May 2012 - Cone Health

EDITORIAL BOARD
The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital
Nicole Baltazar-Holbert, RN, MSN
Assistant Director, Departments 2500, 2600, 6500
Ashley Jarrell, RN, BSN, BA
Department 2300, Surgical Intensive Care
Wesley Long Hospital
Maura Barber, RN, BSN, Copy Editor
3West, Oncology
Susan Collins, RN, MSN
Short Stay
Behavioral Health Hospital
Akeysha McMurran, RN, MSN
Administrative Coordinator
Annie Penn Hospital
Debbie Green, RN, MSN, CENP
Vice President, Nursing and Patient Services
Women’s Hospital
Ann Councilman, RN, MHA
Assistant Director, Women’s Unit, AICU
& WIC flexible resources
Beth Smith, RN, MSN, NE-BC
Director, Mother Baby Unit, Central Nursery,
Lactation and Perinatal Education
Systemwide
Lisa Boland, RN, MSN, CHCR
Manager, Nursing Outreach and Retention,
Pacemakers Editor
Belinda Hammond, RN, MSN, CEN, CCRN
Clinical Nurse Educator-Critical Care
Wendy Hicks, RN, MSN, CAPA
Cone HealthLink
Danyel Johnson, RN, MSN
Clinical Nurse Educator-Medical Surgical;
Research Council Representative
Ruthie Waters, RN, MSN
Relationship Based Care Coordinator
Specialty Areas
Brandon Bennett, RN, MSN, CNS, CNOR, NE-BC
Executive Director, Surgical Services
JC Cooper, RN, BSN, CTRN, EMT
CareLink
Lelia Moore, RN, BSN, FCN
Coordinator, Congregational Nurse Program
Karen Resh, RN, MBA, MHA
Director, Emergency Department,
MedCenter High Point
Neely Richardson, RN, BSN, CCRN
CareLink
Sandra Wilkins, RN BSN, CAPA
Assistant Director, Moses Cone Surgery Center
Support Services
Peggy Wynn, MLIS
Librarian, Wesley Long Hospital
NURSINGBEAT
Book Review, Continued
For newcomers to nursing, the book validates much of that roller-coaster
first-year experience. Brown describes the challenge of “figuring out what I
didn’t know and how I could most efficiently learn it within the confines of
a system so byzantine and idiosyncratic that at moments I really would have
liked to bang my head on the wall in frustration, except that I never had
time.” She deftly describes many of the “rites of passage” that all new nurses
experience: the first death, the first code, communicating with doctors,
dealing with challenging patients, adapting to the politics of a hospital floor,
returning to work after a physical injury, etc. Her writing expresses humor
and lightness, too. In one part she wryly observes: “Nurses deal with slow
death, constant sadness, gross inefficiency and the chaos of failing lives, but
we also deal a lot with patients’ poop.”
T H E
P U L S E
O F
Editor-in-Chief
Sarah Lackey, RN, MSN, CNS
Rapid Response Team
AT
C O N E
Spring 2012
H E A LT H
Vol. 9 No. 2
Beyond this thoughtful book, Brown is staking out a claim as a national voice
for the nursing profession. A regular contributor to The New York Times
blog “Well,” she also maintains her own blog – www.TheresaBrownRN.
com. She now enjoys a national forum in which she writes candidly about
issues like nursing errors, “practicing” new skills on patients and the need to
improve care for hospital patients at the end of life. Hers is not a voice to be
missed.
I especially appreciated reading this book just a few months into my first
nursing job (in Inpatient Oncology at Wesley Long Hospital). Like the
author, I came to nursing as a second career, in my late 40s, after years of
professional experience elsewhere. While Cone Health does an excellent
job transitioning new nurses by offering orientation and preceptor-based
training, and the yearlong GAP (Graduate Advancement Program) with
new nurse peers and mentor leaders, I confess that nursing is the hardest job
I have ever loved! Theorists such as Pat Benner explain that it takes two to
three years to transition from being a novice nurse to a competent one, and
a period of reality shock is expected for us newbies. Six months into my new
career, I discovered in this book yet one more encouraging voice urging me
to hang tough for the long haul. I am still learning on the job as fast and as
furiously as I have ever learned and acquiring new skills every single day as a
humble-yet-determined novice on the Cone Health team.
MAGNET
STRUCTURAL EMPOWERMENT
Nursing Certification, Continued
Behavioral Health Hospital has taken the support and encouragement of
nursing certification one step further. In addition to the review course,
leadership at Behavioral Health Hospital offers a free weekly study group for
the psychiatric certification exam. Cone Health supports nursing certification initiatives systemwide by fully funding initial certification, as well as
recertification of qualified nurses in all specialty areas. This generous support
will help Cone Health reach its goal of having 32 percent of its nursing staff
certified in a specialty area.
Nursing staff interested in receiving Cone Health financial support for initial
certification in a practice-related specialty or renewal of currently held certification should contact Staff Education at 832-8173 for more information.
We Are Moving On UP!
Read Nursing Beat online. Go to the Home Page
and click on the Nursing Beat logo.
Building Our New Professional Nurse
Advancement Program (PNAP), page 3
Co-Editor, Nursing Education
Peggy Hewitt, RN, MSN
Department 2000
Co-Editor, Nursing Research
Nancy Summerell, RN, MSN
Clinical Orientation Nurse, ED Academy
N U R S I N G
1200 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
www.conehealth.com/nursing
Nursing Beat
Mission Statement
To communicate and celebrate
the dynamic power of Nursing
innovations and enduring values
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
2
2
3
4
5
Message from Theresa Brodrick
Humpty Dumpty Award
We Are Moving On UP
The Women’s Only 5K Walk/Run
Improved Relationships at Work
6
7
7
8
Magnet Redesignation
All This From Sheets?
Book Review
Annie Penn NICHE Designation
9
10
11
11
Setting the Pace
BHH Nursing Certification
From the Editor
Going Above and Beyond
Message from Theresa Brodrick
I have thought of everything to do today to
prevent me from sitting down to write this
article for Nursing Beat. Please don’t think
that I don’t want to reach out to all of you
and send my quarterly message. It’s just that
the weather is gorgeous here in Greensboro
today, as it pretty much has been all winter,
and I want to be outside! It’s spring, the days
are getting longer and buds are out everywhere. My husband and I have been building
a garden in my new yard so I can begin to
plant seeds and grow vegetables. I just can’t
wait. In fact, I planted onions today.
We serve our communities by
preventing illness, restoring
health and providing comfort,
through exceptional people
delivering exceptional care.
The growth and beauty of the spring season
is my favorite time of year. I think it is
a great comparison to why I have loved
working at Cone Health since I got here
10 months ago. In such a short time, I have
seen such hard work and excitement over
so many initiatives that have grown and
blossomed. Our new values, principles and
practices that have been developed for our
new culture are great examples. Yet there
seems to be some confusion about how
everything ties together. Some have asked, “Is
this new culture the flavor of the month?”,
“What has happened to Relationship Based
Care?” (RBC) , “How does our new culture
tie into shared governance or our Magnet
concepts?” Well I am here to share that they
all tie nicely together. Let me share just one
example and cross walk how the Magnet
components, our system goals, our new
culture, RBC and shared governance all tie
together and support our nursing magnet
components, model and structure.
