Structural Empowerment
The University of Colorado Hospital mission states:
We improve lives
In big ways, through learning, healing and discovery
In small personal ways through human connection
But in all ways, we improve lives.
This year I learned how structural empowerment encompasses learning and discovering, which in turn, improves lives. It’s a commitment to engaging colleagues in teaching activities and continuing education; a commitment to making the unit’s nursing practice excellent.
In the fall, I educated PACU nurses on the new swallow screening tool. Since UCH is a certified stroke center, the institution needed to adopt an evidence-based tool. By using a one-on-one approach, I walked PACU nurses through the swallow screening tool and had them return demonstrate to verify knowledge.
As the unit’s stroke champion, I dedicated a large portion of the year to ensuring accurate implementation of the stroke alert protocol. In the fall, I collaborated with the stroke program nurse and neurology fellow to create a stroke alert PowerPoint presentation. After a stroke alert did not run smoothly, I uncovered the knowledge gap and reeducated PACU nurses. For easy access to the protocol, I also hung signage throughout the unit.
In February, I facilitated a journal club with 19 attendees on “Translating an Evidence-Based Algorithm to Decrease Early Post-operative Urinary Retention after Urogynecologic Surgery.” I led the discussion so that it was relevant to current issues in the PACU. We compared the study’s voiding algorithm to the one used in the PACU and discussed the research’s validity.
To stay up-to-date on evidence-based practice, I completed 18.5 contact hours, which included attending the International Conference of PeriAnesthesia Nurses in Dublin, Ireland.
My manager, associate manager, and educator have created an innovative environment that encourages staff to make influential changes. More importantly, I learned that a structurally empowered unit is a place where strong professional practice flourishes and the UCH mission comes to life.
We improve lives
In big ways, through learning, healing and discovery
In small personal ways through human connection
But in all ways, we improve lives.
This year I learned how structural empowerment encompasses learning and discovering, which in turn, improves lives. It’s a commitment to engaging colleagues in teaching activities and continuing education; a commitment to making the unit’s nursing practice excellent.
In the fall, I educated PACU nurses on the new swallow screening tool. Since UCH is a certified stroke center, the institution needed to adopt an evidence-based tool. By using a one-on-one approach, I walked PACU nurses through the swallow screening tool and had them return demonstrate to verify knowledge.
As the unit’s stroke champion, I dedicated a large portion of the year to ensuring accurate implementation of the stroke alert protocol. In the fall, I collaborated with the stroke program nurse and neurology fellow to create a stroke alert PowerPoint presentation. After a stroke alert did not run smoothly, I uncovered the knowledge gap and reeducated PACU nurses. For easy access to the protocol, I also hung signage throughout the unit.
In February, I facilitated a journal club with 19 attendees on “Translating an Evidence-Based Algorithm to Decrease Early Post-operative Urinary Retention after Urogynecologic Surgery.” I led the discussion so that it was relevant to current issues in the PACU. We compared the study’s voiding algorithm to the one used in the PACU and discussed the research’s validity.
To stay up-to-date on evidence-based practice, I completed 18.5 contact hours, which included attending the International Conference of PeriAnesthesia Nurses in Dublin, Ireland.
My manager, associate manager, and educator have created an innovative environment that encourages staff to make influential changes. More importantly, I learned that a structurally empowered unit is a place where strong professional practice flourishes and the UCH mission comes to life.
Timeline
October 2013
Hung Stroke Alert clings throughout PACU
10/3 Collaborated with neurology fellow and stroke program coordinator to make stroke education applicable to PACU nurses.
10/6 Wrote nursing roles and interventions during stroke alerts with stroke program coordinator
10/7 Stroke education presented by neurology fellow.
10/24 Educated PACU nurses individually on bedside swallow screening tool
November 2013
11/2 Bedside swallow screening tool live in Epic. PACU nurses begin using tool. Tool is not in the section PACU nurses use to document in Epic (Doc Flowsheets > PRE/POST Interventions).
11/14 Worked with stroke program coordinator and Epic supervisor to add swallow screening tool to PRE/POST Interventions section in Epic.
December 2013
Continue communicating with stroke program coordinator and Epic supervisor to add swallow screening tool to PRE/POST Interventions.
New Stroke Alert clings posted throughout PACU.
January 2014
1/7 Swallow screening tool live under PRE/POST Interventions
1/21 Submitted Journal Club CE Application
February 2014
2/10 & 2/13 Educated PACU nurses on stroke alert protocol at staff meeting. Hung stroke alert protocol cards at charge nurse desk and nursing stations throughout unit.
2/15 Received CE approval for Journal Club.
2/23 Facilitated Journal Club on “Translating an Evidence-Based Algorithm to Decrease Early Post-Operative Urinary Retention after Urogynecologic Surgery.”
March 2014
3/3 Efficient stroke alert – evidence of successful learning.
Hung Stroke Alert clings throughout PACU
10/3 Collaborated with neurology fellow and stroke program coordinator to make stroke education applicable to PACU nurses.
10/6 Wrote nursing roles and interventions during stroke alerts with stroke program coordinator
10/7 Stroke education presented by neurology fellow.
10/24 Educated PACU nurses individually on bedside swallow screening tool
November 2013
11/2 Bedside swallow screening tool live in Epic. PACU nurses begin using tool. Tool is not in the section PACU nurses use to document in Epic (Doc Flowsheets > PRE/POST Interventions).
11/14 Worked with stroke program coordinator and Epic supervisor to add swallow screening tool to PRE/POST Interventions section in Epic.
December 2013
Continue communicating with stroke program coordinator and Epic supervisor to add swallow screening tool to PRE/POST Interventions.
New Stroke Alert clings posted throughout PACU.
January 2014
1/7 Swallow screening tool live under PRE/POST Interventions
1/21 Submitted Journal Club CE Application
February 2014
2/10 & 2/13 Educated PACU nurses on stroke alert protocol at staff meeting. Hung stroke alert protocol cards at charge nurse desk and nursing stations throughout unit.
2/15 Received CE approval for Journal Club.
2/23 Facilitated Journal Club on “Translating an Evidence-Based Algorithm to Decrease Early Post-Operative Urinary Retention after Urogynecologic Surgery.”
March 2014
3/3 Efficient stroke alert – evidence of successful learning.