News, announcements, and vital information for associates, their families, and friends of Kenmore Mercy Hospital. ing Septem ber Spr 201 3 /Summer 2017
Kenmore Mercy Achieves Seventh “A” from Leapfrog Kenmore Mercy Hospital received its seventh consecutive “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group this spring. The non-profit watchdog group collects and reports hospital performance data to improve healthcare quality and safety. Kenmore Mercy has maintained its “A” rating since April 2014.
“Kenmore Mercy Hospital has implemented a number of practices in recent years that impact harm reduction and risk prevention to positively benefit our patients,” said Laura Verbanic, director of Quality & Patient Safety. This includes a dedicated 24/7 in-house critical care coverage team in our intensive care unit (ICU), implementation of the “Move with Care” safe patient handling program, and education to reduce infection rates. “The Leapfrog Group’s continued recognition of Kenmore Mercy Hospital as a top-rated hospital is a testament to our associates and physicians who work together every day to give the very best care for our patients,” said James M. Millard, RPh, president and chief executive officer of Kenmore Mercy Hospital.
Kenmore Mercy was also named The Leapfrog Group’s only “Top Hospital” in New York State in 2016. Widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious distinctions a hospital can receive in the U.S., the recognition showcases the hospital’s commitment to patient safety and quality. Only 115 “Top Hospitals” were named in 2016.
Kenmore Mercy Hospital associates, along with Catholic Health’s CEO Joe McDonald and executive vice president Mark Sullivan celebrate after receiving a much anticipated call from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program.
Nursing Achieves National Recognition Excitement was in the air in April as the nursing team at Kenmore Mercy anxiously awaited news regarding their work toward Magnet Recognition. On Wednesday, April 26, more than 65 associates from multiple disciplines gathered to hear the news that Kenmore Mercy had received national recognition for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®.
With this recognition, Kenmore Mercy joins a select Magnet community – only 454 hospitals worldwide have received the designation. Kenmore Mercy is also the only Magnet-recognized hospital in Western New York. “This recognition reflects the outstanding care our nurses provide and the quality patient outcomes they help achieve,” added Cheryl W. Hayes, MS, ANP, NEA-BC, vice president of Patient Care Services. “It also reflects the commitment of every member of the hospital team who works each day to assure excellence in patient care,” she added.
Magnet recognition reflects the highest standards of nursing professionalism, collaboration and teamwork.
It distinguishes Kenmore Mercy Hospital as a premier destination for healthcare in the region. Hospitals attain Magnet status by going through a multi-year, rigorous, voluntary application process. “Receiving Magnet recognition is the culmination of our continued commitment to nursing excellence,” said James M. Millard, RPh, president and chief executive officer at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. “It signifies a culture of excellence that is central to how we serve our community.”
The Magnet Model, with a focus on transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovations, and improvements, supports outstanding patient outcomes. Magnet recognition highlights Kenmore Mercy’s deep commitment to delivering the highest quality nursing care and fostering an environment that attracts and retains the very best nurses.
Associate Engagement
News from Jim Millard, President & CEO Kenmore Mercy’s focus on providing quality, compassionate care has long been recognized within the Western New York community. More recently, we’ve gained national attention for the great work that we do. This is evidenced by our growing list of accomplishments. Within the last few months, we received the prestigious Magnet recognition for nursing excellence and we were the only hospital in New York to receive Leapfrog’s Top Hospital Award.
The Endoscopy Department hosted a Gastrointestinal Community Day in recognition of Colon Cancer Awareness Month and Gastrointestinal Nurses and Associates Week in March. They also held a raffle and raised $165 for the Helping Hands fund. Lauren Ciarpelli, NA, graduated from D’Youville College with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Congratulations to Mark Basile, physical therapist. He was the winner of Catholic Health’s Choose Health! Wellness Program trip giveaway to Scottsdale, Arizona! Farewell and thank you to Beth Biddle who retired on May 13, after serving 51 years at Kenmore Mercy as a switchboard operator.
I am extremely proud to be part of an organization that has such caring and dedicated associates, physicians and volunteers. These accolades demonstrate your deep commitment to our patients, the hospital and to each other.
2017 Basile
We are lucky to have such engaged associates who are interested in making Kenmore Mercy a great place to receive care and a great place to work.
I was impressed to see 456 associates attend the recent forums and 706 associates complete the Voice of the Associate Pulse Survey. Thank you for participating and for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. We value your comments and suggestions and we use this information to help make Kenmore Mercy Hospital an even better place to work.