From the Editor: Keep on Writing
While facilitating a Reigniting the Spirit of Caring workshop, I remember telling someone,
“Just because you can’t dance, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.” I have had a great time being
co-editor of Nursing Beat the last few years. Relationships often run their course, and this
is true with projects as well. After much reflection, I believe it is time to let my in-depth
involvement with Nursing Beat go. I am detail oriented and, for that reason, believed I
was a pretty good editor. As far as being a good writer, I would not go so far as to say that.
Magnet: Structural Empowerment or committing to professional growth.
Triple Aim Performance: People excellence.
Sarah, on the other hand, is a gifted writer. During one of her writing exercises for our
new Editorial Board, she had us freely associate around the word “writing.” During that
exercise, the comment noted above about dancing came to mind. Writing is a lot like
dancing. Hear me out. Writing is creative and engaging, like dancing. Depending on your
skill level and goals, writing can be for fun and/or a professional endeavor. There are all
types of writing and styles, just like dancing. The written word can inspire, relax, energize
and engage. Just like dancing.
Cone Values: Caring for each other.
A Cone Operating Principle: I see it,
own it, solve it, do it, and celebrate it!
A Cone Practice: I do what I say, when I
say, and communicate. If I can’t I clean it up.
RBC: A caring and healing environment.
Writing is hard! It takes practice, persistence and patience, just like dance. Writing can
heal and connect. A finished project, a finished dance at a recital, can offer a unique and
deeply satisfying sense of accomplishment that is difficult to compare. The details, effort
and intellect involved in both pursuits bring richness to the effort, which has a potential
to touch many lives, in many different ways…more than we can imagine.
Shared Governance: Encourages professional development.
Each one of the Magnet components is
supported by all of the new Cone initiatives currently growing and evolving. I know
not all of you have had all of the education
around each of these initiatives, but it is
coming to everyone. I feel so blessed to be
able to work with all of you in this beautiful
season of growth; it supports such a caring
environment as we continue to strive to be a
national leader in healthcare delivery.
I want to thank you for all you give to our
patients, each other and our communities.
Respectfully,
With gratitude and appreciation the Nursing Beat Editors
and Editorial Board thank
Thresa for her dedicated and
inspiring service to the publication. Best wishes to her on
her future endeavors in the
‘dance’ of Nursing.
Therefore, I encourage you to write and create, especially about Nursing! Our work is
deeply connecting, and writing is a way of telling our stories to each other. In closing,
thank you for reading Nursing Beat and for the opportunity to serve as co-editor. It has
truly been my honor. Please send your stories and ideas to Sarah as she takes over Editorin-Chief responsibilities. The future for Nursing Beat is very bright, and I look forward to
seeing what is ahead!
Thresa Brown, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC
Theresa
MAGNET
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Going Above and Beyond
Gretta Frierson RN, MHA/MBA and Ashley Jarrell, RN, BSN, BA
Humpty Dumpty Awards
The adjectives ‘selfless,’ ‘sacrifice’ and ‘heartfelt’ do not begin to
describe the actions of Kim Juergens,” says Gretta Frierson, RN,
MHA/MBA, Assistant Director, Department 5000, The Moses H.
Cone Memorial Hospital.
Congratulations to these departments for their work in preventing
patient falls:
Humpty Dumpty Award
Department 5W, Wesley Long Hospital experienced a 71 percent
reduction in patient falls from the 4th quarter of 2011 to the 1st
quarter of 2012.They accomplished this through hourly rounding,
placing high-risk patient closer to the nurses’ station and using bed
alarms.
Honorable Mentions
Department 5500, The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital—
achieved a 67 percent reduction by hourly rounding and not leaving high-risk patients alone in the bathroom.
Department 5000, Moses Cone Hospital experienced a 56 percent
reduction by doing hourly rounding and using bed alarms.
Cone Health
2
2
Kim Juergens, RN, Department 5000, put her patient at the center
of her care, her thoughts and her actions, Frierson says.
Wesley Long Hospital 5W staff receives the 1st quarter Humpty Dumpty
fall reduction award.
The safe team is investigating other incentives and recognitions for
fall reduction in addition to the Humpy Dumpty award. Please
send your ideas to Brenda Murphy or your safe team representative.
MAGNET
EMPIRICAL OUTCOMES
Theresa Brodrick, RN, MSN, Ph.D., joined Cone Health as Chief Nursing Officer and Executive Vice President in April 2011. As Chief Nursing Officer, she is responsible for setting the tone of nursing care for the more than 2,600 nurses who work across the Cone Health network. One of
her major focuses is to constantly improve the quality of patient care.
Here is her story:
A patient on Kim’s unit had undergone surgery for an infection
and was hospitalized for several days. Throughout the patient’s stay,
Kim acted as a primary caretaker but was also actively involved
in discharge planning. When the patient learned he would need
further rehabilitation at a facility following discharge, he expressed
to Kim his great anxiety about the whereabouts of his personal
belongings. The patient, it turned out, was homeless. When he
came to the hospital, his possessions were left outside a local homeless shelter. As the discharge date neared, the patient’s anxiety also
climbed. Kim realized how important these belongings were and
imagined how it must feel not to have
anyone who could bring the possessions
to him.
Kim was determined to help this patient
and ease his anxiety. On the day before
his discharge, Kim worked her scheduled
12-hour shift and then obtained an order
for a leave pass for her patient from the
physician. She drove the patient to the
homeless shelter, where he was able to
gather his belongings, and then return
with Kim to the hospital unit for discharge the following day. He could not
thank Kim enough for her kindness, time
and caring spirit.
MAGNET
EXEMPLARY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, the flagship of Cone Health, was established in 1953 to serve the community by delivering
high-quality healthcare. That mission continues today. Located on a 63-acre campus, this 518-bed hospital is the largest medical
center in its four-county region.
The Moses H.
Cone Memorial
Hospital
11
We Are Moving On UP!
