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Ensuring ExcellenceEvery TimeCare Experience Bundle Standardizes Patient ExperienceImproving patient experience was the drivingforce behind the work of Leslie London,MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN, clinical nursespecialist, as she implemented new standardsfor emergency department flow, efficiency andpatient communication.The standards – called the Care ExperienceBundle – were designed to standardize anapproach for nurses to deliver care acrossemergency departments systemwide.Launched July 1, the Care Experience Bundlefocuses on patient-centered communicationwith a model known as G.R.E.A.T. (Greet,Relate, Explain, Ask, Thank). These elementswere identified as evidence-based clinicalpractices that are likely to improve patientexperience and patient outcomes. Andover the course of just a few short months,patient experience is on the rise. Londonreports great success, with an improvementin emergency department patientexperience scores from the 27th percentileto the 50th percentile.In hopes of continuing these trends acrossthe system, Care Experience Bundles willbe introduced at outpatient facilities andwill begin to include other members of thecare team.The combination of the flow and efficiencywork with the Care Experience Bundleelements has shown an increase in patientexperience that we hope to sustain.Leslie London, MSN, RN13

CARING FOR OURPATIENTS, ALWAYSLAQUINTA KEE, BSN, RN14

Predicting Aggression,Preventing ViolenceDASA Screening Tool Assesses Patients for ViolenceLeaders tapped Laquinta Kee, BSN, RN,clinical supervisor, Behavioral Health, tobe the program advocate for a pilot aimedat keeping patients and teammates safe andfacilities free of violence. Kee and the AtriumHealth Kings Mountain Behavioral Healthteam piloted DASA (Dynamic Appraisalof Situational Aggression), a screening toolused to assess patients for potentially violentbehavior. DASA scores each patient’s risk foraggression, thus preparing teammates forthe threat of hostile behavior and sometimesprompting pre-medication to avoid violence.Kee implemented a daily “debriefing huddle”to discuss any concerns and ensure allteammates had a voice in monitoring patienttrends and behaviors. Leadership quicklyfound that DASA was working: Teammateswere more perceptive of hostile behaviorsand aware of the risk of violence. Managingaggression early with pre-medication,rather than waiting for threats of violence,also resulted in less overall time thatpatients spent in restraints. Plus, the stafffelt safer at work – a post-pilot surveyshowed a 16.5% increase in teammates’perception of safety at work.DASA has been implemented throughoutall behavioral health departments. Today,four emergency rooms are piloting DASA todetermine whether it can provide the samesuccess in the ED.We could all see a difference in ourability to better prepare for patients’acuity and behaviors.Laquinta Kee, BSN, RN15

CARING FOR OURPATIENTS, ALWAYSANDREA MCCALL, MHA, BSN, RN16

Knowledge is PowerCommunication, Collaboration Spark Reduction in Readmissions“Hospitalizations are stressful for our patientsand their loved ones, both emotionally andfinancially. And a readmission only addsto that stress,” says Andrea McCall, MHA,BSN, RN, CPHQ, assistant vice president ofperformance improvement and facilitator ofthe readmissions strategy team.In summer 2018, McCall and the readmissionsteam zeroed in on a few simple ways tohelp reduce readmissions in the summermonths: help patients avoid dehydrationand overheating.The data had shown a trend of increasedhospital readmissions during summer months,and revealed the key drivers behind thosereadmissions, particularly among vulnerablepatients, such as those with COPD. All it tookto achieve a 4% reduction in readmissionsfrom the previous summer was sharing theirfindings and asking the full care team to helppatients access fans, air conditioning andother resources.This is all part of Atrium Health’s multifaceted strategy to avoid readmissions.It engages the full continuum of care,including acute care, continuing careand the emergency department, andchallenges all teammates to provide crossdisciplinary support, share best practicesand help develop solutions for any barriersto success.Much of the strategy centers on improvingcare transitions, including communication,to increase patient and family confidencethat teammates are working as a cohesivehealthcare team. Workgroups, committeesand the data analytics department studyunplanned readmissions and collaborateto determine the cause and implementtargeted interventions.We’re working together to developinnovative solutions to benefit thecommunities we serve.Andrea McCall, MHA, BSN, RN17

