Lifepoint Health corporate leadership and LAMC officials gathered at a special celebration on May 9 to recognize LAMC for its continued quality excellence. Back row from left, James McGonnell CFO, Dr. Chris Frost Chief Quality and Medical Officer, David McCullough Division Medical Group Services, Caryn Iverson western Division VP quality, Dávid Loehr, Division Compliance Director, Jason Zachariah Chief Operations Officer LifePoint Health, Jen Aldefer Western Division President; and Tracie Stratton CEO of LAMC. Front row from left, Debra Temple, Chief Nursing Officer LAMC, Mo Jones Slack; VP Quality Operations LifePoint Health and Traci Nordberg, Chief People Officer of LifePoint Health. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Doctors, nurses and staff listen to a LifePoint Health corporate leadership team presentation during a special celebration May 9 recognizing LAMC for excellence. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
The LifePoint Health corporate leadership team attended a special celebration recognizing Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) for its continued quality excellence.
At the event, held Friday May 9 at the medical center, LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton welcomed the officials, saying, “May is a very special month for those of us who work in healthcare … this week, we are wrapping up National Nurses Week, which is particularly close to my heart as a registered nurse. I am thrilled that we have some special guests from LifePoint Health here today to help us celebrate our dedicated team of nurses, providers and staff for the amazing work we do in advancing quality and patient safety, access to care, and our mission of making communities healthier.”
LifePoint Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jason Zachariah addressed the crowd.
“I am so proud and honored to be here in Los Alamos today … for more than 70 years, this hospital has played an integral role in this community,” Zachariah said. “As the community has evolved, so has our team and services, and it’s amazing to see how we are continuing to advance our mission of making communities healthier, today and for future generations. Two years ago, this team was honored as a LifePoint National Quality Leader and since then, you have continued to advance culture, quality and patient safety, grow key services and be a great community partner.”
Zachariah spoke to the doctors, nurses and staff members who assembled for the event, commending them on achieving high marks for participation and improved engagement for their Culture of Safety & Engagement survey and much more.
“You have been successful in recruiting new specialists to the area, upgrading imaging and surgical services with new ultrasound machines, an MRI and surgical tower and the opening of a new state-of-the-art sleep lab – all so those who live and work here in Los Alamos can access high quality care here on the hill,” he said. “And this great work is being noticed as Los Alamos was one of just four New Mexico hospitals to be named to Newsweek’s list of Best-In-State Hospitals for 2024. LifePoint is so proud of you and the work you do – it truly exemplifies healthcare with heart.”
LifePoint’s Chief Medical Officer & Chief Quality Officer Dr. Chris Frost shared his thoughts on LAMC’s quality excellence journey.
This team was honored as a LifePoint National Quality leader two years ago … a prestigious designation held today by less than 1/3 of LifePoint hospitals nationwide … and LAMC continues to be one of only two facilities in our western division to earn and retain this honor,” he said. “LAMC’s quality, patient safety and experience measures continue to be quite remarkable.”
Dr. Frost shared a few highlights:
- LAMC has surpassed an entire year without NHSN harms in CAUTI (urinary tract infections), SSI (surgical site infections) and PNE, and more than eight years without a CLABSI (central line blood stream infection);
- LAMC’s OPPE/FPPE process has been recognized by The Joint Commission as a best practice, and had no findings in the medical staff chapter for the first time ever;
- LAMC continues to exceed goals for CPOE and BCMA; and
- LAMC obtained 100% in the 3-hour and 6-hour bundle elements for March.
“For these and so many other reasons, you continue to set the bar high for your counterparts in the West and across Lifepoint,” Dr. Frost said. “As we all know, behind all the numbers, data and metrics, healthcare is – first and foremost – people taking care of people. And great quality cannot and will not happen without a great culture and team driving it forward.”
Dr. Frost explained that earlier in the team’s visit they had the opportunity to tour LAMC and meet with many members of the staff, ”which illustrated the strength of your culture here and underscored how truly invested each of you are in providing the highest quality care for your neighbors, friends and family. I want to personally recognize and thank our physicians, nurses, staff, board members, patients and community, for your ongoing engagement and support that continues to drive our mission forward.”
LifePoint Health Western Division President Jen Alderfer, LAMC Board Chair Linda Daly and others also commended LAMC’s CEO, doctors, nurses and staff for achieving this high level of excellence.
The remarks portion of Friday’s event was followed by LifePoint’s corporate leadership team serving desserts and chatting with those gathered.
LifePoint Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jason Zachariah expresses his appreciation to LAMC’s CEO, doctors, nurses and staff for achieving such a high level of excellence. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
LAMC Board Chair Linda Daly commends LAMC’s CEO, doctors, nurses and staff for achieving a high level of excellence. LifePoint Health’s Dr. Chris Frost and Jason Zachariah and LAMC’s CEO Tracie Stratton listen at left. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Scene from the LifePoint Health corporate leadership team presentation during a special celebration Friday recognizing LAMC for its continued quality excellence. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Doctors, nurses and staff listen to the LifePoint Health corporate leadership team presentation during a special celebration recognizing LAMC for its continued quality excellence. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
LifePoint Health corporate leadership team treats doctors, nurses and staff to desserts. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com