http://www.multicare.org/goodsam/rss/news News RSS Feed en-us Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:02:07 PST Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:02:07 PST /goodsam/news/124 TACOMA, WA – MultiCare Health System has won the “Silver Award for Best Employee Recruitment Site for a Healthcare System” from eHealthcare Strategy & Trends, the premiere national organization that focuses on the ways leading-edge health care organizations use the Internet and technology to achieve their objectives. MultiCare’s provider recruitment website, www.blazenewtrails.org, was judged by a panel of 116 professionals in the health care industry on more than 60 factors, including interactivity, integration with the organization\'s operations, as well as strength of Web design and ease of navigation. MultiCare was chosen from more than 1,100 entries. The site was designed by local design firm, Rusty George Creative and built by Tacoma-based SiteCrafting. The award was given at the 13th Annual eHealthcare Leadership Awards on November 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.   Media Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard253.219.1715jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /goodsam/news/122 PUYALLUP, WA- On Friday, October 23, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital received approval for a Certificate of Need application from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to provide adult elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or angioplasty. Angioplasty is the technique of mechanical widening of a narrowed or totally obstructed blood vessel in the heart. “This is another step towards MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital becoming the regional medical center of choice for everyone in East Pierce County,” said John Long, President of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital. “With the recent accreditation of our Chest Pain Center and the creation of a dedicated cardiac unit, Good Sam will continue to expand our top quality cardiac program so patients requiring cardiac care can stay close to home. We expect to begin offering elective PCI care early in 2010.” The 2007 Washington Sate Legislature directed the Department of Health (DOH) to develop rules to lift restrictions on elective angioplasty to include hospitals that have shown the capabilities to provide this service without risk to the patient. Many hospitals agreed on the implementation of the following rules: Require hospitals to go through a rigorous approval process (Certificate of Need) to prove capabilities, community need and standards to ensure the quality of care for patients Put the health and choices of patients above economics Provide a reasonable level of assurance for existing providers that the new system will recognize local economic realities. After an 18-month process, the DOH laid out planning areas that allowed Good Samaritan to apply for the Certificate of Need. Media Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard253.219.1715jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /goodsam/news/120 During this year’s flu season we are working hard to do all we can to protect our patients and visitors from the H1N1 flu (swine flu) virus.Here is an update on some of our current guidelines for visitors to our hospitals:Mary Bridge Children’s HospitalYoung children with chronic diseases or disabilities are particularly vulnerable to this illness. As of Oct. 12, visitors to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital are limited to adults and children age 12 years and older. Mary Bridge visitors who are 12-18 years of age will be screened at each visit for symptoms of influenza.Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Tacoma General HospitalYoung children are especially likely to get sick from H1N1, and, though it may take several days for them to show symptoms, they can easily pass the virus to others. We strongly recommend that you leave any children under the age of 12 at home when you come to visit these hospitals.We also encourage these groups to avoid visiting our hospitals, if possible:• Anyone with signs and symptoms of colds or flu• People who have weak immune systems• Women who are pregnant• Children between 12 and 18 years oldMultiCare is keeping a close watch on H1N1 in our community. For the protection of our patients, visitors and employees, our visitation guidelines may continue to change as the flu season progresses. Some patient areas may need to establish stricter guidelines to protect especially sick or vulnerable patients. To stay current on the latest information, call:MultiCare Allenmore Hospital: 253.459.6633MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital: 253.697.4000MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital: 253.403.1400MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital: 253.403.1000Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. /goodsam/news/119 (TACOMA) - The MultiCare Regional Cancer Center and MultiCare Tacoma Family Medicine are sponsoring a Bone Marrow Drive, Tuesday, October 20 from 10am-2pm in the Katterhagen Resource Center in Tacoma General Hospital 3rd floor of the L wing. “The ultimate goal of the drive is to reach out to our diverse community to assist in identifying possible donors,” said David Nicewonger, Administrator for the MultiCare Cancer Center. “People in our community can help patients with debilitating diseases by just being tested on October 20th.” 90% of donor matches are found within the same racial or ethnic community and only two out of ten patients find the bone marrow match needed to save their lives. This test will identify if a person is a possible match for a patient who is waiting for this life saving donation. A bone marrow transplant delivers healthy bone marrow stem cells into the patient. It replaces bone marrow that is either not working properly or has been destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation. Bone marrow transplants are used for certain leukemia’s and cancers as well as to replace bone marrow when treatment for cancer has destroyed the individuals own bone marrow. Anyone 18 or older can be pre-screened. The screening takes approximately 10 minutes and only requires an oral swab of the cheek. No pre-registration is required. For more information, call 1-800-351-7955. Media Contact:253.219.1715susan.messier@multicare.org /goodsam/news/115 TACOMA, WA- MultiCare Allenmore Hospital is holding its annual Open House and Health Fair, Sunday, October 4, from 12-3pm. Free seasonal flu shots and screenings, including bone density, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose testing, will be available. Also included is the opportunity to view a fascinating robotic surgery demonstration, featuring the sophisticated daVinci® system. Experts in a wide range of specialties, from oncology, diabetes and ophthalmology to sports medicine and physical therapy, will also be on hand to answer questions. Free valet parking also will be provided along with plenty of self-park spaces. Allenmore Hospital is located at: 1901 S. Union, Tacoma For more information, call 800.342.9919 or visit multicare.org. Please note: Seasonal flu shots available to the first 400 participants 18 years of age and older. H1N1 flu vaccinations are not available yet. For cholesterol screenings, a two-hour fast is recommended. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardCell: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /goodsam/news/112 (PIERCE COUNTY) – “It’s like winning the Oscar for Best Motion Picture,” explains Florence S. Chang, Chief Information Officer and Senior VP of Clinical Support Services at MultiCare Health System. Chang is referring to the prestigious HIMSS Davies Organizational Award of Excellence given to just one health care system in the country that effectively uses health information technology, such as electronic health records, to improve the safety and quality of patient care. HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) visited MultiCare’s Tacoma campus last month to better understand its electronic health record, MultiCare Connect. Patricia Wise, RN, and VP, HIMSS was a member of the site team that got a hands-on look at MultiCare Connect. Speaking for the team, she said, “The amount of work you’ve done individually and collectively is so impressive.” She added, “Implementation is such rigorous work and what we’ve seen in your hospitals is a testament to your commitment to patient safety and quality.” “For ten years, we have been creating a new level of quality patient care with MultiCare Connect, first in our clinics and now in our hospitals,” said Diane Cecchettini, RN, President and CEO of MultiCare. “Receiving this award is a tribute to our physicians and staff who are using the electronic health record each and every day in caring for our patients.” All MultiCare outpatient clinics and the three Tacoma campus hospitals are linked to MultiCare Connect. MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup will be online in the spring of 2010. MultiCare patients can view their health record, lab and test results, schedule an appointment or refill prescriptions using a secure patient portal called MyChart (Powered by MultiCare) at home or anywhere they have internet access. “Being recognized as tops in the country is an incredible honor,” says Chang, “and wonderful validation for the work we have been doing to create an electronic health record that follows one patient with one record.” She went on to say, “We have been using MultiCare Connect for the past decade. Without the engagement from our physicians and the strong foundation developed early in our outpatient clinics, the implementation in our hospitals would not have been as successful and our patients would not have reaped the benefits of seamless, connected care.