C aring C aring September 6, 2001 H E A D L I N E S Inside: Cancer Nursing Career Development Award ............... 1 Jeanette Ives Erickson ........... 2 MGH Ranking in US News & World Report Fielding the Issues ................. 3 Recruitment Initiatives Student Outreach .................... 4 Cancer Center Student Nurse Internship Program Nursing Grand Rounds .......... 5 Caring for Haitian Women Exemplar ................................ 6 Kimberly Charette, RN Resources .............................. 7 PFLC Teen Resource MGH-Timilty Partnership ........ 8 Summerworks Program Pharmacist-Nurse Medication Satisfaction Survey ............. 9 Educational Offerings ........... 10 MGH Media Guidelines ... 12 Working together to shape the future MGH Patient Care Services Johnson receives Cancer Nursing Career Development Award Pictured (l-r) are: president of Friends of the MGH Cancer Center, Patti Jenkins; recipient, Liz Johnson, RN; nurse manager, Carol Ghiloni, RN; and associate chief nurse, Jackie Somerville, RN n August 10, 2001, Liz Johnson, RN, Ellison 14 staff nurse and past recipient of the Steph- anie Macaluso Expertise in Clin- ical Practice Award, received this year’s Cancer Nursing Career Development Award. The award, funded by the Friends of the MGH Cancer Center, is given each year to recognize the merit- O orious practice of a staff nurse providing direct care to cancer patients. Oncology clinical nurse spe- cialist, Joan Gallagher, RN, chair of the award selection commit- tee, thanked the Friends of the MGH Cancer Center for their continued support of this award and for continuing to recognize and encourage exemplary cancer nursing over the years. Associate chief nurse, Jackie Somerville, RN, introduced Johnson, saying, “Liz has work- ed on Ellison fourteen for seven years. She was nominated by her nurse manager, Carol Ghiloni, who wrote: ‘Liz exemplifies the true meaning of professional continued on page 7 (Photo by Paul Batiste of the MGH Photo Lab)
Transcript
CaringCaringSeptember 6, 2001
H E A D L I N E S
Inside:Cancer Nursing CareerDevelopment Award ............... 1
Jeanette Ives Erickson ........... 2MGH Ranking in US News& World Report
Fielding the Issues ................. 3Recruitment Initiatives
Student Outreach .................... 4Cancer Center StudentNurse Internship Program
Nursing Grand Rounds .......... 5Caring for Haitian Women
Working together to shape the futureMGH Patient Care Services
Johnson receives CancerNursing Career Development
Award
Pictured (l-r) are: president of Friends of the MGHCancer Center, Patti Jenkins; recipient, Liz Johnson, RN;
nurse manager, Carol Ghiloni, RN; and associatechief nurse, Jackie Somerville, RN
n August 10, 2001, LizJohnson, RN, Ellison 14staff nurse and pastrecipient of the Steph-
anie Macaluso Expertise in Clin-ical Practice Award, received thisyear’s Cancer Nursing CareerDevelopment Award. The award,funded by the Friends of theMGH Cancer Center, is giveneach year to recognize the merit-
O orious practice of a staff nurseproviding direct care to cancerpatients.
Oncology clinical nurse spe-cialist, Joan Gallagher, RN, chairof the award selection commit-tee, thanked the Friends of theMGH Cancer Center for theircontinued support of this awardand for continuing to recognize
and encourage exemplary cancernursing over the years.
Associate chief nurse, JackieSomerville, RN, introducedJohnson, saying, “Liz has work-ed on Ellison fourteen for sevenyears. She was nominated by hernurse manager, Carol Ghiloni,who wrote: ‘Liz exemplifies thetrue meaning of professional
continued on page 7
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September 6, 2001September 6, 2001Jeanette Ives EricksonJeanette Ives EricksonWhen you love what you do,
it’s easy to be the bests you may haveheard, MGH hasbeen recognizedby US News and
World Report as one ofAmerica’s top threehospitals. This is anincredible honor andtrue validation of theexcellent work you areall doing. I commendyou!
I think everyonewould agree that ourcontinued high perform-ance in the US Newsand World Report rank-ings has a great deal todo with our commit-ment to providing multi-disciplinary patientcare. I recently receiveda letter from a physicianapplauding the inter-disciplinary practice ofa particular unit. Heremarked that collabora-tion and teamwork werekey to the success ofthat unit, and commentslike this are common inevery clinical setting.We are fortunate thatthis level of teamworkis so much a part of thefabric of our practice.
When I’m askedabout the impendingshortage of healthcareworkers, I always goback to what brought usto national recognitionin the first place: excel-lence in patient care.The real solution to the
shortage is to remainconnected to our values.Treating clinicians withdignity and respect andgiving them the toolsand resources they needis the best retentionstrategy.
As far as long-termrecruitment strategies,we need to convey toyoung men and womenthe richness and person-al reward that comeswith careers in healthcare. Just last month,we invited a group ofGirls Scouts from ac-ross the country to visitMGH, and we introduc-ed them to the vast op-portunities awaitingthem in health care. InDr. Sylvia Rimm’s book,
How Jane Won (in whichI’m honored to be in-cluded), more than athird of the successfulwomen profiled men-tioned the impact ofscouting on their lives.We will be doing morework with the GirlScouts and other youthgroups to create oppor-
tunities to teach youngpeople about careers inhealth care.
I am about to cele-brate my 5th anniver-sary as senior vice pres-ident for Patient CareServices. At a recentretreat, I asked ourleadership team to tellme what they thoughtabout the followingquestions:
Based on our out-comes of the past fiveyears, when theywrite the history ofMGH, what will theysay about us?If we could go backfive years, what wouldwe do differently?Were we bold? And ifnot, why not?
