February 2010

Grow Your Research & EBP Knowledge ... HOW?  WHY?
You can learn more about research, gathering evidence, and evaluating its validity and usefulness to your practice by participating in the Research and EBP Saturday Morning Clinic, 20 February 2010, 0800-1300.  Four interactive courses are slated for the Clinic - Let’s Get Cooking with EBP, Searching the Literature, Appraising the Literature, and Grading the Evidence.  Participants earn contact hours following class participation and submission of the course evaluation via HealthStream, and you get paid for class time as well!  Light snacks will be provided.  

Let’s Get Cooking with EBP is the foundation for the remaining courses.  This basic course will introduce you to steps of the EBP process, which mirror the research process in assessing, asking, acquiring and appraising.  Searching the Literature exposes the participant to literature search strategy beginning with the question to be answered.  Appropriate search terms are discussed and used to search the AHEC Digital Library on the topic.  Taught in the Lighthouse computer lab, students participate independently in a group setting.  In  Appraising the Literature research terminology, article components, and quantitative versus qualitative study design are discussed.  Small groups of students work together to evaluate a prerequisite reading, and then the full class ‘dissects’ the article thoroughly.  By course's end, participants judge whether or not the article is useful for practice.  Grading the Evidence NEW presents types of evidence and their corresponding evidence level utilizing Nursing’s Unique Rating Scale of Evidence (Forsyth NURSE Scale©).  This grading scale indicates strength of the evidence, and values both the quality and quantity of the evidence in the I, II, III, IV and V levels.  Small work groups, presented with articles on selected topics, then grade the evidence of each article and assign the appropriate level for the evidence.  Finally, the group determines a collective evidence grade and makes a recommendation for nursing practice, which they report back to the class.  The work groups are led by a facilitator. 

Why spend your Saturday morning with us?  Using solid research evidence to guide clinical decision making allows you to transform your practice environment and realize the highest quality outcomes for your patients.  Self-register by Feb. 18th, after checking with your nurse manager, for one or more courses of your choosing on HealthStream.  Then come grow your research and evidence-based practice knowledge with us, The Research & EBP Council.  §

 

 

Congratulations to the following nurses recently earning speciality certifications:

    • Low-Risk Neonatal: Andrea Flynn, BSN, RNC

    • Certified Emergency Nurse: Jana Hewat, RN, CEN; Stacy Buff, BSN, RN,CEN; Bridgette Olender, BSN, RN, CEN

 

 

  • Ellen Minch, RN, ND, IBCLC, a lactation consultant on the Birthing Center, was featured in the magazine Military Spouse, January 2010.  In an article by Emily McKinley entitled Breastfeeding Basics: An interview with lactation consultant Ellen Minch on page 55, Ellen gives readers "the skinny on breastfeeding." §
  • Emergency Nurses Receive Award.  CVMC's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) were presented with the Rape Crisis Center Team award to recognize their committment and service to victims of sexual assault and the Rape Crisis Center.  Among the valuable services these nurses provide are comprehensive forsenic evidence collection and prompt, compassionate care for  victims.  The award was presented to (left to right) Stacy Buff, BSN, RN, CEN; Karen Drum, BSN, RN, CEN; Danielle Thurman, BSN, RN, Angela Clark, BSN, RN, CEN by Rev. John Robbins, MDiv, CVMC chaplain and president of the Rape Crisis Center of Catawba County Board of Directors.  §
  • CVMC recognized the vital role CRNAs play in providing safe anesthesia care during National Nurse Anesthetists Week, 24-30 January 2010.  From the time a patient goes to sleep until he/she wakes up, a CRNA monitors vital signs and adjusts anesthetics as needed to ensure the safest anesthesia experience possible.  Thanks to all our CRNAs and their committment to high quality patient care.  §

 

 

Pat Benefield, MA, RN, FAACVPR, ACSM Certified Program Director, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Pat began his career in Cardiac Rehab in 1983 after graduating from Lenoir-Rhyne College.  In 1989 he completed his Masters Degree in Health Psychology at Appalachian State University, and in 1993 earned his certification as an American College of Sports Medicine Program Director.  Pat is an active member of the North Carolina Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Association and has served as an officer at both the state and national levels.  In the more than 18 years of service to CVMC, he has been instrumental in establishing the successful Cardiopulmonary Rehab Program CVMC is proud of today.

Pat believes that EBP is vital for optimal patient outcome in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.  All CVMC cardiopulmonary rehab patients receive individualized treatment plans based on evidenced-based guidelines.  These guidelines are provided by the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.  Care plans for rehab patients address exercise training, education, psychosocial intervention and nutritional counseling.  Pat says an evidenced- based individualized treatment plan provides “assessment, intervention, reassessment and follow-up care for all patients.”

Active in his community serving as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Granite Falls and as a member of the Granite Falls Recreation Advisory Board, Pat enjoys playing tennis, teaching tennis lessons and coaching basketball in his spare time.  Pat and his wife Mary Beth have two children, Emily and Will.   §

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