Remember The Mission

Celebrating...

Staying true to their newly adopted department statement, "Dare To Excel", Transplant ICU (TICU) has just reached the 65% mark of the number of their staff nurses with national certification. These nurses exemplifies professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence in patient care.

National certification of nurses plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for patients and loved ones. Nursing, like healthcare in general has become increasingly complex. While an RN license provides entry level to general nursing practice, the knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive education, as well as a strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.

The Good News...

Of Reaching 65%!!!!

University Hospital encourages national certification for all its nurses. Patients are encouraged to inquire whether there are certified nurses on staff when they visit a hospital or their primary care provider. There are many nursing certification specialties such as medical-surgical, pediatric, pain management, cardiac vascular, oncology, hospice, case management, emergency nursing, critical care and many others. Many nursing certification bodies exist to serve full range of specialized nursing care offered in the contemporary health care system; national nurse-certifying bodies should be accredited by a major accrediting agency such as the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC), the National Organization for Competence Assurance (NOCA), and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Let us all join together in honoring the hardworking, dedicated nurses of TICU for their professionalism, and a job well done!

Nurse Imagemakers

Lisa Sanchez, RN, administrative director, Patient Care Services, University Health Center-Downtown, and Irene Garcia-Sandate, MSN, RN, NNP-BC, who is on leave from the Neonatal ICU and Newborn Services, University Hospital, have been nominated for the 2010 South Texas Nurse Imagemaker award, by the Texas Nurses Association (TNA), District 8, and the Delta Alpha chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Nursing Honor Society.Sanchez and Sandate were among 34 other nurses recognized as “Nurse Imagemakers” for South Texas. In addition, Sanchez earned the Ruth Stewart Excellence in Nursing award. The awards were presented during a special luncheon held at Oak Hills Country Club, San Antonio, on May 22.All Imagemaker nominees are invited to write an essay on their definition of “Professional Image,” including two examples of how their practice contributes to the professional image of nursing.  Each year, one South Texas nurse is honored with the Ruth Stewart Excellence in Nursing award. The award, named for Ruth Stewart, a recognized nurse leader, educator and activist who set the “gold standard” for a positive image through community service and nursing accomplishments, selects the recipient of this honor.

Lisa Sanchez

Irene Sandate

Sanchez was overwhelmed and honored to earn the Ruth Stewart award this year. She told the crowd that she had a few gray hairs to prove her nursing career had been full of challenges and hard work. She was also quick to praise those who had made her the person she is today, especially her parents. Sanchez thanked Steve Enders, Sr. VP, Ambulatory Services; and Chris Vasquez, COO, for their support and vision.As the first healthcare organization to achieve Magnet status in San Antonio and South Texas, University Health System was also recognized and honored during the event.

Delta Chapter Sigma Theta Tau and the District 8 Texas Nurses Association recognized all of the University Health System staff in attendance and provided Evelyn Swenson-Britt, MS, RN, Magnet Project Director, a certificate in honor of the health system’s Magnet achievement.“University Health System honorees were also celebrated as nursing leaders whose contributions to our organization were pivotal in achieving Magnet Recognition,” said Swenson-Britt, MS, RN, Magnet Project Director.The 34 nurses selected as 2010 South Texas Nurses Imagemakers from healthcare educational and professional organizations in the South Texas community are honored as nurses who consistently model:

• A professional image and positive, caring attitude


• Leadership qualities


• A commitment to continuous learning


• Significant contributions to organization and community

For over 25 years, Sigma Theta Tau has recognized excellence in nursing through the Nurse Imagemaker award. Since 2006, the Texas Nurses Association, District 8, has partnered with Sigma Theta Tau to honor area nurses of distinction. Nurses are selected by their organizations to receive this award because of their professional image, positive and caring attitude, leadership qualities, commitment to continuous learning, and significant contributions to their organization and community.

Receiving Imagemaker Award

Dr. Setzer and Diana Espinoza.

On Tuesday, May 11, it was an opportunity for the University Health System Foundation Board members and Vice Presidents to walk in the shoes of a nurse, and to see first-hand how our nurses deliver quality care at the bedside.

Jean Setzer, VP, Strategic Planning, shadowed Diana Espinoza, RN, in Labor and Delivery. She shared in a family’s fear of fetal distress and joy of a healthy delivery, even if it came through an unexpected caesarian section. The experience left her speechless and so grateful for this very intimate, yet intense experience.  