What is our vision forthe next five years?
These are difficultquestions, but withoutthis level of self-explor-ation and critical exam-ination, how would weapproach the next fiveyears when challengeswill be even greater?
Let me share withyou some of the reasonsyour leadership teamthinks we are a world-class institution, worthyof the ranking we re-ceived in US News andWorld Report:
The launching of TheCenter for Clinical &Professional Develop-ment, which has re-sponsibility for alleducational activitiesand our nursing re-search program. Injust a few short years,we have created amechanism to fullyfund all staff seekingspecialty certification,full-funding for localand national confer-ence attendance, fund-ing for fellowships inleadership, spiritualcaregiving, and diver-sity, and a number ofresearch grants.Implementation ofour eight-committeecollaborative gover-nance communicationand decision-making
structure. More than300 clinicians parti-cipate in collaborativegovernance and eachcommittee is led by aclinical or non-clinicalstaff member.Our alignment withschools in the Bostonarea to create collab-orative partnershipsin developing tomor-row’s caregivers.The creation of rec-ognition and awardprograms to celebrateclinical practice. TheStephanie M. Maca-luso Expertise in Clin-ical Practice Award isjust one of eight newrecognition programswe’ve launched in thepast few years.The creation of a cul-ture that supports adiverse patient popu-lation and workforce.
One of the most re-warding moments I’vehad as leader of PatientCare Services was when
Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS,senior vice president for Patient Care
and chief nurse
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continued on next page
When I’m asked about theimpending shortage of healthcareworkers, I always go back to whatbrought us to national recognition
The Fielding the Issues section of Caring Headlines is an adjunct toJeanette Ives Erickson’s regular column. This section gives the seniorvice president for Patient Care a forum in which to address currentissues, questions, or concerns presented by staff at various meetings
and venues throughout the hospital.
Fielding the IssuesFielding the Issues
a physician told merecently that he wishedhe was a member of thedepartment of Nursing.He sited the wonderfulwork we are doing andadded that it looked likewe were having a goodtime, too.
When you love whatyou do, it’s easy to bethe best!
Ives Ericksoncontinued from page 2
Question: The hospi-tal is busier than ever;how are we doing withnurse recruitment?
Jeanette: The goodnews is that we havehired 342 nurses sinceOctober 1, 2000. Andwe want to hire anadditional 100 nurseswithin the next fewmonths. The best wayto fill all our nursingpositions, as well asrespiratory therapists,physical therapists,and social workers, isfor each employee torecruit another em-ployee. I truly believewe can do this.
Question: Has the PCSEmployee Referral Pro-gram been successful?
Jeanette: I’m pleased toreport that since imple-mentation of the PCSEmployee Referral Pro-gram in early July, 15employees have beenhired, including: 9 clinicalnurses, 3 physical thera-pists, 1 speech patholo-gist, 1 respiratory ther-apist, and 1 sterile pro-cessing technologist. Theprogram will be extendedthrough October 28, andthen reevaluated.
Question: I recently sawtelevision cameras onone of the units. Whatwas going on?
Jeanette: They werefilming four two-minuteinterview segments forBostonWorks TV, whichwill air over a four-week period from Sep-tember 9, to September30, 2001. Each week anurse will profile a dif-ferent clinical specialty.Two of these interviewswill air on NECN priorto the next Career Expoon September 16th. TheCareer Expo will bementioned as addedadvertising for this re-cruitment event. In ad-dition, we will have anad featuring MGH nurs-ing career opportunitiesand the Career Expo in
Updates
It is my pleasure toinform you about thefollowing additions toour team:
John Murphy, RN,MS, has accepted theposition of nursemanager of the Blake12 Neuro ICU. Hecomes to us fromSouth Shore Hospitalwhere he managed acritical care unit; hewill start later thismonth.
the Sunday Globe onSeptember 9th.
Question: How werethe interviewees pre-pared?
Jeanette: Each of thefour nurses interviewed,Jen Carr, RN, CardiacSICU; Tina Schipani,RN, Ellison 16 Medi-cine; Patty Hanson,RN, Blake 12 NeuroIntensive Care; andEileen Comeau, RN,Blake 7 MICU, weregiven briefing materialsand some pre-interviewcoaching. They did asuperb job describingtheir work and whyMGH is the best placeto be a nurse.
In the fall, a mediatraining program will beoffered to clinicians andleadership interested inbecoming part of thePatient Care Servicesmedia team. This effort
Chris Annese, RN,MS, nurse managerof the Central Re-source Team andclinical supervisors,is taking on perma-nent leadership ofthe IV nursing team,effective immedi-ately.White 8 and 10welcome MarliesePalank as their newoperations coordin-ator.
New program rewards PCSemployees who recruit or refer
clinical staff for hire withinPatient Care Services
PCS Referral Program rewards PCSemployees who refer individuals forhire into specific roles between nowand October 28, 2001 (New extendeddate)
All current PCS employees are eligible(excluding directors, leadership and HRstaff)
$1,000 will be given to employeeswhose referrals are hired into PCSclinical positions of 20 hours per weekor more
For more information,contact Steve Taranto at 724-2567
will be coordinated byMarianne Ditomassi,executive director of myoffice, in conjunctionwith The Center forClinical & ProfessionalDevelopment. Moredetails will follow onthis program.
