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Affiliated with The University of TexasHealth Science Center at Houston
(UTHealth) Medical School
The mission of nursing at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Campus is to drive quality outcomes by protecting, promoting and optimizing the health and wellbeing of patients we treat.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013
a publication for nurses and allied healthcare professionals
Our Campus’ Journey to Magnet® – One Stitch at a Time
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Over the past few months, units and departments fromthroughout the Campus were encouraged to help create a quiltsymbolizing our ongoing commitment to nursing excellence.More than 60 squares were submitted and have been stitchedtogether to form our Magnet® quilt, featured on the cover.
The quilt symbolizes the Campus’ support ofinterdisciplinary collaboration throughout our journey toMagnet designation. Nurses as Collaborators also serves asone of the pillars of the Nursing Professional Practice Model
and is a foundation for how clinicians operate. Nurses mustwork with others in a way that promotes and encourage eachperson’s contributions toward achieving goals that are bothoptimal and realistic. Collaboration requires involvement inintra- and interdisciplinary work with colleagues and thecommunity. Each square – like the ones shown below –recognizes the strong, supportive clinical and nonclinicaldepartments that have made a positive impact on the Campus.
Our Campus’ Journey to Magnet® – One Stitch at a Time
Nursing Strategic Retreat Is a Success
Over 200 members from our Campus’ clinical team attended a retreat to set the nursing strategic plan for FY14 – FY16. From chiefsand nursing administrative directors to managers and bedside caregivers, staff from all levels of the organization shared their
feedback during breakout sessions and round-table discussions throughout the two-day event. Stay tuned for the next edition ofClinical Notes to learn more about the outcomes from the retreat.
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Launches New Structure for Quality ImprovementIn keeping with Memorial Hermann’smission to provide patients with thesafest, highest-quality care possible,Memorial Hermann-Texas MedicalCenter is introducing new structuresand resources dedicated to qualityimprovement (QI) on Campus. Thestructure currently in place iscomprehensive and effective, but thenumerous overlapping projects andcommittees have created a need forincreased coordination andcommunication.
“Our goal with these new structuresand resources is to streamline all qualityimprovement processes,” said VictoriaKing, chief nursing officer of MemorialHermann-TMC. “This effort supportsour commitment to quality and safety,and will provide more opportunities forclinical involvement in the many QIinitiatives taking place throughout thehospital.”
The objectives of the new structuresinclude the following: • Supporting a robust culture of
ongoing QI throughout the Campus • Reducing duplication in QI projects • Standardizing methodology and
related terminology • Providing universal access to QI
tools, templates and other resourcesto facilitate project completion
• Standardizing the approval processfor project leaders who require accessto various sets of data
• Connecting project leaders withcontent experts, other individualsworking on similar issues andinterested parties who can lendinfluence
• Providing a forum for networking andcollaboration between individuals inclinical practice and individuals inquality improvement roles
Below is a list of the new qualityimprovement resources on Campus:
Comparative Analytics DepartmentThe Comparative Analytics departmentwill focus on serving clinicians andphysicians through utilizing theUniversity HealthSystem Consortium(UHC) and registries databases tomeasure quality and safety. The
department is working to ensure dataintegrity, build reports, and provideeducational opportunities andcollaboration for research and QI.
Quality Improvement Review CommitteeThe QI Review Committee will beresponsible for providing oversight andcoaching for QI projects. The committeewill also ensure compliance with HIPAAand other standards, serve asgatekeepers for data requests, monitorthe volume and focus of QI projects toavoid overlap and ensure relevancy, andfoster publication and presentation ofQI projects.
Quality Improvement BoardThe QI board is located on the 7th floorof the Robertson Pavilion and is alreadyin process. It is a visual display ofongoing projects sorted by UHC qualitydomains and is color coded to easilyidentify projects by location (MemorialHermann-TMC adult service lines,Children’s Memorial HermannHospital, or both) and by staffinvolvement. Annamaria Macaluso,M.D., performance improvementphysician liaison, oversees the QI boardand coordinates the projects with thePerformance Improvement ReviewCommittee (PIRC).
