Digital Edition of HUPdate - 11/12/2016

Volume 27

Number 23

November 11, 2016

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

“ Everything you do helps us deliver quality care on the unit.”

A HELPING HAND and

Much More

`` Regina Cunningham; Audrey Tucker; Terese Kornet, director Clinical Nursing Systems; and Katie Hopkins and Matthew J. Walker of Silverstein 11.

Nurses are responsible for direct patient care on a unit – but a bevy of supplies and equipment help them to ensure the very best outcomes for patients..This is where support associates comes in, serving as an “extra set of hands” on busy patient care units. Their work includes stocking supplies, but reaches far beyond that behind-the-scenes task. They’re each an integral part of the unit’s clinical team, supporting patient care on many levels.

“Everything you do helps us deliver quality care on the unit,” said Regina Cunningham, PhD, RN, chief nursing executive, at this year’s Support Associate Recognition Day.

INSIDE PM Experience Week: Thank You for All You Do.........2 Books Through Bars: Raising Awareness....................3 Horton Receives Case Management Award.................3 What’s Up at HUP......................4 2016 Flu Campaign Ending Soon!.............................4

In addition to acknowledging the important work of all support associates, this year’s winner of the Nursing Support Associate Award was announced: Audrey Tucker of Silverstein 11, a medical unit..

As her nomination letter noted, “When Audrey arrives for the day, she hits the floor running.”

She rounds on the unit to assist with patient needs and is often one of the first people on the scene when a bed or chair alarm goes off.

“When Audrey is off for a few days, the staff miss her presence!”

Audrey always looks for opportunities to improve efficiency and patient flow, the nomination continued. She also works with EVS to make sure rooms are clear of all supplies and prepared for the next patient to arrive in a timely manner.

When it comes to patients and families, Audrey truly goes above and beyond: “Audrey always puts the patient and family first.” For example, she learned that a patient was upset because she was in the hospital on her husband’s birthday and had not had a chance to buy him anything. Audrey went to the gift shop and purchased a watch for the husband’s birthday. “The patient was so grateful and shared some tears of joy with Audrey. She said, ‘No one has done anything like this for me, this is why I love Penn.’”

“This is for all support associates,” Audrey said while holding up the award. Noting that she started her HUP career in EVS, she said, “Always take pride in what you do — even if it’s pulling trash or sweeping — and you’ll come out on top!”

CONGRATULATIONS to the nominees for this year’s Nursing Support Associate Award: Brenda Franks............................................ Rhoads 1 Desonia Mapp......................................... Founders 8 Yvonne Mapp.............................................. Rhoads 7 Michelle Scott........................................... Rhoads 3

Anita Shaw............................................ Founders 14 Bernadine Sisco ..................................Silverstein 7 Audrey Tucker.....................................Silverstein 11 Marlise Wilmore .................................Silverstein 8

1

`` Chris Cullom, assistant executive hospital director (l) and CFO Joe Huber passed out “Changing Lives” candy bars to employees to start off PM Experience Week.

Thank You

`` Helping to scoop out ice cream were (from left) Mauri Sullivan, clinical director; Denise Mariotti; and Joanne Miles, controller.

PM EXPERIENCE WEEK:

FOR ALL YOU DO!

Every day staff work hard to deliver high-quality patient care. During last month’s Penn Medicine Experience Week , HUP showed its appreciation, going all out to celebrate its employees. “Everyone contributes to the patient experience,” said Tonita Chapman, director of HUP Admissions. “We really are changing lives … even by just smiling at a patient.”

The celebration started on Monday morning with leaders handing out “Changing Lives” candy bars to employees arriving for work and ended on another sweet note on Friday, with an ice cream social. Leaders — wearing “soda jerk hats”— scooped out ice cream to more than 800 employees, staff and residents! The week also included aromatherapy hand massages, fitness/wellness tips, and Donate Life organ registration. And employees received “Changing Lives” blankets.

“Our employees are our greatest asset,” said Denise Mariotti, CHRO. “Setting aside an entire week to focus on what all of our staff do for our patients every day reinforces how much we value what each and every person contributes to make Penn Medicine great for our patients and a great place to work.”

`` Staff on Silverstein 10

2

BOOKS THROUGH BARS:

ED U C AT I N G AND RAISING AWA R EN E S S Books Through Bars helps a population that society rarely thinks about — those who are incarcerated. Each week the organization distributes hundreds of free books and educational materials to prisoners in Pennsylvania and several surrounding states.

Last year alone, Books Through Bars mailed over 24,000 books. It also works hard to raise awareness and a better understanding of this population.

“These individuals want to pursue opportunities to improve their life,” said Greg Richter, a senior medical communications officer who has volunteered for the organization for the past two and a half years.

“It’s good for the individuals and it’s good for all of society.”

Richter explained that Books Through Bars sends books in response to letters from prisoners. “Some request specific titles while others write about topics they like,” he said.

