In Roads
Inside information for the employees of Mercy Medical Center
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week will take place April 20-26, 2014 Medical Laboratory Professionals Week provides the profession with a unique opportunity to increase public understanding of and appreciation for clinical laboratory personnel. There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of clinical laboratory science in the United States. Since the development of this career group in the 1920s, the clinical laboratory science professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease. Today, the clinical laboratorian is a key member of a health care team. As team members of one of the largest industries in the United States, the dedicated efforts of laboratory professionals often go unnoticed by the general public, as well as by the very institutions employing their services. With the public now demanding the assurance of quality health care and professional accountability, organizations representing practitioners of this critical science have a responsibility to ensure that the public is well informed about clinical laboratory competency.
courses and have training through an approved CLS training program to qualify for the ASCP national board exam. In addition, a CLS needs to have good laboratory technique, strong critical thinking skills, the ability to work under stressful conditions, a professional attitude and well developed communication skills. Clinical laboratory scientists use specialized procedures and equipment to determine the causes and cures of diseases. These experts use reagents, chemicals, and laboratory equipment to test body fluids and tissues. The evaluation of blood and tissue samples, and the precision and insight involved in diagnosing and analyzing medical findings, are vital to treating injury and disease.
The laboratory at Mercy Medical Center is staffed with Clinical Laboratory Scientists, Certified Phlebotomy Technicians and clerks.
What is a CLS?
CLS stands for Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Currently in California, all highly complex blood tests, urinalysis, toxicology, and microbiology ordered by health care providers must be performed by a licensed CLS. Sixty-six percent of the health care decisions are made on the basis of lab test results generated by a licensed CLS. In California, you must have a bachelor’s degree, complete certain prerequisite
April 18, 2014
“Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” - Eric Hoffer
5K Stroke Awareness Run At Mercy - May 3
Marcee Samberg, left, and Dr. Mark Samberg, right, participating in the 5K Stroke Awareness Run last year!
What is a Phlebotomist?
Phlebotomists are medical professionals who draw blood from patients for various lab tests and procedures. A high school graduate or college student could take a course at a local technical or vocational school and learn phlebotomy. The state of California requires all phlebotomists to obtain phlebotomy certification.
The registration fee will be increasing after April 22nd, so make sure to register within the next week to avoid a $5 fee hike! Visit the Foundation’s website at http://www.supportmercymerced. org/Events_And_Campaigns/5K2 to register and see the list of teams who have signed up so far!
Thank You Mercy Medical Center Lab Staff!
Dignity Health Makes Great Progress in 10 Patient Safety Areas April is Skin Cancer Awareness Month Here’s What You Can Do To Prevent Skin Cancer
It’s always good to find cancer in the early stages, when it’s easiest to treat. And that’s especially true of skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S. But there also are things you can do to try and prevent skin cancer. One of the most important is to protect yourself from the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun: •
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About one hour before you go out in the sun, put on sunscreen with at least 15 SPF. Reapply if you get wet. Do not use tanning booths or sunlamps. If you can, stay out of the sun when the UV rays are most intense. The sun is the strongest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daylight savings time. Its rays are also the most intense during late spring and early summer, but UV rays can reach you any time of year, even during cloudy weather. Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and hats when you are in the sun. And, don’t forget your sunglasses.
In two years Dignity Health has reduced hospital-acquired infections and readmissions, positively affecting more than 10,000 patients from Jan. 2012 through Dec. 2013. In recognition of the system’s ongoing successes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named Dignity Health one of its Partnership for Patients’ Hospital Engagement Networks for a third consecutive year. The Hospital Engagement Networks, formed by the federal Partnership for Patients initiative and made possible by the Affordable Care Act, are making significant strides toward better patient care at an affordable cost. In fact, the care delivery improvements made at Dignity Health have saved more than $30 million. As one of 26 hospital organizations and associations that comprise the national Hospital Engagement Network, Dignity Health focused on providing better quality care across 10 patient safety areas that were identified through the partnership. “The goals of the Partnership for Patients align with Dignity Health’s mission and longstanding commitment to making hospital care safer, more reliable, and less costly,” said Barbara Pelletreau, Senior Vice President of Patient Safety, Dignity Health. “Through enhanced collaboration and coordination among our staff, we’re seeing great results, and even more importantly, we’ve improved how care is delivered at Dignity Health hospitals.”
No Harm Success April Gift Shop News Story At Mercy Merced, Competition Sparks Improvement Mercy Medical Center’s Perinatal Team has tapped the competitive spirit of nurses to focus attention on the proper use of Oxytocin, a medication administered to pregnant women to induce or augment labor. And their compliance rate is proof that a little competition can go a long way. In 2012, Dignity Health Perinatal Safety partnered with hospitals to implement standardized protocols for Oxytocin management, including preuse and in-use checklists designed to reduce variation in the management of patients and to improve outcomes. Mercy Merced’s Perinatal Team developed a creative way to improve compliance. Perinatal Safety Specialist Lisa Grisham created “The Oxytocin Challenge,” in which teams of nurses compete to record the highest scores. Since implementing this strategy, Mercy Merced has sustained a compliance rate above target for the Oxytocin Initiative. Great work!
