Article Date: 3/29/2013

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The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has designated Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center a Blue Distinction Center+ for Spine Surgery, Blue Distinction’s “Total Value” designation. This designation signifies that Sierra Vista has met nationally established quality care and outcomes criteria developed with input from the medical community, and also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare.

Research confirms that Blue Distinction Centers+ demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications and readmissions than their peers. Blue Distinction Centers+ also are more than 20 percent more cost-efficient. With so many changes happening in healthcare, the program provides consumers with tools to help make better informed healthcare decisions.  

“This designation recognizes the collaborative efforts of our Sierra Vista Spine Team,” said Candace Markwith, CEO of Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center. “Our neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, nurses, rehabilitation staff, anesthesiologists and patient advocates all work together to ensure that our patients receive a positive, quality experience.”

The Sierra Vista Spine Center is equipped with some of the latest technology, including the O-Arm with Stealth Navigation that gives surgeons the tools they need to perform a more precise and less invasive procedure. For a referral to a specialty trained spine surgeon, call

1 (800) 483-6387 or visit www.SierraVistaRegional.com.

Article Date: 10/5/2012

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Last month, Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center was recognized as a Gold Level Recipient of the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Worksites Recognition program. The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change. Worksites throughout the nation can be part of the initiative by making the health and wellness of their employees a priority.

Sierra Vista was recognized as a Gold Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life. initiative for:

·         Offering employees physical activity support.

·         Providing/increasing healthy eating options at the worksite.

·         Promoting a wellness culture.

·         Implementing at least nine criteria as outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture.      

“We are extremely honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life. initiative as a Gold Level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” said Candace Markwith, Sierra Vista CEO. “Physical activity and employee wellness are very important priorities here at Sierra Vista and we encourage all of our employees to take care of themselves, their families and their community.”

 

Article Date: 11/27/2012

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Each year the American Red Cross provides assistance to more than two million service members and many of our nation’s 24 million veterans. They support military families, active military members and provide emergency communications across the globe. And once a year, they get the joy of delivering holiday cards to veterans, military families and active-duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world.

This year Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center partnered with the American Red Cross to participate in the ‘Holiday Mail for Heroes’ event. Christie Gonder, Sierra Vista’s Chief Nursing Officer, serves on the board of directors for the San Luis Obispo Chapter of the American Red Cross and helped bring the event to Sierra Vista’s Murray Street Café.  

“The hospital chose to participate in this feel good activity as we recognize that it is the nature of people in the healthcare profession to provide comfort to those in need,” said Gonder. “Making cards for our service men and women gives our staff the opportunity to send warm thoughts to those who have dedicated their lives to serve our country.”

Colored paper, stickers, stamps and various other craft supplies overflowed as card-makers set out to create one-of-a-kind cards to show their support and gratitude for those who serve our country. Employees, patients, visitors and community members of all ages found seats at the table, taking just a few moments out of their busy lives to make a card and write a message to our troops. Whether a card had a stick figure drawing or sparkled like a hand-crafted masterpiece, each one carried the same holiday sentiment of care and thanksgiving.

By the end of the day, more than 150 handmade cards were created and no two were the same. On December 7, the American Red Cross will distribute the cards and those who participated in the event will know they have made someone’s holidays just a little bit brighter. With a success such as this one, Sierra Vista employees hope to make ‘Holiday Mail for Heroes’ an annual event here at the hospital. Thank you to all who took a moment to write a few kind words to our service members.  

Article Date: 12/3/2012

Text Area 1: Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center was honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits.  The A score was awarded in the latest update to the Hospital Safety Score, the A, B, C, D or F scores assigned to U.S. hospitals based on preventable medical errors, injuries accidents, and infections. The Hospital Safety Score was compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading experts on patient safety and is designed to give the public information they can use to protect themselves and their families.

“Hospitals like this that earn an A have demonstrated their commitment to their patients and their community,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I congratulate Sierra Vista for its safety excellence, and look forward to the day when all hospitals will match this standard.”

To see Sierra Vista’s scores as they compare nationally and locally, visit the Hospital Safety Score website at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org, which also provides information on how the public can protect themselves and loved ones during a hospital stay.

Calculated under the guidance of The Leapfrog Group’s nine-member Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 26 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to produce a single score representing a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from infections, injuries, and medical and medication errors.