nursing notes
Non Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
BIRMINGHAM, AL
PERMIT NO. 3406
Children’s Health System
1600 7th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
205.939.9671
www.chsys.org
Notables
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Jason Peterson, RN, Critical Care Transport coordinator, was
selected to receive the “Children’s Miracle Achievement Award”
The Utilization Review department received commendation
from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama for scoring 100% on
discharge reviews.
In 2005, CHS Nursing received the distinction of being Ranked
Number 1 from the Child Health Corporation of America
(CHCA).
Surpora Thomas, MBA, BSN, RN, Senior Vice President,
Nursing, and Chief Nurse Executive, was selected from among
75 nominees to be a member of the Class of 2006 Alabama
Healthcare Hall of Fame. She also was honored by the
Birmingham Black Nurses Association as a “Legend in White.”
Jessica Gillilan Edmondson, RN, while a student nurse at the
University of Alabama, was nominated for the Inspired
Comfort award granted by Cherokee Uniforms.
Leslie Lantrip RN, Emergency Department, received the
Birmingham Region 2005 Health Care Heroes Award given by
the Alabama Hospital Association.
Lois Alexander Caldwell, RN, CHECK Center, was the recipient
of the Child Advocacy Award at the 2006 Childcare Resources
Friends of Children luncheon.
Myra Waddell, RN, Critical Care Transport, received the
Birmingham Region 2005 Health Care Heroes Award.
Yolanda Harris, RN, SCU, published an article in the July/August
2006 edition of Pediatric Nursing entitled ‘‘An African American
Female with Irregular Menses and Weight Gain.”
Lois Alexander Caldwell, RN, CHECK Center, and Jason
Peterson, RN, and Critical Care Transport coordinator, were
finalists for the Birmingham Business Journal’s 4th Annual
Health Care Heroes Award, November 10, 2005. Mrs. Caldwell
was recognized in the Healthcare Educator/Non Physician
Category and Mr. Peterson was recognized in the Healthcare
Provider/Non Physician category.
Laura Broome, RN, was selected by the Awards and Scholarship
Committee of the American Nephrology Nurse’s Association for
the Spirit of Nephrology Nursing Award.
Angelia Berry, RN, Pediatrics West (one
of the CHS practices) received an
award from the Jefferson County
Department of Public Health.
❖ Nurses were inducted into Sigma Theta
Tau, Nu Chapter: CHS undergraduate
nursing students Catherine Griffith
(Special Care Unit), Cedric Vickers
(ED), Erin Leigh Winters (4SE), Yolanda
Harris, RN (while she was a graduate student in the PNP
program at UAB) and Beverly Haynes, RN, CPN (Specialty Care
Services).
Lacrecia Britton, MSN, CRNP, received the 2006 Lamplighter’s
Award given by the Alabama League for Nursing.
Bonnie Barnett, RN, received the Outstanding Student Award
from Jefferson State Community College.
Jessica Edmondson, RN, received the Outstanding Senior Award
from the University of Alabama.
David Knight, CRNA, received the Clinical Instructor Award from
the UAB Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Tena Griffin, RN, SN II, Nursing Resource Pool, received the
Nancy Eastman Harp Oncology Scholarship, UAB.
Elaine Klein, CRNA, PhD, Anesthesia, was named to Who’s
Who, National Nurse Anesonesia, AANA.
David Knight, CRNA, Anesthesia, was the Outstanding Clinical
Preceptor (Nurse Anesthetist), UAB-NAP.
Jessica Edmondson, RN, 7NW, received the Outstanding Senior
Award, UA.
Bonnie Barnet, RN, 5SE, was an Outstanding Student at
Jefferson State Community College.
Jami Mosley, RN, 5 Tower, was inducted into the Phi Theta
Kappa Honor Society
Brenda Vason, RN, ICP, Infection Control Manager, received the
Public Health Award, Alabama Dept of Public Health.
Angelia Berry, RN, PPS Pediatric West, was honored for her work
in Public Health Disease Prevention, JCHD.
Rebecca McAnnally, RN, Department Director, Specialty Care
Service - Administration, was named to The Society of Nursing
Professionals, Who's Who in American Nursing.
Brittany Wall, CRNP, NICU,USA NNP, received a Traineeship
Grant from the University of South Alabama.
