Working together to build a Healthy Community

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Growth and development through continuing education Continuing education is an ongoing commitment to both staff and students at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. And while professional development is continually offered to TDMH team members, they in turn act as teachers and mentors to area nursing students. “It’s important that they’re continually growing and developing and passing that ethic, if you will, on to the next generation about continuing education as well as nursing skills,” said Clinical Educator Lori Smith. TDMH provides regular ongoing education opportunities through, for example, Lunch ‘N Learn sessions. Topics for the lunch hour sessions include stroke education, documentation, wound care and patient safety topics including infection control. Secondly, TDMH staff has access to the Western Ontario Health Knowledge Network, an online resource providing electronic journals, books, medication resources and up-todate best practice information from Mosby’s Nursing Skills. “They have a site they can go to for trusted and evidencedbased information to support their practice,” said Smith. And finally, while TDMH is not a teaching hospital by the classic definition, it very much is through affiliations with several post-secondary institutions. The highest percentage of students come from Western and Fanshawe said Smith, but Trent, Mohawk and Conestoga also source the opportunity. Registered Practical Nurse (RPN, a three-year program) and Registered Nurse (BScN, a four-year program) students benefit from clinical placements with a TDMH preceptor (nurse) or learn in group settings with a clinical instructor from their own institution. Picture: RPNs Joanne Johnstone (on computer) and Sheila Stanley (backrow) with a group of RPN students from Fanshawe College. For example, RN students are required to complete their education with an integrated practicum (illustrating entry to practice competency), roughly 430 hours with assigned preceptors in clinical areas including Emergency, ICU, Medical-Surgical Unit and Complex Continuing Care. RPN students tend to come as a group with an instructor for a 12-15-week session featuring a pair of six-hour shifts per week ranging between Medical Surgical and Complex Continuing Care. TDMH staff has proven very receptive to the concept and credits Smith, are more-than-willing to give back. “We have a really well-seasoned and experienced nursing team here. This gives them the opportunity to share their expertise and passion for the profession.” Overwhelmingly, the feedback Smith receives from students praises how nice and friendly the entire TDMH team is. And while the primary benefit may be to the students, the experience has proven a two-way street in terms of graduate recruitment and ultimately, retention. The hospital has hired a number of its former students, says Smith, who found their introduction to a community hospital also a form of invitation. “When they see we are a very high-functioning institution, they see it is not only a great place to gain experience, but a great place to work.” “It’s really a win/win.” Page Page 4 - TDMH 4 - TDMH
USING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE SERVICE The 2010 Tillsonburg Invitational Golf Tournament was held last September and raised over $34,000 towards the purchase of voice recognition software for the Diagnostic Imaging Department at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, which will make turnaround time for results quicker. Voice recognition hardware and software is not new. But more recent progress with regards to recognition of medical terminology has made it ‘smarter’ and opened it up to new application. Historically, diagnostic imaging Radiologists would provide a verbal interpretation of results. Verbal records would then be physically transcribed in another area of the hospital into a hard copy which the diagnostic imaging Radiologists would review prior to the typed report becoming available for the primary care physician. The mandated standard under this system from dictation to transcription was 24 hours. Historically, there were provisions for enhanced, emergency or ‘stat’ (ASAP) transcripts and in any event, TDMH’s performance was comfortably better than this mandated measure indicator. Voice recognition software streamlines the process. The diagnostic imaging Radiologist will prepare a verbal report as per usual, but through voice recognition software and related hardware, the report will be electronically transcribed as it is being reported and then reviewed almost immediately. The anticipated timeframe for subsequent review, signing off and inclusion in the IImember Thames Valley Regional Group (TVRG) Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS) and the patient electronic record is five minutes. “Dictation to transcription will be in a matter of minutes in most cases,” said Dr. Walter Romano, Chief Radiologist of Diagnostic Imaging at Left to right: Angela Empey, Manager, Health Information and Privacy Officer; Dr. Walt Romano, Chief Radiologist, Diagnostic Imaging; Lorelei Thompson, Service Coordinator, Diagnostic Imaging. TDMH. “There is no doubt reports will be posted much sooner.” Based on this development, the new standard for transcript completion will be routinely less than 24 hours from time the imaging is reported, a maximum measure indicator with room for quicker turnaround. “We were in good shape before and this technology will only enhance the service we already offer,” said Lorelei Thompson, Service Coordinator, Diagnostic Imaging. The ability for a Radiologist to read, review and complete urgent exams without transcription support outside of daytime business hours will potentially enhance turnaround speed for reports at nights and on weekends. “The use of voice recognition software will provide a finalized report to doctors faster,” says Dr. Romano, “as well as allowing more efficient use of resources.” Voice recognition software is being implemented throughout the TVRG from November 2010 through May 2011, and at TDMH in March. Angela Empey, Manager of Health Information and Privacy views the implementation of voice recognition transcription as part of the progression towards immediate and widely available (within the parameters of patient confidentiality) electronic records, which in turn, enhances patient care. Mark your calendar for the 19 th Annual Tillsonburg News Invitational Golf Tournament on Friday, September 9, 2011 TDMH ~ Page 5
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