Setting the PACE, Continued
• Emma Furbee, RN, Department
3100,Moses Cone Hospital
• Darla Godfrey, RN, CCRN, Department 3100, Moses Cone Hospital
• Ashley Hanes, RN, Department
3000, Moses Cone Hospital
• Hans Johnson, RN, ICU/Step-down,
Wesley Long Hospital
• Heather Klink, RN, BSN, Department 3100, Moses Cone Hospital
• Amy Loflin, RN, BSN, Surgical ICU,
Moses Cone Hospital
• Shannon Love, RN, BSN, Department 3300, Moses Cone Hospital
• Kim Moore, RN, PACU, Annie
Penn Hospital
• Megan Powell, RN, BSN, Department 3100, Moses Cone Hospital
• David Smith, RN, BSN, Emergency
Department, Wesley Long Hospital
• Ryan Thomas, RN, BSN, 5 East
Medical, Wesley Long Hospital
• Shannon Young, RN, BSN, 5 East
Medical, Wesley Long Hospital
RN IV
• Amanda Cook, RN, BSN, Emergency
Department, Wesley Long Hospital
• Chris Rowe, RN, BSN CCRN, NICU,
Women’s Hospital
RN Care Coordinator
• Shelli Coggins, RN, Department
3100, Moses Cone Hospital
• Sandria (Dee) Linberry, RN, BSN,
ICU/Step-down, Wesley Long Hospital
Assistant Director
• Teresa Crabtree, RN, BSN, Urgent
Care Center
• Allison Causey, RN, BSN, ICU/
Step-down, Wesley Long Hospital
• Chad Grose, RN, BSN, Emergency
Department, Moses Cone Hospital
• Stacey Toben, RN, BSN, CPEN,
Emergency Department, Moses
Cone Hospital
• Kristie Garrett, RN, BSN, Operating
Room (Open Heart, Thoracic, and
Vascular) Moses Cone Hospital
• April Green, RN, BSN, MHA,
Operating Room (Orthopedic and
Neuro) Moses Cone Hospital
Director
• Sharon McCarter, RN, BSN MHA,
CNOR, Director of Intraoperative
Services, Moses Cone Hospital
GROWING IN PRACTICE
Certified Cardiac Vascular Nurse
• Sharon Spradling, RN, BSN, Department 2000, Moses Cone Hospital
Certified Critical Care Nurse
• Amina Burns, RN, BSN, CCRN,
Surgical ICU, Moses Cone Hospital
• Monique Lucas, RN, BSN, CCRN,
Surgical ICU, Moses Cone Hospital
• Helen Faircloth, RN, CCRN, Department 2900, Moses Cone Hospital
Certified in Executive Nursing Practice
• Debbie Grant RN BSN, MSN, CENP,
Executive Offices, Moses Cone Hospital
Certified Oncology Nurse
• Toni Tagert, RN, ONCC, Medical
Oncology, Cone Health Cancer Center
Certified Nurse in the Operating Room
10
• Bonnie Knab, RN, BSN, CNOR,
Operating Room, Moses Cone Hospital
• Diane Wilson, RN, BSN, CNOR,
Operating Room, Moses Cone Hospital
• Leslie Beck, RN, BSN, RNFA,
CNOR, Operating Room, Moses
Cone Hospital
• Wayne McFatter, RN, MSN, CNOR,
RNFA, Surgery, Annie Penn Hospital
Certified Registered Rehabilitation
Nurse
• Deborah Sharp, RN, BSN,CRRN,
Department 4000, Moses Cone
Hospital
Certified PICC
• Jennifer Mounce, RN, CPUI, PACU,
Annie Penn Hospital
Registered Nurse First Assistant
• Wayne McFatter, RN, MSN, CNOR,
RNFA, Surgery, Annie Penn Hospital
• Amy Clegg, RN, MSN, NP-C,
CWOCN, RNFA, Wound and
Reconstructive Service
Progressive Care Certified Nurse
• Stacy Carter, RN, PCCN, Moses
Cone Hospital, Department 2000
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Adult/
Adolescent SANE-A
• Paula D. Egleston, RN, BSN, CCM,
FNE, SANE-A, Clinical Quality
Coordinator , Wesley Long Hospital
• Linda Rosenbloom Barefoot, WHNP,
MSN, SANE-A, MAU, SANE, Stoney
Creek Office, Women’s Hospital
Nursing Beat publishes the achievement
of initial certifications. On behalf of the
Nursing Beat editorial board, we send
a special “congratulations” to those of
you who have demonstrated an ongoing
commitment to excellence in nursing
practice by achieving a re-certification.
ADVANCING IN EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
• Cynthia Cobb, Inpatient Oncology,
Wesley Long Hospital, North
Carolina A&T University
Doctorate of Philosophy in Public
Health with a focus on Community
Health Promotion and Education
• Schenita Davis Randolph, RN, PhD,
Walden University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Sharon Spradling, RN, BSN, Department 2000, Moses Cone Hospital,
Winston Salem State University
• Cyril Forcha, RN, BSN, Department
2000, Moses Cone Hospital, Winston
Salem State University
• Darryl Gardner, RN, BSN,
Department 2000, Moses Cone
Hospital, University of North
Carolina at Greensboro
• Pam Tate, RN, BSN, ICU, Annie
Penn Hospital, Chamberlain College
of Nursing
• Abby McKinney, RN, BSN, Flex,
Annie Penn Hospital, Chamberlain
College of Nursing
• Esther Edgal, RN, BSN, Department
5100, Moses Cone Hospital, Winston
Salem State University
Submit “Setting the Pace” items for the August Nursing Beat edition to [email protected]
no later than Friday, May 18th. Thank you!
Requirements for items submitted to Nursing Beat:
• Basic information (for each employee referenced in item) - Employee Name; Campus,
Department; Highest Nursing Degree Earned, and National Certification (if applicable)
• Category assignment: Publication, Presentation, Poster, Promotion, Certification, or Graduation
• Graduations must also include: Name of School and Degree Earned
• Publications (In Print) must also include: Title of Article; Title of Publication/Book, Volume
number (Issue Number); Date (month and year); Page range
• Presentations (At the Podium) and Posters (On Display) must also include: Title of Presentation/
Poster; Location (Name of Event/Conference/Forum); Date of Event (month and year)
Building Our New Professional Nurse Advancement Program (PNAP)
By Gretta Frierson, RN, MBA/MHA
Discard, keep or create?
Psychiatric certification review
course was well attended.
Behavioral Health Hospital
Focuses on
Nursing
Certification
By Akeysha McMurren RN, MSN
The American Journal of Critical Care, March
2009, reports that nurses holding specialty
certification credentials demonstrate superior
substantive knowledge compared to noncertified nurses. On Jan. 12-13, leadership at Cone
Health Behavioral Health Hospital in conjunction with Greensboro AHEC sponsored a
Psychiatric Nurse Certification Review course
at The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. The
response was overwhelmingly positive: 58 total
nurses attended, 48 of those were Cone Health
employees, as well as individuals from West
Virginia, South Carolina and New York. The
workshop covered the latest in evidence-based
psychiatric nursing practice, psychopharmacology and treatment modalities.
The two-day review course was co-facilitated by
leadership from the Behavioral Health Hospital,
including Shawn Godfrey, RNC, MHA, Vice
President, Nursing and Patient Services; Debra
Mack, RN, MSN, Director, Child and Adolescent
Services; Rosemary Payne, RN, MSN, Director,
Adult Services; Marianne McIver, RN, MSN,
Counselor, Outpatient Services; and Linda Embry, RN, Inpatient Services.
Offering this program underscores Cone
Health’s commitment to nursing professional
advancement that is consistent with our mission
of providing exceptional care.
One course attendee, Kim Brooks, RN, Adult
Unit, described the review course as helpful.