Quality Improvement Resources Page on InSiteThe new resource page standardizestemplates including project charters,cause/effect diagrams, prioritizationmatrices, failure modes and effectsanalysis, stakeholder analyses, andmore. The page will also feature generalQI information and definitions, changemanagement tools, references, trainingopportunities, a calendar of events, anda link to useful websites and otherexternal resources.
Quality Networking MeetingThe quarterly networking meeting willbe a voluntary, quarterly gathering ofindividuals actively engaged in QIinitiatives. Attendees will includemembers of the Quality, Patient &
Infection Control department, SixSigma staff, Comparative Analyticsdepartment staff, service line qualitydirectors and quality coordinators,members of the Professional NursingPractice, Quality & Patient SafetyShared Governance Council, UTHealthdepartmental vice chairs for quality andquality officers, Clinical Safety &Effectiveness Program graduates andothers.
House Staff Patient Safety andQuality MeetingThis is a monthly forum aimed atincreasing the engagement of residentsin the hospital quality effort. One to tworepresentatives from each residencyprogram will be invited to attend eachmonth. There will be presentations ofthe monthly operating report qualitydata from the previous month,presentations of serious safety eventswith specific discussion surrounding theresolution of one causal issue, educationabout a quality concept or issue,discussion of everyday frustrationsexperienced by clinicians or residents tobe discussed at the following month’smeeting and collaborationopportunities.
Annual Quality ForumThe first of these forums is slated forMay 2014. The goal is to showcasesuccessful QI efforts. The forum willinclude rapid-fire oral presentations,poster sessions and a keynote speaker.The Quality Improvement ReviewCommittee will be responsible forcoordinating submissions, developingthe agenda, and organizing sessiondetails.
The Texas Center for HealthcareQuality InnovationThe Texas Center for Healthcare QualityInnovation is a new qualityimprovement center made possible by agrant awarded to UTHealth. The centerwill be housed at Memorial Hermann-TMC and will serve UTHealthphysicians at Memorial Hermann-TMCand LBJ Hospital, and UT Physicians
(Continued on page 4)
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Houstonia Magazine Recognizes Memorial Hermann Physicians as Houston’s Top Doctors
Memorial Hermann-Texas MedicalCenter and Children’s MemorialHermann Hospital, along with ourpartners across the MemorialHermann System, are proud of thenumerous physicians who practice atour hospitals and were recentlyrecognized by their peers inHoustonia magazine’s inaugural
“Best Doctors” issue. Over 150 Memorial Hermann-affiliated physicians across 50 different specialties are
named by the magazine as being the best in their field. “We are incredibly proud to have so many of our
physicians recognized,” said Chief Executive Officer ofMemorial Hermann-TMC Craig Cordola. “To be hand-pickedby your peers as being at the top of your field is a truemeasure of success and it exemplifies our culture ofexcellence here at Memorial Hermann-TMC.”
Please join us in congratulating these physicians, andbe sure to pick up a copy of Houstonia magazine’sSeptember issue.
In support of quality and safety, all medical recorddocumentation within the Memorial Hermann System is nownoted in 24-hour clock format. The update providesconsistency for all electronic hospital records done inAdvanced Care4.
“Changing our clinical workstations to a 24-hour clock isin line with how clinicians already operate mentally and helpsstandardize our practice,” said Victoria King, chief nursingofficer of Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
The 24-hour clock format, known as Military Time, is a
method of measuring the time in which the day runs frommidnight to midnight and is divided into 24 hours. The changeaffected all Memorial Hermann clinical desktop PCs on thenetwork and all Memorial Hermann workstations on wheels.It did not affect administrative desktops and laptops, wallclocks, telephones, handwritten documentation, or personaldevices. Administrative desktops and laptops may be changedmanually.
For questions or additional information, contact the ISDSupport Center at 713.338.5370.