\" Media Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard253-219-1715jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /goodsam/news/110 PIERCE COUNTY, WA- Timothy Graham, MD, has joined the MultiCare Spanaway Clinic. Dr. Graham is a board-certified family practice physician. He provides a wide range of acute, chronic and preventive medical care for the entire family. Dr. Graham received his medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to joining MultiCare he practiced in Ohio, served as a Program Director for a Family Practice residency and worked as a Physician Advisor. In his spare time, he enjoys running, the arts and taking in cultural activities. Through Dr. Graham, patients are connected to the full resources of MultiCare, from state-of-the-art hospital facilities to the expertise of literally hundreds of health care professionals. In addition, Dr. Graham connects you to your electronic health record via MyChart; visit multicare.org for more information. From primary care to critical care to specialty care, MultiCare helps keep you better connected. To make an appointment with Dr. Graham, please call the MultiCare Spanaway Clinic at 253.459.7777. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /goodsam/news/109 PUYALLUP, WA- MultiCare HealthWorks opened a new location in Puyallup September 1. Located at 1322 3rd St SE, Suite 20, Puyallup, the new location will host dedicated physician Archie Adams, MD. Archie Adams, MD, is a board-certified family practice physician. He specializes in occupational medicine. The MultiCare HealthWorks program presents a comprehensive range of services designed to assist employers in reducing workplace risks and managing workplace injuries quickly, efficiently, and with a focus on prompt return to work.The MultiCare HealthWorks Program Includes: - Employment Drug Testing - Employment Physicals - Immunizations - Injury Management Services - Worksite Safety and Ergonomic Programs - Worksite Wellness Programs The MultiCare HealthWorks program helps companies manage and reduce lost time due to injury. And, by applying the latest knowledge on wellness and workplace safety, we help businesses improve employee health, well-being, and efficiency.For more information, contact MultiCare HealthWorks at 1-888-280-5513. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /goodsam/news/108 PUYALLUP, WA- Dawei Lu, MD, has joined the MultiCare Orthopedics and Sports Medicine program in Puyallup. Dr. Lu is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the care and treatment of all adult and pediatric spine conditions including spine deformity, degenerative diseases, spinal tumors and spine trauma. Dr. Lu emphasizes selecting the best treatment for patients based on their age, pathology and symptoms, including minimally-invasive treatments. Dr. Lu received his medical degree from Louisiana State University. He went on to complete orthopedic surgery residencies at Louisiana State University and University of Colorado. He also completed an orthopedic and neurological spine fellowship at Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society. The MultiCare Orthopedic & Sports Medicine program has specialists from Covington to Tacoma to Puyallup. This program consists of specialists who provide surgical and non-surgical options in a team approach to treating the patient. Access to state-of-the-art technology allows patients to have quick diagnoses and treatment to get them back to daily life activities quickly. To make an appointment with Dr. Lu, please call MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at 235.446.0750. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /goodsam/news/106 COVINGTON, WA- Michael Han, MD, has joined the MultiCare Orthopedics and Sports Medicine program in Covington. Dr. Han is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is also fellowship trained in sports medicine. His special interests include arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery and total joint arthroplasty. Both arthroscopic and arthroplasty procedures are types of minimally invasive surgery that requires small incisions and allow for quicker healing and better outcomes. Dr. Han received his medical training at Stanford University. He went on to complete his internship and residency at the University of California, San Francisco, and fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Lake Tahoe Orthopaedic Institute. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Arthroscopy Association of North America. The MultiCare Orthopedic & Sports Medicine program has specialists from Covington to Tacoma to Puyallup. This program consists of specialists who provide surgical and non-surgical options in a team approach to treating the patient. Access to state-of-the-art technology allows patients to have quick diagnoses and treatment to get them back to daily life activities quickly. To make an appointment with Dr. Han, please call MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at 235.372.7121. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /goodsam/news/105 In May 2009 the Zach Lystedt Law went into effect in the state of Washington. This law requires that ALL student athletes with suspected head injuries be removed from play until cleared by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of sports-related concussions.More information >>> /goodsam/news/102 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System has been named one of the nation’s 100 Most Wired health systems and the 25 Most Wireless health systems, according to Hospital & Health Network magazine. MultiCare is one of the few health systems in the nation to have electronic health records and one of only two health systems in Western Washington to earn this distinction.The 100 Most Wired organizations are hospitals and health systems that scored the highest on a recent national survey of more than 1,300 hospitals and health systems. The survey measured the use of information technology in patient safety and quality; customer service; business process improvement; workforce management; and disaster readiness.The category, 25 Most Wireless, recognizes health care organizations that focus on the use of wireless applications in clinical settings. “MultiCare’s vision of the ideal patient experience is to create a seamless, easy, valued, and sustainable continuum of health care,” said Florence Chang, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “Technology is one of the key strategies that we use to fulfill that vision. Investing in these technologies provides safer and more convenient care for our patients.” Eleven years ago, MultiCare Health System became the first health system in the south Puget Sound to implement an electronic health record (EHR) for patients at its ambulatory clinics in Pierce and south King Counties. Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare facility. In 2007, MultiCare implemented this leading edge technology at Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Allenmore Hospital, providing a single, electronic health record for all MultiCare patients, whether they are seen in a clinic or a hospital. MultiCare clinics in East Pierce County also implemented MultiCare Connect in 2008. Good Samaritan Hospital will add this health information technology with the opening of the new Patient Care Tower in 2011. MultiCare has earned other distinctions recently for health information technology. In 2008, MultiCare Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Diane Cecchettini, RN, received the CEO IT Achievement Award from Modern Healthcare Magazine and the Healthcare Information and Management System Society (HIMSS). The award recognizes healthcare CEOs who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to using information technology to advance their organizations’ goals. Ms. Cecchettini was only one of three CEOs nationally to receive the recognition and the only CEO in Washington State. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/99 MultiCare recently launched a mobile version of the MultiCare website. The mobile site is designed to present relevant and just-in-time info to a growing audience of mobile device users. Users will find easy access to phone numbers, maps and directions for hospitals, clinics and urgent cares. News items, calendar of events and find a doctor features are also available on the mobile site. For more information, visit http://m.multicare.org. /goodsam/news/101 As part of our ongoing effort to bring trustworthy health information to our community, MultiCare is pleased to launch our new Health e-Newsletter.Our Health e-newsletter is customizable, allowing you to choose from 11 topics including heart health, diabetes, nutrition and fitness, cancer, children and parenting, and women\'s health. Each month you will receive a mix of timely news items, in-depth stories and basic information about each of the topics you\'ve selected. It also features information about MultiCare events and services related to the topics you have chosen.Finding reliable health care information online doesn\'t have to be a challenge. Our e-newsletter brings information you can trust directly to your inbox. We\'re pleased to be able to offer this free resource to the community.Sign up today. /goodsam/news/95 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPatients throughout Pierce and South King counties may now access their own personal medical information online through MultiCare’s My Chart, a secure web portal provided free of charge. Patients can enroll in the secure online system and book appointments, request prescription refills and view personal medical information including lab results, imaging results and immunization records at anytime via the Internet. My Chart, formerly known as My MultiCare, now provides enhanced access to personal medical information. New additions to My Chart include proxy access, which enables parents, guardians and other caregivers to request a referral, pay a bill online, print wallet cards, schedule appointments and receive important reminders on behalf of their children or someone under their care. All MultiCare primary care providers and various community providers are now participating in the online system. Primary care providers in East Pierce County are the newest providers to offer this service. Patients interested in signing up for My Chart may request an access code at multicare.org, a MultiCare clinic office, Urgent Care Center or can request an authorization form by mail. “Technology is making it easier than ever before to actively participate in our healthcare,” said Elizabeth Neuhalfen, MD, primary care provider at the MultiCare Eatonville clinic. “My Chart, allows patients to easily and securely obtain information about their medical visits and request services online. This not only adds efficiencies to providing care in our clinics, but, more importantly, creates conveniences for our patients.” My Chart is a component of MultiCare Connect, a single, electronic health records system within the clinics and hospitals of the MultiCare Health System. This system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. With MultiCare Connect in place, MultiCare is one of only a few health systems in the nation to implement a comprehensive electronic health records system. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/96 CALL TO ARTISTS:MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Welcomes Art Submissions for New Patient Care Tower PUYALLUP, WA- MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital welcomes artists from Washington and Oregon to submit work to be considered for purchase and placement in the hospital’s new Patient Care Tower. The Tower, which features a new Emergency Department, Surgery suites, Imaging and private patient rooms, is set to open in early 2011. MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is reviewing artist’s work to be considered for purchase for display in common indoor and outdoor locations. All qualified submissions must be sent to MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Art Consultant Ginny Scalzo, at ARTERRA in Bellevue, WA. Eligibility Artists must reside in the state of Washington or Oregon. Criteria for selection will be based on the artist’s ability to demonstrate creation of work appropriate for healthcare facilities. MediumOutdoor sculpture for gardens – no nudity. Artist should be able to demonstrate experience in large scale commissions and installations. Materials should be appropriate for long-term installation in all weather conditions. Indoor Paintings, Mixed Media, Other – Artist must demonstrate experience with larger scale images; minimum of 48” x 40” if paintings or mixed media, or smaller works in a series will also be considered. Subject matter to be suitable for a healthcare environment. No nudity. Submission Format Should Include All submissions should be sent on a CD in JPEG format. Digital file size of each image should be 72 dpi, approximately 1024 x 768 pixels (no more than 1 MB) on a CD only. Include your name and title or image number on each image. Also include a separate printed page of thumbnails for all submitted entries. Printed photos or gallery cards may also be included as additional items. No slides will be accepted. A professional bio and/or artist statement. Each artist may submit up to 25 images for review. Additional images may be requested if the artist is selected. A retail price list for sculpture or unframed work. All submittals must include a self- addressed stamped envelope for return of all images. Submissions received without a self-addressed stamped envelope will be discarded after review process. Although care will be exercised in the treatment of the information received, ARTERRA is not held responsible for any damage or loss of submitted materials held for review. Do not send registered or certified mail. No images may be submitted electronically. Artists of interest will be contacted by Art Consultant Ginny Scalzo from ARTERRA. Please include a contact e-mail and phone number so that she may contact you if further information is needed. All submittals must be received by June 1st, 2009. Submit images c/o:Ginny ScalzoARTERRA1750 124th Avenue NE, Suite ABellevue, WA 98005 /goodsam/news/94 PIERCE COUNTY, WA - Staff and Administrators of MultiCare are please to announce that John Van Buskirk, DO was recently recognized as the 2009 Home Care Association of Washington’s (HCAW) Physician of the Year. Dr. Van Buskirk was nominated by MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health and Hospice: “When Dr. John Van Buskirk accepted the job of part-time Hospice Director at MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health and Hospice a little over six years ago, no one anticipated where the journey would take him. From the beginning, John’s message and spirit was one of collaboration. Rather than coming in as an expert, John arrived as a member of the team. Since the team has doubled in size, bringing new challenges and opportunities, Dr. Van Buskirk remains the calm center. MultiCare•Good Samaritan Hospice has grown in patient numbers, community reputation, and staff ability since Dr. Van Buskirk became Medical Director.” “What better way of bringing visibility to home care than shining a spotlight on the individuals who are helping to change the world – one patient at a time.” About Home Care Association of Washington The Home Care Association of Washington (HCAW was established in 1968. HCAW Members include Home Health, Home Care, Hospice, and Hospice Care Centers and provide an array of health-related services. /goodsam/news/91 Latest Updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Click here for the latest from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/whatsnew.htmHospital Visitation:Please click here for an important message from MultiCare Health System regarding visiting our hospitals during the H1N1 flu outbreak.If you are a care provider or employee, please stay home if you exhibiting any symptoms.Preventing the spread of the disease:-Stay home if you’re sick-Cover your cough or when you sneeze -Wash hands frequently -In work areas, disinfect frequently -Take care of yourself: keep hydrated and get rest -Contact your physician if you have questions or feel ill -Stay tuned with updates on MHSnetH1N1 symptoms include:-Fever-Headaches -Muscle aches -Chills -Extreme tiredness -Dry cough -Runny nose -In some cases, vomiting and diarrhea H1N1 flu can be contagious up to at least seven days. Please stay home during this time. Also, because it’s contagious via person-to-person contact and droplets, do not share cups, food, eating utensils, and more. When to seek emergency care: -Has difficulty breathing or chest pain-Has purple or blue discoloration of the lips-Has vomiting and unable to keep liquids down-Has as signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry-Has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions)-Is less responsive than normal or becomes confusedAdditional Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htmH1N1 (Swine) Flu Fact SheetPrevention TipsMHS Protocol World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/en/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept: http://www.tpchd.org/news.php?id=407 /goodsam/news/93 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716Jennifer Aalgaard (253) 219-1715 (PIERCE COUNTY) – MultiCare Health System has won two prestigious Health Care Champions Awards from The Business Examiner newspaper, the South Sound business information resource. MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital won the Emergency Services Award for their partnership with the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies that serve East Pierce County. As a county EMS base station, Good Samaritan Hospital’s physicians and nurses provide guidance to EMS providers in the field when necessary. Local EMS agencies and Good Samaritan Hospital devised a new way to communicate about incoming heart attack patients. EMS agencies are able to request activation of the cardiac catheterization lab for patients suffering a heart attack in the field. Through a combination of the paramedic’s clinical judgment and the use of bluetooth and cellular technologies, the decision can be made to alert the cardiologist and cath lab team while the patient is still being transported to the emergency department, allowing for quicker transition to the cardiac cath lab where life saving procedures can be performed. The Military Award was given to the MultiCare Neuroscience Rehabilitation Vestibular and Balance Program for an informal partnership with Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC). This partnership provides evaluation and treatment of soldiers and their families with balance injuries from trauma or disease. Many soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who have been injured or exposed to high intensity explosions can suffer from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, or MTBI. No similar service is available at MAMC or other military bases, so these patients have been cared for by civilian providers at MultiCare. In addition to the awards, MultiCare also garnered honorable mention in these and other categories: · Karen Lynch, RN, was honorably mentioned in the Distinguished Service category for her nearly 52 years of service to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and the MultiCare Health System. · Good Samaritan Hospital was noted for its partnership with the 8th Squadron, 1st Calvary Regiment at Fort Lewis. · Mary Bridge Pediatric Heart Center was mentioned for its partnership with the Tacoma General Hospital Women & Newborn Services in an effort to screen all newborns for congenital heart defects. The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Tacoma’s Museum of Glass. For more information on the awards and the ceremony, go to www.businessexaminer.com. