Some have asked if the hospital will remain in Kremmling after the development of the proposed Middle Park Medical Center in Granby (target: 2012) and how administration and the board believe it is possible. (See previously published blog post: "Hospital Will Remain In Kremmling"
Others have asked about our financial reporting and we have provided links to DOLA's records as well as info to link them to SDA's records (Special District Association.
Many questions from the public have been addressed on YouTube-published interviews: see "Middle Park Medical Center" on YouTube.
One of the more recent questions asked about what we are doing currently to sustain the current operations at Kremmling Memorial Hospital in Kremmling. Thank you for the question--below is the email answer:
From: "Eric Murray"
To: PERSON WHO ASKED QUESTION VIA EMAIL
Sent: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 11:36:04 AM
Subject: Thank you for your question. I am happy to summarize our marketing strategy ...
Good Morning NAME OF PERSON ASKING QUESTION,
Thank you for your questions! It's true, Ide Bailey (audit firm) did recommend strong marketing strategy to both retain and gain business at the hospital currently.
"Tell people about your services and then ask them to 'utilize us'!"
I appreciate your questions as to what is being done marketing wise. I believe the board of directors is very pro-active in promotion of our current services as part of the overall strategy of the sustainment and growth of KMHD, here in Kremmling. I've got a mult-faceted answer for your question regarding what we are doing, what we've done and what we intend to do to drive revenue to hospital and clinic services. Although it is not a complete answer, (that would take hours and perhaps and sit-down conversation which I'd be happy to arrange if you like), I hope it gives you confidence in our marketing/publicity strategy and methods. It's important to note that we are always up for suggestions and continually strive for improvement.
First, each October I present a marketing report, reviewing the previous years successes, and a marketing plan and budget for approval by the board of directors. Depending on resources available and the projected ROI (Return On Investment) on any one campaign, the directors work with me to adjust accordingly. Sometimes these efforts are adjusting during the course of a year, as situations and budgets dictate, but most often we accomplish the marketing objectives with valuable return.
I've attached an example of the 2009 press strategy report, which proved quite successful--all factors considered. Keeping in mind that $0, zero dollars were spent on this particular proven method. Although I have published over #300 newspaper columns, (at zero cost), the downsizing of the paper and the discontinuation of my previous, long-running, weekly newspaper column, has driven us to another effective method, a more direct method --our eNewsletter (see more explanation below). [If you would like to be on this eNewsletter mailing list, please send your request to: eric@kmhd.cc ]
Besides outreach to area and Denver hospitals, to capture referrals from case managers, [an inter-agency communications approach that informs case managers of our services and allows them to better plan the entire plan of care for a patient who might have received treatment in a Denver facilty] (plan also attached) we also sponsors several local events including blood drives, the Winter Park Cancer Walk, Alzheimer's, five wishes, bike rodeos, helmet safety programs, Emergency services outreach education, inviting the public to the April Meet the Candidates, and much more.
We hold a regular Mammography promotion along with the WP Cancer Walk Sponsorship: FREE INITIAL SCREENING MAMMOGRAM FOR ANY WOMAN ON THE SAME MONTH AS HER 40th birthday. Additionally we offer regular Quick Lab specials which we offer at even lower prices than what are offered at the 9HealthFair. In addition to sponsoring the 9HealthFair itself, KMHD offers FREE 9HEALTHFAIR RESULTS CLINIC, which allows individuals to come in to the hospital for free and sit with a trained staff member to go over results obtained from any one of the three county-wide healthfairs. We've also had several mini-health fairs. We have held clinic open houses, ED open houses, Flight for Life Open Houses. Oops, I nearly forgot to mention the FREE SPORTS PHYSICALS we offer at both schools! (Yes, we believe that these outreach efforts to ingratiate us with the community and promote the use of our family practice clinics and hospital services).
Our eNewsletter is yet another low-cost, regular advertising, promotion and information source. The first was in January to present. The email list grows on a daily basis as people sign up to be recipients. (Still getting this word out).
