caring headlines - ecmo picnic...expo that’s scheduled for september 15th. steve: the image...

Inside:ECMO Picnic ........................ 11111

Jeanette Ives Erickson ......... 22222Recruitment and Retention

Exemplar ............................... 66666Liz Johnson, RN

Chaplaincy ............................ 88888Unit-Based Memorial Services

New Graduate CriticalCare Nurse Program............. 99999

Senior Health ..................... 1010101010Health WISE Program

Educational Offerings ........ 1111111111

Memorable Moments ......... 1212121212Ellison 14 Patient ReceivesUS Citizenship

Working together to shape the futureMGH Patient Care Services

CaringCaringSeptember 5, 2002

H E A D L I N E S

Magician, Steve Charette,and Zachary Sousa at ECMO picnic

(Photo by Abram Bekker)

ECMO Reunion:a ‘magical’ event for patients,

families, and staffSee story on page 4

September 5, 2002September 5, 2002Jeanette Ives EricksonJeanette Ives EricksonRecruitment and Retention

An interview with Megan Brown, HR representative;Marianne Ditomassi, RN, executive director to the office

of senior vice president for Patient Care; andSteve Taranto, HR manager for PCS

Jeanette: Marianne, Iknow we’re employing awide range of strategiesto market MGH Nursing;but I’m not sure staff areaware of all our efforts.Can you describe ourrecruitment initiatives?

Marianne: We really aretaking a multi-facetedapproach to marketingMGH Nursing; we’reaggressively pursuingevery opportunity torecruit new and experi-enced nurses. I think it’sfair to say we’re usingsome unique and creat-ive approaches as welltapping into some of themore traditional adver-tising venues. We aredefinitely getting theword out.

Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS,senior vice president for Patient Care

and chief nurse

(Photos provided by HR)

Megan: Perhaps the mostvisible recruitment strat-egies we’re currentlyusing are the NursingImage Campaign, theEmployee Referral Pro-gram, and the CareerExpo that’s scheduledfor September 15th.

Steve: The image cam-paign was a collabora-tive effort between nursesand Human Resources.We worked closely withthe Staff Nurse AdvisoryCommittee (SNA) tomake sure we capturedthe essence of MGHnursing. Representativesfrom the SNA were ask-ed a series of questionsto help identify whataspects of MGH nursingwe wanted to spotlight.

Nursing Career ExpoWelcome: staff nurses (all specialties),

new graduate nurses, clinical nurse specialists,nurse managers, and PCAs

TTTTTours will be ofours will be ofours will be ofours will be ofours will be offerferferferfered of the:ed of the:ed of the:ed of the:ed of the:Neurology/Neuroscience Unit, Neuro ICU,

Respiratory Acute Care Unit, CardiacArrhythmia Step-Down Unit, Coronary Care

Unit, Cardiac SICU, Cardiac SurgicalStep-Down Unit, Cardiac Access Unit

FrFrFrFrFree CEU Ofee CEU Ofee CEU Ofee CEU Ofee CEU Offerings:ferings:ferings:ferings:ferings:“Management of the Neuro-CompromisedHead Trauma Patient,” presented by JeanFahey, RN, MSN (12:30-1:30; Haber Room)“New Care Strategies: Care of the Acute StrokePatient,” presented by Mary McKenna Guanci,MSN, RN, CNRN (2:00-3:00; Blake 12 Library)

SundaySundaySundaySundaySunday, September 15, 2002, September 15, 2002, September 15, 2002, September 15, 2002, September 15, 200212:00–4:00pm12:00–4:00pm12:00–4:00pm12:00–4:00pm12:00–4:00pm

NorNorNorNorNorth and East Garth and East Garth and East Garth and East Garth and East Garden Dining Roomsden Dining Roomsden Dining Roomsden Dining Roomsden Dining Rooms

Parking provided in the Fruit Streetand Parkman Street garages

Refreshments will be served.

SNA representativestook those questionsback to their units foreven more feedback. Sowe were able to tap intoa good cross-section ofthe department. Nursesidentified attributes suchas diversity, flexibility,strong leadership, and asupportive yet challeng-ing environment as ourmost compelling recruit-ment incentives.

Megan: The result is anad campaign that fea-tures MGH nurses, menand women, new andexperienced, represent-ing all role groups anddiverse backgrounds,from within the depart-ment of Nursing andoutside the department

as well. Ads show nurses,in groups or individual-ly, holding a sign thatsays: “We chose MGH”or “I chose MGH.”

Response to the adshas been very positive.

Marianne: The Employ-ee Referral Program,which began on July 1,2001, has proven to beone of our most success-ful recruitment tools. Todate, almost one hundred

new employees withinPatient Care Serviceshave been hired as a re-sult of the program. Ap-proximately six newemployees per monthhave been hired into thedepartment of Nursing,and two per month intothe health professions.

