Ethics Refresher training is conducted annually for Methodist Healthcare employees and other covered persons. This course restates the importance of and commitment to our Ethics and Compliance Program and includes education pertaining to the Corporate Integrity Agreement. 

To Register for a Class:

Step 1: Select “Education & Research” from SANursing home page

Sep 2: Select “Calendar of Events”

Step 3: Choose the month and date of your class from the Calendar

Step 4: Select “Event Details”

Step 5: Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Register Now” and follow the instructions to register

Schedule of Classes:

June 2nd, 2008  7:30 AM-8:30 AM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM

June 3rd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 PM

June 4th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM  

June 9th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

June 10th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM

June 11th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM

June 12th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM

June 13th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

June 16th, 2008 7:30 PM-8:30 PM

June 17th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM

June 18th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM

June 19th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

June 20th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM  

June 23rd, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

June 24th, 2008 7:30 PM-8:30 PM  

June 25th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM

June 26th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM

June 27th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM

June 30th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 PM

July 1st, 2008 4:00 PM-5:00 PM     7:30 PM-8:30 PM

July 2nd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM    10:00 AM-11:00 AM    1:30 PM-2:30 PM

July 3rd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 PM

July 7th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

July 8th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     7:30 PM-8:30 PM

July 9th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM

July 10th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM

July 11th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM

July 14th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

July 15th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM

July 16th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM    

July 17th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM    1:30 PM-2:30 PM    4:00 PM-5:00 PM    7:30 PM-8:30 PM

July 18th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM    1:30 PM-2:30 PM    4:00 PM-5:00 PM   7:30 PM-8:30 PM

July 21st, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 PM

July 22nd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 PM

July 23rd, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

July 24th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM

July 25th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 PM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM     7:30 PM-8:30 PM

July 28th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 AM

July 29th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 AM

July 30th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM   1:30 PM-2:30 PM    7:30 PM-8:30 PM

July 31st, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 PM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM

August 1st, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM     1:30 PM-2:30 PM     4:00 PM-5:00 PM     7:30 PM-8:30 PM

September 3rd, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

September 10th, 2008 10:00 PM-11:00 AM

September 17th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

September 24th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

October 1st, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

October 8th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

October 15th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

October 22nd, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

October 29th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

November 5th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

November 12th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

November 19th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

November 26th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

December 3rd, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

December 10th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

December 17th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

December 24th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM  

• enclosure: http://www.sanursing.com/wp-content/uploads/NICU.flv 7061940 video/x-flv

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 Nurses’ Week Essay Contest. There were a total of 27 entries and we want to acknowledge all of the entries throughout MHS. The panel of judges found it very challenging to determine the top entries because all nurses that participated in this contest did an excellent job portraying our theme this year – “Nursing: Making a Difference Every Day”. To read the winning essays click on the available links below. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Michele Patterson, Past SNLB Chair
Cynthia Coleman, SNLB Chair
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

1^st place ~ Mary Elizabeth Smail, RN, L&D, MMH,
Click here to read the 1st place winning essay

2^nd place ~ Shari McDonald, RN, Staffing Office, MH,
Click here to read the 2nd place winning essay

3rd place & Most Creative~ Bettina Almendarez, RN, NICU, MMH

** Submitted a video showing the extraordinary care provided in the NICU at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital - scroll down to view video

Honorable Mention ~ Jolene Mullinax, RN, NICU, MCH
Click here to read the honorable mention winning essay

Thank you to everyone else who submitted an essay:

*Annie Tracy, RN, Telemetry, MMH
*Anquinette Thomas, LVN, Telemetry, MMH
*Belinda Urdiales, RN, ED, MMH
*Diana Mireles Bigham, RN, Mother/Baby, MH
*Elaine Staton, RN, Behavioral Health, MSTH
*Elvira Chavez, RN, PEDI OR, MCH
*Gloria Scarcliff, RN, OR Holding, MMH
*Heather Addor, RN, NICU, MH
*Heather Garza, LVN, Medical, NEMH
*Jeanne Salgado, RN, NICU, MH
*Zane Perrin, UC, Surgery, MH
*Lara Neitsch, RN, Medical Monitored, NEMH
*Lena Johnson, RN, Day Surgery, MMH
*Linda Payne, RN, Education, MHS
*Lorraine Infantino, RN, Special Procedures, MMH
*Mark Lopez, RN, PICU, MCH
*Martha Zick, RN, NICU, MCH
*Mary Toombs, RN, Recovery, MMH
*Trudy Evans, RN, PICU, MH
*Valerie Huerta, RN, 5 N Surgery, MMH
*Vida Solomon, RN, NICU, MCH
*Yolanda Abaii, RN, NICU, MCH

