March 2021
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
See more information about the Engagement and Safety Pulse Survey on page 2.
Inspira Celebrates Employees Inspira celebrated National Nurses Day on May 6 and Healthcare Employee Appreciation Week from May 10-14. The Inspira galaxy is made up of more than 6,000 stars, the extraordinary staff that goes above and beyond every day for our patients, community, and each other. To show a token of appreciation, Inspira provided staff with grab and go meals from Chick-fil-A and an Inspira branded bookbag/messenger bag. To view photos from the celebrations, click here.
Professional Achievement Barbara Conicello, R.N., lead administrative nursing supervisor, Nursing Administration, Inspira Medical Centers Vineland and Elmer, was selected by the immediate past president of the New Jersey Emergency Nurse’s Association as the recipient of the 2021 NJENA President’s Award. This award is presented to one individual who has made an exceptional impact during that Past President’s term. Barbara was selected for her instrumental role in guiding the NJENA’s activities during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.
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DAISY Award Winners ELMER
MULLICA HILL
Nicole Sparks
Sayda Dunlap
R.N., 2 East
“Nicole is very thorough and knows her patients well. She is very empathetic and truly cares about her patients.” – Wissam Zaeeter, M.D. “Nicole has been with Inspira since 2004. She was per diem and then became full time on 2 East. Currently she is a Safety Coach and is a very effective patient advocate. Nicole is a resource and mentor for less experienced staff and is a wonderful preceptor. She recently started a master’s program at Wilmington University in leadership and is nationally certified in Medical Surgical nursing. Nicole is already a leader on our unit, and I believe that one day she will be an effective member of the leadership team at Inspira. Patient care is her passion and I receive many positive comments on the care that she provides her patients. They tell me they feel safe under her care and that she is kind, caring, and compassionate. Her co-workers see her as a team player, a great clinician who never leaves anything undone, and as the one who always wants to know how she can improve care for all patients on the unit. Nicole educates her patients to improve their care once they return home in their community.” – Kay Fogg, nurse manager, 2 East
R.N., Pediatric Emergency Department, “I am a Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) employee who had the pleasure of working with Sayda on one of our cases. She was very polite and professional over the couple of days that our clients were in the hospital. She went above and beyond to ensure that the twin boys were comfortable and cared for. She was very attentive and expressed empathy with not only her patients but the countless DCPP workers who sat by the boys' side. She provided the boys with plenty of food, drinks and even games to keep them busy. She attended to their every need and never once seemed to get annoyed even when she was very busy with other patients. Sayda definitely went above and beyond her title of an R.N. She was very compassionate, caring and patient. She stood out to all of the other nurses and should definitely be acknowledged and praised for her hard work and dedication.” – DCPP Employee “Sayda was so kind and gentle with my son! He is 4 years old and has a sensory processing disorder and she knew exactly how to talk to him and get him to do what she needed him to do. She was excellent and made me feel very comfortable.” – Patient’s Mother
VINELAND
Kelly Sergio,
R.N., Pediatric Emergency Department, “I brought my daughter Addison into the Pediatric ER because she hadn't eaten for two days, lost weight, was breathing heavy, and couldn't really talk. Kelly walked right into the room and asked me if I smelled the "fruity smell". She then told the nurse helping her to take Addison's blood sugar as she thinks she has diabetes. Addison's sugar was 414. If it wasn't for Nurse Kelly having the training she has and knowing that diabetes can exhibit with a fruity smell, Addison wouldn't have been diagnosed as quickly as
she was. She was so supportive during this now life changing diagnosis. Due to her training and knowledge we were off to Nemours Dupont in no time. A few months later, Addison fainted and had to go back to the ER for stitches in her lip. Nurse Kelly was there and as soon as she saw us she came over to make sure Addison's sugar was ok and to see how Addison was doing. To this day I talk about how Nurse Kelly walked into the room, smelled Addison's fruity smell, and knew to check her sugar. I will forever be thankful to Kelly for having the knowledge to take care of my baby girl.” – Patient’s Mother
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Congratulations to our
Leaders of the Quarter Compassion
Compassion
Martina Robinson, manager, Employee Health
Sandra Lovelace, assistant nurse manager, 5 Acute, Mullica Hill
“Tina has been working endlessly with setting up and organizing the vaccine tent in Mullica Hill. She has worked to train staff from our department to assist. She has been so dedicated to this cause and making it run as smoothly as it does. Tina has shown extreme dedication to the organization and smooth running of the vaccine tent. She was compassionate and patient with training those from our department and you can see how much this means to her.”
