Sep1

HaysMed Recognized as Center of Excellence in Education and Training for Infants and Families Impacted by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Women-Infant Services

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of the University of Kansas Health System, was recently recognized as a Vermont Oxford Network Center of Excellence in Education and Training for Infants and Families Impacted by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. This recognition was received from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KPQC).

The Vermont Oxford Network is a group of more than 1300 hospitals and countless individuals collaborating to improve neonatal care around the world with data-driven quality improvement and research. HaysMed was cited for their dedication to improving care for families and infants at risk for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and exposure to substance use.

NAS is a group of problems that occurs in a newborn who was exposed to opioid drugs for a length of time while in the mother’s womb.

Through NAS education and implementation of standardized care policies, HaysMed has helped Kansas decrease neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rates for NAs, transfer rates for observation and treatment of NAs and in the percentage of infants at risk for NAS requiring pharmacologic treatment.

Jun30

00

HaysMed Recognizes Patient Care Technician of the Year

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, recently recognized

Carolyn Terry, Patient Care Technician (PCT) with the PCT of the Year award. A PCT is a vital part of the patient care team and are key in keeping processes running smoothly.

Terry was noted for consistently striving to provide quality of care for patients and being a great patient care team member with Associates and students

Jun22

00

HaysMed Honors Nurses Completing the RN Residency Program

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News

HAYS, Kansas – Fifteen registered nurses at HaysMed were honored recently at a recognition ceremony and luncheon. They completed the yearlong RN Residency Program offered at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System.

The program began a year ago in July 2019 with training focused on clinical experience, one on one mentorship with their preceptor, high-fidelity simulations and on the job training. Additionally, nurses received training from professionals in several departments, such as radiology, pharmacy, cardiac care, peri-op and others.

The RN Residency class included Ashley Campbell, RN, Jordyn Crum, RN, Reaghan Davis, RN, Pedro Flores, RN, Madysen Weigel, RN, Alicia Johnson, RN, Maegan Scholz, RN, Regan Krause, RN, Mallory McQueen, RN, Mark Pakkebier, RN, Vanessa Payne, RN, Dawson Sandoval, RN, Michelle Fadefa, RN, Alex Wilson, RN and Jared VonFeldt, RN.

“It is so important for new nursing graduates to have a group of peers and mentors who assist them in enhancing their skills and becoming comfortable with the challenges of practice,” said Shari Hertel, RN Residency Coordinator. “Our program is evidence based, with positive clinical outcomes that will help not only the participating nurses, but also our patients.”

Currently there are 21 nurses scheduled in the next program which begins in July. The program is open to newly graduated RNs and RNs that have less than one year of acute care experience.

-30-

Jun2

00

HaysMed Recognizes LPN of the Year

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, recently recognized Brooke Pfanenstiel, LPN with the Lanita Smith LPN of the year award for her focus on quality patient care, compassion, service to others and willingness to do what is necessary to provide great customer service to those she works with and around.

The LPN of the Year award is named after Smith, a former nurse that took pride in her role as an LPN and her ability to positively impact a patient’s life as a nurse in many different roles at HaysMed. This award honors an LPN who displays many of the same characteristics that Smith had including kindness, compassion, concern and friendliness all the while being a great member of the patient care team.

Jan15

00

HaysMed Honors Nurses Completing the RN Residency Program

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News

HAYS, Kansas – Four registered nurses at HaysMed were honored recently at a recognition ceremony and luncheon. They completed the yearlong RN Residency Program offered at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System.

The program began a year ago in February 2019 and the nurses spent the first 3 weeks in a classroom setting. The remainder of training focused on clinical experience, one on one mentorship with their preceptor, high-fidelity simulations and on the job training. Additionally, nurses received training from professionals in several departments, such as radiology, pharmacy, cardiac care, peri-op and others.

The RN Residency class included Victoria Donnelly, RN, Aubree Karlin, RN, Rose Lewis, RN and Tiffany Trapp, RN.

“It is so important for new nursing graduates to have a group of peers and mentors who assist them in enhancing their skills and becoming comfortable with the challenges of practice,” said Shari Hertel, RN Residency Coordinator. “Our program is evidence based, with positive clinical outcomes that will help not only the participating nurses, but also our patients.”

Currently there are 4 nurses scheduled in the next program which begins February 5. The program is open to newly graduated RNs and RNs that have less than one year of acute care experience.

Nov15

00

HaysMed Nurses Honored at March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards Gala

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News

Hays, Kansas HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System is proud to announce that Kelsey Accurso, MS, APRN, AGCNS-BC and Sarah Green, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, CPAN were honored at the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards Gala held recently in Kansas City. Accurso was named Nurse of the Year out of 5 finalists in the area of Quality Management. Green was one of five finalists in the category of Surgical Services.

There were 845 nurses nominated in 22 award categories. One winner for each category was announced at the black tie awards gala at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, Mo

Hosted by the Greater Kansas Chapter of the March of Dimes, the Nurse of the Year Awards is an annual event that recognizes the vital role of registered nurses and the many contributions they make in the community, while helping raise funds to support the nonprofit’s mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Sep3

00

Drive-Thru Flu Shots Available September 29 at HaysMed

By Gayla Wichman - Family Medicine,HaysMed News,Nursing News

Hays KS – HaysMed’s annual drive-thru flu shot clinic has been scheduled for Sunday, September 29. The event, which will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will offer free flu shots for all residents older than 6 months.

It will be the 20th year the hospital has offered the community service, and approximately 3,500 people are expected to be vaccinated during the free clinic.

Adults wanting to receive a free flu shot can get one without having to leave their vehicles. HaysMed volunteers will direct traffic during the event, and the maximum wait time is estimated at 15 minutes.

