Remember The Mission

By Evelyn Swenson-Britt, MS, RN

Strategic planning is a management tool, period. As with any management tool, it is used for one purpose only: to help an organization do a better job - to focus its energy, to ensure that members of the organization are working toward the same goals, to assess and adjust the organization's direction in response to a changing environment. In short, strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it, with a focus on the future. (Adapted from Bryson's Strategic Planning in Public and Nonprofit Organizations)

Patient Care Services has developed their 2006 focused strategic plan to work toward the following goals and initiatives. Nancy Ray, MA, RN and 50 magnet champions, directors and educators met on November 18th 2005 to evaluate the progress made on 2005 plan and determine the strategic direction for 2006. Click here to download the PCS Strategic Plan.

Work on these goals and initiatives has already begun and changes will be taking place to improve our planning of care. A task force of staff nurses lead by Mickey Ryerson, MSN, RN has been working diligently on improving the ease of documentation of the Plan of Care. Mary Anne Peinnemann MSN, RN has been preparing the educators and directors in the newly developed plan and the entire nursing staff will be soon receiving education on this newly developed plan.



Work is continuing on the 360 process with a task force of staff nurses being led by Pamela Higby, MSN, MBA, RN. Piloting of tools and feedback from staff has resulted in new improved tools that have been deemed more useful in the process.

The strategic plan is a driving force that will keep Patient Care Services energies directed for 2006.

By Johanna Sharp, R.N.

The January 2006 edition of "San Antonio Woman" focused on the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign and included a great article on Anne Leonard, RN, BSN, MPH , clinical stroke research nurse with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). She is also the stroke nurse specialist at University Hospital. The article recognized Anne for 15 years as a volunteer for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

In November 2005, Anne received the first American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Volunteer of the Year Award. As the recipient of this honor, she presented a 30-minute lecture entitled “Integrating Clinical Research and Education into the Comprehensive Care of the Stroke Patient: Another Way of Providing Care” at the association’s annual Scientific Sessions in Dallas.

University Hospital is very fortunate to have Anne as the leader of the stroke team’s effort to gain certification as a Primary Stroke Center -- a designation of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Thank you Anne for all your hard work! Hartman and UHS are proud to have you on our team.

The first Breakfast of Champions of the New Year on January 17 focused on documenting each unit's magnet journey. As Champions showed scrapbooks and talked about milestones, participants like Alma Nlemadim, RN III were imspired to document their own Magnet Moments of 2005.

By Alma Nlemadim, RN III, CCRN, MPA

On August 31, 2005, after hearing that San Antonio was receiving over 10,000 hurricane evacuees, my daughter and I began to assemble 15 backpacks called “Care Packs." We filled them with bottled water, Gatorade, crayons, cookies, coloring books, combs, brushes, etc. and delivered them to Latreece Brown, MSW in the University Hospital EC.

Peggy Silva, R.N., the nursing supervisor helped coordinate efforts to deliver the Care Packs to families who were arriving from New Orleans with only a few items of clothing in a bag.

On Sunday we left three Care Packs on the pediatric unit and six in the emergency room. Five were distributed to patients on TCU and CDU during the night.

From August 30 through September 8, the CDU received over 22 Katrina patients with various problems. A majority of admissions were ill due to their inability to obtain needed insulin and other medications. The UHS staff in various ancillary departments -- from Radiology to CDU -- worked together to provide the best care to all of these patients.

On her third inpatient day at University Hospital, Patient M. received three large bags filled with gowns, robes, bath and body lotions, gift certificates, a check from the staff, talc powders, sugar free snacks, books, and a Bible -- all purchased by the nurses and radiology techs of this caring system.

Ms. M had multiple diagnostic procedures. She met many dedicated employees during her one week stay. Our employees listened and did everything possible to make her stay pleasant.

Each night, Ms. M would speak of the goodness of all of the employees at University Health System. The caring attitude displayed by the staff and the excellent care Ms. M received exemplify our whole hearted commitment to Magnetism and Community Service.

This is a two and a half day overview for the health care professional who is involved in diabetes education. The course will give the participant updated knowledge in the art and science of diabetes education and self-management training for assistance in preparing for the CDE exam, will enhance one's analytical skills, will build confidence in one's ability as a diabetes educator, and may help identify areas needing additional study.

By Patti L. Hass, MSN, RN, CNS

Evelyn said “We’re not stopping!”, so all 27 UHS nurses and staff headed to Galveston on November 2, 2005 were surprised when our bus pulled over in Flatonia, Texas. We were more surprised to see the plume of black smoke coming from the back of our bus, so we made the best of things and ate breakfast at McDonald’s while waiting for repairs. Two hours later, we were on our way again, determined to make the journey and meet our goal.