Generally, each prisoner receives from two to five books. Richter also donates brown paper bags from supermarkets, which are used to wrap the books. To save even more money, they’re shipped at bookseller rates.

Richter volunteers a few times a month, working with a diverse group of people.

“I’ve never seen volunteers from so many

unique populations integrate so easily,” he said.

“Everyone is equal in value and embraced by everyone.”

He’ll put his Penn Medicine CAREs grant towards the purchase of health-related books and texts. “Thanks to this CAREs donation, countless individuals in prison will be empowered to take a renewed commitment to their overall health when there are otherwise very few resources available to them.”

Communication with prisoners is strictly one way — no one responds to individual letters — but the organization sends out surveys to inmates who have received books. Feedback shows the program’s tremendous impact:

• “I’m glad there’s an organization out there

like yours, because it keeps people like me striving for more.”

• “I would like to thank Books Through Bars for all you guys do for inmates. You allow our minds to travel the globe while our bodies are held captive and there are not words that can explain how grateful I am for that.”

• “Books keep me awake, sharp and at

peace. Without Books Through Bars I have nothing.

• “The word prisoner allows people to have a preconceived notion about who we are/I am … but in all actuality a lot of us try to educate ourself so we can be successful and provide for our family … The educational books that Books Through Bars sent me have really made a difference.”

To learn more about Books Through Bars, go to http:booksthroughbars.org/.

Horton Receives Case Management Award Congratulations to Crystal Horton, RN, BSN, Clinical Resource coordinator of Clinical Resource Management & Social Work who received the department’s first annual Nurse Case Management Service Excellence Award.

According to coworkers on Rhoads 4, Horton is a staunch and proactive patient advocate.

She has coordinated free transcontinental air ambulance transportation to reunite a patient with her family, and was able to secure rent control for a disabled patient by petitioning the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

“Her knowledge of discharge planning and utilization reviews is exemplary. She is an excellent teacher and a resource for all case managers.… She has an infectious energy,” said one person.

Added another, “Her overall experience, knowledge, and commitment demonstrate the highest internal standards and devotion to hard work so valued among nurses in the case management profession.”

3

at WHAT’S

UP HUP?

`` Helena Conn

`` Colleen Chancler

`` Romiecka Williams

`` Paul Williamson

`` Nikeyia Bardlavens

QUESTION: Do you have an annual Thanksgiving Day tradition?

When my nephews were little,

My older brother cuts the head off the

No unique tradition. Just like other

after dinner when they were bored,

butter turkey in a comical fashion and

families, we get together and

I’d take them to the Wawa and 7-11

makes us all laugh. I have to make

reflect and thank God for the year.

to buy bags of junk and slurpies.

sure I have one every year!

— Paul Williamson of Laundrey-Linen

Now they’re in their 30s, but we all

— Colleen Chancler of Physical Therapy

still jump in the car and do it!

— Helena Conn of General Medicine

The Thanksgiving tradition is that

I always make sure dinner is ready

everyone comes to my house

by 5. I know how I feel when I go

to eat up all my food!

to people’s houses and they’re still

— Nikeyia Bardlavens of Derm Pathology

preparing food.

— Romiecka Williams of Security

2016 EMPLOYEE FLU CAMPAIGN ENDING SOON!

Over the past seven years, more than 98 percent of HUP and UPHS employees have been vaccinated for seasonal influenza. Getting the flu vaccine reduces the risk of illness for our staff and helps keep our patients, colleagues, and families safe and healthy. Penn Medicine has been recognized by the State of Pennsylvania for this key patient safety initiative.

The 2016 Penn Medicine Employee Flu Campaign is an opportunity to continue our achievements. All staff must be vaccinated by November 23, 2016.

Vaccine for staff and attending physicians is still available from designated nurses in most inpatient units and many practices. In addition, flu vaccine is available 7:30 am to 5 pm from Occupational Health nurses on Ravdin 2. To ensure minimal waiting times and rapid documentation, bring your bar-coded Influenza Vaccine consent form, available on the UPHS Homepage link: http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn.edu/employeehealth/. Egg-free vaccine is available for egg-allergic employees. High dose vaccine is available for staff 65 and older.

If you choose to be vaccinated outside UPHS this year, please send your documentation to HUP Occupational Medicine with a copy of your bar-coded form to make sure you get timely credit. Documentation of outside vaccines can also be emailed as a PDF to OccupationalMedicine@uphs.upenn.edu

4

HUPdate EDITORIAL STAFF Sally Sapega Editor and Photographer Lisa Paxson Graphic Designer

ADMINISTRATION

Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Holly Auer Director of Communications CONTACT HUPDATE AT: 3535 Market Street, Mezzanine Philadelphia, PA 19104 phone: 215.662.4488 fax: 215.349.8312 email: sally.sapega@uphs.upenn.edu HUPdate is published biweekly for HUP employees. Access HUPdate online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/hupdate.