<p class="article-body"> <em>Baltimore</em> Magazine's best nurses are at GBMC! Eight of GBMC HealthCare’s outstanding nurses have been recognized as Baltimore Magazine’s 2020 Excellence in Nursing winners! GBMC is extremely proud of all its caregivers and congratulates the following nurses on their well-deserved honor: <br> <br> <em>First row (left to right):</em> <br> Jennifer Babcock, BSN, RN, CHPN - Gilchrist Center Baltimore <br> Theresa Breitenbach, RNC, BSN - NICU <br> Jennifer Nicole Chen, RN - Gilchrist Center Towson <br> Laura Clary, BSN, RN, FNE-A/P, SANE-A – SAFE <br> <br> <em>Second row (left to right)</em> <br> Melissa Cross, BSN, RN, FNE-A/P, CEN– SAFE <br> Carolyn Keller, MS, RN, NE-BC - U36 <br> Kelly Lucas, MSN, RNC-OB– Labor & Delivery <br> Corin Mauldin, BSN, RN – NICU <br> <br> </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> For some, working remotely during the global pandemic can make it more difficult to complete tasks and communicate. But for people like Megan Brasauskas, LCSW-C, Coordinator for the GBMC Center for the Protection of Children, the implications could be much more serious. <br> <br> Prior to the first wave of COVID-19 and the closure of the state, Megan, alongside Sara Eleoff Van Durme, MD, MPH, FAAP, physician lead for the Center, and their team were seeing an increase in patients, especially crisis patients, in the Emergency Department. Since then, volumes have significantly decreased causing a major concern for the team. <br> <br> "We are worried that the chance of child abuse is increasing right now because of all the factors of COVID-19 that families are facing: people are out of work, people are home, and they are not getting out of the house," Megan said. "But, unfortunately, because there are less eyes on the children, we are seeing less reports. Schools are a primary resource for reporting abuse and neglect. When kids aren't in school, a decline in reporting occurs. There's a lot of research articles out right now surrounding the concern of an increase in unreported abuse.” <br> <br> The GBMC Center for the Protection of Children works with victims across the spectrum of child maltreatment including physical abuse, sexual abuse, human trafficking, neglect and substance-exposed newborns. It is made up of a multi-disciplinary team working to identify, evaluate and manage children who may be victims of maltreatment. <br> <br> "We're the only hospital in Baltimore County that has this program, and actually, the only other hospital in the state that has this program is Johns Hopkins," Megan said. "But the way the city is set up, sexual abuse cases go to University of Maryland Medical Center and physical abuse cases go to Johns Hopkins. Whereas the uniqueness of GBMC is we can provide sexual and physical abuse care services for everyone. We’re able to provide that ‘one-stop shop’ so to speak." <br> <br> It's a heavy load that is becoming more taxing with the uncertainty and concern for children in the community during this time, but Megan is working harder than ever to take care of children and it shows. <br> <br> "She definitely doesn’t do this job for the recognition or seek it, but she certainly deserves it," Emily <br> Smith, LMSW, a social worker for maternal health at GBMC, said. "My office is next to hers, and I can see and hear how hard she is working to stay in contact with the local DSS (Department of Social Services) offices and other organizations to best serve the children in our community during these unprecedented times. We have both expressed our worry with children being out of school and the lack of mandated reporting that is likely occurring as a result." <br> <br> Even with phases of reopening sweeping across Maryland, hospitals are still the primary source of identification for these vulnerable children in addition to individuals staying vigilant of their neighbors and friends. <br> <br> "Our staff, when we started the program, all completed training on what to look for when treating a child in the Emergency Department and how to recognize abuse," Megan said, "Our pediatric nurses and doctors are very good about identifying red flags and any time there is a concern they call me directly." <br> <br> For community members, the best way to help is to stay educated. The Baltimore County Police Department Crimes Against Children (CAC) Unit is the best place to call (410-853-3650) if you suspect child abuse or maltreatment, and GBMC (443-849-STOP) continues to serve as a community resource for everyone seeking help as well. The Center for Protection of Children team partners externally with DSS, the CAC Unit, the Child Advocacy Center and more to ensure full coverage of help and service for children, but works most closely internally with GBMC's Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) and Domestic Violence (DV) program. Both teams have adapted their admissions process to bypass the Emergency Department as much as possible in order to avoid exposure to COVID-19. Families should feel safe bringing children to GBMC if they need to for these cases. <br> <br> Unfortunately, during a pandemic or not, abuse is still prevalent. GBMC is grateful to have the Center for the Protection of Children, Megan and the team to serve when families and victims need them most. </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KXUwac7I7mU" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Did you know that one out of every thousand babies born in the United States has a cleft lip and/or palate? Patrick Byrne, MBA, MD, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at GBMC, explains the condition and how it affects the children experiencing it. