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March 2012

It’s a Fiesta of Evidence-Based Practice!

During the week of April 15th - 20th, 2012, CVMC will celebrate Research and EBP "Fiesta Style." Many fun learning activities await you. This year's house wide research study will test subjects' salsa preference (served with chips) during lunch and supper times in our cafeteria. If you are at 18 years or older, employed at CVMC and not allergic to salsa or tortilla ingredients, you're eligible to participate.

Two journal clubs, on the topics of Magnet Hospitals and Palliative Care, will be offered. Deadline for registration via Healthstream is at noon on April 12, 2012.

The poster session will be held in the Jade Room on April 19, 2012 from 1130 – 1300. For the first time this year, you will have the opportunity to attend two “EBP mini sessions” in which internet resources available to you as well as levels of evidence in research will be discussed.

Take this chance to expand your horizons and learn more about evidence-based practice. Look for a "Fiesta Flier" in your department for more details on courses offerings and times. Come join us for the 2012 Fiesta of Evidence-Based Practice.

Interested in sharing your project? We want to hear from YOU!

Click here to obtain Call for Abstract guidelines: http://nursing.catawbavalleymedical.org/images/stories/toolkits/Call_for_Abstracts_2012_EBP_Week.pdf

Graduation

Andrea Flynn, (pictured left) MSSL, BSN, RNC-NIC, LRN, Special Care Nursery, completed her Master's of Science in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University on February 28th, 2012.

Lisa Yount, MSSL, BSN, RN, ACM, ONC, CPHM, Clinical Resource Management, completed her Master's of Science in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University on February 28th, 2012.

Certifications

Pa Lee, BSN, RN, CNOR, Operating Room, successfully passed her perioperative nursing certification.

Debra Kennedy, CHEM, Environment of Care Analyst, Plant Operations, successfully passed the certification for Healthcare Environment Manager through ECRI, an independent, non-profit organization that researches the best approaches to improving safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. §

CMVC Infection Prevention goes National

Three abstract proposals from CVMC were submitted for this year's APIC 2012 Annual Conference held in San Antonio, TX. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidimeology (APIC) is the leading professional association for infection prevention with more than 14,000 members. Much to CMVC's excitment, all three poster presentations have been accpeted to this comprehensive gathering dedicated to infection prevention clinical education.

The CVMC poster presentations will be on these topics:

Resistant Organisms: An Innovative Approach to Preventing Healthcare Transmission (by Alisa Leonard and the MDRO Team)
Attaining Zero Catheter Associated Bloodstream Infections in a Level III Nursery (by Andrea Flynn, the CLABSI Team and the Level III Nursery)
Success in Preventing Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections- What works? (by Starr-Nell Bowman, Joelle Calloway, Carla Macijewski, the CAUTI Team and the Medical Unit)

Please congratulate the Infection Prevention Teams and all CVMC staff that drive Infection Prevention at CVMC!

CVMC Leader completes Leadership Development Institute

Melanie Lutz, BSN, RN, ONC (Director of Oncology and Infusion Center) has successfully completed the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) program of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Foundation 2010-2011. This is a 14-month program designed for oncology nurses who want to increase their understanding of topics and skills related to leadership through the development of a project within their community, work setting or ONS Chapter.

In addition, Melanie has been elected as the 2012 President Elect for Carolina Blue Ridge Chapter of the Oncology Nurses Society. The chapter has approximately 70 members, 5 of which are CVMC oncology nurses. Congratulation Melanie on these great achievements and thank you for your commitment to excellence!

CURE Extraordinary Healer Award

Kimberly Weaver, BSN, RN, OCN (Infusion Center) was recognized in "Extraordinary Healers", Volume 5. A patient wrote of her chemo experience and recognized Kim as an “extraordinary healer.” The essay written by Kim's patient is truly touching and inspirational. (Chapter 5, Touching the Spirit, pp.121-123). §

Shelly Benfield, MSN, RN, CNW, Center for Women's and Children

Shelly is a certified nurse midwife in our Birthing Center. She graduated with her ADN in 1990 and her BSN in 1998. Shelly completed her Master’s Degree in the Science of Nursing with a concentration in nurse midwifery receiving certification in nurse midwifery in 2003. She appreciates CMVC’s encouragement and dedication to higher education and notes that her former place of employment did not place the same value on education as CVMC does.

Shelly is currently working on her Doctorate of Nursing Practice through the University of Alabama. She notes “This degree focuses on taking the known evidence and research and putting it into practice. This research and evidence will create new programs, policies, and new technologies.”

Shelly’s doctoral project is “implementing group prenatal care at Catawba County Health Department.” In 1999 Catawba County had the first group prenatal care site in North Carolina; however, the program was discontinued in 2006. Shelly emphasizes, “The advantages of having such a program are many - ranging from less risk of low weight birth infants to a decreased risk for preterm delivery as well as improved patient compliance with their health care.”

Shelly is also involved in writing a March of Dimes grant to assist in developing the group prenatal care site. She is involved in the community as well as nationally, going to New York City for two weeks after the events of 9/11 to assist with the aftermath of this tragic event. However, Shelly’s involvement does not stop at U.S. borders, she also goes to Haiti a couple times a year to work with Midwives for Haiti and New Vision Ministry.

When Shelly is not at work, she spends time with her husband Bob and their eight children. She is currently remodeling their 1962 house. “No small feat,” she adds. Shelly was without a kitchen from April 2011 until March 2012 but for a 'pro-camper' like her, that is not much of a problem. Shelly and her family go tent camping for at least a week every year, and when they go, they do not bring any food or water. On a camping trip ‘Benfield’s style’ the nourishments are obtained from the land. After studying edible plants, they literally live off the plants and berries they collect as well as fish and small animals they catch and hunt. §