And the referringclinician receives $1,000(taxable) gross wages.

continued on next page

September 5, 2002September 5, 2002

Steve: The Career Expowill be held September15th here at MGH, andmore expos are schedul-ed for November, Janu-ary and April (See shad-ed box on previous page).We have an extensiveadvertising plan to pub-licize the event, so we’reexpecting a large turnout.

Megan: The expo willbe advertised in:

An insert in Advancefor Nurses Magazine;67,500 issues in NewEngland (entire circu-lation); 8/19/02Direct-mail post cardto 75,000 nurses inNew Hampshire,Massachusetts, andRhode Island; 8/26/02Taxi-top ads on 75cabs in the Bostonarea; 9/1/02Mobile media on CapeCod; 9/2/02Full-page ad on backcover of On Call in theissue featuring theClinical RecognitionProgram; 9/5/02Half-page ad in TheBoston Globe’s BigHelp section; 9/8/02Half-page ad in TheWorcester Telegram;9/8/02Third-of-a-page ad inThe Boston Metro;9/9/02A tab insert in TheBoston Metro thatreads: “Find yournursing career atMassachusetts GeneralHospital;” 9/9/02Mobile media at Gil-lette Stadium; 9/9/02(and at all Patriots’home games)A special outer wrapadvertising the Nurs-ing Career Expo will

Jeanette Ives EricksonJeanette Ives EricksonJeanette Ives EricksonJeanette Ives EricksonJeanette Ives Ericksoncontinued from previous page

appear on 5,000 com-plimentary issues ofThe Boston Globe tobe distributed at highlyvisible sites in Bostonincluding MBTA stopsand high-traffic inter-sections; 9/10/02Half-page ad in TheBoston Globe; 9/15/02MGH HotlineCaring HeadlinesThe expo will be

advertised on a numberof career-search Internetsites, and an item will bedistributed via the MGHAll User e-mail system.

Jeanette: That’s veryimpressive. You men-tioned, ‘mobile media.’Can you tell us moreabout that?

Steve: The mobile mediacampaign is actuallyvery exciting, and a first-time undertaking for us.Mobile media is a large,portable billboard that’smounted on the back of atruck so it can be moved

from location to location.We’ve been displaying itat the Sagamore Bridgeon summer weekends totake advantage of thathigh-visibility location.And we plan to display itat Gillette Stadium forall of the Patriots’ homegames and at the Head ofthe Charles Regatta inOctober.

Jeanette: What a greatidea. What else are wedoing to market MGHNursing?

Marianne: We’ve beenholding interview ses-sions, called ‘Walk-InWednesdays’ since Jan-uary of this year. Anyoneinterested in applyingfor, or learning moreabout, nursing positionsat MGH can go to theHuman Resources Officeon White 14 and have aguaranteed interviewwith an HR representa-tive between the hours ofnine and five.

Megan: Having a desig-nated time for walk-ininterviews makes theapplication process more

accessible and conven-ient for many prospec-tive candidates. Andsometimes we’re able toarrange an interviewwith a nurse manager thesame day.

Jeanette: What are wedoing to attract high-school and college stu-dents?

Steve: We have a num-ber of school outreachprograms, some, wherewe go into schools andspeak or attend job fairs,and some, where studentscome to MGH for toursand hands-on experi-ences.

Megan: I’ve learned thatwhenever I go to a jobfair at a school to bring anurse with me. I’ve foundthat students have ques-tions only nurses cananswer, and it sparks amore meaningful dia-logue when students cantalk one-on-one to a pro-fessional nurse.

Jeanette: What are someof the more creative ven-ues we’ve used?

Steve: As reported inCaring Headlines, wedisplayed our “Simplythe Best” banner near theCharles Street/MGH Tstation over the July 4thweekend. We used itagain in Charlestownduring the Bunker HillDay celebration. Andjust recently, as part ofBoston’s annual “ChalkOne Up for the Arts”Festival, Megan drew achalk rendering of ourlogo on the sidewalk atCity Hall Plaza.

Jeanette: So. Are all ourefforts working?

Marianne: Our vacancyrate is significantly low-er than it has been inpast years, and we’vehired more than 275nurses in fiscal year 2002.

Jeanette: Excellent.Thank-you, all. That wasvery informative. If staffhave ideas or suggestionsabout marketing MGHNursing, whom can theycall?

Megan: They can callme at 726-5593.

Mobile mediaMobile media


ore than 250people enjoyeda reunion pic-nic on Satur-

day, August10, 2002, at Curry Collegein Milton, Massachusetts,including 50 patients whohave undergone ECMOtherapy at MGH over theyears.

