M ETHODISTLeaders N URSE in Nursing JUNE 2013 | A Magazine for Nurses
Interprofessional Magnet Fair page 3
2013 Nurses’ Week Recap page 8 & 9
I
A Message from
Ann Scanlon McGinity Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive
Inspiring Leadership It is always an honor to celebrate Nurses’ Week with our Methodist team.
This year was no different as we paused a moment to recognize the contributions of our nursing staff as well as the strong commitment they exhibit toward our organization, our community, and our patients and families. A special thanks goes out to everyone who participated in the numerous events at each of our entities. Additionally, I would like to once again congratulate all of our 2013 Nurses’ Week Award winners for being shining examples of nursing excellence. I am already looking forward to Nurses Week 2014! As many of you know, last month, DNV conducted its annual site visit at The Methodist Hospital. Overall, this survey was very successful. However, as with any large academic medical center, there is always room for improvement. I would like to offer my gratitude to staff members throughout our organization for their hard work, active participation and eagerness to interact with our guests during their time visiting our facilities. The reviewers from DNV were very impressed with Methodist’s delivery of care as well as our commitment to excellence, quality and safety. Please join me in congratulating Beth York and our entire Accreditation Readiness team for preparing our organization for a successful DNV survey. To review the full report and current findings from DNV, please visit the Accreditation and Patient Safety web page on the Methodist intranet. I am very excited about our new Nursing Leadership Development activities that recently commenced. This series of programs contains many facets designed to continually develop nursing leaders at Methodist. Our Methodist Hospital leadership team recently participated in a leadership retreat that was very rewarding in so many ways. Committed to engaging and inspiring our Methodist workforce, our team members shared in several presentations and discussions focusing on enhancing the core competencies of our industry such as: communication, collaboration, customer focus, trust, change, development, vision and values, and decision making. Beginning in July, we will host a monthly Leadership Conversations Series where successful leaders in various fields will visit TMH to share their personal stories and monumental moments with us. Our first presenter will be Isaac Montoya, Ph.D., CHS, CLS, CMC, a talented and experienced clinical professor, researcher and consultant. Our Leadership Conversations Series is open to everyone, so I invite any and all Methodist staff members to join us. Dr. Montoya will be presenting on July 16, 2013, from 12pm1pm in The Methodist Hospital Research Institute Auditorium. Lastly, I will be conducting Nurse Staff Assemblies and PCA/Unit Secretary Town Halls this month. These informative sessions will provide an update on current happenings and new advancements transpiring within Methodist nursing. Staff members will also have the opportunity to offer feedback and ideas about how we can continue to further improve the great care we provide to patients and families at The Methodist Hospital. I encourage you to attend. Please see the schedule of the many available sessions on page 15.
2013 Editorial Board Members Elizabeth Himes
Carlette Patterson
Beverley Lamoth
Joy Shiller
Kathy Materre
Maria Steele
Denise McNulty
Robyn Washington
Magazine Editor Trevor Mitchell
Graphic Designer Phyllis Gillentine
Photographers Phyllis Gillentine Trevor Mitchell
Do you have a
that you would like to post in the Methodist Nurse Magazine? Please submit your articles or ideas to Trevor Mitchell at tmitchell2@tmhs.org
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2015 Magnet
Re-Designation Campaign
MAGNET 2013 interprofessional Fair “Magnet on Your Mind” Led by our 12 Methodist Hospital Magnet champions, The Magnet Redesignation Planning Committee hosted an Interprofessional Fair on June 5 to kickoff our 2015 Magnet redesignation campaign. The fair featured several poster presentations, informational tables, educational games, hourly door prizes and refreshments. Our organization’s house wide Shared Governance Councils were also on hand to increase awareness, answer questions and get more staff members involved. In addition, the new Methodist Hospital Professional Practice Model and Standards of Nursing Practice were presented at the event. The Magnet Redesignation Planning Committee has several other exciting plans and events that will debut soon. We ask that all Methodist staff members do their part to support these initiatives—which will continue to advance The Methodist Hospital’s Magnet culture. Please be on the lookout for our Unit Poster Contest and Essay Contest that will be announced in the coming months. To find out more information regarding our Magnet Journey, please visit the Methodist intranet nursing page. — Robyn Washington, RN
San Jacinto Methodist Hospital News
Jane DeStefano
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
Recognizing a Stellar Team!
