2006 - Nemours

Roy Proujansky, MD, Nemours EVP for Patient Operations and Chief OperatingOfficer with Terri M. Young, Vice President for Human ResourcesThe hospital administrative leadership controlledexpenditures while central business and managed carestaff improved processes resulting in a strong hospitalbusiness performance despite increased costs for energy,surgical implants, drugs and biological products. Operatingperformance improved for the third straight year basedon sound management and an increased focus onservice excellence.Efforts continued throughout the year to assure facilities,programs and services maintain the child as the focusof all we do. Hospital and practice leadership joinedforces to develop a strategic plan, tightly aligned withthe Nemours-wide Strategy Management initiative. Startedin December 2005, the comprehensive planning processbrought together more than 60 leaders to define and aligngoals and objectives reinforcing Nemours’ mission,vision and values.Expansion and upgrades started in theNeonatal Intensive Care Unit and theCardiac Intensive Care Unit.Management and improvement of quality and safety forpatients, their families and staff is a top priority acrossNemours. Activities in 2006 included the installationof a new physiologic patient monitoring system for allintensive care and specialty units as well as an automatedalarm notification and communication system to alert staffmore quickly. Security enhancements included expanded,24-hour coverage in the Emergency Department andmobile security across all properties on or near thecampus. Security systems and procedures were upgradedin the hospital and in the Rockland facilities, includingadditional cameras, card access doors, asset controlsand staffing.Additionally, the pharmacy program was re-organized sopharmacists could be more involved with bedside care toassist with medication decisions. One patient care unitsuccessfully piloted a bar-code-based system to improvemedication safety. The system will be deployed throughoutthe entire hospital in 2007.The process to achieve Nursing Magnet recognitioncontinued in 2006 with the implementation of SharedGovernance Councils. The Councils are working to earnthe coveted Magnet designation from the AmericanNurses Credentialing Center in recognition of nursingexcellence, quality patient care and nursing innovations.30 2006 Nemours Annual Report