November events at Rice >>

Questions about the seasonal flu? >>
Questions about the H1N1 virus? >>
How to stop the spread if infection. >>
What you need to know about flu vaccines. >>

Pet Therapy may be just what the doctor orders

The newest Rice Hospice volunteers don't drink coffee or drive cars, but they can still decrease patient anxiety and stress, provide a diversion from physical discomfort, and make their patients laugh or smile.  Vistis from pet therapy dogs can also reduce incidences of depression, alleviate social and emotional isolation and boredom, and expand communication and comfort for the grieving.  Imagine the comfort that a calm, friendly dog might give to a patient who once had a dog in their life but recent circumstances don't allow it.

Rice Hospice's first graduates of the Pet Therapy Program are Sugar and Linda Just, Willmar; Gunner and Shelly Viven, Willmar; Cookie and Betsy Hallberg, Willmar; Monet and Glennis Peterson, Willmar; Maxine and Kathy Oakes, Ortonville/Graceville; and, Oliver and Dolly Lyngren, Montevideo.  Pets had to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test, then make it through three observations at a care faciltiy, followed by the Therapy Dog Incorporated Tests.  As soon as the dogs and handlers get their certificate in the mail they can begin seeing hospice patients who request visits.

John O'Neill shares his heart recovery story

Meet John O'Neil - husband, father, grandfather, and a full-time farmer living in Olivia, Minn.  An actively competing tri-athlete, John passed out following the Frozen 5K run in Spicer on January 24 of this year.  The weather conditions and physical exertion that came together that day to cause him to pass out just may have saved John's life. >> continued

Outstanding Patient Experience Awards

Rice Memorial Hospital is one of ten Minnesota hospitals to win a HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award for 2009/2010.  This award recognizes hospitals for their patient satisfaction.  Criteria such as communications, responsiveness, cleanliness, quietness, and discharge instructions are used to rate patients' experiences.  HealthGrades analyzed patient satisfaction data for 3,711 hospitals in the country using hospital survey data obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. >> To view additional hospitals named and award criteria.

Birth Registration Awards given to 39 Minnesota Hospitals

Rice Memorial Hospital was one of thirty-nine Minnesota hospitals that received "Excellence in Birth Registration" awards from the Office of the State Registrar in the Minnesota Department of Health.  The awards recognize hospitals for their accurate and timely registration of newborns through the state's electronic registration system.  During 2008, 72,216 babies were born in Minnesota at one of the state's 109 birthing facilities.  Essential information is required to be filed for each birth with the Minnestota Department of Health.  Birthing facilities that received awards met or exceeded important criteria, including completion of 92 percent of all birth registrations within five days of the birth.

Hospital Safety Campaigns

The Minnesota Hospital Association presents quarterly Patient Safety Excellence Awards to hospitals that excel in each of four areas:  SAFE SKIN, SAFE COUNT, SAFE from FALLS, and SAFE SITE. >> See report.