Seventh heaven

The caregivers on the Level 7 medical unit at the Brantford General Hospital call their unit ‘seventh heaven.' Now that they have been recognized with an Excellence in Teamwork award, the word is spreading.

“I am very proud of the staff on the Level 7 medical unit,” Lori Petri- Mulrain, manager- medical services said. A nurse that works casually on the unit put it best when she said, “The nurses on seventh heaven have a wonderful sense of humour and their team spirit is exemplified in crisis situations as well as in the day to day situations.”

The patients cared for on the 7th floor medical unit are a very large, diverse population admitted for many reasons including pneumonia, chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke. This demands that the nurses have well-developed clinical assessment skills.

“We welcomed the stroke clustering program on the Level 7 medical unit last March,” Lori said. “The staff embraced this change with their typical enthusiasm spending long hours over many months preparing to provide the best practice in stroke care.” With the assistance of Anne Campbell, Brant Community Healthcare System district stroke coordinator and Kim Morgan, district stroke clinician, much education was provided including in-services for the caregivers- often all-day sessions.”

The staff is very conscientious making sure stroke patients are receiving the best care possible. Lori said, “They are excited about the opportunity to develop expertise in stroke care, improving utilization of resources, enhancing transitional care and reengagement of patients into the community. Monthly in- services are provided on different aspects of stroke care. Staff even attends on their day off, while others give up their lunch or breaks.”

Some stroke patients come to the Level 7 medical unit from the critical care unit. The nurses work with various physicians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists and Dr. Ballyk accesses each patient to determine if they can be transferred to the rehabilitation unit. Health teaching to help prevent a secondary stroke is another component of the care patients receive from this team of dedicated caregivers.

Lori was not surprised that the clustering of stroke patients on Level 7 medical unit has been such a big success. “Present this team of caregivers with a challenge and with their abilities to work as a team and their positive attitude towards change and you have a recipe for success.”

In the past three years the unit has welcomed staff from both St. Joseph's Hospital and The Willett Hospital- who brought their knowledge and expertise. Throughout the unit many of the nurses are taking additional courses outside of the hospital. Then in turn they bring the knowledge they learn back to the unit and share with their co-workers.

Ongoing education and change are not new to Lori. Throughout her 20-year career in critical care nursing at St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton and Brantford General, Lori has come to realize that in healthcare change is the only thing that is constant. She became manager of the Level 7 medical unit a year ago and hasn't looked back. “I had been looking for a change, a different direction so I participated in a leadership program.

It has been a big transition leaving bedside nursing but I enjoy my new position because it is something new. Besides, I am working with people that make me so proud.”

Gary Chalk is Senior Executive Director- Public Affairs & Development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris is a multi-service health centre providing urgent care, primary care and community outreach programs.