The event marked the11th ECMO reunion wherefamily members and surviv-ors of ECMO therapy havehad an opportunity to gatheragain with the MGH caregiv-ers who provided their life-saving care.

ECMO—Extra-Corpor-eal Membrane Oxygenation—is a form of treatment that

uses anartificiallung andpump tosupportpatientswith acuterespiratoryand cardio-respiratoryfailure.

ECMO supplies oxygen tothe body’s tissues, oftengiving the patient that extratime needed for the under-lying disease to heal. ECMOalso helps prevent new prob-lems from occurring as aresult of the high ventilatorsettings, which can them-selves cause lung injury.

The use of the artificiallung to help support patientsis not new. The techniquewas first studied in the 70swhen it was found to be un-helpful in adult patients. Butlater, high rates of successwere reported in treatingnewborns with acute respir-atory failure.

ECMO was re-introduc-ed at MGH in 1988 for new-

Respiratory CareRespiratory CareECMO reunion a day

and relief from the

MM

September 5, 2002

September 5, 2002

(Photos by Abram Bekker)

borns. After much success,ECMO was tried in someolder pediatric patients andeven occasionally, in adultpatients. Our ECMO pro-gram currently treats 15–20patients per year at manysites throughout the hospi-tal.

At this year’s reunion,families of children whoreceived ECMO therapy hada chance to come togetherwith caregivers who haveprovided ECMO therapy forthe past 14 years.

Maureen Campbell un-derwent ECMO therapywhen she was 14 monthsold. Today, she is a happy,healthy, 13-year-old girl.Says Maureen’s father, TomCampbell, “We love coming

of renewal, refreshment,summer heat wave

to this reunion every year tosee staff and all the otherkids who’ve benefitted fromECMO therapy.”

Respiratory therapistswho specialize in ECMOtherapy, NICU and PICUnurses, support staff,social workers, andphysicians had an op-portunity to renewacquaintances withpast patients.

Children of all ageswere mesmerized bymagician, Steve Char-ette, and his amazingsleight of hand. Pic-nickers enjoyed play-ing at the craft tableand watching the ever-popular Jubilee PuppetShow, present-

ed by puppeteer, Ron Com-eau, a regular performer atECMO picnics for the lastten years.

And with this summer’srelentless heat, the swimmingpool and snow-cone machinewere a welcome treat.

Parents, children, MGH staff, and

special friends enjoy welcome

respite from summer heat at

the 2002 ECMO family reunion


Liz Johnson, RNstaff nurse, Ellison 14

MEllison 14 nurse sees dignity

in the ‘drudgery’

ExemplarExemplar

continued on next page

Educational Offerings and EventCalendar Now Available On-Line

The Center for Clinical &ProfessionalDevelopment now lists educational offerings

on-line at

http://pcs.mgh.harvard.edu

To access the calendar, click on the linkto CCPD Educational Offerings.

For more information or to register for any program,call the Center at 6-3111.

y name is LizJohnson, and Iam a nurse on

the Ellison 14Oncology Unit. For theumpteenth time that day,it seemed, I was cleaningexcrement up off thefloor. If people only knewwhat I do for a living, Ithought.

I had placed a com-mode by the patient’sbed because she had ahard time getting to thebathroom without exper-iencing incontinence.But once again, excre-ment found its way tothe floor. I checked to besure the pot had beenreturned to the commode.It was there, correctlyplaced. Why, I wonder-ed, did management ofelimination continue tobe a problem for thispatient?

I swallowed my an-noyance—I truly don’tenjoy cleaning excre-ment up off the floor—Imade sure my facial ex-pression was friendly,and got some towels toclean up.

“I’m sorry,” Ms. Lsaid. “It’s so disgusting. I

don’t know what I’mdoing wrong.”

“Don’t worry aboutit,” I replied, very con-scious of my tone. “Ithappens.”

I looked at her, browfurrowed, and my an-noyance turned to sad-ness as I thought againthat it really wasn’t herfault. No one wants tolose control of their bod-ily functions.

“For some reason,” Isaid, attempting to lookat the problem objective-ly, “you seem to be lean-ing to the right on thecommode. Do you noticea difference betweenhow you feel on your leftand right side?”

“No, not really,” shesaid.

Ms. L had neuropa-thies in her left hand andarm from leukemia in herspinal cord.

“Given the problemsyou’ve had with yourleft hand, I wonder ifyou might be experienc-ing differences betweenleft and right up anddown your body?”

Her mishap was, afterall, a perfect cue for good

nursing assessment. Ideliberately kept my tonelow key, intent on gettinginformation withoutalarming her.

“I don’t really feelany difference,” she said.

I nodded and assistedher back to bed. “Maybethe equipment just feelsstrange to you,” I said,knowing in my heart ofhearts that I would havea hard time using a com-mode in lieu of standardplumbing. “It’s not likeusing the bathroom.”

