Riley Children's Health is a nationally ranked pediatric health system that uses expertise, innovation and the latest advancements to deliver the highest level of patient care to children and families in Indiana and across the nation.
Riley Children’s Health Nursing Annual Report 2024
rileychildrens.org
Welcome to Nursing at Riley Children’s Health
Table of contents
Introduction Welcome to Nursing at Riley Children’s Health .......................... 1 Mission, Vision and Values ..................................................... 2 Riley Nursing Strategic Plan .................................................... 3 Riley Nursing Professional Practice Model ................................ 4 Nursing professional governance ............................................. 4 2024 by the numbers ............................................................. 4 Recognition DAISY Award recipients ........................................................... 5 Nurses Week award recipients ................................................ 6 Nursing scholarly work ......................................................... 10
I’m thrilled to present our 2024 Riley Children’s Health Nursing Annual Report on behalf of our incredible team of 1,660 clinical nurses. This report is a testament to our diverse and talented nurses who embrace our Values of Purpose, Compassion, Excellence and Team in the work we do every day to make a difference in the lives of the mothers, children and families we serve. In this report, we’ll explore our strategic priorities, our professional practice model and some of the quality improvement projects that helped us earn our fifth ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® status in 2024.
At Riley Children’s, we work within a strong professional governance structure alongside our interprofessional colleagues. This collaboration allows us to make decisions that enhance our practice environment and ensure success in caring for our patients and their families. Whether we’re caring for Indiana’s sickest kids, mothers or responding to community health needs, Riley nurses always rise to the occasion. We are committed to delivering top-notch care, pushing the boundaries in our field and showing compassion to our patients and community. Thank you for your interest in Riley Nursing. We hope this report provides valuable insight into our commitment to providing evidence-based, patient-centered care, which Riley Children’s is renowned for worldwide.
Transformational leadership ................................................................ 11
Structural empowerment ..................................................................... 11
Exemplary professional practice ......................................................... 12
New knowledge and innovation .......................................................... 12
Empirical outcomes .............................................................................. 12
Nursing contributions to organizational recognition ......................... 13
Megan Isley, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC Vice President for Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer
About Riley Children’s Health In 1924, the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children opened as the state’s first pediatric hospital. The building serves as a memorial for the Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, who lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. The hospital is now part of the Indiana University Health System and IU Health Academic Health Center. Today, Riley Children’s is a full-service health system with maternity and children’s services, including 456 beds, with the majority located at our main hospital in downtown Indianapolis. Riley Children’s is Indiana’s only comprehensive children’s hospital, with experts in every pediatric specialty, including those ranked by U.S. News & World Report : urology, diabetes and endocrinology, pulmonology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, gastroenterology and GI surgery, cardiology and heart surgery, cancer, behavioral health and neonatology. Riley Children’s is also home to Indiana’s only Level I pediatric trauma center, pediatric burn unit, pediatric stem cell transplantation program and pediatric dialysis program. Learn more about Nursing at IU Health.
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The IU Health Way
Riley Nursing Strategic Plan
We work to do good in the lives of all others Purpose
We do our best at all times and in new ways Excellence
Empower nurses to lead
Engage our elite nursing talent
We will lead the transformation of healthcare through quality, innovation and education, and make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states.
Team We count on and care for each other
2021 – 2025 Riley Nursing Strategic Plan
Compassion We treat all people w ith respect, empathy and kindness
Foster autonomous
Advance nursing excellence
VISION VALUES
PROMISE
nursing practice
MISSION To improve the health of our patients and community through innovation, excellence in care, education, research and service.
2024 Nursing Strategic Plan accomplishments
Empower nurses to lead ■ Implemented professional governance chair training ■ Intensive Care Units (ICU) manager cohort ■ Nursing certification toolkit
Nursing at Riley Children’s Health
Engage our elite nursing talent ■ Nursing engagement in hospital-wide team member engagement wow group ■ Review of nurse engagement results and action planning at Riley PPC Foster autonomous nursing practice ■ Trained 23 nurses on the nursing peer review process ■ Nursing professional governance revamp including creation of bylaws and other tools Advance nursing excellence ■ Began Magnet Recognition Program gap assessment for sixth Magnet Recognition Program designation ■ Hosted Riley Innovations in Practice virtual symposium
MISSION (what we do)
PURPOSE (why we do it)
VISION (nursing’s aspiration for itself) Nurses at Riley Children’s are engaged and empowered to practice at the top of their scope with autonomy and excellence. Nurses have the skills and the tools to lead the next generation of nurses.
