HUPdate

Volume 24

Number 11

May 31, 2013

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

`` Pamela MackBrooks with some of the demonstration models used at health-care talks.

“We’re passionate about improving the health of the community.”

That’s how Pamela Mack-Brooks, MSN, describes HUP’s Nursing Community Outreach Program. Established in 2007 to help fulfill the needs of the neighboring community, it has expanded from its original role of participating in health fairs to becoming a reliable source of health-care information.

As program director, Mack-Brooks manages requests for health-care talks from small community groups, such as churches and recreation centers. The core presentation group is about 15 strong. “People tend to trust nurses. We provide general health information in a simple, nonthreatening way. An audience feels at ease asking questions in this relaxed environment.”

HUP NURSES HELP

FULFILL COMMUNITY NEEDS INSIDE Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing........................2 Speaking with HUP’s Leaders............................3 Nursing Excellence Award Winners..........................3 Another Win for Patient Registration...................4

The talks are tailored to what groups request and the age of the audience, she said, adding that they’ve developed themed presentations on many topics — for example, on diabetes, women’s health (including sex education), smoking, and cancer prevention, to name a few.

Many talks include demonstration models, thanks to the generosity of sponsors and patrons of HUP’s Magnet Gala, which has contributed approximately $250,000 to the outreach efforts over the past five years. For instance, the talk about breast self-exams includes a model of a breast (with lumps) to better show what it feels like. A smoking prevention talk uses models of a healthy lung and one damaged by years of nicotine inhalation. And a talk on nutrition comes with examples of what one pound — and five pounds — of fat looks like.

Requests for these talks have grown significantly in the past five years. “In the first year, we did about three to four

events in a year,” Mack-Brooks said. “Now, in the spring and summer months, we do approximately three to four per month!”

Recently they held a CPR class for community members and were part of the Community Wellness Day in West Philadelphia.

The Outreach Program is also a source of literature and direction for groups that want to set up a health fair or other event. And, thanks to a collaborative partnership with other departments as well as with the University — especially the School of Nursing — HUP’s Outreach Program is reaching more residents throughout the community. Mack-Brooks added that members of HUP’s nursing units also do a lot of outreach work independently.

“We are all trying to expand our presence in the community through outreach and education,” she said. “It’s all about learning.”

The Magnet Gala is Coming!

Help fund HUP’s Nursing Outreach Program by attending the 2013 annual Magnet Gala on Friday, June 14, at the Drexelbrook Banquet Facility. Proceeds help support the program’s volunteer efforts. Individual tickets are $150; $250 for couples. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.pennmedicine.org/magnetgala, or at the cashier booth on Silverstein 1 and HUP Administration in 102 Penn Tower Lobby. Shuttle service is available.

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Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing Jeanie Luciano, MSN, CNRN, CRNP, of Neurology, received the Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing Award from the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses.

The nomination letter states that Luciano “serves as a mentor, leader, educator and patient/family advocate and communicates complex concepts in an easily understandable manner…. This person is a confident innovator who is always willing to share best practices with colleagues and peers and does so both within and outside our program… [She] is extremely active in promoting stroke awareness…. While managing a complicated and busy schedule, [she] has spent a great deal of time and effort to spearhead outreach activities to our surrounding communities, including stroke education programs…. Patients and families always come first with this individual who is always available to current as well as former patients and families who can contact her at any time…. I and my colleagues feel strongly that this nominee is most deserving of this form of recognition for exhibiting excellence in every aspect of neuroscience advanced practice nursing.”

“I believe that few APNs can hold a candle to her undying dedication, perseverance and evidence-based practice leadership world-wide,” said Victoria Rich, PhD, chief nurse executive, UPMC.

“ Our congregation is not very big, but our heart is.”

“I love to give,” said Arrington. “I’m a bad receiver, but I love to give.”

As the event grows — it’s now up to 35 tables — so does the number of people who need the support. “Folks are struggling,” said Arrington.

