October 2014
Did you know…..???? Galatians 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
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The Christmas Season is almost upon us….It can be a difficult time of year for those grieving, and special attention must be paid to assess patients for signs of unresolved or complicated grief. There will be a “Holiday Grief and Bereavement” informational session on November 7th in the lobby from 11am-2pm. The event is sponsored by The Bereavement Committee; dozens of local organizations have been invited to participate to be present to answer questions and provide referral information.
Ethics is defined as “a set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct.” {www.Mirriam-Webster.com} Clinicians can be faced with ethical dilemmas related to patient care at any point during the course of care. In order to ensure all decision-making is based on ethical principles, KMH/CH has a policy in place to guide the decisionmaking process. The KMH Ethics Committee {Policy 01-14} provides a mechanism by which patients, families and staff may address ethical issues concerning patient care and treatment, assistance in reconciling opposing viewpoints within staff and families and support of quality medical practice. If you have reason to initiate an ethics consult, or discuss the possibility of initiating a consult, contact Mary Pat Barth, Vice President of Mission Integration at 253.4479
We ALL know that hand washing is the number one deterrent to the spread of microorganisms. However, vigilant use of PPE will also decrease the spread of those unwanted travel companions as you move from patient to patient. Gowns, gloves, masks, etc when indicated should always be used.
Documentation Reminders: 1.) Nursing Attendants document in the ADL section of Sorian, and it will remain “in progress” until the RN reviews and completes the note. Please remember that as RN’s it is our responsibility to review their note and sign off on it. Thank you. 2.) Skin Assessment: a thorough skin assessment at the time of admission is crucial in determining if a patient has arrived with skin breakdown, or a stage-able ulcer. Hospital acquired skin ulcers are reportable to regulatory bodies, and can be reflective of our nursing care…….Please be diligent in assessing and recording your patients skin condition on admission and as often as is required in order to document a clear picture of the patients skin condition upon arrival and during the course of care…..Thank you. 3.) The nursing assessment has been revised to reduce duplication in documentation and information that is recorded elsewhere in the EMR. Please provide feedback to your nursing manger about the revised nursing assessment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Committee Participation: There are multiple nursing committees that could use your expertise! Ask your nurse manager about any committees that are focused on your area of interest (research, journal club/lit review, peer review, etc.) and the possibility joining a committee for a specified period of time.
While No cases of Ebola have been reported in our town, its prominence in the news and presence now in our state, is a good reminder of how important protecting patients, yourself and your families is from unnecessary exposure to bacteria/virus. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KMH has a fantastic resource in librarian Kristi Dougherty (7.6114). Kristi is skilled at advanced literature searches, and can get copies of articles on topics of practically anything clinical!! As we begin to focus on Nursing Research, don’t forget to utilize her knowledge and skills to assist in your project!! If you are unsure if an initiative, change in practice, or idea is or can be considered nursing research or not, discuss it with your manager. The topic, and potential steps to implement in the scientific research process, can always be addressed on Committee Day or at Shared Governance. Recipe Corner Make 10 Pumpkin Spice Lattes at home for the price of one at the “coffee bar.”!! Get some to-go cups to keep at home and watch your savings grow!! You will need to make pumpkin syrup to start: 1.) Bring 2 cups water and 2 cups sugar to a simmer, whisking constantly. Add 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and ¼ c. canned pumpkin. Remove from heat, cool, and strain via sieve. The syrup should last in a sealed container in the fridge for 3 weeks. 2.) Home made whipped cream: pour ½ cup heavy cream into chilled metal bowl. Beat until a creamy consistency develops. Set aside in fridge. 2.) Brew coffee strength to your taste, or use espresso shots. Pour 1-2 tbsp. of the pumpkin syrup into a mug, fill mug ¾ with coffee, top with enough warm milk (microwave heating is ok) to your liking. 3.) Add whipped cream on top and cinnamon or pumpkin spice for garnish. As an extra treat, shred chocolate on top of whipped cream. Enjoy! Hint: Use the pumpkin syrup in cake recipes, to add flavor to waffles and pancakes, or drizzle over ice cream for added fall flavor!!
Coming Attractions! New Products 1.) BD Butterfly needles with “button retractable� needles to replace the current style which require manual safety engagements. This new style will help to decrease inadvertent needle stick injuries and promotes workplace safety. Inservice education will begin in mid-November.
2.) BD Urine collection system A new integrated urine collection cup and vacutainer urine tubes will eliminate exposure to urine during the sample collection process. These new urine cups have a vacutainer device contained in the lid to automatically displace urine from the collection cup into urine vacutainer tubes. These tubes will eliminate potential splashing hazards and also contribute to enhanced workplace safety. Inservicing will also begin midNovember.
3.) OR/2 East and 2 South are piloting a new post-operative dressing from Molnlycke. Ortho nurses who attended the NAON conference learned about the dressing and they felt this product might prove to be more effective than the current Aquacel Ag dressing. The trial is underway and in-service education had begun. Remember to register for a KMH RN Knowledge Day class session, the first class is 10 November. They are four hours in length and as always full of interesting and up-to-date information!!
Congratulations and Welcome to all the nurses who joined the KMH team this year:
Alverio, Jasmine Bagley, Daniell Bloomingdale, Cory Borowicz, Shaina Cavalluzzo, Melissa Chameli, Mary Cook, Molly Dobson, Jillian Draves, Joshua Eisenhauer, Kristin Guillo, Amanda Hassan-Tehrani, Asadeh Huebert, Edward Klycek, Megan Krystofik, Lauren Logan, Christine Lomoriello, Natalie Manning, Christina March, Morgan McGrath, Megan Neaverth, Chelsea Nguyen, Jacqueline Oulette, Christina Parry, Marianne Pawlak, Amanda Phelps, Jennifer Pinak, Ashley Reichard, Rachel Shellman, Amy Stroh, Natalie Tatta, Kattie
MRU 2W 3E 2W 2E 2E 2E MRU OR 2E FP Endo MRU 2W 2W FP 2W MRU MRU FP 3E 2W 2E Endo 2E 2W 2E 2W MRU MRU MRU