- St. Croix Health, St. Croix Falls

St. Croix Health, St. Croix Falls, 2024 Community Benefits

Enhancing Workforce Stability and Patient Care Through International Recruitment

Like many healthcare organizations, St. Croix Health has faced significant challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled laboratory technicians. With local staffing shortages and a reliance on temporary staff, the organization turned to international recruitment. Following a referral from an existing team member, St. Croix Health partnered with Professional Healthcare Recruiters (PHR) and successfully hired three laboratory technicians from the Philippines, facilitating their transition with H1B visas.

The recruitment process involved virtual interviews, with PHR handling the visa and legal aspects. To support the new hires, St. Croix Health provided housing for the first 30 days and maintained regular virtual meetings to help them integrate smoothly into the team.

The arrival of these new team members has brought stability to the department, reducing reliance on temporary staff and allowing a focus on long-term improvements. For patients, this stability has enabled the resumption of important services that had been previously paused.

The new hires have shared their positive experiences: Racquel Penalosa highlighted the excitement of a "new beginning" and learning opportunities. Aira Boholst expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and support from the laboratory team. Odi Sadiasa praised the inclusive culture, describing it as a "second home."

This approach has enhanced both team cohesion and patient care at St. Croix Health.

OB Nurse Navigator Program

In late 2022, St. Croix Health launched an OB Nurse Navigator Program in response to the hospital's community health needs assessment. The assessment revealed clear messaging about the difficulties patients face in navigating the healthcare system, accessing education, and finding community resources. This initiative was designed to enhance patient support throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, ensuring that all obstetric patients, regardless of their insurance provider, receive comprehensive guidance and education with an emphasis on equity. The program focuses on ensuring continuity of care between clinic and hospital settings while addressing any gaps that may exist. Additionally, a one-page timeline was developed to outline what patients can expect at each visit from week 1 to two weeks postpartum.

The program officially went live in May 2023. By December 31, 2023, the OB Nurse Navigators had conducted 211 specialized visits. Feedback from 30 patients interviewed during the program was overwhelmingly positive: 100% felt well-informed about tests, procedures, and medications; 97% felt they received adequate information regarding newborn care; and 90% felt they had sufficient information about community resources and postpartum mood.

The program has significantly improved patient satisfaction by equipping new mothers with essential information for successfully supporting their newborns. Looking ahead, St. Croix Health aims to expand the program to reach more patients and further enhance its offerings. As Angie Chivers, BS, RN, IBCLC, notes, “This program gives us the opportunity to provide each obstetric patient with the time that they deserve to learn about resources and education opportunities available to them throughout their pregnancy and into the postpartum period.” Amanda Strom, BSN, RN, IBCLC, adds, “We are thrilled to help each patient navigate through this very exciting, yet stressful, time in their lives.” The OB Nurse Navigator Program has proven to be a vital resource, addressing community needs and ensuring continuity of care, and its success lays a strong foundation for future enhancements and broader implementation.

St. Croix Health Hosts "Give Kids a Smile" Event Providing Free Dental Care

St. Croix Health held a successful "Give Kids a Smile" event, demonstrating its commitment to community support and accessibility. This charitable initiative provided essential dental services free of charge to families in need. Twelve children from six different families received crucial dental care that they otherwise might have struggled to afford.

The "Give Kids a Smile" event underscores St. Croix Health’s dedication to addressing the broader needs of its community. By removing financial barriers to dental care, the program ensures that children receive necessary treatment and maintain optimal oral health. This event not only highlights the organization’s role in improving health outcomes but also reflects its ongoing efforts to support and uplift the community it serves.

The success of this event exemplifies St. Croix Health’s commitment to charitable care and equity, providing a valuable service to those facing financial challenges and reinforcing its mission of community-centered health support.