Clinical Workstations Updated to Military Time
Standard Military
12:01 a.m. 0001
1:00 a.m. 0100
2:00 a.m. 0200
3:00 a.m. 0300
4:00 a.m. 0400
5:00 a.m. 0500
6:00 a.m. 0600
7:00 a.m. 0700
8:00 a.m. 0800
9:00 a.m. 0900
10:00 a.m. 1000
11:00 a.m. 1100
12:00 (Noon) 1200
1:00 p.m. 1300
2:00 p.m. 1400
3:00 p.m. 1500
4:00 p.m. 1600
5:00 p.m. 1700
6:00 p.m. 1800
7:00 p.m. 1900
8:00 p.m. 2000
9:00 p.m. 2100
10:00 p.m. 2200
11:00 p.m. 2300
12:00 (Midnight) 2400
A Guide to Military Time:
(Continued from page 3)
clinics. It will be a comprehensive centerfor quality data management and QIproject development. It will work to
make quality data available to caregivers,engage system engineers in QI projects,and will complete a demonstrationproject. As of now the proposed project isto see a 5 percent reduction in sepsis
within the next three years. For more information on these QI
initiatives, please contact Macaluso [email protected].
In 2011, the Campus was proud to adopt the DAISY Award,which recognizes one nurse each month for going above andbeyond to deliver exceptional patient care. The designation,presented in collaboration with the American Organization ofNurse Executives, is part of the DAISY Foundation’s nationalprogram to recognize nurses who serve as role models tocolleagues throughout the profession.
This section is dedicated to honor our Campus’ DAISYAward winners for July and August. Congratulations to thesewinners for going out of their way to best demonstrate theCampus’ pillars of nursing and DAISY qualities.
To nominate a nurse for this prestigious honor, fill out anomination form located on various units throughout thehospital and available online at TMC Connections on InSite.Nominations are due by the 15th of each month, or they will becounted as a contender for the next month’s award.
Sandra Uribe – July July’s DAISY Award went to Sandra Uribe, R.N., Women’sServices. Uribe received two nominations in one month. Thefirst is from a patient’s mother who wrote, “My daughter was apatient on the floor for two months and delivered a preemie.Sandra was an advocate for both my daughter and grandchildduring their stay.” The second nomination is by a patient whowrote, “Sandra was my advocate, clinician and collaboratorwhen I was a patient for two months. After my daughter wasborn and moved to the NICU, she was still our advocate. Iwouldn’t have made it through this journey without someonelike Sandra to explain medical procedures and take a personalinterest. She genuinely loves her job and provides suchwonderful care. I will forever be grateful to her.”
Kettia Hackworth – August The DAISY Award for August went to Kettia Hackworth, R.N.,Neuroscience ICU. Hackworth received a nomination by apatient’s daughter who also is a practicing physician inIllinois. She wrote, “Kettia has displayed all of the pillars ofpatient care to a remarkable degree. Her kindness andpatience in caring for my mother was a great compliment toher strong clinical skills. I also want to compliment the entirenursing and physician staff on their teamwork. As a physicianmyself, I have worked in many ICUs and I was veryimpressed.”
July and August DAISY Award Winners
Kettia Hackworth, R.N.Sandra Uribe, R.N.
Adult Dialysis Unit Implements New Process to Improve Patient Outcomes
In collaboration with Kevin Finkel, M.D., chief of nephrology, andAmber Podoll, M.D., staff from the adult dialysis unit led theimplementation of a new process called total plasma exchange(TPE), which optimizes therapy for transplant patients to minimizekidney rejections.
During TPE, the aphesis machine separates the blood,removes the unhealthy plasma, adds albumin or donor plasma tothe blood, and returns the blood to the patient’s body. Since2012, the unit has performed over 80 treatments and seenconsiderable improvements in kidney transplant patients.
To administer TPE, staff must undergo an eight-hour trainingsession and perform three hands-on demonstrations. The unit’sgoal is to have 100 percent of the staff certified to administer TPEby June 2014.
