Quality Awards & Recognition

GMC Cardiac Rehab Program Receives Recognition


October 27, 2016 - - Glendive Medical Center's (GMC) Cardiac Rehab Program was recently recognized by the Montana Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (MACVPR) and the Cardiovascular Health Program within the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services. The project evaluates over 110 cardiac rehab programs from 17 states. They track and report on a uniform set of evidence-based cardiac rehab quality indicators.

GMC's Cardiac Rehab Program had the highest rating of all small hospitals from Montana and Wyoming participating in the project this past year. Of the 13 quality indicators evaluated, Glendive's cardiac rehab program exceeded the regional benchmark in 11 of the 13 indicators. This is the second time Glendive's cardiac rehab program has won this award - the first being in 2012.

Glendive Medical Center's cardiac rehab program was recognized at MACVPR's annual conference in Kalispell. Congratulations to the cardiac rehab staff on the excellent care they are providing to our cardiac patients in and around Glendive.

To learn more about GMC's Cardiac Rehab Program, please visit www.gmc.org.

group of four people holding plaque

Glendive Medical Center Receives Quality Award


Glendive Medical Center was recently awarded the Montana Rural Healthcare Performance Improvement Network's Quality Improvement Award for its work on Emergency Department Transfer Communications. The awards were announced during the general session at the MHA Annual Convention held in Billings on September 29, 2016.

The Montana Rural Healthcare Performance Improvement Network (PIN) is a voluntary membership of 48 critical access hospitals throughout the state. Through this Network, member hospitals are able to benchmark their performance with their peers on a variety of financial, utilization and direct patient care measures that encourage safe, effective, patient-centered care delivery in even the most remote communities of the state. PIN quality of care measures are based on national benchmarks, but are tailored to reflect the realities of the state's rural population.

Throughout 2015 & 2016, PIN members worked to improve the completeness of patient care information documented and provided during transfer from the Emergency Department. Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) play a vital role in stabilizing and transferring patients in emergency situations. Emergency Department Transfer Communication measures allow CAHs to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of that important role. Improved transitions of care are a key component of increasing the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of health care services. Effective transfer of patient information from the ED to the next site of care can foster continuity of patient care and help to reduce errors and improve outcomes.

Applicants for awards in 2016 were required to demonstrate measurable improvement in two or more of the previously mentioned quality of care focus areas. Applicants were also required to demonstrate an active and leading role in supporting PIN quality improvement efforts by participating in PIN events and sharing with peers.


Glendive Medical Center has demonstrated a commitment to its community and the region it serves through its efforts to participate in the PIN's benchmarking and quality of care improvement programs.



Aster Awards logo

GMC Wins Three Aster Awards


June 2016 - Glendive Medical Center has been recognized among the nation's most elite health care marketing professionals in the 2016 Aster Awards Competition for two advertisements and one video. The Aster Awards Competition is one of the largest national competitions of its kind, hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc. This program recognizes outstanding health care professionals for excellence in advertising and marketing efforts for the calendar year of 2015.

GMC received a gold award for its Oncology advertisement, and received silver awards for the Walk-In Clinic Billboard design, and the 50 year celebration "The Best is Yet to Come" video. This video featured personal appearance by over forty GMC employees. GMC competed with hospitals that are 75 beds and under.

The 2016 Aster Awards received approximately 3,000 entries. All entries are judged by industry experts and are scored on multiple criteria with a possibility of 100 total points. Participants' entries competed against similar-sized organizations in their specific groups and categories. To view some of GMC's videos, please visit www.gmc.org.

All winners are posted on the Aster Awards website (www.AsterAwards.com), as well as published in Marketing Healthcare Today, a national health care marketing magazine.


ACR Radiology seal

GMC Awarded CT Accreditation


October, 2012 -Glendive Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in Computerized Tomography (CT) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). A CT scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the body. A computer creates separate images of the body area, called slices. Three-dimensional models of the body area can be created by stacking these slices together. The images help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.



SHARP logo

GMC Receives SHARP Award


July, 2012 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) was awarded Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) status for four of their facilities in July of 2012: Acute Care, Gabert Clinic, Home Health/Hospice and The Heritage. SHARP is part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) On-site Consultation Program, which works in conjunction with Montana's Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). SHARP recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. "We didn't set out to win an award. We sought out to improve our safety standards… We look forward to continuing on the safety journey," said Scott A. Duke, GMC CEO.

