Tell us something good Submitted by: Jodie Holgate, Director of Respiratory Care TeamTalk AUGUST 15, 2016 When the announcement was made that TJ Regional Health would be purchasing Westlake Regional Hospital, I really didn t think I would have much to do with it. However, I did know there were several respiratory therapists working there, which made it personal for me. We did not have any job openings at the hospital and it was difficult to think that these people would be facing unemployment. In the weeks following, the decision was made that we would only reopen the emergency department (ED), which translated to me that these respiratory employees would probably lose their jobs. When the transition started, Kathy Hirsch and I met to discuss how the team would handle respiratory emergencies, ventilators, blood gases, what supplies would be needed, and how to provide education for the nursing staff. During the discussions, Kathy decided it would be necessary to have a respiratory care team in the ED. Although she had never seen a model like this before, she felt certain, not only could we make it work, it would be a good fit. She began to throw out ideas about how a model would allow for a respiratory presence and what that would look like in a job description. One idea would be using respiratory therapists in place of emergency room techs. Emergency room techs have a variety of job responsibilities, many that can be done by respiratory and/or nursing, as shared responsibilities. Respiratory Therapists at Westlake were doing the EKGs, outpatient spirometry and home sleep testing before the purchase. Because of Kathy s ideas and vision, 6 of the respiratory therapists were hired to work in this model and be a part of the Columbia ED team. During the interviewing process, we described to them how the staffing model would include one or two nurses, a respiratory therapist, David Ray, CRT Heather Seals, RRT Erica Milam, RRT Carla Patterson, CRT Joyce Mann, CRT Not pictured: Barbara Long, RRT, RN
(TJHC RESPIRATORY, continued) and the physician. None of those therapists we hired had ever worked in this capacity before, but were willing to accept the challenge. We appreciate what each of those hired has brought to the TJ Team. In addition to performing arterial blood gases, nebulizer treatments, managing ventilator patients, performing EKGs and doing Home sleep testing, the respiratory therapist assists the nurse in triage, room cleaning, specimen handling, and patient assistance. I have been very impressed with each of them and how they have adapted to this new role. They participate in the overall function of the ER and work very well together in providing great care for our patients. I would like to introduce you to the Respiratory Care Team at TJ Health Columbia! CARLA PATTERSON, CRT is a full-time day shift therapist. She comes to us from Jane Todd Hospital and has been in respiratory for 7 years. She has is married and has one son. JOYCE MANN, CRT is a full-time day shift therapist. Joyce worked at TJ Samson several years ago, and she also worked at Russell County hospital. Joyce is married, has two sons and is raising her 4-year-old great niece. HEATHER SEALS, RRT is a full-time night shift therapist. She graduated in 2015, and she also works PRN at the University Of Kentucky medical center. She is married and has two little boys who keep her very busy. DAVID RAY, CRT is a full-time night shift therapist. Dave has been a respiratory therapist over 30 years and has worked for many different hospitals. David is married and has grown children and a 4-year-old daughter. BARBARA LONG, RRT (not pictured) is also a registered nurse who works PRN for us. She is employed full-time at Caverna. Barb is married and has one son and two grandchildren. ERICA MILAM, RRT, our newest edition to the TJ Health Columbia team, just graduated from a respiratory program in May and has already obtained her RRT. Erica is married and has one little boy. I would like to personally thank each of them for stepping courageously out of the box and accepting the challenge of being a part of this new team model. We are very proud of the care you provide and the contribution each of you make to the TJ Health Columbia ER team. THANK YOU! This compliment was submitted on Facebook: T.J. Samson has been amazing for our Dad and us! They have given him excellent care! We have found out more here in 5 days than we did at 3 other hospitals in 6 months! No, the news we received isn't good, but at least we know now for sure what's happening. We have been blessed with excellent doctors, nurses, CNA's, radiology staff, housekeeping, EVERYONE here!!! We cannot thank you ALL enough for ALL you have done!!! I wish I could rate you at a 10!!!! Not only have you taken care of Dad but also taken care of us as a family. These compliments were submitted at the Pavilion: Regarding Ashley in Rehab: Ashley was so nice and helpful with my problem so much. Overall I want to just say how friendly she was. Regarding the Cardiology Department: I love this place. Great people! Regarding Carrie in Women's Imaging: Carrie in mammogram was awesome! Very friendly! Regarding Dr. Combs Royse in T.J. Urgent Care: I came in to see Dr. Combs for some problems I had been having. She took her time with me telling me what she was going to do and how she was going to do it. I felt like she did everything she could do to figure out the problem and didn't stop until it was solved. I highly recommend Dr. Combs Royse for any patient coming into the Urgent Care. Thank you, Dr. Combs Royse! Regarding Dr. Turner in Pod B: I called Dr. Turner's office for an appointment regarding a UTI that had been going on for several weeks. They worked me in that day so I could get treatment. He ran several tests and also put me on meds for treatment. He took his time with me explaining my treatment. Also, he had me to followup on another appointment. He always takes his time explaining to and caring for his patients. Thank you, Dr. Turner!
