March 2021
Zero Zero RADIATION ONCOLOGY
“COVID-19 has definitely changed the workforce. Each subunit of the department has had to make COVID-19 changes in the way we safely treat patients, new consults, and follow-up patients (in person to telehealth). Adding to the challenge, some staff work from home. The Learning Board helps us communicate with each other on various topics ranging from improvement projects, work orders, Engagement Survey, Patient Satisfaction, PI projects, and safety tools/messages.” - Colette Goranson, Safety Coach of Radiation Oncology
MULLICA HILL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Learning Boards Mario Sergi, director of Radiation Oncology, Medical Imaging and Oncology Data Services, attends his department Daily Huddles virtually via Microsoft Teams. ”As a department we are able to review key topics of the day that impact employee and patient safety and operations while abiding by COVID-19 safety guidelines,” he said. “Since our huddles have moved to a virtual platform, we are not able to meet in front of our department Learning Boards, but we continue to review recent sticky notes staff add to the Learning Board. A recent concern added to the Learning Board was our Philips CT units at Vineland and Elmer were persistently going down, causing a delay in patient care. This concern was reviewed at our Daily Huddle, reported on the Daily Safety Briefing and a workorder was placed with BioMed. Due to the age of the unit, the situation was ARCC’ed up and the decision was made by senior management to replace the units. The Learning Board is a great tool for staff to see concerns work through the process. As we continue to grow as an organization, it is even more important for staff to hear a consistent message. I always say communication is key and the Learning Board is a great tool to ensure communication is relayed reliably through the department.”
During the Daily Huddle, Brandi Davis, patient experience manager of Environmental Services at Mullica Hill reviews key topics of the day that impact safety and operations. “Huddles are an essential way for us to share communications with our staff! It allows management to provide important safety and instructional information to our EVS staff and gives everyone an opportunity to engage in problem-solving as a team. It helps us stay connected with one another and is a reminder that each individual, regardless of his/her role, is an essential person making a positive contribution,” says Davis. During the huddle, the team also discusses the department’s Learning Board to see what issues are new, being worked on, or have been solved. Recent items placed in the solved (or green) section of the Learning Board focus on the 2020 Engagement and Safety Survey, specifically highlighting areas in which the department has improved and areas that are going well. Pictured: Lakera Steward, aide, Mullica Hill Environmental Services, with the team’s Learning Board.
Safety Tool of the Month: Continuous Use and Reference Use Protocols Use protocols and checklists to perform tasks reliably, consistently, efficiently, correctly, safely, and to avoid reliance on memory. Reference use - Applies to protocols for tasks or processes easily performed by memory, and typically by an individual. The protocol or policy could be referred to as needed. Continuous use – Applies to lists, or checklists, or flow sheets that list tasks or action steps for infrequently performed or high-risk or complex procedures.
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Zero Zero MULLICA HILL
SafetyStory As we continue to elevate our commitment as a High Reliability Organization, every issue of Inside Inspira will share a Safety Story to underscore key learnings and reinforce the impact of our everyday efforts.
A patient arrived at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill for their scheduled Robotic Prostatectomy. Nova Robinson, patient liaison, was informed by the patient that he had fallen two days prior and that his ankle was sore. Nova, applying a questioning attitude, spoke up for safety and ARCC’ed the concern up to the patient’s nurse, Christine O’Brien. Christine asked the patient some additional clarifying questions and informed the anesthesiologist, Glenn Dragon, M.D. Dr. Dragon, along with urologist Philip Dorsey, M.D., spoke with the patient and his wife, and ordered an x-ray of the patient’s ankle, which revealed a fracture. Dr. Dragon notified Matthew Brandt, D.P.M., podiatrist, of the fracture. The robotic procedure was canceled, and the patient was added on to Dr. Brant’s schedule for the day. This was a great catch and reinforces the importance of consistency in the application of our high reliability skills. Had the care team not practiced a questioning attitude, asked clarifying questions and ARCC’ed the concern accordingly, this patient would have proceeded on to surgery that day with the potential for further injury to his ankle from positioning during the procedure, and possibly compromising their post-operative course with further preventable harm.
This is why we must always apply our high reliability skills and speak up for safety.
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S A Inspira Celebrates Patient Safety Awareness Week During Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 13-21), Inspira recognized and celebrated all the work we do to keep our patients safe. As part of the Inspira family, we each play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of our community, and each of us plays a critical role in providing our patients with quality care, regardless of whether we interact personally with a patient. Across the network, we exercise our commitment through daily huddles, safety tools and so much more—always making our patient’s well-being the top priority.
Employee Panel Discussion Amy Mansue hosted a Patient Safety Awareness Week panel discussion with a handful of employees. The discussion focused on safety initiatives, the importance of speaking up for safety, how HRO not only enhances safety but also the patient experience and employee engagement, the importance of self-care and taking care of each other, and much more. Click here to view the full panel discussion.
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ST SB A R AR ST SB A R AR
Congratulations
Employees of the Month!
Partnership Tabiri Langston, data engineer, Information Systems, Bridgeton “Tabiri goes above and beyond for employees outside of his own department every day. He has a calm and kind approach. He is a valued member of the Knowledge Management Team and brings many years of experience and dedication to his data projects.”
