Avera Marshall Recent News
Stay Up-to-Date on Recent Happenings
Avera Marshall Purchases Southwest Ophthalmology
A new partnership in health care is ensuring the continuation of vital eye care services for people in the region. On October 1, 2008 Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center purchased Southwest Ophthalmology and Southwest Opticians from Dr. Ted and Chris Fritsche.
The transition will be seamless for patients, with care being given by the same providers as before, including Dr. Fritsche, Dr. Buntrock and Dr. Rund. They are in the same location on the Avera Marshall campus and phone numbers remain the same.
“I couldn’t be happier with how the transaction has gone,” said Dr. Fritsche. “I agree with the philosophies of patient care that Avera provides, and I can use my energy to focus on patient care instead of regulations and owning a business.”
Mary Maertens, CEO/President of Avera Marshall, agrees that the new partnership will be beneficial for the community. “We are confident that together we will be able to offer efficiencies including centralized billing and electronic medical records, yet maintain the personal service that has been the cornerstone of Southwest Ophthalmology.”
The new name is Avera Marshall Southwest Ophthalmology.
Digital Mammography Technology Coming Soon!
At their September 2008 meeting, the Avera Marshall Board of Directors approved the purchase of digital mammography equipment. The Marshall City Council also approved the purchase at its October meeting. It is hoped that this equipment will be installed and available for use in December or January.
Digital mammography is the most advanced technology available to detect breast cancer. It captures the most detailed images possible and offers physicians more viewing options for the earliest, most accurate detection of cancer.
Privatization Process Continues
The Avera Marshall Board of Directors and the Marshall City Council have begun a process to consider the sale of Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center to Avera Health. In 2004, Avera Marshall (then Weiner Memorial Medical Center) formed a partnership agreement with Avera. That partnership has proven to be very beneficial to the medical center and to the community. Leaders from the city and Avera Marshall believe that transitioning to an ownership relationship would provide even more advantages. With a recommendation from the mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force, the board and city council voted to enter into exclusive negotiations with Avera in June 2008. The next steps in the process, to take place over the next several months, include identifying negotiating criteria and determining valuation.
A process such as this naturally generates questions in the community. Please review the question-and-answer page to find out more about the privatization process. If you don’t see the answer to your question, contact us at info@averamarshall.org
Avera Marshall is maintaining open communication with the local news media, so watch for continued newspaper and radio coverage. And plan on attending the forum on October 7.
Answers to Your Questions About Privatization
Avera Marshall Earns Second Patient Safety Excellence Award
Avera Marshall has earned a Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Patient Safety Excellence Award for its work on preventing adverse surgical events.
Because patient safety is a top priority, Avera Marshall joined MHA's SAFE SITE initiative, where Minnesota teams are working collectively on implementing recommended actions to prevent wrong-site surgeries and other surgical events. The MHA Patient Safety Excellence Award is given to facilities that have achieved more than 90 percent of the recommended actions.
“Hospitals that receive these awards are to be commended — the bar is set very high,” said MHA Patient Safety Vice President Tania Daniels. “Hospitals that qualify have achieved measurable and meaningful progress toward implementing best practices to drive down adverse health events.”
For more information about the SAFE SITE campaign, visit the Minnesota Hospital Association Web site at www.mnhospitals.org/index/patient1 .
Avera Marshall also received a Patient Safety Excellence Award for achievements in MHA's SAFE from FALLS campaign in July 2008.
The Minnesota Hospital Association is a trade association representing Minnesota hospitals and health systems.
New MRI Scanner Offers Amazing Images
Another technology upgrade at Avera Marshall means increased comfort for patients and improved diagnostic capabilities for doctors. A new, state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner has been installed and is available for exams. The upgrade allows sharper images, shorter exam times and expanded test capabilities, all near home.
Combined with other recent upgrades like the 64-slice CT scanner and the 4D ultrasound units, the new MRI scanner elevates Avera Marshall's diagnostic imaging services to the highest standard in the region.
