Each month, Andrea Burch, President of InterMountain Lutheran Hospital, shares insights on healthcare innovation, community wellness initiatives, and behind-the-scenes updates on how the new hospital is taking shape. From medical breakthroughs to heartfelt patient stories, this interview connects our readers with the pulse of local healthcare.
I know the preserving Lutheran’s culture and caring for your caregivers is a high priority for you. What are you doing to ensure this is happening?
This is one of my favorite topics! Our caregivers are the heart of our mission, and taking care of them is a high priority. We want our caregivers to be engaged and happy, so we have a number of celebrations coming up. In May, we’ll celebrate Nurses Week and Caregiver Appreciation Week. During that time, we have a lot planned. We’re going to have food trucks on site, a pie eating contest, a fun and creative fashion show, flower decorating, a game show, baby goats at the hospital, a Daisy Award luncheon, and a southern BBQ for the staff.
What is the status of your Magnet designation?
Lutheran has been Magnet designated for four years and are working towards our first redesignation. Our Magnet re-designation site visit and survey will take place June 2-4. This is a significant event for our nursing community and our hospital because achieving Magnet designation is not just a recognition; it signifies the highest level of excellence in nursing practice. Not only is this an opportunity to showcase the exceptional care and compassion that our nurses demonstrate every day, but it also strengthens our partnerships with allied health professionals. Magnet designation reinforces our commitment to patient-centered care and affirms our dedication to the professional development and engagement of our nursing staff.
To achieve Magnet designation, you must have strong support from hospital leadership, demonstrate a high standard of nursing excellence, including nurse education and professional development, and demonstrate ongoing quality improvements and enhanced patient outcomes, interprofessional collaboration and evidence of patient-centered care, data collection and analysis of patient outcomes and staff satisfaction, and more.
This is no easy feat! Being a Magnet designated hospital involves a comprehensive commitment to excellence in patient care, nursing practice, and leadership, supported by data-driven improvements and a focus on collaboration. I couldn’t be prouder of the exceptional nurses we have at Lutheran.
What is happening now at Lutheran that you couldn’t have imagined 10 years ago?
Over the past ten years, Lutheran Hospital has significantly improved its Trauma program. It used to be a Level III Trauma Center, and in 2021, the hospital became a Level II Trauma Center. We have expanded our team to include various surgical specialists, like orthopedic, neurosurgical, facial trauma and plastic surgery experts, ensuring we provide comprehensive care to any injured patient that comes through our doors. This means we can handle more complex and serious injuries, including head injuries, broken bones and injuries caused by accidents or violence, thanks to our advanced technology and highly skilled team, who are available 24/7 to provide lifesaving treatments.
A hospital earns the title of “designated trauma center” when it meets requirements established by state or local government authorities. The American College of Surgeons verifies the designation of Trauma Centers as Level, I, II, III, IV or V. Levels depend on the types of resources available, and the number of trauma cases handled each year, and we are proud to be a Level II center. It demonstrates our commitment to clinical excellence and high-quality patient care.
