Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• ‘No Pass Zone’ Project Starting Monday
• Help is Nearby with New 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline
• Walk with a Doc This Saturday: Dr. Scott Teeter
• “To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight: 500^th Watchman

‘No Pass Zone’ Project Starting Monday

An effort that is rooted in the desire to provide a safer and more responsive care environment will be starting at Stormont Vail Hospital on Monday. Called “No Pass Zone,” the project is a culture change in which call lights in patient rooms can be answered by any team member – clinical or non-clinical – or a volunteer.

The project has been developed by Tashe Campbell-Helm, BSN, RN, CCRN, Learning and Talent Development, and Raeley Rickel, BSN, RN, Intermediate Care. The two came up with the idea when they were both working in the IMC and reviewed data about what needs patients had when they activated their call light.  Thirty percent of the calls were for simple requests, such as passing a box of tissues, assistance with operating the television, or closing the blinds.

While many patient needs require a skilled individual, all call lights can be responded to by any team member to find out what the need is and then to get appropriate assistance. A faster response time enhances safety and service. Team members are receiving education about what tasks must be handled by nursing/clinical staff and what non-clinical team members can do. The project will also be submitted as an example of excellence in care for Stormont Vail’s upcoming ANCC Magnet re-designation effort.

Benefits of the program are that it supports the clinical team at a time of staffing shortages, it reduces alarm fatigue, it improves patient and visitor experience, and it creates a safer environment. Thank you, Tashe and Raeley, for your thoughtful and hard work on this project.

Help is Nearby with New 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline

The new 988 suicide prevention hotline – connecting Kansans to nearby help – launches this Saturday. When someone calls 988 in Kansas, they will have a direct connection to a professional in Kansas. The hotline comes at a time when Kansas and the country are experiencing a mental health crisis, providing an important lifeline to those needing support for a mental health or substance abuse emergemcy.

The hotline can be accessed by calling or texting 988. The service is available around the clock and provides assistance in multiple languages. The expansion of 988 in Kansas is funded through state and federal dollars.

Walk with a Doc This Saturday: Dr. Scott Teeter

The community is invited to this Saturday’s Walk with a Doc when Dr. Scott Teeter will lead a walk through Washburn University. This is a celebration walk for Dr. Teeter, who retired July 1 from his Cotton O’Neil internal medicine practice after 35 years. The walk will be 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.  The walk is free and no pre-registration is needed. Attendees are asked to park in the Lee Arena parking lot and meet on the east side of Lee Arena.

“To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight: 500^th Watchman

Learn about Stormont Vail’s milestone of the 500^th Watchman procedure and what this means for patients from Dr. Seshu Rao, interventional cardiologist, on tonight’s “To Your Health.” The segment will air at 10 p.m. on WIBW-TV, Channel 13. The segment will typically repeat at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Fridays on 13 News This Morning and be posted on wibw.com.

We together,
Dr. Kenagy