 |
|
|
Spring 2009
Lynne Carpenter, RN, CMSRN, Interim Nurse Manager, Nurse Educator nominated Geoff Farnum, RN (right). The second group of Nursing VIPs (interns) began flying “solo” on November 24th as the first group moved on to experience nursing in another unit. Geoff made this an exceptional experience for everyone involved including Lynne herself. She is passionate about the program and what has been accomplished in support of the nursing profession and the orientation process on the Med/Surg unit. She depended on Geoff and he fulfilled every expectation.
Diagnostic Imaging Technologist Jackie Hella constantly goes out of her way to respond to the needs of her patients, and as you will learn from this story, related by Tonya Guthrie, Radiology Technologist, people she doesn’t even know.
A hospital-wide email was sent out seeking monetary donations for a Woodridge employee who is battling cancer. The purpose of the money was to help pay for transportation to and from cancer treatments in Burlington. Jackie knew about a program sponsored by the American Cancer Society called Road to Recovery that funds the transportation costs to patients’ treatment appointments. She thought it would make more sense for this employee to use the services of the program so that the money collected could be put toward her rising medication costs. Jackie contacted the American Cancer Society to learn more details about the program. After many phone calls and a seemingly endless game of phone tag, Jackie spoke to the person who facilitates the program. She collected all of the program’s information and shared it with the person who organized the money collection. Whether or not the program was used, I don’t know, but thanks to Jackie’s diligence and compassion, more people now know about the program.
A resident on the Evergreen Unit passed away during LPN Jennifer Smith’s shift. A family member had been by the resident’s side for 24 hours. Jen assisted this family member to get a ride home and ensure the person had eaten. Jen’s quiet caring attitude was a breath of fresh air for those who watched her care for the resident and his family. Jen has been a nurse for less than a year and already shows the most important quality a nurse can have – true compassion for other human beings. Nominated by Amanda Mills-Brown, RN, Nurse Manager, who stated that anyone would be lucky to have Jen take care of them, and her co-workers are even luckier to work side by side with her.
Lab operations supervisor Rusty Reader came back Saturday late afternoon to help the lab. The phlebotomist was tied up in the OB with a very ill baby and the tech was backed up with emergency department samples. Two patients had timed draws for 3:00 pm. It was now 4:45 pm. He called the ICU and asked if the nurses could collect the samples. He was met with a very pleasant and cooperative attitude. The nurse said that she would be glad to dust off her skills, and if they could not get it, not to worry, just come up when you can. A little while later, the samples were brought down to the lab. They not only drew it but had it delivered!
On Sunday, Rusty was talking with the phlebotomist from Saturday evening who said that she went to the ICU and when she walked onto the unit, the nurses could see that she was frazzled. The phlebotomist, who is currently pregnant, was exhausted and started to cry. The nurses sat her down, gave her some ice cream and drew the sample that she went there to get!
That same weekend the nurses helped Rusty with difficult draws, and even helped hold a patient. No complaints/grumbles!
“This is the kind of departmental teamwork that makes working here so special. Everyone up there, all shifts this weekend, were GREAT, and I and my team members from the weekend appreciate it.”
Rusty nominated nurses Yvonne Mark,RN, Amy Robertson, RN Tricia Vitori, RN Cathy Lake, RN, Nurse Manager, Beth LaBerge,RN, Gloria Bowin, RN, Ellen Moody, RN and Donna Willett.RN.
Diagnostic Imaging Director Dixie Mercier nominated technologist Melanie Tucker, a very considerate person, always willing to go Above and Beyond to assure that patients, patients’ family members and visitors are all made welcome and comfortable while at CVMC. On this particular occasion, Melanie was in the front lobby on her way home late in the afternoon when she happened upon an elderly gentleman who seemed lost and confused. The gentleman also sported two canes so his mobility was extremely limited. Melanie asked him if he needed help getting somewhere, and he did not seem to know where he was headed. She asked if he was waiting for an appointment or for someone to come and pick him up to bring him home, and he still did not seem to know. The gentleman did finally give Melanie the name of a family member, whom she called immediately (they came to take the gentleman home). Melanie went out of her way to take care of this fellow and never left his side until she was sure that someone was on their way to pick him up, proving beyond any doubt that Melanie is a wonderful, caring individual and a CSI Super Star!! Thanks Melanie!!!