“Sandy is always the "go to" person. She is always willing to jump in and go above and beyond. She is truly the example of a leader. Anytime she talks to a patient, they are always left feeling cared for, heard and valued. You can't teach empathy and compassion, and Sandy truly is an asset to our culture. I believe she doesn't receive the recognition she truly deserves. She has angel wings under her scrubs and truly holds her patients in high regard. She is a true role model and an inspiration to others.”
Quality & Safety
Compassion
Mark Chapman, manager, Ground Transport
Paula Szymanski, manager, Inspira Medical Group Primary Care Tomlin Station
“Mark leads by example and is always available to discuss issues or just to talk. His door truly is always open. Leadership is a state of mind, not a position. Mark has continued to display both management and leadership. Mark has no fear and continues to make sure that everyone working under him is doing their job well. Mark doesn't micromanage and allows the staff to advocate within their own sections. He will interject when needed, or approve or deny ideas, but ultimately, he allows you the free will to do your job and do it well.” Inspira’s values: Quality, Partnership, Empowerment, Integrity, Stewardship, Compassion
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“Paula has demonstrated amazing compassion and dedication to our patients, staff, and providers during the past year. During COVID we needed to close our Centerton office and consolidate with our Tomlin Station office. Paula welcomed this with no hesitation. In addition, we had deployed clinical staff to the hospital. Paula worked long hours, never complaining, and made sure all of our patients between both practices were accommodated. She kept her practice and patients safe. And when things got tough, she uplifted her staff and stayed positive. She truly cares for her staff, providers and our patients. We are lucky to have her.”
Inspira Health Foundation Names Peter Kaprielyan as Chief Development Officer The Inspira Health Foundation Board of Directors has approved Peter Kaprielyan as the new Chief Development Officer.
ship in our very own Vice President of Business Development A 20-year Inspira veteran, and Planning, Clare SapienKaprielyan will been lead fundza-Eck, who has promoted raising and philanthropic to a new position: Chief Strategy
initiatives. He will continue to serve as vice president, Clare has dedicated more Government Affairs andthan 25 years of her career to InspiExternal Relations, until a new ra, demonstrating innovative government relations leader thinking, a deep is recruited. It isunderstanding anticipated of health care, a passion for Kaprielyan will transition govgrowth, and a true commitment ernment relations by end to our organization. Shethe holds of the year. a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pennsylvania and A veteran of theCare health Master of Health Administration and Master of Health care industry with decades Care Finance from Temple
of experience in fundraising, Kaprielyan previously served as vice president of Organizational Improvement and Philanthropy at UnderInspira. wood-Memorial Hospital, prior to its merger to become Today, Clare touches so many Inspira of Health, as well and as the aspects our network, in executive director of its this new role, she will focus on foundation. He also held advancing strategic initiatives several development and to drive long-term growth for Inspira, including new investadvancement positions at ments, partnerships and other hospitals and medical business colleges opportunities. throughout the Alongside region. the full executive leadership team and the Board of Trustees, she will be “Peter’s vastfor experience responsible overseeing the throughout his distinguished development of system-wide career in health has strategic prioritiescare to advance benefited our organization our mission of improving the lives of our communities. immensely over the lastThese sevinclude our continued trajectory
eral years,” said Amy Mansue, president & CEO. “His leadership has been an invaluable asset in establishing relationships with key stakeholders successfully achieved many mileacross the region.” stones — most recently, master
“Connecting with communiment of Inspira Medical Center ties to help advance health Mullica Hill. She has developed care and support our patients and overseen multiple hospital has been such a fulfilling consolidation and expansion projects; the establishment of experience,” said Kaprielyan. new access points; andto an over“I’m looking forward all expansion ofinto our service stepping back this area in South Jersey.role,” he added. development
“As we look to the future of
Her expertise, guidance and Inspira Health, I’m energized ingenuity have helped lay the by the support our comgroundwork for aofsuccessful munityfor and look Let’s forward to future Inspira. congratuwhat’s to come.” late her on this new role, as she helps further solidify our path to continued growth.
