rosenj, Author at Kaiser Permanente Northern California 2024 Annual Nursing Report

Setting the standard: a nurse leader’s impact on medical-surgical nursing excellence”

Eugenia “Gene” Ventura, MSN, RN, AMSN has distinguished herself as a transformational leader and innovator in nursing, leaving a lasting impact through her work on the 7th edition of the Scope and Standards of Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice. By shaping Standard XII: Caring Across the Lifespan and Standard XIII: Critical Thinking, she infused the publication with practical insights that bridge the gap between theory and bedside care, advancing nursing standards nationwide.

Gene’s journey from frontline staff nurse and VON Tri-Chair to Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) has provided her with a well-rounded perspective, enabling her to champion patient-centered care while supporting her team. She excels at identifying resource challenges and dismantling barriers, ensuring both patient safety and optimal outcomes.

As a contributor to this national publication, Gene collaborated with multidisciplinary experts, broadening her expertise in critical thinking and expanding her visibility within the nursing profession. This experience has further fueled her passion for research, including pioneering areas like artificial intelligence in nursing.

Guided by Magnet principles, she embodies the spirit of inquiry, evidence-based decision-making, and collaboration. Her leadership inspires peers and sets a standard of excellence that resonates across her organization. Through her work, Gene exemplifies the power of advocacy and innovation in elevating nursing practice and mentoring future leaders.

To view the publication:

https://amsn.org/Publications/Scope-and-Standards

Nurses celebrating their Magnet anniversary.

A year of Magnet excellence: celebrating our journey together

In July 2024, Vallejo Medical Center proudly celebrated the first anniversary of achieving Magnet designation, marking its place in history as the first Kaiser Permanente hospital in Northern California to earn this prestigious honor. This milestone reflects the dedication, innovation, and profound commitment of every nurse in the hospital.

The celebration began with apple ciders in the hospital lobby, a heartfelt nod to the warm welcome extended to our Magnet appraisers a year ago. The event was graced by Regional CNE Toby Marsh MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Juanita Jularbal-Walton DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC (CNE), and Dr. Norman Absar, who helped set a festive and reflective tone for the day.

The celebration continued with a Magnet Expo, spearheaded by the Voice of Nursing (VON) under the leadership of Samantha Avecilla, MSN, RN CNL, CRRN one of our new tri-chairs, and skillfully organized by Marisa Flores, BSN, RN, SNIII, who designed the layout and logistics for the event. The expo highlighted transformative projects from units across the hospital, showcasing inspiring posters and presentations that fostered collaboration and innovation. Attendees explored the exhibits and participated in reflection exercises, answering the question: “If you were a nurse leader for a day, what would you do or change aside from staffing?” Insights from these responses captured key areas like resources, communication, and team building, providing valuable input ahead of our Nurse Excellence Survey.

Recognizing that not all staff could attend the expo, ice creams were distributed across the hospital, ensuring everyone felt included in the celebration. Toby and Nita personally connected with staff, expressing gratitude for the dedication that earned our Magnet designation.

This event exemplified how to leverage moments of triumph to drive continuous improvement. By combining celebration with meaningful data collection, we are shaping a brighter future for our teams and patients. As we reflect on this remarkable year, we remain inspired by what we have accomplished and excited for the work ahead. Here is to a year of Magnet excellence and the many milestones yet to come!

Beacon of excellence: Vallejo leaders light the way

Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center celebrates the outstanding achievements of Eileen Lang MSN, RN and Karla Gutierrez, recipients of the Nursing Operations Director of the Year and The Guiding Light Award, respectively, from the Northern California Patient Care Services Performance Team.

Eileen Lang’s transformational leadership and operational expertise positioned Vallejo as a regional leader in Hours Per Patient Day (HPPD) for 2024. Her ability to align resources with strategic priorities, while maintaining cost-efficiency and delivering high-quality patient care, serves as a benchmark for excellence. “Eileen’s actions and presence yield quantitative outcomes,” noted Randy Williams, Regional Director PCS Performance. “Her leadership and willingness to share knowledge have inspired peers across Northern California’s 21 medical centers.”

Karla Gutierrez, Vallejo’s Staffing Office Manager, was recognized for her remarkable expertise in fostering collaboration, standardizing processes, and elevating team engagement. Her contributions to recoding, onboarding, and operational consistency have driven meaningful improvements. “Karla’s leadership inspires confidence and enables others to excel,” said Michelle Pavano, Regional Director PCS Process Improvement. “Her mentorship and dedication make her an exemplary leader.”

