Health briefs

__SAINT FRANCIS BONDS GIVEN 'STABLE OUTLOOK'__

Fitch Ratings, an agency that assigns bond ratings as a measure of overall financial health, in April gave $154.5 million in revenue bonds issued to Saint Francis Medical Center an AA- rating with a stable outlook. The bonds cover the health system's in-progress Building on Excellence renovation, expansion and construction project and refinancing of existing debt. The agency's statement on the bonds, according to a news release from Saint Francis, showed the health system's operating profitability "has been consistently strong with operating margins averaging 7.7 percent since fiscal 2009 and equal to 6 percent in fiscal 2014 and the interim period, exceeding Fitch's 'AA' category median of 3.9 percent." The strong operating profitability, according to the agency, "has been driven by strategic investments in key service lines, physician alignment initiatives and effective expense management practices." The building project includes construction of a new five-story patient tower that will include areas for orthopedics, neurosciences, rehabilitation, surgical and medical services. Renovations that are part of the project will include a new pavilion for women's and children's services. The project will add more than 217,000 square feet to the Cape Girardeau medical center, bringing the facility to 1.6 million square feet.

__HOSPITAL EARNS PATIENT EXPERIENCE AWARD__

Saint Francis Medical Center was awarded the 2015 Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades. Hospitals must meet eligibility requirements for consideration for the award, according to a news release, and Saint Francis' performance places it among the top 15 percent of hospitals in the nation. This is the fourth consecutive year Saint Francis has received the award. The hospital was recognized as "providing outstanding performance in the delivery of a positive experience for patients during their hospital stay," according to Healthgrades, an online resource providing information about doctors and hospitals. Surveys asking patients about their care are used by Healthgrades to evaluate hospitals.

__DIXON CHIROPRACTIC HAS NEW NAME, OWNER__

Dixon Chiropractic in Scott City has changed names to Brey Family Chiropractic. Dr. Tiffany Brey bought the business at 2230 Main St. and is leading the practice.

__SOUTHEAST HOSPITAL, HOME HEALTH EARN SEAL OF APPROVAL__

Southeast Hospital, Home Health and Hospice earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation for their commitment to provide the highest standards of patient care, according to a news release from Southeast. Five Joint Commission surveyors, who are specially trained health-care professionals, reviewed Southeast Hospital's operations -- everything from environment of care and infection prevention to medication and patient safety -- over the course of five days in January. The reaccreditation extends for three years. Established in 1951, The Joint Commission accredits more than 20,000 health-care organizations, including more than 4,000 hospitals.

__PERRY COUNTY MEMORIAL NAMED HEALTHSTRONG HOSPITAL__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County Memorial Hospital was named one of the nation's HealthStrong Hospitals by iVantage Health Analytics. In addition to being named a HealthStrong top hospital by ranking in the top 10 percent when compared to all 4,700 U.S. acute care hospitals, PCMH has also been named a top 100 critical access hospital compared to the 2,400 critical access hospitals in the U.S., according to a news release from PCMH. The study and announcement of the 2015 Healthstrong Hospitals highlights top performing hospitals as determined through the Hospital Strength Index, which measures hospitals across 62 different performance metrics, including quality, outcomes, patient perspective, affordability and efficiency.

__REGIONAL BRAIN AND SPINE OPENS SIKESTON CLINIC__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A ribbon cutting was held April 16 for Regional Brain and Spine, 1617 E. Malone Ave. in Sikeston. Dr. Kyle Colle leads the clinic, along with Dr. Patrick Knight and administrator Tom Weber from Advanced Orthopedic Specialists.

__INNOVATIVE ORTHODONTICS OPENS IN JACKSON__

Innovative Orthodontics opened its new Jackson location at 404 S. Hope St. It was at 430 W. Independence St. The company also has locations at 2103 Broadway in Cape Girardeau and at 334 N. Main St. in Perryville.

__PURSLEY RECEIVES TITLEIST PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION__

Dr. Greg Pursley of PC Wellness Centers in Cape Girardeau recently received a designation allowing him to use Titleist Performance Institute technology to analyze a golfer's form and help create a more efficient swing. As an institute Instructor, Pursley uses high-speed video and orthopedic testing developed by the institute, according to a news release.