Medical 6-5
Service/Responsibilities
Medical 6-5 unit specializes in the care of the adult medical patient. Common diagnoses found on 6-5 are all types of lung diseases, diabetes with complications, GI, anemia, wounds and medical detoxification.
Technology
All 6-5 beds are monitored via wireless remote telemetry packs with continuous monitoring with real time report to the nursing staff. Computerized charting is utilized through several mechanisms such as: mobile units known as "Johnnies", wall mounted units known as "Computeroos" and desktop computers at the nurses station and end of hallways. Medications and supplies are readily available in Omnicells or the patients' individual Wallaroos. Nurses also have access to a locked red supply cart that can be pushed from room-to-room to save travel. Each member of the nursing team carries a pager to enhance communication.
Staffing
We are a 30-bed unit with a daily average census of 25 patients. A unit clerk is present seven days a week between the hours of 6:30am-11pm. We use a team approach to nursing with RN’s, LPN’s and C.N.A.’s. Nurse to patient ratio is 1:4-5 on day shift and 1:6 on night shift. Clinical Supervisors work 7A and 7P shifts with assistance from relief charge nurses. We use modified self-scheduling.
Training/Continuing Education
Owensboro Health offers on-site training and continuing education opportunities monthly that are FREE to their employees. All RNs are encouraged to obtain a specialty certification through the ANCC within 2 years of being eligible in the area of med/surg or gerontology.
Continuous Quality Improvement
6-5 is dedicated to providing safe quality care. Our goal is that patients would definitely recommend their friends and family to our unit. We continue to strive to improve the quality of care that we provide to our patients and their families. Staff members are encouraged to serve as representatives on committees and teams within Owensboro Health. Currently we have representatives on the Skin Team, Fall Team, Institute for Healthcare Improvement TCAB (Transforming Care at the Bedside), Community Benefit, MRSA/Hand Hygiene Team, Flu/Pneumonia Screening Team, Medication Reconciliation Team, Centricity SuperUsers, Centricity Pharmacy Steering Committee, Leadership Development Institute, Product Safety Committee, New Employee OnBoarding Committee, Lean Kaizen Event and Nurse Practice Council.
6-5 has been recognized as a best practice unit in the Lean process with the use of the nurse alert dial chart system and wallaroo med magnet to facilitate better communication and organization of the unit. We have also been recognized nationally by the Studor organization for initiating the pilot of intentional rounding which resulted in a 54% reduction in call lights for the unit. Staff members were honored to present their accomplishments at the 2008 Summer Nursing Form and at the VHA Conference in Indianapolis , IN.
