Bloomington, Ind. (January 16, 2013) – Beginning Thursday (01/17), IU Health Bloomington Hospital will implement a voluntary visitor restriction policy due to the increasing number of flu-like illnesses in the community.
IU Health Bloomington Hospital will ask that patients have only two healthy adult (18 years or older) visitors at a time. Healthy adult means those not experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, tiredness, body aches, diarrhea or vomiting, and those who have not been exposed to the flu virus in the last week.
This policy is temporary, but will be in place throughout flu season.
“The health and safety of our patients, employees, providers and volunteers is of highest priority. Because of the increasing number of flu cases we’re seeing in the community, we believe now is the right time to implement this voluntary restriction and proactively help stop the spread of the virus,” says Amanda Roach, spokesperson at IU Health Bloomington Hospital.While the number of hospitalizations for the flu have been low in Monroe County compared to other locations in Indiana, the time to act is before the situation becomes a crisis. Over the last couple of weeks, the number of patients coming to the IU Health Urgent Care Centers and the Emergency Department at IU Health Bloomington Hospital has steadily increased. The ED is seeing between 20 and 30 patients every day with flu symptoms.
Roach asks for the cooperation of the community following the visitor restriction policy and in screening yourself for the flu before visiting the hospital.“If you have flu symptoms, please stay home. You can keep your loved one in the hospital safe and not spread the flu virus to others by isolating yourself at home if you’re sick,” says Roach. “You can keep in touch with your hospitalized loved one in ways other than seeing them in person. Skype or video chat, telephone calls, texting, e-mail, social networking sites and sending cards all show you care.”
The flu virus is spread when droplets from coughs or sneezes come into contact with another person’s eyes, mouth or nose. For mild flu, it is best to stay home and treat symptoms with rest and a fever-reducing medication like Tylenol. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people ill with the flu stay home and stay away from others until they are fever-free for 24 hours without taking a fever-reducing medication.If you’re at high risk for flu complications, see your primary care physician. Emergency medical help may be needed if you have the flu and experience additional symptoms such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; or flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
###
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients.
IU Health Bloomington Hospital is just the fourth hospital in the state to achieve this designation and the second in the IU Health system.
“I am very proud of our team for this accomplishment. When I think back about when I arrived in Bloomington nine years ago and the progress we have made in caring for our total joint replacement patients, it’s incredible,” says Orthopedic Surgeon Jonathan Surdam, MD. “I have no doubt that the quality of care and compassion our nurses, therapists and other caregivers have for these patients is of the highest in the state.”
IU Health Bloomington Hospital, which performs hundreds of joint replacement surgeries each year, underwent a rigorous on-site review in September 2012. A Joint Commission expert evaluated the hospital and its joint replacement program for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.
"In achieving Joint Commission certification, IU Health Bloomington Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients needing total joint replacement surgery," says Jean Range, MS, RN, CPHQ, executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and I commend IU Health Bloomington Hospital for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”
"While this accomplishment is a team achievement, it all begins with leadership, specifically leadership at the physician level. Dr. Surdam is an active participant in our orthopedics task force and truly has the patient’s best interests in mind, continually researching ways to further improve our care and ensure our patients achieve the joint pain free life they’re searching for,” says Wylene Watts, executive director of Orthopedics at IU Health Bloomington. “With Joint Commission certification, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence.”
The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.
###
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call 812.353.5252.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,300 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,500 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission currently certifies more than 2,000 disease-specific care programs, focused on the care of patients with chronic illnesses such as stroke, joint replacement, stroke rehabilitation, heart failure and many others. The Joint Commission also provides health care staffing services certification for more than 750 staffing offices. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (October 3, 2012) – As part of a larger national trend toward YMCA and Hospital collaborations, IU Health Bloomington and the Monroe County YMCA today announced a first-of-its-kind local partnership. Within the new northwest YMCA will be space dedicated to IU Health for physical therapy, orthopedic services, sports medicine, and health and wellness services.
Input from the community led the YMCA and IU Health to expand their existing partnerships at the new Y. For the community, this means healthcare and rehabilitation professionals available on-site at the new YMCA. The new component of the Northwest YMCA was finalized just as construction gets underway for the 60,000 square foot facility.
The 4,000 square foot IU Health space features an area for orthopedic and sports medicine physicians from IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians as well as therapists and sports performance experts from the IU Health Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center. The partnership will increase efficiencies, enhance programs, serve more people and maximize community resources.
