Avera Marshall Recent News
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Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center is Purchased by Avera
The city of Marshall has sold the medical center to Avera in Sioux Falls. The $38.5M acquisition became formal on November 2, 2009.
“Today, we celebrate our continued ability to serve the region,” said Bob Byrnes, mayor of Marshall. “Avera has proven to be a good partner for us and this fits our vision for the future. The timing was right for this to happen, given the financial strength of the hospital, the desire by Avera to invest deeper in the community and the city’s interest in divesting itself of health care operations.”
The city of Marshall has paid off bond debt and associated costs, supplemented the public employee retirement benefits that ended with privatization and contributed back $10M to the medical center foundation to support projects including the hospital surgery remodeling and cancer program development and community health and wellness needs. The city will keep $2M to use for public purposes.
“We believe this to be a solid investment by Avera and consistent with the community’s vision to grow as a regional medical center,” says John Porter, Avera president and CEO. “Our organization’s mission is to provide quality health care for all individuals, and this acquisition benefits both Avera and the Marshall community.”
The medical center, including the hospital and nursing home, will remain nonprofit, with revenues directed back into operations in Marshall. Decisions for the medical center will continue to be made by a local board of directors with input from Avera. Administration will continue to be charged with day-to-day operations.
Emergency Department Customer Service Top 4% in Nation
At Avera Marshall we strive to deliver compassionate, quality care in our Emergency Department, and our patients are telling us we're right on the mark. In recent surveys, patients have given us high scores for showing concern for comfort, taking time to listen, waiting time, pain control, overall care and courtesy of nurses, doctors and other staff.
Survey Data
95th Percentile
99 Courtesy of radiology staff
98 concern for comfort during radiology tests
98 Staff cared about you as a person
98 How well pain was controlled
98 Felt safe and secure in emergency room
97 Informed about delays
97 Nurse took time to listen
97 Nurses' attention to your needs
96 Overall rating
96 Waiting time before noticed arrival
96 Helpfulness of first person
96 Nurses' courtesy
96 Nurses' information about treatments
96 Nurses' concern for privacy
95 Comfort of waiting area
90th Percentile
94 Waiting time to treatment area
94 Waiting time to see doctor
92 Waiting time for radiology test
Avera Marshall uses the services of an independent patient satisfaction firm, Press Ganey Associates, Inc. The survey data is from October to December 2008.
Avera Marshall First in Region to Offer Digital Mammography
Digital mammographyis the most advanced technology to detect breast cancer, and Avera Marshall is proud to be the first in the region to offer it. Featuring:
- The most advanced images possible for more viewing options and accurate detection
- Lower radiation than traditional machines
- Support from a full network of care specialists
- Mammography credentialed staff
- Specialized on-site Breast Radiologist
Choose Avera Marshall
You can schedule your mammogram by calling toll-free: 1-877-537-9189. Ask about convenient Thursday evening and Saturday morning appointments. Get a complimentary "Think Pink" t-shirt at your appointment. You and your physician will receive a report of your exam.
Avera Marshall Earns Third Patient Safety Excellence Award
Avera Marshall has earned a Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Patient Safety Excellence Award for its work on preventing retained objects in labor and delivery through the SAFE COUNT initiative.
Because patient safety is a top priority, Avera Marshall joined MHA's SAFE COUNT initiative, where Minnesota teams are working collectively to prevent objects such as sponges from being retained in patients after giving birth. The MHA Patient Safety Excellence Award is given to facilities that have achieved more than 90 percent of the recommended actions.
“Hospitals that receive these awards are to be commended — the bar is set very high,” said MHA Patient Safety Vice President Tania Daniels.
For more information about the SAFE SITE campaign, visit the Minnesota Hospital Association Web site at www.mnhospitals.org/index/patient1 .
Avera Marshall also received Patient Safety Excellence Awards for achievements in MHA's SAFE from FALLS campaign in July 2008 and the SAFE SITE campaign in October 2008.
The Minnesota Hospital Association is a trade association representing Minnesota hospitals and health systems.
Avera Marshall Purchases Southwest Ophthalmology
A new partnership in health care is ensuring the continuation of vital eye care services for people in the region. On October 1, 2008 Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center purchased Southwest Ophthalmology and Southwest Opticians from Dr. Ted and Chris Fritsche.
The transition will be seamless for patients, with care being given by the same providers as before, including Dr. Fritsche, Dr. Buntrock and Dr. Rund. They are in the same location on the Avera Marshall campus and phone numbers remain the same.
“I couldn’t be happier with how the transaction has gone,” said Dr. Fritsche. “I agree with the philosophies of patient care that Avera provides, and I can use my energy to focus on patient care instead of regulations and owning a business.”
Mary Maertens, CEO/President of Avera Marshall, agrees that the new partnership will be beneficial for the community. “We are confident that together we will be able to offer efficiencies including centralized billing and electronic medical records, yet maintain the personal service that has been the cornerstone of Southwest Ophthalmology.”
The new name is Avera Marshall Southwest Ophthalmology.
New MRI Scanner Offers Amazing Images
Another technology upgrade at Avera Marshall means increased comfort for patients and improved diagnostic capabilities for doctors. A new, state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner has been installed and is available for exams. The upgrade allows sharper images, shorter exam times and expanded test capabilities, all near home.
Combined with other recent upgrades like the 64-slice CT scanner and the 4D ultrasound units, the new MRI scanner elevates Avera Marshall's diagnostic imaging services to the highest standard in the region.
