Day Kimball Healthcare Establishes Patient Advisory Council, Receives Joint Commission Advanced Certification in Primary Stroke Care

PUTNAM, CONN. – Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) has formed a patient advisory council and received advanced certification in primary stroke from The Joint Commission, it was announced at its Annual Corporators’ Meeting held on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Thompson Raceway Restaurant in Thompson, Conn.

The patient advisory council will be chaired by Karen Osbrey, co-owner of WINY 1350 radio station, and Donald St. Onge, DKH senior vice president and chief operating officer. The council will include representatives from the organization’s 13-town service area and will meet quarterly to discuss strategic initiatives impacting the transformation of healthcare service delivery in Northeast Connecticut.

“Now, more than ever, it is important – critical even – that we not allow the current trials of healthcare transformation to distract us from our true purpose.” said Robert E. Smanik, FACHE, DKH president and CEO. “It is the intention of Day Kimball’s leadership to create a process that amplifies the voices of the people we serve as we work diligently, thoughtfully and responsibly to transform how healthcare is delivered without losing sight of why we are here: to work together to keep Northeast Connecticut healthy.”

Patient advisory council members will be assembled by invitation during the first quarter of 2014 with the initial quarterly meeting scheduled in April. St. Onge stated, “Basically, Day Kimball’s goal for forming this council is to work more closely with patients to better understand how the changes in healthcare are affecting their ability to access care, have a positive experience while receiving care, and ultimately live the healthiest life possible.”

“I am honored to be invited to co-chair the patient advisory council and not surprised that Day Kimball is committed to staying close to the people in our region,” said Osbrey. “The advisory council will provide an opportunity to listen and learn in order to make decisions that work for both the patient and the organization. As long-time residents of Putnam, I know the organization well, but I have a feeling that through this effort I am going to learn a lot more about how healthcare works.” 

Chairman of the board Jack Burke publicly revealed for the first time that DKH recently received Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers by The Joint Commission, in conjunction with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

"In achieving Joint Commission advanced certification, Day Kimball has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its stroke patients,” said Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission, in a statement. “Certification is a voluntary process and The Joint Commission commends Day Kimball for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

Other recent recognitions sited by Burke were from Fazzi & Associates for Day Kimball HomeCare’s Patient Satisfaction Award of Distinction and iVantage Health Analytics’ Healthstrong Award for Excellence in outcomes for patient safety indicators, readmissions and mortality. These awards were received in the last six months.

Burke invited the corporators and guests to visit Day Kimball’s website to review their 2013 annual report, which breaks down the financial results of an $8.5 million dollar loss, along with other service volume and achievement highlights. DKH reported on its 2013 fiscal-year financial results in November, immediately following the completion of its audited financials.

Burke said that he is encouraged by the leadership team’s efforts to pull together to mitigate last year’s challenges; to craft a responsible budget for DKH’s fiscal-year 2014 that projects a positive bottom line; and to continue to work collaboratively to monitor and manage the organization’s financial performance over the coming year.

During the business portion of the meeting, Steven Schimmel, MD from Woodstock was newly appointed to the board of directors; and Karen A. Cole of Thompson and Garfield Danenhower, MD of Pomfret were reappointed to the board; and Joseph Adiletta of West Woodstock was named vice chairman.