SPOTLIGHT: Malayna Tolley, BSN, RN4, CCRN
ECMO Specialist
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Type of project: Quality Improvement
Title of project: Joining Fores to Turn: Elevating Outcomes with Shared Lift Team Model
Co-authors involved in this publication: Julie Foss, MSN, RN, NE-BC; Jimmy Barber, BSN, RN, CCRN-K; Malayna Tolley, BSN, RN, CCRN; Darlene McCormick, BSN, RN, CCRN
Why you chose this project:
For the benefit of our patients, it is vital to continually emphasize the importance of patient mobility and consistent repositioning in order to reduce the occurrence of pressure ulcers. As nurses, we are aware of this. However, it can often be challenging to find the assistance to turn every patient every two hours, while keeping up with the multitude of other responsibilities.
Description of project:
In October 2015, the CVICU and MICU at VUMC began the process of establishing our own Lift Team. These two ICU's are serving as the pilot program to evaluate its effectiveness before rolling out this initiative to all of the ICU's. I am a “Lift Team Champion” and have been serving as the Night Shift RN representative on the Lift Team steering committee since this project began. The Lift Team has become an integral part of our critical care team and has truly decreased the physical demands of our jobs as nurses. The one-year pilot project has now completed and we are hoping that it will be implemented in the other ICU's, as well. As an RN representative on the Lift Team steering committee, I have played a crucial role in the success of this program and I continue to be of importance by training new Lift Team members on how to manage patient repositioning with lines, devices, and ventilators. I am passionate about this project and will continue to promote the importance of patient mobility and the reduction of pressure ulcers.
Notes from the spotlight:
There was a significant increase in staff satisfaction with the availability of resources to reposition patients after implementation of the Lift Team. There has also been a decrease in the occurrence of pressure ulcers since the start of this project, which was one of CVICU's 2016 goals. According to the information received from the Lift Team steering committee, our pressure ulcer reduction was 44% in Stage 2 acquired pressure ulcers at 1 year post-implementation.
Presentation and publication as a result of this project (poster, podium or publications):
1. Poster: Joining Forces to Turn: Elevating Outcomes with Shared Lift Team Model
Authors: Julie Foss, MSN, RN, NE-BC; Jimmy Barber, BSN, RN, CCRN-K; Malayna Tolley, BSN, RN, CCRN; Darlene McCormick, BSN, RN, CCRN
Presented at: ANCC National Magnet Conference
Houston, TX
October 11-13, 2017