The nursing team of the Bristol Hospital Intensive Care Unit continue to use innovation.
One example of the nursing team’s commitment is a wellestablished protocol in place for end of life patients in the ICU. Clinical Coordinator Betsey Dreher, MSN, RN, CCRN, and staff nurse Susan Caterino, BSN, RN, CCRN, developed the protocol that ensures a uniform approach to end of life care.
“This project was truly a team effort between the nurses, the physicians and the patient care associates, who all work together to ensure that patients have a peaceful environment at end of life,” Dreher said. “It’s also vital to support the patient’s family through this emotional time as well.”
When a patient in the ICU is designated as comfort measures only, the team transforms the ICU patient room into a homelike atmosphere with dim lighting and a soft comforter.
The family also is provided with a comfort box that is filled with keepsakes and the ability to obtain hair samples and/ or fingerprints of their loved ones.
The ICU team takes extra time to ensure that patients die with dignity and that the families who are experiencing the loss are supported. In addition to patient care, the ICU staff also place a priority on taking care of one another to help deal with the stress and high acuity on the unit.
“With the ongoing stress levels experienced by every ICU nurse, we identified the need for a space to practice self-care,” said Darlene Dionne, MSN, RN, CCRN, operations manager of the ICU and Respiratory Care.
“A taskforce was formed and a relaxation room was created. Staff now has a quiet tranquil place to refresh, renew and recharge so they can continue to provide the best nursing care possible.” Dionne said her team has additional accomplishments that exemplify transformational thinking in enhancing structure and processes.
The ICU staff implemented a treatment that provides a safe and stable withdrawal experience for alcohol withdrawal patients. This new process has resulted in shorter ICU days, decreased ventilator days and improved outcomes for alcohol withdrawal patients.
Stephen P. Caminiti, MD, chief of pulmonary medicine and critical care, said the unit’s nursing team is invaluable to him and his physician colleagues.
“Our ICU nurses are a group of experienced, kind and compassionate individuals,” said Dr. Caminiti, who also serves as medical director of the ICU.
“They spend so much time by the bedside, and they are truly the eyes and ears of our patients. As physicians, we cannot do what we do without the caring and expert care our nurses provide.”
Dionne said the ICU nurses possess a strong work ethic and rely on each other, especially during times of chaos. Teamwork is natural for them and no staff member is left behind. The staff prides themselves on being professional and respectful to each other, and pay close attention to follow policies and protocols to keep their patients safe.
“The ICU team consistently seeks to improve their nursing practice. They practice 200 percent accountability and mentor one another,” Dionne said.
“This nursing team is one of the most engaged and clinically competent groups of nurses that I have ever worked with.” — Bristol Health