When patients consider quality of care, they may think of doctors, nurses and other members of the medical staff. Administrators and support personnel also play a vital role by keeping everything moving smoothly as patients travel through the system, from pre-registration to post-op recovery.

Valerie Anthamatten has managed the business office at OSCD for the last eight years. Her hard work and dedication, built on 14 years of experience in an ambulatory surgery center setting, reflect the mission and values that OSCD shares with its partner Surgical Care Affiliates. As an integral part of our team, Val was chosen as the 2018 OSCD Values Hero.

“I take pride in knowing I can make a difference, even if I’m not physically taking care of a patient,” she said. “I am contributing to their well-being and providing ease with their understanding on the administrative side of their experience, such as registration, insurance benefits, and overall quality of care at OSCD.

“Being a the OSCD Values Hero means that I am working with an amazing, supportive team,” Val explained. “They drive me to do my best and I strive to keep moving forward and grow. It is such an honor to be associated with OSCD teammates and physicians.”

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Melody Hargrove, OSCD Director of Nursing, was one of two 2017-2018 Surgical/Procedural Finalists for The Bernard A. Kershner Innovations in Quality Improvement Award. Her presentation, Reducing Immediate Use Steam Sterilization, received top honors at the AAAHC Achieving Accreditation Conference in March.

“Mel was one of the top finalists for this national award,” said Andrew Summers, OSCD CEO. “Her hard work ethic and attention to detail are well known here. We are proud of her achievement.”

The prestigious Bernard A. Kershner Innovations in Quality Improvement Award recognizes AAAHC-accredited organizations that successfully implemented meaningful changes in their operations to boost quality of care, patient safety and overall efficiency.

Representatives from the winning organizations received “The Bernie” – named for Bernard A. Kershner, a leader in ambulatory health care and distinguished past Chair of the AAAHC Institute Board of Trustees – at the 2018 Achieving Accreditation conference on March 17 in Tampa, Fla.

In the primary care category, the winner, Winslow Indian Health Care Center, implemented a comprehensive study to improve medication reconciliation during the transition of care process from hospital to ambulatory care and reduce readmission rates. The surgical/procedural care winner, Danbury Surgical Center, conducted an efficiency study to reduce pharmaceutical costs while maintaining quality of care.

(Source: Health Exec)

Congratulations, Helen Vu, OSCD’s Q1 Employee of the Quarter! Helen has been with OSCD for seven years. Her responsibilities as a Business Office Clerk put her at the forefront of patient care and customer service. She greets patients and their family members, maintains order in the lobby, manages patient check-in, assists with insurance and billing, generates reports, and handles pathology and medical records.

Helen was nominated by Veronica Salas based on the OSCD values, integrity and teamwork. Here is what Veronica had to say about Helen:

[Helen] continues to extend of the hand of what SCA is all about, patient care. She always helps to do the work that needs to be done by the end of the day: getting charts done for the next day, taking payments over the phone and counter. She has great phone skills and a very pleasant voice. Helen assists with daily work flow with coworkers, office manager, etc. She helps with future quotes and great customer service to all our patients, coworkers, management and all personnel.

“I enjoy working with patients and their families,” Helen said. “I love working with all the departments at OSCD. Everyone is helpful and I really enjoy everyone’s different personalities.”

Helen is a longtime resident of Richardson. She lives with her husband and three children, Taylor (18), Kaitlin (16) and Charlie (8).

Thank you for all your hard work, Helen!