Members of the adult dialysis team take a moment to celebrate theirprogress with TPE administration during National Nephrology NursesWeek in September.
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Memorial Hermann Health System wasrecently honored by the Houston AreaWomen’s Center for the System’sdedication to aiding victims ofinterpersonal violence. MemorialHermann-Texas Medical Center ChiefOperating Officer Tom Flanaganaccepted the award on behalf of theforensic nursing team.
“The forensic nursing teamprovides a critical service for theGreater Houston community, and I amproud to work in an organization thatvalues their work and commitment,”Flanagan said.
Jamie Ferrell, B.S.N., R.N., clinicaldirector of Forensic Nursing Services,added, “This recognition also highlightsthe courage of the patients who reachedout to us for care. It is a privilege to be apart of this incredible team and to beempowered to provide holistichealthcare that addresses with dignitythe physical, social, psychological andspiritual needs of this very specialpatient population.”
The Houston Area Women’s Center,a member of United Way®, has providedservices to victims of domestic andsexual violence in the Houstoncommunity since 1977. They helpindividuals move their lives forward byproviding shelter, counseling, advocacyand support as they work to regain, intheir words, “lives free from the effectsof violence.” The center is alsocommitted to raising awareness througheducation to spur social change in thecommunity.
Memorial Hermann’s forensicnursing team, a System servicestationed at the Texas Medical CenterCampus, has a cooperative workingagreement with the Houston AreaWomen’s Center. When a forensic nursegets word that a patient who has suffereddomestic or sexual violence has arrivedfor care, he or she calls the HoustonArea Women’s Center hotline. Thecenter then sends an advocate to theMemorial Hermann Campus where thepatient is being cared for. The advocateinitiates crisis intervention whichincludes coordination of the patient’s
safety and shelter upon discharge. Theteam collaborates with over sevendifferent advocacy centers; theirservices are free to the patient and toMemorial Hermann.
“We don’t want the patient to losesupport at the point of discharge, andthis is where the work of the HoustonArea Women’s Center is so important,”Ferrell said.
Memorial Hermann forensicnursing services is recognized as aleader in the field both nationally andinternationally. The team is comprisedof a group of specialized registerednurses and a medical director whoprovide comprehensive care 24 hours aday to patients who have experiencedlife-altering interpersonal violence.These acts of inflicted violence includesexual assault, intimate partner violenceor domestic violence, child sexual orphysical abuse, and elder abuse.
Forensic nurses frequently evaluatepatients in the Emergency departmentbut they are also available to consult oninpatients as needed. The team providescare onsite at Memorial Hermann-TMC,Children’s Memorial HermannHospital, Memorial Hermann TheWoodlands and Memorial Hermann
Southwest, as well as through a mobileunit to the other hospitals throughoutthe Memorial Hermann System. Themobile unit allows them to serve over5.5 million people and work with 74different law-enforcement agencieswithin a 12-county area, includingHarris and the surrounding counties.
And, according to Ferrell, it is nowmore important than ever to address theneeds of these patients. She says,“Providing this level of comprehensivecare to these patients is essential to theirtreatment and healing, and it is the firststep in addressing the prevalence ofinterpersonal violence in ourcommunity.”
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Forensic Nursing Team Recognized for their Commitment to Victims of Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence
Members of Forensic Nursing Services atMemorial Hermann were honored by theHouston Areas Women’s Center at theirannual gala. Pictured from left to right areMedical Director of Forensic Nursing ServicesSally Awad, M.D., Memorial Hermann-TMCChief Operations Officer Tom Flanagan,Clinical Director of Forensic Nursing ServicesJamie Ferrell and Forensic Nurse Floyd Hand. Congratulations to the following
members of the forensic nursing
team for the recent achievements
in their profession.
Rachel Bryant, B.S.N., R.N.
Lori Cummings, R.N.
Suzanne DeVore, B.S.N., R.N.
