Critical Care Newsletter
Quality and Safety are top priorities
Patient Focus
- Multi-disciplinary rounds occur daily and you are required to use the rounding tool to present on your patients, please be ready when the team comes around
- All medications, including Propofol, MUST BE SCANNED!
- SAT compliance goal is 75% and last year our compliance was only 44%. Please make sure to document each shift regardless if the patient passed or failed
- MTN needs to be called when a patient is a GCS of 5 or less and within 60 minutes of a patient dying
- Will all admissions, you must complete the pink admission sheet. These documentation items are regulatory and must be done to be in compliance
- When ordering the decolonization protocol, in order for the iodophor (muriprocin if allergic) to show up on the EMAR, you have to select it. Decolonization is also a regulatory compliance standard that must be met
- Upon admission, the patient must have a thorough skin assessment. This is the time to find wound and documentation appropriately, i.e. photograph, measure, Meditech documentation and consult the wound care nurse
- Neuro and Pulm consults need to be called to the NP overnight. If a consult is placed before night shift change, please still call after 8pm
- NIHSS is to be done at shift change between 2 nurses, changes greater than 4 points, must be called
- Even if your patient does not have neuro checks ordered, your q4hr assessments should include a neuro assessment. Covid patients are at high risk for seizures and strokes/clotting so this is important to monitor for changes
- Q2H turns and oral/ETT care are just as important as medications and other treatments that are provided. Please use all the packets in the oral care kits for your shift, including the toothbrush; a yanker is also in these kits and need to be changed out every 24 hours
- Please remember to be empathetic when discussing code status over the phone with patient family members. If you are having troubles with these discussions, ask for assistance during this conversation
Self-Care
- Self-care is very important, so as a reminder, MYoCare is offering free massages beginning January 4th to all nurses. There are 15-30 minute sessions. Please see a flyer for more details and the number to call for scheduling
- Access to counseling experts is now even easier with the Nurse Care Line. Available 24/7 at 800-480-1234. Nurse Care is a free and confidential program provided by HCA, designed to help those who would like someone to talk to
Other
- COVID vaccine clinics are still going on, please refer to Stephanie's communication regarding dates and times that are available
- Valentine's Day Cookie Exchange will take place beginning Wednesday, January 20th. Please refer to Ashley McClellan's Update email for more details
Education
- 2021 Competency Checklists and TCDs have been assigned on Healthstream
- New Trach/Shiley education is being created and will be out soon to review
- Per request, further PCT education is being developed by generalist educator Allison Ouzts and classes will be available for sign up soon.
- 2021 Classes are in the works, CRRT classes are the only ones that haven't been scheduled yet, but will be as soon as possible.
- Please refer below for upcoming classes...
Event Information
Mock Code Blue
CE Classroom on B Level. Sign up in Healthstream under "2021 Critical Care Mock Code Blue Live Training." This class can be used towards validating a 2021 Competency.
When?
Thursday, Jan 28, 2021, 08:00 AM
Where?
Research Medical Center, East Meyer Boulevard, Kansas City, MO, USA
Event Information
ECMO Class
CE Classroom on B Level. Sign up on Healthstream under "2021 ECMO Traning".
When?
Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021, 08:00 AM
Where?
Research Medical Center, East Meyer Boulevard, Kansas City, MO, USA
Our Mission
Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.
Our Vision
Together, we will be the premier healthcare destination for all we serve.
Our Values
Integrity, Compassion, Always, Respect, Excellence