Kristi Gabel, RNC, MN, CNS
Process errors in the response time during a code situation can have deleterious effects on patient outcomes. Kristi Gabel recognized improvement was needed in the process for response time and personnel required to attend a neonatal code at Mercy Healthcare Sacramento. First Ms. Gabel organized a task force for case review, consisting of physicians, nurse managers, risk managers, clinical nurse specialists and staff nurses. The multi-disciplinary team identified priorities for improvement and developed changes to the existing Code Blue policy for adult and pediatric areas.
In order to enact these changes, the committee created case scenarios and a video for educational purposes. They then instituted mandatory trainings for all staff throughout the perinatal areas including labor and delivery, postpartum, newborn, NICU, and respiratory. After all staff had been trained in the new policies and procedures unannounced drills were called and videotaped for use in additional training. The process of case review, policy and procedural change, and education in the new process took place over approximately one year. Preliminary feedback on these changes revealed improving outcomes. Through these training sessions the committee identified further areas for improvement related to response time, personnel, paperwork, and management for continual improvement.
View Kristi's CMQCC profile.