EMPOWERING ANDIMPROVING OUR NURSESPAULA FORD, BSN, RNC-NCSN18

Ready. Set. Grow!RNs Flourish Through Professional NurseClinical Advancement Program“I love challenges and the opportunity toimprove. I couldn’t wait to get started,” saysPaula Ford, BSN, RNC-NCSN, a nurse atNorthEast regional operations center, of theopportunity she had to grow professionallythrough Atrium Health’s Professional NurseClinical Advancement Program (PNCAP).As healthcare continues the shift to valuebased care, it’s more important than ever fornurses to work at the top of their abilities. ThePNCAP helps us reach that goal by providingregistered nurses with opportunities to acquireleadership, education and evidence-basedpractice skills to elevate patient care andfurther their careers. By making the programrequirements more accessible and expandingthe categories of nurses eligible to participate,Atrium Health increased participation in theprogram by 27% in 2018.Initially open to nurses at Atrium Healthinpatient and ambulatory care facilities,2018 marked the first year that PNCAP wasavailable to nurses from regional operationscenters as well. Ford was thrilled to takepart. “One day I asked my nurse managerhow I could improve and better myself,”says Ford. “She lit up like a light bulb andtold me about PNCAP.”The objective of Ford’s project was todecrease the number of high prioritytransfer calls from over 70% to less than50% to increase efficiency and patientsatisfaction by ensuring high prioritypatient calls were appropriately identifiedand transferred to the triage nurses in atimely manner. Ford exceeded her goalby designing and implementing the HighPriority Triage Logic Program at theregional operations center (ROC).As the first from her location to participate,Ford was a pioneer for her team. And theadded bonus? With her BSN and nationalboard certification, she was able to advancetwo levels – from Clinical Nurse 1 toClinical Nurse 3 – which resulted in anincrease in pay.The Professional Nurse ClinicalAdvancement Program has allowed meto further my 34-year nursing careerand reach another amazing milestone.Paula Ford, BSN, RNC-NCSN19

EMPOWERING ANDIMPROVING OUR NURSESJUDY CALLAHAN, BSN, RNC-OB20

Cultivating New LeadersNurse Manager Fellowship Eases Transition to ManagementIn 2018, Atrium Health developed the NurseManager Fellowship program to providenew nurse leaders like Judy Callahan, BSN,RNC-OB, a maternity nurse at Atrium HealthUnion, with the training and tools necessary tosucceed in management.Nurses come to Atrium Health with theknowledge and experience necessary toprovide the world-class patient care we’reknown for. But for those who take onleadership roles, the list of responsibilitiesgoes far beyond the skillset they acquired innursing school.In a blend of independent, didactic andexperiential learning, the nine-monthfellowship program includes workshops,peer coaching and opportunities to networkwith other Atrium Health nurse leaders.From budgeting and staffing to performancemetrics and crisis management, theprogram’s purpose is to foster engaged,resilient nurse leaders who are preparedto sustain healthy work environmentsbenefiting both nurses and patients.Program success will be measured by newnurse manager retention, unit turnoverand budget studies, as well as engagementscores, patient experience scores and unitquality scores.This program gave me the opportunityto network with other new managersand to understand and utilize theresources that we have available.Judy Callahan, BSN, RNC-OB21