Lead and inspire nurses to engage their practice to advance the care and health of pediatric and maternal populations across Riley Children’s
Eliminate harm, improve outcomes, provide quality care, improve team member experience and increase engagement, demonstrate financial stewardship and improve patient experience. Positively impact the promise dashboard.
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Riley Nursing Professional Practice Model At the heart of the Riley Nursing Professional Practice Model is what matters most to Riley nurses—the patient. Surrounding individualized patient care delivery are the generative relationships established between the patient, family, community, team and self (nurse). Generative relationships are cultivated from the attributes of IU Health nurses. IU Health nurses exemplify clinical expertise, embrace learning, have a spirit of inquiry, are professionally engaged and foster relationships. Surrounded by united professional governance, nurses can exercise the advocacy, autonomy, accountability and authority of professional nursing practice to deliver Individualized patient care.
DAISY Award recipients The DAISY Award is a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families and co-workers. The program was started by the family of Patrick Barnes, who experienced incredible kindness and compassion from the nurses while Patrick was hospitalized. The family decided to honor Patrick by establishing the DAISY (diseases attacking the immune system) Foundation. The DAISY Award has been adopted by thousands of healthcare organizations and schools of nursing around the world. At Riley Children’s, our Nursing Excellence Council (NEC) receives approximately 60 – 90 DAISY nominations a month. Each nominee receives a special DAISY pin. The nominations are blinded and the NEC scores each nomination based on set criteria. The nominee who receives the highest score gets a recognition ceremony on their unit complete with daisies, healer’s touch sculpture, a certificate, DAISY winner pin and cinnamon rolls.
Learn more about our DAISY Award recipients by searching their first and last name online at DAISY Award Honorees | DAISY Foundation .
RILEY 2024 DAISY WINNERS
Nursing professional governance
In 2024, Riley Children’s increased the number of unit-based professional governance councils by 127% . Forty-seven frontline clinical nurses attended training to chair these professional governance councils. This allows our team to influence decision-making, enhance leadership skills and foster collaboration.
2024 BY THE NUMBERS
JANUARY Christina Brown (SFT NICU)
FEBRUARY Grace Ryan (PICU)
MARCH Chris Boyd (8 East)
APRIL Kendall Williams (RMT NICU)
NURSES 1,539
LICENSED BEDS 456
INPATIENT ADMISSIONS 20,247
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS 68,135
OUTPATIENT VISITS 172,958
DELIVERIES 3,939
MAY Debra Maples (Center of Hope)
JUNE Angela Parsley (9 East)
JULY Angela Seitz (Burn Clinic)
AUGUST Faith Osterburg (MRI)
NURSING DEGREES/EDUCATION
CERTIFICATIONS
DESTINATION FOR NURSES
512 nurses hired across Riley Children’s
16% CERTIFIED RNS 10% CERTIFIED CLINICAL NURSES 58% CERTIFIED NURSE LEADERS
78% BACHELOR’S OF SCIENCE IN NURSING 7% GRADUATE DEGREES 15% ASSOCIATES OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
770 new team members onboarded including RNs, paramedics, LPNs and unlicensed assistive personnel
190 new nurses graduated from our Nurse Residency Program
SEPTEMBER Roxanne Klempe (PICU)
OCTOBER Abi Kidwell (Labor and Delivery)
NOVEMBER Lide Segovia-Tomcho (Labor and Delivery)
DECEMBER Shakiyla Rogers (PICU)
131 team members attended coach class
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Nurses Week award recipients
Riley Children’s Foundation (RCF) educational grant winners RCF grants are individual awards to any nursing student enrolled in an accredited nursing school with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. Applicants submit a personal statement of what it means to be a Riley nurse.
DAISY Nurse Leader Award The DAISY Nurse Leader Award recognizes a nurse leader that impacts staff and/ or the patient care they manage by: role modeling extraordinary behavior; creating an environment where attributes of trust, compassion, mutual respect, continued professional development and ethical behavior are modeled and supported; motivating staff with a shared vision and enthusiasm to achieve better outcomes for themselves and for their patients; and promoting and enhancing the image of nursing within the organization, the community and the profession. Sara Murff, clinical manager for 8 West “We are nominating Sara for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award because of her continued dedication, leadership, resilience and compassion. She is the glue that keeps 8W together.” “Thank you for being such a kind and understanding manager! Your aura lights up 8 west, you’re the best.”
