2018 Community Profile
BETTER health. BETTER life.
2018 Community Profile | 1
From Aiken Regional Medical Centers
Every day at Aiken Regional Medical Centers, our actions are fueled by our focus on
taking care of our patients, our community and our environment. Special projects,
programs and initiatives are launched annually to support these priorities.
In 2017, Aiken Regional Medical Centers acquired Hitchcock Healthcare (now called
Hitchcock Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Center) to offer the community
a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for adults and children.
In addition, the hospital invested in the da Vinci® Si HD™ Surgical System in 2017 to
offer patients robot-assisted surgical procedures that can result in less pain and a
quicker recovery.
Behind all of these efforts are the skills, loyalty and empathy of the physicians, nurses,
clinical and administrative staff at Aiken Regional. Our strong attention to employee
satisfaction is intentional, because we believe that when you increase employee
satisfaction you also increase patient satisfaction.
With more than 1,000 employees, we are one of the largest employers in Aiken, serving
as an important source of economic stability and growth for the surrounding area.
We offer positions that support families and we encourage employees to further their
education, thereby expanding the beneit to our community.
At Aiken Regional Medical Centers, our vision is not only to meet the healthcare needs
of our community, but also to exceed them. We believe it is our responsibility … and our
privilege … to help keep your family healthy.
Brittany Bearden, Arnie Delariarte, Sharon Latrell Belcher
About Aiken Regional
Medical Centers
Aiken Regional
277,212 Square feet
259 Beds
8 Operating Suites
Aiken Regional offers a comprehensive range of
medical services, including specialty programs such
as a cardiovascular center, cardiovascular imaging,
cancer care institute, 24/7 emergency department, joint
academy, women’s center, wound healing institute,
pediatric center, behavioral health center, neurosurgery
and physical therapy.
The Joint Commission has recognized Aiken Regional
Medical Centers as an accredited facility, and the South
Carolina Hospital Association awarded Aiken Regional
two Zero Harm Awards: zero surgical site infections
abdominal hysterectomy for 30 months and zero central
line associated bloodstream infections for 12 months.
Aiken Regional provides free physician
referrals by phone (800-882-7445)
and online.
Hospital History
Aiken Regional Medical Centers, serving Aiken and
surrounding counties since 1917, is a 259 licensed-
bed acute care hospital. The new 14-bed Inpatient
Rehabilitation Unit opened its doors in late 2017, and
the hospital will add 14 outpatient surgery beds in
summer of 2018, which will raise the bed count to
273. The hospital celebrated 100 years of healthcare
on May 17, 2017. Owned and operated by a subsidiary
of one of the largest hospital companies in the
nation, Universal Health Services, Inc., based in King
of Prussia, PA, Aiken Regional Medical Centers is
accredited by The Joint Commission and licensed by
the State of South Carolina.
Our Focus is Our Patients
Redesigning patient flow in the Emergency Department
is helping staff reduce wait times and get treatment
started faster. Aiken Regional initiated “SuperTrack,” a
fast-track treatment path for patients who arrive at the
Emergency Department with minor injuries.
When a patient arrives at the Emergency Department,
a nurse quickly assesses the patient’s condition. If the
illness or injury is minor but still requires prompt care,
the patient is treated in the SuperTrack area that is
dedicated to exclusively taking care of patients with
non-critical illnesses or injuries. SuperTrack is staffed by
nurse practitioners under the supervision of Emergency
Department physicians.
In addition, Aiken Regional now offers ER Reserve.
Patients can request a time in the Emergency
Department up to 12 hours in advance for less serious
injuries, such as: flu, sore throat, earache, cough or cold
and muscle strains and sprains. ER Reserve is available
online and it lets patients request a convenient time and
then wait at home.