“The instructors were knowledgeable,” Brooks
said. “I appreciate leadership at the Behavioral
Health Hospital for taking the initiative to offer
the course, particularly at a discounted rate for
Cone Health employees.”
Nursing Certification continued on page 12
MAGNET
EXEMPLARY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Behavioral
Health
Hospital
The Behavioral Health Hospital is an 80bed facility with a team of highly skilled
physicians, case managers, counselors,
social workers, nurses and therapists.
A visitor to the March 2010 meeting of the Professional Development Council subcommittee responsible for evaluating the nursing
clinical ladder would never guess that revising this model had already been a continuous, unresolved objective for more than three
years. Around the table, more than 30 nurses of all levels gathered – from bedside RN I nurses to Clinical Nurse Educators. The
subcommittee examined three options: (1) discontinue the clinical
ladder, (2) keep the current process or (3) create an entirely new
clinical progression model. Despite years of work, the excitement
at that meeting was electric.
Armed with a new initiative, a new goal, and a new challenge, the
group proceeded in sync with a commitment to Cone Health’s
values. Somewhere the committee members found the inspiration
and fortitude to once again invite creative ideas, whether intense
discussions and review extensive research. Perhaps it was the infusion of direction and support by senior nursing leadership or maybe
it was the voice of Cone Health nurses echoing strong support for
creating something new. Perhaps the driving force was empowering
Cone Health nurses. Regardless of the source, it was a true Magnet
moment!
The road was long and difficult. Addressing the need for more program consistency was a top priority if the clinical ladder was to be
continued. Cone Health nurses voiced strong support for creating
a new clinical ladder, calling for deeper growth in clinical practice.
The committee concluded something new and fresh was needed.
Using an evidence-based practice approach and research from other
Magnet hospitals, the Professional Nursing Advancement Program
(PNAP) was conceived.
Trusting the process
As the committee began putting the program pieces together,
several strong and permanent “must-haves” emerged. The program
had to be progressive, clearly structured and peer-driven. Consequently, the subcommittee built structures into the model to allow
for tracking activity, creating professional portfolios and random
review panels. Varying concentration options were proposed to
allow nurses to explore discrete career areas. Clinical, Education,
Research and Leadership concentrations took shape, with core
components and additional activities identified for each area, and
guidelines for required levels of involvement.
Ever-increasing momentum propelled the subcommittee toward
excellence. The members proposed an increase in the educational
requirements for all levels, requiring RN IIIs to have a BSN degree,
and RN IVs to have a master’s degree. This proposal was drawn
from evidence about the future direction and sustainability of the
nursing profession. When it was approved by senior nursing leadership that the number of PNAP positions would be limitless, meaning that any nurse could apply and attain advancement, excitement
and enthusiasm grew.
Any major change in a large organization has the potential to meet
resistance. Despite the committee’s positive intentions, the change
in educational level requirements soon became one of the biggest
objections to the new clinical ladder model. Through the Shared
Governance process, Cone Health nurses expressed their disapproval and dissatisfaction with the educational requirements. Hours
of discussion in group sessions with subcommittee members and
many of the organization’s current RN IIIs and RN IVs were
PNAP subcommittee members (from left) Nancy Barron, Julie O’Neal,
Christy Wicker, Melanie Bradsher, Gretta Frierson, Cheryl Hausner, Ashley
Olson, Kathleen Kearney, Helen Faircloth, Anneita Minor and Susan
Moore. Not pictured: Debbie Malick, Dawn Whitmire, Miranda Hill, Betty
Jo Tillman, Kelly Southard, Lisa Covington, Pam Hicks, Candace Matthews,
Barbara Cooper and Mona Easter
scheduled and completed. The subcommittee went back to the
drawing board to re-evaluate the educational requirement for the
PNAP program to find a solution that balanced the generic needs
of the profession with specific needs of Cone Health nurses.
Your Voice Matters
Thanks to the leadership of Chief Nursing Officer Theresa Brodrick, RN, PhD, CNS, CNA, and a determined commitment to
our new culture and values, the PNAP subcommittee revisited the
educational requirement for clinical ladder advancement. The end
result was a “grandfathering” procedure for our current clinical ladder nurses. In testimony to the true spirit of shared governance, the
process worked! Concerns surfaced, dialogue ensued and changes
were made, all with the goals of creating a Professional Nurse
Advancement Program that positions Cone Health for excellence
in nursing, addresses the growing and changing needs of the profession, and acknowledges and values our existing expert bedside
nurses.
The next steps for the PNAP committee:
• Begin a pilot program in March 2012 with volunteer participants.
• Continue to educate nurses about the program components.
• Prepare for “go-live” in October 2012.
Although the preparatory work was not always easy or fun, the outcome of our new clinical ladder model is well worth the effort and
perseverance. As we read in the Magnet literature: “…Healthcare
reformation calls for a type of controlled destabilization that births
new ideas and innovations.”
By pushing ourselves, breaking through barriers and working
together with the help of our outstanding nursing leaders, we have
affirmed our Magnet culture and prepared ourselves for a bright
and progressive future for nursing at Cone Health.
MAGNET
STRUCTURAL EMPOWERMENT
Pictured on the cover, (from left) Gretta Frierson, Anneita Minor,
Melanie Bradsher and Christy Wicker.
3
Setting the PACE
Caring for Our Community:
The Women’s Only 5K Walk & Run
By Ann Councilman, RN, BSN, MHA, and Beth Smith, RN, NE-BC, MSN
IN PRINT
Jennifer Zinn, RN, MSN, CNS, CNOR
Publication: “Surgical Wound Classification:
Communication Is Needed for Accuracy.” AORN
Journal (95) 2; 274-278.
Laurie McNichol, RN, MSN, GNP, CWOCN
Guest Editorial: “Pressure Ulcer Prevention:
How Far We’ve Come…Still Far to Go.” Ostomy
Wound Management, February 2012; 6.
Jeannine Johnston Fishel, RN, MSN, CDE
Publication: “The Effects of Correction Insulin
and Basal Insulin on Inpatient Glycemic Control.”
MEDSURG Nursing - July 2011, Volume 20,
Issue 4.
Belinda B. Hammond, RN, MSN, CEN, CCRN
Co-editor: ENA’s Sheehy’s Manual of Emergency
Nursing, 7th edition. Authored “Cardiovascular
Emergencies” and “Cardiopulmonary Arrest”
chapters and co-authored “Hematologic and Immunologic Emergencies” chapter.
Julie V. O’Neal, RN, BSN, CEN
Author: “Airway Management” chapter in ENA’s
Sheehy’s Manual of Emergency Nursing, 7th
edition.
Rita Mintmier, RN, BSN, CNRN
Sharon Biby, RN, MSN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC
Co-authors: “Stroke” chapter in the ENA’s
Sheehy’s Manual of Emergency Nursing, 7th
edition.
The Women’s Only 5K Walk & Run represents more than a race to
the finish line. The event impacts individuals within our organization, our community and a special group of women for whom the
race means a mammogram and early detection of breast cancer.