Question: At the lastStaff Nurse AdvisoryMeeting concerns wereraised about the qualityof toothbrushes pro-vided to our patients.Can you give us an up-date on this issue?
Jeanette: We are goingto purchase new tooth-brushes. Materials Man-agement is exploringalternative options for amore robust toothbrush.They will bring samplesforward for review bythe Nursing PracticeCommittee at their nextmeeting on September11th.
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September 6, 2001September 6, 2001Student OutreachStudent OutreachCancer Center Student
Nurse Internship Programhis summer forthe first time,the MGH Can-cer Center of-
fered a pilot internshipto two student nursesto allow them to explorevarious sub-specialtyareas of cancer nursing.Nursing students, LindaChoute, of the Univer-sity of Massachusetts,and Nicole Labatte, ofthe University of Con-necticut, were the firstcandidates to partici-pate in the Cancer Cen-ter Student Nurse In-ternship Program, anintensive, two-month,preceptored work ex-perience.
Students rotatedthrough a series of clini-cal oncology settingsincluding the InfusionUnit, Radiation Oncol-ogy, and the Ellison 14Oncology-Bone Mar-row Transplant Unit.
Says Labatte, “I wasable to observe manydifferent nursing roles,such as staff nurse,nurse practitioner, clin-ical nurse specialist, and
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nurse manager. I alreadyknew I wanted to pur-sue my master’s degreeand become a nursepractitioner, but thisexperience just reinforc-ed that desire. I thor-oughly enjoyed my ex-perience here; not onlydid I learn an incredibleamount, I had the op-portunity to work with
Cancer Centerstudent nurseinterns, NicoleLabatte (left),
and Linda Choute
a phenomenal staff!”Says Choute, “I had
some incredible conver-sations with patientsand really got to knowtheir personal thoughtsand feelings about theirdiagnosis and treatment.It was so beneficial tospend time in the differ-ent specialty areas. Icould really appreciatethe different roles ofnurses in the inpatientand outpatient settings,and get a sense of theworkload, pace andstaffing needs.”
For more informa-tion about this pilotprogram, contact JoanAgretelis, at 6-8267.
POPPS Educational Fair andPhoto Contest
presented byPolice, Outside Services, Parking
and Photography
Come and learn about crime prevention,community policing, photo ID badges, satellitesecurity, commuter services, management of
aggressive behavior, diversity, specialinvestigations, and the many services offered
by the MGH Photography Department.
Meet McGruff the Crime Dog, enjoy popcorn,and see if you’re one of the winners of the FourthAnnual Photo Contest. For more information about
the Photo Contest please call 6-2237.
Also participating in this year’s fair will be theMGH Employee Assistance Program, HAVEN,the Safety Department, and representatives
from The Office of Patient Advocacy.
Friday, September 14, 200111:00am–4:00pm
under the Bulfinch TentFor more information, call 4-3030
Making a DifferenceGrant Program
Your good ideasat work!
he MGH-MGPO Making a DifferenceGrant Program has received an increasein funding this year and is now accept-ing grant proposals for the year 2002.
The program provides grants to individuals orteams to help implement ideas that will improvethe MGH patient, family and staff experience.
To learn more about the Making a DifferenceGrant Program or see poster presentations bypast grant recipients, please attend the Custom-er Service Roundtable on Thursday, September20, 2001, from 10:00–11:30am in the WellmanConference Room. View posters, discuss ideas,or consult with Service Improvement represent-atives.
For more information about the grant pro-gram or the Customer Service Roundtable,please call Mary Cunningham at 4-1004, orMelanie Cassamas at 6-1816, or by e-mail.
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MGH Nursing Career ExpoSunday, September 16, 2001
12:00–4:00pmNorth and East Garden Dining RoomsMeet with nursing leaders in Med-Surg, Women &
Children’s and Psych Services, Cardiac and CriticalCare, and Perioperative Nursing
Two CEU offerings will be includedFor more information, call 724-6052
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September 6, 2001September 6, 2001Nursing Grand RoundsNursing Grand RoundsCaring for Haitian
Women
Nursing Grand Rounds presenters, Suzelle Saint-Eloi, RN, clinical educator (left),and Karen Hopcia, RN, occupational health nurse practitioner
n Thursday,August 2,2001, KarenHopcia, RN,
occupational healthnurse practitioner, andSuzelle Saint-Eloi, RN,clinical educator, pre-sented, “Caring for Hai-tian Women,” as part ofNursing Grand Rounds.Hopcia, speaking fromher extensive researchand her experience car-ing for Haitian women,stressed the importanceof taking cultural be-liefs and practices intoconsideration when car-ing for individuals of allcultures and back-grounds.
“Boston,” said Hop-cia, “has the third larg-est Haitian populationin the country, secondto Miami and NewYork, making it espec-ially important that
O healthcare providers beknowledgeable and cul-turally aware in caringfor this patient popula-tion.”
Hopcia providedinformation on Haitianculture including lang-uage (French and Cre-ole), religion (Catholic,Protestant, Voodoo) anda sampling of common-ly held health-relatedbeliefs and practices.But some of the morepowerful informationcame in the form ofquotes from some of herHaitian patients:
“I don’t drink any-thing cold, not evenwater. I don’t feel goodwhen I drink cold. I feeluncomfortable drinkingor eating something cold.No ice.”
“We do a lot of homeremedies instead of go-ing to the hospital. Even
here (in this country)...I will not go until thelast minute.”
“I don’t believe thatI have this sickness...God wants it to be thatway, that’s it. Nothingelse. Nothing to do withgood or bad. God wantsme to be sick.”
