July 21, 2015

72215nursingeducation640Nurses from all over the organization are invited to join an around-the-clock nursing professional day designed to educate through knowledge sharing. The 24-hour event is a first-of-its-kind seminar-style program that allows nurses with expertise in specific areas to present, sharing their knowledge with their colleagues. The nursing professional day is aimed at improving patient care and promoting professional development and nursing excellence. It fosters collaboration and teamwork within the vast department of more than 2,700 nursing professionals.

The day was organized based on identified learning needs gathered from a survey sent out to nurses across the organization.

“The concept came about in order to educate and develop all nurses via ‘knowledge sharing’ on a global scale in a meaningful and impactful way,” said Leslie Morris, one of the event’s organizers. “The purpose of this day is to promote professional development of registered nurses throughout the organization.”

The sessions provide increased knowledge and clinical skills. Participants will receive up to six hours of CNE credit with no fees.

Various topics are approached by different nurses presenting to their colleagues from across the organization.

The sessions include:

  • Building Relationships
  • Workplace Civility
  • Team Collaboration
  • Crucial Conversations
  • Escalating Concerns
  • Delegation
  • Managing Conflicts
  • Team Building
  • Communication with patients and families
  • Specialty Certification
  • Nursing Portfolio
  • Risk Management
  • Legal Issues
  • Ethics in Care
  • Evidence Base Practice
  • Disease Management
  • Treatment Decisions
  • Quality Improvement
  • Documentation Practice
  • Standard of Care
  • Code Management
  • Patient and Family Education
  • Trauma

The day will be a come-and-go format and does not require registration. The 24 hour period is designed to encourage all nurses to join for as long or as little as they can throughout their workday or before and after work. The session is coordinated in the 24-hour format to allow both day and night nurses to take advantage.

Nursing professional day will be held from 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, to 8 a.m. Thursday, July 30, on the fourth floor of the Pavilion for Women.

Texas Children’s Hospital is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

July 14, 2015

71515PFWmassages640As a neonatal nurse at Texas Children’s Newborn Center, Brittany Gonzalez spends most of her day on her feet doing what she loves – taking care of sick infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“At the end of my 13-hour shift, my feet are tired,” Gonzalez said. “When I get massages, it soothes my sore muscles and helps me relax. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, the effects are long lasting.”

Like Gonzalez, Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine employees are taking advantage of massage therapy at the Bella Luna Boutique on the third floor of Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. While these services cost a fee and require an appointment, the feeling of complete relaxation keeps employees coming back.

“I can clear my mind, listen to relaxing music and mentally drift away,” said Vickie Broussard, an employee development coordinator in the Facilities Operations Department. “The more I do it, the better I feel, and the longer the good feeling lasts with repeated sessions.”

Massage therapy helps Derek Blaylock unwind from the stressful challenges of balancing responsibilities at home with his job duties as a Texas Children’s patient and family advocate.

“It brings me to a place that’s relaxing and healing all at the same time,” Blaylock said. “It also helps me become more aware of my own body which can lead me to improved posture and the desire to exercise more and ultimately work and stress less.”

As a board-certified massage therapist at Texas Children’s, Candace Heredia says massage therapy is not a luxury, but something our bodies need regularly to improve emotional, mental and physical well-being.

When we’re stressed, our bodies release a stress hormone called cortisol. Regular massages reduce production of this stress hormone and increase production of dopamine and serotonin – the hormones that make us feel good, resulting in an endless list of soothing health benefits.

“A single massage session can increase energy levels, improve blood circulation and enhance mental and physical performance,” Heredia said. “Other health benefits include reducing lower back pain and fluid retention during pregnancy, strengthening the immune system and improving rehabilitation after injury.”

Since taking advantage of massage therapy at the Pavilion for Women, Texas Children’s Cardiology Chief Dr. Daniel Penny notices immediate relief from his chronic back pain.

“I’ve had a number of major back operations over the past few years,” Penny said. “There is nothing better to ease my back spasms than scheduling a massage appointment with Candace.”

Aside from these services, Heredia maintains a pretty busy schedule. She also performs massage therapy for Texas Children’s inpatients and outpatients after receiving written consent from their physician, provides massages during employee wellness events, and teaches infant massage classes to ease colic in newborns and promote parental bonding.

