Carolinas Hospital System poised for growth

-- Carolinas Hospital System is looking to grow in 2016.

Quite a few projects are underway at the 420-bed facility on Pamplico Highway, and next year will see continuing activity as several renovations and upgrades totaling about $5 million go into effect.

“Our goal is to continue to expand and improve and deliver the best care possible anywhere in the country,” said chief executive officer Darcy Craven. “Not just South Carolina.”

30 MINUTES OR LESS

About half the admissions at Carolinas Hospital System come through the emergency department. Craven calls it the “front door” of the hospital and is proud of a recent “facelift” that should improve patient flow.

There’s a new fast-track area for non-emergency care to see, treat and discharge patients quickly. Bi-lingual posters help Hispanic or Latino patients navigate through their health care experience.

A new senior-friendly area assists older patients in escaping hustle and bustle in what can be an area humming with people.

“We’ll see about 45,000 (emergency department) visits this year,” Craven said, which is up about 6 percent from last year.

Craven touts a 30-minute pledge as a way to assure folks they’re a priority.

“Nationwide, the emergency room is notorious for where people go to wait, and our pledge to the community is on average, you’re going to see a provider within 30 minutes of coming in,” he said.

Those stats are measured monthly – not too long ago the hospital was pushing a 45 minute pledge.

“We’ve really worked to improve our service offering,” he said.

Finishing touches of a complete overhaul of the waiting room have recently been completed and all patient rooms will get new paint and furniture.

“It was time,” he said, “and it was needed from wear and tear.”

About a third of the Women’s Center has recently been transformed, said chief operating officer Kyle Baxter, and the other two-thirds will get spruced up next year.

“So basically brand new labor and delivery, post-partum, NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit) and well baby and new equipment,” he said.

Renovations to the second-floor visitor’s lounge are complete, he said, and new furniture is expected to arrive next week.

“It’s more space for patients to be with their loved ones in the hospital,” he said. “It’s a nice quiet area for them.”

And the entire exterior of the main building will be cleaned, resealed and painted “so it looks brand new,” he said.

The hospital’s robust cardiac care area will grow; Dr. Abdallah Kamouh, a cardiologist with Carolinas Medical Alliance’s cardiology arm, is the most recent addition.

Orthopaedics is also slated to see additional staff, and the idea is for patients to be able to have “a whole continuum of care,” Craven said. “The thing I’m really focused on – I want people to trust us with their care.”

Several other areas will also expand with new providers: cardiovascular, family and internal medicine, podiatry, OB/GYN including urogynecology, urology, pulmonology, physical medicine and rehabilitation.

KEEPING IT SAFE

Craven touts a recent Certified Zero Harm Award from the S.C. Hospital Association as “a testament to providing great care.”

“It’s really about providing evidence-based high-quality care,” he said.

When a hospital records no specific preventable hospital acquired infections during a 12- or 18-month period – and that data is independently verified by DHEC – a zero-harm award is given.

Carolinas Hospital System sustained zero bloodstream infections for 18 months in the renal dialysis unit, oncology unit, CVICU (cardiovascular intensive care unit), and MICU (medical intensive care unit), as well as no surgical site infections of the knee for 30 months.

Lori Gibbons, R.N. and vice president for quality and patient safety at the S.C. Hospital Association, said it takes a village to achieve zero harm.

“Physicians, clinical and support staff must come together and determine how they can improve existing processes,” she said.

FACING CHALLENGES

By 7:30 a.m. on most days, Craven is enjoying a nice stroll around the hospital.

“It’s a good time to walk through the facility and talk to staff,” he said. “I try to get out as much as possible.”

It’s also a great time to get feedback from physicians.

“I like to pop in the physicians’ lounge,” he said.

Craven became CEO in February 2012 after serving as COO, and wants Carolinas Hospital System to offer as many services as possible.

Part of that challenge is recruiting doctors, who are in high demand. Competing with Columbia or Charleston is helped by showing off downtown Florence, he said, especially when younger doctors see ongoing revitalization efforts.

“We’ve had a great couple of recruiting years. The biggest challenge is availability,” he said. “Primary care is very difficult.”

The Affordable Care Act will create more demand for services, he thinks.

“And it’s becoming more difficult to find high-quality physicians,” he said.

Like many other Florentines, Craven is excited about Francis Marion University’s Health Sciences building under construction, which could help keep talented health care providers in the Pee Dee.

“That should really help us long term,” he said.

All in all, being in charge of Carolinas Hospital System is very enjoyable, he said.

“I really enjoy the role and community,” he said. “My family is really ingrained in Florence.

This story was originally published November 8, 2015 at 12:16 AM with the headline "Carolinas Hospital System poised for growth."