“Until you get sick,no one is going to think,well maybe I should goto the doctor.”
Hopcia spoke ofHaitians’ belief in nat-ural versus supernaturalillnesses. Some illnessesmay be caused by angryspirits or deceased rela-tives or voodoo practi-tioners. She observedthat, “Many Haitianswill ultimately visit aWestern healthcareprovider, but usuallyonly after trying homeremedies or visiting aHaitian folk healer.”
Saint-Eloi, who is ofHaitian descent, spokefrom both a personaland professional per-spective. She explainedvarious folk and herbalremedies used by manyHaitian families, andshed light on the kindsof treatments Haitiansseek from “local” heal-ers, including “DocteZo” (bone doctor), “FamSaj” (midwife), “Hou-gan” (a voodoo priest),or a “Pickirist” (a per-son who provides injec-tions for different ill-nesses). She spoke ab-out “mauvais san,” or a“bad blood episode”attributed to a numberof vague health com-plaints.
Saint-Eloi compareda number of Haitianhealth practices withWestern practices, say-ing, “By understandingthe beliefs and practicesof Haitian families, weare better able to com-
bine the two for a com-plementary approachthat will effectivelyimprove health, controlcosts, and optimizeutilization of medicalservices.” For instance,where Western medicineuses castor oil primarilyas a cathartic or laxa-tive, Haitians use castoroil in a number of reme-dies, including massageto cleanse the body ofillnesses and impurities.
Saint-Eloi offeredthe following guidelineswhen caring for Haitianfamilies:
Talk with your pa-tients about theirhealth beliefs andpracticesGather informationDevelop a frameworkfor planning careNegotiate the plan ofcare as necessaryFollow up with pa-tients and families toensure complianceand understanding.
Current Issuesin Pain Management
presented by MGH Cares AboutPain Relief, and Purdue Pharma L.P.
This conference will address current issues in painmanagement including legal issues, end-of-life
care, patient advocacy, the future of painmanagement and addiction.
All interested healthcare professionalsare welcome.
This conference is dedicated to the memoryof Jean Guveyan, RN
Wednesday, October 3, 20018:00am–3:30pm
Shriners Hospital AuditoriumTo register, or for more information,
call Amy Prasol at 1-800-745-7445 (ex. 1030810)6 contact hours
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September 6, 2001September 6, 2001
Kimberly Charette, RNstaff nurse, Phillips House 20
Phillips 20 nurse stepsin to bring comfort and advocacy
to dying patient
ExemplarExemplar
M
continued on next page
y name isKimberlyCharette, andI am a staff
nurse on the Phillips 20General Medical Unit.Mr. V was a gentlemanin his 60s who came toMGH to be treated forworsening shortness ofbreath. When he arriv-ed, he was able to com-municate and was beingmaintained on 3-4 litersof nasal cannula oxygen,with nebulizer treat-ments as necessary. Hewas diagnosed withend-stage pulmonaryfibrosis, which he hadacquired after workingin a factory for manyyears. The plan of carefor Mr. V was medicalmanagement and a thor-acic/surgical consult.Prior to the surgicalconsult, Mr. V startedto deteriorate. His oxy-gen requirements be-came significant, hisbreathing was greatlylabored, and his bloodpressure was elevated.Mr. V was well awareof his worsening medi-cal status, and was be-coming increasinglyanxious. He had twochildren and a long-timegirlfriend whom he wasplanning to wed.
I had assisted othernurses in caring for Mr.V, but realized that he
had not yet been assign-ed a primary nurse. I feltthat Mr. V needed morecontinuity of care and astrong advocate, so Iasked to become hisprimary nurse. I madeit my number one pri-ority to bring him somecomfort and relief.
On my first day asMr. V’s primary nurse,I found him on 70%high-flow oxygen, and 7liters of nasal cannulaoxygen. His oxygen sat-uration was 88%; res-piratory rate in the high30s–40s; blood pressure150/90; heart rate 110,and rhonchus breathsounds bilaterally. Iquickly introduced my-self and explained whatI was going to do. I gavehim a nebulizer treat-ment, called RespiratoryCare Services and theintern.
I told Mr. V I wasgoing to suction him,and got him some medi-cine to make him feelbetter. He told me to goaway and leave himalone. He said a lot ofpeople had told himthey would “make himfeel better,” and theyhadn’t. He was veryreluctant to let me suc-tion him due to unsuc-cessful and painful priorattempts. I talked himthrough the nasal suc-
tioning, and was able toremove a significantamount of thick mucus.He was amazed and feltbetter afterward. Hisoxygen saturation wasnow in the low 90s,which made him a littlemore comfortable. Mr.V had become very fix-ated on the oxygen num-bers on the monitor.When the respiratorytherapist arrived weincreased his high-flowoxygen to 100%, whichalso helped slightly. Italked with the internabout Mr. V’s breath-ing. He had been usinghis accessory musclesto help him breathe fordays now, and wasquickly tiring from thelabor of breathing. Isuggested morphine toease his breathing rate,but the intern didn’tfeel comfortable withthis for fear of suppres-sing his respirations.
It was determinedthat Mr. V was not agood candidate for sur-gery; his only optionwas medical manage-ment. The medical in-terns wanted to trysteroids and ativan,which were unsuccess-ful. I suggested a pos-itive-pressure breathingmachine (CPAP) toassist Mr. V in his
breathing efforts, and Imoved him closer to thenurse’s station, for bet-ter visualization. Aftermany conversationswith the intern abouttrying morphine, I ag-reed to monitor Mr. Vclosely myself if wetried a small dose. Asmall dosage of mor-phine was administeredand I checked his vitalsigns frequently. I mon-itored his mental statusand placed Mr. V on ourcontinuous monitoringsystem.
