TODAY news - Nov. 21, 2002

Thursday, November 21, 2002 TODAY

Loma Linda University Medical Center news

24th Annual HealthFair Expo held

The public took advantage of the free health screenings at the HealthFair Expo, as more than 3,500 participants came out to the event.

On Sunday, October 27, Loma Linda University, Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital hosted the 24th annual HealthFair Expo. More than 3,500 people participated in the HealthFair Expo, touring 59 booths inside the Drayson Center.

The event provided individuals the opportunity to participate in their own health-care management through free health screenings. Participants also learned to live a healthier lifestyle through information offered at the many health education booths. These people, by taking an active part in their own health care, will not only benefit from treating problems before they arise (preventing pain and anxiety), but will also save money for the future by choosing to take care of themselves today.

In addition to free flu shots for adults and children (with a physician’s note), many free family health screenings were offered.

Some of the more popular screenings were dental, health age appraisal, vision, body fat, height/weight, and hearing.

Free educational information was available on topics including disaster preparedness, cardiac care, first aid, home care, organ donation, nutrition, prostate, pharmaceutical care, cancer, senior health, and sports medicine.

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East Campus urgent care serves community

On September 1, 2002, Loma Linda University Community Medical Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center consolidated their emergency department services onto one campus at Loma Linda University Medical Center. The Community Medical Center emergency room was restructured as an urgent care facility for non-traumatic injuries. Since its opening, more than 100 patients are seen a day.

The consolidation of services was decided upon to better manage expenses and increase efficiency of services. The dedication of the Community Medical Center to urgent care and the new capacity of the Medical Center emergency department means less waiting time for patients.

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Mayor of Hino, Japan, visits Loma Linda University Medical Center

Vivian Hakiman Lopez, MPH, MHA, administrator, ADS (far right, second row) accompanies visitors from Hino, Japan, on a tour. Here they pause for a group photo on the north helipad. Mayor Baba Hiromichi is on the far left of the front row.

Mayor Baba Hiromichi of Hino, Japan, visited Loma Linda University Medical Center’s Adult Day Services (ADS) on July 30. His entourage included private citizens involved with sister city activities. Hino is a sister city to the Redlands Sister Cities Association, a relationship that began in 1963. The Asakawaen Day Services Center is sister day services with LLUMC Adult Day Services. Every year ADS exchanges gifts via visitors to and from Japan. This year the gift made and brought by Hino High School students was a 1,000 crane origami which represents longevity and health.

The group also visited the department of orthotic and prosthetics, NICU, the north helipad, and the Proton Treatment Center.

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National Respiratory Care Week celebrated at LLUMC

Members of the respiratory care department at the pizza feed on Thursday, October 24, one of the five days of food RT administration provided throughout the week.

Loma Linda University Medical Center department of respiratory care celebrated National Respiratory Care Week during October 20 through the 26th. Randy Scott, RCP, RRT, administrative director, and the entire administrative team treated department employees to five days of food and encouragement as a special thank you to the respiratory care staff for their patient care contributions.

The week-long recognition began on Monday, October 21, with gourmet cookies. Ice cream followed on Tuesday. Wednesday the department held a special luncheon in the A-level amphitheater. Philip Gold, MD, medical director of respiratory care, presented an interactive lecture, “Pulmonary Puzzles,” to the audience filled with respiratory therapists and students. Thursday the department feasted on a pizza feed, and Friday topped it off with Krispy Kreme® doughnuts.

The wall welcoming visitors and employees to the respiratory care department showed some of the many faces of respiratory care at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

With nearly 200 people in the department, respiratory therapists work throughout the hospital, helping patients breathe a little easier. Located in just about every department from home care to trauma teams, respiratory therapists help perform intensive care, critical care, and neonatal procedures. They play a vital role on lifesaving response teams that handle patient emergencies. Respiratory therapists also monitor and provide patient care at the Sleep Disorders Center and the Baromedicine Center.

LLUMC enlists the aid of two types of respiratory therapists, the certified respiratory therapist (CRT) and the registered respiratory therapist (RRT). Besides performing patient care, the respiratory care department keeps busy with active research involvement for product development and manufacture.

Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center would like to recognize and thank each member of the respiratory care department for their work as they help evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders in the ongoing mission to “make man whole.”

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Employee benefits fair 2002 shows off new benefits for new year

Donald Gwinn, senior human resources management assistant, emceed the harvest benefits festival on November 4 and announced the winner of the $500 grand prize shopping spree.

On November 4, Loma Linda University Medical Center’s Human Resource Management department held the harvest benefits festival in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. More than 25 booths filled the room, sharing information on the many benefits offered to employees of the Medical Center, Loma Linda Behavioral Medicine Center, and Loma Linda University Health Care.

The fair treated employees to information about upcoming changes to several benefits, chances to win prizes like a $500 shopping spree, and of course free food. Employees benefited directly from the abundance of candy, doughnuts, fresh strawberries, grapes, apples, muffins, ice cream, and juice.

This year’s fair introduced several new benefits and enhancements. The Adventist Healthcare Retirement Plan will see several additions beginning in January, 2003, including an increased basic contribution rate along with a doubling of the matching contribution from the hospital. Employees can also look forward to a weekend differential, a longevity bonus, and an extra shift bonus.

Administration also enhanced its tuition benefits to include textbook reimbursement. Other enhanced benefits included the expansion of family members to the funeral leave policy and free membership to the Drayson Center for employee’s immediate family members. Soon employees will also have increased access to their sick leave hours.

Employees were able to get free flu shots at the employee health services booth.

One of the major new benefits, available in January, 2003, is the new group term life insurance in the amount of $50,000 for full-time employees. This insurance will also offer $5,000 coverage for spouses and $2,000 for each dependent child. This insurance will be provided to all eligible employees, spouses, and children irregardless of any pre-existing health conditions. Eligible recipients are full-time, benefit eligible employees.

This new insurance plan, through the Principal Life Insurance Company, in Des Moines, Iowa, will replace the survivor benefit plan currently in place. The survivor benefit plan provided a death benefit which is not only limited but also taxable as income when paid. The new group term insurance will offer higher limits of coverage that are not taxable upon payment.

Do not forget to take advantage of this new benefit. It is only available on a guaranteed basis during the initial enrollment period of November 1, 2002, through January 1, 2003. For more information on the new insurance benefit call the employee benefits office at extension 44339.

Two changes in the existing health plan coverage will take affect on January 1, 2003. LLUMC and LLUBMC will increase the employer contribution toward the cost of providing medical benefits to employees, rising from $280 to $320 per month. Full-time employees will not have any adjustments to their monthly payments. Due to the employee contribution for part-time employees (50 percent of the full-time rate), part-time employee rates will increase by $20 per month.

While dental coverage rates will remain unchanged, an exclusion will be removed, expanding the dental benefits for employees. Beginning on January 1, 2003, the dental plan will provide 50 percent coverage for dental implants, on the same basis as any other major dental service.

December is the open enrollment month for both medical and dental coverage. Any employee not already participating in the plan may take the opportunity to enroll or extend medical and/or dental coverage to a spouse or child. For more information regarding the health plan, contact the department of risk management at extension 44386.

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Thursday, November 21, 2002 TODAY