Lilla Lacey, RN, PACU, was named to Who's Who in American
Nursing.
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Nursing Notes
A
PUBLICATION
OF
CHILDREN’S
HEALTH
SYSTEM
ALABAMA
SPRING
2007
CHS Celebrates National Nurses Week
This years’ theme is “Nurses : Strength, Commitment and
Compassion” was the theme for National Nurses Week,
which was celebrated at Children’s Health System (CHS)
on May 3-12, 2006.
At Children’s we are proud of our Nurses and the many ways
that they serve our patients and our community. A display
board featuring the Nursing Excellence Nominees and
various pictures of nurses displaying strength, commitment
and compassion was placed in the Bradley, and a banner
recognizing our nurses was placed in the parking deck.
Non-Traditional Role, Erika Nabors; Expert Clinical Nurse
Surgical Services, Jessica Skelton; Expert Patient/Family
Advocate, Donna Falls; Expert Qualtiy Improvement/
Research/EBP, Angela Lee; Expert Nurse Educator, Marilyn
Patterson; Expert Nurse Leader, Rochelle Reynolds;
Outstanding New Graduate, Emily Campbell Abney; Expert
Nurse Mentor, Loretta Hill; and Expert Clinical Advanced
Practice Nurse, Lisa Allison. The celebration included family
and friends and a reception following.
Many units and work areas were decorated with banners
celebrating nursing. The week kicked off on May 3 with a
vendor fair. The nurses learned about new products and
technology that is available to improve patient outcomes,
and also enjoyed door prizes, refreshments and pampering
with chair massages.
On May 5, Professional Development Day, our nurses were
able to obtain free CEU’s. Topics covered included research
presentations and posters, Katie Spears, RN on 5NW, spoke
on her experiences in Peru; Anne Marie Konochek, RN on
4W, spoke on Spirituality in Nursing; and Meredith
Weintraub, CRNP, and Bethany Heron, CRNP, discussed the
transition from Pediatric Oncolgy patient to adult survivor.
Other topics includeda:Post-Op Care of the Transplant
Patient, Dr. Steve Bynon; Update on Bariatric Surgery, Dr.
Mac Harmon; and Foster-Parenting, Dr. and Mrs. Wiliiam
Hardin. We also had a Magnet poster competition depicting
our philosophy of nursing in action. The posters, which were
displayed and judged on May 3, also were available for
viewing on May 5 and May10.
On May 8, all of our nurses received a gift in appreciation
for all that they do for the health system. This year they
received a small gym bag to help with work-life balance.
Employee appreciation day also was held on May 8, so there
was a celebration and barbecue outside, celebrating the
Hospitals 95th birthday.
May 10 was the Nursing Celebration honoring the Nursing
Excellence Award recipients and nominees. There were 87
nominations in 12 different categories.
Recipients (who are pictured on this page
with CNE Surpora Thomas) were: Expert
Clinical Nurse Acute Care, Kristy Helms;
Expert Clinical Nurse Ambulatory Care,
Jan McGriff;Expert Clinical Nurse Critical
Care, Leslie Dillon; Expert Nurse
contents
A Message from the Chief Nurse Executive...2
Getting Magnetized...................................3
Evidence Based Practice & Technology
Update....................................................4
Networking, PI, Education & Partnerships.....5
On Our Way to Magnet Status..................6
A Culture of Excellence..............................7
Notables..................................................8
Senior Vice President/Chief Nurse Executive
Surpora Thomas, MBA, BSN, RN
Editor
Bette Jolly, MSN, RN
Graphic Artist
Tina Horton, MBA
Photographers
Denise McGill, BA; Charles Gooch, RN; and
Kimberly Marsolek
Please send items to Bette Jolly, MSN, RN,
Nursing Service Administration, The Children’s
Hospital of Alabama, 1600 7th Avenue South,
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233. Telephone
205.939.5307.
Nurses Ach ievin g Excellence th rough
Em pow e r e d T e am s and E vi de n ce d B as ed -Pr actice
By Surpora Thomas, MBA, BSN, RN
“…Behold, the people is one, and they have all
one language; and this they begin to do: and now
nothing will be restrained from them which they
have imagined to do.”