Tiffani Dusang, B.S.N., R.N.
Floyd Hand, R.N.
Ashley Huynh, B.S.N., R.N.
Dana Oldham, B.S.N., R.N.
Patricia Orekoya, B.S.N., R.N.
Sandra Sanchez, B.S.N., R.N.
Amanda Sappington, B.S.N., R.N.
Susan Spjut, B.S.N., R.N.
Jamie Ferrell, B.S.N., R.N., Clinical Director
Sally Awad, M.D., Medical Director
Robin J. Williams, M.D., Assistant Medical Director
The Professional Nursing Practice,Quality and Patient Safety Councildevelops, reviews and updates standardsof nursing practice and care delivery tobe consistent with local, regional, stateand national standards, as well as withthe Texas State Nurse Practice Act. Aspart of this effort, the Council reviewsthe Monthly Nursing Report Card andvotes on a unit whose bedside caregiversdemonstrated superior performance onnursing-sensitive indicators. The unitwith the most votes is recognized with aquality award for embracing clinicalexcellence – and the TSICU received theaward for this quarter.
Stacey Wallace, R.N., council chair,said, “The award is an effort to recognizebedside caregivers who are going aboveand beyond to enforce evidence-basedpractice, which results in an overallbetter patient experience and higherquality care.”
In collaboration with the medicalstaff, the TSICU clinicians set a unit goalto have zero incidences of infections for ayear – and as a result of promoting a safehealing environment, the unitaccomplished its goal.
Wallace said, “The TSICUdemonstrated teamwork, innovation,leadership and dedication – furthersupporting the impact bedside caregiverscan have on patient care improvementinitiatives. Their commitment tokeeping patients safe by embracingquality practices is the cornerstone ofnursing, and we are very proud of theirachievements.”
Transplant Surgical ICU (TSICU) Receives Award from Professional Nursing Practice, Quality and Patient Safety Council
September – November
Writing and compiling submission document
December – January
Final editing, printing and shipping of submission
document
February
Magnet reviews, reads and scores submission
document
Journey to Magnet® Timeline Update
Members of the TSICU hold a banner with the council’s slogan for the quality award – Perfecting Practice to Achieve Excellence.
Representatives from the Professional Nursing Practice, Quality and PatientSafety Council surprised members of the TSICU with the special award.
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Recognizing Our EmployeesRecognizing clinicians for theirachievements in patient care and in ourcommunity is an integral part of theculture of clinical excellence atMemorial Hermann, both at the TexasMedical Center Campus and across theSystem. It is also an important aspect ofMagnet® Structural Empowermentcomponent – to reward and recognizestaff, many of whom have gone aboveand beyond their day-to-dayresponsibilities to make achievements intheir fields. Congratulations to thefollowing employees!
PromotionsCardiac Cath Lab• Keith Woerner was promoted to
R.N. III
CIMU• Mojisola Ajasa was promoted to
R.N. III
Day Surgery• Karen Bratovich-Mora was
promoted to R.N. III
NICU• Cassandra Pocza was promoted to
R.N. III
Certifications• Germelita Manzanaris, R.N.,
received her professionalcertification C.C.N. from theAmerican Nephrology NursesAssociation.
• Theresa Obonyano, R.N., receivedher professional certificationC.C.T.N. from the American Boardfor Transplant Certification.
Achievements• Russell Graham, R.R.T., B.S.R.C.,
R.C.P., respiratory therapist, hasbeen selected for a posterpresentation at the AmericanAssociation for Respiratory Care(AARC) International Congress inAnaheim, California. The AARCInternational Congress is thelargest gathering of respiratorytherapists in the world. Hispresentation, titled “Protocol BasedRespiratory Care Services – NotNecessarily the Expected Results,”details his department’sdevelopment and implementationof patient-driven protocols acrossall service lines. In addition,Graham was recently elected to theposition of president-elect of the
Texas Society for Respiratory Care,which is the professional societyrepresenting respiratory therapistsin Texas and a chartered affiliate ofthe AARC.
