A couple quick Pupster vids from Christmas

Analytical Troubleshooting 101

Not sure about most hospitals, but localized chest pains aren't generally an indication of shingles.

One might figure that a hospital that just received this AWARD might be able to figure that out.

Day Kimball Hospital Receives National Quality Award for Superior Patient Outcomes in Quality and Efficiency

PUTNAM, CT – Day Kimball Hospital was recently named a 2007 Premier|CareScience Select Practice National Quality Award Winner. Of more than 4,700 hospitals eligible for the award, Day Kimball was recognized in the top 1% of acute care inpatient facilities in the United States for superior patient outcomes.

“We are pleased to recognize this select group of hospitals offering the highest quality and most efficient patient care in the nation,” said Richard A Bankowitz, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.P., vice president and medical director for Premier Healthcare Informatics. “These hospitals represent the country’s elite healthcare facilities for patient care based on performance using objective measures of clinical outcomes and efficiencies.”

According to Premier’s website, reports are developed using Premier|CareScience risk-adjusting methodology, which evaluates true quality and efficiency through comprehensive patient population analysis, utilizing a risk model that includes 16 clinical factors. The website also states that this approach to risk adjustment provides hospitals and patients with an objective source of information on hospital quality.

“It is an honor for Day Kimball Hospital to be recognized for quality and efficiency in our delivery of healthcare to our patients,” said Douglas Waite, MD, Vice President for Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. “Being in the top 1% of hospitals nationwide is indeed an honor and something that we should all be very proud of.”

Day Kimball Hospital did not apply for this award, but was recognized as a top performer in quality and efficiency among acute care inpatient facilities by Premier based on the Medicare MEDPAR 2005 data.

Ruminations.

We were able to tour the entire production facility at Hendrick's. Unreal. Absolutely spotless from the weld shop through the eingine shop through assembly and paint. Everyone seemed to enjoy what they were doing and it showed. There were at least 40 fully prepped motors in the engine shop ready to go. (That's over $2MM worth of engines.

Chad Knauss was working in his office as our group traipsed though. He looks about as you'd expect.

Jeff Gordon is a fucking midget. His uniforms are small enough that a jockey might not fit. No wonder no one ever drives his cars.

Not sure what everyone else on the trip thought as I was about the only NASCAR fan in thebunch, but it was pretty cool.

I wonder if Hendrick is accepting applications?

Hendrick Motorsports

We spent the first half of our last day touring Hendrick Motorsports. It's located about a mile in the boonies behind Charlotte Motor Speedway. Most of these pictures are from the museum and are of what might be considered significant cars from Hendrick's career.





First, the four Daytona 500 winning cars. (None of which have been cleaned, by the way.)






Plane crash tribute car that won the next race.



Chip Foose sponsored Gordon Car.



The T-Rex. a car so innovative, it was outlawed after it's first race.



Innaugural Brickyard 400 winning car.



Hendrick's winningest chassis.



Spectacular wreck.









Terry Labonte's cars.






Other vehicles from the museum:




Movie Car (Tom Cruise Sucks.)



Tim Richmond's car, I think.



Papa Joe's '31 Chevy and dirt tracker.





Gordon's Driver of the Year awards. (By the way, he's not allowed to ride them because of a "dangerous activity" clause in his contract.)





Busch Series Championship Car.



Exploded view of Winston Cup Car.



Rick's personal Craftsman Truck.



Hendick Motorsports 20th anniversary Charlotte Pace Car.



1000 HP 3.8L Turbo V-6 powered GTP Corvette. Set record of 207 MPH at WATKINS FREAKIN GLEN.




Other Random stuff:






Picture of Rick done in seven minutes.



Kyle Busch's Pit sign.



Nice Featherlight.




Little dirt cars of Jimmie Johnson's.



Actual Race Ready COT in Johnson/Gordon Prep Shop.






Pit Boxes after paint being wired.




This about says it all.