We have recently been recognized for the following awards and achievements. We want to thank our outstanding providers and employees, who made these recognitions possible.

Minnesota Hospital Association Patient Safety Excellence Award for Safe Account. These safety campaigns, which aim to prevent top-reported adverse events, are built around a “roadmap” of best practices. Safe Account in the newest initiative, aimed at preventing retained objects in the operating room. Hospitals that implement at least 90 percent of roadmap steps earn the awards.

The Minnesota Department of Health/ FDA conducted a Minnesota Quality Standards Act (mammography quality assurance audit) at the Paynesville Area Hospital’s Radiology department. No deficiencies were found through the audit process, which included quality assurance testing on mammography equipment, checking technologists and radiologists for continuing education and many other quality processes. All of the personal that perform mammography exams are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and have over 60 years of combined experience led by Deb Norris, Mammography supervisor.

Oncology Nursing Certification (ONC) honors have been awarded to Deb Glenz, who now joins Amy Miller in holding this expertise in oncology training. Nurses interested in having an ONC must have the required number of years in oncology nursing and oncology continuing education to qualify to take the certification test. We are proud of these nurses for bringing a higher level of knowledge to our patients through this certification process.