My name is Courtney Jones, and I work in business development at Community Health Network. As a communication and PR consultant, I help with marketing projects, written content and communications about our hospitals in Indianapolis.

I'm new to health care as a profession, so the projects I have been able to touch in my short tenure have all been eye opening in one way or another. I don't have a clinical background, so I am definitely a consumer who is learning the ropes! With this blog, I hope to share some fresh insights about health care in central Indiana.

I just finished diversity training last week - a requirement of my employment at Community Health Network - and it got me thinking about our health network's diversity initiatives.

Diversity training is admittedly not how I would have chosen to spend a full afternoon. I've lived lots of places, experienced many cultures, and engaged in similar training at former jobs--what would one more afternoon talking about it accomplish? But on reflection it was truly worthwhile. Community has created an engaging opportunity for employees to gather for a multi-disciplinary dialogue. Our instructor kept the energy level high and was willing to show her vulnerabilities to pave the way for others to participate. And who doesn't need reminding that not everyone shares your cultural values and ideas of proper behavior?

I don't have much interaction with patients, so I especially enjoyed learning about some of the tools available to clinicians when communicating with patients from diverse backgrounds. In addition to having Spanish language interpreters on staff, language differences can be overcome with the use of our language line phone service. These specially-designed telephones have two receivers that connect the clinician and patient with an interpreter who can facilitate the conversation. Additionally, Community recently implemented CultureVision technology, a web-based reference to help clinicians understand cultural preferences as they relate to health care. The best part is that it's accessible from any of our network computers.

In addition to meeting the needs of our increasingly diverse patient population, Community also fosters diversity in the workplace. On one hand, that's obvious--how could a workforce of over 10,000 employees not be diverse? But on the other, it is a choice that the network has made. An example is the recognition that Community Hospital North will receive at Noble of Indiana's 2008 Annual Celebration. Community will receive the Employment Award for hiring persons with developmental disabilities and furthering their job growth.

While I have provided just a few of the many examples of Community's commitment to diversity, you can read more on our Web site. It's an evolving initiative that will continue to focus on creating exceptional experiences for our patients, families, physicians and employees.

Community Hospital North was the title sponsor at the Flavor of Fishers on August 2, and in addition to hosting a medical tent at the event, the hospital's Bamboo Cafe was one of the featured food vendors. At my exercise class earlier this week, one of the ladies mentioned how much she enjoyed the vegetable salad that was offered. I asked Chef Diana, food service supervisor at Community Health Network, if she would be willing to share the recipe, and she gladly obliged:

Summer vegetable rainbow salad
Makes about six 1-cup servings

3 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup diced plum tomatoes
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
1 medium zucchini, gut julienne
1 medium green pepper, cut julienne
1 medium red pepper, cut julienne
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Directions: Combine all ingredients. Toss to combine. Add dressing and toss to coat. Cover. Chill. Best if made 2-3 hours ahead of time.

Dressing
2 T fresh squeezed lime juice
3 T red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp lemon pepper blend
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp minced garlic
4 1/2 T olive oil

Directions: Combine all ingredients. Whisk until well blended.

Click here for a video demonstration of the salad preparation, where Chef Diana provides some extra tips and variations on the recipe.

Flavor of Fishers was a one-day event, but you don't have to wait until next year to enjoy Chef Diana's creations. The cafes at Community Health Network's hospitals offer flavorful and healthy food options year round.

When there's an emergency, it can be hard to think through the best course of action. And as with many situations, choosing the quickest or closest option--or not understanding you have a choice at all--may not have the most favorable consequences.

Medical emergencies are a great example. Because my doctor is affiliated with Community Health Network, going to a Community emergency room can make a difference in the quality of care I will receive. The medical records that are maintained by my primary care physician are integrated across the network. No matter if my emergency occurs when I'm near Community Hospital North, East or South--or if I need The Indiana Heart Hospital--the emergency specialists at that facility will be able to access my medical history. If it's a serious situation that impedes my ability to communicate effectively, the ER staff will be able to reference my medical records for any medication allergies and past procedures to make the best decisions possible for my treatment.

Conversely, any notes the emergency room clinicians make on my medical record as a result of my visit will be added to my electronic record. My primary care doctor will know about the ER visit, and therefore will be up-to-date on my medical history.

The same is true if my condition requires hospitalization. I'll be in the care of Community specialists every step of the way--and my records will be updated all in one place.

And the alternative? Bottom line, it's important to get care in an emergency--no matter where you end up. But it sure helps when you know your medical caregivers are on the same page.

I've never really thought much about shopping around for an x-ray, ultrasound or CT scan. But it turns out that being a proactive consumer can make a difference. 

Sometimes insurance companies will try to sway patients with respect to where they have their test done. The rationale is that the patient will pay less toward his or her deductible at certain facilities -- and that also means the insurance company will pay less for the procedure. What isn't stated is that the quality of the equipment used at a facility that charges less may not produce the best scan for the radiologist to read, which can lead to a retest (more money out of the patient's pocket) or a missed diagnosis.

 abdominal aortic CT angiogram taken with a 4-slice machine (lower quality)

 abdominal aortic CT angiogram taken with a 64-slice machine (higher quality)

Where you get your scan can also impact the access your physician has to the image. Community imaging centers are electronically integrated, so network physicians have direct access to the images. They can compare scans that have been taken over time to identify any changes that may have occurred, and they can have the image on-screen during a procedure in the operating room.
 
It's worth investigating why you may pay less at one imaging center over another. There may be an important reason!

Mark Dixon, president and CEO of Community Hospitals of Indianapolis, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation's leading professional society for health care leaders. Dixon is privileged to use the FACHE credential, which signifies board certification in health care management and ACHE Fellow status.

"Because health care management ultimately affects the people in our communities, it is critically important to have a standard of excellence promoted by a professional organization," says Thomas C. Dolan, Ph.D., president and CEO of ACHE. "By becoming an ACHE Fellow and simultaneously earning board certification from ACHE, health care leaders can show that they are committed to providing high-quality service to their patients and community."

Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. In fact, only 7,500 health care executives hold this distinction.

To obtain Fellow status, candidates must fulfill multiple requirements, including passing a comprehensive examination, meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits and demonstrating professional/community involvement. Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years.

"I'm thrilled to be recognized as Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives," Dixon says. "This is such an amazing honor and I am so pleased to be able to serve our patients and our organization at Community Health Network."

ACHE is an international professional society of more than 30,000 health care executives who are leaders in a variety of health care settings.

Shuttle service launched at Community Hospital South this week. With the start of major construction just around the corner, some of the parking areas have been reconfigured. Parking in front of the hospital will be more limited while the new patient tower is under construction. To compensate for the spaces that will be blocked due to the expansion, additional parking is now available at the north end of the campus. Click here for a map.

Patients and visitors are encouraged to use the free valet service at the entrance to the emergency room or at the entrance to the medical office building at the north end of the facility. For those who wish to park their own vehicle, Community Hospital South is now offering shuttle service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The shuttle stops at both entrances to offer convenient access to the hospital. To request a ride on the shuttle, call 317-887-RIDE (7433).