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/86 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard, 253.219.1715jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org PIERCE COUNTY, WA- The passage of Initiative 1000, the “Washington State Death with Dignity Act”, has raised many questions for physicians, pharmacists, counselors and hospital staff statewide. MultiCare Health System recognizes patient and physician autonomy in making health care decisions. MultiCare has discussed I-1000 internally and has chosen not to prohibit individual physicians from engaging in actions under I-1000 within their physician practices and offices. It is both a provider and a patient choice as to whether to participate in I-1000 activities. However, MultiCare has decided that patients admitted to our acute care facilities; Allenmore, Tacoma General and Good Samaritan Hospitals, who might otherwise be “qualified patients” under I-1000, should not ingest life-ending medications within those facilities. Due to the right for any health care provider to opt-out of participating in I-1000, our hospitals are not able to logistically provide staffing should a patient elect to participate. No MultiCare staff will be required to participate in any activities related to I-1000. MultiCare will work with its entire care team to ensure that all patients are fully informed of their rights and options available to them as they relate to end-stage disease and care management. Where appropriate, referrals to other community providers will be made if requested by patients whose needs cannot be met within MultiCare Health System. /goodsam/news/84 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System President & CEO Diane Cecchettini, RN, has been named Outstanding Health Care Executive, Metropolitan Division, by Seattle Business magazine. The honor was given to Diane at the “Leaders in Health Care” awards dinner on February 26. Diane was nominated by the MultiCare Health System Board of Directors for her visionary leadership and dedication to patient care. Under her leadership, MultiCare has grown to become the largest health system in the south Puget Sound and the largest private employer in Pierce County with more than 8,500 employees. “MultiCare owes much of its success to Diane’s leadership and skill,” said Lois Bernstein, Senior Vice President of Community Services for MultiCare. “She is a skilled and gifted leader who deserves recognition for her dedication to MultiCare and the patients we serve.” Diane’s leadership has had a significant effect on how care is delivered in the South Sound and throughout the state. She advocated for MultiCare to become an early adopter of an electronic health record system for its promise of improving care. Today, MultiCare is a national leader in the integration of electronic health records across inpatient and outpatient settings. This effort earned her another honor from Modern Healthcare magazine with the 2008 CEO IT Achievement Award. She was only one of three CEOs nationally to win the award and the only in Washington State. Diane has also been a health care industry champion. She served two terms as Chair of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA). During her term, WSHA launched a program to help hospitals improve patient safety by supporting adoption of evidence-based protocols that have been proven to save lives. At WSHA, she also founded and chaired the Patient Safety Sub-Committee, which helped expand its mission beyond policy advocacy to include patient safety advocacy. Diane was also pivotal in achieving participation by all Washington State hospitals in the national Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) 100K Lives Campaign. Diane’s influence resulted in quality improvements across the state and even the nation, as other hospitals have followed Washington’s lead. Diane has also personally served on a number of health care and mission-related community Boards and Committees, including the VHA Health Foundation, First Choice Health Network, American Organization of Nurse Executives, and Tacoma Trauma Trust Board. Recently, Diane has led the MRSA Community Initiative, which brings MultiCare together with public health and other health systems in setting industry-leading standards for treating and tracking Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections in the community and in the health care setting. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/79 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Monday, January 26, 2009Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Encourages Puyallup to Go Red February 6th PUYALLUP, WA – Red is the color of the day on Friday, February 6, 2009 when the nation observes National Wear Red Day, a day focused on getting women to take personal action against heart disease, the leading cause of death for women in America. “Cardiovascular diseases, which include diseases of the heart and stroke, are the biggest health threat to women of all ages, and many of us don’t realize it,” said cardiologist Uma Krishnan, MD of MultiCare and spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign. “Most forms of cardiovascular diseases are also preventable, and Wear Red Day is the perfect time to highlight women’s power to fight back by simply making smarter choices for their heart.” MultiCare, in partnership with the American Heart Association, will host the Go Red For Women Rally at South Hill Mall in Puyallup on February 6 to help women understand why heart disease is the biggest threat to their health, and how they can minimize their risk. The Go Red For Women Rally also features an educational talk by Dr. Krishnan, a special appearance by Puyallup Mayor Don Malloy, cholesterol checks, free glucose and blood pressure screenings, and prize giveaways. Tracy Taylor, radio host on Q Country 102.9 FM, will emcee. The event is free and open to the public, and begins at 10 a.m. For more information about Go Red For Women in Pierce County, visit www.PierceCountyGoesRed.org or call the American Heart Association at 253.272.7854. The Go Red For Women is locally sponsored by MultiCare. /goodsam/news/80 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716Jennifer Aalgaard (253) 219-1715 (TACOMA) – Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice and MultiCare Home Health & Hospice officially became one organization on January 1, 2009 under a unified name and structure, MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice. Home health caregivers provide rehabilitative and supportive care to patients recovering from strokes, surgery or ongoing health issues such as diabetes or osteoarthritis in the comfort of the patient’s home. Hospice provides spiritual, emotional and physical support for patients in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and as comfortably as possible. “We now have the ability to meet the patient’s needs wherever they are on their journey,” said Jeanette E. Weyrich, RN, MBA, Administrative Director of the integrated services. “We can provide care seamlessly throughout Pierce and South King Counties with the ability to expand services to more patients.” The integration will enhance the organization’s ability to provide services to all Pierce County and South King County communities. The larger staff will provide more flexibility and additional resources within the four MultiCare hospitals; Tacoma General, Good Samaritan, Mary Bridge and Allenmore. The integration also calls for the future expansion of services, including Home Palliative Care, a program to help patients improve their quality of life. The integration will also include the full implementation of the electronic health records system (EHR). Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. MultiCare is now one of few health systems in the nation to implement a comprehensive electronic health records system. For more information on MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice, call 1-888-516-4504. The MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice offices are located at 3901 South Fife Street in Tacoma. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/81 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACTS:Todd Kelley, MultiCare Health System(253) 403-1716 Jennifer Aalgaard, Good Samaritan Hospital(253) 697-2029 (TACOMA) -- MultiCare Health System is now sixth nationally on an annual listing of integrated health networks (IHN), as compiled by SDI (formerly Verispan). Five Pacific Northwest health systems made the list, with MultiCare attaining the highest spot. The 2009 Top 100 IHN listing ranks local and regional networks across the United States that meet critical success factors. The rating evaluates each network\'s ability to operate as a unified organization in each of eight categories: integration, integrated technology, services and access, financial stability, hospital utilization, outpatient utilization, physicians and contractual capabilities. This is the seventh consecutive year MultiCare has ranked in the Top 100, more than any other integrated health network in Washington State. “For MultiCare to achieve another rise in the rankings is a real credit to those who have worked so hard to make MultiCare the provider of choice for residents in the South Puget Sound,” said Good Samaritan President John Long. “The hallmarks of this strong showing are unwavering commitment to quality patient care and strong financial performance.” MultiCare has been steadily rising in the Top 100 IHN listing. In 2008, MultiCare jumped from 56th to eighth on the list, due in large part to the ongoing integration of electronic health records across the system and the affiliation with Good Samaritan Community Healthcare. The affiliation with MultiCare gave Good Samaritan the surge of support needed to continue its goal of becoming the regional medical center of choice for east Pierce County. With recent program and facility expansions in areas such as cardiac care and the $400 million campus re-development, Good Samaritan will achieve its goal with the completion of a new Patient Care Tower in 2011. MultiCare also continues to integrate electronic health records (EHR) within the clinics and hospitals. This has made MultiCare one of few health systems in the nation to implement a comprehensive electronic health records system. Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. The Good Samaritan clinics recently were added to this system and it will be integrated at Good Samaritan Hospital with the opening of the new Patient Care Tower. Most recently, MultiCare and Good Samaritan integrated the home health & hospice services, becoming MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice with an ability to provide coordinated services throughout Pierce and South King Counties. MultiCare also recently opened an Ambulatory Surgery Clinic and a new radiation oncology system in Gig Harbor, further integrating outpatient services and making care more available to the community. