Award Recipients Honored by AHA
AHA Chairman Gary Bebow presented the Arkansas Hospital Association's awards for distinguished service, statesmanship and special chairman's awards to 6 honorees during the AHA's annual Awards Dinner October 5 in Little Rock.

Charles W. McGrew, director of the Arkansas Department of Health's Section of Health Facility Services and Systems, received the 1999 Distinguished Service Award. Currently the president of the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, McGrew was recognized for his work in the development of Arkansas' Critical Access Hospital Program; the development of a network model of Community Rural Health Networks; the establishment of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, a public policy forum for healthcare issues; and for the distribution of the Health Department's revised Rules and Regulations for Hospitals and Related Institutions.

Receiving 1999 Statesmanship Awards were U.S. Representative Marion Berry of Gillett, state Senator Jay Bradford of Pine Bluff, and state Representative Barbara Horn of Foreman. The board named Berry, who is serving his second term representing the people of the state's First Congressional District, as an award recipient for his leadership in supporting issues affecting the healthcare of the residents of his district and for his advocacy in support of legislation and regulations that help hospitals continue to serve their communities.

Bradford, a longtime member of the Arkansas Senate has continually made outstanding contributions to hospitals and to the health and welfare of the people of Arkansas in his capacity as the Senate's President Pro Tem, as Chairman of the Senate's Health, Welfare and Labor Committee and as a member of various other committees.

Barbara Horn was recognized for her vigorous support of legislation backed by the AHA and the state's hospitals during the recent 1999 Arkansas General Assembly as well as past sessions.

Chairman Bebow also presented 1999 Chairman's Awards to Norma Hayes, retiring director of nurses at Magnolia Hospital, and posthumously to Val Buck, former director of the Arkansas Department of Health's Section of Health Facility Services.

Medical Records Retention
The Arkansas Hospital Association is frequently asked the question, "How long are hospitals required to retain medical records?" The answer for that question is found in the Arkansas Department of Health's 1999 Rules and Regulations for Hospitals and Related Institutions, under Section 14, paragraph A.20. The rule states:

"All medical records shall be retained in either the original or microfilm or other acceptable methods for ten (10) years after the last discharge. After ten (10) years a medical record may be destroyed provided the facility permanently maintains the information contained in the Master Patient Index [defined in paragraph A.11]. Complete medical records of minors shall be retained for a period of two (2) years after the age of majority."

AHAA Launches a Whale of a Project
The Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association approved a new public service project at its annual meeting in October. The project, the WHALE (We Have A Little Emergency) Program, is an identification and information package for child car safety seats. Each package contains self-adhesive stickers containing identification, next of kin, and special medical information. The information stickers are to be placed on a car seat with another sticker placed on the rear window of a vehicle to alert emergency service personnel that the passengers in the vehicle participate in the WHALE Program.

Children today often ride in automobiles driven by adults other than their parents or guardians (i.e., sitters, friends, and relatives). In the event of an accident that incapacitates adult passengers, emergency service personnel have no source of information to identify these young children, their next of kin or their special medical needs. The WHALE Program stickers will provide that information in an easy-to-read location. In some cases, just knowing the name of a young victim can help make rescue efforts and treatment proceed more smoothly and quickly.

Hospital auxiliaries across the state have placed orders for thousands of packets and have begun spreading the word about the WHALE Program to local police, fire, paramedics, ambulance, and other rescue agencies. To find out more about how you can participate in the program, call the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association at 501-224-7878.

Report Addresses U.S. Health
The U.S. continues to spend more on health than any other industrialized nation, although the rate of growth has slowed during the 1990s, according to a new report. Health, United States, 1999, an annual report by the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics, shows that U.S. health expenditures in 1997 totaled almost $1.1 trillion, an increase of less than 5% from the previous year. Spending on hospital care continued to decline, the report finds.

In 1997, hospital care accounted for 34% of national expenditures, down from 42% in 1980. The average annual increase in expenses for community hospitals was 3.5% between 1993 to 1997. This followed a period of higher growth (9.3% per year) from 1985 to 1993.

Thanks to Our 1999 Corporate Partners!
The Arkansas Hospital Association wishes to thank the companies and organizations participating in the 69th Annual Meeting and Trade Show. With their financial support, high quality educational programming is made possible for the AHA membership.

