of her permanently disabled husband, Bo, a spinal injury patient, over the years.
Bladen County Hospital Digital Mammography Services Receive Accreditation
ELIZABETHTOWN – Bladen County Hospital’s new digital mammography unit has received full accreditation from the American College of Radiology.
The hospital offers Bladen County’s only digital mammography service through the Women’s Diagnostic Center. The service has been available to the public since March.
“We are so pleased to have received full accreditation so quickly,” said Mindy Goldsmith, CRA, Director of Radiology. “We have had a great response from patients with this new technology.”
Digital mammography uses digital images rather than traditional film images. The digital images are screened by a Computer-Aided Detection system that detects small anomalies or suspicious growths that may go unnoticed with traditional film.
The hospital offers Bladen County’s only digital mammography service through the Women’s Diagnostic Center. The service has been available to the public since March.
“We are so pleased to have received full accreditation so quickly,” said Mindy Goldsmith, CRA, Director of Radiology. “We have had a great response from patients with this new technology.”
Digital mammography uses digital images rather than traditional film images. The digital images are screened by a Computer-Aided Detection system that detects small anomalies or suspicious growths that may go unnoticed with traditional film.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Cape Fear Valley Plans Hospital Adjacent To Health Pavilion North
FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health is submitting a Certificate of Need (CON) to the state to build a new 65-bed hospital, adjacent to Health Pavilion North, to better serve the growing healthcare needs of Cumberland County.
“Admissions at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center have increased 14 percent since the beginning of 2008,” said Mike Nagowski, Chief Executive Officer for Cape Fear Valley Health. “Our Emergency Department has seen even more dramatic growth. Visits are projected to top 130,000 this year, a 30 percent increase.”
Cape Fear Valley’s Board of Trustees on May 25 approved submitting an application for the proposed hospital to the N.C. Certificate of Need (CON) section by June 15. State approval is required for the proposal under state CON rules, which are designed to prevent expensive and unnecessary duplication of healthcare services.
The proposed hospital would include 57 medical/surgical inpatient beds, eight intensive care beds, seven observation beds, a 20-bed Emergency Department, two operating rooms for surgical patients, imaging services, laboratory and other ancillary services.
The new hospital would complement Health Pavilion North’s existing services, which include a cancer center, physical and occupational therapy, ExpressCare, pharmacy, laboratory, CT, ultrasound, X-ray and offices for family practice and pediatrics.
“Our goal is to further improve access to healthcare services,” Nagowski said, “for residents of northern Cumberland County and surrounding areas in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible.
“Health Pavilion North celebrated its 5th anniversary last month, and we feel now is the right time to build a hospital at that location. The I-295 interchange makes Health Pavilion North very accessible to residents living to the north and east, and will only enhance its accessibility as construction continues on I-295. We are excited about bringing Cumberland County its first new hospital in more than 50 years.”
“Admissions at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center have increased 14 percent since the beginning of 2008,” said Mike Nagowski, Chief Executive Officer for Cape Fear Valley Health. “Our Emergency Department has seen even more dramatic growth. Visits are projected to top 130,000 this year, a 30 percent increase.”
Cape Fear Valley’s Board of Trustees on May 25 approved submitting an application for the proposed hospital to the N.C. Certificate of Need (CON) section by June 15. State approval is required for the proposal under state CON rules, which are designed to prevent expensive and unnecessary duplication of healthcare services.
The proposed hospital would include 57 medical/surgical inpatient beds, eight intensive care beds, seven observation beds, a 20-bed Emergency Department, two operating rooms for surgical patients, imaging services, laboratory and other ancillary services.
The new hospital would complement Health Pavilion North’s existing services, which include a cancer center, physical and occupational therapy, ExpressCare, pharmacy, laboratory, CT, ultrasound, X-ray and offices for family practice and pediatrics.
“Our goal is to further improve access to healthcare services,” Nagowski said, “for residents of northern Cumberland County and surrounding areas in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible.
“Health Pavilion North celebrated its 5th anniversary last month, and we feel now is the right time to build a hospital at that location. The I-295 interchange makes Health Pavilion North very accessible to residents living to the north and east, and will only enhance its accessibility as construction continues on I-295. We are excited about bringing Cumberland County its first new hospital in more than 50 years.”
Cape Fear Valley Health Chosen For Landmark Nursing Study
FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health is one of 112 hospitals nationwide chosen to participate in a landmark study of how well new nursing graduates transition into their chosen career.
The Transition to Practice Study (TTPS) will run from July 2011 through December 2012, evaluating patient safety and quality outcomes in transition-to-practice programs among the participating hospitals. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is conducting the study.