Following Nurses Week, our It’s hard to believe that team headed straight into half of the year is already National Hospital Week where behind us, but with each Members of the Stroke Certification Committee accept the Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Award. Team members include (top row, the celebrations continued passing day we continue from left): Terri Hall; Bruce Kennedy, M.D.; Loida Guillen, RN; Robert Bain, RN; toward our goal of excellence (front row, from left): Dorothy Terry, RN; JonAnn Watson, RN; Pauline Fivecoat, with a proclamation from the City of Baytown, recognizing and providing the highest RN; Sharon Tatum, RN; Stephanie George, RN. both Nurses Week and quality of care to our community. Most recently at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, Hospital Week. Representatives from The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association also presented San we celebrated Nurses Week with a host of activities. We Jacinto Methodist with the 2013 Get With The Guidelines®– began the week with an opening reception and a fiesta Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. This marks buffet. As we continue our Magnet journey, we took this the third consecutive year that San Jacinto Methodist has opportunity to continue to educate team members on the process through a poster presentation and guest speaker earned this award, making our hospital the only one in the Kathleen Stolzenberger, Ph.D. We also hosted a dinner Bay Area and one of only two in the greater Houston area to pay special tribute to our certified nurses. To close out to receive three consecutive Stroke Gold Plus awards. Of the week, our nurses were treated to fun and relaxing course, this would not be possible without the dedication activities such as a photo booth and ice cream social. Then, and hard work of our exceptional team – from our Stroke to culminate the week of festivities, we gathered with our Certification Committee members, to the nurses, and each friends and colleagues from other Methodist entities to employee who interacts with our patients. recognize the outstanding efforts of our nurses at the annual Looking ahead, we have many exciting things on the gala. I would like to take this opportunity to once again horizon and by working together, we will achieve even congratulate the Nursing Award finalists and winners for a greater success which in turn will allow us to better serve job well done. our community.
4 Methodist Nurse
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital News
Janet Leatherwood
RN, MSN, VP / Chief Nursing Officer
celebrating nurses’ week The month of May has now become synonymous with a time to celebrate and honor the loving work of our nurses. Like many hospitals around the country, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital celebrates and honors nurses during Nurses’ Week, a weeklong event that culminates on May 12, the birthday of ‘The Lady of the Lamp,’ Florence Nightingale. Methodist Sugar Land participates in this special week with ongoing activities geared to thank our nurses for all that they do. The week included a lunch reception, the Blessing of the Nurse’s Hands by our Chaplains, delivery of breakfast tacos for the night shift, and spa activities. As a grand finale, in concert with the other Methodist hospitals across the system, we recognized several of our top nurses with awards in the following categories: Outstanding Graduate Nurse, Outstanding Preceptor, Outstanding Nurse Clinician, Nursing Innovation, and Nursing Leadership. These recognitions were acknowledged at The Methodist Hospital System Nurses’ Week Celebration Gala. Nurses and their escorts, stunning in their evening best, enjoyed great food, entertainment, and dancing throughout the memorable evening. In addition to the traditional events spread over Nurses Week, two new activities made this year very special. Several of our staff nurses presented at our third Wound Care Fair / Seminar, and other staff members participated in a poster contest, combining creativity with valuable information. The posters demonstrated unique ways to present educational information to patients and families. Other posters demonstrated a variety of wound care products that are available to meet the special needs associated with wounds along with exhibits that demonstrated how to stage a wound. A wealth of knowledge was provided by many of these nurses during the seminar and poster presentations throughout the day. We also had the distinct honor this year of celebrating with one of our very own nurses, Brigit Mathew, R.N., when she
