BETTENDORF, Iowa – Dec. 30, 2015 -- Genesis Physical Therapy and Wellness will host an Open House on Jan. 9 from 1-3 p.m. with seminars and door prizes.

The...

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Dec. 14, 2015 - Genesis Medical Center, Davenport has again attained Magnet® recognition as part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®.

This credential is the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice.  This voluntary credentialing program for hospitals recognizes excellence in nursing.

Genesis Medical Center Davenport previously attained Magnet® designation in 2005 and 2010.

"Magnet® recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community," said Jackie Anhalt, vice president of patient services and chief nursing executive, Genesis Health System.  "To earn Magnet® recognition twice previously was a great accomplishment and an incredible source of pride for our nurses. Our achievement of this credential for an additional four years underscores the foundation of excellence and values that drives our entire staff to strive harder each day to meet the healthcare needs of the people we serve."

Magnet® recognition has become the gold standard for nursing excellence and is taken into consideration when the public judges healthcare organizations. In fact, U.S. News & World Report's annual showcase of "America's Best Hospitals" includes Magnet® recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

To achieve initial Magnet® recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. The process begins with the submission of an electronic application, followed by written documentation demonstrating qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding patient care and outcomes.  If scores from the written documentation fall within a range of excellence, an on-site visit will occur to thoroughly assess the applicant.  After this rigorous onsite review process, the Commission on Magnet® will review the completed appraisal report and vote to determine whether Magnet recognition will be granted.

An organization seeking to reapply for Magnet® recognition must provide documented evidence of how Magnet concepts, performance, and quality were sustained and improved over the four-year period since the hospital received its most recent recognition.

In particular, the Magnet® model is designed to provide a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes.  Through this framework, ANCC can assess applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization's nursing excellence.  The foundation of this model is composed of various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care.  These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

Magnet® recognition has been shown to provide specific benefits to hospitals and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help, and receipt of discharge information;

• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue;

• Higher job satisfaction among nurses;

• And, lower nurse reports of intentions to leave position.

"We're a better institution today because of the Magnet® recognition we achieved four years ago," Anhalt added. "Magnet® has raised the bar for patient care and inspired every member of our team to achieve excellence every day. It is this commitment to providing our community with high quality care that helped us become a Magnet® facility, and it's why we continue to serve as a Magnet hospital today."

Genesis Medical Center, Davenport is in a select group of 378 healthcare organizations out of nearly 6,000 U.S. healthcare organizations to earn Magnet® designation.

Genesis Medical Center, Davenport was initially designated a Magnet® hospital in 2005. Hospitals must reapply for Magnet® recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet® concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

About Genesis Medical Center, Davenport

For nearly 150 years Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and its predecessors have provided compassionate, quality care to all those in need in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Genesis Medical Center, Davenport provides comprehensive acute care and outpatient services. Genesis Medical Center, Davenport has been recognized at the top-ranked community hospital in Iowa twice - 2014 and 2015 -- by U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals.

About the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®

The Magnet Recognition Program® administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world, recognizes healthcare organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The Magnet Recognition Program® serves as the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program® and current statistics, visit www.nursecredentialing.org/magnet.

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The blanket of white may be attractive from the inside, but eventually the snow must be moved.  Heavy snowfall is not an invitation to suddenly start a strenuous exercise program.

An estimated 1,200 people in the United States die each year of coronary artery disease during and after major snowfalls.

Moving heavy snow can also place additional stress and strain on backs and joints.

Shoveling can be made even more physically strenuous by cold air, which makes it harder to work and breathe. "People need to recognize that snow shoveling is a strenuous cardiovascular workout and they need to be cautious," said David Dierks, D.O., Genesis emergency department physician.

To prevent injury while clearing show, Dr. Dierks suggests the following tips:

Warm up first -- Be sure your muscles are warm before you start shoveling. Warm up a little by walking, doing a few squats or walking stairs a few times. Cold, tight muscles are more likely to sprain or strain than warm, relaxed muscles.

Warmed up your muscles? Then stretch -- "Once your muscles are warmed up, you'll want to stretch your quadriceps, hamstrings and the muscles in your calves and lower back,'' Dr. Dierks said.

To stretch your quadriceps (the muscle in the front of the thigh), stand on one foot, holding onto something stable and bend the other leg behind you. Bring your heel toward your butt with your hand. Repeat with the other leg.

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS PROGRAM RE-CREDENTIALED

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Nov. 13, 2015 -- The Iowa Department of Management and Public Health is pleased to announce that the Scott County Kids Nest of Scott County has earned the Iowa Family Support Credential.  The Scott County Kids Nest program is the 70th Iowa program to earn this important distinction.

Also, the Bright Beginnings program of Scott County has been re-credentialed by earning the Iowa Family Support Credential.  The program is only the third in Iowa to be re-credentialed.

The Iowa Family Support Credential is awarded to family support and parent education programs that are validated through an external evaluation to be in substantial adherence to the Iowa Family Support Standards.

The Iowa Family Support Standards are based on the most up-to-date, evidence- based practice in the family support field.  Adherence to the standards indicates that the program is providing high quality services that will result in positive outcomes for young children and their families.

Bright Beginnings and the Scott County Kids Nest diligently worked toward meeting all of the 138 standards over the course of more than two years with the assistance of a program specialist.  A peer review was conducted by trained peers from central Iowa to validate the program's adherence to the standards.  The Iowa Family Support Credential is valid for five years.

The two programs will celebrate the accreditations on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Genesis VNA and Hospice, 2894 AAA Court, Suite 202, Bettendorf.

For additional information concerning the Scott County Kids Nest program, Genesis VNA and Hospice, Scott County contact Tera Weets, Scott County Kids Nest, 563-421-5070 or send email to weetst@genesishealth.com.

About Bright Beginnings Home Visitation Program:

Genesis VNA Bright Beginnings  Home Visitation Program provides family support and education services to pregnant and parenting families with children through age 5 years residing in Scott, Clinton or Jackson counties.  Goals include helping families establish a relationship with a primary physician, encouraging immunizations for children, preventing abuse of children; and, helping families achieve self reliance.

About Scott County Kids Nest Group Education Program:

Genesis VNA Scott County Kids' Nest Group Education Program provides family support and education services to pregnant and parenting families with children in first 13 months in Scott County.  Goals include increased numbers of healthy births by increasing the number of at-risk pregnant women who receive adequate care and services during pregnancy; increase confidence and competence in parenting abilities; and, increase healthy informal support systems of families.

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