Use a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone
to go to
www.aikenregional.com/erreserve
Patient Medical Care
Admissions: ........... Over 12,000 patients
Births: ....................... Nearly 1,200 babies
Emergency Visits: .................................. 55,000
Total Surgeries: ................. More than 7,700
Aiken Boosts
Local Economy
Aiken Regional is proud to contribute to the health of the community
and boost the local economy. As an esteemed employer, the hospital
offers a wide range of rewarding career opportunities, as well as
educational support and training for the next generation of healthcare
providers. In 2017, Aiken Regional continued to serve as a community
partner to the city of Aiken.
The Hospital Family
Total Employees: ................................1,141
Total Physicians: ......................................150
Total Active Volunteers: .......................... 157
Contract Employees ............................... 225
Financial Impact
Salaries and benefits: .......... $73.3 million
Capital Investment: .....................$588,224
Uncompensated Care: ....... $100.5 million
Local/State Taxes Paid: ............... $8 million
ER Reserve should be used only if you decide your care can wait until the time you select. Do not wait
if your symptoms or conditions worsen or if you need immediate care since delays may complicate your
condition. If you are unsure of your condition or if your condition worsens, then please go to the nearest
emergency room or call 9-1-1. Some insurance plans may not cover an ER visit if it is deemed urgent care
or may apply a different copay. Please check your covered benefits with your insurance provider
for details.
Lorenzo Sampson, MD,
General Surgeon
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Comprehensive Healthcare Services*
*Subject to change.
** Individual results may vary. There are risks associated
with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about
these risks to find out if robotic surgery is right for you.
Behavioral health
Business and Industry service
Cardiac catheterization lab
Cardiology
Cardiopulmonary services
Cardiology services
Cardiovascular imaging
Cardiovascular services
Chemotherapy
Childbirth center
Critical care (ICU / PCU)
da Vinci
®
Robotic Surgery**
Diabetes and nutrition management
Dialysis
Emergency department
Endoscopy lab
Enterostomal therapy
Gynecology
Hematology/oncology
Laboratory services
Neuroscience
Occupational therapy
Outpatient surgery
Orthopedic care
Pain management
Pediatrics
Physical therapy
Radiation oncology
Radiology
Respiratory services
Sleep disorder evaluation and treatment
Social services
Speech therapy
Stroke care
Urology/lithotripsy
Vascular care
Women’s LifeCare Center
Wound care/hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Margot Wacks, DO
Aiken Professional
Association OB/GYN
2018 Community Profile | 54 | Aiken Regional Medical Centers
Recognition:
Accreditations and Awards
• Wound Healing Institute of Carolina
Recognized with Center of Distinction
Award from Healogics®
• The Joint Commission Pioneer Quality – 2017
Data Contributor
• Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Participation
Certiicate from the American Heart
Association®/American Stroke Association®
• Awarded EPA’s Energy STAR
Certiication for 2017
• Designated a Blue Distinction® Center for
Maternity Care from Blue Cross® of
South Carolina
• Recertiication American Diabetes Association®
with our Diabetes & Nutrition Teaching Center
• Diabetes Self-Management Accreditation with
our Diabetes & Nutrition Teaching Center
• ARMC receives 100% score on annual
Department of Health and Environmental
Control inspection in Dietary
• Awarded for National Hospital Organ
Donation Campaign
Evan F. Ekman, MD, FAAOS,
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Specialty Services
Cancer Care Institute of Carolina
The Cancer Care Institute of Carolina offers integrated cancer treatment and advanced
technology in a comfortable facility, with both radiation oncology and hematology/oncology
services, plus support services for cancer patients and their families.
Cardiovascular Institute of Carolina
Patients receive individualized treatment plans that can include diagnostic testing,
medication, surgery and rehabilitation. Health screenings and education help patients
stay heart-healthy.
Cardiovascular Imaging of Aiken
The new Cardiovascular Imaging of Aiken offers high-quality medical imaging services close
to home for your cardiac needs. Board-certiied cardiologists provide vascular and
cardiovascular imaging services including echocardiography, vascular sonography and
nuclear cardiology.
Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitation Services is a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program that offers
specialized physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. They specialize in the
treatment of the acute orthopedic patient population (including post-op), and the
neurologic patient population (especially stroke).
