Structural Empowerment

Debbie Conner, BSN, RN, and Eunice Balancio, MSN, RN, PCCN, played a key leadership role in the annual EPIC Validation Tool trial, driving efforts to improve system functionality and ensure accurate, data-driven care. The Epic acuity system, a patient classification tool, uses workload acuity scoring to guide staffing decisions based on real-time data in HealthConnect. This system helps nursing departments align staffing levels with the varying needs of patients, ensuring that care is both efficient and responsive. 

During the 2024 annual validation process, nurses in the Central East, 4 South, North West, and South East units validate three patients per shift, selected from their patient assignments. In the ICU, nurses validate two patients per shift. They choose a mix of patients with Low, Medium, and High acuity levels, relying on their professional nursing experience, assessments, and clinical judgment. 

This validation process supports Title 22 requirements, ensuring the reliability of the patient classification system for each unit and shift. By validating the tool’s accuracy, nurses contribute to optimal staffing decisions, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. Through their leadership, nurses ensure that the acuity system remains accurate and effective, reinforcing the commitment to high-quality, responsive care across the hospital. 

The Emergency Department (ED) is actively combating opioid overdoses through the California Naloxone Distribution Project, providing naloxone kits to patients at risk of overdose. This life-saving medication quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and, along with the kits, comes education on recognizing overdose symptoms and using naloxone effectively. 

ED nurses play a critical role in patient education, discussing opioid safety, risks of misuse, and the importance of having naloxone on hand. Through this approach, the ED helps reduce the risk of opioid-related fatalities and fosters a more informed, supportive community.   

Nurses also ensure that care is delivered in a socially sensitive, non-judgmental way. Recognizing the complexities of addiction, they provide compassionate care that goes beyond bias, helping to build trust and encouraging patients to seek the support they need without fear of stigma. 

The Quiet at Night (QAN) Committee is dedicated to improving patient care by addressing nighttime noise, which is crucial for recovery. The committee, consisting of clinical nurses Guillermo Umali, BSN, RN, Clarissa Ritoc, RN, Eugene Krasnojon, MSN, RN, Eunice Balancio, BSN, RN, PCCN, Shellane Raymundo, RN, Miguel Ignacio, BSN, RN, and Cecilia Pereda, BSN, RN, is supported by advisors Victor Blardony, MSN, RN, CCRN, Scott Brown, MPH, RD, and Gregory Burns, MS, CPXP, CPHQ. Their mission is to improve HCAHPS scores, specifically the QAN score, which tracks the quietness of the hospital at night. 

In response to patient feedback, the QAN Committee created a sleep menu tool, offering non-pharmacological interventions like eye masks, ear plugs, white noise machines, and lavender aromatherapy. Environmental adjustments such as turning off lights and closing doors were also included to enhance the sleep environment. 

Since the introduction of the sleep menu in March 2024, patient satisfaction has significantly improved. The QAN score for the unit increased from 41.3% in March to 61.5% in October 2024, with the specific question, “During this hospital stay, how often was the area around your room kept quiet at night?” showing a notable increase. Patients have provided positive feedback, noting the benefits of the calming interventions for better sleep. This initiative underscores the committee’s commitment to improving the hospital environment and supporting patient recovery through evidence-based strategies. 

Nurses at South San Francisco have demonstrated exceptional dedication to serving underserved communities through their participation in health initiatives like the Pisitahan Festival and Operation Access. 

At the Pisitahan Festival, South San Francisco nurses including Marilyn Castillo, BSN, RN, Sherie Domingo, BSN, RN, Maria Cruz, BSN, RN, Eunice Balancio, BSN, RN, PCCN, Connie Maghirang, BSN, RN, CCRN, Rex Untiveros, BSN, RN, Sharlyn Guterres, RN, and Clinical Nurse Specialist Doanh Ly, DNP, RN, APRN-CNS, CCRN, SCRN volunteered their time and expertise to offer preventive healthcare services. They provided vital blood pressure and diabetes screenings and shared important education on stroke prevention and treatment. By actively engaging with the community, the nurses helped identify potential health issues early, empowering individuals with the knowledge to seek further care and improve their well-being. 

In partnership with Operation Access, South San Francisco nurses also contributed to providing free medical procedures to uninsured and underinsured individuals. This collaboration helped bridge gaps in healthcare access by offering surgeries and procedures that patients may not have otherwise been able to afford. Nurses played a vital role in these procedures, ensuring patients received compassionate care and support.