Donor Funded Programs

The Funding Priorities Process
— Creating the Margin of Excellence for MVH Patients

Miami Valley Hospital Foundation uses the phrase "the Margin of Excellence" to identify programs funded by donor contributions that directly contribute to an improved quality of life. These programs would not be available if not for charitable giving.

Once each year the Foundation’s board of trustees allocates funding for patient programs that were not able to be covered under the hospital’s operating budget. Proposals are submitted by units and programs throughout the hospital. In a thorough and careful screening process — in consultation with hospital management — the Foundation board allocates unrestricted donor funds to make these programs available.

The MVH Foundation board of trustees allocated funding for the following programs for 2012:

• Relationship Based Care Physician Champion
  The physician champion will develop a program promoting mutual care and compassion, ultimately leading to enhanced listening and communication skills in physicians. The program is intended to foster the therapeutic relationship between doctor and patient, resulting in increased trust and confidence in their care. The participating physicians are expected to become emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, and physically healthier, and therefore able to establish more caring and healing relationships with patients, family, colleagues and staff.
    
• Diabetes Inpatient Team - Bull Family Diabetes Center
  Inpatients receive clinical diabetes management and education from physicians, nurse practitioners and diabetes educators based at the Bull Family Diabetes Center. Since diabetes is largely self managed, education is essential for effective day-to-day management of the disease. Education also helps to reduce the risk of possible long term complications and readmissions. In 2011, the clinical team completed 6,021 inpatient medical visits and the diabetes educators completed 1,597 inpatient education visits.
   
• Eldercare Help Pilot Program
  Administered through MVH ElderCare, funds will allow for an assessment to determine the viability of an innovative patient care program aimed the reducing the risk of delirium and associated functional decline among the hospital's older patients. Ultimately, when delirium is prevented, older patients are able to return to the community and lead fulfilling lives. Ancillary goals for the program would include a reduction in the use of physical restraints, decreased phychoactive medications and fewer therapeutic companions.
   
• Palliative Care Program
  The interdisciplinary Palliative Care team provides compassionate relationship-based care for patients with advanced illness and those who are transitioning through the dying and bereavement process. In addition to continuity and integration of care, the team combines emotional, spiritual and psychological interventions with symptom management and compassionate educational support, to address the individual needs of each patient and their family. In 2011, the team provided care in more than 1,600 consults with patients, families and staff.

   

• Minority Nursing Fellowship
  This formal mentorship program helps to develop and retain internal minority nursing talent interested in pursuing nursing leadership positions. The program is a one-year fellowship for two individuals intended to increase the number of minority nursing leaders at MVH. This investment in development and mentorship provides a knowledge base for the participants, while promoting a positive work environment, and helping to better reflect the diversity within our community, patient population and our employees.
   
• Transplant Center Educational DVD/CD
  Funds will allow for the production of an educational video for chronic renal failure patients who are considering a kidney transplant. Specific to MVH, the video will present a factual, understandable and concise summary of the many factors that make up the complex, multidisciplinary care process. Starting with pre- and moving through post-operative education, the DVD reinforces information that can be reviewed by patients and families during what can be an emotional and stressful time.

• CinemaVision AV System for MRI
  For some patients, undergoing a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test in a confined space makes them so uncomfortable they require sedation. Worn by the patient, the Cinemavision system reduces claustrophobia by playing music or a favorite movies or TV show allowing the patient to tune out their surroundings. In addition to eliminating the possability of anesthesia-related adverse events, studies have shown the Cinevision system maximizes patient comfort.

   

• CarePages
  Carepages websites are free, self-created, private 'communication centers' to connect people facing health challenges wih relatives, friends and other supporters. The site brings together everyone who care about a centain patient and and makes it easy for them to stay up-to-date, view photos, share messages and comfort each other without repetitive phone calls or emails. Each time an update is posted to a CarePages website, an email is automatically sent to everyone who has visited  that page. Since 2000, more than 130,000 CarePages websites have be created.