Chris Vasquez, COO, spent her morning with psychiatry nurses and was completely impressed on how Larry Toms, RN, advocated for and in her words “saved the patient’s life.” Some might view this as a contradiction, as psychiatry is usually not viewed in this way. However, that morning Tom worked diligently with the team to advocate and recognize a patient’s extreme needs and depression. She was able to see his knowledge and skill in action and the positive “life-saving” outcome it had in this patient’s life. 

Our CFO, Peggy Deming, and our VP for Facilities Management, Richard Rodriquez, stepped into the world of Transplant ICU and Transplant Telemetry.  Nurses Julianne Wisloff and Stephanie Knight were both eager to share their expertise with Deming and Rodriguez. Our visitors were able to witness the details and difficulties in transporting patients that are ventilated to procedures like safely moving them and ensuring their airway and respirations are managed. Also, demonstrating how to actually move patients to a procedure table brought new insights into why the safety initiatives are critical in our institution. 

Peggy Deming and Stephanie Knight.

Another experience was the end of life procedure. This experience was shared by Yvonne Gonzales, a University Health System Foundation Board member and Eva Balboa, RN, Surgical Trauma ICU. She requested permission from a patient’s family to share in their grief, as they prepared for the death of a loved one. As Ms. Gonzales reflected on the experience, she remembered the respect and dignity shown to this patient by Eva and the entire staff, as they continued to explain everything that was being done for this patient and the family. The difficulty and anguish was eased by the nurse’s commitment and compassion to remain dedicated to her patient, even until the end of life. 

George B. Hernández, Jr., our CEO/President, joined the Newborn Nursery team, during his Walk in My Shoes experience. He shadowed NICU nurses Katia Pelletier-Snell and Michelle Randsdell. He soon learned that wearing scrubs before entering our newborn nursery was a critical procedure. Their advocacy doesn’t stop, no matter who the individual, it’s a critical standard in protecting our patients from infection. His experience was enlightening; you could see it in his eyes, as he walked through the unit.

The stories shared by Walk in My Shoes participants were filled with the joys, sorrows, pains and amazements which are integral in a nurses daily walk. They truly experienced what it is like to walk in the shoes of nurses at University Health System! We salute our nurses for their commitment to excellence every day, and we thank those who took time from their busy schedules to see first-hand the superb job our nurses are doing to make the lives of all patients better.

Elizabeth "Ann" Maxey, RN, CCRN; Chasity McDonald, RN, CCRN; Michael Payne, RN, CCRN

Written By: Elizabeth "Ann" Maxey and Chasity McDonald

The Beacon award is a well deserved award for our unit.  The minute I heard about the award and what it meant to receive it, I knew our unit had to get it.  The idea was initially pitched to us by Craig Marshall, who was responsible for setting us on our Beacon Journey so many years ago.  We already met a great many of the criteria and the criteria that we did not meet we set out on the road to accomplishing. The word journey, is used a lot to describes the process in receiving the award and, to be honest, I cannot think of a better word.  We did not sit down one week and fill out the application. The process started and continued to evolve over several years. We had highs and lows just like any journey you take.  One of the great attributes about the Beacon Award is that it encompasses a 360 degree picture of the unit.  This means no one person can accomplish this task alone.  It is not only about nurses; it takes a whole team.  It encompasses everyone who has an interaction in our unit: patients, techs, physicians, clerks and visitors. For example that extra minute a nurse takes to answer a family's concerns, or the nurse that studies day and night to become certified.  The many years and dedication of service we have in the TICU alone screams Excellence.  I never had a doubt in my mind we would not receive the award. Then, finally,

I received a text message, "We won Beacon," from my co-worker Sonia Figueroa!  I remember standing in my kitchen and I could not contain my excitement! Word traveled pretty fast. Nancy Ray was very supportive and she gave our unit the opportunity to send 2 staff representatives to Washington, D.C. and represent the Transplant ICU and UHS at the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' National Teaching Institute (NTI), where new Beacon Award unit recipients were recognized. I jumped at the chance. Our Director chose the two TICU Beacon Award representatives after asking those interested in making the trip to write a letter stating "WHY I SHOULD BE CHOSEN TO REPRESENT TICU AT NTI IN WASHINGTON, D.C.".  When Michael called and told me that I was selected to go, along with Chasity McDonald, it was the icing on the cake!!