Hitchcock Outpatient Rehabilitative Therapy
Two outpatient rehabilitation therapy clinics, one catering to the
speciic needs of adults and the other to pediatrics patients. The
adult clinic offers physical and occupational therapies and the
pediatric clinic offers physical, occupational and speech therapies.
Wound Healing Institute of Carolina
We offer some of the most advanced wound care therapies
available today, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy and both
inpatient and outpatient care.
Women’s LifeCare Center
The Women’s LifeCare Center is a facility where women of all
ages can receive comprehensive, personalized care. The
childbirth center offers the best of everything to give newborns
and their parents a strong start in life together, from advanced
clinical expertise to warm, personal attention in attractive
labor/delivery/recovery birthing suites. Parents can be
reassured that the Level II nursery is equipped to take care of
babies who require specialized treatment. For women
requiring gynecologic surgery, breast surgery or plastic
surgery, the Women’s LifeCare Center serves as a source of
knowledge, care and comfort for the women and families in
our community.
Women’s Breast Health & Imaging Center
Services include all-digital mammography, bone densitometry,
stereotactic breast biopsy and routine X-rays.
Diabetes and Nutrition Teaching Center
Both adult and pediatric patients receive nutritional education, disease-speciic
self-management sessions and constant reinforcement through personal
patient contact.
Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health Services
We provide individualized assessment and inpatient and outpatient treatment for
adults, children, adolescents and seniors who have behavioral, emotional and
substance use problems.
Sleep Evaluation Center
Patients here undergo sleep studies that gather data on how they breathe and sleep, which
can help their physicians identify a sleep disorder and determine treatment options.
Emergency Department
24/7 emergency care provided by 100 percent board-certiied physicians is available
here, along with patient-friendly bedside registration and a commitment to low wait
times. And when time is crucial, we’re prepared with our helipad. The hospital recently
earned Primary Stroke Center Certiication from The Joint Commission.
Palmetto Pediatric Center
Palmetto Pediatric Center provides inpatient and outpatient services for infants,
children and adolescents. Children can get routine healthcare as well as care
when they’re sick.
Southside Imaging Center
Residents on Aiken’s southside now have convenient access to
advanced diagnostic services, including digital mammography,
open MRI, multislice CT scans, ultrasound and other services.
The Neuroscience Center
Offering a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient
adult neurological services, The Neuroscience Center
provides treatment for many chronic neurologic
disorders, including dementia, multiple sclerosis and
Parkinson’s disease.
Orthopedic Services/Joint Academy
Aiken Regional offers advanced, comprehensive
orthopedic services including arthroscopic surgery,
spine surgery, sports medicine, foot surgery, hand
surgery, trauma treatment, and more. We also have
a special place for total joint replacement surgeries.
The Joint Academy has a dedicated team of
orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, physical
therapists and nurses who work together to provide
exceptional patient care in a nurturing and
healing environment.
Hitchcock Inpatient Rehabilitation Center –
Aiken Regional Medical Centers expanded its
services to include a 14-bed inpatient rehabilitation
unit designed to help patients rebuild their strength
and endurance after a debilitating injury or illness.
A rehabilitation physician (physiatrist) provides
supervised care.
Urgent Care Center – Coming in 2018
Aiken Regional Medical Centers will open an Urgent Care Center in 2018 to
offer care for minor, non-life-threatening medical emergencies.
Darren Mack, MD
Aiken Professional
Association Urology
Jessica Luke, DNP
Aiken Professional Association Urology
2018 Community Profile | 76 | Aiken Regional Medical Centers
Community Impact Summary
Dedicated to the Community
In addition to providing high-quality healthcare to our
communities, Aiken Regional has a long history of promoting
health and wellness. We take great pride in not only caring for
our community, but also in providing them with the education
and tools they need to achieve and maintain the healthiest
life possible.
Volunteering
In 2017, 157 volunteers contributed 43,378 hours of patient and
family support to Aiken Regional Medical Centers. We have
volunteer chaplains available to provide counseling, prayer
and spiritual support. Heart surgery patients can take comfort
in Mended Hearts, composed of volunteers who themselves
are heart disease patients, family and friends of heart disease
patients, and medical professionals.