Excerpt from Genesis 11:6 KJV Bible
We’ve certainly seen proof of the importance
of good communication, focused activity and
aligning team behaviors to anticipate and achieve
desirable outcomes. We were extremely busy in
2006 with record breaking volume, high acuity
and performance improvement opportunities that
challenged us to be as efficient as possible with
our resources.
We experienced the strength in diversity and
developed an appreciation for each others’ unique
gifts and talents in our innovative approaches to
goal setting and problem solving. As nurses we
have reason to celebrate our successes and give
thanks for the infrastructure that we are blessed
with as we strive toward excellence. KUDOS to all
our internal and external partners who enable and
encourage us while engaging themselves as team
members focused on doing what’s best for our
patients and their families/significant others.
This issue of Nursing Notes will summarize
and highlight our 2006 accomplishments.
In coordination with CHS 2006 Strategic Goals,
Nursing focus was to: (1) maintain JCAHO
readiness, (2) ensure that all staff performed in
accordance with the National Patient Safety
Goals, (3) improve customer satisfaction scores,
(4) continue our journey to Magnet Certification,
(5) demonstrate on-going recruitment and retention efforts and (6) employ technology to improve
nursing productivity.
Join us in celebrating the impressive results of the
teams leading each effort. This issue also includes
nurses who presented at local, state, and national
forums, those who have published and highlight
partnerships that we have developed. Read more
about how CHS rewarded and honored its nurses
during Nurse Appreciation Week. As always, the
Nurse Appreciation Committee did a great job in
planning and executing each day’s activities.
Even though we were very busy, 2006 was a
memorable year. Our Magnet Core Team has
done a phenomenal job with consultative direction
from ANCC Resources to ensure that our written
documents will exemplify the Forces of Magnetism
operative at CHS.
Our successful transition to phased electronic
documentation is the result of dedicated nurses at
all levels who are committed to the process. I am
convinced that involvement of direct care nurses in
critical decision making, project implementation
and all aspects that affect nursing practice will
continue to strengthen us in delivering excellent
care. Thanks team for another Great Year!
S o m e I n t e re s t i n g St a t s
About our Nurses
A staff of 94% female
and 6 % male
Generational composition of
1% Veteran, 37% Baby Boomers,
46% Generation X and
16% Generation Y
59% BSN, 27% AD, 4% Diploma
(The remaining 10% includes
education preparation at
Doctorate, MPH, MNA, MBA,
MHSA, MSN and JD degrees levels.)
Average age of CHS nurses
is 38 years
A Culture of Excellence
Magnet Update 2006
• Recognizing Magnet Forces published in Our Way (January 2006).
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Submit your story of how you have seen a co-worker demonstrating
excellence in autonomy, leadership, practice, quality, research
and/or professionalism during the past year.
Examples of Research/Evidence Based Projects at CHS:
• Severity and Incidence of Dog Bites in Pediatric Patients
• Factors that Influence Self-Esteem in Pediatric Patients
• School Nurse Resources to Facilitate School Inclusion
• Meeting Nutritional Needs of an Infant with Chronic Kidney
Disease
• Effect of Infused Volume on Arterial Line Integrity
Two Evidence-Based/Nursing Research classes have been held with
36 attendees at the first class and 25 at the second. The third class
was February 13 and the last class was February 27.
One clinical procedure has undergone “formal” evidence based
review: WARM TOUCH PATIENT WARMING SYSTEM (critical care)
NDNQI—First report received. More detailed information later.
Example finding: For all areas, IV infiltration rate median = 0.
National median = 0.
Magnet Team Summit on March 13
National Magnet Conference Miami, Florida, attended by:
Surpora Thomas, Joan Carlisle, Scotty Roberson, Bob Lindsey, Tina
Horton, Mary Jane Prosser and Shirley Ward.
RN Satisfaction Survey May1-21
• 82% hospital completion rate
• Preliminary results available at the end of June
• CHS High Satisfaction:
• RN-RN Interaction
• Professional Status
• Professional Development
• Nursing Management
• Nursing Administration
• Higher Satisfaction than other Pediatric Units/Hospitals in:
• Job Enjoyment
• Autonomy
• Task
• Decision-Making
• Pay
• Lower Satisfaction than other Pediatric Units/Hospitals in:
• RN-MD Interaction
• Higher Satisfaction in all Categories than Other National
Hospitals
Nursing Leadership Retreat on May 24
• Decision-Making Schematic
• Developed by a staff nurse in PICU
(utilized Magnet compass symbol)
• Demonstrates various groups/committees and relationship
to NEC
• Issues may be identified and channeled to NEC through any
of the identified “compass points.”