EMPOWERING ANDIMPROVING OUR NURSESDEENA DENMAN, BSN, CCRN22

Next-Generation NursesDive into Virtual CareVirtual Critical Care Team Partners with Area Nursing SchoolsAs healthcare continues the shift to valuebased care, providers must have the flexibilityand resources to meet patients where they are.Virtual care is becoming an essential part ofeducation for the next generation of nurses.In 2017, Atrium Health’s Virtual CriticalCare (VCC) team launched an eight-hourclinical rotation for the Stanly CommunityCollege (SCC) School of Nursing. Led byDeena Denman, BSN, CCRN, VCC, clinicalsupervisor, and held in the VCC centraloperations room in Mint Hill, the first cohortof 22 students learned the role of the tele-ICUin critical care data collection, observingpatient interactions with virtual nurses viacamera. They shadowed VCC night nurses,experiencing the increase in call volume afterbedside physicians leave for the day. And theypartnered with virtual pharmacists, respiratorytherapists and physicians to experience how thevirtual team communicates to provide holisticpatient care.The VCC partnership with SCC is nowin its second year, and collaborations arebeginning with other area schools, includingCarolinas College of Health Sciences, PfeiferUniversity School of Nursing, Central PiedmontCommunity College School of Nursing andthe SCC Respiratory Therapy program.We try to make sure students seethe VCC from every view possible.Deena Denman, BSN, CCRN23

EMPOWERING ANDIMPROVING OUR NURSESKATIE WOLF, BSN, RN24

A Strong StartRNs Transition to Practice, Prepare to ThriveAfter becoming a registered nurse, Katie Wolf,BSN, RN, CNI, relocated from Charlottesville,VA, to join Atrium Health’s Levine Children’sHospital. She’s one of the roughly 530 RNs whoenroll in the Transition to Practice (TTP) NewGraduate Nurse Residency Program each year.“An extended orientation is so generous for anew graduate nurse, who is both vulnerableand eager to soak up as much information aspossible,” says Wolf.The TTP experience was designed to ease thetransition from student nurse to practicingRN. It has evolved over time to become anine-month, systemwide program covering10 specialty tracks. Talent Acquisition andNursing Professional Development partnerwith leaders and educators to providesustained support, including didacticinstruction, peer support and one-on-oneprecepted clinical experiences. Every newgraduate RN who is hired by Atrium Healthand has less than six months of experienceparticipates in the Nurse ResidencyProgram. The program’s success is creditedwith Atrium Health’s 94% retention ratefor new graduate RNs, which exceeds thenational average of 83%.Extra orientation sessions with theTTP team served as a great home base,where facilitators really cared abouthow [we] new grads were doing.Katie Wolf, BSN, RN25

RECOGNITIONS2018 Notable NursesAtrium Health nurses are exceptional, dedicated – and yes, notable.The Notable Nurses program launched in May 2013 and featuresmonthly stories highlighting nurses nominated by their colleaguesacross the enterprise and carefully selected by a multi-disciplinarycommittee within the organization.Andrea Atwell, BSN, RN, CVRNCarolinas Medical CenterSonya Ayer, BSN, RN, CENCarolinas Medical CenterMichelle Bare, RNHospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus CountyDarcy Doege, BSN, RNLevine Cancer InstituteLauri Fowler, MSN, RN, CWOCNTeammate HealthJennifer Gossett, BSN, RN-BCCarolinas Medical CenterKimberly Green, RN, BSN, PCCNAtrium Health LincolnAllison Hicks, BSN, RNHospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County26

Amanda Hopper, BSN, RN, CNILevine Cancer Institute - ClevelandKristy Houser, RNAtrium Health Cleveland Palliative CareLyndsey Couch Johnson, MSN, RN, CN IIAtrium Health LincolnHeather Lechner, BSN, RN, CENCarolinas HealthCare System NorthEastCaroline Lewis, BSN, RN, CCRNAtrium Health PinevilleWendy Mauldin, RNHealthy@Home - UniversityChristi Milledge, RNLevine Children’s HospitalBrenda Rutland, BSN, RN, CWONAtrium Health PinevilleCynthia Stabel, BSN, RN, RNC-MNNCarolinas HealthCare System NorthEastAmy Tucker, BSN, RNAtrium Health Waxhaw EmergencyDepartment, a facility of Atrium Health UnionHeather Weavil, RN, CN ICarolinas Medical CenterKerry Weierbach, ASN, RN, CCRN, TNCCCarolinas HealthCare System NorthEast27