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IY-lGvqp71Q" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Robin Motter-Mast, DO, Medical Director, Primary Care at GBMC, describes how <a href="/node/4383" target="_blank">telehealth video visits</a> help patients during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ka1Fim9OUDY" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Felicity Kirby, RN, BSN, OCN, Survivorship Coordinator at GBMC, explains cancer survivorship and talks about the services available cancer patients at GBMC. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h17y7HSDhpw?list=PLyZD8LRG_xb2eAtG-qUYXTxVRGLDBRPkA" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Having to find a new healthcare provider can be a daunting task. It’s difficult to know whether they’ll be a good fit for you from just a biography and a photo online. In the series, “What’s Up, Dr. Dovec?” GBMC bariatric surgeon, Elizabeth Dovec, MD, FACS, FASMB, interviews providers across the GBMC HealthCare System so you can get to know them on a personal level and learn more about their specialties. In this episode, Dr. Dovec interviews Keri Ryniak, RD, CSO, LDN, CNSC, oncology dietitian at the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Cancer Center at GBMC, to talk about the role diet plays in cancer treatment. <br> <br> There is a lot of information, some true and some false, about what cancer patients should be eating during treatment. This can be incredibly overwhelming, so Keri tries to meet her patients as soon as possible after their diagnosis. “I like meeting with patients right from the beginning so that I can establish a rapport with them and help them with any questions they might have,” she expressed. While Keri is a member of the team at the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Cancer Center at GBMC, she provides services free of charge to <em>any</em> cancer patient at GBMC. <br> <br> Each person experiences cancer differently, and Keri is committed to meeting patients where they are. “If a patient is receiving chemotherapy, I pull a chair right next to the chair they’re sitting in and we’ll have a conversation there,” she described. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused her workflow to look a little different, but Keri makes sure to always be fully present with her patients. Like every GBMC provider, Keri now wears personal protective equipment (PPE) during every patient interaction (<a href="/node/3704" target="_blank">click here to learn more about the safety measures being taken at GBMC</a>) and practices physical distancing with her patients. In addition to in-person care, she is also providing care over the phone and through <a href="/node/4383" target="_blank">telehealth video visits</a>. <br> <br> Oncology dietetics is unique in the field. “It’s difficult as a dietitian, but sometimes I have to suggest that patients to do the opposite of what is healthy just to get them through treatment,” Keri explained. Cancer treatment can cause significant fatigue and sometimes a frozen meal or takeout is the best option for a patient. For others, it may be hard to eat solid food at all, in which case, Keri often recommends supplemental shakes similar to those given to children who aren’t getting enough nutrition. “I spend a lot of time telling people that they don’t have to eat perfectly during treatment,” she said. <br> <br> Keri decided that she wanted to be an oncology dietitian during her last semester of college. “My oncology rotation was my final rotation and I fell in love. I’ve been lucky enough to work in oncology ever since then.” She was drawn to oncology because of the ongoing relationships she is able to form with her patients. She is able to meet with them on a regular basis and has known some of her patients for more than ten years. <br> <br> When asked why she chose GBMC, Keri responded: “I love that I can walk down the halls of GBMC and everyone says ‘Hi’ to everybody. That hasn’t happened at any other institution I’ve worked at and it’s one of the things that I think makes GBMC so remarkable.” She previously worked at a large academic institution and felt that she couldn’t provide the personal care that she wanted to for her patients – this isn’t the case at GBMC. “The team is incredibly supportive, and no one tries to hold me back if I have a new idea. It’s wonderful.” To learn more about oncology dietetics and other cancer services at GBMC, visit <a href="/node/2190" target="_blank">www.gbmc.org/cancer</a>. You can also ask your nurse or physician about Keri or call her directly at 443-849-8186. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wKPCfy-3uw8" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> In this era of healthcare reform, GBMC is moving toward a patient-centered, evidence-based medicine model where physicians and care teams focus on a patient's overall wellness and long-term care rather than episodic care. To accomplish this, we are making significant investments in healthcare information technology (EMR, CPOE) and are building a network of hospital and community-based healthcare providers (GBHA) to deliver integrated and coordinated care. <br> <br> We are moving into the future with renewed energy and increasing insight and have adopted a new vision: "To every patient, every time, we will provide the care that we would want for our own loved ones." </p>
<embedded-content data-plugin-config="{"video_content_config":{"video_image":[],"video_image_alt":"","video_upload":[],"video_embed":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ylNgY_5G614","video_url":""},"video_style_config":{"video_background_color":{"settings":{"color":""}},"video_play_background_color":{"settings":{"color":""}},"video_play_opacity":"","video_play_color":{"settings":{"color":""}}}}" data-plugin-id="embedded_video"> </embedded-content><p class="article-body"><em>*This interview was recorded on June 17, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, visit the CDC website at </em><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank"><em>www.cdc.gov</em></a><em>*</em> </p><p class="article-body">The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been the predominant topic in healthcare for several months, but other health issues have not gone away. Unfortunately, many people have delayed their care for fear of the virus, which may have very serious consequences. John B. Chessare, MD, MPH, President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare, joined WBAL Radio’s Coronavirus Townhall to talk about why it’s critical for people to come to the hospital when they need medical care and what GBMC is doing to keep patients safe. </p><p class="article-body">Throughout the pandemic, especially in the past few weeks, the number of COVID-19 positive patients and patients under investigation (PUI) at GBMC has held relatively steady. “We’ve been very lucky,” Dr. Chessare explained. “Since the beginning of the outbreak, people have followed the Governor’s guidance – they maintained physical distancing and washed their hands frequently – so we didn’t get a significant number of cases.” </p><p class="article-body">Dr. Chessare emphasized that it’s crucial for patients to continue their care and come to the hospital if they need to. He pointed to data from New York City that found a substantial number of people had died in their homes from heart attack or stroke because they had been too afraid to go to the emergency department. He urged anyone who is having an emergency to come and get the help they need. </p><p class="article-body"><a href="/node/3704" target="_blank">GBMC has many safety measures in place</a>, including, but not limited to, extensive cleaning in between patients and throughout the day, temperature screenings at entrances, requiring visitors and staff to wear masks, and more. Every employee at GBMC who has direct patient interaction wears full personal protective equipment to protect themselves and the patients they care for. For non-emergent health issues, GBMC offers <a href="/node/4383" target="_blank">telehealth video visits</a> to all patients. </p><p class="article-body">GBMC tests all patients scheduled to have elective surgeries for COVID-19 in a separate building on its campus before their procedure. This prevents patients who may have contracted the virus from coming to the hospital and potentially spreading it to others. </p><p class="article-body">Many are concerned about a second wave of COVID-19, but Dr. Chessare assured listeners that GBMC is still on full alert and prepared to handle a spike in cases. “We are standing ready if the number of cases starts going back up,” he explained. He encouraged people to continue following public health safety measures such as physical distancing and hand washing to prevent further spread of the virus. He also expressed that while people need to remain diligent, they should not be “over-afraid” if they follow all of the safety precautions. </p><p class="article-body">It’s impossible to predict the full impact of people putting off their care, but GBMC is proactively working to minimize the negative consequences. “We don’t want to wait for research to determine the additional negative health effects of COVID-19,” said Dr. Chessare. “We want to be in action now to prevent these outcomes from happening.” Particularly concerning is the postponement of children’s vaccinations and screening procedures like colonoscopies. Getting behind on vaccinations may cause future outbreaks of other illnesses and putting off screenings can make it much more difficult to treat otherwise preventable diseases. </p><p class="article-body">When asked what he wanted to tell the community, Dr. Chessare responded: “Thank you for maintaining physical distancing and washing your hands. We want people to know that they are safe at GBMC, in any of our GBMC Health Partners physician offices, and at Gilchrist. If you need help, please call us or come to the emergency department.” <em>*Click here for more information and articles about the coronavirus (COVID-19)*</em></p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u2ksZm8TMuA" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Jennifer Heller, MD, Medical Director of The Wound Center at GBMC, explains the latest technology available for healing chronic wounds at GBMC. </p>
