Pride Stories

Clinical Nurses Collaborating to Improve Care and Prevent Infections

In April of 2018, an increase in EVD (external ventricular drain) catheter-related infections on 9F Neuroscience ICU was identified. The 9F nursing team worked closely with Infection Control and the Neurosurgery attending physicians to track the unit’s infection rate.

Data demonstrated that in the 13 months prior, approximately 13% of patients with an EVD developed an infection. In May 2018, the rate was 43%. It was determined that an intervention was needed to prevent EVD catheter related infections.

Led by Nurse Manager Jennifer Schleier, together with clinical nurses, an Infection Control practitioner, and Neurosurgery attending physicians, the EVD Catheter Related Infection Prevention Group was established in June 2018 to identify new technology that would prevent EVD-related infections.

After a comprehensive review of our data and the latest literature, the team decided replace the current EVD catheter with an innovative antimicrobial-impregnated catheter, The BactiSeal Codman EVD catheter. In September 2018, use of the new BactiSeal Codman EVD catheter was implemented. The collaboration of this team and use of the new technology resulted in a decrease in EVD catheter-related infection from 43% in May 2018 to 0% in October 2018, 0% in November 2018, and 0% in December 2018.

Submitted by Chad Goodell, BSN, RN, SCRN, 9F Neuro Critical Care   

This is just one story submitted by an Upstate nurse, which describes their pride in caring for patients at Upstate. These stories were collected and shared as part of our Journey to Magnet Designation. The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.

Upstate Nursing: The True Meaning of Teamwork

The Hyperbaric and Wound Care Center has endured a tremendous amount of staff turnover in the past year: from MOA’s retiring to our Nurse Manager accepting a new opportunity within Upstate. As a result, this group has learned the true meaning of teamwork. Where one might think that our unit could have fallen apart, everyone has reached out a helping hand to make sure all continues to run smoothly; taking on duties such as scheduling, referrals, policy writing, education and training. All while keeping the patients at the center of care and still welcoming others with open arms. One new team member said, “I love the positivity and teamwork in our unit! It makes me happy to come to work every day.” Another said she loves that together, “we are up for any task.”

Our nurses are still achieving their own goals such as CAP, certifications and education goals including BSN and MSN.  Conferences continue to be attended and staff is even speaking at our local symposium. The unit seems to have not missed a beat with so many transitions. We are proud to say our patients remain happy too, with the wound care center receiving an award of 95.1% patient satisfaction. This is a unit that put the team in Teamwork!       

Submitted by Diana M. Holstein, BSN, RN, CHRN Clinical Training Specialist and Safety Officer, Hyperbaric and Wound care center 

This is just one story submitted by an Upstate nurse, which describes their pride in caring for patients at Upstate. These stories were collected and shared as part of our Journey to Magnet Designation. The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.

Hospitalized Falls & Prevention

In May-July of 2018 6I experienced a significant spike in falls from 0 to 4 in a month, some even twice in one day. The unit shared governance committee together with our clinical trainer came up with a PDSA to figure out the best way to educate staff on falls and ways to prevent them. Education was compiled for patient care tools that needed to be implemented, i.e John-Hopkins scale, with explanation of why these tools were important to patient safety. Audits were also being done on bed alarms, and non-skid socks to make sure staff were minimizing risks for any possible fall. After three months falls went from four a month in June, to two in July to zero in August. This was a great success for our team as they felt the education and new procedures were effective and improved patient care.

Submitted by Rebecca Fabrizio, BSN, RN, CCRN
Clinical Leader, 6I MICU

This is just one story submitted by an Upstate nurse, which describes their pride in caring for patients at Upstate. These stories were collected and shared as part of our Journey to Magnet Designation. The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.

Working Together to Provide Exceptional Care

My colleague, Melissa Griffin and I are both professionally-trained American Sign Language Interpreters. Melissa and I started interpreting for a young deaf male patient who was having mental health issues.  

As an aside, I’m closer in age to this young man's mother, while Melissa is closer in age to what would be an older sister. The mother always requested my interpreting services feeling she could trust me and I was present during all patient interactions with the Psychiatrist. Over time, I felt that the young man was struggling to open up to the Psychiatrist, so I asked if it was ok to have Melissa take my place as the interpreter.

This young man connected with Melissa, opened up more to the Doctor, the Social Worker, and to his mom as well. It is an amazing transformation in this young man. He later told Melissa how much he trusts her as the interpreter (a huge step for him), and how he feels very comfortable talking to his mom, Doctor, and Social worker because of her!

I am so proud of the work Melissa did as the Interpreter in this situation to help build trust with all the parties. Any mis-trust could have easily changed the outcome of these therapy sessions. Melissa is amazing, and I am proud to work side by side each day.

Submitted by Sue Freeman, BS, CHI, Manager, Interpreting Services

This is just one story submitted by an Upstate nurse, which describes their pride in caring for patients at Upstate. These stories were collected and shared as part of our Journey to Magnet Designation. The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.

Pomp and Circumstances During a Pandemic

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Mariel Weston and I found out that five of our nursing colleagues were not going to be able to walk across the stage to get their diplomas to celebrate their graduation. One was graduating with her BSN after overcoming many personal obstacles, three earned their FNP, and one with her MSN and is continuing on as a nurse educator/FNP.

We felt that their hard work should be recognized in a meaningful way. We came up with an idea that we would throw them a "graduation ceremony/party." Implementing all social distancing rules, we mapped out the entire floor and where everyone was going to stand, including the staff who wanted to attend. Since visitors from the outside could not partake in this event in person, we took video and shared live with facetime so that their families and friends could see that their accomplishments were being recognized.

This event was rewarding on so many levels because these ladies put in the blood, sweat and tears along their journey to get their education and we were thrilled to recognize their accomplishments. I am super proud of the Adult Hematology Oncology team and the outpouring support we received while planning and hosting this memorable event.

Chelsea Bisbo, MOA, Adult Hematology Oncology

This is just one story submitted by an Upstate nurse, which describes their pride in caring for patients at Upstate. These stories were collected and shared as part of our Journey to Magnet Designation. The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.