was recognized as one of the top ten nurses selected by educators and leaders in nursing at the Houston Chronicle’s 2013 “Salute to Nurses” luncheon. This event also honors the top local 100 nurses nominated by patients, peers and colleagues. It was nice to see so many nurses recognized for the excellent care provided to our patients. Donna Wilk Cardillo, in her book, “A Daybook for Beginning Nurses,” wrote, “Nursing care comes in many forms. Sometimes it is the ability to make someone feel physically comfortable by various means. Other times it is the ability to improve the body’s ability to achieve or maintain health. But often it is an uncanny yet well honed knack to see beyond the obvious and address, in some way, the deeper needs of the human soul.“ These words exemplify the caring, skilled nurses we have on our staff at Methodist Sugar Land. While we were honored to help you celebrate your special week, please know that we think you are special, every day! Leaders in Nursing 5
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital News
Sheila Fata
Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer
A Week In Review–Nurses’ Week 2013 Nurses’ Week at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is the time of the year for our hospital to recognize nurses for the many contributions they make to patient care, and for our nurses to both celebrate the profession and recognize their colleagues for professional excellence. It’s also a time for us to have some fun! Our celebration last month lived up to these expectations. Our Nurses’ Week planning committee, led by Carol LaMonica-Way, RN, MSN, OBC, organized a broad range of events, from educational activities to a spa retreat, culminating in our annual Nurse Excellence Awards which were presented at the annual Nurses Gala. I was happy to see many of you take some time to enjoy some part of the festivities! We kicked off our week with the Blessing of the Hands, a ceremony that reminds us of the impact we have as caregivers through our hands. The CNO Forums provided an opportunity for dialogue between staff nurses and myself as I answered questions that had been submitted by nursing staff – nothing was off limits! You all had some good questions! We discussed professional development opportunities for RNs and PCAs alike, pay practices, suggestions regarding improving your experiences with MethOD, and ideas about improving patient satisfaction. On Tuesday, we were fortunate to have our Magnet consultant Kathleen Stolzenberger, PhD, RN, present “Nursing 2013 and Beyond,” which she did in two “standing room only” sessions. This inspiring presentation provided a brief history of nursing’s roots and the profession’s evolution over the last forty years, and highlighted the evolving role of the nurse as we meet current health care challenges while delivering excellent patient care, supporting patient experiences, and driving the profession forward. Kathleen masterfully connected these points to the Magnet Journey and shared her philosophy of what Magnet really means to nursing – “Upholding, Excelling, Accounting, and Growing” the profession. I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time working directly with nurses during our “Walk a Mile” activity. Both myself and Beryl Ramsey, CEO, were paired with nurses in CVCU and ED for a few hours on May 7th to work side by side them. Special thanks to Tammy Herrera, BSN, RN; Nathan Way, RN; and Sherry Costigan, RN; who allowed us to shadow them! This is one of my favorite activities as I gain a new perspective on the daily work of our nurses each time I am able to do this.
Sheila Fata, CNO, and Nathan Way, RN, working during “Walk a Mile in My Shoes Day” in CVCU.
Beryl Ramsey, CEO, and Tammy Herrera, RN, work during “Walk a Mile in My Shoes Day” in ED.
Other activities scattered throughout the week included a “Retro Nurse Uniform” day and “Make Your Own Nurses Cap” day – which grew to a 3-day event given its popularity! We officially kicked off the Daisy Award program and hosted informational sessions by local schools of nursing to assist nurses in applying to BSN and MSN programs. At the end of the week, it was terrific to see so many of you at the annual Nursing Awards Gala to honor our outstanding nurses! For those of you who may have missed earlier communications, the finalists were: Outstanding Nurse Clinician - Andrea Cuneo, Cristina Dimafiles, Sheila Naustdal; Outstanding Preceptor Jill Alvarado, Heather Clesi, Tammy Shea; Outstanding Graduate Nurse - Carrie Baker, Stefani Kalousek, Shantal Mosri; Nursing Innovation - Sheelu Joseph, Nathalie Laquindanum, Denise McNulty; Nursing Leadership - Glenn Dennis, Barbara Quandt, Jodie Turner; and Nurse Champion - Nick Hough, Pat Thompson, Kardaryl Wallace. Congratulations to all of you, the winners are highlighted later in this magazine on Page 9.