RECOGNITIONSPinnacle AwardHonoreesThe Atrium Health Pinnacle Award recognizesteammates who best exemplify our core values ofcaring, commitment, integrity and teamwork. ThePinnacle Award is the highest honor bestowed toteammates within the organization.28

2018HonoreesCarley Chardukian, BSN, RN, CCRNClinical Nurse I, ICU Medical 10LCarolinas Medical CenterNiki Hammonds, RNAssistant Director, Surgical ServicesScotland Health Care SystemRussell Hendrix, BSN, RNCharge Nurse, ICUAnMed HealthDiana James, MSN, RN, NE-BCNurse Manager, PICULevine Children’s HospitalTammie Stahl, CRNA, MHSClinical Coordinator, Anesthesia ServicesAtrium Health Pineville29

RECOGNITIONSGreat 100 Nursesin North CarolinaThe Great 100 Inc., a grassroots peer recognitionorganization honoring nursing excellence and providingscholarships to nursing students across the state, compilesan annual list of the top 100 nurses in North Carolina.Great 100 recognizes recipients for outstandingprofessional ability and contributions to improvinghealthcare in their communities. Nominations are submittedby peers and reviewed by a committee. The winners areselected by a board of previous Great 100 recipients.

2018 Award RecipientsCarolinas Medical CenterDiane Jenkins, BSN, RN, ICCE-CPE, CLC, CIMI, CGE Steven Keller, MS, BSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BCBelma Kulovac, BSN, RN, CCRN, CN III Lauren Macko, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, SCRNCharis Mitchell, BSN, RN, PCCN, TNCC, CN II Kathy Shaffer, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CBCCarolinas Medical Center - MercyLindsay McDermott, BSN, RN, PMHCN, CN IIIAtrium Health UnionPatricia Wallace, MSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BCAtrium Health University CityCandy Adkins, MSN, RN, RNC-OB Julie Caulder, BSN, RN, RNC-LRN, CN IIRonda Vani, MSN, RN, SCRN, CCRN-KLevine Children’s HospitalLori Erwin, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, CN III Macaira Herford, BSN, RN, CPN, CN IIINicole Neugebauer, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, NTMNC, CN IIIContinuing Care ServicesLori Chadwick, RN, CRRNAlamance Regional Medical CenterTiffany England, BSN, RN, CCRN, RNC-NIC Roxanne Pecinich, MSN, RNAnnie Penn HospitalJennifer Kendrick, BSN, RN, SCRNCone Health (System)Susan Hampton, BSN, RN, COHN-S Susan H. Johnson, BSN, RN, CNORJulie Montpellier, MHA, RN, BA, CDE Pam Smith, MHA, RN, BSNMoses Cone HospitalCarrie Craver, BSN, RN, SCRN Kristina Fraley, BSN, RN Maria Sprague, BSN, RNTriad HealthCare NetworkMonica Lane, MSN, RNMedCenter High PointChanin Maynard, BSN, RN, CENWesley Long HospitalLaurie Epperson, MSN, RN, WTA Rachel Keslar, MSN, CENKeisha Martini, RN, OCN, CN-BN Athena Pickenpack-Cousar, MSN, AGPCNP-BC31

RECOGNITIONSMagnet PresentationsThe American Nurses Credentialing Center’s National Magnet Conference is an annual event where more than 9,000nurses, nurse executives and healthcare professionals from the top hospitals around the world gather to share best practicesand their passion for improving patient care. Every year, they receive more than 1,500 abstracts from Magnet designatedorganizations interested in presenting their work during the conference. In October 2018, Atrium Health was honored tohave four poster presentations accepted to showcase excellence in nursing at the conference held in Denver, Colorado.Hold the Line: Standardizing CLABSI Reduction Track: Evidence-Based PracticeLacey Spangler, BSN, RN, CCRN; Sarah Rutledge, BSN, RN, CCRNCarolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NCImpacting Stroke by Becoming a Stroke-Certified Rural HospitalDenise Rhew, PhD, RN, CEN, CNS; Jennifer Kendrick, BSN, RN, SCRNCone Health - Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro, NCThe Next Generation: Recruiting, Retaining, and Leading MillennialsKimberly Pate, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, PCCN; Thomas Calabro, MSN-HCSM, RN, NEA-BC,CCRN-KCarolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NCTransitioning Our Way to Improved Quality MeasuresSarah Rutledge, BSN, RN, CCRN; Lacey Spangler, BSN, RN, CCRNCarolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC32

