April 25, 2023

To be the best, you need the best people, and at Texas Children’s our Transplant Services Team has proven year after year they reign supreme.

Texas Children’s is home to the largest and #1 ranked Pediatric Transplant Center in the United States. The hospital has great success in helping patients with cases other hospitals might consider untreatable, and it’s all thanks to the dedicated individuals who form our world-class Transplant Services team.

“We have an incredible team, and I’m so proud of what they do for our patients,” said Diana Harter, director of Nursing, Transplant Services and Palliative Care. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for my team knowing the sacrifices they make and the emotional toll this work takes, but they do it with such grace and humility. Thank you also to everyone across the system involved in the care of these patients. Transplant is a team sport and working alongside such talented experts in the field is a privilege.”

There are so many memorable patients and success stories that come through the transplant center. Everyone who had the pleasure of working with Ava came away with a special feeling. Ava was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was just a few weeks old, but had remained healthy and up until last April was never hospitalized.

As a then 4-year-old, she suddenly developed pneumonia, and after a short time at a local hospital in New Orleans was transported to Texas Children’s for advanced therapy. Unfortunately, her health kept declining, and she remained in the PICU for 10 months. She was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and put on the transplant list for lungs. After waiting for more than 200 days, she received her transplant in November 2022. It’s been a tough recovery, but thanks in large part to a dedicated team supporting her along the way, Ava is now thriving.

There are many people involved in the care of a patient, especially for those who spend an extended period of time with us. Nikki Beard, PICU/TICU child life specialist, was an integral member of Ava’s care team. Their time together involved a lot of activities from arts and crafts to playing “Dr. Ava,” as well as celebrating milestones and holidays.

“Ava is a strong little girl, and honestly, made my job so easy and fun,” said Nikki. “Most of my time with Ava was creating a sense of normalcy for her in the ICU and establishing myself as a supportive presence for both her and her family. Ava viewed me as a person who was there to play with and make the hospital fun, which was exactly my goal.”

In honor of Ava’s legacy, Nikki gifted her with a scrapbook of her PICU memories. It included letters from the staff who worked with Ava reflecting on their journey with her and their favorite memories. It also included the many photos Ava’s mom took of Ava with the staff.

“Watching Ava flip through the pages and get so excited to see all of the friends she had made over the last 10 months was such a fulfilling moment that I will never forget. When she is older, I hope this scrapbook will remind Ava how much she overcame, and how strong she truly is!”

Child Life Specialists in critical care often are there to provide emotional support for children and families on the worst days of their lives, but Nikki and her fellow specialists lean on each other for support and motivation to deliver the best care they can.

Nikki believes she has the best job in and world and is grateful for what she does. “Supporting kids and families on their most difficult days is such an honor and something that I do not take for granted. Witnessing the resiliency of my patients inspires me more than they will ever know, and I feel so honored to have a front-row seat to the miracles happening on a daily basis.”

Last year alone, Texas Children’s successfully performed 99 organ transplants, the highest volume for all pediatric centers across the United States for the sixth year in a row. According to the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OPTN), in 2022, our heart, lung and liver transplant teams had the top pediatric volumes in the country with 29 hearts, 7 lungs and 35 liver transplants. Our kidney transplant program completed 29 transplants, finishing the year with the second highest pediatric kidney transplant volume in the nation. In addition to these exceptional volumes, our teams are dedicated to quality patient care and our programs lead the nation with exceptional outcomes as well.

Pediatric Transplant Week and Patient Experience Week are both celebrated this week. April is also Donate Life Month. We thank and honor all the dedicated team members in these departments who create a healthier future for children and women, every day. We are also so grateful to all the selfless organ donors and their families who chose to donate life during their darkest hour.

A grateful parent submitted the following Caught You Caring recognition for Patient Transporter Leroy James.

“Leroy took our daughter to her first surgery at West Tower, and she was so scared and anxious. He chatted with her and made her feel so at ease. We have been here for four months and he always smiles and says hi when we see him. He has such a positive attitude and makes staying here more enjoyable. He is also one of the hardest working people we know.”

Caught You Caring

There are countless examples of how team members make an impact every day. Through our Caught You Caring recognition program, anyone (patients, families, colleagues, vendors, volunteers or visitors) can provide a kind word about someone who went the extra mile. Even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Click here to submit a recognition for a colleague. The recipient and their leader will receive an email notification. Since its inception in 2015, there have been more than 30,000 recognitions submitted.

April 21, 2023

Texas Children’s Hospital joins elite company as it has achieved, for the fifth consecutive time, Magnet® designation – the highest and most prestigious recognition provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Following a virtual site visit on February 21-24, appraisers submitted a written summary to the Magnet® Commission for review and final approval of redesignation. There was an incredible amount of positive feedback throughout the visit, and with each pass of the baton, the appraisers were impressed by our nurses’ energy, passion for our mission, and pride in working at Texas Children’s.