Associate Picnic
Equinox playing at 12:30 p.m.!
Biddle
Julia Gajewski, BSN, RN, completed the Daemen College Nurse Practioner program. Clinical dietitian Nicolette Sarvis graduated with her Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Health Professions Gita Zhulovchinova, BSN, RN, from 3 East, completed the Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Program at D’Youville College.
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Join your fellow associates, physicians and volunteers for food and festivities on Thursday, July 20. Sarvis
Zhulovchinova
Meals will be served under the tent 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. • 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. • 11:30 p.m. - 1 a.m. Please consider a donation of new children’s socks, underwear, or diapers to benefit families in need that use services at our Ken-Ton FamilyCare. Anyone who donates to our Christmas Shoppe at the picnic will be entered into a raffle for a special prize. There will also be a 50/50 .
Healing Garden Honors Generous Donor
The Rev. Matthew Zirnheld of St. Andrew’s Church blesses the new garden at Kenmore Mercy Hospital as the family of the late John Repetski follows behind him.
Thanks to a generous donation made to the Kenmore Mercy Foundation by the late John M. Repetski in 2016, colorful flowers and plants now greet patients, visitors and associates at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. On Friday, May 12, hospital officials and the family of Mr. Repetski gathered to formally dedicate and bless a Healing Garden. In January 2016, Kenmore Mercy received a $2.3 million bequest from the estate of Mr. Repetski. It is the largest gift from an individual donor in the hospital’s 66-year history. The Foundation Board and hospital officials discussed the various options to honor this generous donation and decided on garden.
According to Mr. Repetski’s sister, Barbara Sawdye, “John was an avid gardener. This healing garden allows him to share his passion for nature with others who are seeking a serene space to connect with nature to find solace.”
Sandwiched between the hospital’s Ambulatory Surgery Unit and outpatient services, the garden features a variety of herbs, plants, and flowers, each chosen with their therapeutic and calming effects in mind.
Studies show that after a stressful event, images of nature help decrease blood pressure, respiration rate, brain activity, and improve moods. Visitors to the garden will find lanterns, wooden tables and benches, and can take a seat near a bubbling, obelisk-style fountain. In addition, five speakers, disguised as rocks among the foliage are tuned to an online ambient meditation music station.
“Our hope is that individuals will find healing and renewal amidst nature’s beauty, and that this space will be a peaceful haven, where strength and hope blossom,” said Susan Jandzinski, executive director of the Kenmore Mercy Foundation.
Support the Kenmore Mercy Foundation when you make purchases on Amazon!
Instead of going directly to www.amazon.com, go to www.smile.amazon.com, and select Kenmore Mercy Foundation as your “charity of choice.” The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the eligible charitable organization of your choice.
Living Our Values
Dr. Kessler’s family was right by his side when he was presented the LOVE Award.
LOVE Award Recognizes Physician’s Great Deeds Each quarter, an associate is recognized by Kenmore Mercy for their commitment to our mission and values with our LOVE Award.
For the first quarter of 2017, that invidiual was Jonathan Kessler, MD, a family practioner. Dr. Kessler’s nomination noted his amazing compassion and how he went above and beyond to ensure an elderly patient would come to the hospital for care. Not only did Dr. Kessler convince the 82-yearold patient to come to the hospital by making a deal with him, but he actually went to the patient’s house and took care of his dog.
He then worked out care for the dog with the patient’s neighbor. When the patient was told he had to stay in the hospital longer, Dr. Kessler took it upon himself to take the dog in his care. He stated, “his dog is all the man has and it’s part of his family.” Thank you Dr. Kessler for being a shining example of Living Our Values Effectively.
Dr. Kessler is a graduate of the University of Buffalo, SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He sees patients at Kenmore Family Medicine on the campus of Kenmore Mercy Hospital.
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Patient Safety & Experience
Hospital Helping Patients Get a Restful Night Florence Nightingale believed strongly that sleep and rest are critical to healing and that unnecessary noise not only harms sleep but inflicts suffering.
More than a century later, the quietness of patients’ rooms at night is the lowest-rated satisfaction marker nationwide on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, where it has remained since 2007. Like many hospitals across the United States, noise control is a priority at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. In 2016, an interdisciplinary Restful Environment Committee was formed at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Led by nurse managers Elaine Schrutt, BSN, RN, NE-BC, and Ellen Swan, BSN, RN, CNML, the group worked closely with night staff in particular, evaluating the sources of loudness on the floors.