These awards underscore Vallejo Medical Center’s commitment to operational excellence and collaborative leadership in Northern California healthcare. Their achievements set a gold standard for the organization.

Emergency department nurse presents fall prevention success at 2024 Kaiser Permanente National Nursing Conference

At the 2024 KP National Nursing Conference, Emergency Department (ED) nurse Ayra Dee, BSN, RN, CPEN, CEN, showcased her team’s innovative approach to reducing falls with injury in the ED. Ayra presented the impactful results of a comprehensive fall prevention bundle implemented in her department, which targeted high-risk patients and emphasized patient and staff education. The bundle included a multifaceted Fall Risk Protocol featuring visible yellow indicators such as wristbands, socks, gowns, and door signage to identify at-risk patients immediately. It also provided patient and family education to ensure understanding and participation in fall prevention efforts.

Ayra’s presentation highlighted the program’s success in significantly reducing falls with injury and the critical role of nursing in leading patient safety initiatives. By sharing her team’s achievements at a national forum, Ayra demonstrated the impact of nurses as innovators and educators in advancing evidence-based practices. The opportunity to present externally reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration, where nurses are empowered to share their expertise and inspire improvements in care delivery across the healthcare system. Ayra’s dedication and her team’s success exemplify the transformative role of nurses in creating safer, more effective care environments.

Reducing hospital-acquired pressure injury through shared governance and collaboration

In 2024, the Nursing Quality and Safety Council demonstrated the power of shared governance by tackling hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) with an innovative and collaborative approach. Council members Analyn Altamira, BSN, RN, Becky Nguyen, RN, Huixian Tan, BSN, RN, Joy Apostol, RN, Maria Cleofe Cruz, BSN, RN, Pamela Nufable, BSN, RN, Pauline Uy, BSN, RN, and Sherie Domingo, BSN, RN, led the effort to introduce the EHOB Position Perfect Covered Wedges across the hospital. These specialized devices help maintain patients in a lateral side-lying position, ensuring proper sacral offloading to prevent pressure injuries and come in various sizes to meet diverse patient needs.

The council’s collaboration ensured a thorough evaluation of the wedges’ effectiveness, a well-planned rollout, and comprehensive education for staff to integrate this tool into daily workflows. Their efforts highlight the importance of shared governance, where nurses take an active role in decision-making and driving initiatives to improve patient outcomes. This initiative not only reduced HAPIs but reinforced a culture of teamwork, innovation, and accountability, showcasing the significant impact of empowered nursing leadership on patient safety and quality care.

Enhancing fall prevention in the ICU through collaboration and technology

In late 2023, ICU nurses and leadership collaborated to address patient fall rates by assessing current practices and identifying gaps in fall prevention strategies. The team determined that the absence of chair and bed alarms for high-risk patients was a critical issue, particularly given changes in sedation practices and a focus on early mobilization. After evaluating potential solutions, they selected the STANLEY Healthcare Fall Management System, specifically the M200 Fall Monitors, which provides staff wireless, real-time alerts, enabling timely interventions. This collaborative process highlighted the value of shared decision-making in adopting innovative strategies to improve patient safety.

The deployment of the fall monitors in January 2024 marked a significant advancement in fall prevention efforts within the ICU. Nurses took the lead in integrating the new technology, offering education, hands-on training, and reminders during pre-shift huddles to ensure consistent use. This initiative resulted in a measurable decrease in patient fall rates, showcasing the power of teamwork and technology in enhancing outcomes. The ICU’s prioritizing collaboration and innovation reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe, high-quality patient care.

Advancing patient safety through standardized nursing education

In 2024, the Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Team achieved a significant milestone in patient safety by standardizing education for clinical nurses across Medical-Surgical and Telemetry units. Led by Pamela Pilotin, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CNS, Jessica Panlasigui, BSN, RN, and Ronelle Winch, BSN, RN, (pictured above), the team launched a mandatory two-day Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Day. This initiative directly addressed insights from the Clinical Nurses’ Learning Needs Assessment and the increased falls with injury rate at the start of the year. The curriculum included assessing fall risks, implementing evidence-based interventions, and using technological tools to enhance prevention efforts, ensuring nurses had the knowledge and skills to improve patient safety.

As a result of this standardized education, the Medical-Surgical and Medical-Telemetry units saw a measurable decrease in falls with injury rates per 1,000 patient days. By aligning with SSF’s 2024-2026 Nursing Strategic Plan, this initiative enhanced clinical competencies and demonstrated the power of standardized professional development in driving meaningful quality improvements.

