Five Allina hospitals recognized as among the best in state
Facilities recognized as leaders in patient care and safety, community programs and work place quality
MINNEAPOLIS 01/16/2007--Five Allina hospitals received awards at the Minnesota Hospital Association's (MHA) 2006 awards presentation in Plymouth, Minn., on Friday, January 12. The awards recognize caregivers, administrators, volunteers and others whose outstanding contributions in 2006 bettered health care in their hospitals and across the state. Winners were selected by a panel of independent judges.
"I'm extremely proud of our award-winning hospitals," said Dick Pettingill, president and chief executive officer of Allina Hospitals & Clinics. "These programs exemplify Allina's commitment to quality care, community health and exceptional workplaces and it's an honor to be recognized as leaders in the state."
Award-winning hospitals
These Allina hospitals received awards.
United Hospital (St. Paul, Minn.) - Innovation of the Year in Patient Care Award - Best Minnesota Hospital Work Place
United Hospital in St. Paul won the "Innovation of the Year in Patient Care Award" for large hospitals. United significantly reduced the number of falls and related injuries among its geriatric psychiatry patients by consistently applying new safety measures and protocols, including a rigorous evaluation process to identify those patients at a greater risk of falling.
United Hospital was also selected as this year's "Best Minnesota Hospital Work Place" in the large hospital category. By instituting innovative new retention strategies, including hiring a retention specialist and creating work teams devoted to improving loyalty, United cut its employee turnover rate in half from 2000 to 2006, from 30 percent to 15 percent.
Mercy & Unity Hospitals (Coon Rapids and Fridley, Minn.) - Community Health Commitment Award
Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Unity Hospital in Fridley received the "Community Health Commitment Award" in the large hospital category for their combined Healthy School Initiative, the "Power Hour." By providing after-school exercise and nutrition instruction to children in the Anoka Hennepin School District, the program improves health and fitness.
Buffalo Hospital (Buffalo, Minn.) - Community Health Commitment Award
Buffalo Hospital received the "Community Health Commitment Award" in the small hospital category for a variety of programs focused on improving traffic safety, which contributed to an average 38 percent reduction in severe injury and fatal crashes on Wright County roadways; reducing obesity by inspiring wise nutrition and activity choices; and improving cardiovascular health by placing nearly 100 defibrillators in community gathering places.
New Ulm Medical Center (New Ulm, Minn.) - Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace - Health Care Career Promotion
New Ulm Medical Center was named "Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace" in the small hospital category. The hospital has enjoyed skyrocketing employee engagement scores and better staff retention after, among other measures, leaders began giving each department scorecards to measure success.
New Ulm Medical Center also won the small hospital "Health Care Career Promotion" accolade for partnering with the Girl Scouts Peacepipe Council in Southwestern Minnesota to offer a health career fair for girls in 5th through 11th grade.
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit health care system of hospitals, clinics and other patient care services that provides exceptional care to communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin and employs more than 22,000 people. Allina facilities, services and jobs can be found online at www.allina.com.
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