Tiffany Brown, Hematology & Oncology, Master’s of Science in Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Graduation Date May 2025 I exemplify and incorporate the 4 IU Health Values, purpose, excellence, compassion, and team into my daily work. In my role as a leukemia/lymphoma nurse navigator, I provide guidance and education for patients and families throughout their cancer journey. I enjoy teaching and creating different ways to present educational materials based on their level of education to engage individuals and enhance their ability to learn. I strive to do my best every day at work and will go
Kirsten Reid, Nursing Professional Development, Master’s of Science in Nursing, Nursing Education, Graduation Date February 2025 My passion and commitment to Nursing Education come from a desire to empower and develop the nurses at Riley Children’s. Education and professional development lead to nurses who are confident, competent, and resilient patient advocates. I exemplify purpose by being present and attentive to the needs of the departments I represent as their Nursing Professional Development Practitioner. I round daily on each unit, observing and listening to the team members.
“I have worked with Sara since she started on 8W. To watch her grow from a nightshift bedside nurse, to shift coordinator, to THRIVING manager has been awesome. She is so understanding and cares about her staff both professionally and personally. Sara is an incredible manager! She is supportive to her staff, always willing to hear our concerns and answer any questions, and she has a big heart for these 8W kiddos. She is the best leader 8W could ask for! She seeks to advocate for her staff and therefore advocate for the care of all 8W patients. I am thankful we have a leader like Sara!” DAISY Team Award The DAISY Team Award is given to a nurse-led team that exemplifies the Riley Children’s mission and values and are role models of collaboration and teamwork that make a difference in the lives of patients, families, employees and our community. Riley Emergency Department The team embraced the development of a discharge timeout tool with standard work and education followed by a validation process to ensure that best practice would be hardwired. This created a family- and patient-centered approach to facilitate their return to home. The discharge timeout tool created a teaching focus for patients and families to fully understand the expectations of their diagnosis, follow-up and any other discharge needs, allowing time and space for questions and concerns to be addressed by our Riley Emergency Department team prior to leaving our care. Our nurse navigator spent time with the team supporting and mentoring our entire team while they were learning and hardwiring the use of the discharge timeout tool including both experienced and less experienced nurses. With the creation of the discharge timeout, the tool has now become a best practice with proven results with patient experience scores. This best practice is now being spread across other IU Health sites. We create a safe space for families to speak up. We connect with them and develop relationships built around trust. These results don’t happen without being a strong team and having the ability to count on and rely on one another and hold each other accountable to our high standards and expectations we have set for the care of our patients.
above and beyond for patients and coworkers. I am always looking for ways to improve our processes and developing educational material for staff and families. I treat all staff with respect, kindness, and empathy. Madelyn Pittard, Hematology & Oncology, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Graduation Date August 2025 A large part of my role as a nurse navigator is to ensure that families feel what we like to refer to as the “Riley hug.” We are often one of the first people they meet at a very vulnerable and scary time in their lives, and we are fortunate to be in that space with patients and their families to help support them. Our support continues
As their NPD, I advocate for development, orientation needs, and practice questions to leadership.
Sara Murff (clinical manager for 8 West)
What it means to be a Riley nurse…
Sarah Rhoads, Quality and Safety, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Transformational Leadership, Graduation Date May 2024
Every day I come to work I find great Purpose in what I do. Caring for the smallest of infants, as well as their families, has greatly humbled me in the years I have worked in the Riley Maternity Tower NICU. Purpose has
motivated me to find various ways I can contribute to the betterment of the unit and the care we provide to the infants and their families. I try to show great Compassion in my work through my interaction with the infants and families by going beyond what is expected of me. Courtney Worland, Cardiac Cath Lab, Master’s of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Graduation Date August 2026 The values of IU Health, purpose, excellence, compassion, and team are engrained in my daily work and now help drive my future career goals. I am pursuing my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree with hopes of one day continuing to work with this same population after witnessing the need to focus on this area. My purpose has always been to provide compassionate care, but now also includes focusing on the mental health and psychological development of these patients. I have learned a new sense of compassion after seeing the challenges and obstacles our patients are faced with and have learned to extend this compassion not just to pediatric patients, but to their families, and I would not be the nurse I am today without the teammates who have taught, mentored, and supported me to this point. Being a pediatric nurse, caring for patients with congenital heart disease, and working at Riley Children’s have engrained the IU Health values into my professional and personal life and I can only hope to continue providing excellent care and serving the pediatric population as I move forward in my career.
throughout the continuum of the patient’s care even before diagnosis to either death or survivorship. The relationships that I have formed with my patients and families is one of the greatest parts of my job. I have also been able to form relationships with other members of our interdisciplinary team, including our solid tumor physicians, and have hopefully been able to show them the strength of a Riley nurse and all that we are capable of. Kailey Potts, Riley Emergency Department, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Primary Care, Graduation Date August 2025 Through my time at Riley Children’s, I have had the opportunity to utilize the IU Health values almost every day. I have been challenged and placed in many heart-wrenching situations but have also been put in some of the most rewarding, memorable scenarios. Even when workdays are tough, I leave every shift feeling like I have learned something or have made a difference. … I still often feel like I have a greater purpose to serve as a nurse than to only do what is expected of me. Throughout my nursing career, I have reflected on and searched for aspects of nursing that would help me feel more fulfilled. I have found that making impacts and differences both within and outside of Riley was something important to me.