Streamlining care for renal biopsy patients

In 2024, a collaborative effort led by Interventional Radiology (IR) nurses Donna Pon, BSN, RN, and Ana Dubon, RN, along with Imaging Services Director Assistant Director Alven Cheng, PACU nurses Maureen Crehan, RN, CPAN, CAPA, and PACU Nurse Manager Rowena Guarino, BSN, RN, and guided by Care Without Delay Director Sheree Bayeur, MS, RN, BSN, NE-BC, resulted in an innovative workflow for renal biopsy patients. This new process allows patients to recover safely in the Surgical PACU instead of being admitted, eliminating unnecessary hospital stays. By creating a streamlined recovery pathway, the team prioritized patient safety and efficient resource use while maintaining the highest standards of care.

This workflow has significantly improved outcomes for renal biopsy patients, reducing the average length of stay and lowering the risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Recovering in the PACU enhances the patient experience, resulting in higher satisfaction scores. The collaborative efforts of these leaders and nurses exemplify interdisciplinary teamwork and innovative problem-solving, advancing care delivery and optimizing hospital operations for better patient outcomes.

Published standardizing clinical nurse specialist onboarding across Kaiser Permanente

In 2024, Kaiser Permanente celebrated the success of a groundbreaking initiative led by Dr. Doanh Ly, DNP, RN, APRN-CNS, CRN, SCRN, and a team of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) from across Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Together, they developed and published a standardized onboarding program for CNSs, now implemented at all 21 Kaiser Permanente hospitals.

This multi-component program addresses challenges such as role ambiguity and inconsistent orientation by offering structured mentorship, preceptorship, competency checklists, and access to essential resources. Designed to support new CNSs during their transition into advanced practice roles, the program ensures a consistent, supportive experience while fostering professional confidence and clarity.

The onboarding program has demonstrated remarkable results, including a 93% retention rate and significant improvements in job satisfaction among participating CNSs. By aligning CNS practice with organizational goals, this initiative has not only enhanced the integration of CNSs into their roles but also contributed to better patient outcomes and system-wide quality improvements. Dr. Ly’s leadership and the collaborative efforts of CNSs across KP exemplify a commitment to excellence in nursing practice, advancing evidence-based care and professional development across the organization. This initiative reinforces Kaiser Permanente’s leadership position in fostering innovation and supporting nursing leadership.

Advancing Evidence-Based Practice across our nursing teams

In 2024, our nursing team made significant strides in advancing evidence-based practice (EBP) through targeted professional development initiatives. Two of our dedicated OR nurses, Miranda Wyatt, RN, CNOR, and Lucile Pinlac, BSN, RN, participated in the EBP Immersive Experience, a rigorous hybrid training program designed to deepen knowledge and skills in implementing evidence-based changes. Over three in-person immersion days, virtual workshops, and coaching sessions, they developed impactful practice change proposals tailored to enhance patient safety in the operating room. Wyatt focused on strategies to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) by addressing traffic control, while Lucile explored interventions to prevent surgical burns. Upon completing the program, they disseminated their findings and evidence-based strategies to their OR teams, fostering collaboration and enhancing patient outcomes. Their dedication exemplifies our commitment to cultivating a professional culture rooted in evidence-based care.

Complementing these efforts, four of our nursing leaders Michelle Mcilwain, MSN, MBA, RN, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, Doanh Ly, NDP, RN, APRN-CNS, CCRN, SCRN, Philip Garcia, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, PCCN, and Juan Ibanez, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR, successfully completed the EBP Mentor Training Program, positioning them as invaluable resources within our organization. This comprehensive three-day workshop series provided them with advanced EBP knowledge and the mentoring skills to guide and support clinical staff in implementing evidence-based changes at the microsystem level. The program covered critical topics such as organizational change, overcoming barriers to EBP, and applying theoretical frameworks, preparing these leaders to drive sustainable practice improvements. Their role as EBP mentors is instrumental in empowering teams to navigate complex care challenges, develop robust implementation plans, and achieve measurable outcomes.

These initiatives highlight our hospital’s ongoing dedication to professional growth and innovation. By equipping nurses and leaders with the tools and expertise to champion evidence-based practice, we are enhancing patient care and ensuring a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where excellence thrives. These efforts solidify our leadership position in delivering high-quality, evidence-driven healthcare.

Northern California medical centers

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