<p class="article-body"> 80 days. It’s been 80 days since my unit became the COVID-19 floor. I remember dating my PPE bag 3/25 as my boss was making the announcement that we were going to only have COVID patients. We had to wear masks at all times, we had to start being screened for fevers and get the same, repetitive question at the door, “do you have any symptoms?” <br> <br> It’s been 80 days. In these 80 days, I’ve seen more death and decline than in my entire career. I’ve seen so many families torn apart from this virus - all from behind a FaceTime screen since we don’t allow visitors at the moment. I’ve seen perfectly healthy individuals dance around the grave - and it’s our job to fix them. One minute they’re stable, the next they’re laying on their bellies getting intubated. And the only person there is someone behind a giant blue trash bag-like gown, a mask, and face shield. They can’t even see our faces. <br> <br> For 80 days, we’ve had to fear bringing this home to our families. Stripping at the door and showering before you even make contact with loved ones. Shoes in a bag in your car. Every day - new scrubs, scrub cap, and mask. Change shoes in the car. Wipe them off before you leave your shift. Every. Single. Day. <br> <br> For 80 days, we’ve worn masks for 13 hours straight, swapping between a surgical mask and an n95. We’ve worn gowns in every room, changed gloves over and over again, washed our hands nonstop. Our ears, nose, and hands are rubbed raw. <br> <br> For 80 days, it’s been engrained into our brain. Wash your hands, put on a gown, gloves, mask, shield, strip your gloves, wash your hands, new gloves, enter room. Over and over and over again. Before you leave the room, strip your gown, pull gloves off with it. Ball it up so the Covid stays inside. Wash your hands. New gloves. Take off mask and face shield. Wipe down face shield. Put in the paper bag. Take off gloves. Wash hands again. Wipe down all equipment. Over and over and over again. For 80 days. <br> <br> For 80 whole days, my patience and strength has been tried. I’ve been pushed to my limits. I’ve been family for patients who need us. I’ve been taught what it really means to be a nurse. <br> <br> The country is beginning to reopen, but this is not over. It’s not going to end soon. Please, as you all go out and enjoy your summers, wear a mask. I know its a pain, but a surgical mask is better than a ventilator. Stay away from large gatherings as much as possible. Wash your hands. I promise, from the other end of things, the country reopening is scary. So give us some time, some patience, and some love. We really need it. <br> <br> Love, <br> <br> Your exhausted COVID 19 nurses <br> <br> <a href="https://www.wmar2news.com/news/coronavirus/nurse-shares-experiences-working-80-days-in-covid-19-unit" target="_blank">Click here to watch Avery's interview on WMAR 2 News.</a> <br> <br> <em>*Click here for more information and articles about the coronavirus (COVID-19)*</em> </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b2p9t6aOTcY" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Having to find a new doctor can be a daunting task. It’s difficult to know whether they’ll be a good fit for you from just a biography and a photo online. In the series, “What’s Up, Dr. Dovec?” GBMC bariatric surgeon, Elizabeth Dovec, MD, FACS, FASMB, interviews providers across the GBMC HealthCare System so you can get to know them on a personal level and learn more about their specialties. In this episode, Dr. Dovec interviews Catherine Hamel, President of Gilchrist, who talks about end-of-life decision making and the many services that Gilchrist provides beyond hospice care. <br> <br> Catherine described Gilchrist’s Elder Medical Care program that serves in conjunction with hospice. “We recognize that it’s hard for people to decide to go to hospice, but they need care,” she said, “so, we’ve built a program called Elder Medical Care that is home-based and is used in advance of hospice.” This program, which is made up of a team of pharmacists, social workers, practitioners, and more, is generally for patients who have difficulty going to a physician practice for care and have multiple chronic illnesses. “We essentially bring a primary care office to the bedside at home,” Catherine explained. <br> <br> When it is time for a patient to enter hospice care, the Gilchrist team does everything they can to provide comfort and support to both the patient and their family. “There are many components to death and dying,” said Catherine. “There is medical