Sustainability
Aiken Regional Medical Centers is committed to long-term
reduction in energy consumption and reducing their carbon
footprint. As the irst hospital in the region to install solar
panels, the facility is able to further reduce costs and use clean
energy that doesn’t need to come from the power grid. Other
sustainability efforts include switching to LED lights in the
parking lots. Overall, Aiken Regional has saved about 10
percent in energy costs over the last seven years due to
eficiency initiatives.
Education
Aiken Regional Medical Centers’ programs providing
continuing education for healthcare professionals and
students in the community include:
Educational Assistance – Aiken Regional provides inancial
assistance to eligible associates for courses that are directly
related to the associate’s present job or which may enhance
the employee’s potential for advancement. This program
reimburses the associate for tuition costs (up to a speciied
amount) for the calendar year in which the course was
successfully completed.
Internships – Aiken Regional partners with various
universities to provide internship opportunities
for students. Interns are placed throughout the
organization. The length of the assignment varies
depending on the educational requirements and
students receive school credits for successfully
completing the internship.
Management Training/Development – A
management development program, m3, was
implemented to offer a variety of developmental
classes to managers and/or upcoming leaders. The
participants are given an opportunity to enhance their
level of professional conidence, develop leadership
skills and competencies that will help advance the
mission of the facility, and assist them in motivating
staff to perform at a higher level.
High School Student Shadowing – Each February,
the local high schools participate in “Groundhog
Shadowing Day.” Students who have expressed a
career interest in healthcare are invited to spend the
day at Aiken Regional and meet various members
of the management and staff. They learn about the
hospital’s various departments and what is required of
healthcare professionals at different specialties.
Vadra Wertz, RN
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Commitment to Quality
Aiken Regional Medical Centers has a strong
commitment to patient safety and high-quality care
as evidenced by our many performance improvement
initiatives. The hospital participates in these national
quality initiatives:
Core Measures
Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS)
National Patient
Safety Goals
The Joint Commission
Get With The Guidelines
American Heart
Association
®
Door 2 Balloon
American College
of Cardiology
Institute for
Healthcare Improvement
Mentor hospital for care
of patients with acute
heart attack
Aiken Regional also has implemented many initiatives
and programs to maximize quality and patient
safety, including:
• Protocol for evaluating IV lines and urinary
catheters with timely removal of those that are no
longer essential
• Patient call-backs within 48 hours of outpatient
procedure for nursing follow-up on any questions
or concerns
• Breast Health Navigator to ensure timeliness of
patient referral and follow-up and coordination of care
• Formal “purposeful rounding program” on all hospital
inpatients with key topics addressed during each visit
• Performing nurse-to-nurse shift report at the patient’s
bedside to increase patient involvement in care
• Developed medication side effects cards to give
patients when a new medication is started
• Availability of Walgreens® prescription delivery to
patient’s bedside on day of discharge
• Utilization of ASCOM portable phones by clinical staff
to allow direct communication between patient and
nurse, also among other clinicians
• Performance of daily Care Coordination Rounds on
every patient involving multiple clinical specialties to
ensure patient progress through their plan of care
• Joint Navigator to guide and coordinate patients
through the entire continuum: preoperative, surgical
and postoperative care. The patient navigator
will collaborate with the medical staff to provide
individualized care to the patient and perform all
duties involved in the management of the daily
operations of the joint replacement program
• Stroke Coordinator to enhance the stroke program
and to provide education to the staff and the
community. The hospital recently earned Primary
Stroke Center Certiication from The
Joint Commission
Community Impact Summary
Uninsured/Underinsured Patients
Aiken Regional Medical Centers is committed to helping
uninsured patients qualify for local and state health
beneit programs. We offer on-site beneit education and
Medicaid enrollment assistance. Services for uninsured
and underinsured patients:
Medicare – A federal program for individuals 65 and
older, persons who are disabled receiving Social Security
Disability beneits for 24 months or longer, ESRD (End
Stage Renal Disease) patients, transplant patients and
individuals with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) are also
covered by the program.
