Beebe implements new specialized elder care training

Those in the healthcare industry know that older patients often suffer from unique clinical syndromes requiring additional knowledge on the part of the nursing staff. Staff at Beebe Medical Center also know that about half of its hospitalized patients are 65 years old and older, and often require special care.

To enhance the quality of care for these patients, a Beebe Medical Center team recently completed the Leadership Training Program developed by Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University College of Nursing. This means that Beebe Medical Center is one of about 300 hospitals in the nation to receive the designation Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystems Elders.

Over the next year, Beebe Medical Center will be introducing educational opportunities for the nursing staff. This will allow Beebe Medical Center to implement the latest, evidence-based nursing protocols in patient care areas. Other NICHE hospitals already are reporting benefits that include enhanced nursing and interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in the treatment of older adults, and improved clinical outcomes, which are leading to greater patient and family satisfaction.

Joan Thomas, RN, Beebe Medical Center’s special consultant to the president, is coordinating the program at Beebe. Other members of the NICHE Program Workgroup include Suzanne Fritz, MSW; Linda Sapienza, RN; Amy Balasus, RN; Denise Larson, RN; Nancy Bastholm, RN; Justine Donohoe, pharmacist; and Margaret Porter, RN.

Paul Minnick, RN, vice president of Patient Care Services, is the executive sponsor.  Preachess Vellah, MD, who is board certified in geriatrics and internal medicine, serves as medical advisor.

The program is being introduced on 3MS under the direction of Nurse Manager Margaret Porter. Five nurses initially will be trained and will earn the geriatric resource nurse designation. Once implemented on 3MS, the program will be introduced throughout the hospital with more nurses being trained.

Beebe’s NICHE program was recently kicked off with Porter, Thomas, Larson, and Balasus sharing details with the nursing staff.

Jeff Fried, Beebe Medical Center president and CEO, thanked those who are pioneering the program. He pointed out that Beebe has the highest percentage of patients over 65 in the state, and that it is critical to have expertise in caring for this population.

“This is exciting for all of us,” Minnick said. “We will collect data pre- and post-implementation of NICHE and will be able to see the positive effect evidence-based nursing practice has on patient care.”

“I am pleased that we are introducing this program to Beebe,” Thomas says. “It will allow us to continually improve the quality of care that we offer our older population. And as we know, the retirement community represents a growing population in the communities that we serve.”

For more information, visit www.beebemed.org.