Inspira Celebrates World Hand During World Hand Hygiene Week (May 5-9) Inspira Hygiene Week highlighted the importance of practicing good hand
hygiene every day to create a safe environment for our patients and one another. As a High Reliability Organization (HRO), safety is our number one priority, and one of the most effective actions we can take to reduce infections is practicing hand hygiene to achieve zero HAIs (health care-associated infections). Throughout your day, remember to take that STAR moment to wash your hands and ARCC up to managers if you find your peers not practicing hand hygiene. We must always put safety first and practicing good hand hygiene is an effective action that can make a difference for our community.
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Inspira Nurse Bev Lippincott Finds ‘Complete Circle of Care’ During COVID Illness and Extended Recovery Bev Lippincott has always had great respect for the managers and coworkers on her nursing unit at Inspira Medical Center Vineland. That respect grew to departments and employees throughout the hospital and ambulatory locations when she became a patient earlier this year. Bev found herself surrounded by a team of people fully committed to her recovery.
"A complete circle of care, …[everyone] went out of their way to help me," said Bev. I love Marilyn at the front desk in Vineland. Anything you ask, she knows the answer or figures it out. I got a chest x-ray at Delsea imaging -- they were 100 percent amazing. Raquel in Employee Health is awesome! She deserves a gold star." After a COVID-19 false alarm in May of 2020 (it was a sinus infection), Bev started to feel ill at the end of a shift on January 19. She contacted Employee Health and was tested before going home that morning. Neither Bev nor her manager expected the test to come back positive, but it did. Over the next few day, fatigue, shortness of breath, an intense headache, and a loss of smell and taste set in. Simple daily activities became difficult. "Thank God I had my husband for support. I had a headache for 10 days, the worst headache I have ever had. Even with my husband's help, I had to take breaks when showering; I had to use a shower chair." Although Bev managed to avoid an inpatient admission, there were moments when she thought she might need to be hospitalized. She credits three telehealth visits and the support of Employee Health with keeping her at home and out of the hospital. She rested at home for almost three weeks, slowly feeling better as the days passed. On February 7 – 20 days after taking ill -- Bev attempted to go back to work.
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"I tried to go back, I told them [Employee Health] I thought I was ready, but only worked two days. Then I had to go out [again]; I slept for 2 and 1/2 days."
At the recommendation of Dr. Evelyn Balogun, medical director of Employee and Occupational Health for Inspira, Bev enrolled in Pulmonary Rehabilitation shortly after her attempt to return to work. Dr. Balogun was concerned that Bev was still experiencing shortness of breath even with the regular use of an inhaler. The Pulmonary Rehab team encouraged her and was fully in tune with her physical well-being. They were committed to helping her improve her pulmonary function and stamina so she could successfully return to her job as a nurse on the Surgical Step-down Unit.
“They were so helpful,” said Bev. “I can’t say enough about each person.” And the Pulmonary Rehab team was focused on more than just Bev’s lungs. They knew she had a shoulder injury and were careful that she only used equipment, such as a treadmill and stationary bike, that would not aggravate this condition. The team was also focused on simulating work conditions to ensure Bev would be successful when she returned to her unit. "They had me walk on the treadmill with an N95 [mask], and they kept me in rehab while weaning me off the inhaler. How great is that? They said, 'How do we know you won't desaturate when you are off the inhalers.’ Bev was also comforted by her managers who encouraged her to take the time she needed to recover at home. They made it clear that her top priority should be getting better, not getting back to the unit.