One of the greatest results of achieving this prestigious award is the benefit to the patients in both safety and cost savings. Furthermore, the award demonstrates that GMC is truly living out their shared safety ision; "Aspire to eliminate events of harm." Achieving SHARP status is another important step in the continuous improvement process.

GMC CARDIAC REHAB PROGRAM RECEIVES RECOGNITION


May, 2012 - Glendive Medical Center's (GMC) Cardiac Rehab Program was recently recognized by the Montana Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (MACVPR). MACVPR, along with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MDPHHS), said GMC's Cardiac Rehab Program had the "highest ratings" of the non-interventional hospitals participating in the patient outcomes program. "There are ten quality indicators evaluated, and GMC's Cardiac Rehab Program exceeded the regional average more often than any other program in the project," Penny Maher, RN and GMC Cardiac Rehab Coordinator said.

Maher explained that patients in GMC's Cardiac Rehab Program complete self-assessment forms upon being admitted and discharged from the Program. Some of the specific data evaluated for the outcomes program included patient blood pressure, BMI, lipid levels, physical activity, smoking status, dietary fat intake, general health and well being. Patient satisfaction and program completion rates were also evaluated. "The goal of GMC's Cardiac Rehab Program is to guide patients toward better health through positive lifestyle changes," she said.

Director of PI to Serve on Advisory Board


Mona Humphrey, Director of Performance Improvement, has been named as a member of the Performance Improvement Network (PIN) Advisory Board Data Task Force Team. The goal of this team is to review the data that PIN is currently collecting. The data is used to make recommendations for revisions to PIN data collection projects. Congratulations, Mona!

Extended Care Receives Pinnacle Awards


April, 2012 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) is pleased to announce that GMC's Extended Care Facility has been awarded 2012 Pinnacle Customer Service Awards in multiple areas. Over the course of the last twelve months, Pinnacle Quality Insight, a nationally-recognized customer service satisfaction firm, has interviewed the customers of Glendive Medical Center Extended Care regarding their satisfaction levels. Pinnacle seal for 2010

Customers were asked to evaluate several aspects of the service they received. From the results of these interviews, Pinnacle has determined that GMC Extended Care has qualified for Pinnacle Customer Experience Awards in the following service areas

- Dining Service
- Laundry Service
- Communication from Facility
- Overall Safety

The Customer Experience Award is awarded to care providers who have achieved best-in-class customer satisfaction standards within their peer group.

Congratulations to the staff of GMC Extended Care for achieving this honor!

Medical Provider Receives Founders' Award


March, 2012 Glendive Medical Center (GMC) announced that Arthur K. Fink, DO, is the recipient of the 2012 Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation Founders' Award for exceptional accomplishment in the field of osteopathic medicine. To receive the award, presidents of several
osteopathic medicine organizations throughout the Northwest were asked to nominate a professional who has made a significant contribution to the field. "It is an honor to have been nominated for this regional award. I am pleased and honored to receive it," Dr. Fink said.

Dr. Fink graduated from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri and completed his residency at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. He is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine and has worked at GMC for 18 years.

During his career at GMC, Dr. Fink has served as President of both the Montana Osteopathic Medical Association and the Montana Board of Medical Examiners. He was the Chief of Staff at GMC for three years and recently helped implement GMC's Hospitalist Program, where he serves as a Hospitalist. "Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the wholeness of every patient and concentrates on treating the patient as a whole and not simply treating symptoms. I enjoy and believe in what I do," he added.

Physician Assistant Receives "Difference Maker" Award


February, 2012 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) is pleased to announce Carleen Gaub, PA-C, has received "The Difference Maker" award from the Montanans for Children, Youth and Families, Incorporated (MCYF). The annual award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the families of Montana through service and education.

The award is given to a recipient who has made a substantial difference in "Keeping Montana Forever Family Friendly" and is voted on by the Board of Directors for MCYF. "Carleen's contributions truly benefit the lives of our children and families in this area. She has served this area for over 39 years, and she deserves this award in every way," Pete Bruno, MCYF President said.

For more information about MCYF, please visit www.mcyf.net.

Digital Mammography Unit Earns ACR AccreditationACR Radiology seal


August 9, 2011 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) is pleased to announce that its new Digital Mammography unit has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography from the American College of Radiology (ACR). "We are extremely pleased to have received this accreditation for our new Digital Mammography unit. It is our goal to continue offering the most advanced technology in the field of mammography," Kevin Maxwell, MD, stated.

The ACR gold seal accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR practice guidelines and technical standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 health care professionals. For over three quarters of a century, the ACR has devoted its resources to making imaging safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. For more information, please visit www.acr.org.