Speaking of awards, I want to congratulate Lourdes Deleon, BSN, RN, CVRN-BC and Cristina Dimafiles, BSN, RN, CVRN-BC for recently being recognized as outstanding nurses by the Philippine Nurse Association-Metropolitan Houston at their annual Awards and Recognition Gala! Nurses showing off their custom made nursing caps. 6 Methodist Nurse
Methodist West Houston Hospital News
Vicki Brownewell
Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer
an event to remember By Coley Tatyrek, BSN, BA, RN, CEN
2013 Nurses’ Week at Methodist West Houston Hospital was an event to remember.
The week was packed with activities, meals, giveaways, and ended with the Celebration Gala at the Hilton Americas - Houston. We kicked off Nurses’ Week on Monday by inviting all hospital employees to an opening ceremony with remarks from Vicki Brownewell, CNO and VP, a “Blessing of the Hands” ceremony conducted by chaplains Craig Bradley and Steve Spidell, and a cake and punch reception. A special breakfast buffet was held for nursing staff on Tuesday, while Wednesday’s activities included an education fair with representatives from local universities and nursing programs as well as a relaxing spa retreat— featuring exfoliating hand scrubs, moisturizing foot treatments, soothing lip treatments, and warm neck wraps that proved to be the perfect solution for hard working nurses. An ice cream social with toppings galore donated by Angella Taylor from Patient Access Services was also offered on Wednesday for all Methodist West Houston employees. On Thursday, we transformed our Sky Plaza into a Scrub Store featuring
a variety of scrubs, shoes, and other items for sale to all employees. Nurses Week concluded on Friday ended the week—with a fabulous time being had by all at the annual Nurses’ Gala. Methodist Nurses enjoyed each other’s company throughout the night and many exceptional nurses were recognized for their excellence during the awards ceremony. At MWHH, a pizza party was provided for the all of the hard working nurses who were providing care to patients and unable to attend the Gala. Many of the events and services provided during Nurses’ Week were made possible by generous donations from Dr. Adam Kawley, ICU Intensivist and Medical Director, Dr. Barrington Iruke, ER Physician, Dr. William T. Edwards, ER Physician, Medical Director, and Nurse Champion Award Winner, and several local businesses. We thank them for their generosity and appreciation of the nursing profession. Nurses’ Week at Methodist West Houston Hospital was a huge success and we look forward to recognizing another year of nursing excellence.
Leaders in Nursing 7
Nurses’ Week Events at the Methodist Hospital
2013
In May, we once again celebrated our outstanding nursing staff during 2013 Nurses’ Week. We commenced this year’s festivities with a Nurses’ Week kick-off breakfast for our staff. During this event, we had the honor of officially receiving our National Certification Advocacy Award from the American Board of Nursing Specialties. Staff members in attendance were also provided with the opportunity to participate in our annual “blessing of the hands” ceremony, which is always so symbolic of the work we do. Our nurses also took a moment to recite the Nightingale Pledge— reminding us all of our promise and commitment to the nursing profession. Other highlights during the week included a silent auction, scavenger hunt, email contest, banner signing, poster fair and one-minute manicures. To all of our nurses, we say thank you for all you do!
Kick-off & Blessing of the Hands
Silent Auction
Poster Presentation & Prize Drawings
8 Methodist Nurse
2013 NURSES GALA PHOTOS
The Methodist Hospital
San Jacinto Methodist Hospital
2013 NURSING AWARD WINNERS The Methodist Hospital
Outstanding Graduate Nurse:........Benjamin Flint, RN Outstanding Preceptor:...................Minnie Horace, RN Outstanding Nurse Clinician:........Gary Bolanos, RN Nursing Innovation:........................Julie Veasey, RN Nursing Leadership.........................Susan Zylicz, Director of Nursing Nursing Champion:.........................Steve Prime, Manager, Food & Nutrition Services
Methodist West Houston Hospital
San Jacinto Methodist Hospital
Outstanding Graduate Nurse.........Kristen Pompa, RN Outstanding Preceptor....................Holly Rodriguez, RN Outstanding Nurse Clinician.........Mayra Valdez, RN Nursing Innovation.........................Pat Palmer, RN Nursing Leadership.........................Nikita Davis, RN, Maternal Child Nursing Champion..........................Melanie Navos, Physical Therapy
Methodist West Houston Hospital
Outstanding Graduate Nurse:........Jonathan Sosa, RN Outstanding Preceptor:...................Kathy Flowers, RN Outstanding Nurse Clinician:........Tina Sankey, RN Nursing Innovation:........................Imelda Oca, RN Nursing Leadership:........................Alfonso Chicas, RN, Director, Perioperative Services Nursing Champion:.........................Dr. William Edwards, Medical Director ER
