National Nursing Week

2 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press When traditional nursing practices intersect with cutting-edge technology, it can be an eye-opening experience. N urses are experts at gathering, maintaining and updating health-care information about their patients, as well as continuously communicating with other medical professionals. This task is often onerous, with stacks of paperwork and lengthy charts. However, the job becomes much more manageable thanks to Nursing Informatics, which relies on technology for easily accessible and well-organized patient records. Roberta Fransishyn and Brenda Weiss have been instrumental in introducing new software at Misericordia Health Centre, both in the ophthalmology surgery program and in the clinics at the Buhler Eye Care Centre. Fransishyn, manager for the operating room and medical device reprocessing, quickly became a subject matter expert when MHC introduced new electronic medical records (EMR). "Nursing Informatics is integrating the use of computers and technology into everyday nursing care. It's now allowed nurses to have more information at their fingertips so that we can use the real-time information to make knowledgeable health-care recommendations for our patients," she says. "Here at Misericordia, we use an electronic medical record and we do all of our documentation on the computer in the patient's chart." In the pre-assessment clinic, computerized charts are now used to record all patient information that comes from surgeons' offices, including consent forms, questionnaires and eye-health history. Eventually, a similar system will be implemented for day surgery and in the operating room. The EMR system provides a clear vision of a patient's progress — and reduces miscommunications due to illegible handwriting or unfamiliar abbreviations. As manager of the ophthalmology clinics and eye bank, Weiss sees first-hand how the computerized system has dramatically changed nurses' working lives. "We have four different clinics and they are all using electronic records. We no longer have paper charts. If a patient comes to a clinic and they have come many times before, their chart could be very thick. It could be a lot to go through to find the history and the past visits," Weiss says. "Now you go onto the computer and, at a quick glance, you can see history and previous visits and next scheduled appointments, as well as past and present plans for this patient. We still have some paper components, but they get scanned into the computer and filed into the computerized chart." The web-based surgical slating system links Misericordia directly to ophthalmology surgeons' offices. This streamlined process is particularly useful since Misericordia is the eye centre for the entire province and its clinics assess and treat more than 33,000 patients annually, including minor procedures and retinal injections. Misericordia also performs more than 11,500 ophthalmology surgeries annually, 80% of which are cataract surgeries. "The web-based system allows us to see the patient's information here at Misericordia. We can preview the chart, transfer the information into our electronic medical record and schedule a patient for surgery," Fransishyn says. "From the office, they're able to see in real time exactly when that patient was scheduled and how the surgery slate looks. It's worked really well with communication between ophthalmology offices and Misericordia." A similar system is also bringing positive results in the ophthalmology clinics. "When patients come in for procedures, the information is all electronically sent. Instead of staff having to go through multiple pages of faxes and reports, trying to figure out what day this patient is having a procedure on, it electronically arrives in a concise one-page format with good notification," Weiss says. "It's clearly written exactly what the procedure is and all the demographics of the patient. It's definitely more efficient that way." Fransishyn and Weiss highlight the contributions of Barbara Ginter-Boyce, manager for the pre-assessment clinic and MHC's partnership with eHealth Manitoba, and others who have been essential in rolling out the computer programs in different units. As well, the hospital's talented team of nurses has stepped up to the challenge of working with new technology. "Our staff here at Misericordia have really embraced this change. You can imagine that some of our nurses have been nursing for 40 years and they've always used paper and pen. It was challenging and overwhelming for them, and they have done so well," Weiss says. "I hear on a daily basis that they can't believe all that they've learned and accomplished — and there's still lots more to do. That's a really proud moment for nurses that have evolved. Our young nurses who are computer savvy had a much easier time. I was really impressed with some of our nurses who didn't have strong computer skills and really embraced it." Like Weiss, Fransishyn knows the benefits are clear to see. "It's been a lot of technology change in the last four years," Fransishyn says. "It's definitely changed the way we do our work here as we strive to be more efficient and enhance the patient experience." ✚ EYE ON TECHNOLOGY NURSING INFORMATICS LEAD TO ENHANCED PATIENT EXPERIENCE Charting success: From left, Brenda Weiss, Roberta Fransishyn and Barbara Ginter-Boyce, managers of Ophthalmology Programs at Misericordia Health Centre. PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY #NNW2016 MAY 9-15, 2016 NATIONAL NURSING WEEK 2016 INSPIRING ROLE MODELS I have been a Public Health Nurse (PHN) since 2001. My story of a nurse who made difference for me begins when I was 19 and had my first child. At the time, I had planned to go into social work when I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant and my schooling was postponed for a year. After my child's birth, I became connected with the PHNs in the St. James community — in particular, Alison Campbell, who still practices in St. James. We connected really well and she provided me with a lot of great information. I attended a mom's group at a church nearby where PHNs held visits every few weeks and provided developmental assessments, gave information and basically offered me reassurance that I was doing a great job! Amid all of this, I began to think that this was what I wanted to do with my life! I changed my career path and went into the field of nursing instead of social work. It was a long, hard journey to be a parent, attend university and complete all of my practical experiences and work, but it was worth it. In 2001, I got the chance to complete my final practicum in St. James alongside some of the same nurses who were there to offer me guidance in my time of need. I have worked as a PHN for the last 14-plus years and believe I have been able to make a difference for my clients in the community in the same way a difference was made for me. Jenn Morgan, RN BN Public Health Nurse, Point Douglas, WRHA SHINING STARS I have the pleasure of working with an amazing and talented team of nurses: Todd, Sheri, Val, Ian and Arlene. We are a dedicated group of RPNs and an RN who work in mental health in an early intervention program for clients who have experienced their first episode of psychosis. Every day, nurses have the unique ability to see into the lives of others. We are a hand to hold and provide reassuring words to help others in times of crisis. Being a nurse means that you will never be bored; you will be surrounded by challenges; you will carry immense responsibility; and you will step into people's lives and make a difference. We see people at their best and at their worst. We know what it means to be human; how to show compassion, care and patience. Todd, Val, Sheri, Ian and Arlene are true examples of nurses who go beyond the bedside and reach far into themselves to provide the utmost care and compassion to our clients. There are many moments in our nursing practice where we know we have made a difference. For example, Todd's humour and lovely demeanor shines every day so that our clients and families can feel at ease in our program. Sheri is a star, who puts so many of our clients before herself, and we are all reminded of how much she cares when someone needs something. Whatever needs to be done, it is done without judgment and with respect and integrity for the client and family. Ian has a special way of connecting clients to things that they need that most of us didn't know existed. He has an uncanny ability to problem- solve outside of the box. Without his support and knowledge, many of our clients would not be as far along in their recovery. Val is a burst of energy and a lovely clinician. She is quick to get involved and models her passion for mental health in her nursing practice. Arlene is a wonderful and skilled advocate for clients and families. Our program is very fortunate to have so many wonderful nurses. Thank you Todd, Val, Sheri, Ian and Arlene for doing what you do. Joelle Blanchette BScP.N., RPN Alison Campbell (left) and Jenn Morgan. Saluting her teammates: Joelle Blanchette. Continued >> NURSING MOMENTS << Continued from previous

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