A line from a play Ihad recently read cameto mind: “Why is it thatthe idea of mopping thefloor just doesn’t havethe same appeal as danc-ing, but what’s the dif-ference, really? It allinvolves energy and do-ing something and af-fecting people.”

Why indeed? What isthe difference? Why isone associated with drud-gery and the other withfreedom? In a sense,there’s more dignity inthe drudgery.

These reflections ledme to other thoughtsabout the nature of work;my work. Why shouldn’tI mop the floor? Thereare people who engage inthis kind of activity for aliving, and when you getto know them, you dis-cover they’re complex,philosophical people,each in their own way,who derive dignity fromthe work they do, whichgives them self-worth

and builds their spirits.A short time later, I

was called to help an-other patient who neededassistance using the com-mode. I gave him a stead-ying hand as he painful-ly struggled to make thetransfer. A split secondlater, urine sprayed allover the floor.

“What’s wrong withme?” he growled testily.“I’m always doing that.”

I was struck by howreadily patients blamethemselves for thingsbeyond their control. Icouldn’t help chucklingto myself. Here we goagain, I thought.

“Don’t worry aboutit,” I said, touching hisshoulder. “These contrap-tions are cumbersome atbest. I’ll clean it up in notime.”

“Thank-you for notgetting mad,” he said.

I felt bad, thinkingthat someone else mayinadvertently have con-veyed frustration to thispatient.

“Oh,” I said, “you’vefelt as if people havebeen impatient withyou?”

He nodded, his lipspressed together.

“I’m sorry you’vehad that experience.”

Cleaning up aroundhim as he sat there tryingto evacuate in this un-natural place, in thisunnatural position, Ithought how demeaningit must feel sometimes tobe a patient. I thoughtwhat it must be like tohave to struggle to meetone of life’s most basicneeds on a contraptionnext to a big picture win-dow, while someoneprivileged to be fullyclothed and able to walkout of the building at anytime puttered about near-by.

“Mr. N,” I said, giv-ing the floor a final swipeand placing a dry towelunder his feet, “I betyou’d like to be alone fora few minutes. I’ll bestanding by the door.Just call when you needme.”

“Thank you,” he saidsimply, his tone confirm-ing my hunch about hisneed for some privacy. I


waited outside the doorand indulged in a fewmoments of reflection.What I had been doingwas not glamorous andcertainly didn’t involvethe sophisticated reason-ing and psycho-motorskills I like to think makeup the essence of mywork. However, my edu-cation enabled me tothink about the signifi-cance of my engagementin these so-called menialtasks and the opportunityto provide quality careinherent in them.

I thought about whata uniquely privilegedposition we nurses oc-cupy. Patients allow usto be a part of some oftheir most intimate mo-ments, moments thatmany of them would noteven share with a spouse,parent, or child. Themanner in which I man-age those moments deter-mines how patients feelabout themselves andhow receptive they are toreceive care from me andmy colleagues.

My professional edu-cation guided me to per-form the most mundaneactivity in such a way asto set a tone that wouldhave ripple effects be-tween the patient andother caregivers.

I heard echoes frommy very first course innursing fundamentals,which seemed like an-cient history. My class-mates and I learned thatthe essence of nursing isassisting the patient with

his immediate needs anddoing so in a way thatpreserved his dignity,fostered a sense of auto-nomy, and promoted asense of self-worth. Oncehigh-sounding words ofa value system my pro-fessors no doubt hopedthey would instill in us,these concepts floatedabout the hallway re-minding me of how Icontinue to find joy inmy profession, even inthe unpleasant tasks, andhow these concepts,learned so long ago, haveendured in spite of allthe sophisticated ad-vancements in know-ledge and technology.

Hildegarde, Martha,and Ida 0. Dorothy, IdaT, and, oh, Florence, too.Hello, wherever you are.Know that you havebecome my old friends.Thank-you for manyyears of pleasure and forthe principles that con-tinue to give me mean-ing.

ExemplarExemplarExemplarExemplarExemplarcontinued from page 6 Call for Nominations

Stephanie M. Macaluso, RN,Excellence in Clinical Practice Award

Nominations are now being accepted for TheStephanie M. Macaluso, RN, Excellence in

Clinical Practice Award. The award wascreated to recognize clinicians within PatientCare Services whose practice exemplifies theexpert application of values reflected in our

vision. Nurses, occupational therapists,physical therapists, respiratory therapists,speech and language pathologists, social

workers and chaplains are eligible.

The nomination process is as follows:

Direct-care providers can nominate one an-other. Nurse managers, directors, clinicalleaders, health professionals, patients andfamilies can nominate direct-care provider.

Those nominating can do so by completinga brief form, which will be available in eachpatient care area, in department offices, andat the Gray information desk.

