Innovation drives change by recycling knowledge and establishing professional governance principles. Evidence-based in-services were implemented for the Patient Care Coordinators to improve transition care. The first in-service provided an algorithm for transitioning workers’ comp patients from hospital to home. This five-minute session equipped coordinators with the knowledge to address care needs and prepare patients for discharge.
The objective of this project was to reduce the C-Section Core Measure PC-02 from 24.8% in the Safety Priority Index (SPI) year 2023 to 23.9% by the end of the 2024 SPI year. This goal was successfully met with a final Core Measure PC-02 rate of 22.3%. A root cause analysis identified several factors contributing to the high C-Section rate, including inconsistent adherence to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines, variations in Fetal Heart Rate interpretation, and insufficient dissemination of committee updates and supportive labor techniques among staff.
To address these issues, the Family Birth Center implemented several changes. These included intermittent auscultation, outpatient dual ripening, and the creation of a Safe Birth Checklist. Additionally, a monthly Interdisciplinary Fetal Strip review was initiated to standardize strip interpretation. The Supporting Vaginal Birth Committee developed “Position of the Month” posters and hosted Spinning Babies workshops to educate staff and providers. A Birth Circuit was also introduced to encourage movement during labor, improving fetal lie and descent.
These interventions collectively contributed to the successful reduction of the C-Section rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted strategies in improving maternal and fetal outcomes.
We are excited to announce the launch of the Low Acuity Throughput Improvement Project. This initiative aims to enhance the care experience for our patients aged 18-42, who frequently visit our emergency department (ED) with less severe issues (classified as Emergency Severity Index (ESI) 4 and 5). It was identified that compared to regional data our patients aged 18-42 with less severe issues experienced long wait times in our Vacaville Emergency Department.
Abby Geiger, RN Staff Nurse III and co-chair of our Emergency Department Experience Committee proposed a solution to expedite care for these patients. Her innovative idea was to establish a dedicated evaluation chair, allowing low acuity patients to be seen promptly, even when all Rapid Care beds are occupied. A Rapid Care physician would then assess them and swiftly order necessary treatments.
Abby collaborated with doctors, nurses, and administrators to create a new system, train the staff, and monitor the project’s progress. Weekly meetings were conducted to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments. Several nurses volunteered to help oversee the new process and ensure it achieved our objectives.
For patients without additional tests like lab or radiology orders, our goal was to reduce their stay to less than 60 minutes. Before the project, only 20-25% of these patients were seen within this timeframe. Following the implementation of the new system, this improved to 43%.
Our Intensive Care Unit Practice Council introduced a Welcome Packet in our 20-bed neuro-surgical/trauma intensive care unit (ICU) designed to improve communication and clarify expectations through a standardized approach. It addresses the uncertainties patients, and their families face regarding the recovery process and specific procedures. The Welcome Packet includes detailed information and encourages active involvement and shared decision-making in care plans. The pilot program, implemented from July to August 2024, involved educating ICU nurses and re-surveying patients and families. The results indicated significant enhancement in clarity regarding care plans and the steps necessary for transitioning out of the ICU, ultimately improving patient and family satisfaction with ICU care.
The Nursing Professional Development (NPD) team evaluated the onboarding process for patient care technicians (PCTs) through interviews and workflow observations. The assessment revealed significant variations in the backgrounds, training, and work experience of Patient Care Technicians, with only two out of the seven most recently hired Patient Care Technicians having adult acute care inpatient experience.
A trial of Patient Care Technician-specific initial skills training during PCSO, attended by five transfer Patient Care Technicians, led to modifications based on feedback, making the training more hands-on. The revised training now includes practical demonstrations of essential tasks. As of December 1, 2024, eight new or transferred Patient Care Technicians have completed this training. The feedback from orientees post-training evaluation indicated that they found the sessions to be very informative and appreciated the hands-on experience. The next steps involve training Patient Care Technician Champions as dedicated trainers and implementing a standardized onboarding process with regular check-ins to ensure progress and support. The project’s goal is to better prepare Patient Care Technicians to deliver safe and quality patient care.
Kaiser Permanente nurses demonstrated their commitment to creating and sustaining a culture of excellence by advancing their professional practice through earning advanced degrees, moving to the next level of the clinical ladder, obtaining national board certification, and graduating from the nurse residency program.