Recent changes have included re-educating staff on the important role of quiet in promoting patient healing; assigning “quiet champions” for all shifts; and posting signs to reinforce the messaging and remind everyone of the importance of quiet in patient care. The evening staff offers items to the patients from the “Restful Night Menu,” like eye masks, ear plugs, and relaxing music, to help them sleep.
Kitchen doors are now closed at 8:30 p.m. and medication administration times were moved to before midnight. Staff are also rounding hourly to reduce call bell noise. As you walk the units, you will notice Yacker Trackers, stop lights that indicate sound levels. In addition, thanks to the Kenmore Mercy Foundation, thirty new Stanley isolation carts with rubber wheels and quiet closing drawers were purchased in 2016.
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Associates Makes Great Catches Several Great Catches were made by Kenmore Mercy associates this last quarter, making the difference in patients’ lives.
Kathy Jendraszek, transfusion services supervisor, was concerned when she saw what appeared to be a discrepancy in a younger patient’s pre-admission testing. Upon digging deep- Jendraszek er, she found that he had leukemia and received a bone marrow transplant. Because of this, his blood type was different and he required a special irradiated blood product. Had Kathy not discovered this and he needed a transfusion, he could have experienced a fatal reaction. Leigh Skryznski, RN, from the 2 East Patient Care Unit, noticed when preparing a patient for a straight catheter, that the individual had an allergy to Betadine with Skryznski a reaction of severe hives. She reviewed the contents of the catheter kit, found that it included a Betadine swab, and replaced it with a safe option. Mike Bedore, radiology technologist, smelled smoke when returning to his department from the Operating Room. He immediately found the source Bedore of the fire, turned off the machine, switched the break switch to off, and contacted the Biomedical Department.
When Therese Hanel, RN from Pre- Admissions, met with her patient for pre-surgical testing, she discovered that the individual had changed her mind about which of her Hanel knees surgery would be on. She had originally been scheduled for a right knee replacement and had decided to have the left knee done instead. During a planned downtime, Kathleen LangeStevenson, RN, from 2 East/2 South, noticed that the medication time was not printed on the right side on a MARS printout Langeform from Pharmacy. Stevenson Thanks to her attention to detail, the patient’s evening medication dosage was not missed.
The Great Catch program is a Quality & Patient Safety initiative designed to help Catholic Health catch and avoid situations that have the potential to cause harm to our patients.
Recent Leadership Changes Ellen Colan, RN, BSN, was named senior clinical advisor of Perioperative Services. Kyle Donavan was named the hospital’s business advisor. The position was previously held by Heather Loomis, who is now finance director.
Colan
Donavon
Megan Kosmoski, RN, BSN, CDE, was named diabetes educator. Julie Marshall, RN, BSN, CCRN, was named clinical nurse educator.
Rosanne Schiavi, RN, BSN, was named the stroke coordinator.
Kosmoski
Marshall
Schiavi
Dietitians Recognized for Accomplishments Theresa Jackson, RDN, CSOWM, CDN, clinical nutrition manager, and Lisa Neuhaus, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND, registered dietitian, part of Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s Clinical Nutrition team, were recently recognized for outstanding accomplishments.
Theresa earned board certification as an Interdisciplinary Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM). A CSOWM professional educates, supports, and empowers patients/clients to understand and manage their weight and risks associated with being overweight or obese through nutritional, physical, psychological, behavioral, medical and/or surgical interventions. This certification demonstrates her comprehensive knowledge of and expertise in obesity and weight management. Theresa is currently the only dietitian in Western New York to hold this board certification.
Lisa was recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND). This designation recognizes her commitment to the field of dietetics and celebrates professional accomplishments and pursuit of lifelong learning. FAND recognizes academy members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as in their communities, by their service
Jackson
Neuhaus
to the dietetics profession and by optimizing the nation’s health through food and nutrition.
“Our team of registered dietitians are experienced, compassionate professionals, most with advanced degrees and specialty certifications,” Theresa stated.
As registered dietitian nutritionists, they serve an important role at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy for patients, assess patients’ nutritional needs, develop and implement nutrition programs, educate, and evaluate outcomes for improved results.
They work with all members of the interdisciplinary team in order to coordinate medical and dietary needs for patients and provide educational classes and programs for prevention and treatment of disease through nutrition.