On arriving to D.C., we attended the NTI Opening Ceremony. Sitting among seven thousand of our colleagues, I suddenly realized the impact that winning the Beacon Award had on me. When they asked all of the newly recognized Beacon winners to stand, I looked around saw such a small number of people stand up from the sea of 7,000 people sitting, and I knew we were among the elite. NTI was such a great learning experience and a fun time in general, to have gotten to share it with my co-worker was like no other

Poster presentation in DC

The STICU’s abstract was accepted for poster presentation at the May 2010 American Association of Critical Care Nurses National Teaching Institute Conference to be held in Washington DC.

This is the largest critical care nurses conference in the country with attendance ranging from 6,500-9,000 critical care nurses.

"Meeting Educational Needs with Portable Technology: Adapting to the Next Generation of Nurses”

Authors: Charles Reed, Heather Williams, Susanne Thees, Kate Robertson, Susan Gerhardt, Randy Beadle, & Nanette Larson.
Susanne Thees presented the poster.
The poster describes meeting the learning needs of the staff, through a novel method of disseminating medical information in a portable and on-demand format.
 

Simulation training has been used in various fields for many years, with the most well known example being that of airline pilots. Other examples of simulation include astronauts and business models.  Simulation in the healthcare field is relatively new, with several high fidelity adult and pediatric mannequins used for simulation training.  Only recently has a simulated newborn become available. 

In June of 2008, a request was presented to the University Health System Foundation for their assistance in pursuing grantsto fund the SimNewB for Newborn Services. The product was researched, published studies were reviewed, and many emails and documents were exchanged in preparing for grant application for the SimNewB.  This is what we learned:  SimNewB is ideal for training for the specific needs of neonates. The SimNewB accurately represents a full term, 50th percentile newborn female. Measuring 21 inches and weighing 7 pounds, SimNewB provides real-life training opportunities for clinical staff. The SimNewB mimics a newborn's complex physiological responses to a wide range of variables and is fully integrated with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for neonatal resuscitation.

SimNewB arrived in November 2009, and has already made an impact.  She has been used many times in a teaching environment with a number of student interactions with her.  Since January, Residents and Interns who begin their rotation in the NICU spend a couple of refresher hours, practicing NRP skills.  And, the nurses recertifying their NRP have used “Bobbi” for their megacode. “Bobbi” has also been taken out and used at other facilities as a part of our outreach teaching.

While on her recent trip home to Germany, Helga Barger, a UHS nurse in Reeves Rehabilitation, glanced over at the passenger sitting next to her and was instantly engaged as he was speaking Spanish fluently to the flight attendant. Eager to jump in the conversation to practice her Spanish speaking skills, she noticed a book in the passenger’s hands, ‘Crucial Conversations’, a book that has inspired Helga in both a personal and professional sense.

As the conversation began, Helga learned the man next to her, Franco, was a psychologist from the Dominican Republic. He was hired by the billion dollar corporation, Microsoft, to take a 4 week training course in Switzerland based on the book. This training course would allow Franco to articulate the tools necessary to train multinational staff members employed by Microsoft to communicate appropriately during crucial moments – a very impressive and challenging task.  Helga couldn’t have been more convinced at that moment about the positive impact this book could bring to the workplace.

In Helga’s attempts to spread the word about this highly effective book, the conversation with her new acquaintance only motivated her to continue talking with colleagues.  She believes that nurses could benefit from not only the book, but also the newsletter which provides additional modernized tools to help nurses deal with confrontation.  Crucial Conversations illustrates a positive way to confront co-workers with a negative problem.  If Helga could give one piece of advice to those who may be struggling with confrontation, she encourages everyone to leave personal emotions completely out of the conversation and to remain considerate while suggesting solutions.

February 17th, 2010 marked the very special day for UHS as they were informed of their Magnet designation via conference call between the Magnet appraisers and UHS nurses, Magnet Support Staff, and Senior Level Administrators.  Celebration since then has filled the air at University Hospital!

 

Nurses in each unit are coming together to express their sense of accomplishment and gratitude for being recognized with the ‘seal of approval’ for practicing excellent bedside care and quality shared governance. In the NICU, nurses hosted a small gathering with cake and homemade dips and chips before they returned to their patients and daily routine.

Click here to view more "Magnetic" images.

