2022 by the Numbers
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/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2022

2022 by the Numbers

What a year! Southwestern Vermont Health Care is looking back at the biggest stories from the last year and tallying our successes. Here’s 2022 by the numbers.

Medical Staff
We welcomed 15 new providers in 2022 in such specialties as Cardiology, OB/GYN, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Surgery, and others. More than that, our physicians made great news by getting
important new certifications and taking aim at the Olympics games. We show no signs of slowing; more than 10 new providers are already planning to join us in the new year.

Nursing
Like the medical staff, the nurses of SVMC had a great year. We topped the charts for
nurse satisfaction, launched the state’s one and only accredited nursing residency program, and earned a distinction  for shared governance, a powerful indication of just how empowered our nurses are. In addition, we gave nine DAISY awards and four DAISY team awards. Great work, nurses!

New Services in New Locations
Together, doctors, nurses, and others launched two new services. Most notably, SVMC launched an
Interventional Pain Management Service to help those with chronic pain. In the past, patients traveled up to an hour away for the same care. Now it is more convenient than ever.

We also brought weight loss surgery closer to local residents by forging a partnership with Capital Bariatrics of Albany, NY. On top of that, our Outpatient Therapy department expanded speech therapy to Northshire and Deerfield campuses and occupational therapy to Deerfield.

SVHC Foundation
Hundreds of donors contributed to record-breaking fundraising efforts in support of local health care. An astounding $450,000 was raised at the annual
Summer Gala. Over the last few years, the Foundation has raised $24 million to support the Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation Capital Campaign for improved and expanded emergency and cancer care services. The total puts them just $1 million away from their $25 million goal.

The New Emergency Department
SVHC has put those funds to work making
a major transformation to our Emergency Department and main entrance. Dozens of construction workers showed up every weekday of the past year to carry out the thousands of tasks necessary to continue this important project. There are just 20 weeks before the scheduled completion of the first phase of the project.

In the final hours of 2022, Southwestern Vermont Health Care is grateful to its 1,300 staff members for all they do to fulfill our mission of exceptional care and comfort to the 75,000 people we serve. Happy New Year!

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Six Questions with the Medical Director of SVMC Orthopedics

Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer, medical director of orthopedics and orthopedic surgeon, answers six questions about getting orthopedic care right now.

1. What types of patients are you able to treat right now?

We are happy to see patients with all sorts of conditions returning to the practice for care. Patients have heard that the Governor has lifted restrictions for elective procedures, and they are ready to investigate their options for joint pain relief. Plus, the weather is getting nice again, so people are active outside. We've seen an increase in injuries related to outdoor activity, too.


2. Are you seeing patients remotely via telemedicine?

Yes. We offer telemedicine, and we use it a lot. Of course, there are limitations for those that need an X-ray or a physical exam. But telemedicine is a great option for initial visits when we need to collect patients' health history and for follow-ups.


3. How has care in the office changed over the past several months?

Patients will notice that we have gone beyond all of the Centers for Disease Control and Vermont Department of Health recommendations for office visits. All of our staff are wearing masks and shields or goggles, and patients are expected to wear a cloth face covering when they come in. In addition, we are making efforts to limit the number of people in our waiting rooms and office at any one time. For example, part of the check-in process now happens on the phone, instead of in person.


4. How is preparing for a surgery and recovering from a surgery different since COVID-19 became a concern?

Like for office visits, our pre-surgery processes have all been ramped up well beyond the state and national recommendations designed to decrease risk of contracting COVID-19. A few days before the surgery, we test patients for COVID-19 and ask them to self-quarantine until their procedure. The patient arrives to the hospital in their own cloth face covering. Visitors are limited. After the procedure, we provide patients with an app that allows them to note their temperature and any type of respiratory symptoms for a few weeks. If any of the information falls outside the norm, a nurse gives the patient a call. These are all examples of ways we are going beyond our very high infection-prevention standards to ensure safety for patients, their families, and our staff.


5. What would you like to share with people who postponed a joint replacement or other orthopedic care because of COVID-19?

Here in Vermont cases of COVID-19 cases have been relatively low. The Governor has given his approval by lifting restrictions for elective procedures, even those requiring an overnight hospital stay. SVMC started with an exceptionally low rate of hospital-acquired infections and added many extra precautions on top of that. We have the attitude that it is definitely safe to resume care both surgeries and other types of orthopedic care.


6. What are the greatest risks and rewards related to having orthopedic care now?

From our position as one of the safest hospitals in one of the safest states, the risks of contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses during a procedure or other care are very low. Many patients know this. They are coming in for their procedures and joint replacements. Many of them will recover and be active again in time to really enjoy this summer. That’s our goal: to help every patient resolve their orthopedic issues so that they can get back to doing the things they love.

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