care, emotional support for the family, and often a religious or spiritual aspect.” For those who desire, <a href="/node/2561" target="_blank">GBMC’s Spiritual Support team</a> joins the care team, which regularly meets to discuss each patient’s care plan. <br> <br> Many people avoid the topic of death and dying, so Dr. Dovec asked Catherine why she chose to go into end-of-life care. Catherine went on to describe how her father had a heart attack at age 35 and how it changed her perspective on life. “I had to have conversations about what death might mean to him. That was a special moment for us.” Throughout her life she has also found herself gravitating towards older people. “I think the wisdom that they bring and the stories they tell about their lives have helped to enrich mine.” <br> <br> Dr. Dovec and Catherine discussed end-of-life decisions and how important it is to have conversations about these decisions with loved ones. The first step is to designate someone who can speak on your behalf if you are unable to communicate. This person is called a healthcare decision maker and should have intimate knowledge of your wishes. There are many resources, both online and in-person, available to help guide you through this process and create advance directives. Every patient at the GBMC is hospital is provided with a list of these resources and can create an advance directive, if desired. <br> <br> The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic significantly changed the way Gilchrist provided care, but Catherine is proud of how the team has stepped up during the crisis. “It has been really inspiring for me,” she said. In early April, Gilchrist opened the only dedicated hospice unit for COVID-19 positive patients in the state of Maryland and the team has performed significant work in nursing homes. While the addition of personal protective equipment (PPE) has created some challenges, the staff is working harder than ever to connect with patients and their families despite the physical barriers. “It’s different, but we’re grateful that we have remained healthy and able to serve our patients,” Catherine expressed. To learn more about hospice and Elder Medical Care, call Gilchrist at 888-823-8880. A care navigator will speak with you to answer your questions and suggest the next steps for your care. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j1S8pJLdvOM" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> The GBMC Father's Day 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk, which benefits the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), has been going on for more than 30 years, but this year it will look a little different. Co-Chairs of the event, Ellen and Chris Dew appeared on Midday Maryland to talk about how the race is going virtual and how people can still help support GBMC's tiniest patients. <a href="https://www.classy.org/event/gbmc-fathers-day-virtual-5k-and-1-mile-fun-walk/e265001" target="blank"> Click here to register!</a> </p>
<p class="article-body"> Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many have had to find new ways to manage their health without leaving their home. For this reason, <a href="/node/4383" target="_blank">telehealth video visits</a> have become one of the most widely used forms of communication between clinicians and their patients. Robin Motter-Mast, DO, Medical Director of Primary Care and Population Health at GBMC, spoke with Fox 45 host, Patrice Sanders, about whether telehealth is here to stay and how the GBMC HealthCare System is adjusting to the new normal. <br> <br> GBMC had been working to create a telehealth infrastructure for approximately a year before the pandemic. “We were perfectly positioned to get this up and going when the time came,” explained Dr. Motter-Mast. The HealthCare System quickly mobilized to provide this service to patients and has increased the number of video visits from 59 in the month of February to more than 18,000 by the end of May. <br> <br> Both patient and clinician feedback has been very positive. “We were pleasantly surprised,” said Dr. Motter-Mast. Many patients and clinicians have found telehealth visits to be more convenient and that a large portion of treatment can be done virtually. “For the majority of the time, it is the same experience as coming into the office. But there are still circumstances in which you may need to be seen in-person by your physician or provider,” she described. Dr. Motter-Mast encouraged patients experiencing urgent issues such as abdominal or chest pain to come to the office. <a href="/node/3704" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about the steps GBMC is taking to keep patients safe</a>. <br> <br> “For issues like conjunctivitis or cough, telehealth is a perfect option,” she said. “It’s really about the symptoms and the history which allows us to gauge the recommendations we can make. If things don’t improve, we may potentially ask patients to come in at a later date to do a more thorough physical exam.” <br> <br> When asked about the future of telehealth, Dr. Motter-Mast responded: “This is not going away. The patients like