INSIDE: Enhancing care for premature newborns and critically ill infants • How we’re helping our community

WHERE THE EXPERTS ARE: Our doctors partner with Children’s Hospitals and Clinics Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to provide immediate special care right at St. Francis.

Fall 2010HEALTHpartnersin

Family Birth PlaceEnhancing carE closE to homE For youngEr, sickEr BaBiEsThe birTh oF a child is one of life’s most precious experiences. That’s why St. Francis Regional Medical Center continues to take steps to ensure that every delivery at its Family Birth Place offers the level of care and safety that its patients expect and deserve. St. Francis also continues working hard to make it possible to care for younger, sicker newborns at the hospital so that patients can remain close to home while still receiving expert care.

In 2006, St. Francis became the first hospital in the state to offer 24/7 neonatal telemedicine through a program with Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. Two years ago, the Family Birth Place went even further when it brought neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP) from Children’s on-site. A vital neonatal care component, NNPs are now present 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They are at every delivery, including cesarean sections.

“It is extremely important to our patients that we be able to manage and offer the care necessary for a baby needing immediate neonatal care,” says Ann Friedges, RN, BSN, MAN, patient care manager of the Family Birth Place and pediatrics. “Having NNPs on-site ensures that we have the right mix of staff and technology available to respond to all situations.”

NNPs are highly trained and prepared to help man-age critical care deliveries. Their advanced education

typically includes a master’s degree in nursing, an RN license and national certification. NNPs per-form advanced medical procedures in infant stabilization and resuscitation and oversee routine medical care delivered by skilled

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nurses, including administering medica-tion, monitoring vital signs and recording patient activity. Skilled and experienced pediatricians are also able to assist with delivery when necessary.

a higher level of careIn June 2010, St. Francis took yet another major step toward enhancing its critical care team by adding an on-site rounding neonatologist from Minnesota Neonatal Physicians, PA, the same physician group that leads the medical care at Children’s neonatal intensive care unit. The neona-tologist makes rounds daily to help take care of the everyday needs of babies in the special care nursery, the area in the Family Birth Place devoted to treating premature and ill babies. The rounding neonatologist is available 24/7 and works in conjunction with the on-site NNP as well as the attending pediatrician or fam-ily medicine physician.

“We’ve added another level of exper-tise,” Friedges says. “Our NNPs have immediate access to consult with a neonatologist 24 hours a day and will now have daily face-to-face interaction as well. We’re putting in place the appro-priate structure, expertise, education and equipment so that we can care for more premature and ill newborn

babies right here on campus.” Neonatologists are physicians who

have completed specialty training in pediatrics and subspecialty training in the care of premature or sick newborns—they typically have received more than six years of training after medical school. Neonatologists also care for babies who go home but then come back to the hospital within their first month of life. The neonatologists join St. Francis’ ex-panding team of expert practitioners, which includes highly skilled nurses, NNPs, family medicine physicians, cer-tified nurse-midwives, obstetrician/ gynecologists (OB/GYN) and pediatricians. This expertise supports the consistent ranking of the Family Birth Place as among the best birth-ing centers in the Twin Cities and the nation.

Jane Barthell, MD, is one of 12 board-certified neonatolo-gists from Minnesota Neonatal Physicians, PA, now making rounds at St. Francis. Dr. Barthell says

Family Birth Place

continued on page 4

The Family Birth Place consistently ranks among the best birthing centers in the Twin Cities and the nation. Pictured (from left) are Jordan resident Alyssa Dubbe, Park Nicollet Clinic certified nurse-midwife Jennifer Stoffers and Allina Medical Clinic – Shakopee OB/GYN Evan Griffiths, MD.

Jane Barthell, MD

Partners in Health  3

they are all excited to become part of the community.

“Our goal is to keep babies close to Mom and Dad, near their home and their families, whenever it’s clinically appropri-ate,” she says.

A mom who is as early as 34 weeks gestation can now deliver at St. Francis. Friedges says the hospital’s long-term goal is to continue to care for moms who are at lower gestational stage or at a higher risk and provide even more com-prehensive and specialized care for pre-mature and newborn babies. Newborns in critical condition are transferred im-mediately via helicopter or ambulance to Children’s.