• Prior to decisions becoming final—input and feedback may
be elicited from any or all of the compass points
(groups/committees)
• Content of issue will determine the “route” of the compass
points
• Ad Hoc Committee formed to identify internal resources for nurse
consultation (Becki McAnnally, chair)
• Our Way continued to highlight nurses’ stories
• EBSCO Literature Search accessible through CHS intranet page
under “Resources” tab
• EBSCO Host training (by company rep) presented on August 25
at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Bradley Lecture Center
• Magnet mobile continues
scheduling specific units for
Magnet visits; contact Bob
Lindsey if you would
like to help
• Magnet/Employee
Appreciation Event
held October 3 in
the Bradley
• Magnet essay writing contest:
• First Place – Robin Atkins, SCS –
“Magnet: Recognizing Quality”
• Second Place – Tarrika Everett,
4SE – “The Magnitude of
Magnet”
• Third Place – Thuan Tan, 5SE –
“Changes are Here to Stay”
• Fourth Place – Staci Abernathy, PICU – “A Culture of Excellence:
The Benefits of Magnet Recognition”
• Magnet Update presented to Administrative Staff and Magnet
Executive Overview Committee on September 18
• Leadership Retreat, September 28, during which NDNQI RN
Satisfaction Survey results were discussed
• Conclusions
• Priorities
• Work teams developed to address issues
• Magnet Conference, Denver, Colorado, attended by:
Rocky Caldwell, Shirley Ward, Kermilia Moorer-Whitehead, Amber
Youngblood, Rebecca Jackson, Robin Atkins and Cindy Gardner
• Magnet Status: A Guide for Children’s Health System Nursing Staff
booklets distributed. To date, 136 nurses had completed the CBT
for nursing contact credit
• Magnet Resource Manuals have been delivered to Department
Directors and other nurse managers/supervisors including PPS
• JCAHO Game Show Extravaganza was held November 28 and
December 5. Game Show questions included JCAHO and Magnet.
Magnet T-Shirts were included as prizes for winners.
• American Nurses Credentialing Center held a Magnet Workshop
hosted by UAB in November and December. Attendees from CHS
included: Cinnamon Banks, Beverly Barrett, Bonnie Burnett, Cyndi
Cortes, Tarrika Everett, Cheryl Ferron, Sally Hellmers, Bette Jolly,
Charolette Jones, Jessica Krefting, Kathryn Lakeman, Delicia
Mason, Scotty Roberson, Katie Spear, Shirley Ward, Kermilia
Moorer-Whitehead and Coretta Jefferson.
On Our Way to Magnet Status!
Th e M ag net C or e T eam includes: Joan Carlisle,
Coordinator, Department Director, Nursing Education and
Research; Shirley Ward, Department Director, PICU; Bonnie
Burnett, Department Director, 5T; Kermilia Moore-Whitehead,
Department Director, 4SE; Scotty Roberson, Department
Director, 6NW and BU; Cyndi Cortes, CRNP, Rehabilitation
Services; Rocky Caldwell, Department Director, 5SE; Mary Jane
Prosser, Educator II, Nursing Education and Research; Bob
Lindsey, Department Director, Respiratory Therapy; Lois
Caldwell, Staff Nurse II, Flexipool/CHECK; Tina Horton,
Manager, Strategic Projects, Strategic Business Development;
and Bette Jolly, Division Director, Nursing Education and
Research/Resource Utilization.
Th e M ag net Ex ecu tiv e Ov e rv ie w Co mmi ttee includes:
Surpora Thomas, CNE, Chairperson; Jim Dearth, CEO;
Crayton Fargason, MD; Doug Dean, Chief HR Officer; Lori
Ewoldsen, Vice President, Strategic Business Development;
Mike McDevitt, CTO; Pete Van Pelt, Senior Vice President,
Operations; Sandy Thurmond, Vice President, Primary Care
Services; Tom Shufflebarger, COO; and Mike Burgess, CFO.