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
Outstanding Graduate Nurse:........Peter Re, RN Outstanding Preceptor:...................Irene Morrison, RN Outstanding Nurse Clinician:........Tracy McManaman, RN Nursing Innovation: .......................Luz Malit, RN Nursing Leadership: . .....................Emilyn Rodriguez, RN, Manager Nursing Champion:.........................Nital Bhatt, Emergency Department, Unit Secretary
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Outstanding Graduate Nurse:........Shantal Mosri, RN Outstanding Preceptor:...................Tammy Shea, RN Outstanding Nurse Clinician:........Christina Dimafiles, RN Nursing Innovation:........................Sheelu Joseph, RN Nursing Leadership:........................Barbara Quandt, RN, Director of Med Surg ............................................................& Stroke Program Nursing Champion:.........................Patricia Thompson, PTA - PT/OT Leaders in Nursing 9
Clinician Use of a Conceptual Framework to Guide EvidenceBased Practice (Part I) By: Shannan Hamlin, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, CCRN Director, Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
‘‘There are not two sciences. There is science, and the application of science, and these two are linked as the fruit is to the tree.’’ — Louis Pasteur
T
ranslating research findings to care at the bedside began with Florence Nightingale who used data to change practices in hospitals and communities [1]. Despite nursing’s long-history of using empiric data to change practice, we along with other healthcare professions have succumbed to large gaps in what we know scientifically and what we do clinically. In fact, it takes an estimated 17 years for research findings to reach the bedside [2]. Bridging this new knowledge to bedside gap is a complex and challenging process. Translational science centers on research that transforms new discoveries (laboratory or clinical studies) quickly into new practices, tools or processes at the bedside to improve clinical and operational decision making [3]. Translational research involves bidirectional stages and feedback loops [4]. Without progressing through each critical step, the initial discovery may never gain broad acceptance or achieve maximal impact on patient care delivery [4]. Much like what translational science is to the conduct of research, using a framework such as the Iowa Model systematically guides evidence into practice. Two broad areas frame the struggles associated with the evidence to practice gap: (a) barriers to practicing evidence-based practice (EBP) such as lack of the necessary knowledge and skills, and (b) implementing
10 Methodist Nurse
new evidence requires changing behavior [5]. Numerous studies have identified the major barriers to implementing new evidence which includes lack of EBP knowledge and skills, available mentors, lack of perceived time, and lack of Florence Nightingale organizational support [6, 7]. Once barriers to EBP are addressed and nurses gain the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in EBP, evidence implementation requires a change in practice. In other words, knowing what to do and actually doing it, are two different things; a change in behavior is required in order to change practice [5]. Changing behavior is difficult both on an individual and organizational level. Consequently, there is a growing body of evidence to support the use of conceptual models or frameworks to guide and better understand
The Methodist Hospital System Interprofessional
The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice [1] utilizes the problem-solving steps in the scientific process to provide a logical framework for conducting an EBP project. Widely utilized in multiple clinical settings and interprofessional teams, the Iowa Model is intuitive and easy to follow. Application of the Model maximizes the clinician’s time and resources and prevents incomplete implementation of the practice change [9]. In summary, by integrating the Iowa Model into all EBP projects, new evidence is readily adopted into practice and ultimately embedded into the foundation of our nursing organization and culture [10].
Consider Other Triggers
No
E
E
THE IOWA MODEL OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE TO PROMOTE QUALITY CARE
Research Evidence Based Practice Council
SCI
the process of change [8]. A conceptual framework (e.g., the Iowa Model) helps to organize strategies and to clarify extraneous variables (e.g., organizational culture) that may influence the adaption of evidence into practice [3].
The Methodist Hospital System presents
CE N
PRACTICE
BRIDGING
THE
GAP
Is this Topic a Priority for the Organization?
Yes Form a Team
Assemble Relevant Research & Related Literature
Critique & Synthesize Research for Use in Practice
Yes
No
Is There a Sufficient Research Base?
Is Change Appropriate for Adoption in Practice?
