Volume 4
WHAT’Snew
Number 16
August 7, 2015
Pennsylvania Hospital
Skilled Communication True Collaboration Effective Decision Making Appropriate Staffing Meaningful Recognition Authentic Leadership
= Healthy Work Environments
A Trifecta of Meaningful Recognition `` Shown here: the PAH Critical Care team who received the AACN’s Silver Beacon Award for critical care excellence.
Inside A Trifecta of Meaningful Recognition Continued....................... 2 Prep Continues for the World Meeting of Families and Papal Visit..................................... 2 Penn Medicine Named Among Top 10 in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report.................................... 3 Lancaster General Health Joins UPHS........................................... 3 Join the 2015 Philadelphia Undy Run Walk..................................... 4 Get’em While It’s Hot!......................... 4
Ye ar aft er y ear, Gallop polls reflect that Americans rate nurses as having the highest honesty and ethical standards of all professions. However, being so well-respected doesn’t mean working without challenges. Nurses deal with life and death issues, critically ill patients and worried family members — on a daily basis. One Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study of nurses in Pennsylvania showed that “more than a third reported high levels of emotional exhaustion,” a key component of career burnout. In a field fraught with constant, multiple stressors, official recognition for a job well done can be an uplifting ingredient for maintaining passion for the profession and inspiring even greater achievements. “Meaningful recognition,” as put forth by the American Association of Critical-Care Nursing (AACN) in its 2005 report AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments, means nurses must be recognized and must recognize others for the value each brings to the work of the organization.
“Meaningful recognition is a professional and heartfelt way to express to nurses just how — and how much — their dedication, compassion and expertise has made a difference in the lives of the patients we serve and our colleagues,” said Mary Del Guidice, RN, MSN, BS, CENP, chief nursing officer at Pennsylvania Hospital. “And as nurses, it’s important that we recognize others for the value they bring to the value and success of our institution.” It’s also one of the six elements identified by the AACN that are associated with healthy work environments: skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, and authentic leadership. As the AACN also points out (and what most nurses already know), unhealthy work environments contribute to medical errors, ineffective delivery of care, conflict and stress among health professionals. “Negative atmospheres and unsafe or demoralizing conditions are all obstacles / / / Continued on page 2
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`` Shown here: the PAH Emergency Department team who received the ENA’s Lantern Award for excellence in Emergency Medicine Nursing.
detailed performance metrics, narratives and exemplar responses. A team of reviewers thoroughly evaluate the submissions via a blind review process, thus adding to the awards prestige. PAH is one of only 58 of the 5,004 emergency departments in the U.S. to have received the Lantern Award.
A Trifecta of Meaningful Recognition / / / Continued from cover
to a healthy work environment. Yet a healthy work environment is imperative to ensure patient safety and good outcomes and to enhance nursing staff recruitment and retention,” Del Guidice said. Within a period of few weeks this summer, PAH’s department of Nursing received its own spotlight of meaningful recognition by being awarded three prestigious awards: the Emergency Nurses Association’s (ENA) Lantern Award for excellence in Emergency Medicine Nursing; the AACN’s Silver Beacon Award for critical care excellence; and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) Leadership Award. While all U.S. emergency departments are eligible to apply for the Lantern Award, only a select few meet the highest excellence standards for leadership, education, nursing practice, research and advocacy each year. Emergency departments are required to submit
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence, earned by the critical care team at PAH, signifies continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care. The team had to meet the evidencebased Beacon Award for Excellence criteria: leadership structures and systems; appropriate staffing and staff engagement; effective communication, knowledge management, learning and development; evidence-based practice and processes; and outcome measurement. Rounding out the three honors is Judy Ann Vitali, BSN, RNCNIC, CIME, CPFI, CHBE, a clinical nurse 4 in PAH’s Intensive Care Nursery, who received the Leadership Award for being a nurse who exhibits superior leadership skills and demonstrates consistent excellence in practice. “The achievement of all of these awards is emblematic of the level of knowledge and expertise of our nursing staff and of our professional commitment to the relentless pursuit of excellence in patient centered care,” Del Guidice said. Now that’s meaningful.
Prep Continues for the World Meeting of Families and Papal Visit As Philadelphia prepares for the World Meeting of Families and the Pope’s visit in September, Papal planning teams at each Penn Medicine entity have been meeting to assess site-specific issues that may arise, including ensuring necessary staffing levels and adequate supply delivery. Each entity will provide more detailed guidance to staff as required.
As the Pope’s visit draws near, the PAH Papal Preparation Planning Team is holding informational sessions for all employees. All are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions to learn what preparations are underway to ensure smooth operations, staff support and uninterrupted excellent patient care during this special event.
General information, useful external web links, and detailed FAQ’s, which address many questions from staff — including HR policies for Emergency Preparedness — and the ability to submit questions can be found through the PAH Intranet homepage.
Monday, August 10 | 7:30 & 11 a.m.
As a reminder, all elective procedures and outpatient appointments in any downtown facility on Friday, September 25th, and Monday, September 28th, will be rescheduled.
Thursday, August 12 | 11 a.m.
Additional information will be shared with all health system entities as plans are confirmed.
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Information Sessions for All PAH Staff
Tuesday, August 11 | 7:30 & 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 12 | 12 p.m.
Friday, August 14 | 1 a.m., 7:30 a.m. & 12 p.m. All information sessions will be held in the Zubrow Auditorium.
