Racquel Ballinger assumed the role of ambulatory practice leader for the San Diego service area two years ago. In that short time, she has established herself as the go-to person for ambulatory practice scope of practice questions, BRN issues, policy and procedure, and clinical practice clarification questions. Her approach in providing an answer with the resource has assisted managers and clinicians in enhanced knowledge and promote high-quality and safe care throughout our ambulatory departments. She has a broad range of clinical knowledge and maintains her skills to lend a hand and provide an example of exemplary care when needed. She is a role model for nurses and nurse leaders. Some examples of Racquel's contributions to nursing excellence are:
In the past year, Racquel has worked with the Gastroenterology department to review and revise the Standardized Procedure. She assisted in writing new policies to support nursing in medication administration and a GI specific Patient Procedure, Side Site policy to enhance the time out process for the GI suite.
Additionally, she worked to provide educational tools for Nurse Clinics to improve safety during initial assessments; these tools had not been updated to reflect National Patient Safety Goals. She was able to add tools that speak directly to recent significant events that were identified to have the opportunity for better clarification in the Nurse Clinic Nurse role. She has brought enhanced recovery tools to out ambulatory departments providing procedures and identified through that process that our advanced practice providers were not documenting side/site verification for safe site verification. Her approach to these issues is to create a tool that highlights policy and best practices and adds screenshots for EMR documentation tips to ensure a thorough understanding of all key elements. This approach has allowed for broader assimilation of information and a lasting tool kit for new hire education. The reality is, Racquel has a far-reaching ability to provide education, support, and role model in every area of our San Diego ambulatory care service area.
Last year, Racquel lead our community support vaccine efforts to provide flu, Hepatitis A, and Meningitis vaccines to our members and non-members in an effort to stifle community outbreaks. Her ability to gather nurse leaders, provide just in time training, and mobilize in less than 4 hours to support a need are one example of her ability to lead!
In addition, to her contributions to nursing excellence in San Diego, she has had a tremendous influence at the Region as a member of the ambulatory practice peer group. She volunteers to review and visit site submissions for ambulatory excellence awards (Garfield Distinction), she has played a key role in the enhancement of our nurse telephone advice protocols, improved wound care strategies and practice consistencies throughout the Region, and assisted with the review and revision of multiple Regional polices that required updating to include new language from the CA BRN.
Racquel distinguishes herself in everything she touches, improving the tools and resources our nurses need to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare to our San Diego members.