it, the physicians and providers like it – telehealth is here to stay.” <br> <br> <a href="https://foxbaltimore.com/morning/the-future-of-telehealth" target="_blank">Click here to watch the full interview</a>. </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zBl72c-QgOM" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Having to find a new doctor can be a daunting task. It’s difficult to know whether they’ll be a good fit for you from just a biography and a photo online. In the series, “What’s Up, Dr. Dovec?” GBMC bariatric surgeon, Elizabeth Dovec, MD, FACS, FASMB, interviews providers across the GBMC HealthCare System so you can get to know them on a personal level and learn more about their specialties. In this episode, Dr. Dovec interviews Maria Pane, MD, neonatologist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Newborn Nursery at GBMC. The conversation focuses on the incredible work being done in the NICU, Dr. Pane’s personal story of giving birth to a preemie baby, and the upcoming virtual <a href="https://www.classy.org/event/gbmc-fathers-day-virtual-5k-and-1-mile-fun-walk/e265001" target="_blank">32nd Annual GBMC Father’s Day 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk</a>. <br> <br> Most families experience normal, healthy births, but for the 10% of babies who require intensive care, it can be incredibly scary. There are many reasons a baby could need to go to the NICU, from respiratory distress and congenital disorders to simply being born too early. Depending on their condition, babies can stay in the NICU for a couple of days or even as long as four to six months. During this time, strong bonds are formed between the nurses and families that often last beyond the baby’s stay. “The nurses love these babies like they’re their own,” explained Dr. Pane, “the team becomes family with a lot of the parents and it’s incredibly rewarding to see these babies thriving after they’ve graduated from our unit.” <br> <br> The NICU is a 24-hour unit and families are encouraged to accompany the care team on their daily rounds. This allows parents to learn the ins and outs of the unit and get to know the team taking care of their baby more intimately. “Nurses and the team really do a lot of education with families to try to help answer their questions and make them feel comfortable,” said Dr. Pane, “we have all individual rooms with three rooms for twins and, under normal circumstances, grandparents and other visitors are allowed to visit the family.” Unfortunately, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has forced the NICU to take extreme caution and care and only allow one parent to visit the baby at a time. GBMC is taking many other precautions to keep patients and employees safe. <a href="/node/3704" target="_blank">Click here to learn more</a>. <br> <br> When describing her personal experience with the NICU, Dr. Pane said, “no one expects to have to go to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. When I, myself, ruptured my membranes early, the first thought I had was that I have to get to the hospital because my baby is probably going to need the NICU. Even as a physician, it was very overwhelming. The most common question I hear from families, and the question I had myself, was ‘Is my baby going to make it?’” <br> <br> After a baby in need of extra medical care is born, there is often a period of separation because they need to be transferred immediately to the NICU. This time can be incredibly stressful for parents and the father or partner may be torn between following the baby and staying with the mother as she recovers. Whatever he or she decides, the NICU team works very hard to communicate the baby’s condition to the family as soon as possible. <br> <br> GBMC’s NICU, which was renovated in 2019, is built specifically to allow parents to participate in their baby’s care. The renovation was funded entirely by <a href="https://www.classy.org/event/gbmc-fathers-day-virtual-5k-and-1-mile-fun-walk/e265001" target="_blank">GBMC’s annual Father’s Day 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk</a>. This year, to follow physical distancing guidelines, the event is going virtual! Dr. Pane encouraged people to <a href="https://www.classy.org/event/gbmc-fathers-day-virtual-5k-and-1-mile-fun-walk/e265001" target="_blank">register for the race</a>, run the 5K or walk one mile, and share your pictures with us. Pictures can be posted on social media with the hashtag #GBMC5K and remember to tag GBMC HealthCare on Facebook and Instagram (@gbmchealthcare)! All of the money raised from this event goes to the NICU to buy specialized equipment and provide the best possible care for our tiniest patients. This event is near and dear to Dr. Pane’s heart who, when asked why she chose GBMC, replied: “I’ve been at GBMC for 18 years now. I did my fellowship in neonatology over at Johns Hopkins, which is a world-class institution, but I had always looked at GBMC as my hospital. It’s a community hospital that has just about everything the larger institutions have. There is something incredibly special here and, as a fellow years ago, I looked at the doctors and the nurses that were here and I saw that they were family and they cared about their patients. I always wanted to work in that environment. My first job was not at GBMC because there were no openings, but when a job became available, I jumped on it and I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to come here. I’ve never looked back.” </p>
