Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
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Pediatric Trauma Readiness
North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) is a Level 1 Trauma Center, but it currently does not cover pediatric trauma. Nearby, Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center, a Level 1 pediatric trauma center, handles pediatric cases. A recent survey of 42 OR staff revealed a knowledge gap regarding pediatric trauma cases, including equipment and procedures. In response, two pediatric trauma in-services were conducted by Cohen’s Children’s Hospital staff, with the aim of improving staff preparedness. The in-services emphasized the importance of following trauma flow charts, incorporating pediatric-specific equipment such as the pediatric trauma tray, defibrillator internal paddles, and crash cart. As shown by a follow-up graph, staff comfort and confidence in handling pediatric trauma cases improved significantly after the in-services. Moving forward, regular biannual training sessions will be implemented to update and educate staff on pediatric trauma readiness, ensuring they are familiar with essential equipment, dosages, and protocols to ensure effective and efficient care
Exploring the Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Health Outcomes
This initiative aims to address economic and social disparities that hinder access to healthcare by increasing community wellness and pursuing the Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, the project focuses on enhancing the accuracy of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screenings through the Nursing Patient Profile and tracking social work interventions. Key actions include hosting an interprofessional educational symposium, presenting findings to leadership councils, and developing a documentation tool to assess community resource needs. From May to August 2024, there was a notable increase in documented interventions, which helped identify and address SDOH needs in the patient population. Ongoing efforts aim to strengthen outpatient clinic resources and ensure continued documentation of interventions to further enhance health equity
Clean Mouths, Clear Lungs:Brushing for Pneumonia Prevention!
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) is the most common hospital-acquired infection in the U.S., with 65% of cases being non-ventilator acquired (NV-HAP). NV-HAPs may contribute to 7.3% of hospital deaths and cost approximately $39,897 per case. Evidence suggests comprehensive oral care can significantly reduce NV-HAP incidence, with one hospital observing a 37% reduction in cases. Despite its importance, oral care is often overlooked, with patients frequently lacking access to necessary supplies. A multidisciplinary approach has been initiated to improve oral care practices, including product standardization, bi-weekly education for patient care associates, and the creation of an Oral Care Champion program. Further efforts include regular data tracking and collaboration with RN managers to develop unit-specific solutions, aiming to reduce NV-HAPs and improve patient outcomes
NSUH SBT & VLOS
Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) screen & trials involve assessing a patient’s ability to breathe with minimal ventilatory support for a brief period. . If tolerated, the trial indicates readiness for extubation. Evidence suggests that routine implementation of SBTs accelerates weaning from mechanical ventilation, decreases ventilator length of stay, and improves overall ICU outcomes. Daily SBT screenings by RTs in the ICU have reduced ventilator length of stay (VLOS) by 0.4 days, leading to earlier extubation and fostering a culture of improved patient outcomes. From 2022 to 2023, the 0.4-day VLOS reduction generated approximately $22.9 million in savings, representing a 9.5% annual decreas
Quality Improvement through Cost Efficiency:PAR Optimization in Palliative Care
Cost reduction is a priority for nurse managers, and in response to a request from the Palliative Care Unit, we applied the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to optimize inventory management. We categorized items in the unit’s PAR cart based on usage and cost, identifying high-usage A items, medium-usage B items, low-usage C items, and unnecessary D items. Through data analysis we recalibrated inventory levels for a six-day supply, leading to a 24% reduction in total inventory value. Specifically, we eliminated 18 low-use D items, reducing the inventory value from 4,065.64, saving $1,285.65. We will continue monitoring inventory levels to prevent stockouts and adjust as patient needs fluctuate. This intervention represents a one-time reduction, with ongoing adjustments as needed
Creating NSUH\u27s Wellness Garden
The sustainable gardening initiative at NSUH campus, as part of the Summer of Wellness program, engaged team members while promoting wellness and morale. PFCC designed the program to meet various employee wellness needs, offering activities like meditation, Reiki, and team-based experiences. Over the season, 11 wellness activities were held, with 85 employees participating and 178 raffle entries submitted for weekly harvests. The Wellness Garden provided a peaceful environment for employees, successfully fostering stress relief and holistic well-being. Moving forward, the project aims to increase awareness and expand wellness activities focused on nutritious gardening
Breaking Barriers: A Fresh Approach to Understanding Obstacles in Nurses’ Domestic Violence Screening Pract
Domestic Violence (DV) is a significant and growing public health concern, with hospitals playing a crucial role in positively impacting patient outcomes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends DV safety screening by healthcare professionals; however, a review of NSUH EMR data for 2024 reveals only 57% compliance among nurses, leaving 43% of patients unscreened. This lack of screening prevents the identification of individuals affected by DV and hinders their access to necessary resources. To address this issue, we propose the creation of an anonymous, confidential survey aimed at uncovering the reasons for low compliance in DV screenings within the inpatient setting. This survey will inform educational interventions for nurses, drawing on systematic reviews and other evidence from the past decade, to better prepare healthcare providers to identify and respond to DV and intimate partner violence (IPV) effectively. By identifying barriers such as discomfort, time constraints, and knowledge gaps, we can develop targeted educational programming to enhance compliance and ultimately improve patient care
LIJMC Teamwork
This is a newsletter article that discusses the development and roll out of a redesigned Patient Centered Model of Care
New Pavilion Transforms LIJ Medical Center
This article discusses the opening of the new Zuckerberg Pavilion at LIJMC