“It’s very rewarding to see employees, patients and their families benefit from massage therapy,” Heredia said. “It’s all about improving their quality of life and helping them achieve a healthier lifestyle.”

Need a relaxing massage? For more information about the Pavilion for Women’s Massage Services, click here. A half-hour massage is $45 and one hour is $75. Chair massages also are available for $1 per minute up to 15 minutes.

To schedule an appointment with Candace Heredia, call Ext. 6-2556 and to sign up for the next infant massage class, click here.

71515SSWendyKnight640Wendy Knight from Kangaroo Crew transport team is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “What makes one person standout from another is the little things,” said Knight. “It’s not only doing your job, but trying to put a smile on a little one’s face in one of the worst times of their lives.” Read more of Knight’s interview, and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.

Q&A: Wendy Knight, March 2015 Employee

Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Wendy Kristine Knight, RRT, NPS. I am a respiratory therapist on the transport team, nicknamed the Kangaroo Crew, at Texas Children’s Hospital. I started working for the respiratory department at Texas Children’s, my senior year of high school through a program called HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America). I would get up at 4:30 a.m. and drive in Monday through Friday, work three hours, then drive home, change clothes and go to school. It made for a very busy and fun senior year. After I graduated I went to respiratory school and then was rehired in November of 1992. So I have worked at Texas Children’s for a total of 24 years.

What month are you Super Star for?
March 2015

Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
One morning I was walking down the hall and a person was trying to get into our department to deliver breakfast food. I badged her in and as I was walked in I jokingly said “Hey everyone I brought food this morning.” About 15 minutes later my management team came down and said they had an announcement that one of the team had been selected as Super Star of the Month. I was looking at all my team mates trying to figure out which one had won the award. In my mind it could have been any one of us. I could not believe it was me when she said my name. Then everyone started kidding with me saying that I really did bring them food.

What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do?
It is quite an honor and I am grateful to receive this award but I think of it as recognition for the dedication and professionalism of my team. In my opinion, the Kangaroo Crew provides outstanding service to our patients, referring hospitals and to Texas Children’s. I am very fortunate and proud to be part of such a distinguished team.

What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
I think we are all great in what we do or we would not work for Texas Children’s. But if I had to say what makes one person standout from another it would be the little things. It’s not only doing your job, but trying to put a smile on a little one’s face in one of the worst times of their lives. It’s remembering as you jump into a situation, critical or not, as you begin your procedures that your patient has fears, feels pain and you may be their only advocate for compassion. Taking the time in a critical situation with a family who is having trouble understanding what is happening to their child and why, even when you feel rushed or harried. Also, the ability to give the parents peace as you transport their very sick child, because they know that you will treat their child as if they are your own.

What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
My grandfather always told me to strive to be the best me I can be. He was a huge influence in my life. Also, my teammates on the Kangaroo Crew inspire me with their dedication and support. They are a second family to me. However, by far, my biggest motivation is my patients. In their darkest moments, these children and their families depend on my teammates and I to safely deliver them into the world renowned care of Texas Children’s Hospital.

What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
I love working with children. I realized when I was going through respiratory school that I was the happiest when I worked with children. As I rotated through hospitals in respiratory school I realized Texas Children’s was my first and last choice. I was determined to come back to Texas Children’s once I graduated. At Texas Children’s Hospital children come first. It isn’t a numbers game. They made sure your work assignments gave you enough time to be with your patients which enabled me to give the best quality care. As a teaching hospital Texas Children’s is at the forefront of cutting edge technology, research and medical treatment. It is an exciting place to work and I am thankful to be part of the Texas Children’s team.

Anything else you want to share?
Yes. I would like to thank Texas Children’s for this much appreciated award. I am grateful for the opportunities Texas Children’s provides me. I would like to express my gratitude to my teammate Melissa Campbell for so graciously nominating me. I would like to thank my teammates and the management team of the Kangaroo Crew. I am proud of our accomplishments and thankful for my place among you. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my family and friends who have supported me through every step of my career. I consider myself blessed by all those around me, family, friends and coworkers alike.

June 30, 2015

7115shuttleupdate640Have you ever wondered if you have time to cross one more task off your to-do list before hopping on the shuttle? Better yet, have you debated whether you even have time to make the bus?

