Longmont United Hospital

2 / LONGMONT UNITED HOSPITAL SPRING 2015 A Planetree Healing Environment For permission to reprint any portion of this magazine, to let us know that you are receiving more than one copy, or if you would prefer not to receive the publication, please write to: CIRCULATION@TRUENORTHCUSTOM.COM OR CALL 800.624.7496 To submit a publication idea, email barbara.turney@luhcares.org or call 303.485.4298. Dear Friends, The healthcare landscape is changing shape every day—but one constant remains: The care delivered at Longmont United Hospital is second to none. Our employees and physicians understand that healthcare is more than making diagnoses and prescribing medications. Healthcare is considering the patient's well-being and doing whatever it takes to ensure the patient feels informed, actively involved in his or her plan of care, and comfortable. It is extremely important that we continue to deliver the high-quality healthcare in which our communities are accustomed. Not only are we focused on growing and delivering exceptional care within the walls of the Hospital, but we are expanding the patient-centered experience throughout our region. Late last year we announced our affiliation with Centura Health—Colorado and Western Kansas' leading healthcare provider. Like Longmont United Hospital, Centura Health is focused on connecting Coloradans to affordable, world-class care through an integrated network and delivered as close to home as possible. While the Hospital is already nationally recognized for quality and patient satisfaction, our collaboration with Centura Health will lead to even higher quality, and improved services and efficiencies for our patients as we meet the healthcare challenges of the future. Through this merger, three key priorities will improve healthcare in our communities: • Quality—the merger will improve quality and coordination of care throughout the region as our physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff share best practices and clinical protocols and closely measure and report results. • Efficiency—our focus is on becoming more efficient through process improvement and economies of scale in order to deliver more convenience for patients; stem the tide of rising healthcare costs; and stay viable even as reimbursement to hospitals and physicians is reduced. • Access to care—as a result of the merger, patients throughout our service area will have access to a larger, stronger network of independent and affiliated physicians and services. Centura Health offers the greatest number of points to access care in Colorado. Longmont United Hospital and Centura Health are two very successful healthcare organizations driven by a shared desire to collectively build upon our success. By combining our strengths, resources, experiences, and capabilities, we'll be well positioned to meet future healthcare challenges while expanding access to high-quality, high-value care for patients throughout the region. Sincerely, Mitchell C. Carson President and CEO Longmont United Hospital CEOLett er DEFINING A DRINK One alcoholic drink is considered 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends no more than seven drinks per week for women and 14 drinks per week for men. Rethink Your Drink IN HER BOOK Notes on Nursing, Florence Nightingale described a patient's need for beauty, even to look out a window or gaze at a vase of f lowers: "People say the effect is only on the mind. It is no such thing. The effect is on the body, too." At Longmont United Hospital, we believe that healing environments and art are a necessary part of the healing process. The beautiful art featured throughout the facility adds to the ambiance and reflects the history and resurgence of our hometown. Our Hospital is designed to incorporate the comforts of home with the highest level of technology so you can feel at ease with your surroundings and know you are receiving top-notch medical care. At the Hospital, we provide spaces for both solitude and social activities, including the library, kitchen, family living room, chapel, gardens, and overnight accommodation for families. Our homelike environment and beautiful art help our patients and families to feel more at home and are vital to healing and well-being. Promote Healing B eautiful Surroundings

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