Peggy Glodgett a coder for Medical Group Practices and Kathy Nickels, Administrative Assistant, Administration, were walking around the hospital at lunchtime. As they rounded the corner by the Emergency entrance, Peggy spotted a woman hopping on one foot, trying to make her way to the ED from the parking lot. Peggy immediately ran to the woman and suggested a wheelchair. Peggy quickly ran up the ramp and got one for her, helped her settle into the chair and pushed her into the Emergency Department. This is the second time Kathy has seen Peggy help a patient get into the hospital while they were out walking.
The Health Information Management department initiated a new practice of pulling all incomplete records from Hospitalists and covering primary care providers, to be signed off on a weekly basis by the Hospitalist on duty. As a result of implementation of this system there are less records to manage, fewer letters and phone calls need to be made and medical staff do not need to drive to the hospital to sign a single verbal or telephone order.
The secondary benefits are that the records are completed more timely, scanning records is not delayed while awaiting final signatures, and records are more readily available and accessible to nursing, providers and other users of electronic records.
Angela Guyette nominated Sherry White Clinical Office Supervisor, Hospitalist Program and Patricia Wark, Medical Records. Due to their hard work and diligence the incomplete record percentage has dipped below the 5% benchmark to 4% for the first time in the history of CVMC.
Sydnee Boucher, RN, ED, Clinical Nurse Coordinator once again found herself in awe of the efforts made by the nurses at CMVC. It was one of the busiest nights Sydnee could remember. The ER admitted fifteen patients between 7:00 pm and 5:00 am. Twelve of them went to 2 South. As fast as they could get written orders on these patients, the floor was ready and waiting to admit them. If not for this, the ER would have had to call a Level 1 disaster due to extreme volume and acuity. Danielle Myers, RN was the clinical nurse coordinator on 2 South. She made heroic efforts to move admissions quickly and efficiently. Sydnee nominated the entire 2 South team for Above and Beyond for their efforts and their grace. The nominees were: Danielle Myers, RN, Jennifer Hilferty, RN, Jackie Bisson, RN, Betsy McGinty, RN, Laura Moore, RN, and Linda Thuren, RN.
Dr. Palmer was nominated for coming in to the Lab/Pathology department on a Saturday to evaluate a pathology specimen that Dr. Knowlton had obtained the prior evening. Dr. Palmer’s ability to review the tissue specimens and the report she developed allowed Dr. Knowlton to promptly and accurately deal with his patient’s problem and provide peace of mind immediately rather than having to wait for two days (until Monday) for the report.
Dr. Knowlton nominated Cecile Gendron, RN - Same Day Surgery, who went Above & Beyond pursuing a patient’s symptoms, which although minor at the time, could be associated with a very serious allergic reaction in the future. She contacted the manufacturer of the product in question, as well as following up with both the doctor and the patient. It was very much appreciated.
When the night shift came on duty at 7:00 pm the ER was hopping. Every bed was full and four ambulances were coming in. A patient who was six months pregnant had a minor fall but was experiencing some vaginal bleeding. Polly called Women & Children’s, explained the situation and asked if they would assess this patient. Without
hesitation, Krissa Hammond, RN, agreed. Thank you Krisssa and Women & Children’s unit. You are truly Above & Beyond. Nominated by Sydnee Boucher, RN, ED, Clinical Nurse Coordinator.
Derek Kouwenhoven, RN, Emergency Department Nurse Manager, Nominated David DeRosia, RN, CEN. Dave noticed that a pre-packaged medication for a certain condition that presented in the ER, did not always work properly when attached to an IV tube. He brought this to the attention of the pharmacy. Pharmacy tested the device and couldn’t locate a problem. When Dave continued to have problems he went back to Pharmacy with the suggestion that the pre-packaged medical delivery system may have worked properly when tested in the pharmacy but was not compatible with the IV tubing being used in the ER. This resulted in a new aspect of evaluation for IV delivered medications -- compatibility with the IV tubing. ERs around New England have now been advised of this potential issue.
Jim Tautfest, Nursing Director of Inpatient Psychiatry was nominated by Mark Lang, Quality Management Analyst. In one particular situation, Jim Tautfest’s efforts and selflessness caused him to come in on several nights to handle a situation that required working with his staff and the family of a patient in need of transfer. He assured and enabled the patient’s family to feel comfortable and confident that their family member was being given every opportunity to be placed in a location of the family’s preference.
|
|
|
|