Please click on the attached link to read the latest Update ME Newsletter for Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Centers.

 click here to read page 1 of the MASC Newsletter

 click here to read page 2 of the MASC Newsletter

Please click on the attached link to read the latest Update ME Newsletter for Methodist Stone Oak Hospital.                click here

Please click on the attached link to read the latest Update ME Newsletter for Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital.   

click here to read the MSTH Newsletter

Looking for a way to earn some clinical ladder points?  Volunteer at any one of the Job Fairs below.

  
Allied Health Job Fair
Thursday, May 22, 2008
5pm - 8pm at Cha Cha’s Mexican Restaurant

Monster Job Fair
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
10am - 4pm at Omni Hotel Colonnade

Express News Medical Job Fair
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
10am - 4pm at Norris Conference Center

AWHONN Job Fair
Saturday, September 13 - Sunday, September 14, 2008
times to be determined - in Corpus Christi

Texas State University Health Careers Job Fair
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
times to be determined - at Texas State University

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sandy Malchoff at (210) 757-2921 or sandra.malchoff@mhshealth.com.

San Antonio Facility Performs Transplant First as Couples

from Killeen and Ingleside, Texas Exchange Kidney Donors

The doctors at Texas Transplant Institute and the kidney transplant team at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital made transplant history by performing the first donor exchange kidney transplant simultaneously in the same facility in Texas. 

“This is a first for Texas, a first for our facility, and we are one of only a handful of facilities nationwide to have performed this procedure,” said Francis Wright, M.D., solid organ transplant program director and transplant surgeon.  Four operating rooms and more than 30 medical staff members were involved in the surgery. 

The exchange program is a new and innovative way to obtain donor organs, and it has the potential to significantly increase kidney transplants. Texas Transplant Institute is one of only a small number of programs in the U.S. that offer the donor exchange testing and transplant surgery. The program matches living donors who wish to give their kidney to a loved one but cannot because of blood or tissue incompatibility.  The donors are exchanged, providing two kidney patients with a living donation and a second chance at life. 

The first donor exchange kidney transplant couples are Ronnie Huegler, Sr., 47, and his wife, Karen, 46 from Ingleside, Texas and Alicia White, 35, and her husband, Steve, 36, from Temple, Texas.  Mrs. Hueglar donated a kidney to Mrs. White, and Mr. White donated a kidney to Mr. Huegler.  The procedures were performed on March 19, 2008 however, due to transplant protocols, the couples met for the first time today. 

Mr. Huegler has end-stage renal disease resulting from type 2 diabetes. He has been awaiting a kidney since December 2004.  Mrs. White has end-stage renal disease from an unknown cause and has been on dialysis since September 2006. 

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), 75,878 people throughout the country currently are on the waiting list for a kidney.  In Texas, 6,225 people are awaiting kidneys and 2,722 of them are in San Antonio and

Factors that influenced Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital to offer the program include their waiting list of about 1,500 people, providing a large patient pool for finding pairs, and community support in this area of the country from family and friends willing to donate kidneys to loved ones.  “With this community support making donated kidneys available, our patient pool and the benefits of living donation, we knew that we had to find a way to use healthy donors,” said Adam Bingaman, M.D., PhD, director of the Texas Transplant Institute Donor Exchange Program and a transplant surgeon. 

The Texas Transplant Institute kidney transplant program is the largest program in Texas and ranks among the nation’s top 20 for patient volume.  Since 1984 over 2,600 kidney transplants have been performed and they include more than 1,000 living donor transplants. 

Persons interested in the paired kidney transplant exchange program, should call the Live Donor Hot Line at (210) 575-4483 or (800) 888-0402 toll free.

Nursing Administration recently received the following commendations from patients.  I take great pride in knowing that our staff are providing such excellent care.  