Answers to both of these questions and other shuttle-related quandaries now can be found online via your desktop or smartphone.

All six new Texas Children’s shuttles that hit the road June 29 are equipped with GPS technology, allowing riders to connect to an Internet link that will tell them where a bus is, when it’s going to arrive and how long it will be until the next stop.

You can access this information on your desktop here and on your smartphone here.

In addition to enhancing your riding experience, Director of Supply Chain Rick McFee said the GPS technology will give authorities the opportunity to monitor the shuttles’ movements and to adjust accordingly. As for now, however, all routes will stay the same.

Some additional features inside the shuttles include:

  • A comprehensive security system that will keep employees safe and will record how many people get on and off the shuttle.
  • Video capabilities will give Texas Children’s another avenue to share important information.
  • A voice announcement system will keep riders up to date about where the shuttle is and where it’s headed.
  • USB ports will be available for riders who need to charge their phone or other electronic devices.

The first thing people notice about the new shuttles is the outside of them, McFee said. All of the shuttles are painted in a bright, bold color and have a graphic design on the side. The designs are of either clouds, fish, flowers or blades of grass.

“The wraps share the excitement we all have to work for Texas Children’s Hospital,” McFee said. “They also share a bit of the spirit we have when it comes to healing sick children and taking care of women.”

A not-so-obvious feature the buses have is an environmentally-friendly fueling system. Instead of using diesel, the new shuttles are be fueled by propane. Switching to this much cleaner-burning gas will reduce our carbon footprint by 70 percent and make Texas Children’s Hospital the first hospital in the Medical Center to offer green-friendly shuttle service.

“Welcome aboard!” McFee said. “We are glad to have you on our new shuttles.”

Six additional new buses will hit the road later this summer.

7115nursingplan640Last week, Chief Nursing Officer Mary Jo Andre met with a room full of nursing leaders at the monthly Nursing Congress meeting to outline the framework of an aggressive 100-day plan for nursing.

Andre said she and other leaders are examining all nursing feedback from the past several months to determine where to prioritize efforts to improve the overall work environment/satisfaction of the care team. She shared her vision to modify the patient care manager role to allow more time for leadership and management in support of care at the bedside. Andre encouraged ideas for cultivating staff satisfaction in support of nursing retention with a renewed commitment to a healthy work environment and a culture of transparency.

“In my 29 years at Texas Children’s, I have learned the importance of being transparent, and I want our nurses to know I take my promise seriously,” Andre said. “I also want that same assurance of transparency from all of you. I know we will have the strongest nursing team if we are able to collaborate together through open dialogue around what your needs are.”

During the meeting, she asked for feedback and followed up with a survey to all nurses and nursing leaders. Andre plans to use the survey to help prioritize areas of concern and immediate improvements needed. Once the survey closes, the feedback will be used to refine the 100-day plan, which Andre aims to share with the organization in July. Among the items on her agenda as she examines plans for the next 100 days are:

  • Patient care assistants (PCA): the need for additional PCA positions to support optimal patient care delivery
  • Patient care managers (PCM): the need to allocate more of their time to mentoring/coaching staff and leading their teams
  • Float pool: the need to build a float pool to reduce dependence on contract/OT utilization
  • Resource nurse role: the need to adjust this role and grandfather in non-BSN nurses and others that previously served in the charge nurse role
  • Flexible staffing: the need to build a different model that enables more nurses to work part-time/per-diem

In addition, Andre emphasized the need for all nurses to stay at Texas Children’s and help with building and implementing this plan for change. She explained that nursing turnover at Texas Children’s, while in line with the national average, presents particular challenges as the organization is trying to significantly grow the nursing workforce. Andre asked nursing leaders to take immediate action to encourage and retain nurses on their teams and said she hopes many of the changes proposed in the 100-day plan will improve nursing satisfaction and retention as well as ensure continued excellence in quality and outcomes.

“I wholeheartedly believe our nurses are at the heart of our organization and our mission, and I strongly support the improvements we will begin making in the next 100 days and beyond,” said John Nickens, executive vice president over nursing. “We have tremendous support from leaders across the organization, and I know it will take every one of you to help our nursing team be the best it can be.”

All staff nurses are asked to complete this short survey by Friday, July 3 to help Andre and her leadership team as they strategize and set a framework for next steps.