Nominations are due by October 4, 2002.

Nominees will receive a letter informing themof their nomination and requesting they sub-mit a professional portfolio. Written materialson resume-writing, writing a clinical narra-tive, and endorsement letters will be enclosed.

A review board including previous award re-cipients, administrators, and MGH volunteerswill review the portfolios and select awardrecipients. The board will be chaired byTrish Gibbons, RN, director of The Centerfor Clinical & Professional Development.

AAAAAwarwarwarwarward and award and award and award and award and award-rd-rd-rd-rd-related activitieselated activitieselated activitieselated activitieselated activities

Award recipients will receive tuition and travelexpenses to a professional conference or

course of their choosing. They will beacknowledged at a reception of their peers

and family members, and their names will beadded to the plaque honoring Stephanie M.

Macaluso, RN, Excellence in Clinical PracticeAward recipients. Recipients will receive a

crystal award from Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN,MS, senior vice president for Patient Care and

chief nurse.

For further information or assistance with thenomination process, please contact Mary Ellin

Smith, RN, professional developmentcoordinator, at 4-5801.

Comments byJeanette IvesErickson, RN, MS,senior vice presidentfor Patient Care andchief nurse

Who among us cannotrelate to this narrative?You don’t have to be apatient or a clinician toappreciate the indignityof having your most per-sonal human needs be-come the center of atten-tion in unfamiliar sur-roundings at a time whenyou’re already feelinghelpless and vulnerable.Liz shows us with graceand compassion, theexquisite privilege ofperforming these ‘mun-dane’ tasks.

When you hear Liztell it, there is indeed,“dignity in the drudg-ery.”

This is a simple nar-rative but it delivers apowerful message. I joinMs. L and Mr. N in say-ing, thank-you, Liz.

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Graduate Programs InformationSession

Stop by any time between 3:00 and 5:00pm.Meet representatives from the MGH Institute

of Health Professions, and learn aboutgraduate programs in Nursing, Physical

Therapy, Clinical Investigation, and SpeechPathology, offered through the Charlestown

Navy Yard campus.

Nurses: meet faculty of the Nursing programand hear about the MSN tracks, including anew master’s degree track for nurses with

an associate’s degree or diploma.

ThursdayThursdayThursdayThursdayThursday, September 19, 2002, September 19, 2002, September 19, 2002, September 19, 2002, September 19, 20023:00–5:00pm3:00–5:00pm3:00–5:00pm3:00–5:00pm3:00–5:00pm

WWWWWalcott Conferalcott Conferalcott Conferalcott Conferalcott Conference Roomence Roomence Roomence Roomence Room

For more information, call the Office of Student Affairsat 617-726-3140 or visit [email protected]


The Employee Assistance Programpresents

“Stress Management in Today’s World”

Presented by Stacey Drubner, JD, LICSW

Seminar will educate staff on the causes of stress andhelp participants adapt coping styles to more

effectively respond to stressful situations.

September 12, 200212:00–1:00pm

Wellman Conference RoomFor more information, call 726-6976.

n increasinglyfrequent practiceat MGH, one thatcalls attention to

the importance of sup-porting one another intimes of sadness andcrisis, is the growingnumber of memorialservices being held onpatient-care units at MGH.Unit-based memorialservices are a comfort forfamilies and friends ofpatients who have died,and also for staff whoare deeply affected bythe loss.

The Thoracic Oncol-ogy Unit held a memorialservice on Wednesday,April 3, 2002, in theMGH Chapel for familymembers of patients whohad died on their unit.

Karen Sommer, RN,nurse practitioner, andthe thoracic team design-ed and participated in theservice. Says Sommer, “Ithink staff and patientsboth appreciated the re-connect. It brought asense of relief to staff tosee that family membershad been able to moveon. It was also importantfor staff to be able tocommunicate with fam-ilies in a setting apartfrom the treatment area.It allowed for more inti-mate conversation.”

The first pediatricmemorial service washeld in 1991, organizedby NICU nurses, Bern-adette Smorawski-Riley,RN, and Anne Arm-

strong, RN. Parents ofchildren who died in theNICU, PICU, and pedi-atric units were involvedin planning the program.Families who lost child-ren during childbirthbecame part of the ser-vice in 1995. The Com-fort and Support AfterLoss Team (a collabora-tion of nurses, socialworkers, child life spe-cialists, residents andchaplains, and coordin-ated by obstetrics socialworker, Fredda Zucker-man) plans the annualservice, held the firstSunday in November.

