an organization, we have a decade of success focused on improving together. For us, improvement work is connected to a deeper sense of purpose–making things better for our patients.

This deeper sense of purpose is also about making things better in our work environment, both for ourselves and our coworkers. Improvement work is about taking pride in the work we do, whether its patient-facing or behind the scenes.

Value Week puts the spotlight on improvement work driven by teams. Team-driven improvement is the only way we will continue to transform American health care.

As we challenge ourselves to get better, a key ingredient is accelerating and broadening the ways in which we learn from each other. This week, I’m excited to learn in person with the Evidence-Based Council, the Patient-Reported Outcomes team, leaders, staff, and trainees from throughout the organization.

Best of the Posters 2019 Award Winners

I am pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Evidence-Based Practice “Best of the Posters” competition. Of the over 60 projects submitted for this event, these three improvement projects exhibited exceptional strength of team, process, and purpose:

Protecting Perineal Skin Integrity of Critically Ill Neonates

PRESENTER: SUE ROGERS, RN | TEAM: ROGERS, S., CHAN, B., HINKLEY, S., HENDERSON, C., GARDNER, MD., STREVAY, D., BASERGA, M., JONES, C., YODER, S., PRATT, C., SHAFTER, K., WARNER, V., TIBBETS, V.

Description: Diaper dermatitis is a serious and common issue in the NBICU. The premature infant has increased caloric needs and therefore requires feedings that consist of high-density ingredients. Premature infants also have an underdeveloped stratum corneum (outer layer of skin). Loose stools coupled with the underdeveloped stratum corneum greatly increases the infant's risk of developing diaper dermatitis. The NBICU addressed this problem by creating a standardized protocol for diaper area skin care.

Emergency Department Cardiac Arrest and the Nurse Led Code

PRESENTER: NATHAN ROLL, NRP | TEAM: JOHNSON, E., SANFORD, M., YOUNGQUIST, S., ROLL, N., WOODRUFF, W., BAILEY, M., TROYER, J., ELIASON, J., GAUCI, EMMA.

Description: We created a cardiac arrest committee to help improve performance and outcomes with patients in cardiac arrest in the emergency department. Our goals were to improve team dynamics, performance and compression fraction. We organized roles in our meetings, and are teaching this plan and are measuring outcomes.

Early Sepsis Intervention and Education with EMS Teams

PRESENTER: WHITNEY WOODRUFF, DNP-FNP, BSN, RN | TEAM: WOODRUFF, WS., JOHNSON, E., ROLL, N., BAILEY, M., SANFORD, S., YOUNGQUIST, S.

Description: Early sepsis identification and treatment is important in the patient's outcome. EMS teams were questioned regarding knowledge of sepsis identification and early treatment. Pre-education and post-education surveys were taken. EMS crews stated they had an improved knowledge of sepsis identification and treatment and were also able to provide early treatment of sepsis patients.