Thanks, Nurses …
According to the Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, Ill., nurses play a vital role in the care of patients and it’s not just administering medication or getting that favorite flavor of Jell-O, but they are also key players in introducing and implementing new technology.
Lynn Heicher, RN, nurse manager of the gastroenterology lab in the hospital, cites her team of nurses as part of the success of a new therapy called cyrospray ablation, which treats Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition largely caused by acid reflux disease. According the American Cancer Society, if Barrett’s esophagus goes untreated it could lead to esophageal cancer, the fastest-growing cancer in the United States.
“By the time the launch date came, we [the nurses] were extremely comfortable,” Nancy Forcier, RN, says. “There was no fear of the unknown. We knew how to solve any potential problems and how to properly operate the equipment.”
Heicher says the intensive training and preparation done by her and her team of nurses helped patients treated with cryospray ablation to have great results. As part of their training, the nurses acted the roles from patient to physician to ensure the treatment was done seamlessly.
“We were extremely well prepared,” Lady Umamos, BSN, RN, says. “We were able to get it up and running without a hitch from the very beginning.”