Ellison 14 has offer-ed memorial services forstaff for several years.Ellison 14 staff nurses,

Remembering OurPatients

—submitted by the MGH Chaplaincy

A

Liz Johnson, RN, andEsther Odette, RN, alongwith oncology chaplain,Mike McElhinny, organ-ized the most recent ser-vice held this past fall.Services provide staffwith an opportunity totalk, ease some of theirgrief, and better copewith the loss and suffer-ing they witness. SaysMcElhinny, “When Iarrived here four yearsago, staff were hesitantto talk about death, butrecently they seem to bemore comfortable speak-ing about it and how itaffects them. The mem-orial services have be-come an important wayfor staff to collaborateand support one anotherin our daily lives.”

The Gillette Centerfor Women’s Cancers(Gynecologic Oncology)held its first service ofremembrance on May 9,2002, specifically forstaff. Dr. AnnkathrynGoodman and clinicalsocial worker, MarieElena Gioiella, led theplanning; they hope tohold a service quarterly.Says Goodman, “Staffseem to appreciate theopportunity to acknow-ledge, in the presence ofthe multi-disciplinary

team, the joys and chal-lenges of caring for pa-tients and families. Welearn more about patientsfrom what is shared byteam members. There isno other forum in whichto discuss these experi-ences.”

The Palliative CareService holds a serviceof remembrance andhope twice each year forfamilies of patients theyhave cared for. Servicesare held in the MGHChapel, and all hospitalstaff are welcome. Ser-vices include music, re-flection, and the lightingof memorial candles.The next service will beheld Wednesday, Novem-ber 6, 2002, at 5:30pm.

The Volunteer De-partment holds a memor-ial service whenever oneof their volunteers dies.Director, Pat Rowell,organizes services asneeded.

Memorial servicesprovide a meaningfulopportunity for staff andfamilies to pray, sharememories, and help dealwith their grief. For as-sistance in planning amemorial service, pleasecontact the Chaplaincyat 6-2220.

ChaplaincyChaplaincy

(L-r): Esther O’Dette, RN; oncology chaplain,Mike McElhinny; and Liz Johnson, RN, plan

memorial service on Ellison 14


Published by:Caring Headlines is published twice eachmonth by the department of Patient Care

Services at Massachusetts General Hospital.

PublisherJeanette Ives Erickson RN, MS,

senior vice president for Patient Careand chief nurse

Managing Editor/WriterSusan Sabia

Editorial Advisory BoardChaplaincy

Mary Martha Thiel

Development & Public Affairs LiaisonGeorgia Peirce

Editorial SupportMarianne Ditomassi, RN, MSN, MBAMary Ellin Smith, RN, MS

Materials ManagementEdward Raeke

Nutrition & Food ServicesPatrick BaldassaroMartha Lynch, MS, RD, CNSD

Office of Patient AdvocacySally Millar, RN, MBA

Orthotics & ProstheticsEileen Mullen

Patient Care Services, DiversityDeborah Washington, RN, MSN

Physical TherapyOccupational Therapy

Michael G. Sullivan, PT, MBA

Police & SecurityJoe Crowley

Reading Language DisordersCarolyn Horn, MEd

Respiratory CareEd Burns, RRT

Social ServicesEllen Forman, LICSW

Speech-Language PathologyCarmen Vega-Barachowitz, MS, SLP

Volunteer, Medical Interpreter, Ambassadorand LVC Retail Services

Pat Rowell

DistributionPlease contact Ursula Hoehl at 726-9057 for

all issues related to distribution

Submission of ArticlesWritten contributions should be

submitted directly to Susan Sabiaas far in advance as possible.

Caring Headlines cannot guarantee theinclusion of any article.

Articles/ideas may be submittedby telephone: 617.724.1746

by fax: 617.726.8594or by e-mail: [email protected]

Please recycle

Next Publication Date:September 19, 2002

New Graduate Critical Care Program graduates, (back row, l-r): Nasya Watler, RN;Richard Campbell, RN; Patrick Birkemose, RN; Katie Hotaling, RN; Amy Israelian, RN;

(front row): Nicole Matter, RN; Kate Garrigan, RN; Tawnya Gannon, RN; and Kate Marshall, RN

he second class to grad-uate from the New Grad-

uate Critical Care NurseProgram was recognized

at a special luncheon receptionin the Wellman ConferenceRoom on Thursday, August 22,2002. The program, facilitatedby Scott Ciesielski, RN, andLaura Mylott, RN, is a jointeducational offering of PatientCare Services and the MGHInstitute of Health Professions.

A six-month, intensive ori-entation period that includesboth theory and practice is de-signed to give new graduatenurses extended knowledge incritical care. Participants re-ceive classroom instruction atthe IHP and unit-based, clinicalexperience here at MGH.

T In her opening remarks,senior vice president for PatientCare, Jeanette Ives Erickson,RN, said, “Ninety-eight appli-cations have already been re-ceived for the next class of theNew Graduate Critical CareNurse Program. The word isout—MGH is the place to be!”

