Justine Phillepe knows the value of great nursing care.
She’s also become much more aware of how better healthcare knowledge helps her.
As Justine has undergone treatment for breast cancer, she’s worked hard to quit smoking. Justine has counted on the support of registered nurse Kelly Cronin for expertise, helpful advice, and having someone to talk with
“When I first came into the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre to see the radiation oncologist, the nurse asked me about tobacco use and if I would like to be referred to speak with someone about making change to my smoking,” Justine explains. “Kelly called me a few days later and we had a conversation about how long I’ve been smoking, what I liked about smoking, what I didn’t like and she asked me why it was important to me to quit smoking. Kelly shared information on how smoking could have a negative impact on my cancer treatment.
“Ever since, Kelly calls me weekly to see how things are going, assess my cravings and adjust my nicotine replacement dosing as needed. We talk about things that trigger me to want to smoke and brainstorm other ways to deal with these triggers.”
Justine’s experience with tobacco cessation is part of an overall approach at Grand River Hospital to give nurses the best evidence and information to help patients.
Since 2012, GRH has held the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) best practice spotlight organization (BPSO) designation. The designation recognizes the hospital’s work to put in place the latest evidence-based practices for high-quality nursing care for patients and families.
“For tobacco cessation, the designation helps me to do a few things,” explains Kelly, who leads the tobacco cessation best practice guideline. “I know the care I’m offering patients meets the latest practices in nursing. I can adapt new approaches based on that information. And I can help nurses throughout the hospital to support their patients in quitting smoking.”
As part of Nurses Week 2018, GRH has celebrated its works to put in place best practice guidelines through expo events at the hospital’s campuses. Nurses showcased the work that they’ve done to bring the latest knowledge and practices to improving care at GRH. Focus areas have included falls prevention, caregiving for older adults, new ways to assess and manage pain, and many others.
“The amount of new healthcare knowledge coming out every year is vast,” explained Patricia Blancher, GRH’s director of professional practice and lead for the BPSO initiative at the hospital. “Having the BPSO designation has helped us to do better for our patients and families because we can use the best and most up-to-date knowledge to support care.”
“The process of implementing the Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) is one that has enabled nurses to design innovative practices and work to their full scope. The tools and the evidence provided by the RNAO are invaluable in helping us to do that. We have 33 nurse leaders and 206 champions to help us design, implement and maintain the BPGs. I believe that this improves our practice as nurses and leads to strong interdisciplinary relationships and ultimately better care for our patients,” added Judy Linton, GRH’s vice president of clinical services and chief nursing executive. “We have care providers who take ownership of best practice guidelines, share current information and new evidence as it becomes available, and support their colleagues in adapting care.”
For patients like Justine, she’s thankful for the care she’s receiving and the work of providers like Kelly.
“In my experiences with nurses, the best ones want to do it with their heart and soul,” she adds. “They see changes that others would not, and want to do the best they can for each patient. I’m grateful for Kelly’s care.”
GRH's best practices expo at the KW Campus
