A Community clinical nurse specialist and the network director of epilepsy/pulmonary DRG management, are featured in an in-depth video about Community Health Network’s world-class performance in preventing ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). All of the network’s seven ICUs have gone at least one year without a VAP.
The video serves as a VHA Inc. Leading Practice Blueprint that maps out all of the steps that have been proven to lead the most effective and efficient care for VAP. Produced by VHA, the video was developed after VHA recognized Community Hospital East as a leading practice hospital for its work in preventing VAP. The video will serve to educate and encourage 1,400 VHA member hospitals nationwide to adapt and adopt these practices into their patient care patterns.
“This is the ultimate jewel in our crown of safety and quality achievements. VHA thought so and blueprinted it for all of VHA,” says Glenn J. Bingle, M.D., chief medical officer and network vice president, medical and academic affairs.
Andy Costner says his father, Mark, and his mother, Jenifer, are the inspiration for his Eagle Scout project, a healing garden at Community Regional Cancer Center-North. While Andy’s father was treated for lymphoma at Community last year, Jenifer would spend a lot of time in the waiting room during her husband’s eight hour chemotherapy treatments. Andy saw how his father’s illness affected his mother and realized he could brighten the days of other families who wait while their loved ones receive treatment, by creating a cheerful outdoor space.
“I thought the whole experience would be a little less grueling if she had a peaceful area to wait for my dad,” said Andy.
On May 9th, members of Boy Scout Troop 101 of Noblesville joined the Costner family, nurses from the cancer center, and local sponsors to install the healing garden just in time for Mother’s Day. Volunteers completed work on the garden in one day. The finished project includes a fountain, birdfeeders, benches, and landscaping.
The garden, originally intended as a space for visitors to the center, will also benefit patients. Patients receiving treatment indoors will have a view of the garden from their private rooms. Other patients who are accompanied by a friend or family member will have the chance to receive their treatment outdoors, thanks to an extra-wide concrete path leading to the garden that will accommodate medical equipment.
“Many of our patients receive four to eight hours of treatment and have few diversions to occupy them while they are here,” said Lorrie Ramsey, R.N., clinical director at Community Regional Cancer Center-North. “The garden will give them an opportunity to enjoy the view, watch the birds if they are able, take a short stroll and enjoy the outdoors. I believe it will really enhance their experience in a positive way.”
Andy has spent a significant amount of time coordinating this effort by partnering with Community Health Network and local businesses, which have generously donated materials and volunteers for the healing garden project. The project brings Andy one step closer to becoming an Eagle Scout, but it also has special meaning for him personally. “I’ll become a better leader and be able to say I’ve accomplished something that means a lot to me,” said Andy of his efforts. “And it will be a little more comfortable around the cancer center.”
The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) stated that in 2006 Americans were exposed to seven times the medical radiation than they had been 25 years before, largely due to higher utilization of CT. Reports in the medical literature and popular press are generally revising upward the risks associated with medical levels of radiation exposure.
Parents of pediatric patients may become concerned and seek clarification and further information if you recommend an imaging study that uses radiation. What can you tell them?
While the total number of CT scans has grown, the average radiation dose per exam has actually fallen by a factor of 2 to 3 since the early 1980s. The Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging has formulated a campaign and pledge known as “Image Gently”. Community Health Network and its partners have signed that pledge, and adhere to specific reduced dose scan protocols tailored for the body habitus of the child, in addition to using special shielding techniques.
Encourage parents to understand both the risk and the benefit of a CT. The risk from a single CT scan is believed to be very low but uncertain. A CT scan of the chest or abdomen equals an amount of radiation equal to three years of that received from background sources. A chest x-ray equals about 10 days of background, and an extremity x-ray is about one day of background.
The American College of Radiology has collected and analyzed data to periodically publish appropriateness criteria for imaging decisions. The CHN radiologist is always ready to consult with referring physicians to determine which imaging exam is most appropriate to deliver the needed information. They can be reached at 317-621-5369.
Visit the Image Gently website (www.imagegently.org), download and make available the information brochure “What Parents Should Know about Medical Radiation Safety” and encourage them to keep a record of imaging studies to avoid unnecessary repeated studies. Finally, use the resources available to you within the Community Health Network; the radiologist and medical physicist.
On June 10th (the second Wednesday of June), 2009, Dr. Scott Engum of Pediatric Surgical Associates, will be presenting Pediatric Grand Rounds, “The Pediatric Acute Abdomen”. Dr Engum will be discussing the evaluation and differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in pediatric patients.
Pediatric grand rounds are generally provided monthly and are eligible for CME. We provide these offerings usually on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m., in the multi-service conference rooms on the 3rd floor of the professional building. Coffee will be served.
If you have any questions about this, you can contact Dr. Robert Lindeman at Community North’s pediatric unit at 317-621-5474.
