Nursing Department Committees

Standards, Policies and Procedures Committee

Purpose: Provide a forum to coordinate, review and monitor practice standards, policies, procedures and guidelines based on current evidence-based information and practices.

Charge summary: Coordinate review and approval of standards, policies, procedures and guidelines for nursing practice in: Medicine, Surgery, Hem/Onc, Critical Care, Women’s Health, Perioperative, Emergency Department and Ambulatory; ensure consistency of standards, policies, procedures and guidelines developed at unit or service line level; identify need for developing new or revised standards, policies, procedures or guidelines based on evidence and/or research findings, new technology or practice changes.

Co-chairs: Cindy Jodoin, RN, Sharon Swan, RN.

Advisor: Barbara Bauman, RN.

Members: Kathy Davis, RN; Monica Domanski, RN; Diane Johnson, RN; Diane Miller, RN; Rhonda Martin, RN; Kim Kiley, RN; Lauren Willard, RN; Jane Daisy, RN; Rita Patnode, RN; Nicki Gilboy, , RN; Yaeko Karantonis, RN; Jane Walion, RN; Carole Kubiak, RN; Karen Foley, RN; Mary Reynolds, RN; Pat Green, RN; Diane Lancaster, RN; Brenda Griffin, RN; Charlotte Messinger, RN.

Patient and Family Education Committee

Purpose: Assure that goals of the BWH Patient and Family Education Program are achieved through a continual assessment, improvement, measurement and redesign.

Charge summary: Provide feedback on Nursing patient education policies, procedures and standards based on best practice and Joint Commission standards that guide patient education practices; provide regular input into the goals of the Patient and Family Education Program; make recommendations for necessary resources for patient and family education; provide input and feedback on new technologies and media that can support the delivery of patient education.

Co-chairs: Deb Moody, RN; Cindy Loring, RN.

Advisor: Ann Furey, RN.

Members: Melissa Fall, RN; Kim Ternavan; , RN; Maryanne Kenyon, RN; Lauren Brent, RN; Beth Baldwin, RN; Leah McCormack, RN; Michelle Glowny, RN; Catherine Hogan, RN; Ann Doherty, RN; Petrona Forbes, RN; Jo-Ann Morey, RN; Diane Miller, RN; Sandy Torrisi, RN; Karen Morse Gallagher, RN; Francine Rausch, RN; Steve Ortolano, RN; Alice Carrol, RN; Colleen Zidik, RN; Yolanda Harmuth, RN; Susan Wante, RN; Cara Helfner; Muffie Martin.

Informatics and Clinical Innovations Committee

Purpose: Advocate for nursing practice to drive technology thereby supporting and enhancing the nurse’s role in caring for patients while promoting patient and staff safety.

Charge summary: Identify criteria for new technologies and clinical information systems that emphasize critical human factors; produce analysis to enhance nurse workflow and support monitoring and surveillance of patients; provide a forum for review and approval of new technologies that affect clinical nursing; inform design configuration, implementation and ongoing support of new technologies and advocate for necessary resources; identify staff orientation and training needs; development, review and revision of standards, policies, procedures or guidelines based on new or updated clinical information systems and technology.

Co-chairs: Carol Booth, RN; Heidi Smith, RN.

Advisors: Anne Bane, RN; Denise Goldsmith, RN.

Members: Heather Austin, RN; Regina Pepin, RN; Bob Culerton, RN; Casey Wellman, RN; Kathy Barsbour, RN; Andy Meyers, RN; Erika Lilegren, RN; Kristen Dexter, RN; Andrea Julien, RN; Leslie Sabatino, RN; Lisa Masiello, RN; Gary Zina, RN; Eileen McMahon, RN; Berna White, RN; Maureen Tapper, RN; Ellen Modi, RN; Amy Nelson, RN; Lisa Carvaggio, RN; Caitlyn Donaghy, RN; Virginia Pascuito, RN; Carol Prone, RN; Anne Marie Doyle, RN; Joan Wallace, RN; Nancy Falconer, RN; Jennifer Eaton, RN; Bob Bowman, RN; Eric Hahn, RN; Deidre Devaux, RN; Annmarie Curran, RN; Escel Staghellini, RN; Carol Luppi, RN; Eileen O’Connell, RN.

Safety, Quality and Care Improvement Committee

Purpose: Foster a culture that promotes commitment to continuous improvement of patient-family centered care, quality and safety.

Charge summary: Identify systems and processes in need of improvement to advance patient-family centered care, outcomes and nursing practice; ensure reliable and valid data are available to empower staff to participate in clinical decision-making and development of clinical innovations; review department performance on nurse sensitive outcome measures and identify opportunities for improvement; review National Patient Safety Goals annually and recommend interventions to incorporate goals into clinical practice; review data from related hospital committees such as Ergonomics, Needle Safety Advisory, Drug Safety and Safety and Environment of Care, as well as patient satisfaction surveys for patterns/trends.

Co-chair: Mary Antonelli, RN; Stephanie Capello, RN.

Advisor: Diane R. Lancaster, RN.

Members: Debbie Blois, RN; Daphnee Simon, RN; Katie Eramo, RN; Paula Trabucca, RN; Patty Markham, RN; Kathleen Ryan Avery, RN; Michelle Renard, RN; Tina Steele, RN; Martha Doherty, RN; Pearl Cunningham, RN; Patricia Ide, RN; Kathy Friedman, RN; Carol Harding, RN; Karen Munkley, RN; Dianna Laspada, RN; Katherine Serge, RN; Cheryl Ventola, RN; Julianne Mazzawi, RN; Ellie Bergeron, RN; Judith Perron, RN.

Coordinating Committee

Purpose: Comprised of the co-chairs and advisors of the four Nursing committees, the Coordinating Committee will ensure the work and interdependencies of each committee are integrated and aligned with Nursing Department goals. The Coordinating Committee will approve each committee’s work plan and bring issues to the Nurse Executive Board as appropriate.

Charge summary: Coordinate the goals and activities of committees within the Department of Nursing; influence the strategic direction of Nursing based on common themes and needs identified; ensure committees respond to annual goals of Nursing; ensure committees have proper resources; identify opportunities to advance the work of each committee; provide opportunities for coaching/mentoring of committee chairs and recommend ongoing leadership development opportunities.

Tri-chairs: Trish Gibbons, RN; Mary Lou Etheredge, RN; Bernadette Quigley Lavoie, RN.

Julie Anne Nee, of the Center for Nursing Excellence, is providing administrative support for the committees.