California hospital emphasizes business development
Valley Presbyterian Hospital, one of the largest acute care hospitals in California’s San Fernando Valley, plans to implement strategies to strengthen its business development efforts.
Officials at the 350-bed facility, which employs 500 physicians, want to increase patient and physician satisfaction, recruit and retain seasoned primary care physicians and specialists and expand comprehensive services.
These development efforts are headed by Julie Reback, the hospital's vice president of business development.
“It is the joint partnership that allows us to provide a physician-friendly environment,” said Reback. “We do this by keeping the channels of communication open between leadership and our physicians and providing them with the tools, technology and facilities to excel in patient care. Their talent and innovative ideas are a vital component to the care we deliver.”
The hospital recently opened an Amputation Prevention Center, which provides inpatient and outpatient diagnostics and surgeries for an expanding yet underserved population of diabetics with limb-threatening conditions. As part of its initiative, the hospital upgraded the technology of its Imaging Department, acquiring a 64-slice CT scanner, nuclear medicine camera, radio fluoroscopy room and two new vascular ultrasound machines.
The hospital has improved its IT as well by introducing a physician portal – a fast, efficient means by which physicians can access relevant nursing information about their patients in real time, including lab work, radiology reports and medication information.
The hospital has also renovated its operating room suites to support orthopedic, cardiac and complex spine surgeries and has made plans for a 75,000 square-foot medical office building, scheduled to start construction by the end of 2010.
Reback and Gustavo Valdespino, the hospital's president and CEO, emphasized the hospital's desire to improve community outreach and service efforts.
“The community that we serve is central to all that we do,” Valdespino said. “While Valley Pres has continued to see significant volume growth across multiple service areas, it is equally important that we continue to maintain a community-centered approach to patient care. From our board to our leadership, medical staff and employees – we are all equally committed to providing the highest quality patient care and experience.”
“We plan on having a strong presence in our community by increasing our involvement in community health fairs and supporting organizations that mutually respond to the needs of the community we serve,” Reback added.
Photo by Cbl62 acquired via Creative Commons license