Within a short timeMr. V was much morerelaxed; his respiratoryrate decreased to 28;blood pressure 134/80;heart rate 100; and hisoxygen saturation was92–94%. He was able tosleep for the first timein what Mr. V said was“days.” I documentedhis progress and dis-cussed it again with theintern. Mr. V was puton a small dose of mor-phine every 6 hours for
comfort. At the end ofmy 12-hour shift whenI said good-bye to Mr.V, he put his hand onmy cheek, mumbled,“Thank-you,” throughhis CPAP mask andstarted to cry.
Over the next week,Mr. V came to termswith the fact that hewas dying quickly fromhis pulmonary fibrosis.Eventually, he was plac-ed on a continuous mor-phine drip, which madehim just comfortableenough to perform smalltasks, such as brushinghis teeth and using acommode instead of thebedpan. This gave himback some independ-ence and modesty,which Mr. V liked. Ar-rangements were madewith the help of ourwhole team for Mr. V totransfer to a hospiceunit and carry out hislast wish of marryinghis long-time girlfriendthe following weekend.
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September 6, 2001September 6, 2001
to-day lives. In additionto general health-relatedissues, areas of focusincluded school viol-ence, drug and alcoholuse, driving, relation-
New teen resource in PFLChe Blum Patientand Family Learn-ing Center (PFLC)is pleased to an-
nounce the addition of ateen resource section.Mindful of the manygrave issues confrontingadolescents today, morethan two dozen volun-teers spearheaded aneffort to make meaning-ful, non-judgmental in-formation available toyoung people in a time-ly manner on the web.The teen resource sec-tion is located withinthe Consumer HealthWeb Links on the PFLCwebsite.
The group began bydefining the scope ofissues that teenagersdeal with in their day-
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ResourcesResources
ship issues, suicide andsafety, among others.
Identifying appro-priate links required agreat deal of time andpatience, as the group
reviewed countless po-tential links in their re-search of each topic onthe web. The PatientEducation Committeeapproves all materials
provided by the PFLC,so all of the links iden-tified by the volunteergroup were evaluatedand approved by thePatient Education Com-mittee before beingposted on the website.Now that the site is upand running, the groupwill continue to searchfor links to enhance thisvaluable resource, andin the near future theywill research links ap-propriate for a kids’resource section. Thesite can be accessed at:www.mgh.harvard. edu/depts/pflc/teenlinks.htm.
For more informa-tion, call the PatientFamily Learning Centerat 4-7352.
Comments by Jean-ette Ives Erickson,RN, MS, senior vicepresident for PatientCare and chief nurse
Kimberly was introducedto Mr. V as she assistedother nurses with his care.Through these episodicinteractions she saw a pa-tient whose physical andemotional condition wasvery fragile. So she stepp-ed up. It’s challenging en-ough to care for a patientwho is exhausted and frus-trated by his illness. But
Exemplarcontinued from page 6
Volunteer, Hazel Cherney, demonstratesnew teen resource in the Blum Patient
and Family Learning Center
when compounded by therealization that the illness isterminal, the situation be-comes that much more deli-cate. Kimberly’s clinicalknowledge, her compas-sion, and her ability to bepresent for Mr. V, even ashe tried to dismiss her, arethe signs of a true profes-sional. Kimberly’s advoca-cy for her patient neverwavered; she did everythingpossible to make Mr. Vcomfortable and facilitaterelief of his respiratorydistress.
I think Mr. V’s muffled,“Thank-you,” spoke vol-umes. Indeed, thank-you,Kimberly.
Cancer Nursing Career Development Awardcontinued from front cover
nursing—she is warm and car-ing, a teacher and a mentor.’Among Liz’s many accomp-lishments, she completed theMGH Spiritual Caregiver Fel-lowship Program, she is a mem-ber of the HOPES SeminarCommittee (and a frequentpresenter), she volunteers inthe Cancer Resource Room,and participates in the Ellisonfourteen staff nurse time-plan-ning committee. It is with greatpleasure that I introduce andcongratulate our distinguishedrecipient, Liz Johnson!”
The monetary award is in-tended to be used for continuingeducation for the recipient, butJohnson plans to use the moneyto establish a program that helpssupport and retain newer oncol-ogy nurses.
Four other nurses were nom-inated for the Oncology NursingCareer Development Award; theyare: Susan Finn, RN, Blake 2 In-fusion Unit; Kara Olivier, RN,staff nurse, Bigelow 12 InfusionUnit; Emily Horey, RN, staffnurse, Bigelow 12 Infusion Unit;and Agnes Froio, RN, staff nurse,Radiation Oncology.
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September 6, 2001September 6, 2001
Negotiation Skills for Those NotBorn to the Table
presented by Phyllis Kritek,RN, PhD, FAAN,
internationally recognizedauthor and scholar
Working in today’s complex healthcareenvironment, negotiation skills are essentialfor our ability to manage conflict between
individuals of different ages, cultures,disciplines and departments.
Conflict-management can also be a catalystfor change. Negotiation skills are keyfor those working in management or
administrative positions.
November 2–3, 20018:30am–5:00pm
O’Keeffe AuditoriumFor more information, contact Brian French
at 724-7843, or Deborah Washingtonat 724-7469
ED Nursing Grand Rounds:Helping Homeless Individuals
Survive the WinterThe Emergency Depart-ment Ethics Forum, inan effort to increaseknowledge and aware-ness about the homelesscommunity, invitednurses from communitypractices who care forhomeless individuals toattend an ED EthicsForum in December of2000.