All new nurses must undergo transition-to-practice training to help deal with the rigorous demands of nursing. Cape Fear Valley Health’s nursing orientation program lasts 12 weeks, on average, and teaches everything from nursing policy and procedure to building confidence and clinical skills.
The TTPS study will be the first national study to analyze patient outcomes directly relating to nursing orientation programs. Participating hospitals will either be assigned a standardized training model or allowed to use their own orientation program.
Patient outcomes, such as infection rates, medication errors, patient satisfaction and nurse retention rates, from each hospital will then be reported back to NCSBN for study.
NCSBN is a not-for-profit organization created to provide state boards of nursing an avenue to act and counsel together on matters of common interest, such as public health, safety and welfare, and the development of nursing license examinations.
The Transition to Practice Study (TTPS) will run from July 2011 through December 2012, evaluating patient safety and quality outcomes in transition-to-practice programs among the participating hospitals. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is conducting the study.
All new nurses must undergo transition-to-practice training to help deal with the rigorous demands of nursing. Cape Fear Valley Health’s nursing orientation program lasts 12 weeks, on average, and teaches everything from nursing policy and procedure to building confidence and clinical skills.
The TTPS study will be the first national study to analyze patient outcomes directly relating to nursing orientation programs. Participating hospitals will either be assigned a standardized training model or allowed to use their own orientation program.
Patient outcomes, such as infection rates, medication errors, patient satisfaction and nurse retention rates, from each hospital will then be reported back to NCSBN for study.
NCSBN is a not-for-profit organization created to provide state boards of nursing an avenue to act and counsel together on matters of common interest, such as public health, safety and welfare, and the development of nursing license examinations.
Cape Fear Valley Appoints Medical Group Director
FAYETTEVILLE – Steven Twaddle has been appointed Executive Director of Cape Fear Valley Health System's Medical Group.
The native of Baltimore, Md. has more than 20 years of executive healthcare administration experience with various hospitals and physician-owned organizations. He previously served as Vice-President with the Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Baltimore.
Twaddle has lectured at various medical school programs, including those at Harvard School of Public Health, the University of New Orleans and the University of Louisville. He has also taught as an adjunct professor for the MBA program at the University of Dallas.
He holds an MBA and master's degree in Health Services Manager from the University of Dallas in Dallas, Texas. He is a fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives and a member of the Medical Group Management Association.
At Cape Fear Valley, Twaddle will work with health system physician groups to develop a physician-led, professional management organization.
The native of Baltimore, Md. has more than 20 years of executive healthcare administration experience with various hospitals and physician-owned organizations. He previously served as Vice-President with the Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Baltimore.
Twaddle has lectured at various medical school programs, including those at Harvard School of Public Health, the University of New Orleans and the University of Louisville. He has also taught as an adjunct professor for the MBA program at the University of Dallas.
He holds an MBA and master's degree in Health Services Manager from the University of Dallas in Dallas, Texas. He is a fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives and a member of the Medical Group Management Association.
At Cape Fear Valley, Twaddle will work with health system physician groups to develop a physician-led, professional management organization.
Cape Fear Valley Health Appoints New ED Director
FAYETTEVILLE – Tim Wilcox, RN, MSN, MHA, has been appointed Emergency Department Service Line Director at Cape Fear Valley Health System.
The San Diego, Calif. native has more than 23 years of nursing experience. He previously worked at Innova Health System in Reston, Va. where he was Director for two free-standing Emergency Departments. Prior to that he was the Director of Emergency Services at Prince William Health Center in Manassus, Va. and Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Wilcox received his associate’s degree in Nursing from New Your Regents in Albany, N.Y. He received his bachelor’s degree in Nursing, master’s degree in Nursing and master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Ariz. Wilcox is a Doctorate Candidate in Health Care Administration at the University of Phoenix.
In his new position, Wilcox will oversee one of the busiest Emergency Departments in the nation, with nearly 200,000 annual patient visits a year.
The San Diego, Calif. native has more than 23 years of nursing experience. He previously worked at Innova Health System in Reston, Va. where he was Director for two free-standing Emergency Departments. Prior to that he was the Director of Emergency Services at Prince William Health Center in Manassus, Va. and Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Wilcox received his associate’s degree in Nursing from New Your Regents in Albany, N.Y. He received his bachelor’s degree in Nursing, master’s degree in Nursing and master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Ariz. Wilcox is a Doctorate Candidate in Health Care Administration at the University of Phoenix.
In his new position, Wilcox will oversee one of the busiest Emergency Departments in the nation, with nearly 200,000 annual patient visits a year.
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