Children older than 6 months will be vaccinated inside the gym at the Center for Health Improvement (CHI). Adults attending with children also can receive their shots inside the waiting area of Hays Orthopedic Institute, located inside the CHI building.

More than 100 volunteers will be on hand to help with the event. HaysMed partners with Fort Hays State University and North Central Kansas Vo-Tech as both facilities provide students to help with the shots.

There will be no nasal flu vaccine at the drive-thru flu shot clinic. There will be no egg free vaccines available at the drive-thru flu shot clinic. People with a severe egg allergy will need to contact their local healthcare provider for their flu vaccine.

The event is sponsored by the Hays Medical Center Foundation. While there is no cost for flu shots, participants are asked to bring a canned food item to benefit the Community Assistance Center.

The vaccine also is available at HaysMed clinics for patients who are unable to attend the drive-thru flu shot event. Charges will apply at regular clinic visits, though the vaccine is covered by most health insurance plans.

Sep3

00

HaysMed Hosts Wound Symposium

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,Would Healing & Hyperbaric Center News

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, will present a Wound Symposium on Friday, September 20, 2019. The program is jointly provided by HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, The University of Kansas Medical Center Continuing Education and Professional Development and the Area Health Education Center – West. The program will be held at HaysMed in the Hadley Conference Rooms.

Registration and breakfast for the program begins at 8:30 am. The program runs from 9:00 am – 3:30pm. Topics covered include: amputation prevention, management of venous disease, wound healing, wound VAC and multi-layer compression wraps and nutrition and wound healing.

Speakers for the program include: Adam Alli, MD, Jenny Cho, MD, Jeff Green, RN, WCC, Todd Walburn, RN, WCC and Andrea Harmoney, MS, RD, LD, all with The University of Kansas Health System.

The program is designed for Physicians, PAs, APRN’s, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Social Workers, PTS, OTS and other interested Healthcare Professionals.

All participants are required to complete and sign a “verification of attendance” form. After the program, a certificate of completion will be provided to activity participants based on documentation of actual attendance time.

Physician: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of The University of Kansas Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education and HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System. The University of Kansas medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The KU Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TMPhysicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of the participation in this activity.

CNE: Hays Medical Center is approved as a provider of continued nursing education by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The course offering is approved for 5.00 contact hours applicable for RN, or LPN re-licensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing Approved Provider Number: LT0021-1138.

Respiratory Therapy.
The HaysMed Respiratory Care Continuing Education Evaluator on behalf of the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts has approved this program for 5 CRCE Hours. Providership No. 004

PT/OT
Paperwork will be provided to submit to KOTA and KPTA for credits.

ASRT
An application has been submitted to ASRT. Approval is pending.

The fee for the program is $60 for non HaysMed employees, $30 for CAH employees. There is no registration fee for HaysMed, Great Bend Campus, St. Rose Medical Pavilion and Pawnee Valley Campus Associates of The University of Kansas Health System. You can register online: www.haysmed.com/education and click on professional education or registering by calling 785-623-5500. You may pay online with a valid credit card or may choose to be invoiced.

Aug28

00

HaysMed Successfully Completes CDC Training Initiative Aimed at Supporting Optimal Infant Nutrition

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN,Women-Infant Services

Hays, Kansas — HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System is among the first hospitals in the nation to successfully complete the EMPower Training initiative, a skills-based competency training to advance knowledge and skills in evidence-based maternity practices supportive of optimal infant nutrition.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the EMPower Training initiative is committed to safe implementation of maternity care practices to support optimal infant nutrition, including breastfeeding, toward the ultimate goal of improving the public’s health.

“As the new manager of the Women’s and Infant Care Center I have been inspired by the commitment of the OB/NICU associates and staff. HaysMed is very fortunate to have a team of nurses who are dedicated to improving and adapting to evidence based practices.” Said Michelle Toogood, BSN, RN, Supervisor of Women’s services/NICU.

“We are thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in the Empower program, led here by Jill Rozean, RN, IBCLC Lactation Services and Jessica Seib, RN, IBCLC, Staff Educator, and continue to strive to provide the best care possible for the families we have the privilege of caring for.”

As part of this effort, HaysMed committed to training staff in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) guidance outlined in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. With the help of the EMPower Training initiative, HaysMed is now equipped with skills needed to help support mothers in the safe implementation of optimal infant nutrition.

The EMPower Team is led by Abt Associates, Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, and the Center for Public Health Quality.

Aug15

00

HaysMed Implements Smartphones to Improve Patient Care

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News

Hays, KS–—HaysMed recently launched a new initiative to coordinate patient care. The Voalte Platform™ helps enhance patient care and communication through the use of smartphones. The system integrates Apple® iPhones with multiple alarm sources and HIPAA compliant messaging to ensure physicians, nurses and support staff always have the most up-to-date patient information.

The Voalte Platform implementation will include Voalte One™ on shared smartphones for nurses at the point of care, Voalte Me™ for physicians and others using personal smartphones outside the hospital, and the Voalte Messenger™ web client for unit coordinators and secure calling and messaging, bringing together all forms of communication on one powerful, smartphone-based platform.

“As hospital dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare to our community, we look for solutions to improving patient care,” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer. “We want our employees to have the most up to date technology as the foundation for communication across the hospital to ensure that care teams can access and exchange information securely, and collaborate efficiently on patient care.”

With this system physicians and nurses will be able to collaborate quickly and efficiently on an easy-to-use smartphone, and provide the best possible patient care.

‘The ability to streamline care team communication and improve access to vital patient information is invaluable” said Young.