St. Joseph Health System :: 2008 Annual Report :: Queen of the Valley Medical Center

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Perfect Care

Synergy Medical Fitness Center
The Queen of the Valley Synergy Medical Fitness Center is one of the most sophisticated and well-appointed medical fitness facilities of its kind. It offers health and fitness technology and programs from indoor lap and warm water pools to the most advanced cardiovascular equipment, cardiovascular studios and dedicated baby sitting/play areas for children. The Center’s features include:

• Indoor lap and warm water pools
• Whirlpool
• Sauna
• Cardiovascular fitness equipment and classes
• Strength training equipment
• Children’s fitness equipment and classes
• Supervised cardio, strength and flexibility training programs

Our Center’s programs are designed to provide a direct link between lifestyle changes and better health. We offer several programs incorporating nutritional counseling education, as well as exercise planning including specific goals to reduce risk factors for future health problems. Healthcare professionals monitor progress, collaborate with physicians and offer feedback to maximize results. Areas of special concentration include chronic disease management, comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation programs, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and services related to bone density and other health issues specific to women.

PET/CT Scanner
PET scans and CT scans are indispensable tools in identifying and locating early cancer tumor development. The Queen of the Valley’s new, state-of-the-art PET/CT scanner can conduct both imaging processes simultaneously, saving precious time and conserving resources. This combined and coordinated technology offers the Queen’s physicians an array of advanced diagnostic advantages making it possible to begin attacking cancer tumors very early in their growth. By tracking and mapping sugar consumption, the PET scanner identifies and generally locates the metabolic processes while the 40-slice CT scanner pinpoints the precise area of the body where increased sugar consumption is occurring. This coordinated approach makes it possible to focus treatment accurately on rapidly growing cancer cells before they begin to spread to other parts of the body. Top

Sacred Encounters

Increasing our Capacity for Sacred Encounters
A total of 86 of the Queen’s staff attended three, daylong retreats where the various means of experiencing sacred encounters were explored through the use of art, the telling of one’s personal story, meditation, journaling, and interacting with the environment.

"Ministry to the Sick" training for lay congregational visitors in the greater Napa community was conducted. This four-session, twelve-hour training offers insights, tools, and experiences in ministering to the elderly, sick and homebound in a way that enhances their spiritual care. Offered to a broad ecumenical group, 15 attendees completed the training in October 2007.

Sacred Encounter experience awareness trainings were offered for staff. These 1.5 hour sessions provided an opportunity for participants to explore the concept of sacred encounters as something apart from religious encounters and to identify the means of tapping into the essence of spiritual/sacred interactions. Participants created “pocket cards” to remind themselves of what they had learned.

Increasing our Recognition of Sacred Encounters
The topic of sacred encounters has been incorporated into the following orientation programs: General Hospital Orientation (day one), and Sharing the Mission: Living Our Values (within first 6 months of hire). Sharing the mission ends with a spirituality exercise, which learners experience as a sacred encounter.

The importance of “Sacred Encounters” is frequently referenced during the morning reflection over the public address system, which is also sent out electronically via email to all staff.

“Line 1000” voicemail commendations of staff and physicians by patients, families, staff and physicians are selectively forwarded to all voicemail boxes. The “preamble” by our Mission Services Director frequently identifies how the caller has had a sacred encounter while receiving services or working at the Queen.

Narratives are being sought from a variety of groups/individuals telling their story of sacred encounters. The stories will be assembled into a booklet that will be given out to the staff.

Our monthly staff newsletter entitled “Spotlight on Caring” highlights a variety of topics to promote compassionate, patient-centered care in each issue.

Increasing our Ability to Measure Sacred Encounters:
A Sacred Encounters Survey tool has been developed and will be administered to periodically sample management, staff, physician and volunteer attitudes toward their awareness of the importance of Sacred Encounters. Top

Healthiest Communities

CARE Network
At Queen of the Valley, our Case Management Advocacy Resources Education (CARE) Network provides the full spectrum of support for patients who, for one reason or another, don’t have access to the financial, educational, emotional or other resources they need to care for themselves. Support included in the CARE Network umbrella include:

• Disease education including coping and decision-making
• Medication compliance and adherence
• Benefits, financial and community resource
• Limited social or family support
• Home safety concern
• Over- or under-utilization of medical services

CARE Network services are available to all low-income, uninsured or underinsured Napa County residents living with a chronic condition and who would benefit from case management services. Chronic conditions include: