In preparation for the H.E.A.R.T. experience that all 2500-plus UM Shore Regional Health team members will undertake between now and April 30, 2017, Compass is focusing on UM SRH value definitions and the ways those values are translated in our day-to-day work as we care for our patients and serve the overall health needs of our five-county region. Last week’s Value was teamwork; this week’s value is EXCELLENCE.
UM SRH team members have defined excellence as follows:
Excellence: “Going the Extra Mile All of the Time”
- We are passionate and uncompromising.
- We get results.
- We are lifelong learners.
- We see room for improvement.
- We are open to new ideas.
- We hold ourselves accountable.
A truly wonderful example of excellence “in action” was submitted this week by Nancy Bedell, regional manager, Employee Health and Wellness Services, regarding the “above and beyond” way in which Margaret Pulleyn, lab site coordinator in Chestertown, stepped up to protect the health and wellbeing of a colleague as well as a patient:
“A team member was stuck by a “dirty” instrument. When this happens, we draw blood on the patient to determine if the team member needs any treatment. Unfortunately, by the time the issue was discovered, the patient had been discharged home. The patient very nicely agreed to come back to the hospital to have blood drawn, but not until the next day – very understandable as he had just had a surgical procedure. However, waiting until the next day would have delayed the start of treatment (if needed) for the team member.
Margaret Pulleyn agreed to go the patient’s home and draw the blood. She did this at the end of her shift, drew the blood, brought the specimen to the hospital and then went home. When the patient was told he didn’t have to come back to the hospital, the next day, he responded, “That’s awesome.” The team member learned that same night that no treatment would be needed, which I am sure helped her sleep easy. Thank you, Margaret, for your excellent care. It made a difference.”
Excellence also is reflected in recognition from professional medical organizations and agencies. For example, UM Shore Medical Center at Easton has been recognized as meeting with the Silver Plus Award for stroke from the American Heart and Stroke Association (AHA/ASA). In addition to the prestigious designation Silver Plus designation, the hospital is included on AHA/ASA’s Target Stroke Honor Roll. Likewise, Shore Behavioral Health was recently recognized for outstanding innovation in its clinical programs by Horizons Health, LLC. And of course, the Magnet (R) designation achieved by UM Shore Medical Centers at Dorchester and Easton, and the Magnet (R) journey now in progress at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, signify an ongoing commitment to nursing excellence throughout UM Shore Regional Health.