Volume 12 of the Healthy Living Newsletter is here!

In This Issue:

• Keep You Moving
• Community Memorial Again Receives Top Ranking
• New NP at CMH Hamilton Office
• An Update From The Business Office
• Care From Your Car

Read the full issue by clicking here!

Keeping You Moving

Every October is National Physical Therapy Month, an annual opportunity to bring awareness to the benefits of physical therapy. Choosing physical therapy as a treatment method is beneficial to patients, as individual treatment plans are designed for each patient’s needs, challenges and goals. Therapists work to improve mobility, manage pain and other chronic conditions, assist patients in recovering from injury or surgery, and also work with patients to prevent future injury.

The Physical Therapy Department of Community Memorial treats patients every day in multiple settings – inpatient, outpatient and our swing bed patients. “Just one of the many benefits of the swing bed program at CMH is the therapy we provide, for those post-acute patients that may not be ready to return home yet after a hospital stay,” states Julie Dunckel, Director of Rehabilitation at Community Memorial. “The Rehab team works with every swing bed patient to help them reach an optimal level of functioning.”

Rehabilitation Services

This program not only helps the swing bed patient, but also family members of the patient, as they see their loved one achieve objective targets, ensuring they’ll be more able to care for themselves once they have returned home.

Patients that may especially benefit from physical therapy are post- surgery patients. Regaining and restoring pain-free and comfortable movement after a surgery is the goal of the CMH therapists. We perform many orthopedic surgeries at our facility, primarily joint replacements; our therapy team is vital to the recovery of every post-surgery patient,” stated Dawn Sampson, Interim Administrator. “Bringing back an improved quality of life and overall wellness to patients while instructing ways to minimize future injury risks is part of the specialized plan that each patient receives while receiving treatment.”

Julie Dunckel, Director of Rehabilitation

“All ages can benefit from physical therapy; we do treat children, primarily in our outpatient setting,” added Dunckel. “Teaching beneficial exercises to patients of all ages, with a wide range of health conditions, and collaborating with primary care providers will provide patients with a steady road to recovery.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services second edition of Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, more than 80% of adults and adolescents do not get enough physical activity. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants encourage all ages to achieve physical activity based on their own abilities, which will then improve their quality of life. Education around the nature of the patient’s injury, and what patients can do to help themselves recover is key in the high rate of success of therapy patients at Community Memorial. “Now, in the midst of COVID, we are seeing more patients that have been less active than normal and are beginning to develop more chronic impairments,” stated Caitlin Lamison-Myers, Physical Therapist. “Increasing physical activity can be difficult in the midst of a pandemic and even during every day responsibilities. As movement experts, we as therapists, are able to determine exercises that provide you with the most benefit to help return you to your normalized activities, as well as, encourage you to take an active part in your recovery and your overall health.”

Physical therapy can help patients in lesser known ways, as well. Whether it’s on the front end as a way to avoid a surgery by improving mobility and function, or as a method to manage pain and chronic conditions. Therapists set realistic expectations for patient’s recovery, and take into consideration the use of pain medication in this plan. The communication between the patient and their therapist allows a proactive approach to pain management. Specializing in a variety of areas, physical therapists help patients overcome barriers in their recovery. “Every patient is evaluated upon arrival at CMH, and then a specialized treatment plan for their individual needs and goals is developed,” added Dunckel.

“What’s important for patients to remember is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all plan with physical therapy, and we’re here to help you every step of the recovery road.”

To learn more about the Physical Therapy Department of Community Memorial and the team providing treatment, call 315.824.6556, or visit https://www.communitymemorial.org/services/rehabilitation-services/. If you believe you may benefit from physical therapy, talk to your healthcare provider about setting up an appointment for an evaluation!

Community Memorial Again Receives Top Ranking

Community Memorial is excited to claim another exciting title; The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that Community Memorial Hospital has once again been ranked a 5-star quality organization for patient experience and satisfaction.

The highest ranking honor awarded to hospitals, Community Memorial also received the top 5-star accolade in 2018-2019. Results are based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey from patient discharges. CMS instituted its star rating measurements in 2016 and Community Memorial Hospital has been a 4-Star rated organization overall for HCAHPS since its inception. At the beginning of 2017, Community Memorial Hospital began a comprehensive iCare for FIVESTARS journey to achieve a 5-Star rating for patient experience. Results are based on 146 New York State hospitals, for the period of October 2018 through September 2019.

“The CMH team works every day, focusing on providing our patients and their families with the best experience and high quality care they deserve,” stated Dawn Sampson, Interim Administrator. “We are elated to again achieve this 5-star rating – a testament to how committed everyone at Community Memorial is to our patients.”

Implementing such initiatives as a daily quiet hour for patients to rest, cross-department collaboration and management rounding added improved ratings from patients. Additionally, the Board of Directors Performance Improvement meetings along with increasing both membership and engagement from the Patient Advisory Council has allowed Community Memorial to achieve this remarkable rating. The positive results and immediate feedback from patients and their families has helped Community Memorial reach remarkable patient experience goals, and has recently prompted other facilities to reach out, inquiring about implementing similar programs within their own organizations. “We are honored that other hospitals are taking notice of our successful initiatives,” stated Diane Chase, Senior Director of Clinical Services. “Encouraging other organizations to implement some of these options, increasing patient satisfaction scores across the state will be a direct impact on the most important component of our job – the patient.”