Medicaid – A program for low-income and/or disabled
individuals. Aiken Regional Medical Centers has on-site
DHHS case workers and Eligibility Vendors to assist
you through the application process. Please contact our
Financial Assistance department for more information at
(803) 641-5629, (803) 641-5640, (803) 641-5088.
Federal Marketplace Exchange (Affordable
Care Act) – Individuals can apply online at
www.healthcare.gov, by phone at 1-800-318-2596,
with a paper application or with an in-person assister.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers has Certiied Federal
Navigators and Certiied Application Counselors
available to assist you with this process. (803) 641-5629,
(803) 641-5640, (803) 641-5088.
Employer-sponsored Health Insurance – Many
employers provide health insurance coverage to their
employees. Individuals should contact their employer if
they believe this insurance may be an option. Individuals
eligible for COBRA coverage may be eligible for
premium assistance while hospitalized based on income,
plan speciics, etc. Please contact one of our Financial
Counselors for more information at (803) 641-5720,
(803) 641-5721, (803) 641-5722, (803) 641-5723.
MIAP (Medically Indigent Assistance Program) –
This is available for low-income individuals who
are having scheduled inpatient emergent services/
procedures. Aiken County has a designee available to
assist with the application and processing. Individuals
should contact the Aiken County designee in person or
via phone to schedule an appointment. The designee is
located at the Aiken County Complex.
Crime Victims – South Carolina has a Crime Victims’
Compensation Fund to help citizens with costs related
to injuries received in a crime. To ind out more call the
State Ofice of Victim Assistance (SOVA) at 1-800-220-
5370 or at (803) 734-1900 in Columbia.
Charity – Aiken Regional recognizes that there are
individuals in need of urgent or emergent medical
services who are unable to pay. Assistance is granted
based on household assets, family size and expenses,
or when circumstances indicate severe inancial
hardship or personal loss. Individuals can be screened
for assistance under this program. Please contact a
Financial Counselor, Eligibility Vendor (803) 641-5629
or Central Business Ofice Representatives (803) 641-
5650 for more assistance.
Payment Arrangements – Aiken Regional Medical
Centers will work with the patient to establish an
appropriate interest-free payment plan based on the
amount due and the patient’s inancial status. Please
contact a Central Business Ofice Representative for
more information at (803) 641-5650.
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Community Impact Summary
Community Outreach
In 1991, Aiken Regional created a dedicated
Community Outreach department. For the past 26
years, the department has provided free and low-cost
health screenings, education and support programs to
Aiken and surrounding county residents.
Senior Wellness — ARMC offers a health program
dedicated to the 50+ population called Senior Wellness.
The program offers age-speciic education to is
members once a quarter called “The Breakfast Club.”
ARMC currently has nearly 9,000 members in the
program. In addition to education, members have
access to many social events, activities and
travel opportunities.
Women Enlightened for Better Health (we) —
Launched in 2012, Women Enlightened for Better
Health (we) is a women’s health initiative dedicated
to providing women with the tools they need to live a
healthy life. WE provides members access to our care
navigators to help them keep on track with their health.
The care navigators can assist them with making
appointments, answer questions about health concerns
and provide them with educational materials on
health issues.
2017 Outreach Results
Educational Classes:
55 classes with more than 900 in attendance
Support Groups:
260 groups with more than 3,500 in attendance
Ladies Lifestyle Show
The Aiken Regional Medical Centers’ Ladies Lifestyle
Show was held at the USCA Convocation Center in
February. The event had over 1,000 in attendance
and over 750 lipid panels were provided to
community members.
Cancer Care Institute
Offered free PSA testing Monday-Friday to men
in our community. ARMC provides free colon
cancer screening kits during the month of March in
recognition of Colon Cancer Awareness month.
