DON'T SUCCUMB TO APATHY!!!! LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Survey Deadline is Saturday at Midnight!

Below are the response rates as of this afternoon for the MUSC Employee Perspectives Survey:

Response Rate for Friday, May 31, 2013
Service Line	6:55 AM	4:49 PM
Ambulatory Care	73%	81%
Children's	57%	60%
Clinical Services	64%	68%
Digestive Disease	64%	71%
Executive Medical Director	86%	89%
Facilities	89%	91%
Finance & Support Services	78%	88%
Heart & Vascular	57%	60%
Hollings Cancer Center	66%	72%
Hospital Administration	94%	97%
OCIO	82%	93%
Institutional Relations	88%	91%
MACC	67%	69%
Musculoskeletal	73%	75%
Neuroscience	70%	73%
Psychiatry	66%	71%
SACC	62%	65%
Transplant	79%	81%
Women's Care	69%	73%
MUSC Overall	69%	74%

Our Hospital Goal is 80% participation.  Our unit goal is 100%.  We are currently between 55 and 60% for PICU and 7C.  Please help me get the most information so we can make real plans to improve our units in the coming year.  I truly want 7C & PICU to be the BEST places to work in the CH.  You guys already give the best care...as demonstrated again this week with wonderful teamwork in both areas!  Ya'll make me proud each day.

Thanks,

Melinda

New Asthma Guidelines for Weaning Albuterol

FYI- this has been rolled out by Dr. Evans and RT's

https://tegr.it/y/13yt4

8 min presentation :)

MEDICATION SAFETY ALERT!

This was presented in EROC last week.  When confirming new med orders, please look at both "versions".  The MD enters the order, then Pharmacy re-enters it and the orders show up side-by-side.  They should MATCH.  If they don't, please call Pharmacy to correct.  See link below for a screen shot (it makes sense when you see it).  A physician ordered Valproic Acid, and the Pharmacy ordered Vancomycin... yikes!

Confirming Med Orders

Any questions, see me.

Erin

Employee Satisfaction Survey ENDS TOMORRROW!

Please complete the employee satisfaction survey.  The deadline is TOMORROW June 1, 2013 at midnight.  So far only 50% of PICU staff and 59% 7C staff have completed the survey.  Our goal is > 80%.  Let your voice be heard!

2013 Employee of the Year - nominate a co-worker!! :)

It's that time of year again!

Nominate the 2013 Employee of the Year Medical Center

Who: All MUHA Employees are encouraged to participate

What: Nominate colleagues and coworkers for work that goes above and beyond their “call of duty!”

When: Monday, May 27, 2013 at 7am through Monday, June 10, 2013 at 7am.

Where: Medical Center Intranet homepage.  Follow this link to nominate: Employee of the Year Nominations

Why: To recognize a fellow employee for their dedication to provide the best possible experience for our patients, for their commitment to MUSC Excellence, and for their willingness to go above & beyond!

5/31/13 EXPIRATIONS!

Please see list below for people with certifications/immunizations that will expire on May 31, 2013

BLS:
Lauren Mercede

TB:
Karen Loury
Lauren Mercede
Amy Russell

We must have documentation that you have been re-certified or received an updated immunization by May 31, 2013.  If this is not completed, you will not be able to work on or after June 1, 2013 until this has been updated.

Nominate a Peer! Ends Friday!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS!

Please take a minute to complete the following:

Mandatory Annual Self Review in Success Factors: due May 31st

Employee Commitment (Satisfaction) Survey: due June 1st
**letters with anonymous pin numbers are placed in each employees mailbox, link on the intranet home page**

Mandatory CATTS lessons: due June 30th


Please let me know if you have any questions! Thanks,

Amelia

Competencies: Sign-Up

Thank you to everyone who completed the "Identifying Ongoing Competencies" worksheet a few months ago to help determine what our 2013-2014 competencies will be.  After compiling everyones' requests, we have come up with 8 RN competencies and 6 Unit Secretary/PCT competencies for each unit.  As I work on completing the validation methods for each, please sign up for the competency that interests you most.  Every employee will be expected to be a super-user for one competency.  You will then refer to these super-users to get checked off.  Amelia and I will be super-users for all competencies in order to help validate as well.  For PICU RN's, each competency will need 2 dayshift and 2 nightshift super-users.  Rotators may sign-up wherever.  7C RN's will need one nightshift and one dayshift super-user for each competency.  Unit Secretaries and PCTs: Please sign up for one competency each, shift does not matter.  Please don't worry if you don't feel like you are an "expert", I will give you all of the materials you will need to validate competence in your peers.  Keeping with the Donna Wright Model, this process should encourage team work, continuous learning, and holding each other and ourselves accountable.  We will talk more about the different validation methods in June.  For now, please see the sign-up sheets on the education boards in the break rooms, and sign-up before your favorite skill fills up!
See me with any questions, and have a wonderful holiday weekend!  Thanks!
Erin

SUPERUSERS TO THE RESCUE!