Thank you, Polly Davenport, CNO

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Dear Dr. Kwann & the Transplant Team,

Our family has truly been blessed in receiving a strong and healthy heart through organ donation.  This has given “Johnny” an opportunity at a new chance of life, but it has also given us more time to enjoy our dad, and grandfather.

We could not have imagined the outpouring of support that flowed from every person we encountered, from the Transplant Team to food service.

Please know we are extremely grateful for these skills, caring and compassion exhibited by the team as a whole.  You were our rock in the middle of a storm.

Thank you for giving our dad another chance at life.  You did not only give back our father… you gave back a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and a brother.

We love you from the bottom of our hearts. 

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            I have been out of your hospital for 1 week and wanted to thank you for the people who took care of me.  I would like a copy of this letter put in each ones file to be review at their evaluations.

            I know that it takes everyone to produce such a quality organization.  Just because these are the only ones who touched me or my family (or that I was awake to meet) doesn’t negate the efforts of everyone else.  I understand this and know that you will too. 

            The first person I met (at 4:30am!) was a nice supervisor in surgical admitting.  She was patient and kind to us in our nervousness.  She walked us all the way to surgery and even though I can’t remember her name (please know I know you can figure it out), she set the stage for the day, the experience and, I believe, my outcome.

            Once we got to surgery, everything kicked into overtime.  Another nice lady got me dressed (or undressed), explained the papers I signed, and made sure all my tests were done required for surgery.  I want to say her name was Rose or Rosemary.  I believe it was nervousness that keeps me from remembering but I know you can find her.  She was so calming, so effortless.  She deserves to be appreciated.

            Of course I saw my doctors and they were the best God could put in my path.  I will thank them separate from this letter but I know those that assisted my doctors deserve appreciation too.  I was just asleep and can’t remember them.  But their contributions are no less because of this (and really are probably the most important).

            The next group to enter my experience there was the Recovery group.  The first lady assigned to me was wonderful.  I can’t remember her name but you must find her.  She was soothing and attentive.  Her strength was like a hand helping me through the fog to understanding and wakefulness.  When her shift ended she turned me over to Tim, a male nurse.  I was in Recovery quite a while as you searched for an opening in ICU to send me.  Tim and I had a lively conversation to pass the time.  We have direct opposite opinions but he helped “jump-start” my brain and I realized due to this that my surgery hadn’t affected anything else up there!  Cindy, your Recovery liaison, is perfect for her job!  What a jewel!!  I overheard her talking to my sons (13 & 19 yrs.) after they saw me the first time.  She was reassuring matter-of-fact and comforting all at once.  I know my sons benefited greatly from her assurance.

            It was late the evening of my surgery when I was moved to the surgery ICU and put into the hands of Becky and then Charla.  These two set the Tempo of my experience.  Both were attentive and kind.  This is when I started to realize the true level of care I was receiving at your facility.  The food was wonderful, the attention was immediate and responses were thoughtful.  I believe you have done an excellent job of getting the right people in the right jobs.

            Next, I went to the 9^th floor and into capable hands of Leslie, Gill,

            Of course, there were others who took blood or ran tests on me.  Who woke me and did their job but I don’t remember their names.  These people are no less important because of my back.  A young black nurse by the name of Tracey I believe, comes to mind.  She took my blood pressure several times and was cheerful and efficient each time we interacted.

            Everyone I met was wonderful.  There was not a single person I felt was “just doing a job”.  They were all good to me and I wish there was more that I could do than just write this letter.  But I wanted you to know that these people made a difference in my life (and experience there) and that they deserve recognition.  Methodist Healthcare System also deserves recognition for attracting this quality of personnel.  I know that human resources has become a title that is easy to overlook its real meaning.  These people are really your resources in human form.  You did good finding them and I hope if I ever need you again that they, or others of their quality, are still there.

******************************************************************************** 

I am an employee of Methodist Children’s Hospital and was recently seen in the Adult Emergency Room.  I was in a lot of pain and I couldn’t get in to see any of my regular physicians due to the holidays.  I would like to commend your ER staff for a pleasant visit.  Labs, CT and US were all completed in a little over 2 hours.  I especially want to thank the Charge Nurse, Kevin, the tech, Josiah, and my two nurses, Stephanie and Kevin.  By the way, Dr. Wilson was very attentive and extremely nice too.  I am really appreciative for the care I received.