<p class="article-body"> The Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) recently earned an A grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national hospital-safety organization. The A grade means that GBMC received the highest rating possible for protecting patients from errors, injuries and infections. GBMC is one of only 12 hospitals in the state to achieve this high mark. <br> <br> “Our A rating can assure patients that GBMC has effectively deployed best practices to reduce harm,” explains Carolyn Candiello, GBMC’s vice president of quality and patient safety. “This includes both care-delivery practices and also leadership practices.” <br> <br> The Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, gives its hospital safety grades twice per year based on categories that evaluate patient safety. The goal is to determine what a patient's risk of injury or infection is if they are cared for at a given hospital. GBMC’s A grade reflects the Leapfrog Group’s hospital safety grades for spring 2020, especially important during the current COVID-19 pandemic. <br> <br> “While Leapfrog doesn’t encompass COVID-19, it does speak to our organization’s ability to implement best practices to achieve sustained positive outcomes,” explains Candiello. “Our leadership team, as well as our frontline care providers, use systematic processes to respond to the ever-changing guidelines to keep our patients and staff safe. Patients should feel safe coming here for care during this crisis.” </p> <h3> What About COVID-19? </h3> Because of the crisis, GBMC HealthCare has measures in place beyond separating COVID-19 positive patients from patients who are not infected. These include tents outside of the emergency department where nurses and medical technicians can triage patients who are showing respiratory symptoms, extensive cleaning processes, required temperature screenings and mask usage, and limited numbers of people in offices to allow for proper distancing. <br> <br> “Ignoring your health and delaying your care because of the threat of COVID-19 is not a good idea. I want to assure people that you are safe at GBMC, as COVID-19-positive patients are sequestered, so the risk is very minimal, and we want people with other medical needs to contact their physician or come to our hospital as necessary,” said John B. Chessare, MD, president and CEO of GBMC HealthCare. “We are proud of this honor from The Leapfrog Group, and we are working every day to move toward our vision of providing our patients with the care that we would want for our own loved ones. This A grade recognizes our ardent efforts in patient safety even during the COVID-19 pandemic.” <br> <br> Candiello lists some reasons GBMC received this top grade: <br> <br> <strong>GBMC’s integrated electronic health record, which can be accessed by providers throughout the care continuum.</strong> “Leveraging this system, we have implemented leading-edge practices designed to provide high-quality care,” she explains. “In 2019, GBMC received the prestigious HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence, which demonstrates our ability to improve clinical care using our electronic health record. GBMC was the only health system in Maryland to achieve this award and one of only 11 worldwide.” <br> <br> <strong>Standard Safety Practices, like Enhanced Recovery Surgical Innovation (ERSI).</strong> “This led to improved outcomes for patients with fewer opioids and reduced surgical-site infections,” she explains. <br> <br> <strong>Implementation of best practices identified by the National Quality Forum and measured by the Leapfrog Group, including:</strong> <ul> <li> 24/7 physician coverage in the GBMC ICUs — by board-certified critical care physicians. </li> <li> Safe medication practices, including barcode scanning and medication reconciliation. “These processes help ensure we have the right at-home medication list and that patients receive the correct medication and dose,” says Candiello. </li> <li> GBMC’s hand-hygiene program. “GBMC has a robust hand-hygiene monitoring program and results are closely monitored by senior leadership and the board of directors,” she explains. </li> <li> Safe nurse staffing levels and education on patient safety. </li> </ul> “GBMC evaluates many metrics as part of our daily work and has been doing so for many years,” explains Candiello. “We want our community to know that our efforts and energy are focused on our patients and their needs. Leapfrog is one of many tools that the public can utilize to make decisions regarding their healthcare needs such as choosing a hospital. We are very proud of the A rating and the validation of our commitment to providing the highest quality care to our community.” <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
