SoutheastHEALTH has once again been awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing SoutheastHEALTH’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare.
The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to healthcare quality and safety. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is based on a hospital’s performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.
“SoutheastHEALTH is absolutely committed to patient safety,” said president and CEO Ken Bateman. “When patients come to the hospital, they expect and deserve excellent care. Part of that care is knowing that our staff always has patient safety top of mind, even during the very challenging year we have experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re honored to once again earn this national recognition.”
“An ‘A’ safety grade is an elite designation that the community should be proud of,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group. “The past year has been extremely difficult for hospitals, but SoutheastHEALTH shows us it is possible to keep a laser focus on patients and their safety, no matter what it takes.”
Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute care hospitals twice a year. The National Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and results are free to the public.
To see Southeast’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow the Leapfrog Groupon Twitter and Facebook.
About SoutheastHEALTH
At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 13 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
Dexter, MO - SoutheastHEALTH will once again be providing FREE physicals for all Dexter athletes entering grades 7th - 12th.
This will take place at SoutheastHEALTH in Dexter on Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Athletes should take advantage of this service even if you had a physical in the last year.
Physical forms will be on hand at T.S. Hill Middle School and the Dexter High School offices.
Students must have page 2 and page 3 completed along with a signature from their parent/guardian before meeting with the healthcare provider.
Welcome to SoutheastHEALTH Michelle Backfisch. She earned her BSN at Southeast Missouri State University in 2014. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. She also has certification in Basic Life Support (BLS)
Since she was a child, Michelle Backfisch knew that she wanted to provide care for people in rural areas. That desire developed into a nursing career. It was while working in outpatient care that Michelle learned that many people have chronic, challenging conditions that require more than an office visit. Working in palliative care, Michelle is able to focus on the many needs of individuals with these conditions. In her spare time, Michelle and her family enjoy exploring the great outdoors through hiking, fishing, hunting and camping.
Expert Has More Than 43 Years of Service in the Manufacturing Sector
SoutheastHEALTH has announced the appointment of Fred Ducharme to the Hospital’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. He joins the directors with a wealth of experience as an adept leader with demonstrated accomplishments in quality, human resources, management and strategic alliances.
Ducharme’s broad spectrum of experience includes more than 43 years in various leadership roles in the automotive manufacturing sector, currently as Vice President, TG Missouri in Perryville MO. The company has an extensive customer base extending across the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Mexico and Taiwan.
“With the challenges we face in healthcare, navigating disruption, and cost pressure, Ducharme’s expertise combined with TG Missouri’s focus on supporting programs that result in sustainable civic, cultural and environmental improvement, will be vital for positioning Southeast’s ongoing success for the future,” said Ken Bateman, President and CEO of SoutheastHEALTH.
"SoutheastHEALTH’s strategy has never been more compelling. They’ve experienced tremendous growth and I am incredibly energized to participate with the Hospital’s Directors in development of the next phase of innovation and ongoing success," Ducharme added.
Ducharme is active in the community and has the pleasure of collaborating with local universities and colleges to build and strengthen the workforce in the region. He has played a key role in the partnership between TG Missouri and Ranken Technical College. He has also helped sponsor a four-year Industrial and Systems Engineering program with the state of Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University.
The SoutheastHEALTH Board of Directors is comprised of Steven Green, Chairman; James Dufek, Vice Chairman; Charles Kruse, Secretary; Stanley Crader, Treasurer; Frank Kinder, Immediate Past Chairman; Donny Beasley, Curt Buchheit, Kevin Ford, Jamie Dost Harrison, MD, Michael Kohlfeld, Benjamin Lewis, Christine Mackey-Ross, Robert Neff, A.M. Spradling, III and Angie Umfleet.
Southeast Hospital is updating its policy for visitors on the Obstetrics Unit as COVID-19 continues to favorably trend downward in the region.
Beginning immediately, two visitors will be allowed. Those two visitors must be the same two individuals during the course of mom’s stay. One support person can be with mom on a continual basis. The second support person can attend the labor and delivery and then visit during the recommended hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On the Obstetrics Unit, essential quiet time from 8 to 10 a.m. is recommended to allow bonding time for mom and baby.
All visitors to Southeast Hospital will be screened upon entry. As a reminder, face coverings are required at all SoutheastHEALTH locations. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to visit at this time.
The Obstetrics Unit visiting policy will be re-evaluated as we continue to monitor the number of regional COVID-19 cases, which is part of our ongoing effort to ensure the safety of patients, families and staff.
About SoutheastHEALTH
At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 13 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.