Currently, there are about 100 births a month at the Family Birth Place. Dr. Barthell says that over time, because of the skill and expertise that the hospital is working toward, OB/GYNs and family medicine physicians will be able to deliver even more babies at St. Francis. “The younger the gestational age, the more support a baby needs,” she says. “We are optimistic about

keeping and supporting those babies here in Shakopee.”

a personal experienceSt. Francis’ special care nursery can care for up to six babies at a time. Many of these babies simply need to get help with feeding or grow bigger. Such was the case for Jacob Nelson.

Laurie Nelson, of Chaska, delivered baby Jacob in March 2009 at St. Francis at 34½ weeks gestation. He weighed 6 pounds and 4 ounces, and although he was premature, he was strong. During his stay, Jacob had jaundice and required a feeding tube.

“We had recently moved to the area and did a lot of looking around before selecting a hospital,” Nelson says. “We chose to deliver at St. Francis not only because we knew the right staff would be there, but because of their special care nursery. My husband and I knew they’d be ready for us if and when we needed them. It was comforting to also know a helicopter could immediately take our baby to Children’s in an emergency. We

didn’t think we’d need it, but we thought it was pretty sensible to have the option in place.”

Jacob stayed in the special care nurs-ery for 11 days until he gained enough weight to go home. New mom Nelson was able to stay in her hospital room the entire time to be near Jacob. She even got three meals a day with menu service.

“The staff took care of me in more ways than one,” she says. “The nurses became my friends. The only thing I had to do was focus on Jacob. I truly felt everyone

continued from page 3

Family Birth Place

“It’s a refreshing change,” says David Druckman, MD, OB/GYN, about the newly remodeled Family Birth Place suite. “The little touches make it easier and more comfortable for patients, such as placing electrical outlets in convenient, accessible locations for laptops and phone chargers.” There are also large flat-screen TVs, flat-lying sleeper chairs, Wi-Fi, menu service, free parking and more.

4  Partners in Health

was there to help us along. After we came home, I heard one particular nurse’s voice for weeks. Shahnaz had so much experience. She took away all my indecision—it was exactly what I needed.”

When we last spoke with Nelson, she was 37½ weeks pregnant with her second child. The family was thrilled to be going back to St. Francis. “We didn’t want to deliver anywhere else,” Nelson says. “The care we received was wonder-ful. The staff is so experienced, helpful and kind; it makes such a difference. And while of course I hope we don’t need the Special Care Unit again, if we do, we have the reassurance that they will take care of us.”

expertise and convenienceWhile there are often short stays at the special care nursery, there are plenty of long stays as well, such as for twins who need to stay for weeks until they grow enough and can go home.

The special care nursery also has other important technology, including electronic central fetal monitoring and a state-of-the-art system to screen for hearing loss in newborns.

“People who come to our hospital are from this community and want to stay here,” Friedges says. “It’s hard enough to have to leave your baby or babies at the hospital and then to be far away too—that’s really hard on parents.”

David Druckman, MD, OB/GYN, has

been with Park Nicollet Clinic for 10 years and is currently serving his second term as clinical director of women’s health at St. Francis. He under-stands what it’s like to have to travel to see your new-born baby.

“I’ve had two preemies myself,” he says. “We lived in Cambridge at the time and had to drive an hour into Minneapolis. We did it for 2½ months for one baby and six weeks for the other; it was a real hassle. Of course you do anything for your child, but being able to have your baby being cared for closer to home—that is a huge advantage.”

Dr. Druckman is proud of the strides made at St. Francis and looks forward to the future.

“It’s really about how premature a baby can we deliver here,” he says. “In years past, we didn’t have the personnel or the equipment to take care of earlier gestational ages. Now we can deliver more babies here and keep moms and babies together in Shakopee, closer to home. It’s so important for patients.”

To learn about childbirth classes at St. Francis, turn to page 8. Or you can check out our new, enhanced website at www.stfrancis-shakopee .com.

Baby Jacob, of Chaska, in the St. Francis special care nursery

The nurses who work at the Family Birth Place have more than 1,000 years of combined experience.

Partners in Health  5

ST. FranciS Regional Medical Center is part of the Allina Hospitals & Clinics health system, whose mission reaches be-yond the bedside as its team of dedicated employees works to improve the health of the communities it serves.

