Volume 24
Number 8
April 19, 2013
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
RHOADS 5 GOES FOR THE GOLD... ...AND SUCCEEDS! In 2005, the Rhoads 5 SICU was HUP’s first intensive care unit to receive the Beacon Award, given for excellence in critical-care units. Since then, six more of HUP’s intensive care and progressive care units have earned this prestigious recognition, joining a select group. Fewer than three percent of ICUs in this country have received the Beacon recognition.
INSIDE Esophagectomy: Patients Don’t Have to Face It Alone......2 Celebrate Path/Lab Week!........3 Philadelphia Science Festival.......................................3
In 2010, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, which awards the Beacon, updated the criteria to three ascending levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Rhoads 5 once again led the way, becoming one of currently only 10 ICUs in the country to attain the Gold status. “This outstanding achievement clearly demonstrates the unit’s relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Paul Harrington, MSN, MBA, clinical director, Surgical & Cardiovascular Nursing.
Critical-care units are judged in several specific areas for Beacon recognition: leadership structures and systems; appropriate staffing and staff engagement; communication; knowledge management and best practices; evidence-based practices and processes; and patient outcomes. According to assistant nurse manager Sebastian Ramagnano, BSN, BS, “A unit needs strengths in every Beacon category to create this culture of excellence.”
Nurse manager George Iyoob, BSN, MHA, attributes the consistent recognition — it’s the unit’s fifth Beacon — to its healthy work environment and strong collaborative approach to patient care. “It’s a team effort — not just clinical nurses but CNAs, secretaries, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, fellows, physicians, nurse practitioners, EVS.... Good people create a good culture.”
Outcomes is an especially important category, said Juliane Jablonski, MSN, CCNS, clinical nurse specialist. Beacon recognition is “definitely an outcomeoriented award, not just the processes we use. They’re looking for sustainable outcomes, a continual process.” (continued on page 2)
Free Skin Cancer Screening.....4
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RHOADS 5
GOES FOR THE GOLD... AND SUCCEEDS! (continued from page 1)
The unit’s ‘Healthy Work Environment’ committee helps keep staff engaged and strengthens the comradery from shared experiences on the ICU. Not surprisingly, the unit has a very low turnover rate “and it’s usually because of life changes or getting a degree and moving on,” said Jablonski. Iyoob also credits HUP’s Nursing leaders — as well as Ben Kohn, MD and Neils Martin, MD (co-medical directors of the SICU) and Pat Reilly, MD, chief of Trauma — for the unit’s accomplishments. “They’re all incredibly supportive.” “Rhoads 5 paved the way for many of our world-class units to receive Beacon status and was the first in Pennsylvania to obtain the Gold status,” said Victoria Rich, PhD, chief nurse executive, UPMC. “That’s what I define as the ‘best of the best.’”
Open Enrollment Open Enrollment started Monday, April 15, and will run through Sunday, April 28. This year’s enrollment is an active enrollment, meaning you must make an active election or you and your covered dependents will default to the higher tobacco user rate on your medical contributions, even if you are not a tobacco user. If you have any questions, e-mail BenefitsQuestions@uphs.upenn.edu or go to www.uphshrandyou.com.
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`` Nurses in HUP’s Esophagectomy Support Group include (l. to r.) Jenny Lynn, Beauty Averion, Ashley Kilgoe, and Phanerrica Muhammad. Not pictured: Katelyn Engelbert
Esophagectomy:
Patients Don’t Have to Face It Alone Last year, Phanerrica Muhammad, BSN, of Ravdin 6, along with Jenny Lynn, CRNP, and Beauty Averion, RN, took over the reins of HUP’s Esophagectomy Support Group, created in 2008 by nurses in Thoracic Surgery. “We get to know these patients well because they often stay in the unit for as long as 10 days,” Muhammad said. “We build relationships with patients and their families and enjoy seeing their progress after discharge.” The group currently has about 35 members — patients and their family members — who share stories and experiences at the quarterly meetings, helping to support each other through the recovery process. Muhammad also brings in guest speakers, such as a nutritionist to help patients in their long road back to eating — and swallowing — normally. She said meeting attendance has doubled in the past year. Members of the support group also help new esophagectomy patients. “We pair our new patients on the unit with someone from the support group to help them in their recovery,” Muhammad said. To help these patients even more, Lynn created a ‘pre-class’ of pre-surgical esophagectomy patients to begin the support process early.
