Practice: Ms. Upham provided strong leadership in the planning, coordinating and implementation of the Peritoneal Dialysis Program. This is a brand new program, developed to bring back the Veterans who were receiving their care out in the community. With the complexity of their care due to multiple co-morbidities it is critical for them to receive all their care at the Providence Veterans Administration Medical Center (PVAMC). Evidence based resources were used in creating the program and the Peritoneal Dialysis International standards were used. Objectives were written and goals put in place. The initial objective was to form a multidisciplinary team of which Ms. Upham took the lead. The team consists of the …show more content…
Upham developed and implemented a PD educational plan for those staff members requiring training in the program. She invited the Clinical Nurse Educator from Baxter Healthcare to give a two hour Baxter TEAM PD educational seminar. She implemented a hands on training program for the nurses. Ms. Upham developed a peritoneal training guide for the staff which helped them have an easier training experience. Ms. Upham put together a book representing the programs guidelines and how they coordinate with the programs policies and procedures to maximize others learning experience. Competencies were developed and the nurses were signed off as being competent in all areas of the peritoneal dialysis program. She has experienced many new areas of learning and strives to remain current in all areas of practice. She continuously mentors and/or coaches others to promote their educational …show more content…
Upham used group processes to implement all the care that will be delivered by the Peritoneal Dialysis unit. Ms. Upham collaborated with the PD surgeon to develop all Access Care to the Peritoneal Dialysis Veteran. Ms. Upham collaborated with the infection control physician, to develop the peritonitis protocol. Ms. Upham collaborated with the programs Nephrologist, and the Nurse Manager to finalize all policies and procedures, so that each procedure could be effectively put into place. Ms. Upham worked with a contracted, experienced Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse who trained, supported and mentored Ms. Upham. This collaboration assured that Ms. Upham was competent in all areas of peritoneal dialysis. Ms. Upham also collaborated with IT, and Cyber Security to develop a software system that would improve patient care by allowing evaluation of the patient’s treatments to improve outcomes. Ms. Upham collaborated with the coding department to assure correct coding for patient encounters required by the program. Ms. Upham collaborated with the lab to assure that the proper dispensing of lab specimens occurred. She created a peritonitis protocol under the direction of the Infection Control Physician. Ms. Upham maintains her position on the NPSB. As a member she collaborates with each board member to ensure that each registered nurse’s proficiency is reviewed for scope of