Gold Touchstone2018 Award WinnersEach year, Atrium Health recognizes individual and group efforts that exhibit exceptional performance in the areas ofpatient safety, clinical outcomes, clinical efficiency and service excellence.Atrium Health PinevilleAlice Nicole Beaver, MSN, RN; Olivia Davis, BSN, RN, CMSRNClean Hands Club: Don’t Get Caught Germy-HandedNew Hanover Medical Group, NHRMC Physician GroupDiana Amedy, BSN, RNDiabetes: Impacting the Quality of Care with Embedding Retinal Imaging in the Primary Care SettingCarolinas HealthCare System Blue RidgeCarol Ervin, BSN, RN; Laura D. HicksEnhancing the Experience: I am a Person, not a Mental Health ProblemCarolinas Medical CenterJeremy Rhoten, BSN, RN, SCRNHave You Lost Your Neurons? Code Stroke Lean Process Improvement ProjectSanger Heart & Vascular InstituteCarol Efenecy, MHDL, BSN, RNII-BC; Jamie Aigner BSN, RN, BCPreventing Avoidable Readmissions: Continuous Quality Improvement to Achieve ExcellenceAtrium Health Continuing CareAmy B. Harroff, BSN, RNSafe Passage: A Virtual Nurse-to-Nurse Transition of CareHospice of Union County and Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus CountyLinda Hood, RN, CNORStaying Steady: Hospice Falls Performance Improvement Keeping Patients Safe at End of LifeAtrium Health University CityStefanie Skerrett Eaves, MSN, RN, NE-BC; Rose-Marie Clarke, BSN, RN III, CCRN;Victoria Belliotti BSN, RN, CICSustaining the Gains: Two Years (and Counting) with Zero CAUTI33

RECOGNITIONSDALE SAYLER, RN34

Going the Extra MileNurse Helps Homeless Man Find FreedomDale Sayler, RN, health communities carecoordinator for Navicent Health, has alwaysgone above and beyond her duties for thepatients she encounters. One patient whobenefited from her dedication was LouisWalker. Sayler met Walker during hisrecovery from heart surgery at The MedicalCenter, Navicent Health. She learned he washomeless due to his congestive heart failure –the illness caused him to miss work and rentpayments. After his surgery, he began stayingat the Salvation Army and taking meals at anarea kitchen.him to doctors’ appointments and helped himapply for an apartment by researching andcompleting the necessary paperwork. Now,Walker is healthy and employed, has a home ofhis own and is giving back to his community.In November 2018, Sayler was awarded theprestigious Georgia Hospital Heroes Awardby the Georgia Hospital Association. Sayler,who was one of only five healthcare workersstatewide to receive the award, was recognizedfor her strong dedication to her patients both inand out of the hospital.When Sayler heard Walker’s story, she beganhelping him on his health journey. She droveI care about the people in mycommunity. These are my neighborsand I do it because I can!

Becky Fox, MSN, RN-BC Chief Nursing Informatics Officer, Atrium Health Debbie A. Grant, DNP, RN, CENP Cone Health CHMG and Population Health, Clinical Support Services Kate Grew, MSN, RN Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast Elaine S. Haynes, MSN, RN, NEA-BC Atrium Health Lincoln Rufus Harrell, BSN, RN Medical Center of Peach County 4 NURSING AT