You've heard all about it.. EPIC is coming, and we need dedicated, excited superusers to help make our transition as smooth as possible.  We're looking for two nightshifters and two dayshifters from each unit to attend several training sessions in order to serve as the experts when we go live next summer.  If EPIC sounds interesting and exciting to you, or if you're just ready to kick McKesson to the curb, please let me know and I'll sign you up. 

Thanks everyone!
Erin

Educational Opportunities

There are a few educational opportunities coming up over the next month for anyone interested:

EZ-IO In-Service

Date: June 5

Time: 0730-0830

Location: Library, room 107

Purpose: To learn how to insert and remove EZ-IOs

**No registration required!

HOMECHOICE CYCLER INSERVICES 7CHB CONFERENCE ROOM June 3rd  (Monday) –12 pm, 2 pm, and 8:30 pm. June 5th (Wednesday)- 5 am, 12 pm and 2 pm. June 7th (Friday) – 5 am, 12pm and at 2 pm. **Sign-Up sheet on PICU break-room door

     

Basic EKG

  

June 25, 2013

8:30am - 4:00 pm

MUSC

Bioengineering Bldg.-Room 112

96 Jonathan Lucas Street

Charleston, SC  29425

**See email for registration

 

Survey Monkey

Hi everyone!
Over the last two weeks I created two surveys with survey monkey, both completely anonymous. One is for both units regarding Nurse of the Year not having to float for the fiscal year- I have received 21 responses so far.  I just want to make sure everyone has a voice in this decision, so if you have not already done so, please complete the ONE QUESTION survey this week.  A decision will be made by Monday May 27th based on the results.  Please comment with 7C or PICU in case each unit feels differently. 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WXHP5XC

The other survey is for PICU only, regarding the KARDEX: whether or not it needs updating, and what should be on it.  I have only received TWO responses.  Again, I want you to have a voice in this decision, since it affects you the most.  It is 9 questions, and will take less than 5 minutes. 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2WT93RM

I feel like surveys are the best way to get a consensus for what people want and how they feel.  They are short, anonymous, and easily analyzed to make appropriate decisions.  I hope to use survey monkey a lot when new things come up.  If you have ideas for a better process, I'm completely open to them.
Thanks for your help!

Erin 

Employee Survey

Employee Survey PIN letters have been placed in your mailbox!  Please read below for message from Dr. Cawley:

Employee Survey:

This past weekend the annual Medical Center Employee survey opened.

You will receive a PIN letter from your departmental leader and/or department’s “Survey Ambassador.” This PIN is needed to open up the survey. The link to the survey is included in the PIN letter but is also listed below:

https://moreheadsurvey.net/wix/p2547014896.aspx

As a reminder, the leadership team uses this survey to guide action plans in both your workplace as well as across the medical center. From the 2012 survey, we concentrated on the following across the medical center:

·         There is a climate of trust in my work group.

·         Employees in my work unit treat each other with respect.

·         The person I report to is a good communicator.

There have been numerous actions to improve these areas so please take 10-15 minutes to complete this important survey.

All survey responses are 100% confidential. It is not possible for any member of MUSC to view your individual responses. 

You can complete the survey from May 19 - June 1.

CATTS deadline quickly approaching! See post for list of employees...

CATTS lessons are due to be completed by June 30, 2013.  Make sure to find the time to complete your CATTS lessons.

The following employees still need to complete their CATTS lessons.

7C
Lindsay Amerman
Emily Dorman
Michelle Liechty
Karen Loury
Kelli Masters
Lauren Mercede
Stephanie Mishoe
Amy Russell
Kate Santos
Philip Schlabs
Amanda Smith
Amanda Taylor
Julianne Walsh
Kylie Weddington

PICU
Nicole Daigle
Angi Kemp
Marc Lindsey
Jayme Mason
Brooke Nitterhouse
Alicia Piede
Reames Rinehart
Sarah Jane Rudolph
Jen Shaw
Laura Smith
Kelsey Strawn
Krishna Woods

Donations for Ms. Carrie

Hi Everyone,
As most of you know, PICU Unit Secretary Carrie Smith's apartment caught on fire last week and she lost all of her possessions.  I am collecting donations to help Ms. Carrie replace her household necessities.  If you would like to contribute, please see me by next Thursday, May 23rd.  No contribution is too small, and all are greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much.
-Erin

Pneumoccal Immunization Screening

Please remember to screen all patients 5 years and older for the pneumoccal immunizations.  Only the high risk populations need to be asked about vaccination, but you need to screen everyone over 5.  PICU please remember to do this on any patients being discharged.  Diabetic patients are in the high risk category and we often discharge them within 24 hours, so please do not forget this important step.  It is part of the admission process, so please remember to hit show all and to go back each shift to check that the admission screening has been completed.