"We have plans to form a task force to identify key metrics we will use to develop our programming at the new Y," Roberta Kelzer, YMCA Executive Director said. “Working together allows two health related agencies to address preventative care on multiple levels from chronic disease education, injury prevention to better quality of life.”
“This center was uniquely designed with Bloomington’s active living community in mind,” said Mark Moore, Chief Executive Officer of Indiana University Health Bloomington. “This is a first-of its kind local partnership and offering of services.”
The YMCA and IU Health have long worked together to provide health and wellness services to the community, and the new space will be an extension of several programs already in existence. Other joint programs being developed at the new facility include health screenings, support groups and educational programs.
Jim Murphy, CFC Properties President and YMCA Association Board Member, said, “After years of planning, I feel a great deal of satisfaction and excitement about the collaboration between two strong community-based organizations. Developing this partnership is one of the best things we could do to improve the overall health of area residents.”
The Northwest YMCA is located on Vernal Pike and Innovation Ct. and is expected to be completed in 15 months.
The Y is a powerful nonprofit association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment for innovative and effective programs that instill values and build character. It believes that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. With the commitment to a new facility in a growing area, the Y is on its way to strengthening the community through cardiovascular health, family and leadership.
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit <a href="\" _cke_saved_href="\" http:="" iuhealth.org="" bloomington"="">iuhealth.org/bloomington </a>or call 812.353.5252.</p> <p> As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. </p> <p></p>
]]>Lee has 39 years of experience in nursing and nursing education. She has worked with IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians since 2010.
She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in nursing from The Ohio State University. Lee earned her post-master’s family nurse practitioner and pediatric nurse practitioner certificates from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. She earned her doctorate of nursing practice from George Washington University.
Swanson has more than 30 years of experience in nursing and nursing education. She has worked with IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians since 2004.
She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in nursing from Indiana University. Swanson also earned a post-master’s certificate in primary care for the adult and gerontology from Indiana University. She earned her doctorate of nursing practice from George Washington University.
To learn more about Lee and Swanson or schedule an appointment with an IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians primary care provider, call 812.353.DOCS.
###
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call 812.353.5252.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
“The AMA congratulates Dr. Sorrells on 50 years of dedication to the medical profession,” said James L. Madara, MD, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the AMA. “Dr. Sorrells has seen many changes in medicine in the last 50 years. We sincerely thank him for his commitment to this great profession.”
Dr. Sorrells graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine and has been an AMA member for 50 years. This year, the AMA will recognize 2,000 physician members who graduated from medical school in 1962. Dr. Sorrells is a member of the AMA’s Senior Physicians Group which includes 55,000 physicians who are 65 years and beyond. It is the largest organization of senior physicians in the country.
The AMA is committed to recognizing individual physicians who have dedicated their lives to treating patients and serving the medical profession.
For more information, please visit the AMA’s Web site at www.ama-assn.org/go/spg.
###
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call 812.353.5252.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
]]>With a Level III NICU in Bloomington, more babies who need extra medical care soon after birth will be able to stay closer to home for their medical treatment.
“It’s important to me and our restaurant to participate in this project. The Bloomington Hospital Foundation does great things to support our local hospital, and we’re glad to be a part of helping to raise funds for the New Beginnings campaign,” says John Bailey from Malibu Grill.
Visit bloomingtonhospitalfoundation.org/dineanddonate to download printable coupons for the following restaurants. Present the coupon when you dine to be sure a percentage of your bill goes to the Bloomington Hospital Foundation.
Monday, May 14: All day, Village Deli will donate 10% of your bill
All day, El Ranchero (Liberty Dr. location) will donate 10% of your bill
Tuesday, May 15: After 4 pm, Bucetto’s will donate 20% of your bill
Wednesday, May 16: During lunch, Malibu Grill will donate 15% of your bill
After 4 pm, Lennie’s will donate 20% of your bill
“We appreciate these local restaurants working with us and participating in Dine & Donate. The great response we always get from our community and local businesses shows how dedicated this community is to health, the Bloomington Hospital Foundation and IU Health Bloomington Hospital,” says Chris Molloy, president of the Bloomington Hospital Foundation.
###
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call 812.353.5252.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
]]>After more than two months of caring for patients and families, the IU Health Hospice House is proving to be a key piece of the hospice program.
“We have cared for a number of people since we opened Hospice House,” says Rob Stone, MD, assistant director of IU Health Hospice in Bloomington. “The support and caregiving we are able to offer our patients and their families with this facility is outstanding. It’s not a typical inpatient care setting, but allows for all of the expertise of a nursing team you would find in a hospital.”
