February 4, 2014

Patients and families are the lifeblood of our organization. We want to hear your thoughts on how well we provide family centeredness in our patient care areas across the system.

To better understand best practices related to family centered care we have partnered with Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care (IPFCC), an organization dedicated to “advancing the understanding and practice of patient- and family-centered care in all settings where individuals and families receive health care.”

Below is a survey developed by the IPFCC, designed to help us better understand where we excel and still have growth related to family centered care system-wide. Please take five minutes to fill out this survey, providing your personal thoughts about family centered care in your patient care area. Families are an important piece of the nursing strategic plan, and your feedback will help ensure that any improvement effort we commence aligns with our needs.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TRQVJ2L

Our goal is to have everyone and anyone that works or provides care on any patient care unit to fill out this survey (inpatient, outpatient, EC, Pediatrics, Health Centers, etc.). This is an anonymous survey and is asking for your personal opinion! Please complete by Tuesday, February 18.

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Go Red for Women by wearing red this Friday, February 7, to raise awareness for heart disease. Texas Children’s Hospital badge-holders that wear red will receive a free heart healthy sweet treat with purchase* during lunchtime at the following Texas Children’s dining locations:

  • Clinical Care Center Food Court
  • Pavilion for Women Fresh Bistro
  • West Campus Luby’s DOTS Kitchen
  • Meyer Building The French Corner

For heart health education, blood pressure checks and tips to live a long and healthy life, please stop by the Employee Health and Wellness Go Red for Women booths on Friday, February 7:

  • Pavilion for Women Fresh Bistro: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • West Campus DOTS Kitchen: noon to 1 p.m.

*While supplies last.

Go Red heart health tips:

G: Get your numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol and monitor them regularly.

O: Own your lifestyle: Stop smoking, exercise, eat healthy, and manage stress.

R: Realize your risk: Heart disease kills one in three women. Learn about the risk factors, your family history, and the keys to prevention.

E: Educate your family: Make healthy food choices for you and your family and teach your kids the importance of staying active.

D: Don’t be silent: Tell every woman you know that heart disease is our number one killer.

The Employee Medical Clinic supports your personal health needs and offers convenient access to exceptional primary and urgent care services on the main campus. The clinic delivers many services including urgent care for personal illness and injury, preventive care, care management for chronic conditions, and counseling to help employees adopt the healthiest possible lifestyle. For more information or to make an appointment, please call Ext. 4-2150.

For more information visit goredforwomen.org.

LATCH vs. seatbelt, which one is safer?

 This is probably the most common question that my fellow Child Passenger Safety Technicians and I get. The answer is they are equally safe, but the installation method that gives your child the best protection should be used.

The caveat to this answer, however, is that the Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) system does have a weight limit and seatbelt does not. As many parents who have struggled with car seat and car manuals have discovered, the weight limit max for the LATCH system can sometimes be ambiguous.

Since the early 2000s, all cars produced for sale in the United States are required to have the LATCH system. The purpose of the LATCH system was to create a uniform system to install car seats and reduce installation misuse. Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, about 4 in 5 of car seats are still used incorrectly, and the LATCH system can sometimes be a source of confusion.

Beginning this month, NHTSA is proposing new LATCH regulations to reduce the ambiguity between what car manufacturers and car seat manufacturers say are the LATCH limits. Towards the end of the month, lower anchor limits in cars will be a uniform combined weight limit (car seat + child) of 65 lbs. What this means is, if you have a car seat that weighs 20lbs, you can use the car’s LATCH system until the child weighs 45lbs (20lb car seat + 45 lbs child = 65lbs).

As of now this change is a proposal and not guaranteed. However, as of now, 25 car manufacturers already utilize these guidelines and more may begin to adopt it.

If you have any questions about the proposed changes to LATCH or wish to have your car seat inspected by a certified technician, please call Texas ChildrenÕs Center for Childhood InjuryÕs Car Seat Line 832-822-2277.

This blog post was contributed by Center for Childhood Injury Prevention Health Educator John Ansiaux for Bump Watch – the blog that follows the journeys of Texas Children’s families from pregnancy through baby’s first year.

Surprise your coworkers, friends or special someone and place your Valentine Delivery orders by Monday, February 10, at the Abercrombie and Pavilion Express Shops. Purchase your items, complete the form, and they will deliver the items on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14. Minimum order is $20.00, and delivery is free of charge.

Contact Stephanie Martinez, Volunteer Services, with questions.