The race has grown from 353 participants in 1992 to 3,593 participants in 2011, making it the largest women’s-only race in the
Southeast. The 2011 race raised $114,000 to provide women in our
community needed mammography services.
The Women’s Only was established as the primary fundraising event
for the Mammography Scholarship Fund. That fund, established
in May of 1992 by Women’s Hospital, provides life-saving mammography screening to women in our community who lack health
insurance or the financial means to pay for screening.
Sherry Sneed, RTR, Imaging Supervisor coordinates the Mammography Scholarship Fund. In 2010, the fund paid for 529 screening
mammograms. Of those, biopsies confirmed five malignancies. Five
local women might have faced very different outcomes as the result
of a delay in diagnosis and treatment of their cancers. The lives
of these women, their husbands, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters,
sisters, brothers and friends were forever changed as a result of the
Women’s Only 5K Walk & Run.
The race has also heightened public awareness about the need for
mammography services for indigent women.
AT THE PODIUM
A 2011 report from the American Cancer Society states that one
out of every eight women in the United States will develop breast
cancer during her lifetime. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, “Cancer of the female breast
was the most frequently occurring and the third leading cause of
cancer death in North Carolina from 2004 to 2008. It is anticipated
that 8,507 females in North Carolina will be diagnosed with and
1,350 females will die of cancer of the breast in 2011.”
The race means something special to each participant. Some buy
new running shoes, participate in training, purchase a good-quality
sports bra and achieve a new goal. For others, the race is a time to
celebrate the completion of their cancer treatment, demonstrate
courage, inspire others and hope for renewed energy. Some, like
the two authors of this story, participate in the event to honor or to
remember a mother, sister-in-law or other loved one who lives with
or died from breast cancer and to support early detection efforts
that save lives.
The Women’s Only 5K Walk and Run had over 3000
participants in 2011.
As healthcare workers, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people we care for every day. The Women’s
Only allows us to expand that opportunity to the communities we
serve. What a great way to serve our community, promote fitness
and health, and help those who are in need.
The Women’s Only 5K Walk & Run is held the first Saturday in
October. This year’s race on Oct. 6 will mark the 20th anniversary
of this important event.
Will 2012 be your year to participate or volunteer or make a donation as we celebrate our 20th Women’s Only 5K Walk/Run? MAGNET
STRUCTURAL EMPOWERMENT
Women’s
Hospital
4
Laurie McNichol, RN, MSN, GNP, CWOCN
Podium Presentation: “Pressure Ulcer Prevention
and Health Economics,” in Napa Valley, CA, at
the Pacific Coast Region’s WOCN® Conference
on Feb. 10, 2012.
Amelia Ross, RN, MSN, APRN, CCNS
Podium presentation: “Influencing Critical Care
Outcomes: Development of a Critical Care
Rehabilitation Program.” National Association of
Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), March 2012.
Debbie Grant, RN BSN, MSN, CENP
Podium Presentation: “Reigniting the Spirit of
Leadership.” The Health Care Round Table, Chicago, September 2011.
Cynthia Wrenn, RN, CNOR, RNFA
Elisa Haynes, RN, BSN, CPAN
Ashley Olson, RN, BSN
Podium Presentation: “What’s for Dinner…
Research: The Bedside Nurses Perspective on
Research,” ASPAN Triad Chapter Fall Seminar
2011.
Jennifer L. Zinn, RN, MSN, CNOR
Jeanne Jenkins, RN, MSN/MBA, PhD
Podium Presentation: “Skin Prep, Is There a Difference? A Retrospective Chart Review.” AORNs
National Conference in New Orleans, March
2012.
Marlienne Goldin, RN, BSN, MPA
Podium Presentation: “Caring in Health Care and
Creating Caring Environments.” 1st Asian Pacific
Peace and Caring Conference in Hiroshima,
Japan, March 2012.
ON DISPLAY
The Women’s Only 5K Walk and Run is the primary fundraising event for the The Mammography Scholarship fund.
As the state’s first free-standing hospital dedicated to women, Women’s Hospital is a special place for special people - women and infants. Established by Cone Health, this 134-bed hospital is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art, compassionate and personalized care to women at every
stage of their lives.
Nancy Caddy, RN, BSN, BC
Melody Bullock, RN, BSN, MS, CRNI
Suzanne Ferris, RN, BS, CPN
Poster Presentation: “Nurse-Driven-Report’s
Positive Impact on Communication Amongst the
Multi-disciplinary Team in the PICU and Ultimate Result of Better Outcomes and Decrease
Length of Stay,” Society of Pediatric Nursing Annual Conference, Las Vegas, April 2011.
Amelia Ross, RN, MSN, APRN
Beverly Harrelson, RN, MSN, CPAN
Kathleen Kearney, RN, MSN, AOCN
Brenda Murphy, RN, MSN, GNP-BC
Anita Sherer, RN, MSN, PCCN
Jennifer Zinn, RN, MSN, CNS-BC
Poster Presentation: “Influencing Outcomes the
Nurse/Nurses Sphere: Gaming for Brain, a Heart
and the Courage for the Journey to Evidence
Practice and Research” (aka Journey to Oz),
National Association of Clinical Nurse
Specialists (NACNS), March 2012.
Eva Hyde, RN, MSN
Brenda Murphy, RN, MSN, GNP-BC
Anne Blankenship, RN
Peggy Eller, RN
Karen Gibson, RN
Smita Glosson, RN, BSN, MHA, PCCN
Dawn Melton, RN, BSN
Renee Barber, RN, BSN
Wanda Scott, RN, BSN, BC
Poster Presentation: “Follow the Pathway to High
Tech Patient Care,” National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), March 2012.
Jen Welch, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA
Terry Wagoner, RN, CNOR, CRNFA
Debbie Dallas, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA
Poster Presentation: “extraORdinary learning,”
Association of Operating Room Nurses’ National
Congress, New Orleans, March 24-29, 2012.
Eva Hyde, RN, MSN, ONC
Brenda Murphy, RN, MSN, GNP-BC
Poster Presentation: “Clinical Pathway Automation: Follow the Pathway to High Tech Patient
Care,” Magnet Conference in Baltimore, October
2011.
Nancy Summerell, RN, MSN, CEN
Vermell Rice, RN, MSN, MBA, MHA, CEN, FACHE
Denise Rhew, RN, MSN, CEN
Stacey Toben, RN, BSN, CPEN
Poster Presentation: “CAUTI (Catheter-Associated
Urinary Tract Infection) CAUSED IN THE ED?”
2011 ENA conference in Tampa; NC A&T State
University Research Symposium, 2011 Cone
Health Research Day; NCONL Research Symposium 2011.
Eva Hyde, RN, MSN,
Brenda Murphy, RN, MSN, GNP- BC
Poster Presentation: “Clinical Pathway Automation: Follow the Pathway to High Tech Patient
Care,” NCONL Research Symposium, November
4, 2011, Winston-Salem.
