KV Healthcare

Your Home for Health

2020

KVH partners with The Shoemaker Foundation to Reduce Maternal Mortality in Kittitas County

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Kittitas Valley Healthcare has partnered with the Shoemaker Foundation to implement the Blue Band Initiative in Kittitas County; a project that aims to improve awareness, recognition, and management of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a multi-system progressive disorder that can occur any time during pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery. It is characterized by hypertension and evidence of organ injury. As many as one in twelve pregnancies is affected by preeclampsia.

The Blue Band Initiative provides patient education and home blood pressure devices so mothers experiencing hypertension can closely monitor their health. Home monitoring and early recognition of symptoms may mean the difference between life and death for women with preeclampsia. Mothers are encouraged to wear a special “blue band” bracelet to quickly alert first responders and healthcare providers that she is at risk for preeclampsia, limiting delays in diagnosis and treatment. Thirteen separate healthcare organizations in Kittitas County are participating in the Blue Band Initiative.

The Blue Band Initiative fosters a shared model of care between the patient and her healthcare team promoting both quality patient care and patient self-advocacy. Kittitas Valley Healthcare Obstetric provider, Dr. Holly Dawson said “Patients have given great feedback about the program stating that it is helpful for them to be proactive about their health. They feel empowered to understand what is going on with their bodies and when to seek care.”

KVH would like to formally thank The Shoemaker Foundation for their support of this important initiative.

The Foundation at KVH was established in 1986 to support the mission of Kittitas Valley Healthcare. It consists of a 19-member volunteer board, dedicated to improving the services offered throughout the healthcare system. Since its inception, through the generosity of our community, The Foundation has donated over $2 million to the organization.

Resources:

Blue Band Initiative at KVH

Giving to The Foundation at KVH

KVH Commissioner appointed to AHA Committee on Governance

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Kittitas County Public Hospital District #1 (KVH) Commissioner Matthew Altman, Ph.D., has been appointed to the American Hospital Association’s Committee on Governance (COG).

An advisory committee of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees, the 26-member COG represents AHA’s trustee members and participates in the association’s advocacy, policy and resource development, with a particular focus on strategic opportunities. The committee meets three times per year and is composed of the chair-elect, chair and immediate past chair; nine regional members, and up to 16 at-large members. Commissioner Altman will represent the 9th District, composed of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Appointment to the COG is the result of a competitive process. Individuals must first be nominated, interviewed by the COG’s Leadership Development Committee and subsequently appointed by the AHA Board of Trustees. Dr. Altman will serve a three year term.

“It’s no surprise that Matt was appointed to AHA”, states Bob Davis, Chairman of the KVH Board of Commissioners. “Matt did a great job as past board president and is a fully engaged commissioner. He will be influential on the national level for AHA.”

Founded in 1989, the American Hospital Association is a national organization that provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. The AHA represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. Nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members come together to form the AHA.

Through representation and advocacy activities, AHA ensures that members’ perspectives and needs are heard and addressed in national health policy development, legislative and regulatory debates, and judicial matters. Their advocacy efforts include the legislative and executive branches and include the legislative and regulatory arenas. Dr. Altman is one of the few members of the Committee on Governance who is representing a rural hospital.