“I am so fortunate; I have the best managers. Every place I have gone in the system, I love it. It makes me proud.” Bev completed her pulmonary rehabilitation in early March and returned to work for about six weeks before taking time for shoulder surgery in April. She no longer has shortness of breath and regularly takes 3-mile walks, three times a week. Although eager to get back to work, that will have to wait a little longer. Bev will soon begin an extended of course of physical therapy for her shoulder, where she will once again enter that “complete circle of care” on her way to full recovery.
Congratulations Employees of the Month! Partnership
Quality & Safety
Tracy Sansweet, clinical informatics specialist, Information Systems, Bridgeton
Veronica Dixon, therapist, Respiratory Therapy, Vineland
“While reassigned as a Communication Liaison in the Vineland ED, Tracy not only fulfilled the role, but she leveraged her informatics skills to provide the Patient Relations team with tools and ideas based on her experience. She also built relationships with the Care Coordination and ED teams on behalf of Informatics. She made a great impression.”
Integrity Rex Penamante, nurse aide, 4th Stepdown, Mullica Hill
“Rex delivers a Wow experience to our patients every time. He is a positive problem solver and a quiet, hard-working employee. He doesn't ask for anything, complain or call attention to himself - he just works hard and consistent. Rex has been a positive influence on his unit and strives to provide the highest quality care. He is a superstar!”
Stewardship Kaitlyn Slusser, receptionist, Inspira Medical Group Primary Care Woolwich “Kaitlyn is extremely valuable in providing back up support for her peers, providers and manager. Kaitlyn is very confident in handling any situation. She often comes up with new ideas and helps other staff members without being asked. Kaitlyn strives for excellence and is strongly motivated to fulfill her responsibilities. Kaitlyn is a true asset to her office.”
Partnership Tonya Phillips, office clerk, Sicklerville Imaging “Tonya has proven herself as a valuable asset to all of Ambulatory Imaging. She always makes sure everything for the patient is obtained and correct before the patient walks in the door. The patients, staff and physicians know they can count on her.”
“Veronica is always willing to help her colleagues in any situation. She does it without hesitation and with a “can do” attitude. She is always happy and caring with her patients and always puts the patient first. Veronica is a wonderful person to work with and a great part of the Inspira team.”
Compassion Arielle Irvin, social worker, Mental Health, Woodbury
“Arielle provides great, compassionate care to our patients. She's a patient advocate and strives to provide the best care to our patients and their families. She is compassionate with her coworkers, always willing to lend a helping hand or lend an ear. Arielle is supportive to her colleagues and always willing to assist in any way she can.”
Stewardship Amanda Bowers, clinical technician, Laurel Springs Urgent Care “Amanda took ownership of scheduling and running additional BAT classes – assisting the Occupational Health team in the rapid completion of classes. This allowed staff to provide excellent service! She takes ownership of not just the class and training, but also maintains inventories for urgent care and assists team members in providing an excellent experience.”
Compassion Sarah Martyn, R.N., LIFE
“Sarah is a hard worker. She is very compassionate in her work and with the participants she serves. She often goes above and beyond to assist the participants with their care needs as well as her co-workers. Sarah is a true team player.”
