WBAMC Surgical Nurses show appreciation to staff

By Marcy SanchezSeptember 9, 2016

WBAMC Surgical Nurses show appreciation to staff
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Lt. Domonique Alexander, surgical nurse, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, presents a certificate of appreciation to Joe Ortiz, facility maintenance specialist, in recognition of his support to the WBAMC Surgical Unit during a Staff Appreci... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
WBAMC Surgical Nurses show appreciation to staff
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Surgical nurses at William Beaumont Army Medical Center recognize all direct patient care staff and supporting staff members of the hospital during a Staff Appreciation Day event, Aug. 24. The event also reiterated the importance of hospitality and c... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

A day at the 24-capacity inpatient Surgical Ward at William Beaumont Army Medical Center is action-packed with patients transported to and from appointments, plenty of visiting family members and 24/7 service.

Nurses at WBAMC's Surgery Unit showed their appreciation to hospital employees who support their operations by holding the ward's first Staff Appreciation Day, Aug. 24.

The event recognized staff contributions to patient care and emphasized the importance of customer service through a presentation.

"It was an appreciation not just for our staff but also any individual that assists with indirect and direct patient care," said Maj. Tanesha Currie, clinical nurse officer in charge, Surgical Unit, WBAMC. "For us it makes a big difference, even a light bulb being switched out, because we can't do those ourselves."

Staff including housekeeping, infection prevention specialists, to facilities management were all recognized for their part in patient care. Support from staff such as the transport team, which moves patients in and off the floor for scheduled surgeries or other appointments during their inpatient stay, lets nurses tend to patients rather than performing other duties outside of patient care.

"A lot of times patients are in pain where they can't even get out of bed, they need assistance," said 1st Lt. Domonique Alexander, surgical nurse, Surgical Unit, WBAMC. "(Support staff) allows for Nurses to stay with their patient population and ensure patients are within standards before they go to their procedures."

According to Currie, a native of Chicago, the teamwork established at the surgical unit with indirect patient support staff is also integral to quick turnarounds for preparing inpatient rooms for incoming patients which increases patient capacity.

While the Surgical Unit has 55 staff members, employees from all levels were recognized for their support. A customer service presentation was also delivered to employees as a reminder of the importance hospitality plays in a patient's stay at WBAMC.

"Even though we're nurses, there's also a responsibility of customer service and providing that service to our patients," said Currie. "We can certainly create a culture of synergy and hospitality."

"Customer service for patients is instrumental," said Alexander, a native of Birmingham, Alabama. "It's not even about pain medications; Just wanting to provide more than what (patients) ask for makes them content."

Currie recalls one of her staff members interacting with a patient while wearing a red nose which brought a smile to a patient after undergoing surgery.

"As nurses begin transitioning into their own (nursing style), each nurse finds their way to relate to individual patient," said Currie. "Sometimes simple things like talking to a patient can make a difference."

When asked why they tied customer service into the staff appreciation day, Alexander said it's difficult to have good customer service without appreciating your employees.

"(Together) is how we work better, as a whole," said Alexander. "Appreciating everybody from each floor creates a better unit (and) hospital."