Sweet treat helps hospital celebrate

Owner Chris McFarland and his daughter Lily serve Melissa Donahue, left, and Kendall Buchanan ice dream during Fleming County Hospital’s celebration of successful surveys. Photos by Carolyn Schwartz.

A downpour hindered but did not stop employees and visitors at Fleming County Hospital from enjoying a summertime treat last Wednesday.

The hospital was celebrating, said CEO Brian Springate, high scores on two recent surveys. One was directed at employees, the other at patients.

Springate invited Chris McFarland to bring his Sweet Lily’s Ice Cream food truck to Flemingsburg.

“He’s from Fayette County. He’s a Lexington firefighter and does lots of work with hospitals,” said Springate.

The bright pink and green script marked the black food truck which was parked near the hospital’s main entrance. Employees came one by one or in small groups to select a combination of flavors to suit their palate. Chocolate or peanut butter cup, bourbon pecan pie or strawberry and four other flavors brought responses of “It’s good” from Jasmine Barbee and Denise Hollice.

“It’s the bomb,” one staff member said as she entered the hospital, licking the ice cream from her spoon.

Visitors to the hospital were also invited to wait out the “rain delays,” get in line and sample some of the cold confection.

The CoSE survey, as it is referred to, stand for Culture of Safety and Engagement. Marsha Mitchell, the hospital’s human resources contact, stated that the survey dealt with the employees’ opinion of the workplace.

“It gives employees an opportunity to let us know how they feel about certain areas addressed in the survey,” said Lynda Skaggs, chief nursing officer.

Springate added that the survey was conducted every two years by all 72 of Lifepoint Health’s hospitals, of which Fleming County is a member. Teamwork is just one of the items covered in the survey.

“Our score was extremely high in comparison to other hospitals,” said Springate.

“It’s what we’ve known all along,” said Skaggs. “We are a small hospital. We work together closely every day.”

The outpatient satisfaction survey, filled out as patients leave the hospital, also recorded a high score.

“It was 98 percent last quarter,” said Springate.

Dodging raindrops did not discourage anyone from stepping up for a cup of ice cream; and as they passed Springate, murmurs of “thank you” were directed at the CEO for this special treat.