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VINELAND 2 EAST
Learning Boards During the daily huddle, Inspira Vineland 2 East does a look back and look forward and discusses safety. Within seven minutes, the team is able to discuss the days since the last Serious Safety Event (SSE), CAUTI, CLABSI, and falls on the unit. There is an update on bed alert status as of the 5 a.m. census, staffing is reviewed for the day and reminders of non-negotiables and maintaining unit readiness is shared. The safety tool of the month is reviewed, and the team is provided time to review safety issues or concerns they may have. Staff are asked if they have the supplies and equipment to do their job. The team recognizes staff for recent Wows or thank you cards and read them to begin the shift. The team also looks over their Learning Board and gives updates on progress. One of the recent items in the green or “solved” section of their Learning Board is the Sunshine Raffle. The Sunshine Raffle was an idea placed on the Learning Board by Priscilla Jones, R.N. Priscilla wanted to boost staff morale on the unit when the team was going through their second COVID-19 surge. She suggested that staff bring in yellow items that can be raffled off every Friday for both shifts. She stated, “Yellow is a happy color and when people win something it helps to put a smile on their face.” 2 East has been doing this raffle for over a month now, and the staff really look forward to having a chance to win something yellow.
“The team has been having a lot of fun with this and the staff have really bought into this idea and we are constantly receiving yellow items to be raffled off on Friday’s. We also posted our action plan items for the Engagement and Safety Survey on our Learning Board so that we can keep these items at the forefront. It’s a great way to keep all staff up-to-date on our plan and how we our progressing. Staff appreciate seeing how items are moving across the learning board to solved.”
Pictured: Veronica Perez, nurse manager, 1 East & 2 East, Ideana Hunter, ANM, Autumn Roberts C.N.A., Susan Widdifield. MT, Yani Patton. R.N., Priscilla Jones, R.N., Valerie Greene, R.N., Krystal Smith, R.N., Jasmine Vickers, R.N., Laura Emmons, R.N., and Kristen Yeager, UC.
- Veronica Perez, Nurse Manager, 1 East and 2 East
ELMER MATERNITY
The Maternity Department at Inspira Elmer keeps safety top of mind during their Daily Huddle by beginning their huddle in front of their Learning Board. They begin by reviewing the days since the last patient safety event. The team does a review of the current census, discuss all patients on the unit and any safety concerns that could impact the patients’ and employees’ safety. They review department and network updates and end with a review of the Learning Board. As a department they discuss new (red) concerns on the board, a high-level update on the working (yellow) section of the board and celebrate the solved (green) section of the board. The department recently received new paint in the patient rooms, and as a result of the renovations, the team added new ideas to the Learning Board. In the working (yellow) section of the board is a project to update the crib cards and whiteboards to enhance patient experience. A recent item that landed in the green section of the Learning Board was related to COVID testing. The unit is now doing outpatient COVID testing when patients come in for their non-stress tests to prevent testing while the patient is in active labor – ultimately improving patient satisfaction. Karin Abbey, assistant nurse manager shared, “It is very helpful to have a visual to see the improvements on our unit - the Learning Board makes staff feel like their voices are heard.”
Pictured: Karin Abbey, assistant nurse manager, Karen Caughron, R.N., Ricci Reeves, R.N., and Elizabeth Porras, scrub tech
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Zero
MULLICA HILL
SafetyStory This safety story is from Beth Elwood, Administrative Coordinator of Cancer Services, and highlights an employee safely caring for our patients using the 10/5 rule and providing a Wow experience.
Audrey McKeon, Coordinator & Safety Coach, Cancer Services, Inspira Medical Center Vineland
“Audrey McKeon, Coordinator and Safety Coach of the Cancer Center, noticed a patient walking towards the second floor lobby in Vineland. Audrey asked the patient if she needed help, since the patient was walking very slowly with some difficulty. When the patient turned down the offer of a wheelchair, Audrey went the extra mile, asking the patient if she was sure. Audrey offered to push the patient wherever she needed to go in the hospital next and did her best to put the patient at ease. Then, Audrey asked all the patients in the lobby (there were a few people there at the time) if there was anything she could get them. While no one took her up on her offer of help, you could tell everyone appreciated the thought and consideration that went into Audrey asking. All of this only took a couple minutes, but it was a Wow moment for me to see firsthand how Audrey put numerous patients at ease with a smile and a caring attitude.”
Safety Tool of the Month: Peer Check
Peer check is simply watching out for each other Peer check each other’s work and be willing to be “peer checked” – and be sure to thank them for doing so!
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