Cynthia Wrenn, RN, CNOR, RNFA
Elisa Haynes, RN, BSN, CPAN
Ashley Olson, RN, BSN
Poster Presentation “What’s for Dinner….
Research: The Bedside Nurses Perspective on
Research,” Association of Peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) Annual National Congress,
March 2012.
Jennifer L. Zinn, RN, MSN, CNOR
Jeanne Jenkins, RN, MSN/MBA, PhD
Beverly Harrelson, RN, MSN, CPAN
Cynthia Wrenn, RN, CNOR, RNFA
Elisa Haynes, RN, BSN, CPAN
Nicole Small, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA
Sharon McCarter, RN, BSN, MHA, CNOR
Vangela Swofford, RN, BSN, ASQ CSSBB
Ashley Olson, RN, BSN
Poster Presentation: “Skin Prep, Is There a Difference? A Retrospective Chart Review,” AORNs
National Conference in New Orleans, March 2012.
Jennifer Zinn, RN, MSN, CNOR
Theresa Sinclair, RN, BSN, CNOR
Crystal Myers, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA
Ginger Fountain, RN, BSN
Stephanie Johnson, CST
Debbie Dallas, RN, BSN, CNOR, RNFA
Poster Presentation “Have You Completed Your
Quarterly Question?” Association of Peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) Annual National
Congress, March 2012.
Julie Eastwood, RN, BSN
Poster Presentation: The Use of Teleneurology
Consult for Stroke Care in a Rural Community
Hospital at the 2012 International Stroke Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana Feb 1-3rd.
ACCOLADES
Jacqueline Perkins, RN, BSN, CCM, FNE, SANEA, DVNE
Appointment as a Medical Examiner in Guilford
County.
Sarah Clark, RN, MSN, CCRN
Recognized by the ANCC Certification Corporation, Board of Directors for achieving and
maintaining CCRN credential for 10 years. “This
validation of a nurse’s dedication to advanced
clinical knowledge tangibly demonstrates a
lifelong commitment to patients and families,
employers and colleagues. You can take pride
in knowing that your patients are cared for by a
nursing professional of this caliber.”
Marsena Pardee, RN, BSN, MHA
Jenny Simpson, RN, MSN, ADM-BC
Crissy Dodson, RN, MSN
Rhonda Vaughn, RD, LDN, CDE
Poster Presentation, “Diabetes Resource Nurses in
the Hospital: Do They Make a Difference?” won
second place in the presentation at the American
Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) National Conference in Las Vegas, August 2011.
Brenda Murphy, RN, MSN, GNP-BC
Eva Hyde, RN, MSN
Beverly Harrelson, RN, MSN, CPAN
Kim Helsabeck, MT, MSPH, CIC
Denise Rhew, RN, MSN, CEN
Maryellen Paton, RN, MSN, CCRN
Barbara Cooper, RN, MSN
Vanessa Cain, RN
Department 5100 and members of the Cone
Health CAUTI team received awards at the NC
Quality Association Conference, Nov. 18, 2011.
They were recognized for attaining zero CAUTI’s
for nine consecutive months and for most
improved CAUTI award. This team was selected
among 18 hospitals across the state as an excellent example of sharing and promoting evidencebased practices related to urinary catheters and
CAUTI prevention. Teamwork among the ED,
OR, ICU and Infection Prevention was key to the
project’s success.
GROWING IN LEADERSHIP
RN III
• Brittany Bettson, RN, BSN, Department 3100,
Moses Cone Hospital
• Melanie Bradsher, RN, BSN, Endoscopy, Annie
Penn Hospital
• Beth Bradt, RN, BSN, Department 3300,
Moses Cone Hospital
• Dena Davis, RN, BSN, Department 3100,
Moses Cone Hospital
• Stephanie Dixon, RN, BSN, Surgical ICU,
Moses Cone Hospital
• Kyle Duncan, RN, BSN, Department 3100,
Moses Cone Hospital
• Virginia Fernald, RN, RNC-NIC, NICU,
Women’s Hospital
9
Leadership’s Commitment to
Sandra Settle found education valuable for
upgrading the care of older adults.
Improved Relationships at Work
By Ruthie Waters, RN, MSN
“The essence of caring begins when
one human being touches another,”
writes Mary Koloroutis in her book “Relationship-Based Care.”
It is a powerful statement when you consider the many ways that
we touch our patients here at Cone Health. A warm washcloth, a
soft pillow, a gentle smile at the right moment; holding the hands of
a family member after the death of a loved one — all of these are
ways in which we show caring.
These actions, simple as they are, are at the very core of what we do
every day. Yet there is another layer of caring that takes place before
anyone even touches a patient. It is the caring leadership role that
is so vitally important to the workflow in each department and our
leaders role model on a daily basis.
“Caring leaders directly influence caring interactions with patients
and families by virtue of their own caring interactions with staff,”
Koloroutis writes.
Annie Penn Hospital Achieves
NICHE Designation
By Debbie Green, RN, MSN, CENP
Annie Penn Hospital has achieved designation as a Nurses Improving Care of Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) hospital. NICHE is
designed to help hospitals improve the care of older adults.
A program of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New
York University College of Nursing, NICHE provides principles
and tools to stimulate and support a systemic change in the culture
of healthcare facilities to achieve patient-centered care.
Improving geriatric nursing competencies is more important than
ever, especially since the 78 million-member baby-boom generation began turning 65 in 2011. The number of Americans 65 and
older will grow to 72 million by 2030 and place great demands on
the nation’s healthcare system. Nursing must prepare for this crisis
now.
The NICHE program is designed to upgrade the quality of care
for hospitalized older adults by increasing awareness of geriatric
issues, improving staff competence in geriatric care and supporting
the implementation of hospital geriatrics protocols. The focus of
NICHE is on programs and protocols where nursing interventions
have a substantive and positive impact on patient care. Started
in 1992, NICHE has evolved into the only national geriatric care
program for hospitals. The NICHE Network is composed of nearly
300 hospitals across the country that share the goal to achieve
patient-centered care for older adult patients.
The Emergency Department leadership group enrolled in the Geriatric Emergency Nurse Education course, and everyone completed
the 11 sections and passed the test.
Sandra Settle, RN III, CEN, says she enjoyed the course. “I learned
a lot about myself and how to better assess and identify potential
problems in the geriatric population,” Sandra says. “We are now
starting our work to roll out geriatric assessment and specific triage
education to the Emergency Department staff.”
As Annie Penn Hospital continues the NICHE journey, staff will
complete a Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile (GIAP) survey. Based on the results of the survey, educational programs will
be offered, and evidence-based practice protocols will be implemented.
A Geriatric Resource Nurse program (GRN) will begin soon. The
GRN model is an educational and clinical intervention model that
prepares staff nurses as the clinical resource person on geriatric
issues to other nurses on their unit. GRNs are trained by geriatric
advanced practice nurses to identify and address specific geriatric
syndromes such as falls and confusion, and to implement care strategies that discourage the use of restrictive devices and promote
patient mobility. NICHE sites employing the GRN model found a
statistically significant improvement in nurses’ perceptions of caring for the acutely ill older adult following implementation of the
NICHE/GRN model .
