Nursing Innovations in Patient Safety

 

Organization	OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
Location	Rockford, IL
Date of Implementation	August 2003
Nurse Leader	Paula Carynski, RN, MS, CNAA, Assistant Administrator for Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer
Contact Info	Paula.A.Carynski@osfhealthcare.org
Project Team	Jim Beam (laboratory manager), Sue Davis (RN, ambulatory care manager), Deb Ross (RN, infection control) Deb Persaud (RN, clinical nurse specialist), Nancy Kester (RN, employee health manager), Ollie Hutton (central supply).
Project Title	Latex Task Force
Type of Innovation	Organizational Culture
Innovation	Formed interdisciplinary task force to create a latex safe environment for patients and staff. Instituted product changes from latex to latex free. Developed evidence based policies and practices that promote a latex safe environment. Assisted nurses with the assessment and care of latex sensitive/allergic patients. Incorporated latex assessment into the electronic medical record, patient demographic information on admission.
Outcome	Decreased latex reactions and development of allergies for patients, families, and health care workers. Standardized approach to assessing and caring for patients with a latex allergy/sensitivity.