MUSC's Palliative Care Training Committee is looking for pediatric nurses to join their team. If you have a passion for palliative care and are interested in improving the way we offer palliative services to our patients and families, please consider representing pediatrics. Responsibilities include monthly meetings, the 4th Wednesday of every month from 8am-9am, a two-day Pediatric End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) training course, and facilitating the training of current and future staff here at MUSC. As we develop our Palliative Care program, we want to ensure that our special population has a passionate, experienced, advocate to represent them.
Let Melinda or Erin know as soon as possible if you are interested.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
PICU transports to the OR
Hey guys,
Just to clarify: When a patient is going to the OR from the PICU, our agreement with anesthesia is that they will come up to take the patient down to the OR. IF we have a PCT, they should accompany anesthesia and remain until they bring our X2 monitor brick back. If we have no PCT, anesthesia can keep the brick but they need to know it has a battery life of only about two hours. They also need to assure us they will return the brick with the patient.
Let me know if that is still confusing.
Thanks,
Melinda
Just to clarify: When a patient is going to the OR from the PICU, our agreement with anesthesia is that they will come up to take the patient down to the OR. IF we have a PCT, they should accompany anesthesia and remain until they bring our X2 monitor brick back. If we have no PCT, anesthesia can keep the brick but they need to know it has a battery life of only about two hours. They also need to assure us they will return the brick with the patient.
Let me know if that is still confusing.
Thanks,
Melinda
Congratulations Nurse of the Year Winners and Top Nominees
Congratulations to all of our Nurse of the Year Winners and Top Nominees:
Nurse of the Year for 7C: Julianne Walsh
Nurse of the Year for PICU: Kelsey Strawn
CH Nurse of the Year for Advocacy: Kate Santos Seay, 7C
CH Top Nominee for Nurse of the Year for Innovation: Erin O'Donnell, NPDF
CH Top Nominee for Nurse of the Year Integrity: Karen Loury, 7C
CH Top Nominee for Nurse of the Year for Expertise: Patricia Prause, PICU
Other RNs on our team who were nominated for CH NOY include: Angi Kemp, PICU (collaboration); Kate Siegfried, 7C (collaboration); and Kelsey Strawn, PICU (Leadership).
I am so very proud to have the BEST nursing team in all of MUSC. You guys make great things happen every day! Thank you so much for giving your all for our patients and families.
Melinda
Nurse of the Year for 7C: Julianne Walsh
Nurse of the Year for PICU: Kelsey Strawn
CH Nurse of the Year for Advocacy: Kate Santos Seay, 7C
CH Top Nominee for Nurse of the Year for Innovation: Erin O'Donnell, NPDF
CH Top Nominee for Nurse of the Year Integrity: Karen Loury, 7C
CH Top Nominee for Nurse of the Year for Expertise: Patricia Prause, PICU
Other RNs on our team who were nominated for CH NOY include: Angi Kemp, PICU (collaboration); Kate Siegfried, 7C (collaboration); and Kelsey Strawn, PICU (Leadership).
I am so very proud to have the BEST nursing team in all of MUSC. You guys make great things happen every day! Thank you so much for giving your all for our patients and families.
Melinda
Selfie Contest Winners!!
Congratulations to the PICU for being one of the Nurses Week Selfie Contest Winners! Great job and proof that you are not just brilliant, but creative as well! Kudos to the night shift for making such adorable props. If you were in the picture, see Erin for your prize.
Melinda
Friday, May 16, 2014
Incentive Pay - SHOW ME THE $
Hey guys,
Once again we are offering incentive pay for critical care starting tonight (Friday, May 16th) through Wednesday, May 21. You can sign up with the charge RN in the PICU (876-6222). 7C RNs can also sign up. If you are not needed in the PICU, you may be floated to another appropriate unit, but will still receive the flat rate bonus of $125/shift.
Please be sure to put your name on the bonus sheet record and turn in a time entry form indicating what shift you worked for bonus.
Thanks so much!
Melinda
Once again we are offering incentive pay for critical care starting tonight (Friday, May 16th) through Wednesday, May 21. You can sign up with the charge RN in the PICU (876-6222). 7C RNs can also sign up. If you are not needed in the PICU, you may be floated to another appropriate unit, but will still receive the flat rate bonus of $125/shift.
Please be sure to put your name on the bonus sheet record and turn in a time entry form indicating what shift you worked for bonus.
Thanks so much!
