FYI
Over the last few years, CNO Mairead Hickey, PhD, RN, has been meeting with focus groups comprised of clinical staff nurses to hear about their practice and gain their valuable insight to inform Department of Nursing decisions about patient care and the practice environment. In November, the group discussed BWH Nurse and suggested this new “FYI” column to provide staff with some details about the work of their colleagues through a series of short items, such as a new pilot program or effort on a particular unit, an update on a topic we’ve covered in the past or a short preview of something we could cover down the road.
Tell us—and your colleagues—what you’re doing at bwhnurse@partners.org And one other thing, we still need a catchy and fun name for this column. Send us your ideas.
Enhanced Care Nursery Coming
This spring, the Enhanced Care Nursery will be opened on CWN 10, with a care model particularly designed to meet the needs of the late preterm infant (those born between 36 and 37 6/7 weeks gestation) and their families. Many professional organizations, such as the National Institute for Childhood Health and Development and the March of Dimes, have recognized the unique challenges of this population, in this new and evolving area. Information gleaned from the successful Newborn Rapid Response team provided valuable clinical insights on the unique needs of these infants and BWH has made a commitment to developing clinical systems that support them while preserving the family unit. All CWN 10 nurses have undergone education that will enhance their ability to provide holistic care that is developmentally and culturally sensitive. The care model begins at the site of contact, the Center for Labor and Birth, and will follow throughout the hospitalization, to the NICU if indicated and to CWN 10. Staffs from all Obstetrical units, the NICU, the Lactation department and Newborn/Neonatal Medicine have collaborated on development of a care model that will promote newborn health, maturation and family satisfaction. Stay tuned for more details.
Tower 14CD Cuts Clutter
Clinical staff nurse Bertha Lee, BSN, RN, joined the 14CD unit-based Environmental Committee, which has been dubbed the “Clutter Committee” by staff. The impetus for this unit-based committee was a group of nurses who looked around and wondered why all the walls and doors were covered with papers. Lee was especially concerned with the materials and in particular the placement of the materials. Using evidence on healthy work environments and with input and help from nurses, PCAs, Materials Management staff, unit coordinators and unit leadership, this group established an organized system that features labels on supplies and materials and sets supply “par” levels that make it easier to identify when materials need to be restocked. With assistance from Nicholas Moronta, 14CD’s materials management colleague, they worked together to establish a more logical and user friendly system.