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. About SDIOn July 29th, 2008, Verispan, LLC was acquired by SDI. Since 1982, SDI has been delivering innovative healthcare data products and analytic services to the pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, medical device, financial services, and consumer packaged goods industries. SDI is the leading provider of de-identified patient-level data analytics and offers a broad array of solutions and insights across the continuum of care. These include custom and syndicated patient-level data studies; localized disease and treatment surveillance and projection; market research audits; healthcare profiles; comprehensive managed care offerings; clinical trial optimization; direct-to-patient pharmacy programs; marketing effectiveness; sales targeting and compensation products; data integration, warehousing, and mining; list services; and direct marketing services. Its current roster includes the top 50 pharmaceutical/biotech companies. /goodsam/news/78 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Thursday, January 22, 2009Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Good Samaritan HospitalNamed Puyallup-Sumner Chamber Large Business of the Year PUYALLUP, WA- On January 21, 2009, the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce honored MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital with its Large Business of the Year Award at their annual meeting. “It was so great to be able to honor MultiCare Good Samaritan at our annual meeting,” said Sally Zeiger-Hansen, Executive Director of the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce. “The organization is such an important part of this community and a great partner with the Chamber.” Good Samaritan Hospital was honored for the following elements: - Business Growth and Performance- Sound Business Strategies and Practices- Customer Service Strategies and Practices- Business Challenges- Unique and Innovative Approaches- Community Involvement and Contribution Good Samaritan Hospital has been a member of the Chamber for 37 years. Over those three decades the partnership between the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber and Good Samaritan continues to grow. /goodsam/news/75 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Tuesday, January 13, 2009Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital NamesNew Vice President of Patient Care Services PUYALLUP, WA- MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is pleased to announce that Marcia Johnson has accepted the position of Vice President, Patient Care Services. Johnson will oversee nursing, surgery, emergency and maternal services for Good Samaritan Hospital. Johnson comes to Good Samaritan from Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, where she served in a similar capacity for 10 years. Johnson brings to Good Samaritan a distinguished background in nursing and healthcare management. Early in her career, Johnson served as Director of Nursing and Assistant Administrator for St. Cabrini Hospital, and also worked at the corporate office of the Sisters of Providence, both in Seattle. In addition, she has held adjunct clinical faculty positions at Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing, the University of Washington School of Nursing – Tacoma, and Seattle Pacific University. She is active in the Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives and is a past president. Johnson holds a Master of Health Administration & Planning, a Master of Nursing and a BS in Nursing from the University of Washington. She is also a graduate of the Executive Development Program of the University of Illinois, American Hospital Association. /goodsam/news/73 UPDATED: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 9:35 p.m. The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued another Winter Storm Warning for lowland snow in Western Washington, especially on hills above 500 to 1,000 ft. in elevation. Snow continues to be expected after midnight tonight and continue into the morning hours. Snow will be light at first and become heavy in the morning hours. It will change over to rain/snow mix mid-day in the lowlands and freeze Wednesday evening into Thursday. There will be another round of snow on Christmas Day, which will then be followed by warmer weather by Saturday. If any additional closures or changes occur, or if any services are impacted, updates will be posted on our Internet site at www.multicare.org, on MHSnet, sent via e-mail and on the Emergency Preparedness Hotline at (253) 403-8677. Attendance and snow policies are posted on MHSnet. MultiCare policy indicates that employees should make every attempt to report for their shifts and employees should stay at work until their relief arrives. We have no information at this time if the 4X4 group will be available to provide rides for essential staff. Thank you, Todd Kelley & Jennifer AalgaardMHS EOC PIO & GSH EOC PIO /goodsam/news/70 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Tuesday, December 9th, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital ReceivesAccreditation as a Chest Pain Center PUYALLUP, WA- The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) has granted the designation of Accredited Chest Pain Center to MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, making it the sixth accredited Chest Pain Center in the state of Washington. “The society\'s seal of accreditation is an important distinction for Good Samaritan,” said Bret Lambert, MD, Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Department. “Successful treatment of heart attacks is time dependent and must be initiated quickly. This accreditation certifies that our hospital and staff are totally prepared to care for patients with heart attack symptoms in a rapid, systematic manner.” A Chest Pain Center is the sum of the processes of care for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients that start from the time the patient calls the ambulance until that patient is discharged from the hospital. A Chest Pain Center encompasses the entire hospital, much like a trauma center. This special designation acknowledges that Good Samaritan provides excellent care of all cardiac patients – those with undiagnosed chest pain to those with a known heart attack. MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital has demonstrated its expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria and completing on-site evaluations by a review team from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Key areas in which a Chest Pain Center must demonstrate expertise include:- Integrating the emergency department with the local emergency medical system- Emergency assessment of patients with symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)- Community Outreach MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children\'s Hospital and Health Center and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties.About the Society of Chest Pain CentersThe Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) is a non-profit international society dedicated to the belief that heart disease can be eliminated as the number one cause of death worldwide. Because we know that time translates to muscle during a heart emergency, the Society bridges cardiology, emergency medicine and other professions jointly focused upon improving timely, quality care for cardiac patients.For more information on the Society of Chest Pain Centers, please contact Robert Weisenburger Lipetz, Executive Director at 614.274.9710 or director@scpcp.org.   /goodsam/news/69 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Thursday, December 4th, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org PUYALLUP, WA- MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is pleased to announce that the Good Samaritan Sleep Center recently received program accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). “The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates the Good Samaritan Sleep Medicine Center on fulfilling the high standards required for receiving accreditation as a sleep disorders center,” said Dr. Mary Susan Esther, AASM president. “The center is a significant resource to the local medical community and will provide academic and scientific value in addition to the highest quality care for patients suffering from sleep disorders.” To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. The accreditation process involves detailed inspection of a center’s facility and staff, including an evaluation of testing procedures, patient contacts, and physician training. Additionally, the facility’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves. MultiCare Health System offers sleep medicine services in Puyallup and now South Hill, as well as Covington, Gig Harbor and Tacoma. The South Hill clinic is the most recent addition to MultiCare’s sleep medicine locations. Opened in July, this 4-bed unit has state-of-the-art technology to help aid in sleep studies. “There are a number of things that are monitored during a sleep study,” says Dr. Kimberly Mebust, Medical Director for the Good Samaritan Sleep Centers. “Some of them include brain activity, breathing, oxygen levels, body movement, and heart rate.” For more information on the MultiCare Good Samaritan Sleep Medicine Center, located at 402 15th Avenue SE, suite 200, please call 253.697.3050 or visit multicare.org. /goodsam/news/67 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System has won the “Distinction Award for Best Overall Website for a Healthcare System” from eHealthcare Strategy & Trends, the premiere national organization that focuses on the ways leading-edge healthcare organizations use the Internet and technology to achieve their objectives. MultiCare’s website, www.multicare.org, was judged by a panel of 114 professionals in the health care industry on more than 60 factors. Factors considered in the judging include delivery of strong health content, interactivity, medical care support, integration with the organization\'s operations, as well as strength of Web design and ease of navigation. MultiCare was awarded the honor from more than 1,100 entries. Earlier this year, MultiCare and Tacoma-based SiteCrafting created a new website to enhance ease of use and added several new features. “This award is a true team effort,” said MultiCare Webmaster Angela Gow. “The entire Marketing team at MultiCare and the experts at SiteCrafting and DNA really pulled together to create a website that is user-friendly and informative.” The award was given at the 12th Annual eHealthcare Leadership Awards on November 11 in Orlando, Florida. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/63 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Good Samaritan Healthcare Resource Center Relocating November 24th PUYALLUP, WA- Beginning November 24th, 2008 the Good Samaritan Healthcare Resource Center (anticoagulation, diabetes and nutrition) will be relocated to 2622 S. Meridian, Puyallup. The new site is located just two blocks south of the current center. The clinic will be closed November 22nd and 23rd for this transition. The move will allow staff at the Healthcare Resource Center to expand services. At the new location, the Center will require all clients to schedule an appointment for services. For questions or to schedule an appointment, please call 253.770.2300. /goodsam/news/62 Click on the links below to watch the Good Samaritan Hospital Patient Care Tower and the Tacoma General/Mary Bridge Emergency Department grow! The projects will be completed in 2010. Good Samaritan Patient Care Tower: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/goodsamhealth/patientcaretower Tacoma General-Mary Bridge Emergency Department: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/multicare/tacomageneral /goodsam/news/57 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Wednesday, October 15, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Good Samaritan Hospital has Concrete Plans on October 17th and They Include You Join Good Samaritan Hospital for a special foundation-pouring event commemorating the Patient Care Tower’s progress PUYALLUP, WA- The future of patient care in East Pierce County is taking shape on the Good Samaritan Hospital campus and we want you to be a part of it. On October 17th, please join First Gentleman, Mike Gregoire , MultiCare administrators, project principals, as well as Puyallup Mayor, Don Malloy for the $400 million Patient Care Tower foundation-pouring ceremony. Come hear the latest on construction progress. And watch as we present our construction crew with a special time capsule to commemorate our proud history of caring for the community; a history that will become part of our future as it is embedded in our foundation. Event DetailsGood Samaritan Patient Care Tower Foundation-Pouring EventFriday, October 17, 2008 at 3:00pmRSVP 253.697.1333 Complimentary Shuttle 2:30–5:30pm. For your convenience, catch the complimentary event shuttle which will leave approximately every five minutes from the Bronze parking lot at 10th Avenue S.E. off of Meridian Avenue (see map). It will take you to the celebration tent and return you to your car. /goodsam/news/51 PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 Contact: Jennifer Aalgaard Phone: 253.219.1715 Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Come See the da Vinci Robot at the Puyallup Fair with MultiCare PUYALLUP, WA- Do the Puyallup with MultiCare Health System on Friday and Saturday, September 19th and 20th, at the Puyallup Fair and see the da Vinci Surgical Robot. Dr. Douglas Sutherland and Dr. John Lenihan will be hosting talks on surgical procedures with the da Vinci Surgical System at the MultiCare Booth in the Pavilion. On Friday, 9/19, the talks will focus on gynecological procedures with Dr. Sutherland from 11 am-2 pm and Dr. Lenihan at 5 pm. On Saturday, 9/20, Dr. Sutherland will speak on prostate procedures from 11 am-2 pm and Dr. Lenihan will continue to speak on gynecological procedures at 3 pm and 5 pm. More on the da Vinci Surgical System Currently available at MultiCare Tacoma General and Allenmore Hospitals, the da Vinci Surgical System incorporates the latest advances in robotics and computer technology to enable surgeons to perform precise, minimally invasive gynecological and prostate, surgeries. Utilizing robotic technology, MultiCare surgeons are able to surgically treat cancers and other problems associated with prostate and gynecological issues with this innovative system. Surgeons direct three robotic arms that perform the surgery using a variety of tiny surgical instruments operating through small abdominal incisions. The surgeon commands the robot from a console that provides a three-dimensional image of the surgical area. Highly specialized hand controls allow the surgeon to make the most intricate maneuvers, which the robot replicates with its arms. The ends of the surgical instruments are modeled after the human wrist and give the surgeon a wide range of motion to work with, but in a smaller space. Because the process is much less invasive than traditional, open prostate and gynecological surgeries, patients experience less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, less scarring, shorter urinary catheter time, improved potency and continence and a faster recovery for a return to normal activities. \"This technology offers all of the advantages of traditional laparoscopic procedures, but better enables the surgeon to be more precise in their approach,\" according to Douglas Sutherland, MD, urologic surgeon at Allenmore Hospital. \"Surgeons have the same access they would if they were making a large incision, but with the advantages of five small incisions. The robotic arms allow them to see, maneuver, and access difficult-to-reach areas and minimize peripheral tissue damage. And unlike the surgeon’s wrist, the robotic arm can move 360 degrees and get to places a surgeon’s hand can’t reach.\"   /goodsam/news/44 PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate ReleaseWednesday, July 25th, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org PUYALLUP, WA- Physicians and staff at MultiCare\'s Good Samaritan Hospital are pleased to announce Mary Bridge Pediatric Care at Good Samaritan, a partnership between Good Samaritan Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center. Through this partnership, children and their parents will be connected to the area’s most trusted children’s hospital with enhanced access to quality pediatric care in the greater Puyallup and East Pierce County community. Beginning in September, the newly expanded pediatric unit at Good Samaritan Hospital will benefit from having pediatric hospitalists on staff. The Mary Bridge Inpatient Pediatric Service will provide physician coverage for the Good Samaritan pediatric department, the special care nursery, and be available for consultation. The Mary Bridge team brings the philosophies and strengths of pediatric expertise and services to Good Samaritan. This partnership will make it possible for more children to receive inpatient pediatric care closer to home while keeping connected to their local pediatricians and providers every step of the way. “This is a very exciting time to be a part of MultiCare Health System, as we work to ensure the highest quality care for every member of our community!” says Ronn Goodnough, RN, Manager of Inpatient Pediatrics at Good Samaritan Hospital. “The new unit will have a family-centered atmosphere, featuring a family area, playroom and computer access.” Mary Bridge pediatricians staffing this program function as an extension of a child’s primary care provider, offering on-site personalized care to hospitalized children. They also serve children who do not have a pediatrician available for their hospital stay. This service is offered to all patients as well as referring community providers, regardless of their hospital privileges. Our collaborative program keeps the primary care provider updated throughout a child’s inpatient treatment. This is especially beneficial for providers in outlying communities or those not able to leave their busy office practice to make hospital rounds. Upon discharge from the hospital, a child is returned to the care of their pediatrician along with a discharge summary and follow-up phone call from the hospitalists. This pediatric hospitalist program mirrors the established program at Mary Bridge in Tacoma and the partnership formed with Providence St. Peter Hospital, Olympia, in 2007. /goodsam/news/42 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) –MultiCare Health System Chief Operating Officer George J. Brown, MD, has announced he will leave MultiCare to become the President & CEO of Legacy Health System in Portland, Ore. Dr. Brown will leave MultiCare by the end of July. Dr. Brown joined MultiCare in 1998 as Vice President of Acute Care Services & Facilities, overseeing all hospital operations of Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. In 2005, Dr. Brown was promoted Chief Operating Officer, overseeing clinical operations across MultiCare Health System. Before coming to MultiCare, he served as Commanding General of Madigan Army Medical Center, lead agent for Region 11 of the U.S. Army, and Commander of the Army Western Regional Medical Command at Fort Lewis. He retired from active military service in February 1999. During his tenure at MultiCare, Dr. Brown was actively involved in the effort to restore Level II adult trauma care to Tacoma in 2000. Dr. Brown also led projects that brought new operating rooms to Tacoma General and Mary Bridge in 2004 and helped establish Tacoma General as the first hospital in the South Sound to offer robotic-assisted surgery for prostate and gynecological procedures. And, in 2005, the newly expanded Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center opened. In 2007, MultiCare’s electronic health record system was expanded from the outpatient clinics to Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Allenmore Hospital, providing a single, electronic health record for MultiCare patients. “Over the last ten years, we have grown and successfully implemented many initiatives that improve health care services to our community,” said MultiCare President and CEO Diane Cecchettini, RN. “Dr. Brown has been a catalyst for many of these initiatives, and I commend him for his many contributions over the last 10 years. We wish him well in his new endeavor.” ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/39 Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Access to Good Samaritan Hospital Changes on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 PUYALLUP, WA- Access to Good Samaritan Hospital will be forever changed on July 10th, 2008. At 7:00 a.m. on July 10th, 14th Ave SE, between 4th & 5th Street SE will be closing to make room for the new $400 million Patient Care Tower. Access to the Emergency Room will be re-routed through 15th Ave SE and 5th Street SE.   /goodsam/news/34 See the June issue of South Sound Magazine for profiles of several MultiCare physicians who were named in the article, “Eight doctors who make a difference.” The article featured several South Sound physicians who make a positive impact with their patients, the community and the world. MultiCare affiliated and employed physicians featured include: Dr. George Tanbara, Co-Founder, Pediatrics Northwest Dr. Brian Kott, Interventional Neuroradiologist, TRA Medical Imaging at Tacoma General Dr. Donald Mott, Medical Staff Consultant at Good Samaritan Dr. Champ Weeks, Urologic Surgeon with MultiCare Dr. Glenn Tripp, Medical Director of the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and Neurodevelopment Center at Mary Bridge Several other physicians nominated for the distinction were also mentioned: Dr. Ronald K. Woods, Chief of Mary Bridge/Swedish Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Dr. Chris Stefanelli, Director of Pediatric Cardiology, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Katherine Cleveland, PA, Mary Bridge/Swedish Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Patti Fuchs, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Wendy Jacobs, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Lynne Nelson, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Mary Kessler, RN, Hematology/Oncology, Covington MultiCare Clinic Dr. Lauren Colman, Oncology, Gig Harbor MultiCare Medical Park Dr. Gregory Popich, Orthpedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Pacific Sports Medicine Dr. Min-Chun Chen, MultiCare Regional Cancer Center Anne Flynn, OTR, MultiCare Adult Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Karen Perz, PT Program Coordinator, Vestibular & Balance Clinic, MultiCare Neuroscience Center Dr. Mario Alinea, MultiCare Occupational Medicine Paul Brimhall, Program Manager, MultiCare Transfusion-Free Medical and Surgical Program Dr. David Embrey, Program Research Coordinator, Children’s Therapy Unit, Good Samaritan Hospital Congratulations to our winners! Magazines are available at local newsstands or go to www.southsoundmag.com. /goodsam/news/38 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Thursday, June 26, 2008 Contact: Jennifer Aalgaard                                                                                          Phone: 253.219.1715                                                                                                  Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org   Contact: Vicki Brown Phone: 253.583.8613Email: vbrown@minw.com   A New Imaging Alliance for East Pierce County:MultiCare-Good Samaritan and Medical Imaging Northwest Grow Together PUYALLUP, WA- Ease for Hospital patients who need imaging services. That’s the reason behind a new equity joint venture between MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Imaging Northwest. “By pooling the resources of these two institutions, patients will have better access to the wide array of imaging services in areas convenient to them,” explains John Long, President MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital. The name of this new venture will be Diagnostic Imaging Northwest, and alliance of Medical Imaging Northwest and MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital. “Puyallup and surrounding East Pierce County is not the sleepy little farming communities they were when I first came to this area 25 years ago,” states Andrew Levine, MD, Chair, Medical Imaging Northwest, LLP. “Neither is Good Samaritan Hospital.” As the community has evolved, so has the medical staff, with an increasing array of specialty and subspecialty clinicians. The growth has allowed residents to stay close to home to have their medical needs met. This will be further enhanced with the upcoming building of the MultiCare-Good Samaritan Patient Care Tower, already in progress across the street from the current Good Samaritan Hospital. It is this growth that inspired MultiCare-Good Samaritan to contact Medical Imaging Northwest 18-months ago about providing more collaborative imaging services to the residents of East Pierce County. Beginning in October 2008, Medical Imaging Northwest and MultiCare-Good Samaritan will operate imaging facilities at multiple locations in East Pierce County, including downtown Puyallup at Puyallup Imaging Center, South Hill at Sunrise Imaging Center and Bonney Lake at Bonney Lake Imaging Center. The services this new joint venture will provide include 3 fully digital centers that house High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Radiography and Fluoroscopy, Interventional Radiology, Ultrasound, Digital Mammography, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy and Bone Densitometry. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children\'s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Medical Imaging Northwest is a group of private practice radiologists, technologists and staff committed to providing the finest medical imaging technology to our patients, and the communities we serve. Medical Imaging Northwest offers a broad range of services at multiple locations and provides quick, accurate reporting. We attract highly trained physicians (board certified radiologists with fellowship and/or subspecialty training) and registered radiologic technologists with advanced certifications and multiple capabilities. We own and operate American College of Radiology accredited imaging centers in Puyallup and Bonney Lake and provide professional services for the radiology departments of MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup and Allenmore Hospital, Tacoma. We also serve MultiCare clinics in Auburn, Covington, Tacoma and Gig Harbor. /goodsam/news/37 Press Release:For Immediate ReleaseFriday, June 20th, 2008Contact: Jennifer Aalgaard253.219.1715Todd Kelley253.403.1716 PIERCE COUNTY, WA- Greg Rolsma, of University Place, was crowned Pierce County’s Biggest Winner on Saturday, June 14th, after completing the Roman Meal Sound to Narrows 5K run. Rolsma lost 46 lbs. and 15.8% of his body weight while competing for the last 14 weeks with 19 other contestants from across Pierce County. For his achievement, Rolsma won an 18-month membership to Pierce County’s YMCA, three sessions with a Registered Dietician, and a two night stay at the Sleeping Lady Lodge in Leavenworth. Rolsma, a proud father of two, said his son, a football player for Central Washington University, was a big motivator for him. “I saw how fit my son was from playing on the team, and I knew I could follow his lead,” said Rolsma. Rolsma, who works for Frontier Bank, frequently dines out and entertains and the advice from the MultiCare Dietician helped him make positive choices in “real life.” His wife took regular walks with him and helps with food preparation and choices at home. The trainers and dietitian for Rolsma’s team, the Black Team, said that he was a leader; organizing group activities on the weekend, serving as the team cheerleader and encouraged everyone to reach their goals. “I am extremely proud of Greg and all his accomplishments throughout the program, he did an awesome job,” said Michele Schaper, MultiCare Wellness Dietician. “Greg was an absolute pleasure to work with and I will miss seeing him on a weekly basis.” Runner-Up Coming in a close second, Scott Andrews of Tacoma, lost 50.6 lbs, 15.5% of his body weight. Heather Nighbor of Gig Harbor was the female winner, losing 23.8 lbs, 13.1% of her body weight. Nighbor is just 20 lbs away from her goal weight. The team that lost the most was the Black Team, from East Pierce County, with a total loss of 153.4 lbs, 11.5% weight loss. Biggest Winner Competition MultiCare Center For Healthy Living, in partnership with Pierce County Gets Fit, began Pierce County\'s Biggest Winner program in 2007. Four teams of five Pierce County contestants were chosen to compete to lose weight over a 14-week period. Each team represents four different regions in Pierce County (Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Lakewood and East Pierce) and includes a community leader and a business representative from their region. This 14-week program included before and after health assessments, individual sessions with a Registered Dietitian and Certified Trainer, nutrition and fitness classes, a 12-week exercise program at the YMCA, and lots of encouragement along the way. For more information on Pierce County Gets Fit, Pierce County Biggest Winner and the MultiCare Center For Healthy Living, visit www.piercecountygetsfit.com. /goodsam/news/33 Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Monday, June 9th, 2008  Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Good Samaritan Outpatient Laboratory Relocating June 16th PUYALLUP, WA- On June 16th, the Good Samaritan Hospital Outpatient Laboratory will be relocating to the new Rieder Medical Building at 1701 3rd St SE, Suite 301 in Puyallup, located just three blocks from Good Samaritan Hospital. Previously located in the main hospital, the new Outpatient Laboratory will provide easy access and convenient parking, extended service hours including Saturdays, reduced wait times to less than 15 minutes typically, and private draw rooms. The new facility also allows for a quick one-stop registration process lowering time spent at the facility dramatically. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 7:00 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday, 7:30 am - 3:00 pm. You can call the new Outpatient Laboratory at 253.697.4696. The addition of the Rieder Medical Building has inspired practices to relocate to Good Samaritan’s growing campus allowing physicians easy access to patients that may be staying at the hospital. Examples of some of the practices currently in the Rieder Medical Building include, Good Samaritan Family Medicine at Puyallup, Dedicated Women’s Health Specialists, and Neurology & Neurosurgery Associates. For more information on the Rieder Medical Building, please call 253.697.2029. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children\'s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/31 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Thursday, June 5th, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org PUYALLUP, WA- Good Samaritan Family Medicine at Puyallup is pleased to share that Dr. Charles Nam and Dr. Joel Estrada, Internal Medicine Specialists, have moved to a new office space located in the Rieder Medical Building at 1701 3rd St SE, Suite 300, Puyallup, just blocks from Good Samaritan Hospital. The new clinic is equipped to offer easy access and convenient parking along with a comfortable lobby in a new building. The expansion of space also allows for Dr. Estrada to expand his practice, as he is accepting new patients. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am -5:00 pm. Please call 253.697.5767 for more information on Good Samaritan Family Medicine at Puyallup or to schedule an appointment. The addition of the Rieder Medical Building has inspired practices to relocate to Good Samaritan’s growing campus allowing physicians easy access to patients that may be staying at the hospital. Examples of some of the practices planned to relocate to the Rieder Medical Building include, Good Samaritan Outpatient Laboratory, Dedicated Women’s Health Specialists, and Neurology & Neurosurgery Associates. For more information on the Rieder Medical Building, please call 253.697.2029. /goodsam/news/28                                                                        Good Samaritan Opens Starbucks on June 2nd   PUYALLUP, WA- Good Samaritan Hospital is celebrating the opening of a Starbucks June 2nd, 2008. The coffeehouse is located in the Main Lobby of the Hospital and is operated by Avascend.The opening of this Starbucks location allows Good Samaritan to bring the Starbucks Experience to its customers. Patients, visitors, guests and employees can now enjoy a beverage on-the-go, or relax in the coffeehouse\'s comfortable seating area. The new Starbucks coffeehouse will offer a full beverage menu - including espresso drinks, brewed coffees, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and Tazo® tea, as well as, pastries and other baked selections. Starbucks® merchandise, including mugs, CDs and other gift items are available. \"We have more than 2,200 employees at Good Samaritan who are anxiously awaiting the opening of Starbucks. This is one of the many new relationships we are creating at Good Samaritan to exceed the expectations of patients and their families at a quality institution,\" said John Long, President Good Samaritan. “It\'s a very exciting time at Good Samaritan.”   Good Samaritan Hospital is striving to become the regional medical center of choice for residents of East Pierce County and providing outstanding customer service is one step leading to that goal. “We are very energized at the opportunity to provide this convenience to our patients and visitors,” said Long. “We hope to expand this service as the demand grows.” The initial hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.   ### Founded in 1952, Good Samaritan Community Healthcare has grown and evolved into Good Samaritan Hospital, an affiliate of parent company, MultiCare Health System. Good Samaritan provides comprehensive healthcare to eastern Pierce County. Our expanding healthcare services include an acute care hospital in Puyallup, family medicine clinics, outpatient surgery center, comprehensive mental health program, outpatient specialty care clinics, outreach programs to support varying social service needs of our community. /goodsam/news/25 Patient Care Tower Patient Room Mock-ups YOU ARE INVITED AND URGED TO COME!! Please plan to take a tour and see examples of our future In-patient care spaces. You will tour a Critical Care Room and an Emergency Department Treatment Room. Refreshments will be served. Dates: Thursday May 22 Monday May 26 through Thursday May 29 Monday June 2 through Thursday June 5 Times: 7:30 to 9:30 am 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 2:00pm to 4:00 pm (other tour times on request – just call Jamie at 697-1756) Location: 419 15th Ave SE Puyallup, WA Just up the hill from the main hospital entrance to the building on 15th Ave between 4th and 5th. /goodsam/news/23 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Date: April 23rd, 2008 GOOD SAMARITAN IS FIRST HOSPITAL GOING GREENPUYALLUP, WA- Good Samaritan’s $400 million replacement hospital, scheduled to be completed in December 2010, is the first hospital in Washington State to seek the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council. LEED certification shows that the building is constructed with energy and resource conservation and efficiency. Good Samaritan is one of the first hospitals in the state of Washington seeking to achieve this certification.Good Samaritan is dedicated to providing a healthy environment of care and our new facility will provide that and more. The new tower will include the ability to treat and recycle water, a “green roof”, locations for outdoor respite, and water efficient landscaping. While separately these items may not seem significant, but together they provide a huge impact on the environment in means of conservation of water and limited energy usage.While going green positively impacts our environment, it also impacts the hospital’s efficiency. It lowers costs, increases productivity and decreases patient recuperation time. Studies show that patient access to natural light decreases depression, improves sleep and eases pain. The affect is not limited to patients; staff is affected by natural light as well. Access to natural light increases Vitamin D levels which have been shown to improve mood and perception which, in turn, enhances the patient experience.While achieving LEED certification is a goal, Good Samaritan is dedicated to making a positive, lasting impression on the City of Puyallup for years to come and this includes protecting the environment.Puyallup is becoming the example of “going green.” The City of Puyallup is also seeking LEED certification for its newly constructed City Hall that is slated to open in late summer. It is our collaborative hope that Good Samaritan and the City of Puyallup will serve as examples of what is to come for construction in East Pierce County and to continue to serve our communities while being cognizant of our footprint on the future.Stay tuned for more on Good Samaritan’s construction and how this is a great time to be a resident of East Pierce County.For more information on the new tower, please visit www.goodsamhealth.org. For more information on the LEED certification, please visit www.usgbc.org. ###Founded in 1952, Good Samaritan Community Healthcare has grown and evolved into Good Samaritan Hospital, an affiliate of parent company, MultiCare Health System. Good Samaritan provides comprehensive healthcare to eastern Pierce County. Our expanding healthcare services include an acute care hospital in Puyallup, family medicine clinics, outpatient surgery center, comprehensive mental health program, outpatient specialty care clinics, outreach programs to support varying social service needs of our community. /goodsam/news/20 Monday, April 21, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Diane Cecchettini, RN, has received the CEO IT Achievement Award for 2008 from Modern Healthcare Magazine and the Healthcare Information and Management System Society (HIMSS). Ms. Cecchettini was only one of three CEOs nationally to receive the recognition and the only CEO in Washington State The award recognizes healthcare CEOs who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to using information technology to advance their organizations’ goals. A five-judge panel consisting of two CEOs chosen by Modern Healthcare and three chief information officers chosen by HIMSS selected Ms. Cecchettini and two others out of 37 nominees. \"Diane’s vision of an ideal patient experience is to create a seamless, easy, valued, and sustainable continuum of health care that enhances the experience of both the patient and the provider,\" said Florence Chang, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. \"Technology is one of the core strategies that MultiCare uses to fulfill that vision, and the investment in those technologies not only changes the way we deliver care but makes health care better, safer, and more convenient for the patients in the communities we serve.\" Ten years ago, MultiCare Health System became the first health system in the south Puget Sound to implement an electronic health record (EHR) for patients at its ambulatory clinics in Pierce and south King Counties. In 2007, MultiCare implemented this leading edge technology at Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Allenmore Hospital, providing a single, electronic health record for all MultiCare patients, whether they are seen in a clinic or a hospital. MultiCare is now one of few health systems in the nation to have system-wide electronic health records. Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. \"A health record reflects a lifetime of health care for a patient, including immunizations, allergies, prescriptions, surgeries, lab reports, x-rays and more,\" said MultiCare Chief Operating Officer George J. Brown, M.D. \"This wealth of immediately accessible, secure information helps our physicians assess patients’ needs in order to provide them with the best possible care.\" In addition to the EHR, MultiCare has recently made investments in radiology, imaging, and voice recognition software. With the new Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) a radiologist can read and access images from any computer at any time through a secure web portal. The voice recognition software improves turnaround time of transcribed reports and is another step toward our goal of a film-less radiology system. # # # MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap, and Thurston counties. /goodsam/news/22 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715DATE: Monday, March 3, 2008 Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Puyallup MOMS Group Gives to Kids at Good Samaritan\'s Emergency DepartmentPUYALLUP, WA- Good Samaritan would like to thank the MOMS Club of Puyallup who recently assembled and delivered 200 packets of crayons and paper for kids who visit the Emergency Department.“This donation shows how much our communities really care for one another,” said Penny Larkins, Volunteer Coordinator for Good Samaritan Community Healthcare. “We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to the MOMS Club.”For more information on how you can contribute to Good Samaritan, please call Penny Larkins at 253.697.1523.More About MOMS Club of PuyallupMOMS Club International is a non-profit organization designed to support stay-at-home moms. They participate in fun, child-friendly activities during the day and support the community through service projects. They hope to provide an opportunity for lasting mother to mother friendships.The MOMS Club of Puyallup serves Puyallup, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Lake Tapps and Edgewood. ###Founded in 1952, Good Samaritan Community Healthcare has grown and evolved into Good Samaritan Hospital, an affiliate of parent company, MultiCare Health System. Good Samaritan provides comprehensive healthcare to eastern Pierce County. Our expanding healthcare services include an acute care hospital in Puyallup, family medicine clinics, outpatient surgery center, comprehensive mental health program, outpatient specialty care clinics, outreach programs to support varying social service needs of our community.