Our goal that day was to learn from the nursing staff at UTMB what made them Magnet. They received their confirmation in April, 2005 after 3 years of hard work and planning, so now they were mentoring us and sharing key elements of their journey.

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, Texas is a vast and complex montage of old and new buildings – part school, part hospital – that services the medical needs of Galveston County and patients from all over the state. Their Magnet Coordinator and our host for the day was Ellarene Duis, Ph.D., RN., who provided a “supersize” mentoring experience from start to finish!

We received a packet of information that outlined UTMB’s three-year journey toward Magnet status; then we were treated to an open discussion with staff nurses, nurse administrators and educators, who were eager to share their perspectives.

Time was precious, so the questions-and-answers continued as we were treated to a delicious lunch in the conference room. Then we embarked on a guided tour through select nursing units to visit with staff and see the Magnet display boards and journals that chronicle their Magnet achievements.

Forces of Magnetism are evident everywhere at UTMB – there is an overwhelming sense of pride, professionalism, and positive attitude. Innovation is evident, but so is coordination. Ideas filter from one unit to another and up into the organization through unit-level and departmental councils. Energy and synergy were palpable as we met and talked with staff from different units.

But time “fries” when you’re having fun, so we headed home, making a quick stop in Flatonia for a nostalgic visit to McDonald’s for a quick bite of dinner. The day was long but each of us brought back new ideas and impressions, which were presented to the Magnet Champions during our conference at UCCH on November 18.

Out deepest appreciation goes out to the nurses at UTMB for sharing their experiences and for their “Big Mac” helping of hospitality!

“In my 63 years I have been a patient in many hospitals (Baptist, Santa Rosa, Metropolitan and Northeast Methodist), but I have never encountered such kind, pleasant, caring, loving, yet professional nurses as I experienced in the Oncology/Gynecology Unit.

From the RN on each shift to the LVN, CAN, and including the lady who cleaned my room every day, a woman named Jasna, they all seemed to have the same heart and soul. I would like to mention several of those whose names I remember: Jo Eldridge, Ravie Youv, Jill Gray, Lynn McKinnon, Heather Holquin, Elizabeth Martinez, Becky Clifton, Lisa Peterson, Bing Perez, Janelle Sneed, Ruth Haven, Linda Gonzales, Caroline Bagnetto.

It was a difficult time for me physically and emotionally, given what I was
facing. It is at such times that support from family and friends is expected and received, but generally we don’t think of the nursing staff as providers of such support-but they did! These were all women of excellence and I remain so grateful to them.

I am writing this letter because I feel they should be recognized for who
they are and what they provide to those of us who are suffering while we are under their care.

I must thank you for these women of integrity and the fine, first rate care I received.

By Evelyn Swenson-Britt, MS, RN

The first Breakfast of Champions of the New Year is scheduled for Tuesday (1/17), 7:30 -8:45, in the fifth floor conference room.

A breakfast buffet opens at 7:15 a.m.

Unlike previous Breakfasts of Champions, the January 17 event will be a hands on working activity and it's not for champions only.

This is a project that can involve the whole unit team --champions, your educator, your director, other interested staff nurses.

The unit scrap book of the magnet journey, which can include stories, pictures, and activities, is an idea that we borrowed from UTMB .

You'll be provided initial supplies (binders, page protectors, dividers, templates on forces) for scrapbookmaking.

The program kicks off with a welcome by CNO Nancy Ray, R.N. and includes presentations made by a Process, Content and Creativity Panel that includes:
Mary Anne Peinemann, Pediatrics
Melissa Robinson, Inpatient Psychiatry
Susan Pawkett, Hematology/Oncology
Teresa Russo, Case Management
Peggy Bartholomew, Pain Management


We can also explore the making of bulletin boards and sharing of traveling boards for magnet forces that have been done by Susan Pawkett!

Please RSVP to (358-4176) so that we can plan food and table arrangements for this very special Breakfast of Champions.

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By Jackie Powers, RN
PCC Recovery Room, Surgical Services

One of the most fun things about Christmas is the spirit of the people who work on that most special of all days. No matter how new or old, busy, or tired the staff is, there is a warmth and camaraderie.

This was our third Christmas to bring Santa to the Peds area of UHS. Each time, something has happened that's made this experience the most important memory for the coming year.



This time, it was the sight of a PACU nurse, Karen Grzywa, comforting a four-year-old with a broken arm, and the laughter of the Anesthesia staff as they got their pictures made.



It was the fun we had photographing the petite PTU nurse, and the TCU tech who told us that they had never had their picture made with Santa.

These were "magnet moments," and we are glad to have shared them!