“Some working folks are struggling.”

Somet imes

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS MEASURED IN A PAIR OF SHOES Penn Medicine CAREs About six years ago, Shirley Arrington, completion coordinator in Medical Records, visited a friend’s church during its community day.

Inspired by the event, Arrington started Pine Hill Primitive Baptist Outreach Day at her own church. Now in its sixth year, the event offers clothes, food, school supplies, giveaways for kids, diabetes blood testing from a registered nurse, blood pressure monitoring (from Arrington’s niece), furniture, brochures and information, and bags with washcloths and soap.

The event grows every year. It now feeds and provides necessary supplies each year for 200 people. Inspired by the turnout, community support, and God, Arrington has played an integral part in building up this event, which occurs on the third Saturday of every September.

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At last year’s event, one woman who came explained that she spent the previous two months around Philadelphia without a pair of shoes on her feet. Arrington and other volunteers responded to the woman’s needs, placing shoes on her feet, feeding her, and taking care of other basic needs.

“I do make a speech,” said Arrington. “There is no profanity to be used once you enter this yard. We are here because we care and want to help.” She said the nurse doing the diabetes testing has supplied the blood pressure monitor, needles, alcohol swabs, etc., and now the Penn Medicine CAREs grant supplies much of the equipment.

“I’m so grateful for the grant,” said Arrington. “It’s a blessing, thank you so much.”

Arrington puts the event together with support from her church family, family, co-workers, friends, and others, and looks forward to seeking out more sponsors from local businesses and people in this area to expand the offerings. Arrington also meets with leaders at the nearby high school to see if there’s a way to encourage students to volunteer.

“We take great pride and great joy in doing this,” said Arrington.

“Our congregation is not very big, but our heart is.”

Volunteering comes naturally for Arrington. “My mom had us volunteer when we were coming up. We didn’t have a choice.”

Last year’s event was the first one without her mom by her side. (She died in 2011.) Arrington’s brothers and sisters carried on their service and thought about their mother all day. “I know she would be proud, because that’s what she raised us to do.”

Nursing Excellence Aw a r d Wi n n e r s SPEAKING WITH

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

Excellent patient service is becoming more and more essential in the changing health-care environment. Patient-centered care is especially important for a city hospital like HUP, which requires patients to drive into the city, pay for parking, and navigate a very large hospital — challenges they don’t face in a community hospital.

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HUP’S LEADERS “We need to keep improving our customer service skills,” said Diane Corrigan, HUP’s chief financial officer, at last month’s Meal with an Administrator. “Patients — and their families — need to feel warm and wanted, and that HUP is a great place to receive care.”

She mentioned one example of going above and beyond — a recently created initiative that fills prescriptions for inpatients who are ready for discharge. This new program eliminates the need for patients to stop at a pharmacy on the way home. “I hear that patients are thrilled.”

One participant mentioned speaking with a patient who was “absolutely delighted” with the care she received. “The woman said she had a different nurse every day but all had been awesome and they worked as a team,” the employee said.

TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS OF THE NURSING CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS FROM HUP AND CPUP

L illian Brunner Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making Award Catherine Amorose and Nicole Ciasullo

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R osalyn J. Watts Nurse-Patient/Family Relationship Award Coleen Nicolosi and Terrence Pilgrim

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D orothy Botdorf Award for Clinical Leadership Joy Iocca and Theresa Myers

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H elen McClelland Award for Clinical Scholarship Robin Hermann and Tammi Fisher.

`` Victoria Rich (center in both photos), chief nurse executive, UPMC, proudly poses with this year’s nursing excellence award winners from HUP and CPUP.

“This is like music to my ears!” said Victoria Rich, PhD, chief nurse executive, UPMC. “We always want to make sure there’s continuity of care.

A therapeutic relationship doesn’t require the same person, just a consistent approach.”

What’s Your Idea?

