Notes on Nursing

 
Jana Stonestreet, PhD RN
Chief Nursing Executive - MHS

It has been some time since we first envisioned a newsletter by and for nursing across the Methodist Healthcare System. And here we are at last.

Winners of the “Name the Newsletter” Contest Announced

When the “Name the Newsletter” contest was launched, there was the usual thrill of anticipation among those eagerly intent on being the one to come up with just the right name. Whether it was the need to rise to the challenge, gain a modicum of fame or obtain a fabulous prize, entries from across the system flowed in, all 208 of them. However, only 23 entrants were identified.

One might wonder, “How can that be? Did people enter the contest more than once?” Well, yes and no. Several people offered more than one suggestion. However, it seems that one entrant in particular REALLY wanted to win. Denoda (Dody) Gabbard, RN at Methodist Plaza Outpatient Surgery Center, was that person. Dody submitted 179 (!) entries to name the newsletter. Amazingly, none of them were the same.  

However, volume was not the determining factor when the winning entry was selected. Nancy Tena, RN, Pediatric CNS at Methodist Children’s Hospital, submitted only one name. The winning name. Not to be outdone, and to confirm that persistence usually pays off, Dody coincidentally also entered the winning name. Therefore, the new nursing newsletter has one name, NURSENET @ MHS, and two contest winners, Dody Gabbard and Nancy Tena.

Dody and Nancy were given their choice of a season pass to Sea World of Texas or Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Both chose to receive passes to Fiesta Texas.

When asked if they had ever won a contest before, Nancy replied that she once won a radio contest for a trip to the Bahamas but never got to go. She anticipates better use out of her Fiesta Texas pass. Dody, it turns out, had actually won a contest several years ago to name the Methodist O.R. newsletter, “The Ventilator”. However, that time, she only submitted a mere 40 entries. “Once I start thinking of names, I just get on a roll”, she said with a laugh.

 The Editorial Board wishes to thank all of those who entered the “Name the Newsletter” contest for their participation. The creativity and originality that was expressed made the selection process a very difficult task. It is hoped that the name that was selected, NURSENET @ MHS, captures the essence of our purpose; to provide a positive forum for nurses to communicate across the Methodist Healthcare System

Winners of the “Name the Newsletters contest:
Nancy Tena, RN and Dody Gabbard, RN

The dates for the upcoming JCAHO 2000 survey have been finalized. For the first time, the Methodist Healthcare System will undergo a survey which includes all facilities within the system. Survey dates are as follows:

July 13-14 MASH
July 17-21 SWTMH / MCH / MMH
July 24-26 MSTH
July 27-28 NEMH

When it Comes to Managing Pain, MHS Takes the Initiative
Kathleen Reeves, MSN, RN, C
Med/Surg CNS

Pain assessment, treatment protocol and efficacy, monitoring, and documentation have all been addressed over the last few years throughout MHS. Efforts to improve pain management are now being realized through the Methodist Healthcare System Pain Initiative.  

It has taken the effort of many hardworking individuals across the system to put the pain initiative together. Agatha Nolen, RPh serves as the facilitator of the initiative. RN’s, Susan Buchanan, Deirdre Lopez-Marquez, Kathleen Reeves, Peter Tapia and Cindy Wall, have been responsible for development of various aspects of the program. Mike Nester, RPh and Dr. Dennis Pad contributed their time and effort to the project as well.

Special function teams have addressed the JACHO standards related to pain management. As a result, pain management statements have been added to MHS’s Patient’s Handbook, the patient’s rights policy, and the patient education policy.

 Handy pocket references, for adult, pediatric and neonatal populations, were developed and distributed. In addition, a patient educa­tion flyer (soon to be translated into Spanish) was created for adult and pediatric age groups.

System wide inservices about current concepts in pain management began March 27. Pain management is also slated to be added to orientation and E-day. 

