I’m grateful when members of our MSBI family share their passion and ideas. I want to share with you one idea that grew into a successful collaboration on one of our behavioral health units.
For a short time, we had a number of patients undergoing substance use detoxification on a medical inpatient unit instead of the usual location of 5 Bernstein. Laurie Prebish, RN, noticed how the new environment eased her patients’ anxiety by allowing for more privacy and a way to get medications and meals without waiting in line, as patients would have done in 5 Bernstein.
She shared these insights at a MSHS Experience session. As a result, our dietary team immediately began working with the team on 5 Bernstein to transform the way the patients receive their meals. Instead of waiting in line while the food service team member fills the trays, the patients receive a pre-made tray that they have selected and then take it to the community room to eat.
“There have been fewer fights and less agitation since we started the new meal service. We are treating our patients with more compassion and respect this way,” says Laurie. In addition, this new process has now been implemented on 3 Bernstein as well.
There are other ideas Laurie shared that we are looking into. They are taking a bit more time to get right but definitely worth the effort.
I’m so proud of the teamwork between dietary and nursing and how they followed through with this improvement so quickly and creatively.
One thing is clear: you have great ideas. We want to keep hearing from you about how we can support you in improving care and in creating a healthy and rewarding work environment. I hope you will reach out to me or my team at any time.