Left to right: Lisa Grisham, RN Dawn Arnsberg, RN and Rebecca Cates, RN
2014 Values in Action Award Nominations Nomination Instructions
The Dignity Health Values in Action Award honors individuals and teams for outstanding contributions to our healthcare ministry. While everyone associated with Dignity Health works toward fulfilling our Mission, the efforts of some present an outstanding example of commitment to our Values and Vision. The Values in Action Award pays tribute to these people. Each year, Values in Action awards will be presented to individuals and teams from each of our Dignity Health facilities that best reflect our Values on the job and in the community. Nominations will be accepted in all five of our values – Dignity, Collaboration, Justice, Stewardship and Excellence – typically with one award presented per facility. The awards will reflect accomplishments achieved in the prior year and be presented at local awards events during current year.
Who is eligible for nomination? The Values in Action award is open to employees, physicians, board members, volunteers, contract employees and Sisters at your facility.
The nominees should demonstrate commitment that distinguishes them as truly outstanding. While specific criteria for each award are described on the nomination form, all nominees generally should: • Contribute to the organization through their personal
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Employee Discount week starts EARLY!
commitment of time and energy Demonstrate Dignity Health values on a daily basis Be perceived by their peers as leaders who model the Values of the organization Consistently demonstrates humankindness in the way that one or more core values are lived out and expressed in the nominee’s work. Have achieved at least one year of service at the hospital or facility.
April 13—April 19th
20% off We have lots of goodies to fill your Easter baskets! Candy, bunnies, lambs, bears and more! We will be closed April 25th from 11:00 - 1:30 for our monthly Volunteer luncheon.
Filing Deadline - May 9
Nominations are open for the 2014 Dignity Health Values in Action awards. These awards honor individuals or teams from our hospital/ facility who personify Dignity Health’s core values based on accomplishments in 2013. Employees, physicians, board members, volunteers, contract employees and Sisters are all eligible for nomination. The Values are described below. Please fill in your nominee(s) name/team and department, and indicate the Value for which you are nominating that person(s) or team. Use the attached form on the next 2 pages to describe your reasons for nominating this person or team. Please submit your nomination and contact information to Janice Wilkerson, Mission Integration Director at 209.564.5007, no later than May 9, 2014.
Volunteer appreciation week is next week-thank a volunteer for all they do for our hospital. CLOSED April 20th Easter Sunday Have a joyous Easter!
First Responder Awareness (FRA)/ First Responder Operations (FRO) Training June 4, 2014 •
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8 hours of continuing education certificate will be issued to those participants who request continuing education. Class size is limited to 40 people and registration is required No cost to take this course
For more information and a brochure on this class, please contact:
2013 Crystal Values in Action Award Winners, the Cancer Center Community Outreach Team with President David Dunham (far left).
Timothy Vietmeier MSN,RN, MICN Clinical Educator 209-564-4680 Timothy.Vietmeier@DignityHealth.org
Hospital Incident Command (HICS) Basics Course When and Where:
June 3, 2014 0800-1200 Mercy Pavilion Classroom C Who Should Attend?
Hospital Administrators Hospital Executives Managers/Directors House Supervisors Charge Nurses Emergency Room Staff Those likely to be assigned a role in their Hospital Command Center Cost: Free Instructor: Timothy Vietmeier MSN, RN, MICN Clinical Educator Emergency Department Contacts to Register: Timothy Vietmeier 209-564-4680
Timothy.Vietmeier@DignityHealth.org
Carrie Grissom (209) 564-5184
carrie.grissom@DignityHealth.org
Space is limited, Please sign up early.
Course Description
This 4 hour course provides an overview of the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) and the operation of the Hospital Command Center (HCC) during emergencies. The course includes hands-on training and use of HICS forms and tools.
Benefits
Prepares all levels of hospital management and staff to meet: Joint Commission Standard EM.01.01.01, EP 7: o The hospital’s incident command structure is integrated and consistent with its community’s command structure NIMS Compliance Objective #7: o Demonstrate the use of NIMS principles and ICS management structure in training and exercises
Course Outline & Objectives PART I (2 Hours) Describe the principal concepts and features of HICS Discuss the roles and relationship of the Incident Management Team Describe the principles of Incident Action Planning 1. Incident Management Team 2. Summary of HICS Sections a. Command b. Operations c. Logistics d. Planning e. Finance/Administration 3. Incident Action Planning 4. Demobilization and System Recovery PART II (2 Hours) Demonstrate the Incident Action Planning Process Demonstrate the use of Hospital Incident Command System forms Implement the use of the Incident Response Guides 1. Incident Action Planning Process 2. Use of Hospital Incident Command System Forms in the IAP Process 3. Uses of Incident Response Guides 4. Post Test and Review