No
Yes Institute the Change in Practice
The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Quality Care
References 1. Titler MG, Kleiber C, Steelman VJ, Rakel BA, Budreau G, Everett LQ, Buckwalter KC, Tripp-Reimer T, Goode CJ: The Iowa Model of evidence-based practice to promote quality care. Critical care nursing clinics of North America 2001, 13(4):497-509. 2. Westfall JM, Mold J, Fagnan L: Practice-based research-”blue highways” on the NIH roadmap. JAMA : The journal of the American Medical Association 2007, 297(4):403-406. 3. Titler M, Adams S: Developing an evidence-based practice. In: Nursing Research Methods and Critical Appriaisal for Evidence-Based Practice. Edited by LoBiondo-Wood G, Haber J, 7th edn. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier; 2010 385-437. 4. Grady PA: Translational research and nursing science. Nursing outlook 2010, 58(3):164-166. 5. MacDermid JC, Graham ID: Knowledge translation: Putting the “practice” in evidence-based practice. Hand clinics 2009, 25(1):125-143, viii. 6. Melnyk BM, Fineout-Overholt E, Gallagher-Ford L, Kaplan L: The state of evidence-based practice in US nurses: Critical implications for nurse leaders and educators. The Journal of nursing administration 2012, 42(9):410-417. 7. Melnyk BM, Fineout-Overholt E, Fischbeck Feinstein N, Li H, Small L, Wilcox L, Kraus R: Nurses’ perceived knowledge, beliefs, skills, and needs regarding evidencebased practice: Implications for accelerating the paradigm shift. Worldviews on evidence-based nursing / Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing 2004, 1(3):185-193. 8. Graham ID, Tetroe J: Some theoretical underpinnings of knowledge translation. Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine 2007, 14(11):936-941. 9. Gawlinski A, Rutledge D: Selecting a model for evidence-based practice changes: A practical approach. AACN advanced critical care 2008, 19(3):291-300. 10. Dearholt SL: The johns hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model and process overview. In: Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice: Model and Guidelines. Edited by Dearholt SL, Dang D, 2nd edn. Indianapolis: Sigma Theta Tau International; 2012: 33-53.
Leaders in Nursing 11
Mother Delivers ‘Miracle Baby’ at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Quick Response from Coworkers, Staff at MSLH Saves Baby and Mom Following Medical Emergency By: Kaelyn Bujnoch
P
hysicians at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital call little Elayna Nigrelli a “miracle baby,” and with good reason. Elayna was born via post-mortem Cesarean section following a medical emergency that caused her pregnant mother Erica’s heart to stop beating for more than 20 minutes. But thanks to the intervention of coworkers, emergency medical personnel and the staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Elayna and Erica are alive and doing well. “This is a situation that most doctors would maybe only see once in a career, if that,” says Dr. Brian Heaps, the Sugar Land obstetrician who delivered Elayna. “Generally speaking, the prognosis for mom and baby following a cardiac incident isn’t very good. This really is a miracle.” One morning in February, Erica – a teacher at Elkins High School in Missouri City – began feeling ill at work. She was 36 weeks pregnant and assumed that her symptoms were typical. But in an instant, Erica collapsed in front of a coworker. Her husband Nathan, who also teaches at the school, was in a nearby classroom and heard the commotion. He arrived to find his wife on the floor, not breathing and with no pulse. He quickly called 911, and the school’s two nurses and a coach trained in first aid jumped in to help. The coach began cardiopulmonary resuscitation while the nurses administered an automatic external defibrillator, or AED, until the ambulance arrived. At Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Emergency Department physician Dr.
12 Methodist Nurse
“We were ready to go,” Dr. Heaps says. “It only took about 20 seconds to deliver the baby.”
Shawn Baichoo was going about routine duties when he heard a quick mention on the scanner radio about “CPR” and “eight months.” The report said the patient was headed to MSLH. “At the time, I didn’t know if the emergency medical technician was referring to an eight-month-old baby or a woman who was eight months pregnant,” Dr. Baichoo says. “But I knew either way it was a very serious situation.” Dr. Baichoo and his staff prepared for Erica’s arrival, which was imminent. “We pulled together the nurses that needed to be involved and we paged for assistance from any physicians who were in the hospital at that moment,” he said. “Within minutes we had a full team, with obstetrics, labor and delivery, neonatology, radiology and anesthesia all represented.” Heaps, was in his office across from the hospital that morning, seeing a patient, when he received an emergent call from the Emergency Department informing him that a pregnant woman in cardiac arrest was en route – and his services were needed. “I apologized to my patient and literally sprinted across the parking lot to the ER,” says Dr. Heaps. Shortly after, EMS personnel wheeled Erica into the hospital, and Drs. Heaps and Baichoo learned that she had been unconscious – without a pulse and without breathing on her own – for approximately 25 minutes. The window of opportunity for a successful medical intervention in a post-mortem c-section is typically seconds to minutes. “So we didn’t waste any time,” says Dr. Heaps. Dr. Baichoo and the Emergency Department staff continued to resuscitate the mother as Dr. Heaps and fellow obstetrician Dr. Patricia Mitchell performed a Cesarean section right there in the examining room.