After much anticipation, Texas Children’s received a call on Thursday, April 20, announcing the hospital’s long-awaited redesignation.

“I am immensely grateful for our incredible nursing staff, our superb nursing leaders, our world-renowned physicians and every team member who impacts patient care across the organization,” said Texas Children’s President & CEO Mark A. Wallace. “Achieving Magnet® designation for 20 years is exceptional and a testament to our structure and the strength of our nursing leadership team. Our ability to consistently improve the care and treatment we provide to our patients is the ultimate reason our One Amazing Team is truly beyond compare.”

Texas Children’s has been a Magnet®-designated organization since 2003. Every four years, the hospital applies for redesignation to reflect our ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care and advancing nursing practice.

To achieve Magnet® status, health care organizations must submit an application and complete a thorough review process that requires system-wide engagement from nursing, physicians and multidisciplinary teams. When applying for designation, the ANCC requires organizations to provide documentation and supporting evidence that aligns with Magnet® standards and demonstrates improvement and sustainability in quality nursing care and outcomes.

“There are no words to describe how truly thankful I am to everyone who engaged in our virtual site visit and showcased our ongoing commitment to advancing nursing excellence,” said System Chief Nurse Executive Jackie Ward. “The enthusiasm and warmth of our team made the appraisers feel like they were physically present with us, and enabled them to appreciate our unique Texas Children’s culture.”

“Recognition for 20 years of nursing excellence is a huge accomplishment we can all be proud of,” added Ward. “I’m honored to lead and work alongside this inspiring team every day!”

Only 10% of U.S. hospitals are recognized with this elite national credential, and Texas Children’s is one of the very few to achieve five consecutive designations. Please join us in congratulating the entire Nursing team and all who participated in our Relay to Redesignation!

April 18, 2023

From a doctor who provides direct care to an employee who smiles at a patient in the elevator, we all play a role when it comes to patient experience. Through all the touch points and interactions patients go through in their journey at Texas Children’s, even something small can go a long way. During Patient Experience Week (April 23-29), we want to take a moment to celebrate those who impact our patients’ lives every day.

“Our One Amazing Team members show up every day ready to deliver the best care and experience for our patients,” said Julie Griffith, director, Patient Experience and Support Services. “Next week, we’re taking a moment to say thank you. We’ll celebrate with fun and engaging activities for team members and provide opportunities to show our gratitude to our patients and their families.”

Griffith also noted this year’s Shine theme was chosen as it embodies how bright Texas Children’s future is and showcases how our team members rise to the occasion every day and shine for their patients.

There will be multiple activities for both unit staff and patients, as well as daily spirit day themes open to everyone. Get ready for some bingo and ice cream socials, and interact with the fun carts as they roll through your unit. There will be contests, activities and parades. For more details on the program and calendar of events, please visit the Patient Experience Week SharePoint site.

Caught You Caring

There are countless examples of how team members make an impact not only in our patients’ but colleagues’ lives. Through our Caught You Caring recognition program, anyone (patients, families, colleagues, vendors, volunteers or visitors) can provide a kind word about someone who went the extra mile. Even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Click here to submit a recognition for a colleague. The recipient and their leader will receive an email notification. Since its inception in 2015, there have been more than 30,000 recognitions submitted.

Donald Wilkins takes his role as Ambassador to heart and it showed through in just one of the 55 Caught You Caring recognitions he’s received. The one below is from a patient’s parents.

“Donald went above and beyond staying past his normal work hours to keep us updated on the status of our son Theo. He was so professional and kind. He not only provided updates but also checked in on our status offering us drinks and blankets. We watched how he provided this level of service to all families he was tending to. His delivery of the message was clear and he answered any and all questions he was able to. In our opinion this man has an absolute heart of gold and TCH is lucky to have such a quality employee like him. Donald, thank you for your care during a time that was incredibly difficult to us. Your words brought us peace before the surgery and we are so grateful.”

Check back on Connect next week as we highlight additional colleagues for their great work.

Since Texas Children’s Green Team partnered with Practice Greenhealth a little over a year ago, several initiatives have launched, completed and are in progress as we work toward our sustainability goals. As we celebrate Earth Day this April 22, we take a moment to see how far we’ve come and what’s on the horizon.

“The improvements we want to make for Texas Children’s will certainly take time, but it’s time well spent. We’re anxious to move forward, but being thoughtful in our approach to ensure it’s done right,” said Dr. Maren Fuller, co-chair of the Texas Children’s Green Team. “Thank you to everyone involved as we continue on this journey together to make a lasting impact on the environment.”