********************************************************************************

I would like to recognize my nurse, Ken, who provided me with such kind, caring and professional care during my recent stay on NCCU.  He exemplified for me what the vocation of nursing truly means.  His quiet confidence and proactive response to my concerns helped me immensly to prepare for, endure, and recover from cranial surgery.

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A recent cardiac event placed me as a patient in your hospital and into the hands of the angels on the Intermediate Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU-C).  They held me in their wings and placed me close to their hearts - always there during those urgent moments.  These beautiful caring ones attended every need with the hands of angels and sang the sweet song of assurance.  I can not remember them as any less then loving, caring angels who served my heart and soul every need.  My thanks and gratitude to these angels of mercy. 

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Our mother/grandmother was recently a patient on the NCCU.  We would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the team of compassionate nurses who cared for her in her final days.

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I am writing to inform you that your hospital has the best nursing staff that my wife and I have come in contact with.  From the first moment we entered your hospital we were treated exceptionally well.  After my wife’s surgery she was transferred to the NCCU.  Although there was a waiting period for a room, once she was transferred the nurse, Sara, came out and introduced herself.  She took great care when explaining my wife’s condition and what to expect when I reunited with her.  She stated that my wife would be in the room momentarily and she would come and get me when she arrived.  She also provided us a business card with the visiting hours but reassured us that since my wife’s surgery took much longer than expected she would be lenient.  This gave me just enough time to comfort my wife before she rested for the duration of the night.  Later that evening, we returned and were introduced to Ariana.  She also provided excellent care for my wife.  The next morning we were introduced to Susan, who proceeded to explain everything that she would be doing for the day to care for my wife.  These nurses were very professional and dedicated to my wife as the patient.   When she was transferred to a room on the 9th floor nothing changed.  The nurses on this floor provided exceptional care for my wife.  I could not have picked a better group of nurses like: Laura, Ferran, Vince, Daren and Barbara.  Their dedication for my wife’s well being was impecable.  I want at this time to also say that Gabriela, the Neuro Patient Care Advocate, was very helpful to my wife and me.  Not only the nursing staff, but everyone that we came in contact with in your hospital, from the auxillary staff all the way up to the doctors were professional and courteous to us.  Once again, I would like to give my sincere thanks for the way my wife and I were treated at such an emotional and trying time. 

********************************************************************************

I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank the Methodist Hospital staff on the 5th floor, North Tower.  My mother had a hernia repair and bowel resection.  It was a very serious health issue.  She stayed for eight days.  The following staff did an exceptional job and I’m asking that you recognize them for a job well done:  Angela (RN), Stella (LVN), Gina (RN), Laura (RN), Thomas (GN), Nick (PCA), Grace (PCA), the two female housekeepers and the Chaplaincy staff.  All the above did an excellent job, but I want to specifically point out that Nick was always around when I needed some lifting assistance.  He has such a good attitude and is very friendly.  Our stay was more than manageable because of these fine professionals.

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I just wanted to take the time to thank Raul (RN) for a job well done during my mother’s recent surgery.  Mr. Garza was very friendly, compassionate and professional and his demeanor gave all of us comfort during this very stressful time.  Please ensure that Raul is recognized for a job well done.

Below are the “headlines” of the April MCH & Women’s Services Staff Nurse Leadership Council Meetings. For further details, questions or comments, please contact your unit representative (see MCH & Women’s Services SNLC Membership Roster).

People
* SANursing.com is a Methodist Healthcare website.  Information on the new Nursing Clinical Excellence Program (aka Clinical Ladder) can be found here, as well as lots of other news/updates for staff.  Staff are encouraged to check it regularly for updates.  If they have any information to add/share on the website, they can contact Christina M. Smith.

* Nurses’ Week and Hospital week will be jointly celebrated this year.  Look for flyers with details on all the fun events (essay contest, dessert receptions, hat decorating contest and more!).

Quality
* A subcommittee of the SNLC is working on developing a standardized flow sheet for every unit.  Pyxis supply name will match what the item is called, not what Central Supply calls it.  Like supplies will also be grouped together in the Pyxis machine. 

Growth
* Remodeling is occuring on 2 Central.  The rooms are getting a “face life” and the unit is getting a new nurses’ station. 

* Remodeling is also occuring in the Children’s PACU.

* The Children’s ED ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for May 3, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.  All are invited.