Paula Creamer
June 2015
Paula
Creamer
,
RN, BSN, CNOR
Surgery
VA Northern California Health Care System
Mather
,
CA
United States
Ms. Paula Creamer is deserving of the Daisy Award for her exemplary contributions to the education and development of the perioperative staff here at Mather VA. Through assessment, research and dedication Paula has become our champion for education and training. This has resulted in nurses having an increased awareness and knowledge of perioperative processes and procedures that enable them to deliver a higher level of care to our Veteran patients.
As the first chairperson for the Unit Based Council (UBC) Paula has had a great impact. A few changes that have occurred as a result of her leadership are as follows:
Improved practice regarding application of Ted hose and sequential compression devices: Has increased effectiveness in thrombosis prevention, decreased risk of injury to patients and has potential for cost savings to the organization.
Addition of lithotomy sheets for transfer of patients using hover-mat: Has increased patient safety and decreased the potential for injury to staff.
Addition of "Point of Contact" person for preoperative area: Has improved patient flow as well as communication between preop, operating room and physicians.
Addition of "charge float" person for operating room: Has improved overall efficiency, communication and flow of the operating room.
Increased education regarding the cause and prevention of pressure ulcers that begin in the perioperative period: Has resulted in increased use of barrier protection products and extra attention to proper positioning and padding of patients to prevent pressure ulcers.
Increased education regarding the importance of keeping patient's normo-thermic in the perioperative setting: Has resulted in the introduction of a different type of Bair Hugger gown that will improve our ability to keep our patients warm while reducing the costs associated with excessive use of cloth blankets.
While the concept of "Journal Club" (individual's sharing research articles with their peers) has been a goal for some time in the OR, it took Paula to really get it in to motion. She developed a calendar and assigned individuals specific dates and topics for their presentations. She makes herself available to anyone needing help with the research process. These presentations provide current, valuable information for the care of patients in the perioperative period.
Paula created, implemented, developed and maintains the Perioperative SharePoint. It contains information and links to just about everything nurses in the perioperative area need to know to properly care for patients. It has become a vital tool for all members of the perioperative staff.
Through coordination with the anesthesia department Paula has brought SIM (simulation) training to the operating room. This very effective method of training is a welcome addition to our inservice time. She has involved other disciplines in this training, i.e. blood bank, pharmacy, medical staff. To date the following SIM training sessions have been conducted: Code Blue and airway management, Fire response in the OR, Mass transfusion protocol, Malignant hyperthermia and Cardiac arrest. These sessions have been well planned and executed. The post session evaluations have been very effective in identifying weaknesses in our systems that need to be corrected. The value of this training to our patients is immeasurable.
While delivering direct patient care Paula has always demonstrated a desire, as well as the ability to provide a high level of care. As a veteran herself she carries a very personal commitment to our Veterans. This commitment, along with her knowledge and skills has led to the opportunity for each perioperative nurse to improve their current practice. This improvement in nursing practice has a positive and direct impact on patient care outcomes.
As the first chairperson for the Unit Based Council (UBC) Paula has had a great impact. A few changes that have occurred as a result of her leadership are as follows:
Improved practice regarding application of Ted hose and sequential compression devices: Has increased effectiveness in thrombosis prevention, decreased risk of injury to patients and has potential for cost savings to the organization.
Addition of lithotomy sheets for transfer of patients using hover-mat: Has increased patient safety and decreased the potential for injury to staff.
Addition of "Point of Contact" person for preoperative area: Has improved patient flow as well as communication between preop, operating room and physicians.
Addition of "charge float" person for operating room: Has improved overall efficiency, communication and flow of the operating room.
Increased education regarding the cause and prevention of pressure ulcers that begin in the perioperative period: Has resulted in increased use of barrier protection products and extra attention to proper positioning and padding of patients to prevent pressure ulcers.
Increased education regarding the importance of keeping patient's normo-thermic in the perioperative setting: Has resulted in the introduction of a different type of Bair Hugger gown that will improve our ability to keep our patients warm while reducing the costs associated with excessive use of cloth blankets.
While the concept of "Journal Club" (individual's sharing research articles with their peers) has been a goal for some time in the OR, it took Paula to really get it in to motion. She developed a calendar and assigned individuals specific dates and topics for their presentations. She makes herself available to anyone needing help with the research process. These presentations provide current, valuable information for the care of patients in the perioperative period.
Paula created, implemented, developed and maintains the Perioperative SharePoint. It contains information and links to just about everything nurses in the perioperative area need to know to properly care for patients. It has become a vital tool for all members of the perioperative staff.
Through coordination with the anesthesia department Paula has brought SIM (simulation) training to the operating room. This very effective method of training is a welcome addition to our inservice time. She has involved other disciplines in this training, i.e. blood bank, pharmacy, medical staff. To date the following SIM training sessions have been conducted: Code Blue and airway management, Fire response in the OR, Mass transfusion protocol, Malignant hyperthermia and Cardiac arrest. These sessions have been well planned and executed. The post session evaluations have been very effective in identifying weaknesses in our systems that need to be corrected. The value of this training to our patients is immeasurable.
While delivering direct patient care Paula has always demonstrated a desire, as well as the ability to provide a high level of care. As a veteran herself she carries a very personal commitment to our Veterans. This commitment, along with her knowledge and skills has led to the opportunity for each perioperative nurse to improve their current practice. This improvement in nursing practice has a positive and direct impact on patient care outcomes.