Elaine Cannon, BSN-Nursing, RN- CMCN
Berissa Andrade, MSN –Nursing, RN
Cohort 7
Lawrence Mora
Rance Sali
Tiffany Cam
Eunjin Lee
Cohort 8
Amanpreet Dhillon
Rosalyn Pearson
Orli Shavratory
Alyssa Mangayayam
Cohort 9
Whitney Moore
Courtney Cogbill
JC Reyes
Cohort 10
Melissa Campos
Isabelle Roach
Nicole Sanches
Brandi Hulsey, BSN, RN -CAPA
Tami Milton, BSN, RN -CPAN
Becky Ingraham, BSN, RN-CPAN
Leslie Anderson, MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, TCRN
Rubie Colobong, BSN, RN
James Crabtree, BSN, RN, CEN
Heidi Hazlehurst
Brittany Lucatero, MSN, RN
Jackilene Mallari, BSN, PCCN
Monika Sloan, BSN, RN
Alberto Zazueta, BSN, RN
Berissa Andrade, MSN, RN
Leigha Banderas, ADN, RN
Linda Barba, ADN, RN
Mark Y. Bautista,
Lornalyn Belandres,
Chantal M. Bush
Rachael Rose Carston, BSN, RN
Marta Flores,
Melvin Gagatam, BSN, RN
Joanne Galaura, BSN, RN
Abigail Geiger, BSN, RN
Casey Gilday, ADN, RN
Rebecca Gregory
Janelle Grindle, BSN, RN
Gina Linton, ADN, RN
Nicolle Malak, BSN, RN
Justine Mann, BSN, RN
Vicky Osena-Muniz, BSN, RN
Edimar Pacifico Jr.
Nichole Rawls, BSN, RN
Elizabeth Rivers, BSN, RN
Victoria Schneider, BSN, RN
Carl Solla
Iris T. Velasco,BSN,RN
Jenny Vie G Unciano
Carmen Wong-Restua
Mentoring is a hallmark of professional practice and transformational leadership that inspires, empowers, and develops leaders at all levels of nursing. Several nurse leaders supported the future of nursing by serving as a mentor to nurses new to their practice.
Joan Balahadia, MSN, FNP, DNP, RN
Fung Wan Iris Ng, MSN, RN, CCRN
Melodie Martin, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Joseph Mojares, MSN, RN, CNL
Tiffany Naify, BSN, RN
Cherie Stagg, DNP,RN, NEA-BC
Michael Williams, MBA, MSN, RN, CCRN-K
Tiffany Banks, MBA-ACC, MSN-LHCS,RN, PHN, NE-BC
Elaine Coh, ADN, RN
Ron Oliver Coloma, BSN, RN
Michael Denniston, BSN, RN
Melissa Gay, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC
Rachel Glenn, MSN, RN
Daniel Gracia, MSN, RN
Alison Landis, MSN, RN, CNL
Tammy Martin, BSN, RN
In December 2023, Dr. Anita Catlin was funded by SAMHSA, the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to offer mental health training to all persons working for or associated with Kaiser Permanente Vacaville and Vallejo Medical Centers. The grant is over a 4-year period and awarded $490,000 to train nurses and others to recognize mental health needs in those around us.
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) method, originating in Australia, teaches participants to recognize, respond, listen, and refer as needed to a person who is suffering a mental health crisis. The goal of this national training is to place MHFA training at the same level as CPR in our country. Presently 65% of USA residents have taken a CPR class and could recognize and respond to a cardiac need.
Only 1% so far have taken MHFA training, but the goal is to have everyone working in our two hospitals be able to respond to a colleague, patient, patient’s family member, or our own families when we see a mental health need arise. To date 400 people have undergone the training.
In 2025, Travis Air Force nurses and personnel will be added to the invited trainees. Dr. Catlin is hoping to work closely with nurses and security guards, so that prevention and early intervention are offered to patients prior to escalation. All (housekeeping, therapists, educators, office personnel, volunteers, students, nurses, physicians, etc.) are invited to the classes which will begin again in April 2025.
We are committed to enhancing community safety through a comprehensive approach that includes education, advocacy, and collaboration with local organizations. Our programs focus on a wide range of issues, from preventing falls among seniors to promoting safe driving practices among teenagers. We believe that by working together, we can create a safer environment for all residents of Solano County.
A special celebration was held on September 18, 2024 at our Vacaville Medical Center celebrating 6 of our Kaiser Permanente members who have reached the age of 100
The gathering was attended by the centenarians, their family members and caregivers, and their Kaiser Permanente care team who were excited to see them thriving outside of our clinic settings. Also on hand were Darryl Curry, Senior Vice President and Area Manager, Chris Walker, MD, Physician in Chief, and Vacaville Mayor John Carli
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the centenarians were the guests of honor at a gathering that radiated joy and admiration. Each of them, embodying a century of wisdom and experience, was accompanied by their family members, who shared in the pride and happiness of this significant milestone.
The event not only celebrated the centenarians’ past achievements but also looked forward to a future where their legacies inspire continued dedication to health, wellness, and the pursuit of a life well-lived.