As a result of thatmeeting, a special EDNursing Grand Roundsis being presented, en-titled, “Preparing forthe Winter: What WeNeed to Know to Helpthe Homeless Survive.”The goal of the programis to increase knowledgeabout the medical and
social needs of the home-less, learn how to ident-ify patients at risk andhow to access appropri-
ate services. PCS stafffrom throughout thehospital are invited toattend.
ED Nursing Grand Rounds“Preparing for the Winter: What We Needto Know to Help the Homeless Survive”
Panel Members:Caroline Melia, RN, BSN,
MGH Healthcare for the HomelessSue Warchal, RN, BSN, MGH ED
Laura Delaney, RN, MSN, NP,nurse manager, Pine Street Inn Shelter
Randy Bailey, RN, MSN, NP,Pine Street Inn Shelter
Facilitator:Mary Jo Cappuccilli, RN, MSN, CS,
MGH ED Psychiatric CNS
Walcott Conference Rooms, WACCMonday, October 1, 2001
3:00–5:00pmCEUs pending
Timilty student, Sherina Mayo, presents poster onher work experience in the Endoscopy Unit underthe supervision of Angelleen Peters-Lewis, RN.
n importantpart of ourstrategic planinvolves attract-
ing, preparing and re-cruiting bright youngmen and women for fu-ture positions at MGH.And one of the mostpromising programs wehave in place to sup-port that effort is oureducational partnershipwith the James P. Timil-ty Middle School inRoxbury.
On Wednesday, Aug-ust 8, 2001, ten Timiltystudents who partici-pated in this year’s Sum-merworks Program, pre-sented posters in theCentral Lobby, show-casing their work exper-iences in various set-tings and departments
ASummerworks
Programthroughout the hospital,including Nursing, Police& Security, Patient Trans-port, the Office of thePresident, and others.The seven-week, part-time, internship programcombined interactiveworkshops and discus-sions with real-life worksituations to provide stu-dents with a realistic lookat career oppor-tunities soon tobe available tothem. And ifthese poster presenta-tions were any indica-tion, it won’t be longbefore some of theseyoung people are rightback here putting theirexperience to good useat MGH!
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September 6, 2001September 6, 2001
Published by:Caring Headlines is published twice eachmonth by the department of Patient Care
Services at Massachusetts General Hospital.
PublisherJeanette Ives Erickson RN, MS,
senior vice president for Patient Careand chief nurse
Managing Editor/WriterSusan Sabia
Editorial Advisory BoardChaplaincy
Mary Martha Thiel
Development & Public Affairs LiaisonGeorgia Peirce
DistributionPlease contact Ursula Hoehl at 726-9057 for
all issues related to distribution
Submission of ArticlesWritten contributions should be
submitted directly to Susan Sabiaas far in advance as possible.
Caring Headlines cannot guarantee theinclusion of any article.
Articles/ideas may be submittedby telephone: 617.724.1746
by fax: 617.726.4133or by e-mail: ssabia @partners.org
Please recycle
Next Publication Date:September 20, 2001
Call for NominationsThe Stephanie M. Macaluso, RN, Expertise
in Clinical Practice AwardNominations are now beingaccepted for the winter Ste-phanie M. Macaluso, RN,Expertise in Clinical PracticeAward. The purpose of theaward is to recognize clini-cians within Patient CareServices whose practice ex-emplifies the expert appli-cation of the values reflectedin our vision. Nurses, occu-pational therapists, physicaltherapists, respiratory ther-apists, speech-language path-ologists, social workers andchaplains are eligible.
The nomination process isas follows:
Direct-care providers cannominate one another.Nurse managers, direct-ors, clinical leadership,health professionals,patients and families cannominate a direct-careprovider.
Those nominating can do soby completing a brief formwhich will be located in eachpatient care area, in depart-ment offices, and at the GrayLobby information desk.Nominations are due byOctober 5, 2001.Nominees will receive a letterinforming them of theirnomination and requestingthat they submit a profes-sional portfolio. Informationon writing clinical narratives,endorsement letters, andresumés will be enclosed.A review board chaired byassociate chief nurse, TrishGibbons, RN, and comprisedof previous award recipients,administrators and MGHvolunteers will review port-folios and select recipients.The award presentation willbe held on Thursday, Decem-ber, 13, 2001.
Awards and award-relatedactivities:Recipients will receive$1,500 to be used toward aprofessional conference,seminar or course of theirchoosing. They will be ac-knowledged at a receptionwith peers, family andfriends, and their names willbe added to the plaque hon-oring Stephanie M. Maca-luso, RN, Expertise in Clin-ical Practice Award recipi-ents. Recipients also receivea crystal award from Jean-ette Ives Erickson, RN, MS,senior vice president forPatient Care and chief nurse.
For more information orassistance with the nomina-tion process, please contactMary Ellin Smith, RN, MS,professional developmentcoordinator, at 4-5801.
he second annualPharmacist and Regi-stered Nurse Satisfac-tion with the Medica-
tion System Survey was dis-tributed to patient care unitsand to the Pharmacy on Sep-tember 4, 2001. It is the hopeof the Pharmacy-Nursing Per-formance Improvement Com-mittee that staff will take thisopportunity to give neededfeedback on this importantsystem.
