Pavilion Opens at Adventist Medical Center

Adventist Medical Center, in Portland, Ore., recently held a grand opening event for its new pavilion, drawing hundreds of attendees. The celebration featured a program with local and state dignitaries, a ribbon cutting ceremony and interactive tours showcasing the hospital's 181,000 square-foot expansion. The pavilion houses the Northwest Regional Heart Center, an expanded emergency department, improved access and expanded space for radiation oncology patients, as well as additional physician office space and a multi-level parking garage.

Nursing Residency Begins at WWGH

Walla Walla (Wash.) General Hospital recently began offering a nurse residency program. The hospital teamed up with Versant, a not-for-profit organization specializing in nurse residencies, to offer this 18-week program designed to help new nursing graduates get up to speed quickly and safely.

With instructor-led courses, guided clinical experience and a dedicated mentor, the program provides consistency and support in training for new nurses. It is designed to increase nurse confidence and competency, lessen turnover and improve employee, physician and patient satisfaction. WWGH is the first hospital in Washington to offer the program and joins several other Adventist Health hospitals already featuring the program.

Birthing Services Improve in Tillamook

Tillamook (Ore.) County General Hospital recently made several enhancements to its Family Birth Place. The hospital installed a new state-of-the-art fetal monitoring system. The OBIX Perinatal Data System automatically records the fetus' vital information into an electronic medical record. It also gives safety alerts about abnormal developments.

"Our hospital is proud to be a part of a community that makes excellence a priority, especially when it comes to maintaining up-to-date medical equipment," states Larry Davy, TCGH president and CEO.

Quality Nursing Care Recognized in Portland

In early summer, Adventist Medical Center was recognized for its commitment to quality nursing from 2007 through 2009, based on the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) program. The NDNQI is the only national program that measures nursing quality and provides hospitals with unit-level performance reports.

"We're thrilled to receive the recognition," says Carol Kunau, AMC Patient Care Services vice president. "This honor is confirmation of our team's commitment to continually enhancing the quality and safety of our patients' care."

Tillamook Employees Collect Food

Employees at Tillamook County General Hospital have made an ongoing commitment to give back to their community. Each month the hospital collects non-perishable food items for those in need. To date, the hospital has donated nearly 200 pounds of food to the Tillamook Food Bank to help feed the hungry in the community.