Hospital Receives Award from Heart Association Kenmore Mercy Hospital has received the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.
The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. To receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The GuidelinesStroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures. “A stroke patient loses 1.9 million neurons each minute stroke treat-
Foundation
ment is delayed. This recognition further demonstrates our commitment to delivering advanced stroke treatments to patients quickly and safely,” said George C. Kalonaros, MD, director of Stroke Services for Kenmore Mercy Hospital.
Kenmore Mercy continues to strive for excellence in the acute treatment of stroke patients. The Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award further reinforces our team’s hard work.
In addition, Kenmore Mercy has met stringent guidelines for which is has been awarded Advanced Primary Stroke Center certification by The Joint Commission each cycle since 2011. It has also been a New York State Designated Stroke Center since 2006.
Drs. Michael Gough, Eric Koch, and James Fitzpatrick presented the medical staff check to foundation board vice chair Mark Keller (third from the left).
Physicians and Auxiliary Present Checks to Support Hospital Last December was a special month for the Kenmore Mercy Foundation, which received donations from the medical staff of Kenmore Mercy Hospital and the Kenmore Mercy Auxiliary.
The first, for $100,000 from the medical staff, will assist the Foundation in supporting associate educational opportunities. The second, $47,000 from the Auxiliary, provides resources to continue the high quality care for which Kenmore Mercy Hospital is nationally recognized.
“It is both our honor and pleasure to help the Kenmore Mercy Foundation and Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s associates to carry on the important work of serving those in need through this donation,” said James M. Fitzpatrick, MD, vice president of Medical Affairs for Kenmore Mercy Hospital.
The Auxiliary donation will be used by the Foundation to purchase new equipment, support associate training, and help patients in need.
The Auxiliary raises funds through their weekly sewing group sales of handmade items; the Ways & Means Committee’s events like jewelry sales and new and used book sales; and proceeds from their Willow Tree Gift Shop. “We are very grateful to the Kenmore Mercy medical staff and the Auxiliary for their generous donations,” said Susan Jandzinski, executive director of the Kenmore Mercy Foundation. In 2016, the Foundation was able to assist 110 associates, with educational opportunities.
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Orthopedic Campus of Excellence
Wellness Committee Making Strides Associate wellness is a high priority at Kenmore Mercy, evident by the many programs taking place throughout the year. We kicked off the year with the “New Year, New You” Weight Loss Challenge, that had nearly 30 participants lost a collective 210.5 pounds - an entire man - over eight weeks. The first place winners of that challenge were Christine Antinone, PT, and Ben Kanaley, NA.
Physical therapisits Joe Lorenzetti, Matt Clemens, Anne Schukraft, Luke Norman, and Joe Baumgarden accepted their award in May.
AthletiCare Recognized by UB for Clinical Education AthletiCare, the outpatient rehabilitation center located on the campus of Kenmore Mercy Hospital, was presented with the Excellence in Clinical Education Award during the University at Buffalo’s 2017 Rehabilitation Services White Coat Ceremony in May. The award recognizes clinicians and/or clinical facilities that have made a substantial contribution to the clinical education of the university’s physical therapy students. The White Coat Ceremony was for the class of 2019. For physical therapists, it is a tradition that dates back 40 plus years. The ceremony signifies the transition from the classroom and instructive learning to the clinic and experiential learning for students in physical therapy careers.
AthletiCare regularly works with student interns from the University of Buffalo, as well as D’Youville and Daemen Colleges, providing them with hands on clinical experience. Services at the facility include physical therapy for hip, knee, and back pain, as well as post-surgical conditions. AthletiCare has a comprehensive amputee care program and offers vestibular/balance therapy.
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There was also a Walking Path Challenge from May through June, won by the Physical Therapy Department which completed 236 miles! We kicked off of summer on June 20 with an Outdoor Walking Path event.
Be sure to pick up a copy of the walking path map in HR or find it online under Choose Health. Throughout the winter yoga was offered by certified yoga instructor, Erin Reedy, PT. New class will start in September.
An eight-week program, “Introduction to Stress Reduction Mindfulness Meditation,” taught by Rev. Nancy Faery, MDIV, BCC, began in May. The sessions provided a combination of mindful practice, instruction, and supportive materials for practicing simple mindfulness at work and at home.
We have also recently kicked off the annual Stepping Stones program. Walk or run in any local race, provide proof of participation to Administration, and collect great prizes! The Catholic Health bowling league starts up on September 14, 2017 and runs through April 12, 2018.