The multi-disciplinary com-mittee, comprised of nurses,pharmacists, operations co-
ordinators, operations associ-ates, and pharmacy techni-cians, has implemented a num-ber of changes to improve sys-tems for medication distribu-tion. The team is committed tosupporting staff in preparing,delivering, and administeringmedications safely and effic-iently.
Last year more than 500staff nurses and 30 pharma-cists responded to this survey.Because so many took the time
to respond, we had a goodindication of how the changeswere working and where addi-tional efforts needed to be fo-cused. Once again, your feed-back will be invaluable as im-provement efforts continue tobe implemented.
All responses are confi-dential. Results of the surveywill be shared in future issuesof Caring Headlines and othermechanisms. For more infor-mation, please call Joan Fitz-maurice (6-9282) or Lois Park-er (6-2503).
For information about Risk Management FounInternet at http://ww
- - -September 177:30–11:30am,12:00–4:00pmVBK 401
Neuroscience Nursing Review 2001This 2-day review is designed for experienced nurses who care for neuroscience patients or who are pre-paring for the neuroscience nursing examination. Participants my attend one or both days. Limited to 25.See Educational Offerings Calendar for fees. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Pro-fessional Development at 726-3111.
TBASeptember 17 (8:00–4:15)O’Keeffe Auditoriumand September 198:00am–4:15pmTraining DepartmentCharles River Plaza
Introduction to Culturally Competent Care: Understanding Our Patients, Ourselves andEach OtherProgram will provide a forum for staff to learn about the impact of culture in our lives and interactionswith patients, families and co-workers. Topics include understanding and defining the importance ofculture; the principles of cultural competency; understanding the dynamics of difference; the culture ofWestern bio-medicine; and the appropriate use of language services. A variety of interactive exercises willhelp to illustrate the concepts presented. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Profes-sional Development at 726-3111.
7.2September 188:00am–4:30pmVBK 601
Operations Associate Preceptor Development ProgramThis new program is offered to operations associates to help them develop skills in precepting newOA staff. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.
---September 208:00am–4:30pmTraining DepartmentCharles River Plaza
Conversations at the End of LifeThis program is designed to enhance nurses’ ability to care for patients and families during this mostdifficult time. Topics will include: pain- and symptom-management, ethical issues, struggles and choices,patient-advocacy, and cultural considerations. For more information, call The Center for Clinical &Professional Development at 726-3111.
8.4September 208:00am–4:30pmTraining DepartmentCharles River Plaza
Nursing Grand RoundsThis Nursing Grand Rounds will focus on research with a presentation by Anne Marie Barron. For moreinformation, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.
1.2September 201:30–2:30pmO’Keeffe Auditorium
16.8for completing
both days
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)—Provider CourseProvider course sponsored by MGH Department of Emergency Services. $120 for MGH/HMS-affiliatedemployees; $170 for all others. Registration information and applications are available in Founders 135,or by calling 726-3905. For course information, call Inez McGillivray at 724-4100.
September 24 and 278:00am–5:00pmWellman Conference Room
BLS Instructor ProgramA 2-day training program that prepares participants to teach CPR courses. Pre-requisite: current health-care provider card and commitment to teach at least 2 CPR courses per year. Pre-registration is required,and participants must pick up instructor textbooks and teaching assignment in the Center for Clinical &Professional Development (Founders 6) two weeks prior to course. For more information, or to register,call Roberta Raskin at 726-7572
13.2for completing
both days
September 25 and 268:00am–4:30pmVBK601
CPR—American Heart Association BLS Re-Certification for Healthcare ProvidersSuccessful completion of this program re-certifies staff in AHA Basic Life Support. Priority will be givento staff required to have AHA BLS for their job. Others are encouraged to complete unit-based, age-specific mannequin demonstration to meet requirements. Participants must review the new AHA HealthCare Provider Manual, which may be borrowed from the CCPD for a returnable $10 deposit. (Note: classhas been extended to 4 hours due to changes in AHA requirements.) Pre-registration is required, as isproof of AHA Healthcare Provider certification within the last two years. For information, or to register,call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.
Rehabilitation Nursing: Process and PrinciplesThis 13-week course will cover trends, research and clinical practice in a variety of rehab nursing situa-tions including caring for patients post-stroke, with cardio-pulmonary issues, brain injury, and spinal cordinjury. Course will also cover elimination patterns, legislative and economic concerns, sexuality andreproductive patterns, and more. For more information, call 617-573-2390.
28.8Beginning September 11Tuesdays from 4:00-6:00pmSpaulding Rehab Hospital125 Nashua Street
Social Services Grand Rounds“Motivational Interviewing,” presented by Martha Kane, PhD, clinical director, MGH West End ClinicAddiction Services. All staff are welcome. For more information, call 724-9115.
New Graduate Nurse Development Seminar IIThis seminar assists new graduate nurses (with the guidance of their mentors) to transition into the roleof professional nurse. Seminars focus of skill acquisition, organization and priority-setting, communica-tion and conflict-management, caring practices, and ethical issues. For more information, call The Centerfor Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.
5.4(contact hours
for mentorsonly)
September 268:00am–2:30pmTraining DepartmentCharles River Plaza
Nursing: a Clinical UpdateThis annual program is sponsored by the MGH School of Nursing Alumnae Association, and will contain avariety of topics related to clinical and professional development. To register, or for more information,call the Alumnae Office at 726-3144.
TBASeptember 288:00am–4:30pmO’Keeffe Auditorium
Nursing Grand RoundsThis presentation will focus on, “Managing Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Cancer,” presentedby Nancy Lovejoy. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at726-3111.