• Ann Sparker, speech languagepathologist, in collaboration withrespiratory therapists JenniferAmos, Eryn Cillis, Lisa Kainer andAdam Mullaly, have been selectedfor a poster presentation at theAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)Annual Convention in Chicago,Illinois. Their poster, titled“Interdisciplinary Tracheostomy &Follow-up Team,” details thecollaboration of implementing aninterdisciplinary tracheostomy teamdedicated to progressingtracheostomy patient care, follow-up and discharge planning.
New Leadership• Fallon Benavides, R.N., M.S.N.,
C.N.M.L., has been named theclinical manager of the NIMU.
• Colleen Zuckero, R.N., B.S.N., hasbeen named educator for the NeuroICU.
The standing ovation award is presented to employees at the MemorialHermann-Texas Medical Center Campus who go above and beyond for theirpatients. Janete Sheiner, R.N., M.S.N., A.P.R.N., C.C.R.N., clinical manager ofthe NSICU and NIMU at the Mischer Neuroscience Institute, honoredmembers of Environmental Services (EVS) for their work and recited thestory below at a Patient Experience meeting held in August:
My team and I would like to recognize the great job done by EstellaWeslow and her EVS team on one of our busiest days yet in theNeurotrauma/Neurosurgical ICU. We had nine OR and three ED patients toaccommodate in our unit. We started the day at full capacity. By the end ofthe day, we were able to accommodate every single one of those patients.This was only possible because of the phenomenal job done by Estella andher EVS team members: Augusta Joseph, Brigida Lopez, Teresa Beltran,Maximina Reyes and James Dixon. Estella was proactive and activated herteam early to assist us in getting this accomplished. Every time wetransferred a patient out, one of Estella's team members was going in right behind us and getting that room cleaned sowe could accept the next patient. They were literally right there waiting to get started. Estella, your team did aphenomenal job getting those rooms cleaned quickly and efficiently. We could have not done it without their hard workand collaboration. Thank you very much.
Magnet Moment: Environmental Services Receives Standing Ovation Award at Patient Experience Meeting
Pictured, from left to right, are members of the EVS teamJames Dixon, Estella Weslow, Augusta Joseph, Teresa Beltran,Director of EVS Tim O'Hern and Maximina Reyes.
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OctoberOct. 2 & 3, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. *Class Full
Emergency Nursing Pediatric CourseOct. 2, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
EKG Interpretation: Beyond the BasicsOct. 3, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Advanced Care4 Training for Respiratory Therapists Oct. 5, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Perioperative Nursing: Improving Patient OutcomesOct. 9, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. *Class Full
CPR for Healthcare Providers (Licensed Staff Only)Oct. 10 & 11, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Respiratory – Adult Emergency Airway Management Course
Oct. 11 & 12, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Respiratory – Adult Emergency Airway Management Course
Oct. 14 & 15, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. *Class FullTrauma Nursing Core Course
Oct. 16, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EKG Interpretation: Beyond the Basics
Oct. 17, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. *Class FullAdvanced Cardiac Life Support – Recertification
Oct. 17, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Oct. 21 & 22, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. *Class FullAdvanced Cardiac Life Support
Oct. 23, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. *Class FullCPR HeartSaver (Non-Licensed Staff Only)
Oct. 23, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
Oct. 24, 7 – 11 a.m.PBDS Reassessment
Oct. 24, Noon – 4 p.m.PBDS Reassessment
Oct. 24, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Pediatric Advanced Life Support – Recertification
Oct. 24, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Advanced Care4 Training for Respiratory Therapists
Oct. 25, 10 a.m. – NoonHealthQuest – Nursing ADT
Oct. 28, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Acute Care Concepts Day #2
Oct. 28, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. TEAM Training for Direct Patient Care Providers (Blue & Gold Trainings)
Oct. 29 & 30, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. *Class FullPediatric Advanced Life Support
NovemberNov. 1, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
CPR for Healthcare Providers (Licensed Staff Only)Nov. 4 & 5, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. *Class Full
Advanced Cardiac Life SupportNov. 7, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
EKG Interpretation: Beyond the BasicsNov. 7, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Advanced Care4 Training for Respiratory TherapistsNov. 11 & 12, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Trauma Nursing Core CourseNov. 14, 7 – 11 a.m.