Congratulations, Laura Spalding! Laura Spalding is the latest T.J. Daisy Award Winner. Laura has been an employee at T.J. Samson since 2007, and she works in Labor and Delivery. Laura's Daisy Award nomination was received from a patient who wrote the following letter: As I went into pre-term labor at 24 weeks, Laura stood by my side and explained to me what exactly was happening to me. She was very compassionate and never left my side until I was transported to Norton's. She explained every medicine that was given to me and what it would do to help me. She was very special to me in my time of need. Way to go, Laura! Keep up the great work! EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN Prize Winners Watch the video linked below to see who won this week's prizes: 4 Hot Rods Tickets $50 Steamers Gift Card Hospice Tee VIDEO LINK: Employee Campaign Winners If the link will not open for you, just go to the TJ Intranet, and it is under the "Videos" section there.
American Heart Association ECG & PHARMACOLOGY CLASS Tuesday August 30, 2016 0730-1530 4th floor classroom #1 Topics Covered: ECG STEMI Pharmacology You may register on HealthStream or by calling the Education Dept at 4454, 4450, or 4639 ACLS Prep/Review 6.5 Contact hours awarded by KBN The fastest way to success is to replace bad habits with good habits. UNDERSTANDING HOSPITAL VIOLENCE Hospital Violence has unfortunately become more prevalent in the past few years. In order to be prepared on how to identify a potentially violent person, and what to do in a violent situation, please join us for one of the following informative educational sessions. All employees are encouraged to attend one of these sessions. You may sign up for one on HealthStream. Each Session should last around 30 minutes. 0.5 Contact Hours will be awarded to Licensed Nursing Personnel. Author: Zig Ziglar
! T H G I N. J. T Friday, August 26th 6:35pm VS The first 200 tickets are only $3! Tickets are $6 each, but T.J. is paying $3 on 200 tickets. Limit 2 of the $3 tickets per employee. You may purchase additional tickets at $6 each. Only 200 of the $3 tickets are available. Registration Deadline: MONDAY, AUGUST 22 Please visit the Human Resources Department at T.J. Samson or at the Pavilion to pay for your tickets. Columbia Employees: Please see Robin Willis at T.J. Health Columbia to register. Clinics: Please contact Rachel Forrester at 270.651.4501 or RForrester@tjsamson.org to register. HARRY POTTER NIGHT -Quidditch games -Autographed Harry Potter photographs raffle -Take pictures with Harry Potter Characters POST-GAME FIREWORKS YOUR RESERVED TICKETS MAY BE PICKED UP AT THE WILL-CALL BOOTH THE NIGHT OF THE GAME.
ACHOO! Coping with Allergies LUNCH & LEARN with Dr. Elizabeth Combs Royse Thursday, August 25 12 to 1 p.m. T.J. Health Pavilion Community Center 310 N.L. Rogers Wells Blvd., Glasgow Bring your own sack lunch and drinks will be provided. One CEU will be awarded to nursing professionals who attend. Please call 270.659.3378 with any questions or for more information.
Shanti Niketan HOSPICE HOME T.J. Employee Campaign August 8 to October 8, 2016 With the help of our T.J. employees and the support of the community, we are preparing to address our community s need for a home-like hospice setting. As caring co-workers, we are pulling together to help establish and support the end-of-life, care-giving Shanti Niketan Hospice Home. Prize Drawings for Employee Donors: The winners of each drawing will be videoed and shared through the employee newsletter and the T.J. Intranet. Donors registered by August 15 will be eligible to enter a drawing for 4 Hot Rods tickets and a gift certificate from Steamers Restaurant. Donors who commit to a multiple year gift will be placed in a drawing for the following gifts: Ipad, Grill and Monthly Reserved Employee Parking Spot Departments will be eligible to win Breakfast or Pizza if they are the first to reach 100% participation. Departments that have fewer than five employees will be combined and will need to work together to win. We will also have gift cards and other gifts that will be randomly given to donors. We will have a section in the employee newsletter titled I give because... Each week, we will feature an employee who shares his or her reason for donating to the campaign. We will also include frequently asked questions with answers. GOAL: 850 T.J. Employees raising $350,000 for this great cause. T.J. employees may contribute to the Shanti Niketan Hospice Home conveniently through payroll deduction. Contact Kim Lambert for details: klambert@tjmissionfund.org or 270.651.4348.