Annie Penn Hospital Emergency Department staff is also exploring
options for establishing a Geriatric Emergency Department. The
department would implement specialized geriatric assessments,
screening tools and evidence-based plans of care. Modifications to
the physical environment would replicate those recently used on
Department 300 and would include the use of specialized lighting, flooring, rail placement and room layout, all designed with the
safety and healing of elders in mind.
MAGNET
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Annie Penn
Hospital
8
Annie Penn Hospital is a not-for-profit organization located in Reidsville, NC, with 110 licensed acute-care beds. Annie Penn Hospital
provides a number of specialties, including orthopedic surgery, gastroenterology, gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, general surgery, podiatry, nephrology, otolaryngology, and thoracic and general medicine.
Kameka Totten, RN, BSN, MBA/MHA, is an ideal exemplar. In
March 2011, she became the Director of 5 East at Wesley Long
Hospital. “One of the first things that I wanted to focus on was
building the relationships of our team members,” Kameka says. She
understood the recent research that shows teamwork plays a vital
part in patient outcomes. Consequently, she set out to improve
work relations within her department.
Kameka and I met on several occasions to discuss strategies for
building interpersonal relationships on 5 East. She had a clear vision
of how to impact staff in a positive way and change their perceptions of their work environment. She knew this would benefit her
staff as well as the work environment on 5 East and ultimately lead
to improved patient satisfaction.
Demonstrating her commitment to this important work, she dedicated time in staff meetings for mini-sessions of Relationship Based
Care (RBC) education and dialogue. Four consecutive months were
set aside to share how to find purpose and meaning in our work,
how to thrive at work, how to make the right choices and how our
perceptions affect our work.
Since completing the sessions in January, staff members have
noticed a difference. “I think 5 East has a very positive environment
and atmosphere,” says Heather Bullins, RN.
Another important decision facing Kameka was hiring an assistant
director for the department. She focused on finding the right fit for
the unit’s staff, knowing that the leader had to be positive, upbeat
Chastity Hearn, RN, BSN, Assistant Director and Kameka Totten RN, BSN,
MBA/MHA, Director, RBC proponents on 5 East, Wesley Long Hospital.
and energetic while meeting all the job requirements. Kameka says
she found a jewel in Chasity Hearn, RN, BSN, who joined the unit
in October. She hit the ground running and is already working to
push the vision of building effective teamwork and positive patient
outcomes.
Department 5 East buzzes with activity. As before, patients and
families are admitted, treated and then discharged. But now the
staff relates better to one other and to their patients. Kameka and
Chasity continue to focus on building relationships within the
department. They help maintain core values, keep hope alive and
encourage on-the-job caring on a daily basis. Is it easy? No, but they
are committed.
“I truly believe that the RBC mini-sessions have had a very positive
impact on 5 East. We’ve certainly developed a harmonious environment among our staff, which is what I envisioned for the unit since
joining the team. With happier staff and increased teamwork, I am
seeing many more satisfied patients,” Kameka says.
A good reference for our care model, Relationship-Based Care, can
be found in Mary Koloroutis’ book “Relationship-Based Care: A
Model for Transforming Practice.”
MAGNET
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Check out the Nursing Research Website
Magnet Meals Winners
The Nursing Research Website offers lots of information you can
use, including a list of research activities that meet the research
requirement of the Major Work Activities of the Performance Appraisal for nurses. Within the website under Staff Nurses, you will
also find useful resources about evidence-based practice, the IOWA
model and a link to send in your burning questions. Explore the site
and open the door to nursing research and evidence-based practice
on your unit.
Congratulations to Department 4700 employees at the Moses H.
Cone Memorial Hospital, led by their Magnet Champion Donna
Owens and department leaders, Monette Mabolo, Department
Director and Lanisha Hunter, Assistant Director. They won the
Magnet Meals education competition. They answered questions
that an appraiser is likely to ask them during the upcoming 2013
re-designation visit. 100% of 4700 staff completed the 43 item
questionnaire correctly.
Cone Health Intranet Homepage
> Departments > Nursing > Nursing Research
4700 employees have chosen to enjoy catering by The Olive Garden
during the month of April.
Wesley Long Hospital has served the medical needs of the region since 1917. Founded by John Wesley Long, MD, a nationally
known physician and surgeon, Wesley Long Hospital began as a small 20-bed clinic. Today, Wesley Long is a 175-bed modern
medical center and home to Cone Health Cancer Center.
Wesley Long
Hospital
5
Magnet Re-designation
All This from Sheets?
By Barbara Cooper, RN, MSN and Laurie McNichol, RN, MSN, GNP, CWOCN
MAGNET: A metal body that attracts iron or
steel.
MAGNET: A program of the American Nurses
Credentialing Center that recognizes healthcare
organizations for nursing excellence and the delivery of outstanding quality patient care.
MAGNET: Cone Health.
MAGNET: Redesignation due in 2013.
Cone Health is beginning the journey to Magnet
redesignation. In the coming months, Magnet activity will increase considerably as we all contribute to the assembly of the Magnet document, and
prepare for and participate in the site visit.
Here’s a quick review of the Magnet Components:
Transformational Leadership
(Be leaders in action)
Leaders not only help solve current problems
with excellent leadership skills but also prepare
the organization for the future. These are a few
examples of Transformational Leadership:
- COO’s Brown Bag lunches.
- Town hall meetings with executive staff.
- CNO’s open office hours (Tuesday mornings).
Exemplary Professional Practice
(Do what is right)
Nurses understand the comprehensive role of
nursing; apply new knowledge and evidence to
practice ; apply nursing roles in families, community and teams; strive to comprehend what
professional practice can achieve. These are a few
examples of Exemplary Professional Practice:
- RBC model.
- Reducing falls initiatives – Humpty Dumpty
Award.
- Hourly rounding.
- AIDET.
- Reducing door-to-balloon time for heart
attack patients.
- Demonstrating the mission, values and vision
of Cone Health.
Empirical Outcomes
(What difference have we made?)
Pioneers in problem solving; clinical, workforce,
patient and consumer and organizational outcomes; comparing against benchmarks. These are a
few examples of Empirical Outcomes:
- Press-Ganey results.
- Patient Satisfaction.
- Safe Patient Communication Handoffs.
- Reducing VAPs.
- Distraction-free zones.
- Nurse satisfaction.
- Rapid Response Team.
New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements (Look for better ways)
The contribution to patient care, the organization
and the profession; dynamic change for future
success; applying evidence, creating new evidence,
new models of care, visible contributions to the
science of nursing. These are a few examples of
New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements:
6
- EPIC implementation.
- Simulators in Staff Ed.
- Using Xenex machine to kill MRSA with
UV light.
- Group fitness classes.
- Step Up, Scrub up.