PBDS Reassessment Nov. 14, Noon – 4 p.m.
PBDS Reassessment Nov. 14 & 15, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Respiratory – Adult Emergency Airway Management Course
Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Antineoplastic Therapy in the Non-Oncology Setting
Nov. 18 & 19, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Nov. 20, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Acute Care Concepts Day #3
Nov. 21, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EKG Interpretation: Beyond the Basics
Nov. 21, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Advanced Care4 Training for Respiratory Therapists
Nov. 21, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Advanced Cardiac Life Support – Recertification
Nov. 22, 8 a.m. – Noon CPR HeartSaver (Non-Licensed Staff Only)
Nov. 22, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Respiratory – Adult Emergency Airway Management Course
Nov. 22, 10 a.m. – NoonHealthQuest – Nursing ADT
Continuing Education Opportunities
To register or get more information on any class, visit the Partners in Learning section of InSite.
Upcoming EventsAORN Greater Houston Perioperative NursingConference – Oct. 5The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)Greater Houston Chapter will host a perioperative nursingconference, titled “Improving Patient Outcomes,” onSaturday, Oct. 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the HermannConference Center. The event will cover topics such ascommunication, teambuilding, trauma and more, andattendees can receive up to 6.5 contact hours. Breakfast andlunch will be provided and free parking will only be availablein the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza Parking Garage. Theregistration fee is $50 for Memorial Hermann Health Systememployees and $20 for nursing students. To register or getmore information about the event, please visit the Partners inLearning section of InSite or email Darlene Murdock [email protected].
Fall CE Bonanza and School of Nursing Fair –Oct. 10 On Thursday, Oct. 10, our Campus will be holding two specialnursing events. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., nurses are invited toattend the Fall CE Bonanza, which will take place in theHermann Conference Center. Titled “Communication andTeam Building with a Purpose,” the bonanza will includespeakers from nursing leadership and education and will offer3.5 continuing education hours. To register or get moreinformation about the event, please visit the Partners inLearning section of InSite.
Also on Thursday from 1:30 to 6 p.m., the ProfessionalNursing Education Council is hosting a school of nursing fairin the Atrium. Representatives from local and nationalnursing schools, such as UTMB, UT Arlington College, TexasWoman’s University, UT Houston, Texas Tech, TCU and manymore, will be available to talk with registered nurses who areinterested in returning to school for advanced education.Members from the Education department will also be availableto discuss reimbursement opportunities. All attendees whoparticipate in the fair will have the chance to enter a drawingfor an iPad.
Fourth Annual Advances in Oncology: From ClinicalScience to Clinical Practice – Oct. 11Memorial Hermann Cancer Center-Texas Medical Center andUTHealth Medical School are hosting the fourth annualAdvances in Oncology conference on Oct. 11 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The conference will include presentations on cancercare topics ranging from diagnosis to local systemic therapy,and will provide overviews of new approaches to cancer careand how those methods can be used in conjunction withstandard-of-therapy care. The conference will take place at theBrown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030. Clinicians may registeronline at UTcme.net. The conference has been approved forup to a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM.
More to Life Weekend Training – Nov. 1 – 3 The More to Life weekend training will take place on Friday,Nov. 1, through Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Hilton Garden Inn –Houston Northwest America Plaza. The unique trainingoffers nurses the tools and techniques to access creativity in aconstantly evolving and demanding career field. Attendeescan receive up to 25 contact hours for the training, whichcosts $125. To register, please visitwww.houstonmoretolife.org/mtl-weekend.