What is community benefit?“As a not-for-profit organization, Allina’s mission extends beyond providing excep-tional health care to patients. We are also improving the health of the communi-ties we serve,” says Ellie Zuehlke, Allina Hospitals & Clinics community benefit di-rector. “Community benefit is a planned, coordinated and measured approach to

identify and respond to the health needs of our communities.”

how much allina gave back in 2009Allina’s total 2009 community investment was $420 million, which is approximately 15 percent of total operating expense. Of that total, $171 million provided commu-nity benefit to lessen the health care bur-den for people in the communities Allina serves. This includes charity care, which is caring for patients who are unable to pay or have no health insurance or for whom government-sponsored Medicare and Medicaid programs do not cover the full cost of services.

“At both the Allina system and local level, we’re proud of the community bene-fit services we provide,” Zuehlke says. “We partner with communities to improve the health and wellness of community mem-bers while providing exceptional care.”

St. Francis builds community At St. Francis, we:

➜ Are partnering with the River Valley Nursing Center and St. Mary’s Health Clinics to meet the needs of the unin-sured and underinsured people in our community.

➜ Continue promoting Heart Safe Communities, placing automated exter-nal defibrillators and holding free “CPR Anytime” classes.

➜ Work with our campus partners St. Gertrude’s and the Park Nicollet Clinic in the Scott County Summer Health Careers Work Program, giving students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of careers in health care.

Beyond what we do as a community partner, our staff members also give generously of their own time, money and expertise in a wide variety of commu-nity activities, including participating in fundraisers like the Scott County Relay for Life and sponsoring a work camp week with Habitat for Humanity in Chaska. The St. Francis staff members worked together to donate more than 900 hours of service during the Chaska work camp, a real dem-onstration of caring for our community.

AllINA’S commuNIty bENEfIt

going beyond the bedside

Our staff members give generously of their own time, money and expertise in a wide variety of community activities.

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Partners in Health  7

clinic locationsAllina medical clinics➜ Crossroads – Dean Lakes, 4201 Dean Lakes Blvd. 952-496-6700

➜ Crossroads – Chaska, 3000 N. Chestnut St. 952-448-2050

➜ Crossroads – Prior Lake, 14033 Commerce Ave. N.E. 952-447-1700

➜ Shakopee, 1601 St. Francis Ave. 952-428-3535

Quello clinic➜ Savage, 4102 Egan Drive 952-985-8200

➜ Lakeville, 17599 Kenwood Trail 952-985-8200

Park Nicollet clinics➜ Shakopee and Prior Lake 952-993-7750

➜ Obstetrics/gynecology 952-993-3282

fairview Jonathan clinic ➜ Chaska, 1580 White Oak Drive 952-448-3500

Valley family Practice➜ Chaska, 822 Yellow Brick Road 952-448-3303

St. francis cancer center➜ Shakopee, 1455 St. Francis Ave. 952-428-2031

metropolitan Pediatric Specialists, PA➜ Shakopee, 1415 St. Francis Ave. 952-445-6700

St. francis Specialty care clinic➜ Shakopee and Chaska 952-428-2600

Primary care

Urgentcare

➜ St. Francis Regional Medical Center Urgent Care, Shakopee 952-428-2111. Monday through Friday, 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 10 p.m.

➜ Quello – Lakeville, 17599 Kenwood Trail 952-985-8655 Monday through Friday, 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed all major holidays.

➜ Park Nicollet Clinic – Burnsville, 14000 Fairview Drive, 952-993-8700

➜ Park Nicollet Clinic – Chanhassen, 300 Lake Drive E., 952-993-4300

➜ St. Francis Regional Medical Center, 1455 St. Francis Ave., Shakopee 952-428-3000

➜ Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E. 28th St., Minneapolis 612-863-4000

➜ Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, 6500 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park 952-993-5000

Emergency careIN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL 911.

PARTNERS IN HEALTH is published as a community service for friends and patrons of:St. fRANcIS REGIoNAl mEDIcAl cENtER1455 St. Francis Ave., Shakopee, MN 55379-3380. St. Francis Regional Medical Center is jointly owned by Essentia Community Hospitals and Clinics, Park Nicollet Health Services, and Allina Hospitals & Clinics.

David Zelinsky, Board Chairman

michael baumgartner, President

mary Hestness, mD, Chief of Staff

lori manske, Editor

Karen cook, Assistant Editor

Contributors: cover photo by Alli Jagoda Photography.