Penn Medicine Named Among
Top 10 in the Nation
by U.S. News & World Report
Penn Medicine hospitals have been ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation and #1 in the state of Pennsylvania by U.S. News & World Report. The Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania Penn Presbyterian, were ranked as the 9th best hospital in the U.S. — one of only 15 institutions named to the publication’s Honor Roll out of nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide — and the only one in the Philadelphia metro area. According to the publication’s editors, the Honor Roll distinction “signals both rare breadth and rare depth of medical excellence.” HUP-PPMC was also recognized for excellence in 13 specialties including: Cancer, Cardiology and Heart Surgery, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT/Otorhinolaryngology), Geriatrics, Gynecology, Nephrology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Psychiatry, Pulmonology, and Urology. In addition to being named #1 in PA, HUP-PPMC was once again ranked #1 in the Philadelphia metro area. Both Pennsylvania Hospital and Chester County Hospital were also in the top 10 for the region, tying for #8 in the rankings. “In the crowded Philadelphia health care environment, to have all four of our hospitals recognized so highly in this annual survey is a significant accomplishment,” said Ralph W. Muller, CEO of UPHS, and Garry Scheib, COO of UPHS and executive director of HUP, in an email to all Penn Medicine employees. Additionally, Lancaster General Hospital was ranked #5 among all hospitals in the state. “These achievements reflect the extraordinary dedication and expertise of the physicians, nurses, technologists, and staff at Penn Medicine hospitals, as well as our ongoing commitment to national leadership in patient care, medical education, and research,” Muller and Scheib said. Complete rankings as well as the U.S. News & World Report methodology can be found at www.usnews.com/besthospitals.
Lancaster General Health Joins UPHS It’s official! Lancaster General Health (LG Health) is a member of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, effective as of August 1st. The combination unites Penn Medicine — one of the nation’s top academic medical centers world-renowned for its clinical and research excellence — with a health system nationally ranked for its clinical quality. Both are among the top five systems in Pennsylvania, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. “Joining the University of Pennsylvania Health System strengthens our region’s access to cost-effective, high-quality care, will improve our communities’ health and well-being, and will strengthen our complementary teaching and research missions,” said Thomas E. Beeman, president and chief executive officer of Lancaster General Health. “An acclaimed partner such as Penn Medicine is essential to our efforts to successfully transform healthcare during a time of unprecedented change in our industry.” LG Health is regionally and nationally recognized for its cost-effective patient care services, clinical excellence, patient safety, and three-time Magnet hospital designation for nursing excellence. “Lancaster General Health is an exceptional organization, providing the highest levels of care for patients and a leader in population health management,” said Ralph W. Muller, chief executive officer, UPHS. “Uniting with LG Health offers powerful opportunities to connect medical teams and experts to improve care for all patients we serve and find solutions to health care delivery challenges ahead.” LG Health’s governance will continue under its existing Board of Trustees, consisting of 14 volunteer business and community members and LG Health’s CEO. Two of the 14 will be selected by Penn Medicine. Likewise, three LG Health Trustees will join Penn Medicine’s Board of Trustees. “A shared mission of innovation in all facets of healthcare is what brought us together and empowers us going forward as we embark on new discoveries to improve lives in our communities and across the Commonwealth,” Muller said. LG Health’s extensive community benefit efforts, including its charitycare policies, community health programs, and initiatives improving the health of the elderly, poor and other at-risk populations, will continue and be governed by the LG Health Board of Trustees.
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Saturday, September 12 Join the
2015 Philadelphia
Undy Run Walk Please support Penn Medicine’s involvement in the Undy Race with a tax-deductible donation.
On Saturday, September 12th, Penn Medicine will be participating as a team in the 2015 Philadelphia Undy Run/Walk. The Undy Run/Walk is a family-friendly event that was created by the Colon Cancer Alliance. It is unique because participants are encouraged to run in their boxers to bring attention to the area affected by colon cancer. A portion of the Philadelphia Undy Run/Walk proceeds will go to the UPHS’s Colon Cancer Screening Navigation Program, which helps West, South and Southwest Philadelphia patients complete colon cancer screening, one of the most powerful ways to prevent colon cancer. Please support Penn Medicine’s involvement in the Undy Race with a tax-deductible donation. Your support will help us end colorectal cancer and save lives. Click on “Make a gift” on the right side!
Join the Team Your participation in the Undy Run/Walk helps the Colon Cancer Alliance and our local partners fight colorectal cancer in critical ways. For more information, to participate, donate and more, please visit: http://bit. ly/1i22JDU.
Question? Please email Alicia at alicia.lamanna@uphs.upenn.edu, and let’s go team Penn Medicine!
Get ‘em While It’s Hot! Looking for some family-friendly festivities this summer? Special summer discounted movie and amusement theme park tickets are available to all PAH employees. Theaters offering discounted specials include: AMC, Cinemark, and Regal. Amusement parks offering discount packages include: Clementon Park & Splash World, Dorney Park, Hershey Park, Morey’s Piers, Six Flags Great Adventure — and the Philadelphia Zoo and PA Renaissance Faire too! For detailed pricing and discount information and to order tickets online, please visit the Employee Enrichment Committee’s site on the PAH Intranet, http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn.edu/pahhome/. Tickets can also be purchased in person for most of the vendors on pay day Fridays in the Elm Garden Cafeteria between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. The Employee Enrichment Committee is always looking for new members and for help selling tickets. If you are interested, please contact one of members listed on the EEC’s website.
WHAT’Snew EDITORIAL STAFF
Olivia Fermano Editor and Photographer Pamela Furches Design Graphic Design Barry Ogburn Photography
ADMINISTRATION
Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Holly Auer Director of Communications Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications Contact What’snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106 phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.
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