Choose Health! continues to offer lunch and learns and fun challenges too. Don’t forget that many of you can earn Choose Health! points for participating in these activities too. Keep up the great work!
New Associate Chairs Welcomed Welcome and congratulations to Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s new associate chairs - Andrew Stoeckl, MD, and David Silverstein, MD. Dr. Stoeckl was appointed associate chairman of Orthopedics, while Dr. Silverstein, was appointed to the role of associate chairman of Family Practice.
Dr. Stoeckl will Dr. Stoeckl help us to continue the great work that’s already been done to establish Kenmore Mercy Hospital as an Orthopedic Campus of Excellence.
He will assist us in areas such as clinical standardization, care pathways, length of stay, resource utilization and physician credentialing. He will also help us to navigate some of the new reimbursement models, such as CJR (Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement) and bundled payment programs.
“Dr. Stoeckl is an excellent addition to our leadership team. We look forward to working with him to ensure the
quality of care for our patients and to grow orthopedic services,” said James M. Millard, RPh., hospital president and chief executive officer.
Dr. Silverstein has been an active member of the Kenmore Mercy medical staff for 24 years. He currently practices at Kenmore Family Medicine, LLP, located behind the hospital. Dr. Silverstein will work in collaboration with the hospital’s team of family practitioners to ensure a patientcentered approach to quality, comprehensive care throughout all of life’s stages.
Dr. Silverstein
He is a graduate of New York University School of Medicine and Cornell University. Dr. Silverstein’s committment to Kenmore Mercy Hospital and our patients will make him a valuable member of our medical leadership team.
Kenmore Mercy Takes Part in Prescription Take Back Day As part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s 13th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 29, Kenmore Mercy Hospital joined forces with local law enforcement to help get unused and unwanted drugs out of people’s homes. Nine locations in Western New York, including other Catholic Health sites, helped collect unwanted and expired prescriptions, no questions asked.
According to Patricia Siola, Rph, PhD, MBA, FASHP, FACHE, pharmacy director, Kenmore Mercy took back 600 pounds of medication during the spring event.
According to Patti, “the majority of prescription drug abusers report in surveys that they get their drugs from friends and family.” Cleaning out old prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers, and bedside tables reduces accidents, thefts, and the misuse and abuse of these medicines, including the opioid painkillers that accounted for 20,808 drug overdoses—78 a day—in 2014 (the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Eight out of 10 new heroin users began by abusing prescription painkillers and moved to heroin when they could no longer obtain or afford those painkillers.
Unfortunately, Erie County is not exempt from this growing epidemic. In fact, according to the county, there have been nearly fifty deaths from suspected overdoses per month in 2017. By participating in the annual DEA take back programs, Kenmore Mercy is helping get drugs off the streets and out of homes. In addition, Emergency Department nurses at Kenmore Mercy Hospital completed training in 2016 on how to recognize a possible opioid drug overdose and administer the life-saving drug naloxone (trade name Narcan).
ED Receives Leadership Award Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s Emergency Department was recognized in May by HEALTHeLINK for being an innovative leader in clinical information exchange in Western New York.
Andrea Schmidt, NP, was among the early adapters of TigerText.
Texting Application Improves Collaboration & Communication Like many hospitals throughout the United States, Kenmore Mercy found itself faced with the ever growing challenge of safe and HIPPAcompliant communications.
In late 2016, the hospital piloted TigerText, an internet based clinical communications application.
“The goal is to improve communications and reduce errors, by connecting medical providers and the care team through real-time messaging,” noted Edward A. Stehlik, MD, MACP, chairman of Medicine for Catholic Health. Kenmore Mercy Hospital has been an early adapter of the application, with the majority of its patient care units now using TigerText to reach out to providers about patient tests, share necessary images, and plan discharges.
“This is the way of the future,” added Dr. Stehlik. “Look at how our younger generation communicates with one another already.”
It was the first ED in Catholic Health to implement HealthELink.
Using this type of instant and secure communication also allows multiple parties to be connected at once and reduces overhead pages, thus improving patient safety and patient experience.
According to a 2015 study by HealthELink, the use of health information technology significantly cuts down on unnecessary testing in hospital emergency departments.
Kenmore Mercy Hospital’s Emergency Department was one of 44 practices/ organizations HEALTHeLINK recognized for being innovative leaders in clinical information exchange in Western New York.
