ASPAN NATIONAL CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS e25

THE FUTURE OF PERIANESTHESIA NURSING:SHARED GOVERNANCE EMPOWERS NURSES TOFOCUS ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTTeam Leader: Beth Hall, RN, BSN, CPAN

Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA

Team Member: Kathleen Duckworth, RN

To improve the ability to work together as a team, nurses in the

staging and post anesthesia care setting learned tools to im-

prove unity and professional practice. There was a knowledge

deficit related to professional organizations, opportunities,

and certifications. The nursing staff was empowered to create

a committee to foster professional development. The goal of

this project was to coordinate activities and promote nursing

practice and clinical excellence.

A team building workshop was developed to provide tools to

encourage constructive feedback and foster unity with 100%

participation of staff. The professional development committee

coordinated activities to promote Perianesthesia Nurse Aware-

ness Week (PANAW), certification and mentorship. A power

point presentation was developed to be used as a resource to

develop abstracts and poster presentations. In recognition of

PANAW, a proclamationwas presented by a state senator at ame-

dia covered reception for the nurses.

Positive feedback was received regarding the team building

workshop through surveys. Nurses in perianesthesia work to-

gether towards a common goal and purpose as a result of the

implementation of a joint committee for professional develop-

ment. There was an increase in the number of certified nurses.

We had more participation in professional organizations, con-

ferences and memberships.

Through teamwork and professional growth, we as nurses pro-

vide exceptional care to our patients. Through empowerment

we are able to achieve personal and professional satisfaction.

IMPROVING JOB SATISFACTION IN ANAMBULATORY CARE SETTING AND OR:PROMOTING A CULTURE OF ZERO TOLERANCE,MUTUAL RESPECT AND STAFF EMPOWERMENTSamantha West, RN, BSN, OCN, Margarita Coyne, RN, MS

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY

Marguerite Tierney, RN, Belinda Parzymieso, RN,

Judith Myszka, RN, BSN

Effective multidisciplinary communication is vital to provide

safe quality care. It was noted that there was bullying and dis-

ruptive behavior present within the OR and the Pre op areas,

across disciplines. Employee job satisfaction scores were low.

Senior nursing leaders, recognizing that there was a problem, re-

designed the leadership model in the perioperative department.

These new leaders took a collaborative and uniform approach in

addressing specific behaviors. They provided clear role delinea-

tion and performance expectations to each staff member in indi-

vidual meetings and had each of them sign a contract indicating

their understanding of the code of conduct. They met with indi-

vidual staff weekly to “check in” and provide themwith a safe en-

vironment to voice their concerns. Trust was established.

Frequent coaching took place individually and in group settings.

All bad behavior/ bullying was dealt with immediately, including

any issues with MD’s, Anesthesiologists and others. Violations of

in the Code of Conduct were immediately dealt with, utilizing

progressive counseling and discipline. Staff members were satu-

rated with education regarding respect in the workplace and

teambuilding. The leaders themselves huddled daily for the first

3 months to review progress and modify the action plan.

After a year, employee satisfaction scores showed a marked im-

provement, asdidpatient surveys.Clearly, through theuseofeffec-

tive communication, fairness, respect, and consistent coaching

andcounseling, aworkplace freeof lateral violenceandbadbehav-

iors canbe achieved. A teammodelwas discovered to be themost

effective in the perioperative environment.

LEAVE NO PAGE UNTURNED. A PERIANESTHESIAJOURNAL CLUBTeam Leader: Michael Snyder, RN, CCRN, CPAN, CAPA

UH PACU, Department of Operating Rooms/PACU, University

of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Ann Arbor, MI

Team Member: Denise O’Brien, DNP(c), RN, ACNS-BC, CPAN,

CAPA, FAAN

Background Information Related to Problem Identifica-

tion: Perianesthesia nursing practice in our institution is inter-

nally focused, not commonly looking outside to improve

knowledge and enhance patient care. Alternative methods are

needed to engage staff in ongoing learning and knowledge ac-

quisition.

Objectives of project: To promote interest in literature perti-

nent to perianesthesia nursing practice. To enhance the prac-

tice and expand the knowledge base of perianesthesia nurses.

Process of Implementation: We created an online journal

club, requesting staff participationwith good results. Journal ar-

ticles and questions were posted on a browser-based university

web site, moderated by a staff nurse and supported by the CNS.

These online postings were followed with face-to-face group

meetings to discuss the articles and generate additional interest

and dialogue between staff.

Statement of the Successful Practice: The perianesthesia

nurses expanded their knowledge of practice and standards

leading to improved care, patient outcomes, and patient safety.

Implications for advancing the Practice of Perianesthesia

Nursing: Informed nurses provide quality patient care by using

evidence to support practice. Additionally, nurses become

more engaged and ask more informed questions to improve

patient care.

GOTTA GO, GOTTA GO, GOTTA GO . BLADDERSCANNER USE IN THE PERIANESTHESIA SETTINGTeam Leader: Beverly Smith, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA

University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Ann

Arbor, MI

Denise O’Brien, DNP(c), RN, ACNS-BC, CPAN, CAPA, FAAN,

Nancy Strzyzewski, MSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, Toni Szpara, BSN,

RN, CPAN, CAPA, CCRN, Renee Havey, BSN, RN, CCRN

Background: A bladder scanner was purchased to assist

nurses with patient assessment. The bladder scanner is used

inconsistently. A lack of standard terminology impedes data