September 5, 2023

Because we love, we lead.

Every day, we show compassion for our patients, their loved ones, and one another. Below are a few recent examples from our intranet's Recognition Wall. To recognize a co-worker or view more staff recognitions, click here.

Nicole Christian, Radiation Oncology, Aspirus Cancer Care-Stevens Point 

Nikky showed compassion to one of our patients who was extremely overwhelmed and anxious about her life situation. Nikky stayed well after her day was done to listen to all the concerns the patient had. She also helped the patient make some changes that would help her feel more safe.

Abdullah Darduk, Emegency Reception, Aspirus Plover Hospital 

Abdullah ~ Oh my goodness! Thank you for picking up those open shifts for registration! It is so good to have you back! You are a joy to have in the department, and your kindness is a beautiful thing to see. Thank you for being so good to our patients. You make me smile! 

Jasmine Pierce, Food Services, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Today there was a customer ahead of me. I witnessed her questioning and challenging Jasmine regarding every food option and pricing. Jasmine was so polite and handled this customer very well. She always has a smile! You do such a great job, Jasmine!

Nathan Weiler, Aspirus Riverview Therapies 

Thanks so much, Nate, for running over to the hospital to pick up the ionto syringes so quickly when we ran out and needed them for patient care right away. I appreciate that you are always willing to do extra for whatever we need!

Dana Rhodes, Emergency, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Dana ~ Thank you for always taking a student! You have no idea how much I appreciate it. You are such a good preceptor. You make students feel comfortable and part of the team quickly. You are a strong leader in this department, and staff love it when you are in charge! XXXOOO

Valerie Wiza, Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive

Thank you for helping with some nurse-only immunizations and letting another CMA watch how to do TB placement.

What Our Patients are Saying

Excerpt from a comment shared via aspirus.org

Dr. Michael Eng, Emergency & Nursing Staff,

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Dr. Eng was an amazingly compassionate, empathetic doctor on what was one of the worst days of my life. My father was brought to the Aspirus Stevens Point ER with stroke-like symptoms. We needed to decide whether to keep my father on life support or remove the breathing tube. Dr. Eng did an extremely helpful job of walking us through what had likely happened, what my father's status was, and what we needed to know to make this difficult decision. He did not rush us and took time to answer all our questions; and while he did not tell us what we should do, he gave us the information we needed to feel confident we were making the right decision when we took out the breathing tube. Dr. Eng grieved with us – we could tell that he wasn't just going through the motions, but that he genuinely felt the pain that we were going through. I hope that the Aspirus hospital system realizes what an amazing gift Dr. Eng has. While I don't remember their names, I would also like to commend the nursing staff working that day – both in the ER and later, when my father was moved up to his own room (where he eventually died later that night). They worked to make both my father and everyone in our family comfortable, so that we could focus our energy on processing the tragic loss. Please pass on our thanks to Dr. Eng and the nursing staff for the compassionate, empathetic, exemplary care that both my father and our whole family received. Thank you. 

Excerpt from a recent email

Dr. Jennifer Enman-Bourgon, OB/GYN, Regional Medical Director

I had a patient I had questions about, and Dr. Enman was willing to come down immediately to see the patient and even performed the procedure herself. I was super thankful for her willingness to help and come down, and even more grateful for her willingness to do the procedure with me so I can see how it is done for future patients.

Patient Safety Tip

Power Strips

What: Use of power strips or relocatable power taps (RPTs and SRTPs) is regulated by code and policy. The proper type must be used to be in compliance with Joint Commission standards.  

Call to Action: 

• Check your work area for power strips.

• Ensure any power strips used for patient care, or in the patient care vicinity, have a Renovo label on it. (Patient care vicinity is defined as: A space within a location intended for the exam and treatment of patients extending 6 feet beyond the normal location of the bed, or other device that supports the patient during exam and treatment and extends 7 feet, 6 inches above the floor.)

• Ensure any power strips used in non-patient-care areas (nurse stations, office areas, etc.) are UL 1363 listed by looking at the label on the unit.

• If anything other than a UL-1363-listed power strip is found, evaluate whether or not it is truly needed. Remove from service if not needed.

• If a power strip is required, order a replacement through Grainger. 

Questions?

Alexander Jaye, Environment of Care & Emergency Management Projects Administrator Alexander.Jaye@aspirus.org

Meet Our New Southeast Division Team Members

Jace Baker

Video Monitor Technician

Monitor Room

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Cynthia Makuski

Environmental Services Specialist

Environmental Services

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Tree Planting Continues

Last week, we shared what our Aspirus Stevens Point/Plover Tree Campus Healthcare Committee has accomplished on our Stevens Point hospital campus.

The progress continues... this time in Plover. In August, our father and son Facilities team, Tom Gruber (shown here) and Kyle Gruber, planted this tree on the grounds of Aspirus Plover Hospital & Clinic.

Trees and other plants create a healthier, less stressful environment for our patients, visitors, staff and community. Planting even one tree makes a difference.

Meet with a Financial Advisor September 7

A representative with Francis LLC will hold free, personal money advisory meetings at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital on September 7. Click below to reserve your spot today!  

Blood Drive at Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital September 8

Pregnancy Expo at Aspirus Stevens Point September 27

Southwest Division News

Aspirus Team Uses CPR and AED Training to Save Man's Life

An area man is alive today thanks to two Aspirus employees who quickly put their training to use.

Lisa Lewandowski, Business Health Nurse Supervisor, and Danielle Kilps, Certified Athletic Trainer, were recently at the workplace of a local Aspirus Business Health client when a radio call came through that one of the employees had passed out.

Lisa and Dani immediately grabbed an AED and first aid kit and responded to the scene, where one of the man's co-workers was already performing chest compressions. After a quick assessment, Dani took over the chest compressions, while Lisa asked staff to call 911 and attached the AED electrode pads.

The AED indicated the man needed defibrillation, so Lisa followed her training and the AED's messages, ultimately delivering six defibrillations. Meanwhile, Dani and several of the man's co-workers rotated performing chest compressions for about 20 minutes until EMS arrived and took him to the hospital.

Lisa and Dani were not sure the man would survive, but a week later, he was out of the hospital and visiting his workplace. He had a pacemaker implanted and no memory of, or ill effects from, his experience.

Lisa and Dani are thankful they could help and that so many of the employees knew CPR. They believe if the man's co-worker hadn't started compressions right away, he would not have survived. "This shows what quick compressions and an AED can do," Dani said.

Dani said this is the first time she has performed CPR, while Lisa said it was her fourth experience but the first time the person survived. Outside of training, neither had ever used an AED.

Would you know what to do?

Bob Smith

President, Southeast WI Division

Brian Kief

President, South & Southwest WI Divisions

Submit newsletter contributions by noon on Thursdays to Tami.Barber@aspirus.org.