The luncheon was an op-portunity to celebrate the ac-complishments of the new grad-uates, and to thank the precept-ors whose contribution to theprogram is pivotal. Said IvesErickson, “This occasion marksa five-year relationship betweenPatient Care Services and theIHP, bringing education andservice together to address thereal needs of our communityand the country.

Speaking on behalf of thepreceptors, Nancy Giese, RN,staff nurse on the Bigelow 13Burn Unit, shared some of herobservations of the preceptorexperience, noting the level ofconfidence she grew to have inher orientee. Said Giese, “Youhave all done a remarkable job.I just ask one thing of you asyou graduate. When you get to apoint in your careers where youfeel you want to move on togreater challenges, don’t leaveMGH. Just put on a differenthat—nurses wear many hats atMGH. And we need nurses likeyou. Nurses who care, nurseswho think outside the box. Youare the future.”

For more information aboutthe program, call 6-3130.

Second class graduatesfrom New Graduate Critical Care

Nurse Program

Education/SupportEducation/Support


Ethics Forum: A Discussion Series for the

MGH Community“Four Points to None:

Current Ethical Considerations inthe Use of Restraints”

Panelists will include:

Joan B. Fitzmaurice, RN, PhD,director of Quality and Safety

Cyrus Hopkins, MD, director of Quality andSafety, associate chief, Infection Control Unit

Christina Gulliver, RN, MS, CS,psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, Blake 11

Ellen Robinson, RN, PhD,clinical nurse specialist in Ethics, The Center

for Clinical & Professional Development

Moderator:Alexandra F.M. Cist, MD, Ethics Task Force

September 13, 200212:00–1:00pm

Sweet Conference RoomGRB432

Please bring your own lunch;beverages and dessert will be served

For more information,e-mail [email protected]

In memory of September 11thThe MGH Chaplaincy will offer a specialservice on the one-year anniversary of

September 11th. The service will includeparticipants of many religious traditions and

will be tele-conferenced to theHaber Conference Room.

Wednesday, September 11, 200211:30am–12:00pm

O’Keeffe Auditorium.

Senior HealthSenior HealthAt left: DorothyNoyes, RN, nursepractitioner forthe MGH HeartFailure Clinic,presents, “HeartHealth in 2002,”as part of aneducationalseries sponsoredby MGH SeniorHealthWISE.Presentationsare held twice amonth from 4:00–5:00pm in theEast GardenDining Room.

Keeping your heart healthyn Monday, Au-gust 26, 2002,in the East Gar-

den Dining Room,Dorothy Noyes,

RN, nurse practitionerfor the MGH Heart Fail-ure Clinic, presented,“Heart Health in 2002,”as part of an educationalseries sponsored by theMGH Senior Health-WISE Program.

Noyes spoke aboutthe risk factors for heartdisease, including: gen-der (male), age (over 65),a history of obesity, hy-pertension, diabetes, afamily history of heartdisease, a sedentary life-style, and smoking.

OObviously, some risk

factors are beyond ourcontrol, but Noyes sug-gested that individualstry to minimize the riskof heart disease by ac-tively trying to managetheir weight, diet, bloodpressure, amount of phy-sical activity, glucoselevels, and smoking.

Identifying smokingcessation and weightcontrol as two of themost important steps inpreventing heart disease,Noyes recommendedeating a diet rich in fruits,vegetables and fiber;limiting the intake ofsaturated fats; walkingand other exercises to

stay active; followingdoctors’ advice regard-ing medications; andfinding a good program/support system to helpstop smoking.

Noyes went on to saythat a high-fiber diethelps prevent the absorp-tion of fat in the body.Foods that are liquid atroom temperature arebetter for you than foodsthat are solid at roomtemperature (olive oilversus butter). A person’sideal body weight shouldbe approximately 100pounds if you’re 5 feettall; plus 5 pounds forevery inch over 5 feet(for women) and 6pounds for every inchover 5 feet (for men).

MGH Senior Health-WISE is a communitybenefit program of MGHand the MGH SeniorHealth Practice. Formore information aboutthe program, or the edu-cational series, pleasecall 724-6756.

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A moment of your time...?The Pharmacy Nursing Performance

Improvement Committee (comprised ofnurses, pharmacists, operations

coordinators, operations associates, andpharmacy technicians) has initiated a

number of changes to improvesystems for medication distribution.

The group is committed to the on-goingimplementation of changes and improvements

that support the safe and efficientadministration of medications.

This month, we will be conducting the 3rdannual staff satisfaction survey. Last year,nearly 500 nurses responded! Because somany of you gave thoughtful feedback, welearned a lot about what was working and

where continued improvementwas needed.

