Aitkin Community Hospital Inc

Programs: Riverwood healthcare center strives to deliver the highest quality patient-centered care. We continually examine emerging healthcare needs of the communities we serve throughout aitkin county and the garrison and mille lacs area. With a strong focus on health, wellness and prevention, the center strives to educate and inform its patients and the community on health issues. The community's and patient's needs are listened to and incorporated in our mission statement, strategic plan and vision. In 2017, riverwood launched an expansion and renovation project for a new kidney dialysis facility, in partnership with centracare health. The dialysis unit will not only provide close to home necessary care for renal patients, but also will be of help to family members and friends in their support of the patient, since the need to travel far from home for care will be reduced. The renovation part of the building project redesigns specialty care areas, allowing for expansion of service lines and providing easier access to patients while adding additional imaging capabilities. The renovation of the primary care clinics supports the patient centered care model and team based approach allowing for continuation of advanced coordinated care. The building project furthers riverwood's goal of giving enhanced access to primary and specialty care services. Riverwood was ranked in the top 20 critical access hospital's in the nation. This recognition is based on a rating system that evaluates rural and critical access hospitals and looks at various market, value-based and financial measures. Riverwood strives to ensure that consistent, high quality care is continually delivered and this achievement is an indication that the community can count on riverwood to deliver the services needed now and into the future. With a focused concern for the community's needs, this recognition is another testament that we have a blue print for success as we transition into value-based care. Riverwood has attained baby friendly hospital designation which moves us closer to meeting important public health goals of increasing the proportion of live births that occur in facilities that provide recommended care for mothers and babies. In addition to this, mommy and me classes are offered free of charge covering educational topics such as challenges for new moms, infant feeding and lactation, first year of development, safe sleep for babies, weight management and nutrition, speech, language and social development. Riverwood pursued and achieved health care home (hch) certification, thru the minnesota department of health, for its three primary care clinics. The focus of the certification is the redesign of care delivery and meaningful engagement of patients in their care. This provides a shift from a medical model of health care to a focus on linking primary care of the patient with wellness, prevention, self-management and community services. This achievement supports our goal of maintaining and expanding mental and behavioral health services. Riverwood has designations as a level iii trauma center, a comprehensive advanced life support hospital and a level i heart attack program. Riverwood attained commission on cancer (coc) accreditation which improves the quality of patient care through various cancer related programs. Focusing on the full spectrum of cancer care, the program includes emphasis on prevention, early diagnosis, cancer staging, optimal treatment, lifelong follow up for recurrent disease and end of life care. Riverwood developed a "farm to riverwood" program that contracts with local farmers. This enables the hospital to offer nutrient dense, minimally processed farm fresh foods for feature in special meals to patients, guests and staff. This endeavor supports riverwoods goal to help improve the health of the population and foster positive behavioral health through encouraging healthy eating all while supporting and partnering with local vendors. Riverwood supports the health of the community in various ways. Health and wellness coaching is offered free of charge. Free blood glucose monitors, scales, blood pressure cuffs, etc. Are provided to patients at no cost. Diabetes support is offered thru a series of national diabetes prevention program classes as well as individual appointments and group classes. Wellness and physical activities include support of area school sports, community walks/runs, and fitness and wellness programs. Educating the community about drug abuse, prevention and treatment is part of riverwood's ongoing coordinated efforts along with aitkin county health and human services, local law enforcement agencies, etc. Development is underway for a program for those addicted to opioids. Community education on prescription drug dependence and how to prevent it is being provided. Financial support and assistance for patients is offered thru riverwood's confidential financial counseling services (telephone 218-927-8284). Riverwood places continuing emphasis on working towards the goals as defined in its community health needs assessment last completed in 2016. With identified priority health issues of mental health, nutrition, physical activity and weight, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, access to healthcare services, injury and violence and substance abuse, we keep the needs of our patients at the forefront of our endeavors. Our progress and successes each year are due to our continual focus on addressing our community's health care needs.