LifeCare welcomes
Timothy Rittenour, M.D.
Dr. Timothy Rittenour joins LifeCare?s medical staff after
working in the ER as a visiting physician since 2005.
LifeCare Medical Center is pleased to welcome Timothy Rittenour, M.D. to the hospital?s full time medical staff.
A native of Princeton, Minn., Dr. Rittenour is no stranger to LifeCare Medical Center. In fact, since 2005 he has worked as a visiting physician in LifeCare?s Emergency Room.
"I liked the hospital and its new ER very much, and I welcomed the opportunity to make LifeCare a more permanent part of my career path," he says.
Board Certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Rittenour serves patients at Altru Clinic Roseau two to three days a week in addition to hospital work and rotating shifts in the ER. He attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California before moving to Grand Forks in 1988. He completed his family practice residency at UND in 1991. Dr. Rittenour practiced family medicine in Thief River Falls before leaving to pursue the challenges of a career in Emergency Medicine. His travels as an ER physician eventually brought him to LifeCare.
"Working the ER in Roseau introduced me to the people of LifeCare Medical Center and it?s a pleasure to be a permanent part of the medical staff," he says.
Dr. Rittenour brings with him a broad range of experience including years of work as the medical director of the inpatient mental health unit in Thief River Falls. He and his wife Alvina live near Grygla and have five children between the ages of 14 and 27. His interests include singing, playing guitar, writing music, doing mission work, and travel.
Dr. Rittenour welcomes new patients to his practice at Altru Clinic in Roseau. To set up an appointment, call (218) 463-1365.
Partners for Health raises over $25,000
The 2nd Annual Partners for Health fundraising event held just before the holidays drew more than 150 attendees from across Roseau County, and raised over $25,000 for the LifeCare Health Care General Endowment Fund.
Held at the Roseau City Center, the event featured 45 silent and live auctions of local art and prizes. Festivities included a delicious five course meal, live entertainment by the musical group "Reception Jazz" and raffle ticket drawings.
Among the evening's notables were Carrie Evans of Rock Springs, Wyoming who rode off with a Youth ATV, and $100 raffle winner Tim Bjerk of Roseau. Volunteers interested in planning the 2008 Partners for Health event are encouraged to call LifeCare Development Coordinator Sue Grafstrom at (218) 463-4742.
LifeCare employees “Go Red” to promote
women’s heart health
Employees of LifeCare Medical Center showed their support of women’s heart health by opting to “Go Red” on February 1. This nationwide effort to educate women on the importance of making heart healthy choices took on a local style last year when LifeCare’s cardiac rehabilitation department launched its county-wide “Go Red” campaign.
LifeCare boosts patient safety efforts
LifeCare recently received the “Safe from Falls” Award from the Minnesota Hospital Association for its work in patient fall prevention. Pictured are several members of the acute care team who work to implement and maintain fall prevention and safety. From left to right are: (Front row) Rhoda Huglen, RN;
Director of Quality and Risk Management Marilyn Grafstrom, RN; Sue Wilebski, RN; and Sophie Warne, LPN. (Back row): Senior Leader Sue Lisell; Celeste Cain, LPN; Inpatient Manager Roxy Kjos, RN; and Director of Nursing Roxanne Fabian, RN.
As a Joint Commission accredited provider, LifeCare Medical Center continually strives to stay in compliance with the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals. Most of this work is done in collaboration with the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) and Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety, as well as independently to align with the National Patient Safety Goals. In 2007, LifeCare enrolled in three new major safety campaigns launched by the MHA.
They are:
SAFE SKIN –
Launched in February 2007, “Safe Skin” provides hospitals with best practices to prevent pressure ulcers, commonly known as bed sores. LifeCare enrolled in this call to action and achieved 100% on the quarterly score card.
SAFE from FALLS –
Launched in May, “Safe from Falls” helps hospitals prevent patients from falling. With a falls program already under way, LifeCare joined the “Safe from Falls” initiative and moved from 80% to 97% compliance in one quarter. In addition to post-fall huddles, LifeCare added a new daily assessment for falls risk. LifeCare conducts audits of medical charts to review nurse’s documentation and provide positive and constructive feedback to nursing staff. As a result, LifeCare won MHA’s Small Hospital Patient Safety Award for Fall Prevention.
SAFE SITE –
Launched in December, “Safe Site” is the newest safety campaign from the Minnesota Hospital Association aiming to prevent wrong-site surgeries. “Safe Site” provides a roadmap for hospitals to “hardwire” safety practices that reduce wrong-site procedures. The campaign addresses challenging issues like communication and culture within the operating room. LifeCare has met this patient safety goal and is now enrolled in this safety call to action.
Additional Safety Measures
MY MEDICINE LIST -
LifeCare partnered with Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety to promote My Medicine List in Roseau County. LifeCare provided over 3,000 copies of the medicine list to erea Altru Clinic locateions, pharmacies, health fairs, the Roseau County Fair, and flu shot clinics. Lists were also provided to LifeCare patients through various departments
SPEAK UP –
LifeCare Medical Center has put processes in place to encourage its patients to speak up if they have any questions or concerns about their care or safety while in the hospital. For example, patients are encouraged to question the nurse if the pills they receive look different or incorrect. Patients often think it inappropriate to question a doctor or a nurse, however LifeCare welcomes active patient participation to help provide the safest care possible.
If you have any questions about patient safety efforts at LifeCare Medical Center, feel free to contact Marilyn Grafstrom, Director of Quality and Risk Management. (218) 463-2500 ext. 246.
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