Thanks so much!  Melinda

Expirations on May 31, 2013

The following is a list of employees who have a certification or immunization that will expire at the end of this month, 5/31/13.  Please make sure to get this matter taken care of BEFORE the end of the month! Thank you for your compliance!

BLS
Lauren Mercede

TB
Karen Loury
Lauren Mercede
Amy Russell

Discharge Phone Numbers

Shout-Out to Kelli Masters, Lisa McCormick, Kate Seay, Amanda Taylor and Amy Rush for their diligence in recording phone numbers for discharge phone calls.  You guys are rockstars, keep up the great work!
-Erin

Discharge Call Back Phone Numbers - Everyone must read and comment that you will comply!

PICU and 7C,

We continue to have issues with no phone number being recorded on the discharge paperwork.  When this happens, the discharge call back center is unable to contact the patient/family to check on them and get feedback about their stay.  Using discharge call backs has been shown to increase compliance with post-hospitalization care regimens and reduce readmission.  If you have been following healthcare news of late, you will know that very soon Medicaid will no longer reimburse us for readmissions within 30 days.  It is imperative that you provide the correct contact number on the discharge paperwork 100% of the time.

A weekly report of non-compliance is now being sent to Pat Cauley, CEO; Maryilyn Schaffner, CNO; Debbie Browning, CH Director; John Sanders, CH Administrator; and all the nurse managers.  This week, 7C had 2 discharges on May 10th with no phone numbers recorded.  I will be following up with the RNs who discharged those patients, but want to remind everyone that this is a MUST HAVE for every discharge.  This is one small way we can help impact our financial situation and more importantly, improve the quality of care for our patients.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks, Melinda

Wasting Controlled Substances

Hi Everyone,
Melinda recently met with Ernest Thomas, our internal controlled substances auditor and between both units, we have some room for improvement when it comes to wasting drugs in the accudose.  He gave us this nice cheat sheet to help us determine when and how we "waste". 

Controlled Substance Wastage:

When you MAY WASTE:
Condition	Solution
Partial dose ordered	Waste unused portion
Patient refusal	Waste entire dose
Med dc’d after dose prepared	Waste entire dose
Blood aspirated into needle	Place syringe with dose in dirty needle box
**Each wastage must be performed by a licensed individual and witnessed by a licensed individual. Each wastage must be recorded in the Medstation.

When you MAY NOT WASTE:

Broken seal or Tamp-R-Tel Tablet crushed or dropped Liquid medication is spilled; mop up with 4x4 gauze and store with syringe (if safe) in a plastic bag

Complete Controlled Substance Discrepancy Report and fax it to 2-1204. Lock drugs in narcotics cabinet or drawer until destroyed by a Controlled Substance Auditor.

If unable to resolve discrepancy and the discrepancy is greater than three (3) dosage units call 2-4561, 2-4199, or page 11283 or 12540.

Most of the time, we are wasting unused portions of the vial or syringe, and this we typically do correctly.  Our problem is the length of time it sometimes takes to enter the waste.  We should be wasting unused portions at the time they are taken out- I know this isn't always possible with emergencies, and having only 3 nurses on 7C at night.  Just be aware, and try to waste as soon as possible after administering the medication.

Many of you may not know the policy for wasting dropped or spilled medication (I didn't).  As it states in the second box above, we can not simply throw the dropped tablet or spilled liquid in the trash/sharps.  We must place it in a bag and keep it in our locked Narc box, fill out a Controlled Substance Discrepancy Report and fax it to 2-1204.

Also- when using the same vial for more than one dose, during a procedure for instance, make sure the verbal orders are entered in the chart, for example- fentanyl 40 mcg X 2.  This way it doesn't look like you used the same vial for 2 PRN doses.

If this is confusing, or you have any questions, please see Melinda or myself.
FYI: The policy- https://www.musc.edu/medcenter/policy/Med/C168.pdf

Your Vote Counts!

