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A Focused Approach to Wound Care Nursing

Throughout Plaza Health Network

BY SARAH VEGA-PANAH, RN, care nurses all work together in a col-
BSN,LNHA laborative approach. Jackson Plaza
Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
There are an estimated 6.7 million was also recently certified for wound
individuals in the United States suf- care excellence though all Plaza
fering from chronic, non-healing Health Network centers are equally
wounds. These wounds can vary armed with a compassionate and
from diabetic foot and venous leg dedicated wound care team.
ulcers to surgical and trauma Wound care specialized nurses
wounds. Without proper care and throughout Plaza Health Network
treatment, these wounds can often must go through a rigorous certifica-
lead to amputation and a decreased tion process that includes comple-
quality of life and satisfaction in tion of a skin/wound management
most patients. Thankfully, the expe- certification exam, at least one to
rienced nurses at Plaza Health two years of wound care experience,
Network rehabilitation and nursing and participation in ongoing train-
centers are able to provide their ings in order to stay abreast of the
patients a skilled approach to wound latest standards of care.
management, which also helps to “The hallmark of an effective
prevent recurrence and infection. wound care program is excellent
Plaza Health Network’s Preventative often see at other skilled nursing cen- VOHRA is the nation’s largest multi-spe- outcomes,” said Elaine Bloom, Chief
Skin Care Program tackles complex ters,” said Claudia Innocent, Chief cialty post-acute physician group. To Executive Officer of Plaza Health
wounds that can pose severe health Clinical Officer for Plaza Health achieve this national recognition, Arch Network. “Our specialized nurses are
risks. Their highly skilled interdiscipli- Network. “Our nurses have an obser- Plaza had to meet specific criteria healing wounds for our patients and
nary team includes physicians, physi- vant clinical eye, specialized skills, and including have a less-than-one-percent- using extensive measures to prevent
cal therapists, and certified wound care excellent documentation that helps to wound-related re-hospitalization rate, them from re-developing. These great
nurses. Each Plaza Health Network reduce incidence, recurrence and hos- having a verified outcomes-focused outcomes can only be achieved
center has an average of two to three pital re-admission.” wound care program, and a focus on through extraordinary teamwork.”
wound care-certified nurses to address Arch Plaza Rehabilitation and quality and performance improvement
the needs of wound care patients 24 Nursing Center, part of the Plaza (QAPI) approaches. The VOHRA pro- Sarah Vega-Panah, Director of Clinical
hours a day, 7 days a week. Health Network, was recognized as a gram emphasizes an interdisciplinary Innovation and Education, Plaza Health
“Our wound care nurses provide that VOHRA Center of Excellence for their approach, which means physicians, Network can be reached at
advanced level of care that you don’t superior wound management program. physical therapists and certified wound Spana@plazahealthnetwork.com.

Cover Story: Nursing – The Profession That Can Open Doors

Continued from page 1 Juan. "Upon my appointment, I was able haven't left since, and that was in 1988." people can thrive – it's not just a visit
employees. That she currently finds her- to oversee public health services and Following the position at Jackson with your doctor or hospital, you also
self in this position is not a surprise to protect the health of the residents of San Memorial, Dr. Rivera was Executive need to have a safe environment to live
Dr. Rivera, as she said that she always Juan as a Director of Nursing. During Community Health Nursing Director for in, you need a job to go to, you have to
knew public health would be her calling. this tenure I had the opportunity and the Florida Department of Health in have great schools, education, you have
"You go through different types of cours- honor to work under Dr. Pedro Rosselló, Miami-Dade County, then was appointed to be able to thrive. That's all part of
es within your nursing training, and I former Governor of Puerto Rico from to her current status. She has come a having good health. That is definitely
think the public health community 1985 until 1988." long way since her days of nursing and something I'm very proud of."
course was one of my favorite ones. I Another call came while living in has much to be proud of. With so many accomplishments and
always had a passion for public health, Puerto Rico with her husband and three She mentioned in particular an organi- such a full career, Dr. Rivera admitted
and I was very determined to follow a children, when she was recruited by zation she helped to create back in 2003, that it will soon be winding up. "I will
path where I would progress to working Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for the Consortium for a Healthier Miami be 65 and this job is coming to a close for
in the public health field." a Nursing Leadership position. Dade. The Consortium comprises more me. I've prepared myself for the transi-
However, as Dr. Rivera acknowledged, "I was not seeking to leave the island, than 400 organizations, united by the tion of leaving the job, but I want to
the progress was occasionally spurred by I was not seeking to do anything. I was desire to help Miami-Dade County resi- make sure the person who comes behind
help along the way that came from unex- in a hotel in San Juan with a friend of dents live healthier lives through collab- me continues the work of moving the
pected sources. "Some people call it fate, mine who was seeking work, and there oration and prevention-focused initia- department forward in serving our com-
some call it destiny, some call it pure was a job fair and she asked, do you tives. munity."
luck. I would say it was all of those. I mind going with me. I wanted to see By way of further explanation, Dr. Her successor will be appointed by the
did find in my life that people what was going on, and lo and behold I Rivera said public health cannot do the governor, and the Department of Health,
approached me unexpectedly, they came was recruited! They told me, 'We'll pay work alone. "The work of public health and ratified by the Miami-Dade Board of
knocking on my door telling me that I your fare, take you to Jackson, and you is done through partnership. It's done County Commissioners. The hope is
had the capabilities of doing a job that I check it out and see if you like it.' So I through what we call the public health that the new person will have been led
would not have thought, and those were went to Jackson, and I really liked the system, which is composed of all of us – into public health as Dr. Rivera was.
always in leadership positions." philosophy, what the hospital had to including the media, the private sector,
One example was the calling made by offer. the public sector, the universities, the For more information, visit
elected Mayor Dr. Hernan Padilla of San “My husband said, 'If you want to go hospital system, county government – miamidade.floridahealth.gov
Juan, Puerto Rico, to join the Health on this journey I will support you every that's the way it works. or call (305) 324-2400.
Department of the Municipality of San way I can.' So we came to Miami and I "We're creating an environment where

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42 May 2018 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News