Melinda
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
2013 PICU RN Accomplishments
Hi Everyone!
Erin and I recently went through and updated the “PICU Magnet Manual.” In doing
so, I realized there are so many amazing accomplishments from the past year!
This is long but in honor of Nurses Week I wanted to recognize everyone on
their hard work:
-
PICU Leadership Council:
o
Implemented WAT Scores and State Behavioral Scores
o
Completed a Nurse-Driven Sedation Protocol (hopefully will be
implemented within the next year)
o
Increased participation (Meets 2nd Tuesday
of the Month for anyone who wants to check it out)
-
Awards/Recognition:(I know there are more!!)
o
As of May 1st, we have gone 2 years without a VAP
o
Zero CAUTI in January and February (awarded $200- used for the new
Keurig)
o
WOOF (With Out One Fall) Award
o
DAISY (June 2013)- Jennifer Shaw
o
PICU Nurse of the Quarters
§ January-March 2013: Sheri
§ April- June 2013: Angi
§ July-September 2013: Jason
§ October- December 2013: Karen
o
PICU Nurse of the Year: Tiffany (2013), Kelsey (2014)
o
MUSC Nurse of the Year Nominees (2013): Anna, Tiffany
-
New Programs/Studies:
o
Half Pint Study
o
PiCCO Monitors
o
Telemedicine
o
Multi-Disciplinary Evidence Based Practice Workshop: new hyperglycemia
protocol
-
PICU Staff Continuing Their Education:
o
Erin, Sheri, Julie, Allie
-
Applying for RN III:
o
Anna- Project: box of extra supplies to be taken to met calls and codes
o
Sheri- Project: post-orientation mentoring
o
Kelsey- Project: *to be determined, suggestions welcomed*
-
CCRN’s:
o
Melinda, Patricia, Jason, Kelsey (Erin, Angi, Sheri, and Emily soon…)
-
PCCN:
o
Allie
-
PSANE (Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)
o
Brooke (studying for this)
-
ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support) Certified:
o
Angi, Erin, Kelsey
-
ECMO Team Members:
o
Mandy, Jen B.
-
Half-Pint Study Super Users:
o
Emily, Jamie, Alicia, Jenifer, Linette, Natalie, Patricia, Sheri, Anna
-
Epic Super Users:
o
Alicia, Ashley, Gregg, Emily, Brooke, Patricia, Marilyn, Emily, Erin,
Melinda
-
Trauma Symposium Conference Attendees:
o
Jamie, Ashley, Emily, Angi, Patricia
-
Nurse Residency Program Participants:
o
Jamie, Gregg
-
Medical Mission Trips:
o
Jamie, Jen B.
-
AACN Members:
o
Melinda, Patricia, Natalie, Jason, Angi, Sheri, Anna, Kelsey, Erin
Congrats to
everyone on so many accomplishments in one year! Keep in mind how all of this
relates back to the Magnet Principles of
Transformational Leadership, Structural Empowerment, Exemplary Professional
Practice, and New Knowledge, Innovation, and Improvements- continue with the
hard work! I am sure there are things I have missed so please let me know!!
–Kelsey Strawn
Pre-Operative CHG Bathing Requirement
Hi everyone,
I sent this via email as well: We are implementing a new pre-op bathing requirement. Patients will be bathed with CHG the night before and the morning of surgery in hopes of decreasing our SSI (surgical site infection) rates. Patients on 7C will receive their morning CHG bath in pre-op holding. The policy/procedure can be found on the intranet: C-139
https://www.musc.edu/medcenter/policy/Med/C139.pdf
For partially dependent or dependent patients, complete the following the night before and the
morning of surgery:
1. Obtain necessary supplies
a. 4 oz bottle of the antiseptic solution, 4% CHG (comes from Central Supply)
b. Clean wash cloth
c. Clean towel
d. Clean patient gown; clean linens
2. Bathe the patient with regular soap to remove all dirt, soil, and debris. (If the patient is not
visibly soiled, skip this step and proceed to the next.)
3. Bathe the patient with 4% CHG.
4. Apply the antiseptic solution (4% CHG) to a wet washcloth and lather the entire body from the
neck down. Never use the antiseptic solution near the eyes. Gently wash the body and focus
the scrub on the areas where the incision(s) will be located for about 3 minutes. Avoid
scrubbing the skin too hard.
5. Once you have completed the scrub, rinse the CHG soap solution off of the body
completely.
6. Do not wash with regular soap after using the antiseptic soap solution. Pat the patient dry with
a clean, freshly washed towel.