Riley Emergency Department team members
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Nurses Week award recipients
Brittany Gaskins Award This award is given in memory of Brittany Gaskins, who was a nurse in the Interventional Radiology Department. This award is given to a nurse with less than 18 months of experience. Grace Roembke, Emergency Department Grace exemplifies being an extraordinary nurse and making special connections with her patients and her team. She displayed the value of Team by ensuring that the rest of the unit continued to run smoothly, and patients cared for while several of the other team members were caring for a critically ill patient. Grace showed the value of excellence by stretching her skills and growth going out of her comfort zone to learn new skills and to care for higher acuity patients…Grace does a tremendous job supporting patients and families. I am so glad to have her on our team. … She is exceptional and a true example of living our values in the care she provides, especially being so early in her nursing practice as a nurse of only 3 months! Grace goes above and beyond for patients and families in all of her encounters. We are so lucky and grateful to have her on our team! Stephanie Pottenger Award This award is given to a Cardiovascular service line nurse to pursue either professional development or school tuition in memory of Stephanie Pottenger. Ashley Parker, 3 West Cardiac Stepdown As a nurse at Riley Children’s, I now come to work with a purpose. Pediatric nursing is more than a job; it is a calling to serve the most vulnerable kids in the state. Although vulnerable, these children are the strongest humans in my life. As a pediatric nurse, I feel lucky that I not only get to be around children each day, but I get to learn life lessons from them too. When taking care of pediatric patients, you are taking care of the entire family. It is our job as nurses to support them and provide compassionate care during these difficult times. My personal experience as a mother to a Riley NICU graduate has also deepened my ability to empathize with and support the families on our unit. Perhaps what I love most about pediatric nursing is the teamwork involved. I hope to be considered for such an honorable award in Stephanie’s name so that I can continue to pursue a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Jessica Stoebick CVICU Scholarship Keaton Crockett The CVICU established a scholarship in memory of Jessica Stoebick. The inaugural scholarship was given to Jessica’s son, Keaton Crockett, who graduated with his BSN in December 2024. Jessica was an amazing nurse who died tragically, a victim of domestic abuse. She valued the importance of education for all nurses, especially for the young nurses graduating from nursing school and starting their career. As a mother, she was especially proud of her children and their accomplishments. She was so excited for her son Keaton to graduate from nursing school and follow in her footsteps as a nurse. Keaton has shown compassion, leadership and commitment through the tragedy of losing his mother. He has also shown dedication and perseverance to complete his BSN on time. Coach Award This award was created by our Nursing Professional Development Team to recognize outstanding coaches at Riley and their commitment to the development of new Riley nurses. Carly Cason, 5 West This nominee is an outstanding coach who strives to uphold the IU Health values while providing admirable family-centered care to our patients and families. She has a drive and compassion for each patient and family member that she encounters. She fosters relationships with patients and family members to serve as a reliable and strong advocate. She leads by example for new team members. She has a spirit of inquiry to continue her learning and stay up to date with evidence-based practices and practice changes. She is an active member in her local organization and is a certified pediatric nurse. She also is a member of unit councils, nurse practice review and regularly attends professional practice council.