A few of us were talking last week about Nurse of the Year, and we came up with an interesting incentive... Should Nurse of the Year get a free float pass for the entire fiscal year?  Some solid points were made:

1) It would encourage everyone to strive for Nurse of the Year
2) It only takes ONE person out of the float rotation: If skipping NOY means it is YOUR turn to float- you would be floating in the near future anyway so is it a huge deal?
3) It does not require any funding

What do you think?  Please complete this SINGLE QUESTION survey and in the comments section, note 7C or PICU, thanks!  Majority rules. 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WXHP5XC

MUSC Medical Center Employee Survey begins May 20th

Please see the note below from Dr. Cawley regarding the upcoming Employee Survey.  I will be passing out PIN numbers at random this week.  If I do not catch you in person, one will be left in your mailbox.  Feel free to switch PIN numbers with your peers if you are still concerned about anonymity of your responses.  I promise you, no individual responses are shared with me, only themes and overall scores.  Those of you who have been here a while know that my goal is to have 100% participation in the survey.  This is your time to tell me and MUSC what we can do better.  I welcome your comments so I can improve as a manager and we can improve our units!  I will be away at a conference next week, but if you have questions about the survey or problems logging in, please contact Amanda Weatherford, Amelia Little, or Erin O'Donnell.

Thanks for taking the time to help us improve!  Melinda

Dear MUSC Medical Center Team, 

It is almost time to kick off our annual MUSC Medical Center Employee survey.

On May 19, you will receive a link in your email from Morehead Associates, a national survey research firm. This email will kick off our MUSC Medical Center Employee Survey period from May 19 through June 1. During this time we will gather your thoughts and perceptions across a variety of key areas that affect your daily work. The leaders of the medical center want to know what it is like to work here and how we can improve this experience. We take this survey very seriously and develop action plans each year after reviewing the results.

Please take 10-15 minutes to complete this important survey.

The survey is administered via the Internet.  There will be an icon on computer desktops and the MUHA Intranet to link to the survey.  All survey responses are 100% confidential. It is not possible for any member of MUSC to view your individual responses.  Your departmental leader and/or your department’s “Survey Ambassador” will provide you a PIN letter with details for survey completion.  The PIN letters will be distributed by Friday, May 17th.

I will be including the live link to the survey in my message to you on Monday, May 20^th and I thank you in advance for responding to the survey.  If you have questions regarding the survey, please ask the Survey Ambassador for your area, or contact Julie Floyd (floyj@musc.edu)

Thank you for the great care you provide every day!

Patrick J Cawley, MD

Executive Director/CEO, Medical Center and

Vice President for Clinical Operations, University

Nurses Week Candy Count Winners

The officially candy count was 56 pieces.  Congratulations to Sheri Fannin for getting it right on the money!  Your gift from Fancy Trimmins is in my office.  Laura Smith came in second (closest without going over) and received the camalbak water bottle.  Congrats ladies, hope everyone enjoyed the Nurses Week activities.  Shout out to Amelia Little for working so hard with a very tight budget to make it fun for everyone. 
-Erin

Employees of the Quarter

Please join me in congratulating our PICU and 7C Employees of the Quarter

PICU - Sheri Fannin

7C - Stepahnie Mishoe

Sheri was nominated by her peers for her excellent clinical skills, strong patient/family advocacy, and leadership on the night shift.  In particular, she has been a mentor to many new staff and is always a team player.  Sheri takes on the most critical PICU patients.  Her clinical skills are reassuring to the families and her compassion brings them comfort in difficult times.

Stephanie was nominated by her peers for her amazing organizational skills, compassion, and helpfulness.  Stephanie always has a smile on her face to greet our patients and families.  She goes above and beyond to help her peers, patients, families, and physicians.  Stephanie is a shining example of MUSC excellence every day!

Thanks Sheri and Stephanie for being such great coworkers and role models!  Congratulations on being our Employees of the Quarter!

Melinda

Update: SBS in McKesson

PICU:  I met with our McKesson rep yesterday to explain how we want our sedation and withdrawal scales built.  The sedation scale (SBS) will take about 3 weeks, so you won't have to chart on paper for long.  When this goes into McKesson, the old sedation scale will come out so there is no confusion. 
The WAT scale will take a bit longer because it is a score that is tallied with a total, but that total is not cumulative like our Ins and Outs, so it's a bit tricky.  Luckily, we only use that scale when weaning patients who have been on drips >5 days, so not nearly as often as the SBS.  I'll keep you updated as I get more info!
-Erin

Hand Hygiene Audits - please read!