Magnet Update 2007
The ANCC consultant has reviewed the Magnet
documentation celebrating nurses at CHS, and Magnet
documentation has been submitted.
T h e M a g n e t N ur si n g E x e c u t i v e O v e r v i e w Co m m i t t e e
includes: Surpora Thomas, CNE, Chairperson; Aleta Sanders,
Nursing Information Systems; Becki McAnnally, Department
Director, SCS; Bette Jolly, Divisional Director, Nursing
Education and Research/Resource Utilization; Beverly Barrett,
Divisional Director, Critical Care; Coretta Jefferson, Divisional
Director, Acute Care; Gloria Miller, Divisional Director,
Surgical Services; Joan Carlisle, Department Director, Nursing
Education and Research; Lynne McTyre, Department Director
SCS; and Gwen Powers, Department Director, SCS.
Th e Mag net S teer in g Co mmit tee includes: Surpora
Thomas, CNE, Chairperson; Jim Dearth, CEO; Aleta Sanders,
NIS; Becki McAnnally, Department Director, SCS; Bette Jolly,
Divisional Director, Nursing Education and Research/Resource
Development; Beverly Barrett, Divisional Director, Critical
Care; Coretta Jefferson, Divisional Director, Acute Care;
Crayton Fargason, Medical Director; Doug Dean, CHO;
Gloria Miller, Divisional Director, Surgical Services; Lori
Ewoldsen, Vice President, Strategic Business Development;
Lynne McTyre, Department Director, SCS; Mike McDevitt, CTO;
Pete Van Pelt, Senior Vice President, Operations; Sandy
Thurmond, Vice President, Primary Care Services; Tom
Shufflebarger, COO; Mike Burgess, CFO; Joan Carlisle,
Department Director, Nursing Education and Research; and
Gwen Powers, Department Director, SCS.
“Where in the World Is Magnet,” video featuring our own
Jennifer Mahaffey and “Maggie and the Magnetics,” is
completed. Many thanks to the production crew: Joan
Carlisle, Tina Horton and Denise McGill.
Coming Soon ...
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Premier showing of “Where in the World Is Magnet”
Magnet Mobile visiting your area
PEERS Council Meetings on the odd months
EBP/Research Road Show coming to a location near
you on the even months
Updates at CNE Networking Meetings, Leadership
Meetings, department level meetings
Education and celebrations
100% completion of “Magnet Status: A Guide for
Children’s Health System Nursing Staff”
Have you completed your education?
Mock Survey by our ANCC consultant –
A time for you to showcase what you do well!
M a g ne t Po st e rs he l p
sh o wca se Nurs in g
a c c o m pl is hm e n t s
Getting Magetized
Magnet: Recognizing Quality
By Robin Atkins, RN, BSN
Learning More about Magnet
In the Mile High City
By Rebecca Jackson, BSN, RN
I enjoyed attending the Magnet Conference in
Denver. I thought there was an excellent
representation from CHS at the conference. Acute
Care and Critical Care staff nurses up to acute care
and critical care department directors were in
attendance. We were able to choose which sessions
from the 3 available tracks: Magnet, Future Magnet
and Executive, that we wanted to attend based on
our interest and experience.
After the conference, the staff nurses presented a
synopsis of what we had learned to the Staff Nurse
Practice Council. In addition, all of us who
attended the conference presented to the nursing
leadership group in November.
I learned a lot about Magnet concepts and
principles and gained a greater perspective of our
journey. As I listened to the presenters describe the
programs and attributes of their Magnet hospital,
I realized that CHS has all the qualities of a
Magnet hospital. I further realized how blessed I
am to work at a wonderful hospital such as CHS.
The Magnet journey is a long, challenging road
but we are well on our way to showing others
what we already know; CHS is Magnet,
Let’s show it.
Magnet is important to Children's Hos
pital and to me because it is a
reflection of an ongoing process at
Children's Hospital. Children's Hos
pital
has long been a provider of excellen
t healthcare but when one uses the
words healthcare, the tendency is to
see only how we interact with patients
who are sick and hospitalized rather
than seeing how we interact with
children and the community.
"Children are the Center of Our Live
s" Is our motto because we are invo
lved
in the care of children in the home,
the school, the community and the
Hospital. Our nurses educate the pub
lic on the safety of children and hav
e
been involved in the development
of programs to increase awareness
of
car
safety, bicycle safety, burn and pois
oning risks and health maintenanc
e.
