This professional recognition program celebrates the most innovative and effective learning programs to train, upskill, and reskill temporary and contract employees across the U.S. Awards and honorable mention distinctions are conferred in award classes by company revenue. 

We are pleased to announce that our StaRN and StarTECH programs were honored with a 2020 American Staffing Association ELEVATE Award. This national awards program recognizes the most innovative and effective work-based learning programs to train, upskill, and reskill temporary and contract employees.

Since 2014, the HealthTrust Specialty Training Apprenticeship for Registered Nurses has trained 20,000-plus newly graduated nurses who otherwise would have faced substantial difficulties working in acute care environments.  The program bridges the skills gap and prepares the new nurse to care for patients as soon as they enter the facility. In recent years, the program has expanded to include StaRN PLUS and StarTECH. StaRN Plus provides intensive specialty training to experienced licensed nurses and combines classroom instruction, eLearning, simulation experiences, and hands‐on clinical training at sponsoring HealthTrust client facilities. Depending on the specialty track, the program runs for 10–22 weeks and the nurses are paid during the term. StarTech is a three-week, client-paid program for certified nurse assistants that combines classroom instruction, electronic health record practice, and hands‐on clinical training in acute hospital settings. To date, approximately 1,000 CNAs have participated in StarTech.

For more information about ASA and the ASA Elevate Awards, visit americanstaffing.net.

Here is a personal story from one of our own HWS team members. Read as he shares his experience being the recipient of care at an HCA Healthcare facility where we truly care like family.

"I am writing this as a gesture of gratitude toward some truly exceptional people.  I am 4 weeks past the most challenging, life-changing experience of my life.

In early August I had a CT scan due to some lingering abdominal pain, I feared it could be a hernia. On Monday, August 10^th I got a call from my primary care physician’s office that shocked me.  I am a relatively young and healthy person and what comes next I could not have imagined.

The CT scan discovered a very large mass on my right kidney and I was advised to see my urologist immediately. My urologist at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center rushed me in to an appointment the next day. The prognosis sounded bleak to me, but my urologist was excellent providing guidance. Most likely I had advanced kidney cancer, with the tumor consuming my entire right kidney.  The tumor was roughly double the size of my left kidney and much larger than a typical tumor with this type of cancer.

The week that followed was a battery of tests at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center and St. David’s Surgical Hospital. On Wednesday, August 19^th, I had a radical nephrectomy to remove my right kidney and the 16cm tumor that had completely consumed it. After a few days that felt like an eternity, my Urologist called me with the pathology results. The tumor was stage 4 clear cell renal carcinoma and in my urologist’s review of the pathology report, his opinion was that the surgery was curative.

By the grace of God and the amazing people at St. David’s I am alive, and hope to live a long healthy life. I was terrified through all of it, but the care and compassion I got from everyone at both St. David’s facilities was truly incredible. When I say everyone, I mean EVERY SINGLE PERSON – the schedulers who understood my urgency and worked to get each of my tests and my surgery lined up as quickly as possible, the smiling screeners at the entrances who greeted me quite a few times over the span of 2 weeks, the nurses who healed, comforted, and reassured me, and of course the urologist who I cannot adequately thank.

(Brad Andress - Division Vice President, Central and West Texas)

I also could not have asked for a better leadership team at HealthTrust, they were beyond supportive and accommodating to my testing and surgery schedule on short notice. More importantly, they truly cared and it was obvious with every conversation, every thought and prayer for good health that I received.  

I have been employed by HCA (through HealthTrust) for a little over a year and it has been a great personal and professional experience for me, to say the least. When I have the chance to speak with other HCA employees I always like to hear their stories.  During pre-op I asked the nurse who was starting my IV how she got to St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. She told me that after 35 years at another local hospital she returned to St. David’s. When I asked why she told me “They just care more here”. I couldn’t agree more.

I have never been more excited, more passionate, or more motivated, to put all my effort into a company and their mission.

At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life. 

I’m alive and healthy because that’s true and our teams live our mission. Thank you to everyone who I came into contact with at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center and St. David’s Surgical Hospital, including those who I spoke with but never met. Through the most challenging time of my life you made a difference and I will be eternally grateful."

Thank you for all you Do!

The Medfusion Syringe Pump delivers blood, blood products, prescribed drugs, and other fluids into a patient's body in a controlled manner. Due to a software error, if a bolus or loading dose is interrupted and a specific sequence of events occurs, over or under-delivery of a bolus or loading dose may occur. 

Please review the huddle card to ensure you:

• Reviewed and understand the information
• Will follow the guidelines to avoid infusion administration errors
• If a potential patient safety issue related to the Medfusion pump is identified, the chain of command will be activated

Huddle Care: MedFusion

Thank you for your dedication to Patient Safety!

Imagine you are a new graduate RN contemplating that first step in your patient career. Like swimming, should you dive into the deep end of the pool now with all the fear and anxiety associated with it? Or should you try shallow water, continuing your learning process through program classes tailored to your needs and interests, ensuring your development and growth in a specialty you will love?

