Riverview Psychiatric Center
RPC Newletter - The Outlook - March 2007
Superintentent - David Proffitt
Deputy Superintentents - Jamie Morrill & Brian Daskivich
From the Desk of the Superintendent
Welcome to the Riverview Newsletter. This is not the first RPC newsletter and I am confident it will not be our last. It is our attempt to continue to improve our communications in this hospital. We would like to keep the newsletter, short, informative, useful for you, and most importantly, a way in which interesting and important information about us, and what we are doing, will get out to everyone. This is our newsletter and one that I hope we all take some pride in. If you have things you would like included, particularly information that would be valuable for us to have, please let the editorial staff know: Angie Newhouse, Kristen Piela, or Jamie Morrill. Again, welcome and please let us know how we can improve this newsletter as we go on.
From the Desk of Safety Bob
An essential safety feature for any home, smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained, can double your chances of surviving a fire.
One half of all home fire deaths occur in homes that do not have working smoke detectors. Also, while it is estimated that 94 percent of U.S. households have at least one smoke detector as many as one half may not be working because the batteries are dead or missing. This is not you, is it? Please check and be safe.
A Word from MSEA
We welcome this newsletter that will give us a space to voice. We will report any important information regarding our Union and the Chapter. At this time negotiation are in process and there is a meeting on Saturday 3/10/07 to report to the committees on how things are going. We will report back as soon as we receive the update. If any MSEA member has any information or questions to share please contact Peter Grant, 758-0840 or 624-3900
Hello and Good Bye
Human Resources corner:
New Hires for February:
- Anthony Tassinari, Information Associate
- Jean Cameron, Nurse IV
Good byes for February:
- Lisa Joyner, Mental Health Worker II
- Jamie Struck, Mental Health Worker II
- Naomi Campbell, Mental Health Worker II
- Barbara Farwell, Medical Care Coordinator, Portland Office
Recently Chosen
We are pleased to announce that Riverview is the recipient of a Co-Occurring State Integration Initiative (COSII) grant. Riverview is one of the 10 “Pilot Sites” in Maine chosen to receive this grant for the next 18 months. The purpose of the grant is to promote better integration of mental health and substance abuse practices. Teams of staff members, or “Co-Occurring Coaches”, have volunteered to help guide this process. For more information or a list of our coaches you can contact Andy Loman, LCSW, LCPC Co-Occurring Coordinator, Peter Fuller, LSCW Co-Occurring Specialist or Teresa Mayo, Psy.D. Director of Psychology.
Quality Champion
Beth is one of those people whose job is to support the staff that supports clients. To improve care requires identifying how you are doing today. Beth is constantly looking for better ways to provide caregivers with the information and tools they need to make informed decisions. When she sees an opportunity to improve, she’ll point it out and recommend a solution at the same time. You’ll never hear her say, “It’s not my job”.
MIS
As you all know, the hospital is exploring multiple platforms to ensure everyone in the facility receives timely communication. To that end, one effort by MIS is the establishment of Email accounts for all staff. These accounts will be accessible from any PC in the hospital, either directly or via WEB-browser. We currently have 93% of the staff with active Email accounts and hope to have the remainder by the end of the month. Instructions regarding accessing and using Email will be posted in the common area of our file server. In addition, hardcopies will be available in areas housing shared computers.
Good-Bye
As you are probably already aware,
Brian Daskivich will be leaving to accept
a position in Idaho. Please join us for cake, punch and a
chance to day goodbye and wish him well in his endeavor.
When: Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 3 o’clock
Where: Casco Bay
Nutrition Corner
There’s truth in the time-honored adage that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Enjoy a crunchy, medium-sized apple with its peel on, and get the benefits of about 4 grams of dietary fiber in just 80 calories. That’s about 15 percent of the amount advised daily for adults. An apple’s mostly soluble fiber may help lower blood cholesterol levels by binding to fatty substances and promoting their excretion. Its insoluble fiber helps waste move through your intestinal tract faster.
Housekeeping Corner
10 Tips for Choosing Green Cleaning Chemicals
- Is the product certified by Green Seal®? Green Seal® is highly regarded in the industry and provides science-based environmental certification standards for green cleaning products
- Is the product non-toxic? Look for products that are non-toxic to humans and aquatic life.
