First Friday Newsletter

Transcription

1 First Friday Newsletter October 2, 2015 Volunteer Services - University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics A certified Furry Friend shows off their official volunteer vest Volunteer Services Spotlight: Furry Friends There s an old saying that goes, If it wasn t for dogs, some people would never go for a walk. That may be a stretch, but there s no denying the positive impact four-legged creatures can make on human health and well-being. At University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the power of pets can be felt firsthand through the Furry Friends program, a partnership of the hospital s Volunteer Services and Rehabilitation Therapies departments. Since 2003, the program has given hospitalized patients the simple joy of spending time with a pet through two programs. Through the Family Pet Visitation Program a family pet may visit a hospitalized family member. Immunized dogs and cats that are at least six months of age, in good health, and are well tempered are able to visit on most inpatient units.

2 With the Certified Dog Visitation Program a patient may have a visit from a specially screened dog. These dogs, and their handlers, have been screened through the Pet Partners program. Rehabilitation Therapy staff coordinates visits on staff approved units. Animals are a healthy distraction and great stress reliever for patients and families, not to mention what they do for hospital staff. After all, a pet can make any setting seem more like home. To learn more about the program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, please visit the Furry Friends website. Furry Friend team Maggie and Sue are all smiles after a great shift of patient visits. Volunteer News Volunteer Services Open House: Mark your calendar! Volunteer Services will be hosting an Open House event on October 29 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., and 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Look for your official invite this month!

3 Don't Forget to Respond to the Flu Campaign! Once again this year, University of Iowa Health Care will offer free flu vaccines as part of the Mandatory Response Influenza Program. The program requires all UI Health Care faculty, staff, and volunteers to report whether or not they received an influenza vaccination. Our response rate last year was outstanding, and we would like to see the same level of engagement this year for the health of our patients, our families, and ourselves. The vaccine, and special dosages for those 65 and over (and therefore at higher risk), are available now. The mist version should arrive in mid-september. During the campaign, vaccinations will be offered at no charge to all faculty, staff, and volunteers of UI Hospitals and Clinics and the UI Carver College of Medicine. The University Employee Health Clinic (UEHC) vaccination site is open M-F 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dates and times for other locations are posted on the UEHC Seasonal Flu Vaccine website.

4 All employees and volunteers who report in person to one of the vaccination sites (UEHC, nursing units and clinics, MERF, or Fountain Lobby), to be vaccinated, decline vaccination, or report that you received vaccination elsewhere, will receive a ticket redeemable through Dec. 31, 2015, at any Food & Nutrition Services dining room for a 16 oz. fountain beverage, a 12 oz. coffee, or a 20 oz. bottled water. Volunteers are asked to respond to the campaign by October 16, and Volunteer Services will follow-up with you if you haven't responded to the campaign by this date. We urge you to be vaccinated as soon as possible, as your immunity will last throughout the season. Vaccination is the most important way we can control the spread of this very serious disease to our patients and visitors, to our families, and to each other. Thank you for your commitment to good health. Furry Friend Yuki shares a laugh with a patient

5 Hospital News CVICU Renovation CVICU's recent patients, staff and volunteers are enjoying the state-of-the-art renovation. Visit this virtual interactive tour to see all of the updates. Be sure to click on the 'scene description' feature in the bottom left corner to learn about the new features. Comprehensive Stroke Center Honored The Comprehensive Stroke Center at UI Hospitals and Clinics has been awarded the Gold Plus Target: Stroke Elite Plus by the American Heart Association (AHA). The Gold Plus Target: Stroke Elite Plus is the highest award currently available from the AHA and the Stroke Center is the first in the state of Iowa to achieve this level of recognition. In addition to the AHA award, the Stroke Center has again been recognized by The Joint Commission and the American Stroke Association as meeting The Joint Commission s standards for Disease-Specific Care Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, which means it is part of an elite group of providers focused on complex stroke care. Complex Stroke Centers are recognized as industry leaders and are responsible for setting the national agenda in highly-specialized stroke care, and volunteers play an important role in this service area. Sound interesting? Stop by Volunteer Services to learn more.

6 Service Star Winner Hospital Events October 7, Volunteer Services Community Volunteer Orientation Volunteer Events Proceeds support programs that benefit patients and their families through Volunteer Services. October 14, all day in Wild Rose Gifts Jewelry Event! See new jewelry collections from Lauren Spencer, Made It, Accessorize, and more during I am nominating Sherryl for the Service Star Award because she always does an exceptional job by going above and beyond the expectations of the job. I have the pleasure to work with Sherryl when she comes into the Pomerantz Pharmacy to clean; she is always looking out for our safety, when she sees an employee she is consistently informing them to watch your step, the floor is wet. this special event. Watch for specials available at this event only! October 28, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Fountain Lobby Wild Rose Gifts Holiday Event! Get ready for the upcoming holiday season with new decor, Thymes Frasier Fir, ornaments and more! October 28, 10 a.m a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteer Services Open House event. Please join Volunteer Services for refreshments and celebrations at our Open House Event! She is very patient and understanding with the work we do in our department. I noticed a few months ago Sherryl was absent for a short period of time and I asked her how she was doing. She mentioned to me she was having discomfort in her back and will eventually need surgery around the 1st of July. Over the past 6 months if not more, this came as a surprise as I have Dog handler team Lily and Anna are ready for patient visits!

7 never heard Sherryl complain about her discomfort, she works through it and the performance of her job never suffered. Sherryl is very compassionate about her job and it really shows in her work, she is a very pleasant person and I enjoy working with Sherryl and appreciate all she does for our pharmacy and our patients, her dedication and attention for detail doesn t go unnoticed. Thank you Sherryl for all your hard work and dedication! Service Spotlight: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is the perfect place for volunteers who want to interact with the hospital's smallest patients, their families, and the wonderful staff. There are opportunities to be a clerk or a cuddler. As a clerk, volunteers help at the front desk, assisting the staff clerk and interacting with families and visitors. It is a great way to get to know the NICU and to interact directly with the staff. NICU cuddlers comfort the infants on the unit and also help with keeping the unit clean and organized. While volunteering in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, you will have the opportunity to interact with the variety of professional staff that care for the infants, and the wonderful families of the patients. Furry Friend Sophie dresses up for her visits during Mardi Gras We want to hear from you! Do you have a story of how patients and families have benefited from the hospital or Volunteer Services? Think about YOUR volunteer experience and let us know what is making an impact!

8 Patient & Family Stories This was probably the busiest day I have ever had here in the CVICU. Going in and out of the rooms I had a lot of patient and family interaction. One of the family members even took the time to stop and ask me where I Random Fact Corner Pluto never made a full revolution around the sun while it was still considered a planet. was from and why I volunteered here, and then thanked me for giving my time. It made me feel appreciated and reinforced that I am making a difference when I volunteer. Unsung October Holidays Oct 2: Name Your Car Day Oct 6: Mad Hatter Day Oct 14: Be Bald and Be Free Day Oct 17: Wear Something Gaudy Day Oct 26: National Pumpkin Day