GMC Publications Win Aster AwardsAster Awards logo for 2011


May 10, 2011 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) has been recognized among the nation's most elite health care marketing professionals in the 2011 Aster Awards Competition for two of its publications. "It was an honor to have the number of health care organizations and agencies that participated in this year's competition. The quality of the entries went well beyond the judges' expectations," said Melinda R. Lucas, Aster Awards Program Coordinator.

GMC received two awards for publications. GMC's 2009 Community Benefit Report received a Gold Award, meaning it scored in the top 5% in the nation. The GMC Historical Brochure received a Silver Award, meaning it scored in the top 12% in the nation. GMC competed with hospitals that are 75 beds and under.

The Aster Awards Competition is one of the largest national competitions of its kind, hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc. This elite program recognizes outstanding health care professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year of 2010.

The 2011 Aster Awards received approximately 3,000 entries from across the United States as well as Canada and South America. Judging criteria included creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal.

All winners are posted on the Aster Awards website (www.AsterAwards.com), as well as published in Marketing Healthcare Today, a national health care marketing magazine. For more information about GMC publications, please contact Kim Wiseman, Marketing Specialist, at 345-2614.

EMVH & Extended Care Named U.S. News Best Nursing HomesU.S. News seal for 2011


U.S. News and World Report recently announced that Glendive Medical Center Extended Care and Eastern Montana Veterans Home were awarded five star ratings by the federal government's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

U.S. News pulls together government data and compiles an Honor Roll list of the best nursing homes across the nation. The data includes over 15,000 nursing homes across the U.S. Individuals can search the Honor Roll to find out which facilities received the highest overall ratings with respect to a facility's performance in health inspections, nursing staff, and medical care. Homes are ranked in tiers based on their star ratings in these three individual categories.

Both EMVH and Extended Care received five star ratings in Nursing Care. Additionally, Extended Care received four star ratings in Health Inspections and Quality Measures. EMVH received an additional four star rating in Health Inspections.

To look at the U.S. News Best Nursing Homes 2011 Honor Roll you can go to www.health.usnews.com/senior-housing.
Congratulations to both facilities on a job well done!

Extended Care Receives Pinnacle AwardsPinnacle seal for 2010


Glendive Medical Center is pleased to announce that Extended Care is the proud recipient of the following six Pinnacle Quality Insight Awards for 2010:

2010 Best In Class rating for Overall Safety
2010 Best in Class rating in Professional Therapy Services
2010 Best in Class rating in Response to Problems
2010 Best in Class rating in Communication From Facility
2010 Best in Class rating in Facility Cleanliness
2010 Best in Class rating in Overall Quality of Stay

Congratulations to all those who make Extended Care a wonderful home for our residents!

GMC Newsletter Wins Aster Award


February 26, 2010 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) has been recognized among the nation's most elite health care marketing professionals in the 2010 Aster Awards Competition for its newsletter, Health Connection. "It was an honor to have GMC participate in the 2010 Aster Awards Competition. They placed in the top five percent of the nation. The quality of this year's entries went well beyond the judges' expectations," said Melinda R. Lucas, Aster Awards Program Coordinator.

GMC submitted its 2009 Health Connection newsletter and received a Gold Award, meaning it scored in the top 5% in the nation for hospitals that are 75 beds and under. The Aster Awards Competition is one of the largest national competitions of its kind, hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc. This elite program recognizes outstanding health care professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year of 2009.

The 2010 Aster Awards received approximately 3,000 entries from across the United States as well as Canada and South America. Participant's entries competed against similar-sized organizations in their category. Judging criteria includes creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal.

All winners are posted on the Aster Awards website (www.AsterAwards.com), as well as published in Marketing Healthcare Today, a national health care marketing magazine. For more information about GMC publications, please contact the Marketing Department at 345-2614.

GMC Receives Governor's 2009 Safety AwardGroup of four holding a plaque


February 2010 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) recently announced that it received the Governor's 2009 Award for Occupational Safety and Health. "The Safety Committee and everyone at GMC have worked proactively to create a culture where safety of the patient, guest, employee, and anyone who comes through our doors, is of the utmost importance. It's encouraging to see how far we've come," GMC Safety Officer Todd Opp stated.

The Award, presented at the Montana Governor's Workers' Compensation and Occupational Safety and Health Conference each year, recognizes the commitment to excellence in the workplace safety and health arena. The award is the highest honor given by the State of Montana in recognition of occupational safety and health excellence.