West Valley Hospital OCQN Regional Visit

Oregon Critical Access Hospital Quality Network (OCQN) members and ORH’s Field Services rural hospital quality program manager, Stephanie Sayegh, recently had the opportunity to learn from the outstanding team at Salem Health West Valley Hospital in Dallas, Oregon, during a day dedicated to collaboration, peer networking, quality improvement, patient safety and exceptional patient care. 
 
Highlights from the OCQN regional visit included: 

• Hospital history and leadership insights shared by hospital leaders, highlighting West Valley Hospital's commitment to serving its community and fostering a culture of excellence. 
• Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) reduction strategies showcasing a proactive, multi-faceted approach that included comprehensive policies, evidence-based nurse-driven protocols, safe insertion practices, frontline infection prevention support and structured event reviews, resulting in measurable improvements in patient outcomes. 
• A presentation about emergency department (ED) OP-22 "Left Without Being Seen" performance improvement efforts. Discussions focused on the relationship between ED length of stay, capacity constraints, patient volume and acuity, and prioritization processes. The team shared several successful tests of change, including RN schedule adjustments, a dedicated charge RN role and leader rounding. Additional throughput strategies included standing orders, enhanced visibility of ambulatory wait times, aligning staffing with demand and improvements to ambulatory care and results management processes. 
• Bedside shift report and patient experience initiatives highlighting the positive impact of standardized bedside reporting on nurse communication, care coordination, patient engagement and HCAHPS performance. The team shared their strategic implementation approach for continuous improvement, including staff training, rounding and ongoing monitoring to drive sustainable improvements in patient satisfaction. 
• Swing bed program and mobility improvement efforts emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, staff engagement, education and process improvement. The initiative focused on increasing patient mobilization documentation and compliance through a nurse-led approach, resulting in improved documentation rates, stronger staff engagement and a foundation for sustained improvements in patient care practices. 

A sincere thank you to the West Valley Hospital team for sharing its expertise, innovation and commitment to delivering exceptional care. The hospital’s dedication to continuous quality improvement and patient-centered care is making a meaningful difference for patients, families and communities across Oregon. 
 
Special recognition and appreciation to the presenters who shared their expertise and successes: 

• Tiffany Palamaris, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ, nurse manager and nurse administrator 
• Andrea Moye, MSN, RN, NE-BC, director of adult health services 
• Kristi Gaskill, MSN, RN, CIC, RNC-NIC, infection prevention program manager 
• Stephanie Banford, MBA, BSN-RN, CEN, emergency department manager 
• Gina Umble, MS, RN, AGCNS-BC, clinical practice specialist 
• Jeremy Carr, MBA, manager of CMS 5-Star and patient experience 
• Trent Dunlop, PT, CEEAA 
• Kimberly Bowen, MS, CCC-SLP 

Thank you for your leadership, collaboration and commitment to advancing quality care across Oregon. 
 
For more information on hospital site visits, please email Stephanie Sayegh.