Once Elayna was born, Dr. Baichoo and Dr. Bracken Kolle – an anesthesiologist who came down from the operating rooms to assist – continued their efforts to revive Erica. In addition to continuing chest compressions, Erica was administered epinephrine, a drug which helps regulate heart rate, along with other medications. Dr. Kolle also replaced a temporary airway installed by the EMS crew with an endotracheal tube to allow Erica to be attached to a ventilator. Within a few minutes, Erica’s heart began pumping again. “It was God’s plan,” says Dr. Baichoo. Once she was resuscitated, Erica’s breathing and blood flow began to improve rapidly, in part because the baby was no longer in utero and requiring oxygen. Hospital employees lined the halls to stop foot traffic so Erica’s gurney could be rushed to an operating room for Dr. Heaps to complete her surgery. “Despite the seriousness of her condition, she was in the Emergency Department for less than an hour,” says Dr. Baichoo. “It was an amazing turn of events.” Cardiologist Dr. Yassir Sonbol later determined that Erica’s emergency was caused by an undetected heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This thickening of the heart muscle often leads to abnormal heart rhythms and is a frequent cause of death for young athletes – which is why Elkins High School had the AED on campus and staff trained in its use. “The most important part of this story is that the baby and mother were kept alive by the actions of those nurses and staff at the high school and the emergency responders,” says Dr. Heaps. “They are the heroes. But the presence of so many trained personnel here at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital – people with the knowledge and experience to deal with these types of unusual situations – made a difference.” To help Erica’s heart condition, electrophysiologist Dr. Jasvinder Sidhu installed a pacemaker defibrillator to protect against further episodes of sudden death in her chest, and today she and baby Elayna are doing fine. “What happened that day is nothing short of a miracle,” says Dr. Baichoo.
Leaders in Nursing 13
THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE’S LIST OF
Outstanding Nurses Includes Ten from Methodist
Each May, in celebration of the nursing profession, the Houston Chronicle recognizes outstanding nurses in the Greater Houston area with its annual Salute to Nurses Awards. Our organization is proud to announce that two nurses from The Methodist Hospital System were selected among Houston’s Top 10 Nurses for 2013. These extraordinary nurses include Debbe Taylor, from The Methodist Hospital and Brigit Mathew, from Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.
Debbe Taylor The Methodist Hospital
Taylor, who has worked in Dr. Keith Reeve’s office for the past 31 years, has provided obstetrical care and counseled thousands of women on pregnancy, labor and delivery. She enjoys making her patients feel special and can often determine their needs over the telephone. “Debbe remembers the names of her patients’ children, spouses, major life events in her patients’ past and knows when empathy is more important than a joke or a grin,” said Dr. Reeves. “She is also confident enough in her knowledge base and skill set that she does not hesitate to come into my office and challenge a decision I have made—suggesting a more compassionate approach or noting a lab result that does not correlate with a patient’s clinical condition.”
Mathew began working at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital five years ago. Working as an RN III, her colleagues say that Mathew has a great impact Brigit Mathew on her patients because she is focused, competent, calm and able to make Methodist Sugar Land Hospital well thought out decisions. Staff members love working with Mathew because she is always willing to lend a helping hand and has a genuine desire to enrich other clinicians by having them think and learn from every situation. “I believe nursing it truly my calling. And while it is a challenging job, it is also extremely rewarding,” she said. “I receive so much pleasure in seeing patients get well and leave with a smile.” For the first time, the Houston Chronicle also named the Top 100 Outstanding Nurses in Houston. Methodist Hospital System nurses recognized in this category included:
Carol Cromer (TMH)
Lorelie Lazaro (TMH)
Randee Regan (TMH)
Claudia Ewers (Willowbrook)
Charlean Mason (TMH)
Julie Veasey (TMH)
Gwendolyn Grant (Willowbrook)
Chris McGowan (TMH)
As 2013 honorees, each nurse appeared in a special “Salute to Nurses” section of The Houston Chronicle and was officially recognized at the 2013 Salute to Nurses Luncheon held in their honor. The Methodist Hospital System is proud to have these outstanding nursing clinicians receive such special recognition within our local community.