On September 4, 2002, surveys will bedistributed to patient care units. Please take

this opportunity to completethe survey and be an active part of

the improvement initiative.

Thank-you.

2002

2002

September 5, 2002Educational OfferingsEducational Offerings

September 5, 2002

For detailed information about educational offerings, visit our web calendar at http://pcs.mgh.harvard.edu. To register, call (617)726-3111.For information about Risk Management Foundation programs, check the Internet at http://www.hrm.harvard.edu.

DescriptionWhen/Where Contact HoursSeptember 138:00am–4:30pm

Staying on Top of Your Game: Advanced Cancer NursingO’Keeffe Auditorium

Pacing: Basic ConceptsHaber Conference Room

---September 171:00–3:00pm

CPR—American Heart Association BLS Re-Certificationfor Healthcare ProvidersVBK 401

- - -September 187:30–11:30am,12:00–4:00pm

Social Services Grand Rounds“An Overview and Application for DBT.” O’Keeffe Auditorium. Formore information, call 724-9115.

CEUsfor social workers only

September 1910:00–11:30am

Neuroscience Nursing Review 2002 (Day 2)Wellman Conference Room

TBASeptember 198:00am–4:15pm

---

September 1312:00–1:00pm

Four Points to None: Current Ethical Considerations in the Useof RestraintsSweet Conference Room, Gray 432

1.0

Nursing Grand RoundsO’Keeffe Auditorium

1.2September 191:30–2:30pm

MassGeneral Hospital for Children-Partners CME ConferenceWestin Hotel, Waltham

Up to 4.5September 211:30–2:30pm

ICU Consortium Critical Care in the New Millennium:Core ProgramVA Boston Health Care System

45.1for completing all six days

September 23, 25, 30, andOctober 1, 2, 77:30am–4:00pm

BLS Instructor ProgramVBK601

13.2for completing both days

September 24 and 258:00am–4:30pm

Conversations at the End of LifeTraining Department, Charles River Plaza

---September 258:00am–4:30pm

New Graduate Nurse Development Seminar IITraining Department, Charles River Plaza

5.4 (contact hoursfor mentors only)

September 258:00am–2:30pm

Psychological Type & Personal Style: Maximizing Your EffectivenessTraining Department, Charles River Plaza

8.1September 268:00am–4:30pm

Nursing: A Clinical Update (MGH School of Nursing AlumniHomecoming ProgramO’Keeffe Auditorium. For more information, call 617-726-3144.

---September 278:00am–4:30pm

Caring at the End of Life: a Video and Panel DiscussionHaber Conference Room

2.4October 21:00–3:00pm

CPR—American Heart Association BLS Re-Certificationfor Healthcare ProvidersVBK 401

- - -October 37:30–11:30am,12:00–4:00pm

Nursing Grand RoundsO’Keeffe Auditorium

1.2October 31:30–2:30pm

16.8for completing both days

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)—Provider CourseDay 1: O’Keeffe Auditorium. Day 2: Wellman Conference Room

October 4 and 188:00am–5:00pm

Introduction to Culturally Competent Care: Understanding OurPatients, Ourselves and Each OtherTraining Department, Charles River Plaza

7.2October 98:00am–4:30pm

Mentor/New Graduate RN Development Seminar ITraining Department, Charles River Plaza

October 238:00am–2:30pm

6.0(mentors only)


CaringGRB015

MGH55 Fruit Street

Boston, MA 02114-2696

CaringH E A D L I N E S

First ClassUS Postage PaidPermit #57416

Boston MA

riday, August23, 2002, was amemorable day

for Gaetano (Guy)Barrasso, originally

from Avellino, Italy. Sur-rounded by family, friends,and caregivers on Ellison14, Barrasso was sworn inas a United States citizenby Raymond Sleeper,assistant district directorof Examinations for theUS Immigration Office.

The ceremony tookplace in Barrasso’s hospi-tal room at MGH. Primarynurses, Judy Foster, RN,and Pam Conner, RN,were present to supporttheir patient and share in

Memorable MomentsMemorable Moments

the experience. Barras-so, sporting a red-white-and-blue hat for theoccasion, said it was anextremely emotionaland happy event. “Icould not have beenany more proud whenthe oath was admini-stered,” he said.

The Barrasso familywould like to thank thestaff of Ellison 14 fortheir kindness and sup-port, and Carol Aguja,district adjudicationofficer, for helping toexpedite the citizenshipprocess.

Ellison 14 patientreceives US citizenship

—by Charlie Ciano,operations coordinatorF

Assistant district director of Examinations for the US Immigration Office, Raymond Sleeper,swears in Ellison 14 patient, Gaetano Barrasso, as a United States citizen.

(Photo by Abram Bekker)

caring headlines - ecmo picnic...expo that’s scheduled for september 15th. steve: the image...

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