Now, Muhammad is reaching out to the community, bringing awareness about the disease and its causes and warning signs (see next page). “April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness month and we want to get the word out.” She held two outreach events at HUP and the Perelman Center earlier this month and is also helping the wife of a former HUP patient who passed away to promote Rick’s Run* (named after the patient), the first annual local run/walk in support of esophageal cancer research. Proceeds from the walk will be donated to the Abramson Cancer Center. She has also reached out to nonprofit organizations like the Esophageal Cancer Action Network to help with outreach efforts. The Penn CAREs grant helped to fund the outreach events and will also help to cover some of the costs associated with future support group meetings and special events Muhammad has planned for the group.
Feedback from patients and members of the support group keep Muhammad inspired. For example: “ The Esophageal Support Group has given me hope and strength by being able to talk and be open with the other members. I have been cancer-free for seven years and try to help others learn from my journey.” “ My first support group meeting was 1 month before my surgery. The advice and support provided at that meeting was invaluable to my recovery. Just hearing from others who had been there helped me through those 8 days and beyond.” “ After almost three years of being out there by ourselves, my wife and I are so glad to have this community as support. It is making a major difference in our lives to know we are not alone.”
“Our interactions help me as well, seeing how strong and fearless these people are,” Muhammad said. “For me, nursing is a profession of reciprocation. I often get much more than I give. I love what I do and I am grateful to do it at an institution like HUP that supports my efforts.” If you are involved in a community outreach activity, you may be eligible to receive a Penn Medicine CAREs grant. For more information and to apply, go to http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn.edu/ community and click on ‘Foundation Grant.’ Deadline for the next round of grants is June 1.
*The first annual Rick’s Run will take place on Saturday, April 27, at Ridley Creek State Park in Delaware County. Registration begins at 8 am; the race starts at 9 am. To register online, go to http://www. runtheday.com/registration/race_ info/13422. If you have any questions, contact Judi Curtis at 610-960-1774 or ricksrun@gmail.com.
Untreated GERD Can Lead to Esophageal Cancer GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when food and liquid from the stomach move back up into the esophagus, causing irritation in the esophageal lining. Symptoms of GERD can include heartburn, regurgitation, nausea after eating, belching excessively, and a sour taste in your mouth. Untreated, this condition can cause significant damage to the lining and in some cases lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition, and esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is deadly, due in part to symptoms that appear in the late stages of the disease, for example, when patients have a hard time swallowing because of a tumor in their esophagus. Though considered a rare disease, it takes more American lives each year than melanoma skin cancer or cervical cancer.
But, if caught in an early stage (with an upper endoscopy), patients have a very good chance of survival. It’s important to speak with your doctor if you have:
• More than occasional heartburn • Pain or difficulty swallowing • A family history of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer
• An ongoing, unexplained cough • A hoarse voice that’s lasted several weeks • A long-lasting unexplained sore throat • Problems with coughing or choking when you lie down.
CELEBRATE PATH AND LAB WEEK! Do you know:
• How many specimens surgical pathology handled last year?
• Who in Path and Lab Med holds three world records from the International Powerlifting Association?
Employees are invited to answer these questions — and many others — in the quiz (http://sn.im/pennpathlab-quiz2013) that Path and Lab Medicine is offering as part of its celebration of Medical Laboratory
Professionals Week, from Monday, April 22, to Friday, April 26. On Tuesday and Wednesday that week, the Path & Lab staff will sell tickets on the Ravdin Mezzanine for a chance to win gift baskets. Proceeds will be donated to the People’s Emergency Center and MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance). And there will also be guided ‘behind the scenes’ tours of some of its labs, on Tuesday and Thursday. To learn more, go to http://sn.im/ penn-labweek2013.