Welcome to the highly successful StaRN program at Sunrise Hospital. New graduate RNs are recruited to help Sunrise Hospital meet the growing demand for nurses today and tomorrow, while helping them gain training and experience in a structured environment and pace. 

(Noelle Norris, RN)

"When I graduated nursing school and I applied for the StaRN program, I was over the top with excitement when I got picked to be a part of Sunrise Hospital's program," exclaimed Noelle Norris, RN. "The program really taught me to learn to trust my own nursing skills but also develop new nursing skills in the process."

Interest in the StaRN program among new RN grads is at an all-time high. "Our StaRNs continue to increase every year," said Cyndi Johnson, Chief Nursing Officer at Sunrise Hospital. "We started as low as 48 in 2015. As of 2019 we're up to 164 and 2020, thus far we're at 98. And we'll be hiring another 55 in September and October from Critical Care to Med Surg and Emergency Room."

First steps for our StaRNs? Six weeks of classroom instruction, followed by going to the floors for a six to 10-week orientation depending on the floor and specialty. 

(Aly Andres, RN)

"You learn everything hands on and even stuff that you didn't learn in school," explained Aly Andres, RN. "You get a feel of what your unit family is going to be like. I got to meet a lot of friends in here too. I got to work alongside patients and their families. To see someone who's been here for a long time and wasn't ambulatory and eventually gets stronger then gets discharged, it's like, 'wow I watched you get better!' And their families also coming to thank you and all, that's very rewarding."

StaRN's success will continue setting the curve for high retention rates. "When we started the program in 2015, retention was about 50 percent. Since that time we gained every single year. I'm very pleased we're at 93 percent this year," Johnson said. 

"Honestly, I don't know what kind of nurse I would be if I hadn't been a part of the StaRN program," added Norris. "I really feel like this program is how you become a better nurse."

The HCA Education Team has released a HealthStream course that contains three educational videos, providing an overview of NATE, C-ARDS, and SOFA. 

The Intended audience are clinicians who utilize the NATE, C-ARDS, SOFA Tools. 

To access the course via self-enrollment, please login to HealthStream and search the catalog for:

HHCCA:NATE, C-ARDS, SOFA Overview

Completion Time: 56 minutes.

This is not a required course but a continued educational offering.  

Thank you for ALL your HARD WORK and DEDICATION to patient care!

On a recent return flight to Fort Lauderdale, Letisha Wilson, RN was called into action mid-flight. During the flight, flight attendants asked if any medical personnel were onboard. Letisha, who looked around curious about what was occurring, realized a woman near her was in need of attention and quickly moved over to assist. As the woman became faint and started to lose consciousness, Letisha began to elevate her feet and lay her back on the plane.

While Letisha was monitoring the patient's airways, she called over a colleague, Dale Robinson, MSN, RN, CNE. After speaking with Dale and learning that two paramedics and a nurse practitioner were onboard, she was able to gather a blood pressure cup, first aid kit and a stethoscope to monitor the patient. Letisha assessed the patient and requested to the staff on board the plane that oxygen be provided. As Letisha provided oxygen to the patient, she also noticed that every time the patient started to gain consciousness and sit up, she would begin to regress. Letisha started an IV on the patient, while on the airplane, to provide the necessary fluids to improve the patient's health. Afterward, Letisha spoke with air dispatch and requested that a medic be prepared at the tarmac when the plane landed. To protect the airways of the patient during landing, Letisha and Dale both laid on top of the patient to help reduce the movement the patient would encounter. 

Letisha is thankful to have been able to assist the patient throughout the flight while using muscle memory to understand exactly what to do. The experience helped Letisha feel as if she is exactly where she needs to be in life. Letisha, thank you for your dedication to increased patient care!

The HCA Team has created some videos accessible from QR codes on:

• Donning Reused Cloth Gowns
• Doffing Reused Cloth Gowns
• Donning/Doffing PPE

To access the video, scan the QR code from your camera function on your phone.  You should get a pop-up to open a browser to view the video. 

Donning and Doffing

Thank you for you DEDICATION to patient care!

What precautionary actions are being taken to safeguard our facilities?

 A: We are taking measures to have a more controlled environment in our care sites that will limit entry into hospitals and clinics. This will help ensure screening occurs prior to entry into patient care areas so that masks are provided to patients with respiratory symptoms. As we often do during heavy influenza outbreaks, visitor restrictions will be instituted in patient care areas. Colleagues will be included among those who will be screened before entering our hospitals and other care sites. In addition, universal masking and social distancing are implemented at workplace. Employees are to keep the mask on at all times during work hours and to eat lunch alone or 6 feet away from others.

Q: How can the infection of healthcare workers be prevented?