Information in PARTNERS IN HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider.

Copyright © 2010Coffey Communications, Inc. HSM25384h

To find a primary care doctor near you, visit allina.com/doctors or call 800-877-7878.

your secure, online health connection MyChart is an Internet tool that enables you to schedule and cancel appointments, manage your health information, review your test results, manage your child’s health care and more—online, anytime! For more information or to sign up, talk to your clinic or visit allina.com/mychart.

Patients have the right to choose their provider for primary, urgent and emergency care. This listing may not include all medical providers in your area.

c l a s s e s a n d e v e n t sTo register for prenatal classes, go to allina.com or call 866-904-9962. Dates and times subject to change.

New Parent connection Meets the first Wednesday of every monthThis class, cosponsored by ECFE, is designed for children up to 4 months old. For information, call 952-496-5033.

breastfeeding Support Group Follows “New Parent Connection” Call 952-428-2064 to register.

Small talk and baby Sign languageThis is a sign language class for babies who can hear. This class will help you and your baby or tod-dler understand each other and decrease frustration.

New brother/ New SisterMeets every four to six weeksA one-night class to help children ages 2 to 8 years prepare for the birth of a sibling. All participants should bring a doll or stuffed animal.

breastfeeding PreparationMeets once a month One-night class offering

helpful hints to prepare for breastfeeding.

childbirth PreparationChoice of a four-week series or the Weekend ExpressPlan to attend classes dur-ing the last three months of pregnancy.

All About babies Meets every monthDesigned for new parents to learn how to care for their infant.

Hypnosis for childbirthMeets Tuesday nights for five weeks Learn how the mind and body are connected and work together to help you give birth in comfort and awareness. Plan to complete the class during your second or early third trimester of pregnancy.

Vaginal birth After cesarean Meets quarterly Designed for women who have had a previous cesarean birth and are considering a vaginal birth.

Infant and child cPR Meets every four to six weeksDoes not qualify you for CPR certification.

car Seat Safety Meets once a monthThis class helps the expectant or new

parent learn about car seat safety. U-Care and eligible Medica members covered. Scholarships and seats available for those in need of assistance.

Infant massageFor infants 3 weeks to 1 year old. To register, call 952-496-5033.

Prenatal yoga by blooma™ Meets Sundays and Tuesdays Exercise your mind and body during pregnancy to increase well-being and to heal more readily after the baby is born. To register, go to www.stfrancis-shakopee.com and click on “Classes” or call 952-848-1111.

byob—bring your own baby by blooma™Meets SundaysFitness, fun and togeth-erness for mom and baby. To register, go to www.stfrancis-shakopee.com and click on “Classes” or call 952-848-1111.

Vinyasa flow yoga for you!FridaysRecharge and recon-nect with your best self. Preregistration is encouraged but not required. Go to www.blooma.com, or call 952-848-1111.

Emergency medicine Services Education/cPRFor details and to regis-ter, call 612-262-5040.

Joint careFREEDesigned for people who are scheduled for total knee or hip replacement

surgery. To register, call 952-428-2565.

Diabetes PreventionOffered monthlyDesigned for anyone who has been diag-nosed with pre-diabetes or those with a family history of diabetes. For more information, call 952-428-3324.

s u p p o r t g r o u p slow Vision Meets the second Thursday of every month 10 to 11:30 a.m. Get information and friendship with others dealing with vision loss. Call 952-428-2002.

HeartMeets the first Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m.For people who have been diagnosed with heart disease. Call 952-428-2080.

Smoking cessationIf you’re ready to stop smoking, call 888-354-PLAN (7526).

Women’s connectionMeets the fourth Monday of every month, 7 p.m. Support for women with cancer. Call 952-428-2700. The ACS’s Look Good...Feel Better representatives are at each meeting. Call 800-ACS (227)-2345 to sign up.

Infant loss Meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m. Get help for dealing with the pain of losing an infant through mis-carriage or stillbirth. Call 952-428-2002.

Diabetes EducationMeets the first Monday of every month, 7 p.m.Call 952-428-3324.

calendarMARk YOUR

For class cancellations, tune in to WCCO TV Channel 4 or WCCO Radio 830, or go to www.wcco.com or www.830wccoradio.com.

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Baby Addisyn, of Belle Plaine