Milestones
  • LED West Campus. West Campus completed a multi-year project to retrofit all lighting to LED.
  • LED general. LED lighting now used in new construction and completed 60% LED retrofit in the Medical Center.
  • Electric vehicles. Three electric passenger vans as circulators continue to run in the Medical Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily.
  • Propane shuttles. Of the 15 shuttles in the Medical Center, 13 are propane, which are friendlier to the environment, more cost efficient and quieter. The last two diesel shuttles are scheduled to be upgraded next year.
  • Staffing. Hired a Certified Energy Manager for the organization.
  • Waste. Partnering with Stericycle on a recycling and waste reduction program.
  • Food composting. Researching and identifying vendor for composting.
  • Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards. Completed awards applications to assess progress and measure our sustainability performance (Medical Center completed their second, West and Woodlands Campuses completed their first).

In addition to these milestones, the anesthesiology department has made incredible strides thanks to the efforts of Dr. Shazia Mohammad, Dr. Ammar Yamani and Tamra Kelly, CRNA from the Sustainability in the Perioperative Area (SUPER) Committee.

Desflurane Removal

Out of all the anesthetic volatile gases we use, desflurane is the most harmful with a global warming potential of 4000 times that of carbon dioxide. The carbon footprint of desflurane is a whole magnitude worse than other volatile anesthetics. Led by Dr. Mohammad, we have officially removed desflurane from all Texas Children’s campuses/locations as of February 2023. It is no longer on the pharmacy formulary. By removing all 99 desflurane vaporizers and chemicals, Texas Children’s Hospital will reduce our carbon footprint by nearly 900,000 kg CO2 equivalent and save over $80,000 a year.

Suction Canister Reduction

At The Woodlands Campus, Dr. Yamani worked with the perioperative team to encourage anesthesiologists and ENT surgeons or dentists to reduce plastic waste. Normally, the anesthesiologist and the ENT surgeon or dentist both have a dedicated suction canister and tubing for a single patient. With minimal changes to standard practices, these practitioners can share a suction canister and tubing to dramatically reduce waste and material cost. When presented to the peri-operative team, immediate buy-in was obtained by the entire perioperative team. This low lift “Save the Suction” initiative addressed business and sustainability imperatives while maintaining superior patient safety; this was manifested in a reduction in overall suction canister waste and cost despite the addition of two new operating rooms over the last two years. Dr. Yamani’s efforts hope to serve as a prime example of how small changes can have a significant impact.

Biohazard Waste Reduction

In the cardiovascular operating rooms (CV OR) and catheterization lab, Tamra Kelly (CRNA) helped reduce unnecessary waste from going into the biohazard bins. Biohazard waste is 7 to 11 times more expensive to dispose compared to general waste. It has a much larger carbon footprint as well as higher energy and water use since it is treated by autoclaving or incineration. By communicating and working with the perioperative staff and administration, Tamra helped coordinate adding general waste containers instead of only biohazard containers in the CV OR and cath lab. She also educated the department on what is considered general waste and what is biohazardous waste. She has effectively reduced Texas Children’s carbon footprint from the CV perioperative area.

For more information on the Green Team or how to get involved, please contact committee co-chairs Dr. Maren Fuller or Gary Brown.

When her husband was unable to work due to medical treatments, Texas Children’s team member, Lisa Scott, was uncertain how her family would manage without his income. She turned to a resource she learned about from her co-workers: the Employee Financial Assistance Fund (EFAF).

Established and managed by the Human Resources – Employee Assistance Program, the EFAF provides financial help to eligible employees experiencing unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable emergencies. In a true example of what it means to live compassionately at Texas Children’s, the fund is maintained through generous donations from our employees – colleagues supporting colleagues in their time of greatest need.

While working with the EAP, Lisa learned of a new partnership between EAP and Fidelity to provide one-on-one financial counseling for employees. Participants meet with Fidelity Workplace Financial Consultants for 4-6 sessions and review their finances while working together to create a budget, pay off bills or debt, understand their credit score, and start an emergency fund.

Lisa enjoyed the program and would recommend it to others saying, “I had to create a budget, and it was certainly eye-opening to see what comes in and what needs to go out. Once you put everything down on paper, it becomes more real.” Talking through her finances with her counselor, Danielle, she felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. Lisa said, “After working on the exercises she gave me, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Danielle was supportive and did not make me feel like a failure.”

Fidelity is readily available to assist with any of your financial needs. To help you through your financial journey, we encourage you to schedule a free one-on-one financial consultation session with Fidelity.

For more information on applying for the Employee Financial Assistance Fund, please visit the EFAF page on the Sharepoint site. Additionally, if you are in a financial position to donate even one dollar to the Employee Financial Assistance Fund, all donations are greatly appreciated.

April 13, 2023

The more we know, the more we understand, the more we connect. Click to read this month’s DEI update and stay in the know! Read more