 A: Our caregivers are skilled and experienced in caring for patients with flu-like illnesses and we are re-emphasizing infection prevention protocols and the latest guidance from the CDC. The experience of treating coronavirus in the U.S. and other first world countries has shown that the use of standard respiratory precautions has prevented the infection of healthcare workers, who we count on to stay healthy to take care of all patients.

Q: What does infection prevention entail?

 A: Infection prevention includes processes for screening potential coronavirus patients, and the proper use of isolation procedures. Additionally, our facilities are reinforcing effective environmental cleaning and visitor policies that support infection control. 

Q: How is the virus impacting the distribution and conversation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

 A: Because so much of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gowns and masks used to protect our patients, colleagues and visitors from the spread of infections, is made in China where this virus originated, this is another area of emphasis. We are promoting the conservation of these important supplies, preparing to share supplies within our markets to help ensure continued availability while also actively working to identify alternative sources of PPE.

Q: How can I personally prepare myself to avoid exposure/infection?

A: When considering personal preparedness, it is important to keep a few points in mind. First, infectious disease experts are emphasizing that coronavirus causes an illness that is similar to the flu. Everyday habits that protect us from common respiratory illness are even more important now. We all can protect our own health as well as the health of our family members and community by remembering:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often, using either soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Avoid areas with large crowd and practice social distancing-keep 6 feet away from others.

Q: What is the protocol if a patient presents as a potential COVID-19 case?

A: Under the new CDC guidelines, the patient will be immediately tested and isolated. Potentially exposed employees will be identified. Those who are deemed exposed per the CDC definition of “exposure” will be contacted by employee health to monitor themselves for 14 days from the date of exposure. Symptomatic employees will be removed from workplace and be tested. 

COVID 19 FAQs for Furloughed Clinicians

 I understand that I am being asked to remain home from work, why?

In exposures we follow a process called quarantine.  Your safety and the safety of our patients is our top priority, it has determined that you may have been exposed to a patient/coworker with the new novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and is experiencing symptoms. Since this infection can be contagious, even with mild symptoms, it is safest for patients and other staff for you to remain outside the workplace. For additional questions regarding exposure to COVID-19 from work or community, please contact employee health for further instructions.

hat does it mean to be under quarantine?

Typically, being under quarantine means that you must limit your travel and contact with others, including potentially staying within your home.  Your hospital is working with the local department of public health, which is the entity that requires quarantine, to get further details.  The Department of Health will be in contact with you and provide specific details of its expectations.

What about other members of my household – can they be with me?

 The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends no special actions for those sharing a household for someone under quarantine.

What about if I was exposed outside of work?

Please report to HWS immediately if you believe that you have been exposed outside of workplace to COVID-19 positive individuals. Please report to HWS immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms concerning COVID-19, even if your source of exposure cannot be identified at the time. Employee Health will be notified and will reach out to provide you information on next steps to safely return to work.

Will I be paid while I am being furloughed?

 Were you infected while working?

• If you test positive to COVID-19 as a result of a documented work-related exposure to any patient, visitor, contractor, vendor or fellow employee that is positive for COVID-19, you will be asked to remain at home and you will not be placed on the hospital schedule over the next 10 days counting from onset of symptoms or date of testing (please follow specific instructions from employee health regarding quarantine time frame). During this time, you will receive compensation for all scheduled hours missed during this period at the base rate.  Your employer will also file a workers comp medical claim to cover expenses after the defined quarantine period is over if necessary. However, you must be COVID-19 positive with a confirmed positive source.

Will someone be in contact with me while I am away from work?

 Our Employee Health Nurse, will call you to check in and assist with answering questions that you may have. This conversation will include checking in on how you are feeling and if you are having any symptoms that may need medical treatment – fever, shortness of breath, body aches, runny nose, etc.

 Where can I get more information about my potential exposure?

 Please go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html for comprehensive guidance.

Should you have questions while you are away from the hospital, contact our Employee Health Nurse @ Lilly.Ranney@HealthTrustWS.com

After a long day of hiking in Roanoke, Virginia, Angee Cart, RN, MSN and Jay Bianco, RN stopped for a quick bite to eat at a nearby restaurant. While getting her food, Angee looked up and noticed that a nearby man was on the floor and had began to code. Immediately, Angee ran towards the man and realized that the man had no pulse and was not breathing. In a quick reaction, Angee started giving CPR
and compressions. After about a minute of CPR and compressions, Angee asked if anyone could find her coworker, Jay, who was in a vehicle outside of the building. Once Jay entered the building, he was able to take over in helping save the man's life until EMS arrived. As EMS arrived and began to take care of the man, Angee noticed that the man's pulse began once again. The EMS staff thanked Angee and Jay and mentioned that they helped save the man's life. 

Angee is incredibly thankful that she was able to help save a life and use the skills she has learned to make a difference to people around her. She hopes to return to her residents and share how all of the feedback given truly matters and can be instrumental in saving somebody's life one day. Angee and Jay, thank you for your dedication to increased patient care!