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 July 2010
 The 9th Annual Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice: Frontline Improvement–How to Do It, How to Lead It, How to Inform It, held in San Antonio in early July, focused on improving quality and safety in healthcare by translating evidence into practice. Dr. Katherine Stevens, Director of the Academic Center for Evidence-Based Practice at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing, which sponsored the institute, made this point vividly. “We’ve seen the reports (To Err is Human, Crossing the Quality Chasm, etc) and we’ve heard the campaigns (IHI 100K Live, IHI 5 Million Lives, etc.), so why is it 150 years after Semmelweis handwashing is still an issue?” Unless the evidence is put into practice outcomes will not improve whether the safety concern is central line infections, falls, medication errors, or handwashing compliance.
 Lisa Wike, MSN, RN-BC, Practice Improvement Director, Medical-Surgical, presented her research on the effect of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) on mortality and nursing efficacy at CVMC. Lisa stated, “there were 116 poster presentations at the conference. Not only was it interesting to see the research and EBP projects presented; but, it was exciting to share my research with other healthcare professionals across the nation. When speaking with attendees on RRT at CVMC, they were most interested in learning about our participation in the National Registry of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (NRCPR®) database. Through NRCPR®, we are able to continuously monitor and have comparative data on all emergency events. Most people were not familiar with NRCPR and planned to further investigate once they returned to their facilities.”
“Comments were also received on the high number of responses from nursing questionnaires that were received in the course of my study. When the Code Blue Committee implemented the RRT in 2005, one major emphasis of RRT education was the importance of the responding, critical care nurse to be supportive, serving as a mentor for the staff member who initiated the RRT. We knew that if the CCU nurse was not supportive, then direct care staff in non-intensive care areas would be hesitant to call for RRT assistance. As evidenced through my research, RRT is a valuable tool and most respondents stated that they were not intimidated by the RRT and half of the respondents stated they learned new skills during the event.” The RRT poster is currently displayed on the service floor outside the employee pharmacy.
Wike further stated, “one of the quotes I recorded from the conference was ‘If we continue to do what we’ve always done, we will get the results we have always gotten’ (Plesek, 2007). As the current chair of the Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council, I hope to use some of the information learned from the conference to further promote research and EBP at CVMC. We need to make it easy for direct care staff to obtain information on best evidence. EBP should make the right choice easy to make.“ Also representing CVMC at the conference was Dr. Rebecca Tart with two poster presentations: a) Let’s Get Cooking with EBP, about the interactive course the Council developed to teach staff the EBP process and b) our point-of-care team approach to nursing research. §
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES
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| Victoria Bridges, BSN, RN, Psychiatry earned her Bachelor Degree, June 2010, from the University of Phoenix. |
(L to R): Hannah Friday, RN, Emergency Department passed the NCLEX on June 4th, 2010; Emily Gray, RN, Surgical passed the NCLEX on June 29th, 2010; Karen Whitworth, RN, Medical passed the NCLEX on June 29th, 2010. All three nurses graduated from Catawba Valley Community College this past May. |
CERTIFICATIONS
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Maternal Newborn Nursing Certification: Kim Pennell, RNC-MNN, Birthing Center
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Orthopaedic Nursing Certification: Kelly Yang, BSN, RN, ONC, Ortho/Neuro
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Certified in Infection Control: Michelle Mace, MSN, RN, CIC, Infection Prevention & Control
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Radiology Nursing Certification: Heather Taylor Lackey, BSN, CRN, Radiology; Paula Stortz,CRN, Radiology
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Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Certification: Veronica McCray, BSN, RN-BC, Psychiatry Services
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Low-Risk Neonatal Certification: Holly Freeman, BSN, RNC-LRN, Special Care Nursery; Aime Whittington, RNC-LRN, Special Care Nursery
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High-Risk Neonatal Certification: Wendy Naylor, BSN, RNC-HRN, Special Care Nursery
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Medical Surgical Certification: Jeanie Muhammad, RN-BC, Medical; Miriam Smith, BSN, RN-BC, Medical; Christina Sigmon, RN-BC, Medical; Hayley Richards, BSN, RN-BC, Medical
 2010 Research Theatre ... Save the Dates. The Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council is pleased to announce the return of our annual research theatre. Mark you calendar for Tuesday, September 7th, 1700-1830, for the Dinner Theatre or Wednesday, September 8th, 0730-0900 for the Morning Theatre. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the research process from your colleagues conducting research here at CVMC while enjoying good food in a relaxing enviroment. Watch for fliers with details coming in the near future. §
Melanie Lutz, BSN, RN, OCN has been accepted into the Oncology Nursing Society Leadership Development Institute. Beginning in October with a 4-day meeting, the Institute extends over a 14-month period during which Melanie will be mentored as she develops a leadership project. Congratulations, Melanie. §
Susan Knowles, MSN, RN-BC is the new Vice-Chair for the Special Practice Group of Perianesthesia Nurse Educators for ASPAN. Congratulations to Susan. §
Marie Wimmer, BS, RN, HealthFirst
While Marie Wimmer, BS, RN is currently a part-time Women's Health Educator at HealthFirst Center, during her 15 years at CVMC she has worked as a mother-baby nurse on The Birthing Center and as the Coordinator of Women's Health Education. At HealthFirst, Marie provides a variety of educational opportunities for the community including Lamaze, infant CPR, infant care, sibling classes, baby massage and breastfeeding education. She advocates for and supports breastfeeding by assisting with breastfeeding support groups and helping new moms with breastfeeding products.
Marie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Lenoir-Rhyne University, and received her Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nursing from Jefferson Community College in Louisville, KY. She has been a nurse for over 19 years, a certified Lamaze instructor for 15 years, and a certified birth doula for 10 years.
Although not at the bedside every day, keeping evidenced-based practice a part of her every day practice is important to Marie. She believes it is essential to adequately educate parents-to-be on what they can expect as new parents and teaching best practice is important. Marie keeps up with current trends by regularly reading nursing journals relating to pregnancy and childbirth. She also belongs to Lamaze International, which advocates for EBP in childbirth and breastfeeding. Marie says that best practice as defined by Lamaze International is always considered when providing childbirth education and parenting classes. In order to provide education on what moms can expect when they enter the hospital to deliver, Marie also stays up to date on current practice for laboring patients. She collaborates with The Birthing Center as much as possible to ensure consistency with what is being taught and what is practiced on the central Medical Center campus. Marie also hopes to work with upcoming research initiatives relating to pain in the laboring patient.
In addition to her husband of 27 years and three children, the Wimmers have a golden retriever and two Bengal cats. Marie enjoys time with her family and activities including tennis, dance and theater with her daughter (16 yrs) and sons (21 yrs and 10 yrs). She also enjoys walking with her neighbors, cooking, Jazzercise, and dancing. Marie currently serves as the secretary for the community Pregnancy Loss Support Group. §
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