June 3, 2015

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Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace is hosting a series of events beginning Friday, June 5, to celebrate our entire Texas Children’s team and what makes this organization so special. The theme is One Mission, One Culture, One Amazing Team. 

The events kick off with four sessions at the Main Campus, followed by two sessions at the West Campus and one at the John P. McGovern (Nabisco) building. Dates and times are below.

One Mission, One Culture, One Amazing Team sessions are for all Texas Children’s employees and physicians. Events are come-and-go and will celebrate our mission and our core values in a fun, festive atmosphere with snacks, drinks, music, and fun activities/giveaways.

Here are the details:

Live Compassionately zoneOMOT map
  • Celebrate our Patient Experience: “Catch” your colleagues caring, pull acts of compassion cards, and win fun giveaways. By Living Compassionately, we make a difference for our patients and their families.
Embrace Freedom zone
  • Let your voice be heard: Mark’s said it before – when you talk, he listens. He and his leadership team want to know what’s on your mind and how you think we can make Texas Children’s even better. Embrace the freedom to share your ideas by writing on our giant brainstorming board.
Amplify Unity zone
  • Take a timeout: Remember recess? You will after just a few minutes of high energy games brought to you by our Employee Health and Wellness team. Come together with your colleagues for some competition and fun as we Amplify Unity through healthy activity.
Lead Tirelessly zone
  • Learn about leadership from the best: As Mark Wallace says, at Texas Children’s, everyone is a leader. To help you on your journey to Lead Tirelessly, Mark is giving everyone a copy of The Magic Book of Maxims, a commemorative children’s book illustrating Mark’s 10 Maxims of Leadership. Make sure you grab a copy.
Photo zone
  • Snap a picture: Who doesn’t love a good selfie? The Photo zone includes a photo booth and a selfie station with fun props, so bring your team spirit and capture it on camera.
Houston Texans tickets
  • Make a touchdown: Who’s ready for some football? You will be if you win two tickets to a Texans game. Make sure you fill out a comment card about why you’re proud to be part of the Texas Children’s team. All team members who complete and turn in a card will qualify for a drawing for a pair of Houston Texans football tickets. We’ve got 25 pairs of tickets to give away.

 

Schedule of event sessions

Friday, June 5

7:30-8:30 am AND 10-11 am

Main Campus – Pavilion 4th floor conference area

 

Monday, June 8

3:30-4:30 pm AND 6-7:30 pm

Main Campus – Pavilion 4th floor conference area

 

Monday, June 22

7:30-8:30 am AND 9:30-10:30 am

West Campus – 1st floor conference area

 

Tuesday, June 30

2-3:30 pm

John P. McGovern Campus (Nabisco Building) – Human Performance Center

 

Parking 

Main Campus 

  • Parking for the Main Campus events will be the same as normal.
  • If you are visiting the Main Campus, park in Garage 19, and an attendant will be at the entrance to let you in.
  • Visitors, please enter Garage 19 on the Colonade Drive side entrance and catch the shuttle on the Meyer Building side.
  • If Garage 19 is your assigned garage, park as normal and ride the same shuttle you normally would.

West Campus 

  • Parking for the West Campus events will be the same as normal.
  • If you are visiting West Campus, feel free to park in the open parking lot.

John P. McGovern Campus (Nabisco Building)

  • Parking for the John P. McGovern event will be the same as normal.
  • If you are visiting John P. McGovern Campus, an attendant will be at the entrance to let you in.
  • Shuttles will transport Revenue Cycle employees to the John P. McGovern Campus. Transportation details will be shared in a separate communication.

Mark Wallace to take One Mission, One Culture, One Amazing Team on tour 

All Texas Children’s staff and employees are welcome to attend any of the hospital-based events listed above. However, beginning in July, Mark will take the fun on the road with stops at Texas Children’s Pediatrics practices, Texas Children’s Health Centers, The Center for Children and Women locations and Texas Children’s Urgent Care sites.

The team tour will continue throughout the fall and winter, until Mark has made it to all locations. He’ll bring books and other treats for every team member. We’ll communicate specific details to the appropriate leaders of the locations as the tour stops are scheduled.

Questions

We look forward to seeing you Friday and Monday at Main Campus and later this month at the other locations. If you have questions, please email us at connectnews@texaschildrens.org.