Nurses are allowed the independen
ce to identify needs within the com
munity
and given the latitude to be able to
develop programs to help meet thos
e
needs. Children's Hospital has dev
eloped a strong network alliance with
agencies outside of the health syste
m to help set in place a safety net
that
will insure that the needs of children
are consistently met. This safety netw
ork
is not only agencies within our com
munity but also national and internat
iona
l
agencies involved in education and
research to provide optimum care
for
children everywhere.
For me as a nurse at Children's Hos
pital, Magnet is important because
it
identifies the facility at which I prac
tice for what it is --- exceptional. It
recognizes that I am allowed to prac
tice as a professional, identify needs
within my field of practice and dev
elop interventions to meet those nee
ds.
As a nurse I am encouraged to bec
ome involved with the cares and
concerns of my patients and advoca
te for them both inside and outside
the
healthcare system. In one such insta
nce (while working with a chronica
lly ill
child and their family), I was allowed
to make a five hour trip to meet with
them at their home. While I was no
longer their medical care provider,
I had
taken care of them for over five yea
rs and there was a strong trust betw
een
them and several of the providers
at Children's Hospital. The child was
dying
and the mother was extremely sick
. While in the home we were able
to get
medical care for the mother and rees
tablish insurance coverage for the
child
(who had reached the $1,000,000
maximum) until his death.
While emotionally this was a very diffi
cult trip, it was also very rewarding
In
that we were able to provide compreh
ensive care to a family that was
struggling. This is only one of man
y instances, but it gives a view of the
comprehensiveness of care that is
allowed, encouraged, and rewarde
d by
Children's Hospital. Magnet is imp
ortant to Children's Hospital and me
because it recognizes that I am a valu
able team member in providing care
to our children.
Research and Evidence Based Practice 2006
Dr. Susan Lacey, faculty from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, serves in a collaborative partnership between
the school of nursing and CHS. She is on-site one day per week to educate and facilitate evidence based practice
and nursing research. She has presented about her own research and met with various nurses within the hospital.
Currently, several research/EBP projects are underway with two clinical nurses: Nita Morisette, CRNA, Retrospective
Chart Review Of Caudal Anesthesia: Impact On LOS and Urinary Retention and Angela Lee, RN, The Use of 1.9
French PICC for Blood Draws: A Descriptive Study Of Children's Hospitals. Plans are under way for formal and
informal EBP classes during the year and research discussions will be moved out of the classroom to conference
room throughout the hospital (Research Road Show).
Dr. Lacey has also facilitated participation by CHS in The National Nursing Practice NetworkSM (NNPNSM) of 44
acute care hospitals. The purpose of the NNPN is to foster exceptional healthcare outcomes of individuals, groups
and communities receiving nursing care in a variety of healthcare environments, advance professional nursing
practice through application of evidence in care delivery, support on-going nursing leadership development for
evidence based practice and increase understanding of the mechanisms and strategies that foster use of evidence by
those delivering healthcare services.
During 2006 a position was approved for a Nurse Researcher. This individual will be a RN with a doctorate degree.
The researcher will be responsible for guiding nurses through their research journey.
Examples of Research/Evidence Based Projects at CHS include: Severity and Incidence of Dog Bites in Pediatric
Patients; Factors that Influence Self-Esteem in Pediatric Patients; School Nurse Resources to Facilitate School
Inclusion; Effect of Infused Volume on Arterial Line Integrity; and Meeting Nutritional Needs of an Infant with
Chronic Kidney Disease.
Technology Update
N ur s ing Tr an siti ons f r om P ap er
to Co mp uter Documen tati on
In February of 2006, the Hospital’s inpatient units began their journey
to become paperless by electronically implementing the interdisciplinary
“PIPE” (Patient Interdisciplinary Plan of Care and Plan of Education).
Phase I included five documents (Admission History, Functional Screens,
Plan Of Care, Plan of Education and Home Medication Record) which
were rolled out to all disciplines that document on the PIPE.
Beginning with a pilot rolled out in March of 2006 on 6 NW, 7NW,
Optim iz ing techn olo gy enhanc es N urs ing
productivity.