We will be rolling out a new method for hand hygiene compliance audits.  In the past, we have had a set group of hand hygiene auditors on each unit.  The hand hygiene audit group has been great, but we’d like to give them a break and try a new approach to hand hygiene audits.  We’re now planning to select different staff members each month to complete audits for the unit.

Each auditor will be randomly selected, once you’ve completed your audits for the month then a new person will be selected for the following month.  If you do not complete your audits for your assigned month then you’ll automatically be re-assigned for the following month.  Amanda will email the selected staff members at the beginning of each month.

Hand Hygiene Auditor Expectations:  Observe 6 different employees and complete 2 audit sheets (3 people can be observed on one sheet). Turn in audits by the end of the month!  The hand hygiene audit sheet and a hand hygiene guidance tool will be sent out in an email to everyone.  Hand hygiene audit sheets are located in the PICU breakroom in Melinda's mailbox and in the 7C breakroom in Amanda's mailbox.

Staffing Meetings Minutes - Read & "Sign"

7C and PICU minutes from the April staff meetings have been posted.  You can view the minutes by following the link on the right side of the blog page under the Staff Meetings heading.  Please make sure to read the minutes and "sign" that you have read the minutes. 

Happy Nurses Week

Happy Nurses Week to all of you in PICU and 7C.  This is a time for us to take a minute to reflect on what being a nurse means to each of us.  I never imagined myself being away from the bedside in my nursing career because patient care is the most important aspect of nursing and what I LOVE so much.  However, I realized this week while celebrating our nurses of the year that as a manager, I am thankful not only for my own nursing opportunities, but thrilled each day to see the AMAZING care that you all give our patients, their families, and each other.  I am continually impressed with all the stories of special moments that you create for our patients and most proud of the quality of care you provide and hold each other accountable for.....we even got Dr. Habib to abide by the isolation guidelines today!  Not that any of you need another parent, but I do feel like a proud mother every day because of the wonderful work you do in the PICU and on 7C.

Congratulations to our Nurses of the Year, Kate Seay (7C) and Tiffany Mullins (PICU).  In addition, the PICU was incredibly well represented at the hospital wide Nurse of the Year Ceremony with Anna Durstine, Tiffany Mullins, and Jennifer Shaw being in the top 10 finalist!  Obviously, I am blessed with the best RNs at MUSC!

So take a moment this week and celebrate yourself and your nursing colleagues.

Cheers to each of you!

Love,

Melinda

7C Nurse of the Year

Kate Santos Seay

PICU Nurse of the Year

Tiffany Crossland Mullins

MUSC Top 10 Nurse of the Year Finalists

Tiffany Mullins

Anna Durstine

Jennifer Shaw (unable to attend)



TB Testing Restrictions have been lifted - Get your TB done on time! Everyone please read!

MUSC now has an ample supply for TB skin testing for employees.  Most everyone is due in June, but we have a few folks due by the end of May (Karen Loury, Lauren Mercede, Kerry Bryers, Amy Russell). 

Please note that we will NOT be able to get the serum on the units as in years past.  The recent shortage of TB skin test serum and a concern for wastage have caused the hospital to require all employees to go to employee health to have their TB placed.  You can have it read by any RN and then turn in the paperwork.  Please keep a copy for yourself in case it gets lost or is recorded in correctly by employee health. 

EVERYONE must have their TB placed AND read before midnight on the last day of the month in which you are due.  For example, if you are due in May, you need to have it placed no later than the 28th or 29th to allow for the 48-72 hour incubation time.

You CANNOT work and will be SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY if you are not compliant with having your TB renewed by your deadline.

In keeping with our "year of personal accountability" goals, we will not be tracking you down in the final week of the month.  Employee Health is open Monday - Friday (excluding state holidays) from 0730-1600 and is located at 57 Bee Street.


Thanks so much for your cooperation in this matter.  I apologize for the incovenience of having to go over to employee health.  :(

Melinda

Chemotherapy

IMPORTANT:  All chemotherapy drugs, ORAL and IV, need to be given by a chemo-certified nurse.  Hydroxyurea is chemotherapy (anti-metabolite) and cannot be given by PICU or 7C nurses.  All chemotherapy medications should be labeled with a chemotherapy sticker.  If it does not come labeled as chemotherapy, please let pharmacy know and complete a PSN when appropriate.  This is extremely important- administering this drug, and other chemotherapy drugs without chemo-certification is against hospital policy https://www.musc.edu/medcenter/policy/Med/C088.pdf
Thanks Everyone.
-Erin