Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Spring 2020

Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Critical Care Unit (CCU) is the recipient of a coveted national award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The CCUmet the evidence-based criteria for leadership, staff engagement and patient outcomes to earn a bronze Beacon Award for Excellence. “These dedicated health care professionals join other members of our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care,” says AACN President Megan Brunson, MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN-CSC. “Receiving a Beacon Award for Excellence demonstrates a team’s commitment to providing safe, patient-centered and evidence-based care to patients and families.” Earning top honors “We do a really good job of patient care. We have low rates of hospital-acquired infections, good patient outcomes, a great team and lots of support,” says CCU Director Audrey Rasmussen, RN. It took a better part of a year to submit the data to the AACN for the award. “They look at work- place environment, evidence- based practice and shared governance,” she says. “Creating healthy and supportive work environments empowers nurses and other team members to make their optimal contribution,” Megan says. CCU nurses must be able to deal with life-threatening scenarios at any time. “The CCU nursing staff is excellent. They excel at managing cardiac and critically ill patients. They pay attention to details and expertly handle emergencies. What I’m most impressed by, though, is their attention to details. In addition to the medical side, they work well as a team and go the extra mile for patient care. Sometimes it’s the little things like getting a cup of coffee or a warm blanket that really impress me. It is a great work environment where the patient always comes first,” says hospitalist Matt Taintor, MD, who serves on the Bartlett Critical Care Committee. Team players The feeling is mutual, between nurses and the relatively new physician hospitalist program with which Dr. Taintor works. Liesl Bland, RN, has been a nurse at Bartlett more than 21 years—15 of those in the CCU. Over the years, she has seen significant advancement in patient care toward a “full team approach,” now with physicians on-site, pharmacy services and respiratory therapy available 24/7. Audrey has worked most of her 18 years at Bartlett in the CCU, and has served as director for the past four. Nurses attracted to critical or intensive patient care tend to appreciate the focus required. “I like to know what is going on with my patients, their history and their family,” says Audrey, “to see if I am making a Spotlight on excellent patient care “Receiving a Beacon Award for Excellence demonstrates a team’s commitment to providing safe, patient-centered and evidence-based care to patients and families,” says AACN President Megan Brunson, MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN-CSC. HOSPITAL NEWS Left photo,from left: Kim Peterson, RN; Stephanie Helf, CNA; Trisha Bollhorst, RN; Morgan Ramseth, RN; Jacob Olmstead, RN; Lindsay Peterson, RN; Daniel Wiersma, RN; Diana Colbert, RN; 4 House Calls Spring 2020

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