TBHC CNE Summer 2024

UPDATE CNE

A Message from Dr. McLaughlin: THE ROAD TO MAGNET

– Judy McLaughlin, DNP, MS, RN, Chief Nurse Executive

TBHC Nursing is seeking to become a Magnet Recognition Program, by which the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes.

The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the entire organization. The ANCC vision communicates the importance of Magnet organizations in shaping future changes that are essential to the continued development of the nursing profession and to quality outcomes in patient care.

I see this as a wonderful opportunity to become better, to be proud of our profession, to increase satisfaction among the staff and patients, to rely ever more on research and evidence-based practice, and to give all nurses a voice in how things are done.

I am inspired by nursing leader and visionary Jean Watson, PhD, RN, and her theory of “caring science,” an evolving philosophy that is grounded in the discipline of nursing and informed by related fields. Caring science embraces the whole person, the unity of mind-bodyspirit as one in relation with environment at all levels.

This is a many-year journey and we are delighted to announce that we have the support of President & CEO

Gary Terrinoni. I met with nursing leadership to strategize where we have opportunities for growth and improvement. We already have worked behind the scenes to change some committees and councils, including creating unit-based councils on the floors.

We need to hear from you now! Recently, we asked the nursing staff to fill out an online survey. It is open until June 23. If you have not already, please do so!

You can use TBHC computers or any computer or phone with internet access to complete the survey. Please note the survey needs to be finished in one sitting and may take you as long as 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

You can access the RN Survey site at https://members.nursingquality.org/ rnsurvey or by scanning the QR code at right. At the survey website, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Enter our hospital RN Survey Code, which is 33FS576.

2. Select your unit from a list box.

3. Confirm your selections.

4. Complete the survey (again, it will take 20 to 30 minutes).

5. Submit the survey.

Please contact Michael Scicchitano in our Nursing Quality Department at 929.549.0002 or mscicchitano@ tbh.org for questions or assistance with the survey.

Nurses Week 2024!

On May 6 through 12, we celebrated YOU during National Nurses Week. The week included, among other things:

• A Blessing of the Hands by Chaplain Father Francis Obu-Mends.

• Daily access to a Recharge and Relaxation Room, meditation sessions, snacks, gifts and raffle giveaways.

• Several sponsored meals including from Municipal Credit Union, NYSNA, Abbott, Laz Parking, Grand Canyon University, St. Francis College, Raising Cane’s and Healthstream.

• A Nurse Executive Exam prep review session led by ED Nurse Manager Robert Davis.

• A Wellness for Healthcare workers session led by Senior Director of Nursing Michael Scicchitano.

• Schwartz Rounds on “Finding Meaning in Our Work: What it Means to be a TBHC Nurse, Transformative Experiences in Nursing.”

• A CUNY SPS Stroke Presentation by Kimberly Perez on “Get With the Guidelines Stroke 2024.”

• A Sigma Theta Thau International Education Webinar by Dr. Eugene Zamperion on “Testosterone and Men’s Health Using Herbs and Nutrition for Andropause.”

• An LIU Educational Breakfast on “The Impact of Covid 19 Pandemic in Nurses’ Mental Health” by Dr. Christina Wong and Dr. Yolima Vergara, followed by “Professional Generosity” by Dr. Julie Elting and Dr. Carol Martin.

• Nursing Leadership Luncheon, where several yearly awards were given (see below).

• The Nurses Expo and Nurses Spa.

Here are some fun snaps from the festive and informative week:

The Whitney Anne Buckholz Excellence in Nursing Award is named in honor of Board Chair Lizanne Fontaine’s late daughter. Shown here are this year’s winners, both with Ms. Fontaine: 1) Joan Grant, RN, Emergency Department nurse, and 2) Hakeem Salaam, RN, Critical Care nurse. 3) Krystana Browne, PCA, winner of the Razia Begum PCA/ MOA of the Year Award winner, with Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.

4) Friend of Nursing Award winner Raymond Sanchez, Valet, with LAZ Parking, with Kevin Skeete, Director of LAZ Parking. 5) Spirit week included some superheroes, 6) “Decades Day,” and 7 ) red shoes to signify that we’re on the road to Magnet! Sponsored meals included 8) a breakfast thanks to Grand Canyon and 9) lunch thanks to NYSNA, among many others. 10) Snacks were enjoyed, as was 11) ample time to relax and meditate.

Volunteers are Back at TBHC!

TBHC is committed to providing the very best healthcare to our community in the Downtown Brooklyn/ Fort Greene area, and beyond, and the community provides their best back to us! The pandemic and its aftermath curtailed the Volunteer Program, but it has come roaring back! Our cohort of volunteers gives us their time and their hard work to supplement the TBHC staff in a variety of service areas.

Our volunteers range from young people to retirees and all ages and stages in between. Their areas of interest are as diverse as they are. We have volunteers working as administrative aides. Some meet, greet and direct patients; others visit patients or serve as Spiritual Care visitors. Still others read to the young patients at the Children’s Health Center (as Volunteer Lizzie Kehoe does, shown here).

Volunteering at TBHC is mutually beneficial, as well. As our volunteers give to the community through us, they also gain new skills and receive a unique opportunity to learn about healthcare from industry professionals.

Only You Can Make Them Stay!

Our Volunteer Program is one more way we are Keeping Brooklyn Healthy.

If you are interested in getting a volunteer or know someone in the community who wishes to volunteer, please call x8393 or email volunteer@tbh.org.

You may have spotted the kick-off of the hospital’s new campaign, “Only You Can Make Them Stay.” Shown here, is the first of several eblasts you can expect to see throughout the summer, reminding us all how we can make TBHC the choice for patients and their families not just for one time, but for all their continuing healthcare needs.

Rounds

Daisy Awards

The Daisy awards are open again. Any one is free to nominate a nurse.

1. Describe in detail a specific situation or story about how a nurse went above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in your life or the life of our patients.

2. Scan the QR code at right to access the online nomination form. Or visit www.DaisyNomination.org/TBHC.

3. Deadline: October 31, 2024.

Bee Kind Awards

Just like a daisy would not be able to develop without the help of the bee, our nurses could not do what they do for our patients without the exceptional teamwork and kindness of other healthcare professionals. That why TBHC will recognize support team personnel alongside nurses through a similar recognition to the Daisy Award. This one is called the BEE Kind Award. All nurses are free to nominate their non-nursing colleagues.

1. Describe in detail a specific situation or story about how a support team member went above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in your life or the life of our patients.

2. Scan the QR code at right to access the online nomination form. Or visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/beekind.

3. Deadline: October 31, 2024.

Legislative Breakfast

TBHC invited local, state and federal elected officials and their representatives to join us at our annual Legislative Breakfast, held at the hospital on April 24. Many community leaders participated along with State Senator Jabari Brisport, State Assembly Members Jo Ann Simon and Phara Souffrant Forrest, and Council Member Crystal Hudson.

Erroll I. Byer, Jr., Chair of OB/GYN presented, “Understanding and Reversing Racial Disparities in Maternity Care.” Dr. Byer said that Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than are white women and pointed to poor access to healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism and implicit bias as major contributors. He also explained that women of color are less likely than are white women to have access to quality maternal healthcare. Black women also have the highest uninsured rates among all women, are more likely to have chronic health conditions that are risk factors for maternal death, and are less likely to get care for disease prevention and management.

Important to note: TBHC beats these terrible statistics. We have excellent and above-the-national averages for maternal safety, thanks to Dr. Byer’s leadership. At TBHC, physicians and residents are taught to step up their communication, address implicit bias, and perform enhanced reviews, among other steps to avoid the dire numbers.