Improving Efficiency in the Operating Room
Clinical nurses in the operating room noted an increase in delays of surgery first case on-time starts (FCOTS). A thorough review revealed several contributing factors, including setting up rooms, patient not being ready, generally related to toileting, and lack of available work¬stations to complete consents in time.
Targeted interventions were aimed at increasing the number of RNs who have the skills and knowledge to build and maintain surgeon preference cards, instruct patients to arrive 15 minutes earlier and complete toileting prior to being called to the OR, and advocate for and receive additional workstations to timely complete consents led to improvements in FCOTS.
Race to Certification
As part of its commitment to the continuing professional development of nurses and in support of nurses obtaining professional board certification, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens held a “Race to Certification” contest in 2023. Nursing teams were encouraged and supported by leaders, Nursing Professional Development, and Recruitment, Retention, Recognition, Respect (R4) Committee peers to pursue professional board certification. Strategies such as weekly practice test questions and review sessions contributed to the fun and success! NewYork-Presbyterian Queens met its campus goal of increasing the percentage of certified nurses by one percent in 2023.
Interprofessional Education Reduces Fall Rates
Nurses on 6N, a 50-bed adult inpatient unit specializing in the administration of chemotherapy, noted an increase in fall rates on the unit. A review of the fall incidents revealed that bed alarms, which should have been in use, were not activated at the time of the fall. To address this gap in practice, nurses created a yellow card to be placed at the foot of the bed of patients at high risk for falls who require the bed alarm. The yellow card serves as a visual reminder that the bed alarm should be activated at all times. Nursing staff, providers, and environmental services team members were educated on the purpose of the yellow card to enhance the consistency of practice. Fall rates decreased by the end of 2023.
Going Back to Basics
Nurses played an essential role as front-line caregivers during the pandemic. In the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of clear treatment guidelines inspired emergency department nurses to “go back to basics.” Nursing Back to Basics (NB2B), a completed nursing research study by NewYork-Presbyterian nursing investigators, demonstrated a reduced length of stay and mortality rates in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who received a bundle of basic, evidence-based nursing interventions. The interventions – keeping patients in an upright position; encouraging incentive spirometry, ambulation, and fluids; and performing manual chest percussion and/or frequent change of position – were previously demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of respiratory ailments. The nurses applied the same principles to patients with the novel virus with good results.
Research findings from the Nursing Back to Basics research study have been internally and externally disseminated. The applicability of the findings to other distinct patient populations is also being considered.
Accomplishments
Publications
Pugh, S., Chan, F., Han, S., Lindo, R., Krzewski, D. G., D’Orazi, M. A., Narayanajaya, D., Gao, Z., & Norful, A. A. (2023). The impact of a nursing-led intervention bundle with a bedside checklist to reduce mortality during the initial COVID-19 pandemic and implications for future emergencies. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 53(5), 292-298.
Awards and Recognitions
External Honors
Christine Buividas, MSN, RN-BC - 1199 Nurse of Distinction Award/Nurse Leader of the Year
Joanna Banas, MSN, RN - 1199 Higher Education Recognition Award
Clinical Excellence Recognition 2023
Clinical Nurse Excellence Award
Devena Sallah, MSN, RNC-OB, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, CLC - Mother-Baby Unit
Nurse in Advanced Practice Role
Jinto John, DNP, RN, NNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner – NICU
Nurse Leader Award
Angela Augustine, MSN, RN, CNS, CCM, CMSRN, C-CDI, Manager, Case Management
Nurse Preceptor Award
Wayne Bersamin, BSN, RN RCIS, Cardiac Cath Lab
Rising Star Award
Melissa Joya, BSN, RN, 3 North
Nursing Support Partner Award
Beverly Ewers, Perioperative Turnover Assistant, Operating Room
Friend of Nursing Award
Rosie Alvarez Helena, Environmental Services
Structural Empowerment Unit Award
6 North
Daisy Awards
Q3 2023
Greg Sheehan, BSN, RN, Emergency Department
Roberta Torres, BSN, RN, 4 West
Jotika Duggal, BSN, RN, 3 North
Q4 2023
Jimmu Chau, BSN, RN, 2 North
Karen Plotsker, BSN, RN, 5 West
Quality Cup 2023
3 South
Presentations
Poster Presentations
Florinda Chan, MSN, RN, CEN; Nicole DelVecchio, BSN, RN; Victoria Santos, BSN, RN. The impact of multidisciplinary teamwork to secure patient belongings effectively. 2023: 1199 Nursing Symposium, Tarrytown, NY.