Nestled on a three acre tract of land just south of Bloomington, the IU Health Hospice House features a warm and comfortable home-like setting. The facility has 10,000 square feet and can accommodate up to eight patients. Common areas, which allow families and friends to gather, include a kitchen, dining room, living room, counseling/meditation area, and a children’s playroom.
“We encourage families and friends to spend as much time as they’d like with their loved one at the IU Health Hospice House. We work to be as accommodating as possible to our patients and their families knowing what a difficult situation they are facing,” Dr. Stone says.
The IU Health Hospice House is staffed by at least one registered nurse 24 hours a day and provides services such as the management of symptoms, emotional and/or spiritual support, assistance with daily living activities, and bereavement support for loved ones.
“Hospice care is about achieving the highest level of physical comfort, meaningfulness and peace of mind,” reminds Dr. Stone.
The IU Health Hospice House adds to the continuum of care provided by IU Health Hospice in Bloomington. Depending on the patient’s needs, hospice care may take place in the patient’s home, or in the new IU Health Hospice House.
To learn more about IU Health Hospice and Hospice House, call 812.353.9818 or click “Hospice” under Medical Services at iuhealth.org/bloomington.
###
About Indiana University Health
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call 812.353.5252.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
About the Reeve Foundation
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information, and to review the entire list of Quality of Life grant recipients, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800.225.0292.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated IU Health Bloomington Hospital as a Baby-Friendly Birth Facility. The hospital received the honor for being a leader in care for infant feeding.
“We are very proud of this recognition and have been striving to achieve this for several years,” says Dana Watters, executive director of Women & Children’s Services at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. “Only five percent of hospitals in the US have achieved Baby Friendly designation. We’re thrilled to be a part of this elite group and provide this level of care to our community.”
This honor sets IU Health Bloomington Hospital apart as one of only 140 Baby-Friendly hospitals in the U.S. and one of five in Indiana.
IU Health Bloomington worked with local organizations to achieve this status, says Watters.
“This is a recognition of the community,” she says. “Nurses and physicians at IU Health Bloomington Hospital, the staff at Women, Infant and Children (WIC), Southern Indiana Pediatrics, community lactation consultants, community childbirth educators and our patient advocates have worked for over 10 years to create an environment at IU Health Bloomington Hospital that maximizes support for the new family.”
Supporting new families in the community means encouraging healthy habits. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, new mothers should use breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for at least the first six months, while continuing to nurse throughout the first year. Doing so is beneficial to both mother and infant.
“We know that breast milk is the most complete nutrition possible for infants, offering the optimal mix of nutrients and antibodies necessary for each baby to thrive,” Watters explains. “Because of this, we want to promote breastfeeding to our new moms and help support them both in the hospital and at home in breastfeeding their babies.”
Research shows that breastfed children have fewer and less serious illnesses than those who never receive breast milk, including reduced risk of SIDS, and fewer cases of childhood cancer and diabetes. Mothers who choose to breastfeed experience decreased risks of breast and ovarian cancer, anemia and osteoporosis.
Decreasing infant diseases translates in savings to our healthcare system through decreased hospitalization and office visits. Breastfeeding decreases the risk to the infant of diarrhea, respiratory and ear infections and allergic skin disorders. For diarrhea alone, approximately 200,000 U.S. infants are hospitalized each year at a cost of more than half a billion dollars.
To learn more about Women & Children’s Services at IU Health Bloomington Hospital as well as childbirth classes and tours, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington.
###
About the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program sponsored by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The BFHI assists hospitals in giving mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies or feeding formula safely, and gives special recognition to hospitals that have done so.
About Indiana University Health Bloomington
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call 812.353.5252.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
The IU Health Hospice House is located just east of State Road 37 off Tapp Road and features eight patient rooms in addition to common areas for loved ones to gather, including a kitchen, dining room, large living room, a meditation area and a children’s playroom.
###
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call 812.353.5252.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
Accreditation by the ICACTL means that ENT Associates of Southern Indiana has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The ICACTL grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.
“This accreditation shows our commitment to providing quality care and diagnostic testing to our patients,” says J.R. Sarpa, MD, medical director of ENT medicine at IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians. “We use the CT scan to help us detect and diagnose our patients’ conditions. We are proud to have received this accreditation.”
ICACTL accreditation is a "seal of approval" that patients can rely on as an indication that the facility has been carefully critiqued on all aspects of its operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of CT.
To learn more about IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians, visit iuhealthsouthernindiana.org or call 812.353.5252 and ask for IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians.
###
Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties. It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call 812.353.5252.
As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients. Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.
]]>