8th Annual Avery Grace Kargel Memorial GolfTournament – Dec. 7 Save the date for the 8th Annual Avery Grace Kargel MemorialGolf Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Houston NationalGolf Club. The golf tournament was started by Heather andJason Kargel in loving memory of their daughter Avery, whopassed at the time of delivery. Each year, the family picks anorganization to receive the proceeds from the event, whichthis year will be donated to the Texas Fetal Center atChildren’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. For moreinformation on how to participate in the tournament or todonate, please visit www.AGKMemorial.com.
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Back to the Basics: Handoff Communication
According to The Joint Commission, breakdown in communicationwas the leading root cause of sentinel events reported to theirorganization in the U.S. between 1995 and 2006. Effectivehandoff communication is essential to upholding patient safetyand preventing potential medical errors.
The Memorial Hermann-TMC Campus strongly encourages allcaregivers to conduct handoff communication. It is our role asclinicians to do everything possible to protect our patients andone tool to ensure effective communication is SBAR: situation,background, assessment, recommendation.
Situation• Briefly describe the situation.• Give a concise overview.Background • Briefly state pertinent history.• What got us to this point?Assessment• Summarize the facts.• What do you think is going on?Recommendation• What are you asking for?• What needs to happen next?
C A M P U S
CONSTRUCTIONU P D A T E
C A M P U SC A M P U
U P DONSTC
C A M P U
ETAU P DUCTRRUCTIONONST
SC A M P U
UCTION
DialysisInpatient dialysis services willcontinue to operate as normal in a construction safe environment.
ElevatorsService for the public elevators on 9 Jones will be turned off during theconstruction project. The serviceelevators will remain fully functionalduring this time.
TelecommunicationsTo contact a staff member of 9 EastJones, call 4 Cullen at 713.704.2234or 713.704.7395. To reach a memberof 9 West Jones, contact 6 Jones at713.704.2150. Spectralink numberswill remain the same.
LockersAll items from 9 Jones have beenremoved for construction. Lockers areavailable on Cullen and Jones to storepersonal belongings during shifts.
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is expanding the Campus and upgrading infrastructure.The objective of this regular Campus Construction Update is to keep our employees, patients and visitors informed of our ongoing development projects.
9 Jones Refresh Project Now Under Way
Memorial Hermann-TMC is committed to improving our patient environment. As many of youknow, multiple renovation projects are slated to begin throughout the Campus in the comingmonths, and a few are already in process.
The renovation project for the 9th floor of Jones Pavilion began on August 26. Thepatients of 9 East and 9 West Jones were relocated to allow construction crews to renovatepatient rooms, refresh bathrooms and waiting areas, and update fixtures and millwork withinthe unit.
For the safety of our patients and staff, the floor is closed to the public during thistime. Patients in 9 West Jones (Transplant, Hepatology, Nephrology, Urology, ENT andGeneral Surgery) have been relocated to 6 Jones and patients in 9 East Jones (Bariatrics,Urology and General Surgery) have been transferred to 4 Cullen. Dialysis will remain openduring renovations, with safety measures in place for staff and patients.
At this time, the public elevators no longer travel to the 9th floor. Necessary access tothe 9th floor is available through the service elevators, which will remain in operationthroughout the renovation. The construction project is expected to last seven months, andwill impact multiple units and support departments across the hospital.
Projects like this would not be possible without the collaboration of many departments.Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our hospital environment. For additionalquestions or concerns about the refresh project, please call Administrative Director ofSpecialty Surgery Elizabeth Fredeboelling at 713.704.6518.
6411 Fannin | Houston, TX 77030 | 713.704.4000 | www.memorialhermann.org
CLINICAL NOTES EDITORIAL TEAM
Alejandra RodriguezInternal Communications
Lauren AllenInternal Communications
Victoria King, M.H.A., M.S.N., R.N., C.N.O.R., N.E.A.-B.C.Chief Nursing OfficerMemorial Hermann-TMC
Clinical Notes is a publication of MemorialHermann-TMC internal communications. We welcome your suggestions and comments.
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