Philadelphia Science Festival Penn Medicine will play a starring role in the Philadelphia Science Festival again this year. The Festival is a citywide collaboration showcasing science and technology every April. This year it runs from April 19–28, 10 days to celebrate the region’s strengths in science and technology, bringing together more than 100 partners from academia to museums to restaurants. The Festival will include an extensive line-up of programs and exhibitions designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and spark discussion among young and old. In particular, check out Penn’s signature event, “Big Ideas: Funding and Innovation,” which will feature researchers who’ve generated some of the most well-known scientific breakthroughs of our time and the role that federal funds continue to play in furthering innovation. To reserve your ticket, go to http://www.philasciencefestival.org/event/62-big-ideas-funding-andinnovation and enter ‘pennmed’ under the discount code for a $10 ticket.
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SURVEY SAYS...
Proper Patient Identification Proper patient identification is essential — and mandatory — to make sure that the correct patient is receiving care, treatment and services.
Exercise and Outreach:
Before performing any patient-related care, treatment or services:
Just Do It!
• Identify all patients using both their full name and date of birth (DOB). • Actively ask patients for this information. Do not state the patient’s
The next two weekends offer some great ways to get out and exercise while helping to support worthwhile organizations:
For more information, go to http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn.edu/ hupadmpl/1_12_40.pdf.
name and DOB and ask for confirmation.
• J oin the Penn Team on Saturday, April 20, for the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Psoriasis. Registration starts at 8:30 at the Philadelphia Zoo. Register at Walk.psoriasis.org/philly-walk. For questions, call Colleen Grau at 215-662-6161. • B e part of Team PENN MEDICINE at the 18th Annual Dash for Organ & Tissue Donor Awareness on Sunday, April 21, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Dash will begin at 8:30 am. To learn more and to register, go to www.donors1.org and click on ‘Dash for Donor Awareness’ on the top right.
Verifing Provider Privilege Staff must know that a provider is privileged to perform a procedure or service. To verify, go to the Intranet home page and click on “Privileges Search” on the right-hand column.
Free Skin Cancer Screening! According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, accounting for nearly half of all cancers in this country. More than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in this country alone each year. The good news is that, if detected — and treated — in the very early stages, skin cancers are almost always curable. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. A free skin cancer screening by Penn dermatologists will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 8 am to noon, at the Perelman Center. Appointments are necessary and space is limited. Call 662-2737 to make your reservation. The event is sponsored by Penn Dermatology and the Abramson Cancer Center.
• H elp fund research for esophageal cancer at the Abramson Cancer Center by participating in the First Annual Rick’s Run on Saturday, April 27 (see page 3 for more details).
Helping People ALL THE TIME
Congratulations to the October winners of the Helping People All the Time raffle: Mary Annas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Founders 9 Corey Ayers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Security Marichu Bernardo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Founders 9 Rachel Babcock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ravdin 6 Amy Brick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ravdin 6 Stephanie Brody. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ravdin 9 Dhanya Byju. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silverstein 7 George Evak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Physical Plant Princess Foster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radiology Micaela Ganaden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 6 Christopher Graham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 7 Kendra Hawkins. . . . . . . . . . . . The Admission Center Margaret Hobbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . The Admission Center
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Stephen Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER Registration Lori Howell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silverstein 7 Tiffany Hymon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radiology Victoria Lambour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 6 Matthew Lange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Founders 11 Tra’chelle Lewis. . . . . . . . . . . . The Admission Center Xiang Li. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhoads 6 Devon Lump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silverstein 3 Sunny Paulose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Founders 11 Antoine Rice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Security Anne Simon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pharmacy Richard Watson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patient Transport
HUPdate EDITORIAL STAFF Sally Sapega Editor and Photographer Abby Ernst Designer
ADMINISTRATION
Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs CONTACT HUPDATE AT: 3535 Market Street, Mezzanine Philadelphia, PA 19104 phone: 215.662.4488 fax: 215.349.8312 email: sally.sapega@uphs.upenn.edu HUPdate is published biweekly for HUP employees. Access HUPdate online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/hupdate.