7. DO NOT apply any powders, deodorants, lotions, creams, hair products, or make-up.
8. Dress with freshly laundered gown; cover with clean linens.
9. Document the procedure
We will order the 4% CHG so we have a supply on our unit.
Let me know if you have questions.
I sent this via email as well: We are implementing a new pre-op bathing requirement. Patients will be bathed with CHG the night before and the morning of surgery in hopes of decreasing our SSI (surgical site infection) rates. Patients on 7C will receive their morning CHG bath in pre-op holding. The policy/procedure can be found on the intranet: C-139
https://www.musc.edu/medcenter/policy/Med/C139.pdf
For partially dependent or dependent patients, complete the following the night before and the
morning of surgery:
1. Obtain necessary supplies
a. 4 oz bottle of the antiseptic solution, 4% CHG (comes from Central Supply)
b. Clean wash cloth
c. Clean towel
d. Clean patient gown; clean linens
2. Bathe the patient with regular soap to remove all dirt, soil, and debris. (If the patient is not
visibly soiled, skip this step and proceed to the next.)
3. Bathe the patient with 4% CHG.
4. Apply the antiseptic solution (4% CHG) to a wet washcloth and lather the entire body from the
neck down. Never use the antiseptic solution near the eyes. Gently wash the body and focus
the scrub on the areas where the incision(s) will be located for about 3 minutes. Avoid
scrubbing the skin too hard.
5. Once you have completed the scrub, rinse the CHG soap solution off of the body
completely.
6. Do not wash with regular soap after using the antiseptic soap solution. Pat the patient dry with
a clean, freshly washed towel.
7. DO NOT apply any powders, deodorants, lotions, creams, hair products, or make-up.
8. Dress with freshly laundered gown; cover with clean linens.
9. Document the procedure
We will order the 4% CHG so we have a supply on our unit.
Let me know if you have questions.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Nosocomial Infection
Please be cognizant of isolation precautions, including hand hygiene and disinfecting equipment, such as stethoscopes, after use. One of our NICU grads became infected with Para-influenza last week when another patient in the unit was positive. Thankfully she is doing well, but it certainly set her back. We all know the dangers of respiratory viruses on delicate, weak, lungs, so please remember to protect our patients and yourself by donning the appropriate attire EVERY time you approach the bedside. As patient advocates, please remind other members of the care team to do the same. These two patients were never paired together, but many of us are involved in the care of every patient and we all assist one another on a daily basis. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I hope it serves as a reminder that, though cumbersome at times, isolation precautions and appropriate hand hygiene are vital in a hospital setting.
Monday, May 5, 2014
CPN No Pass/No Pay Program
GREAT NEWS for anyone interested in taking the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam! MUSC Children's Hospital has agreed to participate in the PNCB No pass/No pay
program. This means MUSC nurses may apply to sit for the CPN exam using
a code and pay nothing up front. If you pass, the board bills MUSC. If you fail, you are able to take the exam again without penalty. You pay nothing out of
pocket and you still receive the 700$ bonus minus the cost of the exam! There is no better time than NOW to take advantage of this opportunity. This agreement will be reassessed annually, so it may not be available next year.
To register, go to: http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/products
To register, go to: http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/products
Click “I have a code”
You will then register with PNCB and use the code: 8E5DADD4AB4AE932
See me with questions. Good luck!
Erin
It's not goodbye...
Hi all,
I want to inform everyone that I have resigned from my role as NPDF and will be returning to PICU as an RN III on June 1st. This decision was extremely difficult to make, but I feel it is the best thing for my work/school/life balance at this time. I have learned a great deal about our hospital system and I plan to stay involved in educational initiatives, orientation, and leadership on BOTH units. My position will be posted, so if you know anyone interested, please let them know.
Thank you all for your support, especially over this past year. Don't be sad, I'm not going anywhere!
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, and please don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything.
Thank you,
Erin
I want to inform everyone that I have resigned from my role as NPDF and will be returning to PICU as an RN III on June 1st. This decision was extremely difficult to make, but I feel it is the best thing for my work/school/life balance at this time. I have learned a great deal about our hospital system and I plan to stay involved in educational initiatives, orientation, and leadership on BOTH units. My position will be posted, so if you know anyone interested, please let them know.
Thank you all for your support, especially over this past year. Don't be sad, I'm not going anywhere!
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, and please don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything.
Thank you,
Erin
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