AAMSCO
Accutemp Products, Inc.
AHA Services ***
Air Purification, Inc. (Alpine Products)
Airgas
Alberici
Alliant Food Service
AMCO (Arkansas Managed Care Organization)
American Business Forms
American Health Care Providers, Inc.
Ansell Perry
Aquarium Attractions
ArCom Systems
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield ******
Arkansas Dietetic Association
Arkansas Department of Health **
Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Inc.
Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation, Inc.
Arkansas Health Executives Forum ***
Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA)
Baird, Kurtz & Dobson, CPAs ****
B. Braun McGaw
BFI Waste Systems of North America, Inc.
Brentwood Health Management
BT Office Products
C & N Resource Group
Carstens
Cellular & Pager Warehouse
CompleteRx, Ltd.
Crews & Associates, Inc.
Datascope Corp.
Datron, Inc.
Diagnostic Imaging
Disability Determination for Social Security Administration
Ecolab Inc.
EDS ***
Engelkes, Conner & Davis Ltd. *
Federation of American Health Systems
Federation of Associated Health Systems, Inc.
Flake & Kelley Management **
Forza (formerly Martin & Martin) ****
Freemyer Collection System ******
Friday, Eldredge & Clark **
Gardner & White
Gideons International
Graduate Program in Health Services Administration - UALR
Great-West Family of Companies
Grinnell Fire Protection Systems
HCIA Inc. ***
Hagan Newkirk & Hagan Agency **
Healthstaf Medical Services
Herman Miller for Healthcare
Hewlett Packard Company
Hill-Rom
Hospital Building & Equipment Co.
Huntleigh Healthcare
Innovative Solutions Group, Inc.
Intermountain Health Care/AmeriNet
Kutak Rock **
La-Z-Boy Concepts
Living Design, Inc.
Management Recruiters of Little Rock Healthcare Division
Marshall Erdman & Associates
MD Network
Medicaid Managed Care Services
Medical Employment Directory Inc.
Medical Management Consultants, Inc.
Medicus Resource Group, Inc.
MedPlus Leasing **
MEPA
Metlife Resources
Mobile Instrument Service & Repair, Inc.
Modern Biomedical Services, Inc.
Moore Stephens Frost
MultiPlan, Inc.
Nabholz Construction
NationsBank *
NovaSys Health Network
Osment Roofing Systems, Inc.
PHICO ****
Press Ganey Associates, Inc.
Profitable Concepts, Inc.
Pulaski Bank *
QualChoice/QCA Health Care Plan
Ramtech Building Systems
RehabCare Group, Inc.
RehabVisions
Rural/Metro Medical Services
Service Professionals, Inc.
ServiceMaster Diversified Health Services
Sign Systems, Inc.
Smart Solutions, Inc.
Snell Laboratory
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company **
Specialty Laboratories
Sprint PCS
Square One Rehab
St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Co.
Staffmark Medical Staffing
Stephens Inc. **
Sterling Health Care Group
Stonecrest Group
Stryker Medical
Sysco Food Services of Arkansas, Inc.
Tempur-Medical, Inc.
The Burrows Company
The Document Company, Xerox
The Merritt, Hawkins & Associates Group
The Ocoee Company
The Virginia Insurance Reciprocal *****
The Reciprocal Group
The Wilcox Group *
Ultimate Safety Inc.
Universal Hospital Services
VALIC **
Vintage Health Resources, Inc.
Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson, Inc.

* Sponsor
** Host
*** Bronze Sponsor
**** Silver Sponsor
***** Gold Sponsor
****** Platinum Sponsor

AHA 1999 Diamond Awards Presented
Winners of the Arkansas Hospital Association's 1999 Diamond Awards were recognized at an October 5 luncheon during the AHA's annual meeting in Little Rock. The competition, cosponsored by the Arkansas Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations, is designed to recognize excellence in hospital public relations and marketing. Diamond, Excellence, and Judges' Merit Awards were possible in two divisions (hospitals of 175 beds or less and hospitals of more than 175 beds) in ten categories. The competition drew 109 entries from 30 Arkansas hospitals. Award-winning recipients and hospitals are:

External Publications (newsletters or magazines published more than once a year for patients, community, physicians, etc.)
Diamond Award, Conway Regional Medical Center, "Healthy Horizons Community Newsletter"
Diamond Award, Arkansas Children's Hospital, "Parenting in Arkansas"
Excellence Award, Southwest Regional Medical Center, "Life and Health Community Newsletter"
Excellence Award, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, "Healthy Living" Judges' Merit Award, CARTI, "Focus Newsletter"
Judges' Merit Award, St. Joseph's Regional Health Center, "Health Matters"