- Is the product biodegradable? Biodegradable means that it can be broken down by microbial action. The longer it takes to break down, the more harmful it is to the environment. Check the label to see if it says it's biodegradable.
- Is the product concentrated or ready-to-use? Ready-to-use cleaners are composed of 90% water, which means extra energy and packaging went into making this product. And extra packaging means extra solid waste ending up in our landfills. Concentrated product however, uses very little water and less packaging, which is much more environmentally friendly. It also cuts down on weight, which means less cost associated with the fuel needed to transport product to its final destination.
- Does the product work in cold water? Using cold water saves energy, whereas the need for using hot water with the chemical uses more energy.
- Does the product contain chlorine bleach? The wastewater after using a product containing chlorine bleach can react with other chemicals, which can be toxic.
- Is the product derived from petroleum? Petroleum-based solvents are made from non-renewable resources, they are flammable, and can be toxic when inhaled. It's better to use solvents derived from pine oil or citrus because they're considered renewable resources.
- Is the product an aerosol? Aerosol bottles can be dangerous if punctured, as they may produce an uncontrolled spray, which can put you at risk of exposure.
- Is the product neutral in pH? Neutral pH products are safer for the environment and end user. Acidic or alkaline products can burn if accidentally spilled on your skin. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral.
- Is the packaging made from recycled products? Many containers and cardboard boxes are made from "postconsumer" materials.
Once you've decided to make the switch to green cleaning products, use this list as your guide for making the right choices.
http://ezinearticles.com
Training Corner
April Trainings
5th – 9th Orientation
3rd Nappi Mod 4
5th Training Fair
9th Nappi Physical
10th CPR Initial
10th MHS Training
11th – 17th Nappi Initial
17th MHS Training
20th Nappi Physical
23rd MHS Training
24th Nappi Mod 4
26th CPR Recert
27th MHS Training
30th Nappi Mod 4
May Trainings
7th – 14th Orientation
7th Nappi Physical
10th Nappi Mod 4
14th Nappi Mod 4
15th CPR Initial
22nd Nappi Mod 4
24th Nappi Physical
25th CPR Recert
30th Nappi Mod 4
June Trainings
4th – 11th Orientation
12th CPR Initial
13th – 18th Nappi Initial
20th CPR Recert
22nd Nappi Physical
28th Nappi Make-Up
29th Nappi Make-Up
Nursing News
The Nursing Department continues with many hospital wide changes. There are new medication delivery machines and they have also been added to the SCU on Lower Saco and Lower Kennebec. We have been using a one-day medication administration record and are working out the kinks in the process.
We continue to interview nurses for several open positions and have added several new contract nurses recently. We welcome anyone interested in applying so spread the word.
We look forward to celebrating Nurses Day with everyone on May 10, 2007. Save the date!
Rehab Services
We are now offering 15 various activities during open hospital times and we are seeing an increase in the afternoon participation. The current open hospital program times are 8:30am-9am; 11:15am-12:15pm; 3:15pm-4:15pm; 5pm-6pm and 7pm-7:30pm. All level 4 clients are welcome to attend and staff can bring groups of level 3 clients to any of the programs as long as they stay and help with supervision. Please look at the available programs posted on each of the units as well as at the Mall.
Smokers
So you’re not ready to quit??? Feel like you need more information and support???
Please join Mark DiTuillio from Maine General Medical Center for a
“Tobacco Readiness Class”
Staff on Thursday March 15, 2007
In the Sebago room from 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Clients on Tuesday March 27, 2007
In the Great Room from 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Joe’s Corner
Ten Things You Should Know About Mold
- Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
- There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
- If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
- Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
- Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
- venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside;
- using air conditioners and de-humidifiers;
- increasing ventilation;
- and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
- Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
- In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
- Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
DHHS
Non-Discrimination Notice
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national origin, in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities, or its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Maine Human Rights Act and Executive Order Regarding State of Maine Contracts for Services. Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA may be forwarded to DHHS’ ADA Compliance/EEO Coordinators, State House Station #11, Augusta, Maine 04333, 207-287-4289 (V), 207-287-3488, 207-287-4479 (TTY). Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication in program and services of DHHS are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the ADA Compliance/EEO Coordinators. This notice is available in alternate formats, upon request.
To order additional copies of this publication, please call: (207) 624-4641