1.2September 271:30–2:30pmO’Keeffe Auditorium
Intermediate ArrhythmiasThis 4-hour program is designed for the nurse who wants to expand his/her knowledge of arrhythmias.The program focuses on atrial arrhythmias junctional arrhythmias and heart blocks, and prepares staff totake the level B arrhythmia exam. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & ProfessionalDevelopment at 726-3111.
3.9October 18:00–11:15amVBK 601
Pacing and BeyondThis exciting workshop will discuss indications for initiating therapy, fundamentals of the pacemakersystem, pacer implantation, international codes/modes of pacing and nursing care. Rhythm-strip analysiswill focus on normal functioning and basic trouble-shooting. The session will conclude with a discussion ofcurrent and future technology. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Devel-opment at 726-3111.
5.1October 112:00–4:00pmVBK 601
CPR—American Heart Association BLS Re-Certification for Healthcare ProvidersSuccessful completion of this program re-certifies staff in AHA Basic Life Support. Priority will be givento staff required to have AHA BLS for their job. Others are encouraged to complete unit-based, age-specific mannequin demonstration to meet requirements. Participants must review the new AHA HealthCare Provider Manual, which may be borrowed from the CCPD for a returnable $10 deposit. (Note: classhas been extended to 4 hours due to changes in AHA requirements.) Pre-registration is required, as isproof of AHA Healthcare Provider certification within the last two years. For information, or to register,call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.
- - -October 47:30–11:30am,12:00–4:00pmVBK 401
Nursing Grand RoundsThis presentation will focus on, “Beyond Language Barriers: Communicating Effectively with Deaf andHard-of-Hearing Patients,” presented by Ruth Moore, communication access training specialist. For moreinformation, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.
1.2October 41:30–2:30pmO’Keeffe Auditorium
Psychological Type & Personal Style: Maximizing Your EffectivenessIn this dynamic workshop, participants will engage in a journey of self-discovery using the Myers-BriggsType Indicator (MBTI). Participants will learn about their: psychological type and leadership style;preferred methods of communication; preferred work environment; effectiveness as a team member.Following, participants will learn about: the impact of ‘psychological type’ in problem-solving and deci-sion-making; how to work with opposite types; the implications of type in managing conflict. Registerednurses at all levels of experience are welcome. For more information or to register, call The Center forClinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.
8.1October 58:00am–4:30pmTraining DepartmentCharles River Plaza
2001: A Brain OdysseySponsored by the ICU Consortium, this program will cover topics such as: assessment, seizures, headtrauma, migraines, embolization, movement disorders and stroke care. Pre-registration is required. Formore information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.
TBAOctober 58:00am–4:00pmO’Keeffe Auditorium
Current Issues in Pain ManagementPresented by MGH Cares About Pain Relief, and Purdue Pharma L.P., this conference will address currentissues in pain management including legal issues, end-of-life care, patient advocacy, the future of painmanagement and addiction. All interested healthcare professionals are welcome. To register, or for moreinformation, call Amy Prasol at 1-800-745-7445 (ex. 1030810).
6October 38:00am–3:30pmShriners Auditorium
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September 6, 2001September 6, 2001
CaringFND125
MGH55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114-2696
CaringH E A D L I N E S
s an internation-ally recognizedleader in healthcare, education
and research, MGHattracts a good deal ofattention from variousprint and television me-dia. The MGH PublicAffairs Office is of-ficially responsible forhandling media rela-tions, however, everymember of the MGHcommunity plays animportant part in man-aging our interactionswith the press. PublicAffairs asks staff andemployees to adhere tothe following guidelineswhen fielding requestsfrom the media:
Refer all media callsto the Public AffairsOffice (726-2206) atthe earliest opportu-nity. A representativeof Public Affairs isavailable 24 hours aday (pager # 2-8383)through the hospitalpage operator (726-2066). Georgia Peirce,director of MediaRelations, carriespager # 2-2345, andPeggy Slasman, chiefpublic affairs officer,has pager # 2-8385.Public Affairs staff isexperienced in handl-ing a vast range ofmedia situations andis available to assistany MGH employee.
All patient informa-tion released to themedia should comefrom the Public Af-fairs Office. Patientconfidentiality is thehighest priority. Gen-erally, Public Affairsreleases a one-worddescription (good,fair, serious or criti-cal) in accordancewith the AmericanHospital Associationguidelines. No otherinformation is releas-ed without the con-sent of the patientand/or family mem-bers.If any employee hasan existing relation-ship with a reporter
and agrees to an inter-view, he/she is en-couraged to informPublic Affairs as soonas possible. Knowingabout media activityenables Public Affairsto track and reportsubsequent news cov-erage.To ensure patientconfidentiality andprivacy, any film crew,photographer, or mem-ber of the media en-tering the hospitalwith a camera of anykind (still or video)must be accompaniedby a Public Affairsstaff member. ThePublic Affairs repre-sentative will obtainthe necessary clear-ances and consents.Public Affairs mustbe informed and in-volved, even if the
film crew is shootinga training or promo-tional video. Earlynotification of suchrequests facilitatesscheduling.Researchers who learnthat a paper has beenaccepted by a journalshould contact thePublic Affairs Officeas soon as possible todiscuss appropriatestrategies for commu-nicating this informa-tion. Inclusion in sci-entific publicationsoften presents oppor-tunities for mediacoverage. Embargoesare always honored.
For more informationabout the hospital’smedia program, contactthe Public Affairs Of-fice at 726-2206, Peirceat 724-6423, or Slasmanat 724-2750.
MGH media guidelines:in the interest of our patients