Further plans include the initiation of a Pain Resource Nurse (PRN) program. Nurses will be selected to participate at a unit or department level to serve as a resource for pain management issues. PRNs will attend initial pain management training and ongoing classes in preparation for their role.

 An informative video presentation on pain management, developed by the pain initiative team, with the talents of Dr. Pacl, was used in the initial inservices and will be made avail­able for those unable to attend a formal in-service session. Physicians have also been given the opportunity to participate in pain management education utilizing the same video presentation viewed by other healthcare professionals.

My Most Memorable Patient
Dianna J. Saenz, BSN, RN
Labor & Delivery - SWTMH

Carol* watched me as I approached her bed. “Hello, Carol”, I said. She moaned and turned away from me. “I’m here to do your wound care.” As I looked at Carol, I saw tears running down her sad face. I asked her, “Are you not up to this right now?” At first, she just stared right through me and then, on her little writing pad she wrote, “Are you going to hurt me?” Her fear and dejection were palpable. I sat on the edge of the bed and invited her to “talk” to me.

Carol was 62 years old and had never before had major surgery. Three days earlier, she had surgery for esophageal cancer which left her with a tracheostomy. She could not speak, her meals were given to her through a tube in her stomach, she was afraid she would not be able to breathe, she was disfigured and she felt completely alone. In addition, her wound care and treatments were very painful.

 I encouraged her to express her feelings and concerns and tried to ease her fears by explaining every aspect of her care. I offered her pain medication in anticipation of the impending discomfort of her wound and trach care. I told her I would give her the medication, leave to care for my other patients for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the medication to take effect and then return to perform her treatment. She agreed and seemed more relaxed.

 I returned to her room 20 minutes after I had given her the pain medication. As I had promised, I made every effort to be as gentle as could be with her care. Afterwards, she embraced me with tears in her eyes. “Thank-you”, she wrote.

I was pleased to have gotten such a response from this woman who had been so fearful and withdrawn. Carol and I became closer. I will never forget the day her trach tube was removed. She stood by the hall entrance waiting to show me. As I came toward her, she grabbed my hands and swung me around to dance in the hall. I couldn’t have been happier for her.

Carol and I have kept in touch over the years. When she reached her ten year mark of being cancer free, I took time to reflect on her situation and the lessons she taught me. Carol opened up and gave me her trust. In doing so, she gave a new nurse (at the time) the confidence and courage to go the extra mile for her patients.

 It is people like Carol who teach us the true value of the good we can do for our patients. Carol helped shape me into the kind of nurse I pride myself on being. I owe my style and the way I care for people to her.

Thank-you Carol, for all you have taught me and for all the thank-yous, hugs and love you have given to me. I was only doing my job for you but, it was you who showed me what my job really means.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality  

Nurses enjoy a National Nurses Week reception.

This Newsletter is a publication of Methodist Healthcare System Nursing Department.  All Nursing Department employees are welcome to submit articles related to nursing, locally or nationally.  The Editorial Board has the final decision on submissions, including editing and condensing.  Please submit material (preferably on disk or though Meditech or Outlook) to any member of the Editorial Board or directly to Sharon Garza, 5 West, MSTH.

Jana S. Stonestreet, PhD, RN Chief Nursing Executive MHS Sharon F. Garza, RN - MSTH Editor-in-Chief Editorial Board: Orna Bailey, RN - MCH Kathy Black, Admin. Assistant Deborah Bodin, RN - SWTMH Pat Cornett, Ed.D., RN - MHS Catherine Dikcis, Medical Librarian Diane Ferguson, RN - NEMH Lucy Gabrovic, RN - MCH Linda Iruegas, LVN - MMH Debbie Nichols, RN, - SWTMH Pam Putnam, RN - MSTH Cynthia Vavala, RN - OPSC Graphic Artists\Photographers: Luis Ruiz Ben Gomez Printshop Coordinator: Alfredo Ramos

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