Celebrating the good news.

The Foundation Room of University Hospital was filled with emotions of anticipation, excitement and even fear, as employees waited eagerly for the phone call that would change University Health System history. Hundreds of other staff members, who couldn’t be in the Foundation Room for the call, watched it live on their computers via webcast.

The minutes seemed like hours as University Health System team members waited for the phone to ring. But, when the clock hit 11:30 a.m., the silence in the room was almost unbelievable, as Nancy Ray, our Chief Nursing Officer, picked up the phone, with speakers turned up, to talk to Gail A. Wolf, DSN, RN, FAAN, Chair of the Commission on Magnet® Recognition. As soon as Dr. Gail said, “Congratulations, you are have earned Magnet status,” the cheers, tears and clapping sounds of staff echoed throughout the hospital. Becoming a Magnet designated organization validated all the hard work of hundreds of employees who believe and practice quality care every single day!  The five year journey was well worth it.

Dr. Wolf told staff that the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) in Washington, DC, made a unanimous decision to grant University Health System Magnet designation.

Just after the phone call.

Our health system is the first and only healthcare organization in San Antonio and South Texas to earn Magnet status. Only six percent of the hospitals and healthcare systems nationwide have earned this designation. UHS President/CEO George B. Hernández, Jr. said, “Today is one of the proudest moments in UHS history. Congratulations!”

Through a complex application and review process, including an intensive three-day onsite survey, UHS successfully demonstrated its commitment to providing excellent care for all patients, sustaining nursing excellence and transforming the culture of a work environment. The recognition is a reflection of the support the nursing staff receives in order to fulfill the health system’s mission. It is referred to as the “gold standard” in measuring the quality of care that healthcare consumers can expect.

“We are so pleased and proud,” said Nancy Ray. “Magnet is a journey; a process and a structure to assure the best outcomes are achieved for all patients.”

A hug of celebration.

Just as magnets attract metals, Magnet hospitals and health systems attract the best nurses and health professionals. They also offer patients reassurance they are being cared for by a team with a proven track record for providing excellent care and positive outcomes for their patients. The health system, owned by the taxpayers of Bexar County, which serves as our region’s lead Level 1 trauma center and academic medical center, is now among a very elite group of healthcare institutions.

The Magnet Recognition Program was created in 1983 by the ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association and the world’s largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization.

Click here to see how we shared the great news with our community.

“The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.”  -  John Ruskin                        

CEO/President, George B. Hernandez, Jr. waits while presenter makes introductions.

Kicking off the New Year, UHS nurses, support staff and senior level administrators came together for the Nursing Strategic Planning retreat. Nancy Ray, CNO, introduced CEO/President George Hernandez who provided the political horizon on health care reform.  His message was one of hope and encouragement!  Using Bob Dillon’s song, Times are changing , he emphasized that our organization is in a great position to meet the new challenges in health care.  Peggy Deming, CFO provided the audience with the financial data and how we can achieve our mission with a margin through excellence in patient care. Mark Webb delighted everyone with animation of our new facilities and UHS future!  Christian Vasquez, COO spoke for the first time to many nurses since joining UHS in August.  Her message was clear that our patients come first; we are here to provide them with care that not only satisfies them but exceeds their expectations.  Michelle Ingram provided a roadmap to the Quality solution in which we must become savvy in our use of data and metrics.  Last but not least, Nancy Ray, CNO set the stage for the afternoon!  Outlining the goals of quality, customer service, fiscal strength, and continuity of care for the nursing journey to professional excellence always strive for the best! Today is an opportunity for nurses to demonstrate their skill, dedication, and passion for the UHS mission in creating 2010 strategic plan.

Brainstorming Session

Over 90 UHS nurses formed several groups to brain storm on improving operations and fostering continuous improvement efforts in their units while serving patients. Dr. Jean Setzer, UHS Strategic Planner provided this large group with her skilled guidance and enthusiasm in creating the plan. She led each group with empowering suggestions to help nurses achieve their goals while using tools that would strategically implement their unit’s ‘action’ priorities. Goals and opportunities were identified and discussed as each participant enthusiastically expressed their ideas. As bright colored note pads and flip charts encompassed the room, it was clear each participant was dedicated to the goal at hand.   The plan and our Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results (SOAR) can be clicked on here.  The day provided new excitement, prospects for the future, and a plan!    The journey to excellence continues!