King's Daughters' Health

The nursing teams at King's Daughters' Health have been reorganized with one goal in mind: provide patients with compassionate, effective care tailored to their needs. Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coordinator Natalie Garrett recently joined King's Daughters' Health and hopes to decrease smoking rates in Madison and Jefferson County. AT KDH, WE aim to continuously provide our patients with high- quality healthcare that is safe, timely and equitable for all. Nurses are on the front lines of this mission, and during the last year, we have begun to make changes to better position them to do so. Leading the Way In September 2016, we restructured our nursing division into two teams: one focused exclusively on inpatients and the other on outpatients. For inpatients, this means hardwiring communication between doctors and nurses while tearing down workplace barriers, according to Jennifer Liter, DNP, RN, Vice President of Inpatient Services and Chief Nursing Officer at KDH. For outpatients, it means more focused efforts to reduce preventable readmissions and complications, adds Lisa Morgan, MHA, BSN, Vice President of Outpatient Services. "Implementation of our COPD readmission program has resulted in patients being better able to manage their care at home and reduce hospitalizations," Lisa says. "We are eager to duplicate this success in other programs." "We want KDH to be the best place to receive medical care," Jennifer adds. "But we also want to be the organization at which professionals of all disciplines choose to work." Making the Rounds This past April, nurse leader rounding relaunched. Leader rounding is intended to capture the voice of our customers, including "wins" during their stay, while simultaneously identifying opportunities to improve the overall patient experience. During rounding, nursing team leaders have the opportunity to ask patients and families specific questions that will allow us to identify and address in real time any concerns they might have. "Collaboration begins with communication," Lisa says. "All the improvements we've made, and those planned for the future, support a more integrated model of care." ■ ■ Are you interested in joining the KDH nursing team? Visit www.kdhmadison.org and click on "Careers." Nurses With a New Mission NATALIE COMES TO KDH as part of a two-year grant from the Indiana Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Commission. As part of her mission to raise awareness about the harmful health and financial impacts of tobacco use, she has focused her efforts on strengthening smoke-free policies at local businesses and places of employment. Natalie also gives presentations to local community groups, and she collaborates with Head Start on a program called "Getting a Head Start on Living Tobacco Free," meant to educate parents about the health – and financial – impacts of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, while helping them find the resources they need to quit. Natalie will also work to educate people about the Indiana Tobacco Quitline, which provides free counseling, smoking cessation aids and other forms of support. "Thirty to 33 percent of adults in Jefferson County smoke, one of the highest averages in Indiana," Natalie says. "My goal is to help shift that trend by motivating these adults to quit." ■ ■ Ready to kick your tobacco habit? Call Natalie at (812) 801-0598 or the Indiana Tobacco Quitline at (800) QUIT-NOW. A Breath of Fresh Air Natalie Garrett Vital Signs // a publication of King's Daughters' Health 7

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