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New Christian Hospital President Tells Area Leaders About Improvements, Goals
BY BOB LINDSEY
Christian Hospital’s immediate goals include hiring and retention of quality staff, especially physicians and nurses, improving the financial structure of the hospital, and improving the overall image of the hospital.
These were among the priorities outlined by new Christian Hospital president Ron McMullen at last week’s North County Community Leaders breakfast hosted by the hospital at Northwest HealthCare. McMullen assumed his new duties as president on April 30. He returned to Christian after 23 years at Alton Memorial Hospital. Alton Memorial had merged with Christian Health Services in 1990 and both became part of BJC in 1993.
McMullen wants to change the patient care experience, whether in the hospital or outpatient. “We want patients to tell others about their position experiences and then come back.”
One of the prime areas of concern is getting North County residents to seek health care at Christian Hospital and the new Northwest HealthCare center (an outpatient facility). Currently, 46 percent of people living in North County seek health care outside the area. “That’s a terrible loss, but presents a great opportunity,” said McMullen.
In the area of hiring, McMullen noted that 71 RNs have been hired this year, one-third more than last year. The hospital has also hired eight new physicians within the last 18 months. “We want employees to feel that Christian is a great place to work,” he said.
He calls the patient improvements currently being implemented “the Sweet 16.”
“Every one of our employees must be a concierge,” he said. Other improvements he cited include: hourly rounds, offering patient pocket folders and pens, computers on wheels for nurses plus cell phones, a communication board for staff and families and the Care Partner program whereby a family or friend can serve as a 24 hour caregiver in private rooms. McMullen said every incoming patient would be offered a private room first, as long as one is available.
Another area the new Christian Hospital president had achieved good results at Alton Memorial was improving the financial strength of the hospital. “We’ve had some bad years and like any business we need to be paid for our services in a timely manner.” This means better documentation to Medicare and the insurance companies “to assure proper payment,” he said.
McMullen concluded with the good news that Christian’s three-year accreditation renewal was approved after only a five-day state joint commission inspection. “With excellent results,” he added.
Christian Hospital started quarterly breakfast meetings for North County community leaders two years ago with attendance increasing steadily.
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