Internal Publications (newsletters or magazines distributed to internal audiences such as employees, medical staff, volunteers, etc.)
Diamond Award, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, "Upbeat"
Diamond Award, UAMS Medical Center, "UAMS Update"
Excellence Award, Conway Regional Health System, "In Motion"
Excellence Award, St. Bernards Regional Medical Center, "HealthMatters"
Judges' Merit Award, Ozark Health Medical Center, "Vital Signs Newsletter"
Judges' Merit Award, Arkansas Children's Hospital, "Vital Signs"

Single Publication (Brochure, pamphlet, handbook, etc., designed to meet a specific need)
Diamond Award, St. Mary's Hospital, "Precious Gifts"
Diamond Award, UAMS Medical Center, "Center for Skull Base Surgery"
Excellence Award, Conway Regional Health System, "Health & Fitness Center Membership Options Brochure"
Excellence Award, St. Bernards Regional Medical Center, "St. Bernards General Brochure"
Judges' Merit Award, CARTI, "Physician Guide"
Judges' Merit Award, Baxter County Regional Medical Center, "Your Community Hospital Brochure"

Single Video (Video designed to meet a specific need such as patient information, hospital tour, etc.)
Diamond Award, CARTI, "A Patient's Guide to Radiation Therapy"
Diamond Award, Baptist Health, "Immanuel Baptist Community Health Clinic"
Excellence Award, Conway Regional Medical Center, "60th Anniversary"
Excellence Award, UAMS Medical Center, "One Day at a Time"
Judges' Merit Award, St. Mary's Hospital, "Building a New Tradition"

Print Advertising (Newspaper or magazine advertising in any size, using one or more colors)
Diamond Award, Conway Regional Health System, "Been Kicked Around?"
Diamond Award, St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, "Unwrap"
Excellence Award, Arkansas Heart Hospital, "The Night After Your Surgery"
Excellence Award, UAMS Medical Center, "Hurts to Turn Page"
Judges' Merit Award, Harris Hospital, "Shoes"
Judges' Merit Award, St. Joseph's Regional Health Center, "Baby Announcement"

Radio Advertising (Single advertisement or public service announcement that has been developed or commissioned for radio)
Diamond Award, Bradley County Medical Center, "BCMC: A Sign of Good Healthcare"
Diamond Award, St. Bernards Regional Medical Center, "Ya' Never Call!"
Excellence Award, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, "Leadership Series"
Excellence Award, UAMS Medical Center, "Hurts to Turn Page"
Judges' Merit Award, Central Arkansas Hospital, "Cancer Center"
Judges' Merit Award, Conway Regional Medical Center, "The Essence of Quality"

Television Advertising (Single television advertisement or public service announcement developed or commissioned to promote a hospital service or program)
Diamond Award, Southwest Regional Medical Center, "Women's Services"
Diamond Award, St. Joseph's Regional Health Center, "Singing Praises"
Excellence Award, Crittenden Memorial Hospital, "Increasing Healthy Births"
Excellence Award, St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, "Victory"
Judges' Merit Award, Ouachita County Medical Center, "Ouachita County Medical Center"
Judges' Merit Award, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, "Gardenia"

Outdoor Advertising (Copies of outdoor advertising such as billboards, benches, buses, etc., using one or more colors)
Diamond Award, St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, "Unwrap"
Excellence Award, Central Arkansas Hospital, "Cancer Center"
Judges' Merit Award, UAMS Medical Center, "7 Steps"

Internet Web Site (A web site design, developed or commissioned to promote a hospital's programs and services)
Diamond Award, Arkansas Heart Hospital, www.arheart.com
Diamond Award, St. Bernards Regional Medical Center, www.sbrmc.com
Excellence Award, Conway Regional Medical Center, www.conwayregional.org
Excellence Award, Baxter County Regional Hospital, www.baxterregional.org
Judges' Merit Award, UAMS Medical Center, www.parenting-ed.org

Campaign Advertising (Series of advertisements developed or commissioned to promote a hospital program or service)
Diamond Award, Harris Hospital, "OB Campaign"
Diamond Award, St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, "Image Campaign-Product Lines"
Excellence Award, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, "Leadership Campaign"
Excellence Award, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, "Gardenia, Tim and Emily"
Judges' Merit Award, Harris Hospital, "ER Campaign"
Judges' Merit Award, Sparks Regional Medical Center, "Where People Get Better"