Quality & Safety Felisa Marroquin Campos, aide, Housekeeping, Elmer
“Felisa goes above and beyond every single shift. She is always pleasant to everyone she comes in contact with. Her work is unmatched in quality. She always goes above and beyond, making sure that every area is clean and disinfected.”
Quality & Safety Jenna Bertino, social worker, Care Coordination, Mullica Hill
“Jenna exemplifies service in her role as Emergency Department Social Worker. She goes above and beyond in providing transition plans to patients in the ED and has been instrumental in promoting the Enhanced Discharge Program, improving patient outcomes.”
Compassion Audrey Mckeon, patient coordinator, Cancer Services, Vineland “Audrey goes above and beyond for patients, staff, and with the community. She completes all tasks with respect and a caring attitude. She assists wherever needed and goes above and beyond to help every single day. Audrey always provides the Wow experience to patients and family members.”
Partnership Carol Axelrod, administrative secretary, Inspira Medical Group “Carol manages multiple schedules, ensures timely communications go out to leadership, and willingly accepts assignments and project tasks in order to keep operations moving. She regularly takes on tasks and consistently delivers with results that go above and beyond.”
Integrity
Partnership
Miranda Hennessy, receptionist, Rowan Wellness Center, Glassboro
Arlene Cerda, scheduler, LIFE
“Miranda is a consummate professional who meets and exceeds her responsibilities. She goes out of her way to make sure both staff and patients’ needs are met. Miranda’s pleasant demeanor and positive attitude are a great asset to our team.”
“Arlene exemplifies the core value of Partnership. She has been key in moving participant appointments during closings and delays due to snow as well as coordinating participant COVID vaccinations.”
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Elmer Staff Raise Funds to Support Dedicated Volunteer Surprise Tommy Messner with New Bike In February, the staff at Inspira Medical Center Elmer surprised Tommy Messner, a volunteer since 2012, with an important gift. As one of the organization’s most dedicated volunteers, Tommy rides his bike in any and all weather conditions—because he truly loves volunteering. He has donated more than 5,600 hours by helping in the Environmental Services department, the storeroom, and any other area in need of help. When the staff at Elmer heard he was in need of a new bike—they joined together and raised nearly $1,500 to purchase Tommy a new bicycle and bike shed. To view more photos, click here.
Pictured: Staff at Inspira Elmer surprise Tommy Messner, volunteer, with a new bike.
Inspira’s Jacqui Kievit Shares Her COVID-19 Vaccine Story Vaccine allowed her to take care of COVID positive family “As we know, this past year has been an emotional challenge for all and continues to be. When Inspira was able to begin offering employees the vaccine I was inoculated on December 26, 2020. What a wonderful Christmas gift! I then received the second vaccine on January 17, 2021. Since that time my daughter contracted COVID-19, as did my husband. I was able to care for them and not fall ill—I believe due to being vaccinated. I felt extremely grateful to have been vaccinated so early through the efforts of Inspira. I do not know what might have happened with my family members if I had also contracted the COVID virus. While caring for them, I was in very close contact to them and yet I continued to test negative for COVID. My point is how grateful I am that the vaccine was made available and it allowed me to care for my loved ones. I felt compelled to express my thanks to everyone at Inspira for working so hard to keep so many safe.” - Jacqui Kievit M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Behavioral Health, Bridgeton
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National Dress in Blue Day® Celebrated at Inspira on March 5 Inspira employees supported Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by wearing blue on National Dress in Blue Day® on March 5. By participating, departments from across the network encouraged everyone to learn about the causes of colon cancer, screenings, and raise a general awareness about the disease. Pictured: The Cancer Services team wears blue for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Click here to view more photos from Dress in Blue Day.
2020YEAR IN REVIEW Highlights include COVID-19 Response, Inspira Heroes, New CEO, and more!
Have you seen the new Inspira Year in Review video? Produced by the Marketing and Public Relations Department, this video captures the resiliency and relentless efforts of our Inspira Health family in 2020. Watch and see what we have accomplished together for our communities throughout the region this past year. Click here to view. 7
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Recent Shout Outs from Inspira Talk “I wanted to thank my partner Security Officer William Wentz for going above and beyond this evening. Officer Wentz assisted many staff members who were having trouble getting their vehicles started or assisting them with doors that became frozen. Officer Wentz remained in the 24-degree air until at least five staff members were able to access their vehicles. It’s people like Officer Wentz that shows us all that we still have compassion for people and are willing to help those in need. Great job sir!” – Steven Felice, Security, Inspira Health Center Bridgeton
“I just wanted to say that being pulled from my Inspira Medical Group office to work in the Vineland hospital has been very humbling. I am thankful I had the opportunity to help in a time like this. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. I give it up to the hospital workers who have been working so hard through all of this. Seeing it firsthand has been an emotional and eye-opening experience.” – Anonymous
“I am an employee in Vineland and recently had surgery in Mullica Hill. I am pleased with the care I received while a patient there. The entire experience was a nice one. Even though it was the day before Christmas, the staff was great. The Same Day Surgery team, the 4th floor team, housekeepers, transporters, and Physical Therapy staff were all very professional and attentive.” – Kevalyn Corley-Tiggett, Emergency Department, Inspira Medical Center Vineland We encourage you to go to the Inspira Talk page on Inspiranet and submit your shout outs via the Inspira Talk submission form. Shout outs will be posted on the blog for all to see!