1. Healthcare

checkmate
✎
Strategic moves and the latest news
at Blount Memorial
Thursday, Jan. 29
Vol. 31, No. 3
Our Vision
A community where
all individuals reach
their highest potential
for health.
Our Mission
Blount Memorial Adds Neurosurgery
I
n case you haven’t heard, Blount Memorial
has added neurosurgery to its list of specialties. Board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Bradley
Hall has joined the hospital staff, bringing with
him the skills to perform computer-assisted
and minimally invasive spinal surgeries. This will
be useful for treating patients who suffer from
herniated discs, bone spurs, pinched nerves,
spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease.
Dr. Hall will use a new piece of equipment, the O-Arm, to aid in
these surgeries.
To continuously improve
the health and well-being
of our entire community
and to work in
partnership with others
who share the core
values of
Blount Memorial
Hospital.
Hospital
www.blountmemorial.org
Send information
for the next issue
of Checkmate to the
attention of editor Josh
West through in-house
mailbox No. 5, by fax
977-5615, or via e-mail
by 10 a.m. on Thursday,
Feb. 5.
Medic Blood Donations
at Blount Memorial
Medic Regional Blood Center
will host a blood drive on
Friday, Feb. 6 from 11 a.m.
- 6 p.m. in the hospital
auditorium.
New Atrium Café Hours
The Atrium Café’s hours
are changing. The café now
will be open Monday-Friday
from 7 a.m. - 1 a.m., and
from 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. on
Saturdays and Sundays. The
grill will close one hour prior
to closing.
Our Core Values
Hospitality
Excellence
Advocacy
Leadership
Stewardship
Put It In Writing
Free Tax Preparation Returns
F
ree Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is available to hospital
employees and their families for 2014 federal income tax preparation. Kaye Allen can assist with special credits for which you may
qualify, including earned income tax credit, child tax credit and credit
for the elderly. Additionally, free electronic filing, or e-filing, is available.
Employees should bring:
— Sales tax paid on autos and construction materials.
— A copy of last year’s (2013) tax return.
— Social Security cards (or other formal proof of
Social Security numbers) for all individuals to be
claimed on the tax return.
— All forms, including W-2 and 1099.
— Information documenting other income.
— Information documenting all deductions and
credits.
— Bank routing and account information (for those
who want direct deposit of refunds).
— For married couples filing joint returns, both
Free Tax Preparation (continued on back)
2014 Taxes
Please make sure your
current mailing address is on
file with human resources.
This will be necessary
to send your 2014 W-2.
To change your mailing
address, edit it yourself in
Lawson Self Service, or
contact human resources
at ext. 5659.
Reminder: CARE Line
Free Tax Preparation (continued from front)
If a patient needs to speak with a
representative from Guest Services or
if you have a patient or family member
who you feel would benefit from a visit,
please call the CARE line at ext. 2273.
The information will be given to the
appropriate person to follow up with
the patient or family member. All calls
need to go to this number to make sure
we respond in a timely manner. The
CARE line is answered 24-7.
spouses must be present to sign the return.
No appointment is necessary. Preparation will be available in the hospital auditorium
during the following times:
Welcoming New Employees
T
Here are the latest additions to the
Blount Memorial team. Look for
names in each issue, and be sure to
say hello to our new coworkers.
Patty Austin – East Tennessee
Medical Group
Andy Edmonds – food and nutrition
Chris Bennett – respiratory
Cheryl Anderson – CRU
Suzann Paluzi – 5-east
Rehanna Tarver – environmental
services
Nicole Turner – Atrium Café
Lori Martin – East Tennessee Medical
Group
Nick Knight – 4-north
Karen Lingo-Moore – Transitional
Care Center at MorningView Village
Diabetes Lecture Series Continues
in February
The Diabetes Management Center’s
ongoing diabetes lecture series will
continue with “How to Keep Your
Diabetic Feet Healthy,” hosted by
podiatrist Dr. David Franklin on Monday,
Feb. 9 from noon – 1 p.m. in the
hospital auditorium. A light lunch is
provided. For more information or to
register, call ext. 5767 by Thursday,
Feb. 5.
Blount Memorial Cancer Center
Annual Report
The Cancer Center’s 2014 Annual
Report now is available online. You
can find it at www.blountmemorial.org
under the Patient Resources tab.
ETMG Accepting New Medicare
Patients
East Tennessee Medical Group now
is accepting new Medicare patients.
Whether you're new to Medicare or are
just looking for a new family or internal
medicine physician, East Tennessee
Medical Group can help. For more
information, call 865-984-3864.
• Saturday, Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. – noon
• Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6-8 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. – noon
• Wednesday, March 4 from 6-8 p.m.
• Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. – noon
• Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. – noon
Weight Management Center Hosts
Open House Event
he Blount Memorial Weight Management Center is hosting an open house event
today from 5-7 p.m. This drop-in open house is designed to help people who are
interested in weight loss become more aware of the comprehensive services the Weight
Management Center offers, including bariatric surgery, non-surgical weight loss programs and diabetes management assistance. Bariatric surgeon Dr. Onyeka Nwokocha
will be on-site to answer questions in an informal setting, along with the center’s registered dietitians, registered nurses and certified diabetes educators. Light refreshments
will be served. For more information, call ext. 4673.
SAFETY CORNER
Walking in Icy Conditions
n In cold temperatures,
approach with caution and
assume that all wet, dark
areas on pavements are
slippery and icy. Dew or
water vapor can freeze on
cold surfaces, forming a
thin, nearly invisible layer of
ice that can look like a wet
spot on the pavement.
n Walk in designated
walkways as much as
possible. Taking shortcuts
over snow piles and other
frozen areas can be hazardous. Look
ahead when you walk; a snow- or icecovered sidewalk or driveway, especially
if on a hill, may require travel along its
grassy edge for traction.
n Taking shortcuts through areas where
snow and ice removal is not feasible can
be hazardous.
n Bend slightly, and walk flat-footed with
your center of gravity directly over your
feet as much as possible.
n Extend your arms out to your sides
to maintain balance. Beware if you are
carrying a heavy backpack or
other load as your sense of
balance will be off.
n If you must carry a load,
try not to carry too much.
Leave your hands and arms
free to balance yourself.
n Keep your hands out
of your pockets. Walking
with your hands out of your
pockets lowers your center
of gravity and increases
balance. If you do start to
fall, you can help break your
fall if your hands are free.
n Watch where you are stepping, and go
slowly. This will help your reaction time to
changes in traction.
n When walking on steps, always use the
hand railings, and plant your feet firmly on
each step.
n Use special care when entering and
exiting vehicles. Remember to use the
vehicle for support.
n Take short steps or shuffle for stability.
It also helps to stop occasionally to break
momentum.
Fast Fix 4646. Make the call to help keep Blount Memorial a clean, safe
and welcoming place. See a facilities or environmental services problem?
Say something right away. Call Fast Fix 4646 (or 865-977-4646 outside the
hospital), the Blount Memorial hotline connecting directly to facilities and
environmental services. Overflowing trash cans, broken lights and leaky
bathroom fixtures can’t empty or fix themselves. If anything in a location needs
cleaning, replacement or repair, report it immediately by calling Fast Fix 4646.