As most employees know, Penn Medicine has started a new Big Idea Challenge, with a focus on increasing efficiency in the workplace. “They’re hoping for 1,000 submissions,” Corrigan said. “Submit anything you feel passionate about. You don’t have to work out specifics.” (To learn more, go to www.pennmedicine.org/YourBigIdea. ). The deadline for submissions is Friday, June 7.

`` HUP (l. to r.): Robin Hermann, Catherine Amorose, Joy Iocca, and Coleen Nicolosi.

Last year’s Challenge brought in more than 1,200 ideas. Several were chosen to move into the finals — with two selected as winners — but Corrigan said that the remaining ideas were split among entities and reviewed. “At HUP, we worked in pairs. We had to present the best of 15 ideas assigned to us,” she said. “We each found four that were really good ideas and they were assigned to team members for follow-up.”

With health-care reform, our revenue for each patient will be going down, Corrigan continued. And, with the aging population, the number of patients and severity of diseases will increase. “We’ll receive the same revenue we get today … but for treating more patients,” she said. “We have to figure out how to do that safely and with great service.”

`` CPUP (l. to r.): Nicole Ciasullo, Theresa Myers and Terrence Pilgrim.

Not shown: Tammi Fisher.

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ONCOLINK’S NEXT BROWN BAG CHAT: DATE: Thursday, June 13 TIME: 6:30 pm to 8 pm TOPIC: Managing the Side Effects of Hormonal Therapies Join us for the next OncoLink presentation, a webinar in conjunction with Living Beyond Breast Cancer. You can access the chat — or check archives of previous events — by going to www.oncolink.org/webchat.

Heartfelt Thanks `` The Patient Registration team with its winning creation. (Front): Pearl Covington (l.) and Asia Burnett. (Back, l. to r): Berna Johnson, Enjoli Barnes, Annette January, and Alice Tracy

Another Win

For Patient Registration The creative juices were once again flowing for members of Patient Registration at 1500 Market Street. After last year’s win for “Hawaiian Paradise” in their building’s mini-flower show competition (its answer to the real Philadelphia Flower Show), the group was ready to take on the next floral challenge, creating a display to match the Flower Show’s British theme, “Brilliant!”

Using the assembled kits containing English ivy, English lavender, a tiara, costume jewels, the British flag, and the box for the display — as well as 10 items of each team’s own choosing — they created a display filled with well-known sights seen in London. Their “Brilliant Moments” included Big Ben, a double-decker bus, red phone booth, and, of course, members of the British royal family (serving as a backdrop for the scene), as well as park benches, flowers and trees.

The group’s hard work brought them a second-place win. Jolly good show!

HEL P R A I S E

Awareness

OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Join Penn Medicine and CHOP at the 2013 Delaware Valley Congenital Heart Walk on Sunday, June 9, to help raise awareness of the disease and highlight our commitment to providing life-long care for those affected. The Philadelphia Adult Congenital Heart Center has formed a joint team between Penn Medicine and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, both of which are the site sponsors for this walk. The event will be held at Wilson Farm Park, 500 Lee Road, in Chesterbrook, PA. To register, go to http://congenitalheartwalk.org and click on the ‘Delaware Valley’ link in the right column.

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As told to two of HUP’s Patient & Family Centered Care Champions: One early morning, several days into the most recent of my five hospital stays in the past three months, I had to go down for yet another test. I was feeling very discouraged and kept thinking, ‘Is all of this ever going to end?’ On the way down to the test I started crying. The young transporter [Horace Hubbard], who was wise beyond his years, stopped the stretcher, came around to my side and said, ‘There will be better days than this. Sometimes we all have to do what we have to do. I know you feel terrible now but you’re going to get better and I’m going to be here to help you.’ I tear up when I think about how he went out of his way to comfort me. I wish I could tell him how much that meant to me. I will never forget him.

HUPdate EDITORIAL STAFF Sally Sapega Editor and Photographer Lisa Paxson 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.