ACHIEVEMENTS

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Bryan’s heart program for demonstrating expertise and commitment in treating patients. The electrophysiology lab and

earned accreditation following a rigorous on-site evaluation.

“We are very excited to learn the ACC had accredited these two areas,” says Cardiac and Vascular Services director Jennifer Preston, RN, MHA. “The accreditation process was truly a team effort and not only validated our wonderful care but also pointed out ways in which

Ocuvera, a Lincoln-based tech company, teamed up with Bryan’s rehabilitation unit to perfect a device that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent patient falls. These efforts earned them a Microsoft Corp. 2020 Health Innovation Award in the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning category.

Patients falling is one of the leading causes of injuries in America’s hospitals, leading to serious injuries and 11,000 deaths each year.

The Ocuvera system can predict when a patient is going to try to get out of bed — many

we can continue to improve the heart services our region has counted on for decades.”

ACC Accreditation Services helps hospitals implement evidence-based guidelines, quality initiatives and best practices to improve cardiovascular outcomes and reduce variations in care.

Phillip Levy, MD, chair of the falls are attributed to confused or weak patients trying to exit their beds unaccompanied.

Ocuvera’s system helps prevent falls by leveraging the Microsoft Azure Kinect depth camera and AI predictive technology to monitor patients. Nurses are alerted through smartphones when a patient begins to move.

“I was sold on it as soon as they described it,” says rehabilitation unit manager Christie Bartelt, RN. “We have a lot of patients who have memory issues, problem solving issues, or they’re recovering from a stroke or brain injury. ACC Accreditation Management Board, adds, “Bryan has demonstrated its commitment to providing Lincoln and surrounding communities with excellent heart care. ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award accreditation in these areas.”

Dr. Levy says facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed stringent criteria and have organized a team of physicians, nurses, clinicians and administrative staff who earnestly support efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes and

efficient disease control. n They’re at very high risk for a fall because they’re very uncoordinated.”

Ocuvera and Bryan Health started working together three years ago — Bryan was the tech company’s first client. Now Ocuvera is in a dozen hospitals and the system has cut patient falls by more than half.

Bryan’s rehab staff has grown to rely on the monitoring system to help alert them.

“This never looks away, never blinks, never has to take a break — we’ve seen a significant decrease in bed exit falls because of Ocuvera,” Bartelt concludes. n

Nancy Hakel-Smith was invited to speak at two conferences.

PhD, RDN, LMNT, conducted nutrition diagnoses research that was accepted at two gatherings of specialists.

She presented during this spring’s virtual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN). She also will present this September at the International Congress of Dietetics (ICD). Originally scheduled to be in Cape Town, South Africa, it will be a virtual conference.

She notes, “This work, with its focus on acute care practice, is a nice addition to the validation of nutrition diagnoses research being done. Paula Ritter

LMNT, FAND, helped write the abstract, and we hope to have an article published in a journal.” n

Nurse educator Marisa Schaffer and NICU Assistant Nurse Man ager/clinical resource nurse Beckie Trevino will speak in Florida.

Nurse educator Marisa

and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit assistant nurse manager/ clinical resource nurse Beckie

IBCLC, will speak at the 12th International Pediatric Simulation Symposia (IPSS). The October 23-26 event will be in St. Petersburg, Florida.

“Our talk is on rural perinatal education with simulation,” Schaffer says.

Schaffer’s and Trevino’s abstract notes rural hospitals are challenged to maintain a broad variety of skills with low volume of occurrence, yet have limited access to education due to financial and geographical barriers. Therefore, the writers point out, disparities exist with regard to readiness for highrisk scenarios and adherence to updated response guidelines.

To overcome this disparity, interdisciplinary simulation was developed to improve readiness, recognition and response to perinatal emergencies. Bryan College of Health Sciences simulation center director Barb Sittner, PhD, and Heartland Neonatology Associates and the Center for Maternal and Fetal Medicine collaborated on the project.

Participants at 12 rural facilities learned about neonatal resuscitation by using a high fidelity infant simulator and simulated shoulder dystocia and hemorrhage with an obstetric simulation mannequin. n

Brandi Basurto received this year’s President’s Award.

Prof. Tiffany Hunt received the Outstanding Faculty Award.

Administrative Assistant Brandi Basurto received the President’s Award.

“Brandi truly lives out our College values as an administrative assistant, life coach, counselor, friend, colleague and warm welcomer to all who visit the front office,” her nomination points out. “She’s willing to serve in any capacity, and through her vision, scheduling processes have been streamlined.”

Brandi says, “There are so many things I love about my position. The people I work with make it such a positive environment, and every day offers new opportunities.”

She says, “I am blessed to be part of this faculty — we work as a team to help every student reach their goals.”

Dr. Hunt has worked at Bryan for 20 years, beginning as a CNA in the medical center’s Intensive Care Unit. She earned a BSN, then joined the faculty after getting a master’s at Bryan in 2013. She since has earned a doctorate from Bryan.

She says, “I love teaching in the classroom and then helping students apply that content in a clinical area. When they have that ‘light bulb’ moment linking classroom lecture to practice, it is pretty amazing.” n