Unit Council


UNIT COUNCIL & SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING 6-CENTER



Date: September 17, 2012
Time: 1100
Location: 6th Floor Conference Room
Present: Matt (Chair), Maureen, Catherine, Jennifer, Janet, Gina, Janelle.

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Call to Order: Matt - Welcome new members. Matt reaffirmed Committee philosophy of shared leadership.


AGENDA COVERED:
                       
Stryker Reinfusion System: Kaiser SFO Policy and Procedure on Reinfusions discussed and updated by Catherine and group.

Authentic Hourly Visitation: Hourly Rounding to be put into place. Shared governance will include RNs, PCTs and ANMs. Evidence-based data shows that Hourly Rounding improves professional satisfaction, improved Patient satisfaction, reduces HAPUs, reduces Falls, and reduces calllights.

Health Care Reform: Maureen reviewed this government-mandated, Medicare driven reform represented by Patient Satisfaction Surveys (HCAHPS).  Medicare will be basing reimbursements on these results starting in 2013.



Patient Satisfaction Scores:
-          “Welcome to 6 Center” pamphlet is in progress. Maureen will meet with Preop Ortho RN Christina regarding patient education on what to expect while in the hospital. CJ spoke to Dr. x about same. Frequency of vital signs, particularly on NOCs, is a big issue in patient satisfaction.
-          Welcome packets are here and stored in UA drawer. Patient response has been good so far.

Education:                                                                                                     
-          Patricia will present a short inservice for RNs on how to transfer patients from PACU to our unit.
-          Infection Control Inservice: Maureen emailed Mary Nennig, has not heard back yet.

Safety:
-          Room readiness: see “5 Questions” posted in rooms.
-          We are hoping to see the patient room curtains cleaned soon and scheduled cleaning thereafter. We would also like a policy of regular room cleaning for long-term patients. Maureen will talk to EVS management
-          Equipment Storage: There is inadequate storage space on our unit leading to tripping hazards in the Storerooms and Med. Rooms. In addition it is hard to keep track of our equipment which gets borrowed and may come back incomplete.
  1. Wendy will develop an Inventory List. list of our equipment (7 CO2 monitors with all the fittings, 2 EKG machines, 8 Telemetry boxes, 2 complete working Dynamaps (request at least one spare), portable Defibrillator, IV poles, PCA/Dummy keys (request 2nd set), etc.) This will be followed by a “treasure hunt”. A Tracking System will also be developed.
  2.  Photos will be taken of hazards in the hallways, patient rooms and storerooms. Before and after photos will be will be taken to document problems and improvement. Situations where there have been delays or near-misses due to lack of equipment will also be collected.

Safe Patient Handling: Handling of agitated, combative patients and non-violent crisis intervention will be reviewed during Skills Day. (Requested at last Unit Council Meeting)

Clarification:  Isolation cart is not needed for Neutropenic patients. Current policy is that patients with draining wounds should not be on the same side as Neutropenic patients. CJ will check if this policy applies to patients on droplet precautions.

HEROES for Safety: Pending from last Meeting: “Schmidt Plus” category of patient will be identified by yellow arm tags and their names in red on the board. Hourly rounding will be done on these patients. The UA will be involved in this rounding.

Team Building: We tossed around some ideas for team building. Supporting and comforting each other makes a healthy working environment for both employees and patients. Keeping a sense of humor is a good coping device and keeps the environment pleasant.   



Submitted by Janet, Secretary

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