Operational Effectiveness
Dan Porreca, executive director, HEALTHeLINK (right) presented ED nurse manager Amanda Kramer, BSN, RN, CEN, and clinical educator Sue McClure, BSN, RN, with the award.
Furthermore, the application allows nurses and providers to enhance medical communications, while completing tasks from anywhere on the floor, which in turn lets them spend more time with their patients.
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Nursing Excellence
Outstanding Nursing Associates Honored
Amber Mazurek, BSN, RN, OCN
Registered nurse Victoria McDonald presented about the benefits of gum chewing for patients recovering from knee and hip surgery.
Nursing Presents at Research Conference Kenmore Mercy’s nursing team presented five research posters at the 30th Annual Nursing Research & Scholarly Activities Conference in April, held at Classics V.
The event, sponsored by the Professional Nurses Association of Western New York and the Nursing Honor Society “Sigma Theta Tau International” (Gamma Kappa, Gamma Theta and Zeta Nu chapters), brought together nursing colleagues from across the Buffalo area to share their knowledge.
The five Kenmore Mercy research projects included: “The Impact of Gum Chewing on Ileus Rates in Postoperative Hip & Knee Replacements,” presented by Sam Belter, RN, and Vicky McDonald, RN; “Reducing Medication Outdates,” presented by Debbie Micholas, BSN, RN, OCN, and Sue Wasielewski, RN, ONC; “Closing Protocol for Colon Surgery,” presented by Linda Butski, MSN, RN; “Reduction of turnaround time for Emergency Department patients requiring CT abdomen/pelvis with oral contrast,” presented by Amanda Kramer, BSN, RN, CEN; and “Kenmore Mercy Hospital Surgical Tray Weight/Associate Injury Reduction Initiative,” presented by Anne HedgesCreighton, BSN, MS, RN. Anne’s poster received the Professional Nurses Association of WNY Research Day Award.
The posters were very well received with many requests for more information on the studies and how to start these projects in other settings.
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Grace Logie, RN
Denise Walker
Each year, the hospital takes one day to show its thanks to the men and women who specialize in patient care. Many of those staff packed into the hospital’s Community Room for the ceremony.
Grace Logie, RN, was chosen as the 2017 Outstanding Staff Nurse. Grace has been a nurse at Kenmore Mercy Hospital since 1974. She originally started on a surgical unit, and within a few short months, moved to the Emergency Department where she was for 20 years. In 1994, Grace joined the Operating Room team, where she has remained since. She is a graduate of the Edward J. Meyer Hospital School.
Amber leads the nursing research team at Kenmore Mercy, enhancing innovation and the search for new knowledge.
Denise Walker, 2 West, was chosen as the 2017 Outstanding Nursing Assistant. Denise has been with Kenmore Mercy Hospital for three years. She is well-liked by her peers and patients. They describe her as compassionate, encouraging, and kind.
Kenmore Mercy Hospital capped off National Nurses Week by recognizing some of its best nursing staff during a special ceremony held on May 11.
Amber Mazurek, BSN, RN, OCN, patient care services project advisor, was chosen as the 2017 Nurse of Distinction. Amber has been with Kenmore Mercy since 2011, when she began as a staff nurse on 2 East. She completed an Associate’s degree in Nursing from Trocaire and her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Daemen College.
One of Amber’s most significant achievements is the preparation and writing of the documentation submitted to the American Nurses Credentialing Center, that resulted in the hospital’s Magnet Recognition.
As a charge nurse in the OR, she continually provides exceptional leadership to the operating room team and reinforces positive nursing care and standards to promote the best patient outcomes for our patients.
Congratulations to all of this year’s nursing honorees and thank you for your dedicated service to our patients.
Four Nurses Complete Wound Care Certification Four of Kenmore Mercy’s nurses recently completed certification in wound care.
Congratulations to Kristen Nazaruk, BSN, RN - 2 West; Robert Gross, RN - 3 East; Susan Zeisz, RN - 2 East/2 South; and Mary Jane Lodico, BSN, RN - Medical Rehabilitation Unit.
Certified wound care nurses are the specialists who assess, treat and monitor patients’ wounds and promote health management practices that prevent recurrence.
Their work helps to minimize suffering and loss of function as well as serious and even life-threatening complications that could be caused by wounds. These nurses are are mentors and a wound care resource to their colleagues.
A Kenmore Mercy Foundation education grant helped make this training possible.