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RPC home > Message from the Superintendent (March 31, 2006)

Riverview Psychiatric Center

Message from the Superintendent (March 31, 2006)

"Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'this is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it." - James Truslow Adams

First……"Spring ahead…..Fall back"….the adage that signals a time change….and for us, this week-end, 2:00 AM Sunday is the time we turn our clocks ahead 1 hour. I know it is early this year but some of you remember the date was moved up as a conservation effort last year. We loose an hour of sleep, but pick up an extra hour of daylight. I think that’s a good trade-off.

I would like to bring you up to date on a number of the safety renovations, improvements that have occurred over the past few weeks. On Lower Saco, a wall has been removed which increases staff visibility and access. Additional cameras have been installed on both Lower Saco and Lower Kennebec. We have expanded the presence of security personnel directly on both the unit, and requiring regular "rounds" on all units, and installed more panic buttons and new emergency notification and response process for building operations. We are also looking at our staffing patterns to see if we can be more efficient and have made a proposal to offer additional training and pay incentives for staff assigned to the forensic unit. There will be more to come on this issue. Also, we will be installing a new egress (a doorway) for staff to more quickly enter and exit the Lower Saco Special Care Unit.

In my job I am lucky to get to go to the units a couple of times a week and listen and observe the great work that gets done here. I have been very impressed with both Lower Kennebec and Lower Saco. Both have some very challenging clients and the professionalism and sensitivity that is displayed is … Well, very rewarding to be associated with. Keep up the good work!

I do want to acknowledge the work Dr Teresa Mayo has been doing with her ongoing Community Training. As I have mentioned in the past, we are encouraging the "exporting" of our enormous talent, skills, and knowledge, to the community providers, as they pick up the work we have started with our clients. Dr Mayo has offered, and continues to provide training sessions for community providers on best practices for treating people with mental illness. Last week, 32 Community Providers from 12 different agencies attended a session by Dr Mayo, on self-destructive behavior; this Monday, another 30 providers will attend a session on DBT. All told, this year, well over 100 community staff have received the benefit of Dr Mayo's expertise. We have also opened up the trainings of Rick Forbess for community providers, as well as our grand rounds. So we are reaching out to the community and they are beginning to rely on us as a place of "excellence and knowledge". This is an important role for this hospital, as the community looks more and more to us as a place of expertise.

I also want to thank all staff responsible for developing and circulating a Riverview Staff survey. I have reviewed the findings and am working with both the union leadership and my senior staff to develop ways to address some of the issues raised. I will follow-up with more detail once we develop a plan of action.

As Deputy Superintendent Morrill mentioned a couple of days ago, we have opened up the center courtyard for noontime meals/enjoyments. In this incredible weather, please, staff and clients alike, take advantage of this. Also mentioned by Jamie is the need for "walkers" to complete the Riverview Walk Team for the NAMI Walk for Mental Illness event in May. I (and several members of my senior management team) will be participating and we would welcome the company.

As always, I appreciate the work you do

David Proffitt
Superintendent

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." - Lou Holtz