5 minute read
New Knowledge Innovations, & Improvements
Zebra Mobile Device/Rover
Rover is EpicCare Inpatient for users on the go. Nurses, respiratory therapists, and other inpatient clinical staff can complete key clinical workflows at the bedside using Rover on mobile devices.
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Rover for clinical documentation is designed to supplement desktop and wheelie workflows, allowing clinicians to perform barcoded medication administration, document in flowsheets, chat with colleagues, validate device data, and more directly on a handheld device as they move around the floor. This mobility frees up workstations for other users and allows clinicians to more directly interact with patients.
Clinicians can document vitals and other information at the point of care so that documentation is filed to the chart more quickly. CH nurses have adopted Rover and are ranked in top 25% of ALL Epic users, including Patient Care Techs who have embraced the technology. On-Time flowsheet documentation is closer to near real time observation with use of a Rover device.
Secure Chat
Secure Chat allows users to send secure text messages to colleagues in real time from a mobile device or desktop computer, enhancing the quality and speed of communication and reducing phone call interruptions. Secure Chat facilitates quick communication and collaboration between all users, not just physicians and nurses, like case managers, bed planners, and unit secretaries.
Disposable Telemetry Leads
In the Fall of 2021, the Emergency Department and 6 East began using disposable telemetry leads. Previously, both units were using reusable ECG lead wires. Reusable ECG wires come in close proximity to incisions and catheters on the chest and abdomen. They are a potential source of cross contamination that could pose and increased risk of HAIs in our patients. Using disposable telemetry leads has helped to reduce the risk of cross contamination between patients and helped to enhance patient care in the Emergency Department and 6 East.
In 2021, the main focus of our L&D/Maternal Child education concentrated on postpartum hemorrhage and severe maternal hypertension management. We also included the Emergency Department (ED) staff at Mercy Hospital and the MACC with this education. It was well received by the staff. “Fire in the OR” drills were held with our safety team. Two ATOM infant warmers were a nice addition to the ED and the L&D OR. It is a free-standing warmer with transport and resuscitation capability. Our EPIC documentation process is ongoing and continues to evolve.
Nursing Research Committee
The Nursing Research Committee (NRC) had to take a hiatus due to the pandemic and held two meetings in April and May 2021 where they reviewed the Research Charter, and decided on some changes to the verbiage. They also began looking at ways to disseminate research and chose to utilize the PICOT method. It was decided that all members must take the CITI course which is a free course that covers research and IRB processes and certification lasts 3 years. The plan was to meet in June 2021 to discuss the research models, evidence-based practice models, and acquire retention rates from past NDNQI satisfaction surveys done and review scores. Unfortunately, between the pandemic and the strike, the committee was unable to meet for most of the year and many of the members left. Once staff returned in November 2021, the NRC has undergone a rebuilding phase. We have had continued efforts to obtain new committee members and two new committee Administrative Liaisons were appointed. Talks began for the new Shared Governance and how and where the research committee would fall and we look forward to a re-launch of this much needed committee with all new members in 2022.
Electrophysiology and Stroke Team Collaboration
The Electrophysiology program and the Stroke program continue to work collaboratively to monitor cryptogenic stroke patients. Cryptogenic stroke has been defined as a cerebrovascular event of unknown origin, despite thorough work-up and represents 20- 30% of all ischemic strokes. Ischemic stroke is an important cause of morbidity and mortality when untreated. Identifying atrial fibrillation is important because atrial fibrillation ischemic related strokes are associated with an increased risk of disability and death compared with strokes of other etiologies and tend to recur without anticoagulation. However, atrial fibrillation detection can be difficult when it is asymptomatic and paroxistic and may be the underlying cause of some cryptogenic strokes or strokes of unknown origin. Loop recorder monitoring (invasive monitoring device) is one method of monitoring for atrial fibrillation that can increase the risk of stroke.
Utilizing the biplane in the cath lab, Neurosurgeon Dr. Jason Davies and the neuro OR team have offered a new procedure to Mercy Hospital—Extracranialintracranial (EC-IC) arterial bypass surgery. A cerebral bypass is the brain’s equivalent of a coronary bypass in the heart. The surgery connects a blood vessel from outside the brain to a vessel inside the brain to reroute blood flow around a damaged or blocked artery. The goal of bypass surgery is to restore blood supply to the brain and prevent strokes.
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Nurses : the courage to care
...and the strength to help.