14 Methodist Nurse
Spring 2013
PCA/Unit Secretary Town Halls & Staff Nurse Assemblies with Ann Scanlon McGinity, Chief Nurse Executive
• Learn about new programs and current happenings • Ask questions and receive feedback • Voice your ideas, opinions, suggestions or concerns • Meet new colleagues • Win free prizes
Date Time
Location
PCA/Unit SecretarY Town Halls Thursday, 6/20/13
3:30pm-4:30pm
Guadalupe/Pecos
Tuesday, 6/25/13
7:30am-8:30am
Guadalupe/Pecos
Tuesday, 6/25/13
3:30pm-4:30pm
Fondren 100
Nurse Staff AssemblIES Thursday, 6/20/13
8:00am–9am
Guadalupe/Pecos
Friday, 6/21/13
11:30am-12:30pm (boxed lunch served) MGJ2 Brazos Assembly
Monday, 6/24/13
11:30am-12:30pm (boxed lunch served) Guadalupe/Pecos
Thursday, 6/27/13
Midnight-1:00am
Dunn Rio Grande
OR Staff AssemblIES Wednesday, 6/26/13
6:30am-7:30am
Neuro Blue Bird Auditorium
Wednesday, 6/26/13
2:00pm-3:00pm
Fondren 100
**Refreshments will be served at all except those marked with lunch Leaders in Nursing 15
Nursing News
The Methodist Hospital is proud to have nurses who are dedicated to the nursing profession, driven to achieve growth in their professional development, and creative and always compassionate in their care for patients.
Accolades
The accolades page is an opportunity for the nursing staff to showcase a few of the many exciting tributes our nurses receive. Please submit kudos to: tmitchell2@tmhs.org
Congratulations to Sheryl Spurlin, R.N., from the Outpatient Center OR, and Irene Abdo, R.N., from Dunn OR, for recently passing their CNOR exams. Way to go!
Kudos to Sade Copeland, from Outpatient BMT, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Houston- Downtown on May 18. Great job!
In It for You, the official magazine of the WOCN Society recently published an article by Methodist Nurse Jocelyn Goffney, M.S.N., R.N., C.W.O.C.N. The article was entitled “Building Awareness and Advocacy for Bladder Cancer” and also contained contributions from fellow TMH nurse educator Janet Ramundo, M.S.N., R.N., F.N.P., C.W.O.C.N. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Jose Chackala Uthuppan, R.N., from Inpatient Dialysis, who recently earned his B.S.N. degree from Grand Canyon University. Way to go!
Congratulations to Ginny Baird and Debbie Belgard as well as Dana Samways who have each been transferred to our Center for Professional Excellence as nursing educators. With this transition, all of our nursing educators are now based out of one centralized department in CPE. Ginny and Debbie will continue to provide guidance in the perioperative areas, while Dana will help lead educational initiatives on our critical care units. Congratulations to Mary Broussard, R.N., from NS 7 AOD/PACU, who recently passed her Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification. Way to go!
Congratulations to the following Methodist nurse practitioners who have been accepted for podium presentations at the Texas Nurse Practitioners 25th Annual Conference on September 26-29: Mary Joy Daniel, M.S.N., R.N., A.C.N.P.-B.C. — “Exploring the Purposes, Regulations, Challenges and the Essence of Nurse Practitioner in Managing Patients in the Hospital with Observation Status.” Ruth Richards, M.S.N., R.N., A.C.N.P.-B.C. — “Care of the Geriatric Population in the Acute Care Setting: Challenges and Resources.” Elizabeth Gigliotti, M.S., N.P.-C., A.C.N.P.-B.C. — “Simulation Training: Providing a Meaningful Experience.” Kudos to Jeremy Aganon, B.S.N., R.N., CAPA, from OPC 19, for recently passing the Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse exam. Way to go!