As you may have noticed, we are delving deep in to our social media, as this is proving to be a more valuable method every year (not to mention is it very low-cost and provides greater depth and detail) i.e.; YouTube, Blogger, FaceBook--not only to inform about Middle Park Medical Center, but to also explain about the service line currently offered in Kremmling. This highly effective media--also nearly free (but time intensive). Please click below to watch extensive video footage and read blogs on specific subjects. We also welcome viewer/reader comments and questions. We believe healthy dialog is important.
Facebook: MiddleParkMedicalCenter (must be a member)
Blogger: http://middleparkmedicalcenter.blogspot.com
YouTube: type in MPMedicalCenter (here you will see video footage of mostly MPMC Project questions including: "6320 Board Appointed", "GaryCenturaStrategicPlan", Explanation of MOUpartnership" "Cole white explains MPMC" "ColeWhite Addresses Risk" "Meet Cindy Callihan" "Meet KMHD's New Physical Therapy Manager" and more.
Then of course there are our two websites, (new and improved site is in development)
www.kremmlinghospital.org
www.middleparkmedicalcenter.com
www.skyhidailynews.com has an archive of around #300 newspaper columns promoting of hospital services, clinic services, doctor biographies and interviews, healthfair and other event announcements and write-ups, etc., as well as providing informative health tips from our practitioners/clinicians. Plus we are online members so we are able to reply to comments left under each press release or each newspaper column. We get some great feedback from this local newspaper site!
Another part of what I do in my Public Relations role, is to have daily conversations with people who contact me via my readily advertised phone number. Whether town council members, county government, EMS, Denver hospitals, regional hospitals, tax payer groups such as the Friends of the Lower Blue, visitors, contractors, or physicians or other medical professionals seeking to know more for possible employment--I speak to several people every day.
Still another part of the board-directives for public relations and awareness of services is our local, inter-agency efforts of communications. As the certified Public Information Officer, with training from the Office of Emergency Management, KMHD is represented in emergency "tests" or mock drills of mass-casualty situations. These trainings and drills get us to communicate with agencies such as fire, police, EMS, coroner's office and more. This is believed to be an important part of our awareness campaign and outreach.
I am also President of The Western Colorado HealthCare Communicators. This is a regional organization made up of Marketing, Public Relations and Public Information Officers in hospitals such as Aspen, Valley View, Yampa Valley Medical Center, Craig and Grand Junction. Regular meetings with this group keeps KMHD up on the latest and most effective methods of advertising, promotion and public relations. It also is a networking resource to share ideas that work, from billing suggestions to survey programs. As a matter of fact, this group has expressed to me for years that they cannot believe how much press we get for being such a small hospital.
Another thing we do on a regular basis, is to address both the Summit and Grand County Commissioners between 2-3 times per year, in person. We update the commissioners in person, usually regarding our Service Plan, Elections, plans for expansion or development, current financial etc.
Another part of the marketing and public relations plan at KMHD is to be as transparent as possible. We are compliant with the Special Districts Association as well as DOLA. But we realize that we can be more transparent and are continually emphasizing improvement in this area.
In development: We are looking in to having a new billing service which would allow for a newsletter to be printed on back of each invoice. This may update hundreds of more people each month about our services or about any number of different topics regarding the hospital. We are also consider a sign on the property where we intend to build the replacement hospital in Kremmling one day. Lastly, we are developing a new, enhanced website to supplement our two current websites that each provide a certain degree of information for the public.
We are also offering the next several board meetings, open to the public, at the Kremmling Chamber of Commerce. For one, we think it is more comfortable; lighting, seating, temperature and for two, it accommodates more audience members.
, thank you again for your question. Although this email and attachments do not completely address all we are doing, I hope it serves to give you a broad perspective.
The Kremmling Memorial Hospital Board of Directors would like everyone to know, that each and every one of them believes that the hospital must remain in Kremmling, now and forever. They believe they are incorporating strategies that will ensure the sustainment and growth of healthcare services county-wide including those offered in Kremmling.
Thank you, again for your questions. We know that KMHD is your hospital and that questions and comments provide us with valuable feedback that we utilize and appreciate!
Sincerely,
Eric Murray
970-409-9017
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