Stem Cell and the Burn Unit, the documentation was expanded to
include Vital Signs, Intake and Output and Nursing Shift Assessment. In May, the other Med/Surg units (including
Psyche) began expanded computer documentation, followed by the Critical Care units in June.
Nurses agree this was a huge milestone in Nursing at Children’s Hospital because it permits everyone who needs
access to the nurses documentation about the patient(s) to review the information on the computer. “We will continue
to ensure that the infrastructure and budgets are adequate to support successful piloting with subsequent roll-out of
all the electronic systems that will completely transition us to a paperless environment,” says CNE Surpora Thomas,
MBA, MSN, RN. Currently, nursing documentation is 100% automated in the ED, 80% in surgical services and 60%
in ambulatory care.
Networking Meetings
There were a total of 100 attendees at the February
Networking Meetings. Total attendance at the
networking meetings for 12/05 through 12/06 was 941.
2006 Guest / Topics
Jun-05 Steve Schwenke - Safety and Security
Aug-05 Tom Shufflebarger - COO - CHS Update and Future Plans
Oct-05 Doug Dean, Suzanne Thorn and Brook Vanderver - Benefits
Dec-05 Sam Wilson, Lee Johnson, Steve Bereck -EVS
Feb-06 Review of YTD 2005 Decisions
Apr-06 Jerri Phillips and Suzanne Thorn - PTO, EIB and FMLA
Jun-06 Michael Wiggins - Vice President, Operations
Aug-06 Discussed RN Licensure and CEUs
Oct-06 Chuck Tyson - New Safety and Security Director
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Reinstate UBTS Classes
Box lunches for patient’s admitted after evening meals
Open communication with EVS management regarding issues,
i.e. cleaning up bodily fluids, trash overflow, needle boxes,
IV poles and pumps
Self Defense Classes to be offered in future
Identify and address employee safety concerns
NDNQI Survey resulting in task forces being formed to focus on:
o RN Decision Making – Paige Stephenson
o RN-MD Collaboration – Paige Stephenson
PI Task Forces
Re cr ui tm ent /Re tenti o n
This task force was formed to involve nurses in
exploring concerns and suggestions in retaining
nurses with more than 15 years experience.
Members: Paige Stephenson, Facilitator; Lisa
Ford, 7 NW; Nick Johnson, 4T; Rickey England,
5W/E; Jacob Harper, 5T, Ashley Turnipseed, 5NW;
and Leland Johnson, 6NW.
Ori entati o n
This task force was the catalyst for revising the
Unit Based Training Specialist (UBTS) program.
This program work in collaboration with Human
Resources in training nurses to be mentors on
their unit. In 2006, there were 9 classes with 209
participants. Each attendee received a special
UBTS pin to wear and a T-shirt. Members: Ann
Bentley, Facilitator; Suzanne Alford, NICU; Tracie
Harrison, NICU; Brenda Lewis, SCTU; Stephanie
Kelso, ED; Jacob Harper, 5T; Ashley Turnipseed,
5NW; and Leland Johnson, 6NW.
Pai n Management
During the February 2007 CNE Networking
Meeting, David Creel from the PI Department
presented an overview of where nurses were ranked
by our families for pain management and introducing
themselves. The current trend shows CHS in the 90th
percentile.
Education Council 2006 Accomplishments
The
Education Council has been extremely busy this year. Highlights of the year include:
JCAHO Game Show Extravaganza
Updated the UBTS program
Coordinated education for new equipment
Collected data for Magnet
Worked with HR and IS to reorganize nursing orientation so that the new nurses will have as many classes as
possible completed prior to beginning unit level orientation
Ongoing education for JCAHO
Organized the 2007 Goals subcommittee
Worked with staff to ensure all had their mandatory education for 2006
Partnerships
Some of CHS partnerships include:
BCBS - Body Trek
Schools of Nursing - Clinical site for over 20 schools
School nurses - www.myschoolnurse.net - Resource for
nurses employed by Alabama’s school systems
CHECK and the Diabetes Educators are working to
improve communication and assistance to schoool
nurses
Project Fit America - Help to promote physical activity
in elementary schools
Southeast Child Safety Institute
Jefferson County District Court – Trauma Prevention
Program
Local High School for the “Every 15 Minutes” program
presented to students prior to their prom night