For nearly 70 years, Community Memorial Hospital’s mission has been to provide quality and caring healthcare to thousands of patients throughout almost 30 Central New York communities located throughout Madison County and beyond. The hospital provides primary care services with a network of five Family Health Centers (Hamilton, Morrisville, Cazenovia, Munnsville and Waterville), an after-hours urgent care clinic – available in the evenings and weekends, and 24/7 emergency medicine services.

New NP AT CMH Hamilton Office

Gwen Manley, FNP-C

The Family Health Center Network of Community Memorial has welcomed another primary care provider to the team; Gwen Manley, FNP-C, is now seeing patients out of the Hamilton office location.

Receiving her Associates Nursing Degree from Morrisville State and then continuing to Syracuse University and Alfred University’s respective Schools of Nursing, Ms. Manley brings years of experience to the group. A local, longtime family nurse practitioner, she has worked in many settings, including Urgent Care, Emergency Services, Dermatology, and is also a childbirth educator.

“Gwen brings a wealth of knowledge to the team at Community Memorial, encompassing a wide array of patient care needs,” states Dr. Michael Walsh, Chief Medical Officer. “We enthusiastically welcome her and her skills, furthering the patient-centered care mission of our organization.”

Having worked in a variety of clinical settings, including as a former nursing supervisor of Community Memorial, Ms. Manley also holds a certification in coronary care, and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. “I’m excited to join such a great team of healthcare providers, and I look forward to welcoming patients in under my care,” states Ms. Manley. “Building my patient base within the 5-star Community Memorial family and continuing my career here is an exciting venture.”

To learn more about the new providers at Community Memorial or to make an appointment, visit: https://www.communitymemorial.org/family-health-centers/ or call at 315-824-4600.

For almost 70 years, Community Memorial Hospital’s mission has been to provide quality and caring healthcare to thousands of patients throughout nearly 30 Central New York communities located throughout Madison County and beyond. Again named the only hospital in the state named a 5-star facility for patient experience, Community Memorial provides primary care services with a network of five Family Health Centers (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, and Waterville), an after-hours urgent care clinic available in the evenings and weekends, and 24/7 emergency medicine services.

An Update From: The Business Office of CMH

In an effort to keep all our patients and employees safe, the Community Memorial Business Office was closed to patients for some time, during the initial COVID developments.

At this time, we are welcoming patients back into our offices to pay their hospital bills and speak to our Financial Counselors in person. We will be screening all visitors prior to entering our building, and masks are required to be worn at all times.

For those that still prefer contactless bill-pay options, we encourage

you to visit the ‘Hospital Bill Pay’ section on our website, www.communitymemorial.org, to pay by credit/debit card, or call 315-701-5627 for additional assistance.

The safety and well-being of everyone is the most vital mission of Community Memorial, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate this evolving situation.

*To pay your Family Health Center bill, please call 315-937-3015.

Care From Your Car

Community Memorial’s innovative 2nd annual Drive-Flu Clinic was held on a sunny but cool September day, providing more than 350 seasonal flu shots for community members.

The inaugural event in 2019 showed the need amongst residents for simple but vital healthcare. Attendees pulled in, filled out simple paperwork, and were able to receive their flu shot – all from the convenience of their vehicle.

“2020 has proven to both healthcare providers and patients that there are evolving circumstances around how medical care can be provided,” stated Diane Chase, Senior Director of Clinical Services at Community Memorial. “Care-from-your-car has become one new norm, and Community Memorial was ahead of the curve when we introduced our Drive-Flu Clinic last year.”

Cars lined up right at 7am, and there was a steady flow of traffic throughout the day. “COVID has made our residents see the importance of an annual flu shot,” added Chase. “We’re very happy to see so many people take advantage of this clinic.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises anyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot every season, typically by the end of October, but a flu shot at any point during the season is recommended. The flu can be a life threatening illness to children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

“We were excited to bring this innovative and convenient service back to our community,” added Chase. “Improving the health of our patients is one part of our mission in providing quality care, close to home.”

Flu Clinic

The Drive-Flu Clinic was held on September 18, 2020 and offered 3 convenient time slots throughout the day. The clinic was held on the campus of Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton.

The Drive-Flu Clinic on September 18, 2020 offered 3 convenient time slots throughout the day and was again held on the campus of Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. Anyone not able to attend is encouraged to call their CMH primary care provider to schedule a flu shot.

For nearly 70 years, Community Memorial Hospital’s mission has been to provide quality and caring healthcare to thousands of patients throughout almost 30 Central New York communities located throughout Madison County and beyond. The 5-star rated hospital provides primary care services with a network of five Family Health Centers (Hamilton, Morrisville, Cazenovia, Munnsville and Waterville), an after-hours urgent care clinic, available in the evenings and weekends, and 24/7 emergency medicine services. To learn more about services offered or to make an appointment with your Community Memorial primary care provider for your annual flu shot, visit: https://www.communitymemorial.org/family-health-centers/ or call at 315-824-4600.