Dear Colleagues:
I appreciate your flexibility and hard work in light of BWH’s efforts to manage capacity. Demand for our services continues to drive volume; but as you know, such volume can put extraordinary pressure on our caregiving team.
The last few months have reinforced these pressures as we lost the service of 15 beds on the 15th floor, during the renovation of 9C in the Tower. In mid-December, 9C will reopen and the pressure on our ICU services will be partially alleviated. I want to offer my gratitude to all nurses as you continue to provide exceptional care during this interim period.
Our overall bed plan has been in progress for more than three years and is obviously continuing to evolve. Our plan has been designed to improve patient care and to accelerate the service growth in our strategic areas of development. In the areas of cancer, neurosurgery, cardiovascular disease, women’s health and musculoskeletal diseases, we are trying to create a better environment to care for some of the sickest patients with the most up-to-date equipment and technology.
In recent months, we have seen acuity continue to rise. This trend emphasizes the need for a continued focus on our early discharge goals and the entire discharge planning process. The manner in which we coordinate that care will continue to be critical to our future. I applaud your continued efforts toward reducing length of stay and in facilitating the discharge process.
These issues will still be important as we witness further modifications based on our bed plan. Currently, a new Hematology/Oncology unit is under construction on Tower 4C. The unit will include 10 beds and is patterned after 4B. 4C with be hepafiltered and contain all the latest technology to bring state-of-the art care to the bedsides of our patients. Also, a combined medical/surgical heart failure service on Tower 12, whereby a pod will be designated for heart failure patients, is slated to begin in the spring. Even further down the road, plans are in the infant stages to develop a new Neurosurgery ICU.
These inpatient changes and specific adjustments on the ambulatory side are all meant to bring about the best care for our patients by modifying our care to better meet their needs. I encourage nurse managers to engage their staff in dialogue regarding all these advancements. Other members of Nursing Administration and I welcome feedback and/or questions regarding these critical steps that will shape BWH’s future.
Sincerely,
Nancy Kruger, DNSc, RN
Vice President, Patient Care Services
Chief Nursing Officer