Women Enlightened for Better Health (
we) is not
only a women’s health initiative, but our members also
believe in helping women in our community. We call it
“Women caring for Women”:
• Donated $200 through enrollment in the we Pearl
Health Incentive Program. Money raised through
the Pearl Program goes to CanHope, a local non-
proit cancer organization that provides assistance
to local cancer patients. We have raised nearly
$7,000 to go to CanHope (formerly called the
Savannah River Cancer Foundation) from the past
ive years of participating in the program.
Community Partnerships
• Aiken Regional Medical Centers collaborated
with the Aiken Rotary Clubs to place
Automatic External Deibrillators (AEDs)
in Aiken public facilities to help make the
community safer. The portable devices can help
in an emergency when people have a suspected
cardiac arrest. Some of the sites where the AEDs
were placed in the community included the City of
Aiken, Aiken County Public Schools and
Camp Gravatt.
• In a collaborative effort between Aiken
Regional Medical Centers, Aiken County
Public Schools, Aiken County Retired
Teachers Association, Public Education
Partners and Aiken County First Steps, an
initiative called “Baby’s First Teacher” is
offered to give the gift of reading. The purpose
of this initiative is to encourage parents of babies
born at Aiken Regional to take an active role in
teaching their babies to read — from birth. As part
of this initiative, retired Aiken County teachers visit
new mothers at Aiken Regional and bring a new
book and toy for their babies.
• Aiken Regional Medical Centers and the
Women Enlightened for Better Health (WE)
partnered with USC Aiken’s Zeta Tau Alpha
chapter to hold an inaugural women’s event
on the school’s campus to encourage young
women to “Live NOW. Live LATER” in honor
of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “Live
NOW. Live LATER.” is a special program designed
speciically to educate young women about breast
cancer and how to prevent it.
Volunteering in the Community – ARMC
employees, physicians on the medical staff and auxiliary
members volunteer countless hours in the community
for charitable and nonproit organizations. Our people
are vested in this community and believe in giving back
to the community we serve. We volunteer for special
projects, give our time on community boards and help
where needed to assist members of our community.
Contributions to Charitable Organizations: Aiken
Regional Medical Centers has been a longstanding
good corporate citizen. We believe in giving back to the
community we serve through charitable contributions.
During 2017, ARMC made over $100,000 in
contributions, in-kind donations, and sponsorships for
organizations in our community.
The hospital was honored to be the presenting sponsor
of “Paint the Fair Pink” event, held October 26, 2017, at
the Western Carolina State Fair. The event helped raise
awareness about breast cancer. We donated $7,500
from event proceeds to CanHope, a local non-proit
organization that provides inancial, educational and
emotional support for local patients.
Aiken Regional Medical Centers along with its Caring
for Carolina partners, WJBF Channel 6 and Bath Fitter,
raised $1,000 for Koda’s Kids Foundation at a Men’s
Health event held in May. Koda’s Kids was founded by
Aiken native and pro linebacker, Dekoda Watson, to
provide scholarships to Aiken County students.
Community Involvement
ARMC employees and physicians on the medical
staff volunteer countless hours in the community for
charitable and nonproit organizations. Our people are
vested in this community and believe in giving back
to the community we serve. We volunteer for special
projects, give our time on community boards and help
where needed to assist members of our community.
Some of the boards on which we serve within the
community include:
• United Way
• Children’s Place
• American Heart Association®
• March of Dimes®
• Community Medical Clinic
• American Red Cross®
• Aiken Technical College Foundation
• Aiken Chamber of Commerce
• Child Advocacy Advisory Board
• USCA Partnership Board
• Aiken County Career and Technology Board
• CanHope
• Helping Hands
• Aiken Habitat for Humanity®
• Aiken Senior Life Services
• Aiken Center for the Arts
• Economic Development
• Cumbee Center
CanHope Check Presentation
2018 Community Profile | 1312 | Aiken Regional Medical Centers
Community Profile
For more information about our hospital’s
commitment to our community, please call
our outreach department at 803-641-5926.
Or visit our website: www.aikenregional.com.
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Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website.
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