Bringing Best Practices to the Bedside
As a clinical nurse specialist at Columbus Regional Hospital, Kathy Jackson regularly makes the rounds to visit patients recovering from a wide range of medical conditions and surgical procedures. She works alongside other nurses to improve the quality of care and achieve the best possible outcomes.
“My job is to bridge any gaps between what the scientific literature says is the best way to do things and what’s practiced at the bedside,” she says. “I work with the other nurses to ensure they understand best-practice guidelines and identify any challenges they face in implementing them. We’re continually practicing state-of-the-art nursing care.”
Protecting Patients' Health
Clinical nurse specialists are registered nurses with advanced degrees in nursing and certifications in a specialized area of nursing. At CRH, Jackson is one of six clinical nurse specialists. You’ll find them in medical surgical, critical care, women’s and children’s services, oncology and perioperative care (the care given to patients before, during and after surgery).
Clinical nurse specialists play a huge role in patient safety — ensuring that patients don’t leave the hospital sicker than when they came in. Jackson, for example, collaborates with nurses in how to protect patients from falling or developing pressure ulcers and infections.
Following the Highest Standards
If you’re having a baby at CRH, your clinical nurse specialist will make sure you have the support to breastfeed. If you’re being treated for cancer, you can be confident our clinical nurse specialist has trained your nurse in the best ways to manage your care and control side effects. And if you’re having surgery, the clinical nurse specialists help ensure that your surgery is as safe, efficient and effective as possible.
“Clinical nurse specialists walk alongside the bedside nurse to assist them on their professional journey, serving as a mentor and ensuring that the highest standards are followed,” Jackson says. “But we also interact with professionals from all over the hospital to help set policy and make the changes that lead to better health.”
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CRH News
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Holiday hours for CRH-affiliated services
Nov 15, 2023, 19:09 PM by Andrew LakerOffice hours for CRH-affiliated practices and service lines for the 2023/2024 holiday season.Full story -
Healthy Communities releases gun safety statement
Nov 1, 2023, 17:35 PM by User Not FoundColumbus Regional Health Healthy Communities Council recognizes unintentional and intentional gun deaths and injuries as a public health crisis.Full story -
CRH Offering Two Important Health Screening Opportunities
Oct 12, 2023, 16:03 PM by DeClue, A.On Oct. 28, Columbus Regional Health Breast Health Services will offer a free clinical breast screening event for those whose insurance does not cover breast screenings. Also, throughout November, the CRH Lung Care Team is offering low-dose lung scans to anyone who is eligible and hasn’t had a lung scan before.Full story -
OB/GYN Associates prepares for move to NexusPark
Oct 11, 2023, 17:54 PM by DeClue, A.Columbus Regional Health is pleased to announce the first phase of the relocation process for those practices and services moving into the health system’s dedicated space in NexusPark. In this first phase, OB/GYN Associates will relocate to NexusPark and open to patients on Oct. 23, 2023.Full story -
Workplace Violence Prevention Efforts at CRH Supported By New Law
Sep 13, 2023, 19:33 PM by Newton, A.The safety of Columbus Regional Health's workforce is our priority. The formation of the Columbus Regional Hospital Police Department in 2020 has allowed us to have immediate response from law enforcement for workforce members. As part of their work, our Workplace Violence Prevention Committee reviews workplace violence incidents and looks at how to incorporate various scenarios in our training and education for staff.Full story -
Sandcrest Family Medicine Walk-In Hours Changing
Sep 7, 2023, 14:30 PM by User Not FoundSandcrest Family Medicine will be changing their walk-in hours to Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.Full story