HealthSouth Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital

National Patient Safety Week

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Do you know the dangers of C-Diff Colitis Infection?

During the week of March 4^th, HealthSouth Deaconess Rehab Hospital will participate with the Indiana Hospital Association to observe

Patient Safety Awareness Week and honor a statewide commitment to collectively work together as a health care community to provide the safest care possible.

Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF).

Among the events and activities planned this week, on Thursday March 6^th at 12:00pm in Conference Room A&B, Linda Doerflein, RN, Director of Quality and Risk and Melanie Greener, RN, Infection Control and Employee Health Practitioner, will present information on a topic that is becoming an issue within the hospital environment. C-Diff or Clostridium difficile is an intestinal bacterial infection that is most commonly caused by prolonged use of antibiotics. This severe illness causes severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and potential intestinal perforation and death. The spores from C-Diff can remain on surfaces for us up FIVE MONTHS if not disinfected properly. The infection’s occurrence has significantly increased over recent years and more education to patients and healthcare workers is much needed.

RSVPs are required (see below), but there are still seats available. A boxed lunch is provided.

Other highlighted activities this week are a Safety Bingo for patients and families on Thursday evening, and a virtual reality fire training provided by Koorsen, and the Red Cross provided Heimlich maneuver training simulation on Tuesday.

This is a week to recognize the advancements that have been made in the patient safety arena, while acknowledging the challenges that remain—and committing to work on them, every day.

C-Diff: A Gut Wrenching Experience

Presented by

Linda Doerflein, RNBS, RN, CPHRM, Director of Quality and Risk

Melanie Greener, RN, Infection Control and Employee Health 

Join us to refresh your knowledge and skills about this “bug” that affects so many patients!

A boxed lunch will be provided!

When: Thursday March 6, 2014 at 12:00pm

Where: 4100 Covert Ave. Evansville, IN

Conference Room

Why:

Learning Objectives

Prevention of C. diff

Isolation precautions and PPE usage

Role of Environmental Services

What is the Nap 1 strain of c. diff?

Space is limited to 40 attendees.

To reserve your seat, please call Kim Twitty at 812-437-6105

St. Mary’s Rehabilitation will offer FREE balance screenings Wednesday, April 9^th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Washington Square Mall, in the rear St. Mary’s entrance.

Among the older population, falls are the leading cause of trauma admissions and injuries.  A decreased sense of balance is a common risk factor for falling.  The balance screening focuses on assessing balance and identifying factors that may decrease balance and potentially lead to falls. Participants will also have the opportunity to review their medication list with a St. Mary’s pharmacist.

The event is free and open to the public, but an appointment time is requested. Participants are encouraged to reserve a spot by March 31^st.  Please call 812-485-5209 to schedule a screening time.

The University of Evansville Physical Therapy Department, University of Southern Indiana Occupational Therapy Department, St. Mary’s Durable Medical Equipment, the YMCA, St. Mary’s Wellness Center, and others will also have information on balance and other health topics available at the event.