White Mountain Regional Medical Center Continues to Provide Excellent, Local Care
White Mountain Regional Medical Center (WMRMC) is a not for profit, rural critical access hospital designated as a level 4 trauma center. The hospital is honored to be the first certified pediatric 24 hour emergency department within the critical access designation in Arizona. The hospital has 21 patient beds and a variety of services including, radiology, laboratory services, outpatient surgery, cardiopulmonary services, sleep diagnostic center, swing bed rehabilitation, the Jean V. Hall Wellness Center, chiropractic services, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and a public child care center.
Quality
According to Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), which is a standardized survey instrument measuring perspectives of hospital care, the most recent data indicates WMRMC HCAHPS ranked number 12 out of 66 Arizona hospitals. The 66 Arizona hospitals include large, metropolitan facilities, reporting to HCAHPS. The WMRMC Quality Program is all-encompassing and includes input from every employee. Contributions from employees sparked internal performance improvement initiatives resulting in positive changes. WMRMC reports on the required government quality measures, but also strives to reach a higher standard of care for its patients by focusing on employee-identified measures to enhance patient care further creating a culture of excellence. For more information about the hospital's quality please visit
www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare. The survey on patient experience is there.
Information Systems
As of January 1, 2015, WMRMC has adopted CPSI as their Electronic Health Record and facility-wide software for all of its services. This was a change from the current system that was adopted in years past. During implementation, the staff made sacrifices of personal and family time to visit other hospitals around and outside of the state to make their selection and receive their training in this well-educated process.
With CPSI, WMRMC has met all stages of Promoting Interoperability (PI) and provides the most current of Electronic Medical Record services and distributions. WMRMC and its staff have proven their process with patient care under the new electronic mandates since the inception of the federal requirements and will remain a top provider while continuing to set an example for healthcare partners in Arizona.
Small Rural Hospital Transitions Project
WMRMC was chosen as a recipient of grant funding through the Small Rural Hospital Transitions Project (SRHT) for its leadership, commitment, and organizational preparedness for moving towards the new payment and care delivery models of the future. The project supports small rural hospitals nationally by providing on-site technical assistance, education, and resources to assist in bridging gaps between the current health care system and the newly emerging health care delivery and payment system. SRHT is a project of Rural Health Innovations, LCC; a subsidiary of the National Rural Health Resource Center. WMRMC was chosen second out of eight recipients with the initial pool of 27 applicants. Education includes topical webinars, hospital peer learning calls, technical guides and best practices. WMRMC is honored to be chosen for this program and looks forward to the improvements that will result from participation. Gregory Was, CEO, stated, "I am very excited to learn that our project application was number two among the other hospitals chosen to participate in the project."
White Mountain Rural Health Clinic
The WMRMC Rural Health Clinic offers much-needed medical services in the Round Valley community. Specialty services include cardiovascular/internal medicine, Christine Jackson, MD; pain management services with Dr. Brownsberger; podiatry services, Dr. Don Shumway, DPM and Dr. Ryan Hall, DPM; pulmonologist, Dr. Carla Rotering. The specialties listed can be contacted through the Rural Health Clinic at 928-333-7333. More doctors are added throughout the year, so please visit our website,
www.wmrmc.com for a complete listing.
Radiology
Radiology Services recently upgraded to a new NUC-MED machine and will have a new CT machine installed before the end of 2021. The new MRI installation will consist of a building that has a covered walkway (indoors) and should be completed by early 2022. (Details coming soon). Radiology's X-Ray machine is a GE Proteus and allows imaging for patients up to 485 pounds. The machine also rises up and down to assist in comforting injured patients. The flooring has also been replaced in the Radiology Department creating a warmer environment for patients.
Preparedness/Infection Control
WMRMC is committed to community preparedness and has established an Emergency Management Team that collaborates with local, State and National agencies to provide a comprehensive solution in the event of a local emergency. In conjunction with the hospital Infection Control department, the Emergency Management Team will be equipped to handle pandemic outbreaks and control serious infectious diseases. In support of this initiative, hospital employees have participated in many local and nation training events including:
Disease Investigation and Prevention, hosted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
Framework for Healthcare Emergency Management, hosted at the Center for Domestic Preparedness by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Arizona Department of Corrections, Winslow Unit- Ebola Tabletop Exercise
Arizona Bureau of Public Health Emergency Preparedness- Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Community Preparedness Forum
Navajo County Community Preparedness on Ebola Virus
WMRMC Serious Communicable Disease Tabletop Exercise
In the coming year WMRMC plans to continue the momentum created in 2014 by pursuing additional training opportunities. Working in conjunction with Apache County, the hospital plans to host a 3 day training event pertaining to Operational Responses to HazMat/WMD Incidents. WMRMC is also looking into opportunities to train emergency response staff in:
Emergency Responder Hazardous Materials
Respiratory Protection Program Development
Hospital Emergency Response Training
Hospital Incident Command
Pandemic Planning & Preparedness
Healthcare Leadership in Emergency Management
Advanced Public Information Officer: Health and Hospital Emergencies
The focus of WMRMC is building infrastructure, a stable financial base, and excellent patient experience, while focusing on the community's needs. For more information about WMRMC programs, check our website at
www.wmrmc.com.