Structural Empowerment
(Commit to professional growth)
The environment developed by leadership leads to
strong professional practice; strong practice spills
from the organization into the community; developed and empowered staff achieve organizational
goals and outcomes. These are a few examples of
Structural Empowerment:
- Shared Governance.
- CNSs as clinical instructors for UNCG School
of Nursing.
- Maternity admissions unit baby shower for
the community.
- Santa Link toy drive by CareLink.
- Women’s 5K Walk & Run to raise awareness of
breast cancer.
MAGNET ACTIVITIES ARE ESCALATING:
Magnet Steering committee: Senior nursing
leaders who meet monthly and provide leadership support and resources to remove barriers for
Education and Marketing Committee and Magnet
champions.
Magnet Education and Marketing
committee:
Representatives meet every month and spearhead
initiatives for Magnet across the network. This
committee is responsible for:
- Champion meetings, Magnet meals, Celebrations.
- Measures of Magnet.
- Celebrations.
- Communication.
- Education: CBLs, PowerPoint presentations,
Magnet blurbs.
Magnet meals: Complimentary meals held quarterly for education, feedback, catching up, sharing
ideas and networking.
Magnet Champion activities: Activities for
education and networking for department-based
representatives responsible for department based
education. In 2012 these meetings have moved
from quarterly to monthly.
Magnet Celebrations: Annual celebrations held
close to anniversary date of Magnet redesignation.
This year they will be held in August 2012 with
celebrations on each campus.
Magnet Writing Group: Small group that is
responsible for capturing and archiving organization accomplishments and data, and writing the
more than 2,000-page document for redesignation.
Meets every two to four weeks until the document
is ready.
Cone Health will become the first hospital network in the nation to
fully integrate state-of-the-science therapeutic linens called DermaTherapy® by the end of 2012.
Constructing
Magnet
Outcomes
In our last document,
some departments were
disappointed that they
were not highlighted. As
we begin to prepare our
Magnet re-designation
document for 2013, we
want to capture all the
great things happening in
your department.
We’ll be collecting
information with a new
report, called Constructing Magnet Outcomes
(CMO). It is easy to
follow and gives all the
information needed to be
included in the Magnet
document.
How does this differ
from Measures of Magnet? MoM stories will be
used to illustrate what
CMO reports prove. We
need both to write the
Magnet document.
Any CMO reports
submitted will be officially recognized. CMO
activities used in the
actual Magnet redesignation document will be
celebrated.
For a copy of the outline,
see the Magnet site on
the Cone Health Home
Page – just click on the
Magnet logo. Return
CMOs to Sarah.Lackey@
ConeHealth.com. Put
CMO in the subject line.
Thanks!
On to Magnet
Redesignation 2013.
This journey began with a pilot study of the new linens in 2008 on
the Renal and Surgical Intensive Care Units at The Moses H. Cone
Memorial Hospital. Data collected demonstrated decreased pressure
ulcer incidence, improved pressure ulcer healing rates and decreased
patient lengths of stay. In 2011, Wesley Long Hospital converted
entirely to the therapeutic linens to see if the empirical outcomes
experienced in 2008 could be replicated. They were.
During the Wesley Long Hospital study, the potential for an admitted patient to develop a pressure ulcer decreased 80.3 percent with
the use of the DermaTherapy® sheets. Essentially, the linens had a
preventive effect on pressure ulcers. For a patient admitted with an
existing pressure ulcer, the linens had a healing effect. The likelihood the pressure ulcer would heal during their hospitalization was
62.6 percent. These findings were statistically significant and are
impressive in today’s healthcare environment.
Anecdotally, study data also revealed a 6.4 percent reduction in
patient length of stay, a 63.4 percent reduction in patient falls and a
reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).
The new linens are made of a silk-like fabric designed to be smooth
and soft, minimizing friction between the skin and fabric surface.
Continuous filament yarns are woven into the synthetic fabrics. This
provides a smooth support surface free of broken or discontinuous
fibers which minimizes the potential for irritation and abrasion of
fragile skin (See Figure 1). The fabric also undergoes a durable
antimicrobial treatment, an improvement over cotton’s tendency
to facilitate the growth of various bacteria found in healthcare settings. What’s more, the new fabric delivers a drier, smoother patient
environment.
The fabric, initially designed to help people with skin conditions
like psoriasis and eczema, was later used for individuals who experience sweating – particularly those who are febrile,undergoing
chemotherapy or experiencing hormone changes. The material
absorbs excess moisture and dries quickly so the person no longer
feels as if they are “wet.” Gowns, underpads, sheets and pillowcases
are designed to impact the patient’s “microclimate” (a new word in healthcare) and provide
an environment which promotes stabilization
and recovery. Bear in mind that these silk-like,
antimicrobial linens are closer to our patients
than most other interventions we provide.
Adopting DermaTherapy® products displays
the Cone Health values by not only caring
for our patients but also for our community
and environment. Because these linens dry
more quickly than cotton linens, they are an
energy-efficient alternative. The fabric itself
lasts longer than cotton, so it doesn’t wear out
or get tiny “holes” in it, which means it is more
durable and cost-effective. Additionally, the
fabric is manufactured right here in Greensboro by Precision Fabrics, positively impacting
our Triad economy and the textile business in
North Carolina and the United States.
Dermatherapy
Polyester/Cotton
Our early decision to adopt a technology proven to improve patient
outcomes demonstrates the Magnet attribute of ”New Knowledge,
Innovation, and Improvements,” consistent with our quest for
Magnet redesignation. Cone Health is ahead of some of the largest
and best known healthcare providers in the country in the implementation of therapeutic linens. In fact, a few of those providers
are scheduling visits to our facilities to see how we are making such
significant strides. It’s a point of pride for Cone Health.
Linen conversion will occur on all campuses beginning this spring
and continuing through the summer. Educating patients and families about the positives of this technology will be important. Want
to learn more? Visit: www.dermatherapyfabrics.com
MAGNET
NEW KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATIONS
AND IMPROVEMENTS
Book Review: A New RN’s Book: Worthwhile
Reading for New Grads and Others
By Maura Barber, RN, BSN
As a new nurse graduate, how do you begin to process the exciting challenge of your first year on
a hospital floor? Theresa Brown, a 40-something RN, BSN, in Pittsburgh capitalized on her prior
career experience as an English professor to write “Critical Care: A New Nurse Faces Death, Life,
and Everything In Between.” The book provides fascinating insights into that formative period in
every nurse’s career.
Perhaps the obvious first question is why did this onetime English professor decide to become a
hospital nurse? She recalls a nursing school clinical experience with an adolescent oncology patient:
“There we were, nurse and patient, talking quietly in a dark room, confronting the vagaries of life
and death.” Ultimately, she concludes, nursing is about work that is meaningful.
In Brown’s words, “Where else can I go to sample daily the richness of life in all its profound
chaos?” Her writing gets to the heart of nursing with insight and eloquence.
Book Review Continued on page 12
Theresa Brown’s book has been described as “a powerful contribution
to the literature of medicine,” and this reviewer strongly agrees.
7