Partner in Care Award The Partner in Care Award is given to a non-nursing team member that supports the nursing profession through collaboration, dedication and promotion. Jaime Redkey, Infection Prevention I would like to present a nomination for an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to partnering with nurses to improve patient outcomes. This nominee has worked closely with nurses to ensure the effective and safe delivery of healthcare with outstanding teamwork and excellence. Their partnership with nurses has not only improved patient outcomes but also fostered a collaborative and patient-centered approach to healthcare and infection prevention. … Beyond the collaborative work that takes place at the hospital and system level, this nominee also supports our team in the NICU spaces. She supports case reviews, provides guidance on environment of care and rounds to understand what the team needs to best care for the patient population. The nominee has an in-depth understanding of some of the unique considerations for neonatal populations and is always seeking to learn more. She has also advocated for this population at the national level in communication with the CDC and NHSN. She is ever ready to answer questions and builds up the nursing team. I could go on and on about why this nominee is one of our hospital’s best assets but suffice it to say, she is a valued team member that deserves recognition for all she does. Nurse Excellence Award The Nurse Excellence Award is given to a clinical nurse that demonstrates exemplary leadership in advancing patient-centered care through nursing practice, developing innovative solutions and advancing the profession of nursing. Carol Hayden, 5 West Our nominee started on our unit as a student nurse, and I have watched her grow immensely in her time at Riley Children’s. She is our unit NPR representative, coach, and over the past year has become a charge nurse on our unit. In addition to these roles, she is also a Nursing Practice Advocate for 5W/5EA. It is challenging to cover 2 units when many times both need you at the same time to help with port accesses, central line dressing changes, cap changes, and the many needs of two high acuity units but this NOMINEE does it in stride. She goes over and above to check in on both units and is constantly on the go to ensure both units needs are being met. … The biggest area that this NOMINEE shines in is how well she cares for her patients. You can see the trusting relationship that she creates with them, making them feel comfortable and is a true light for them in the darkest time of their lives. The smile on their faces when they see this NOMINEE is priceless and she is always so happy to see them too. As you can see, this NOMINEE is a nurse that many strive to be, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award. Margaret Martin-Roth Award The Margaret Martin-Roth Award is given to a clinical nurse for professional practice as a nurse working with children and families in honor of past Riley CNO, Margaret Martin-Roth. Connie Neuzerling, CVICU Explaining how Connie’s everyday practice contributes to positive clinical outcomes is not straightforward because she is incredibly dynamic and is involved in patient care in many ways. Connie is unique because she provides excellent patient care at the bedside and is a vital resource for her co-workers, with a wealth of knowledge to share. Furthermore, she has taken on the Heart Center’s VAD (Ventricular Assist Device) Coordinator role. In this role, she spearheads VAD education/simulations for Heart Center nurses, organizes reeducation and quarterly recertification events, and is a resource for nurses caring for VAD patients during each shift. Her presence and knowledge are comforting and reassuring to nurses in that role. … Finally, Connie continues to ensure positive patient outcomes by communicating with these families at home and attending out-patient clinic visits. Her continued presence and expertise must be comforting for families living with a VAD while waiting for a heart transplant. Her passion and commitment to quality care undoubtedly improve patient outcomes.
Grace Roembke (Emergency Department)
Jaime Redkey (Infection Prevention)
Ashley Parker (3 West Cardiac Stepdown)
Carol Hayden (5 West)
Keaton Crockett (pictured with Melissa Keesling, Manager of CVICU)
Connie Neuzerling (CVICU)
Carly Cason (5 West)
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Transformational leadership Associate Chief Nursing Officer obtains additional clinical nurse specialists Riley clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are highly successful in helping to lead initiatives to decrease preventable patient harm. The CNS reports to the nursing practice team, but supports inpatient service lines such as Maternity, Hematology & Oncology and Cardiovascular. In February 2024, some of these departments had unfilled clinical nurse positions and Sharon Chaney, PhD, RN, CENP, Associate Chief Quality Officer, Association Chief Nursing Officer – Practice and Professional Development, used this as an opportunity to partner with these departments to use those resources to obtain additional CNS positions. This resulted in obtaining additional CNS positions for CVICU and 3 West, NICU, Periop and Maternity. The additional CNS positions have the ability to significantly impact patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality. The CNS role at Riley Children’s provides and supports specialized expertise and education, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, care coordination, and leadership and mentoring. Riley vascular access team In February 2024, Megan Isley, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, Vice President for Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer, pulled together an interprofessional team to establish a vascular access team (VAT) steering team. Team members on the VAT steering team included: Laura Alter, MSN, RN, Director of Clinical Operations – Critical Care; Leighan Bye, anesthesia physician; Mackenzie Edge-Reetz, BSN, RN, CCRN, Manager of Clinical Operations – OBICU; Andrew Gorman, Director – Facility Support Operations; Megan Isley, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, Vice President for Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer; Nicole Klein, MSN, RN, CPN, NE-BC, Director of Clinical Operations; Kelly Knight, BSN, RN, Manager of Clinical Operations – Labor and Delivery; Valerie Love, RN; Kelly Marvel, BSN, RN, RNC-OB, CNML, Director of Clinical Operations – Maternity Services; Anne McCalister-Mills, DNP, CPNP, Director of Quality & Safety; Kristin Miller, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CPN, Director of Nursing Practice; Nikki Sterling, Director of Finance; and Troy Tinsley, MBA, PMP, Director of Supply Chain. The VAT steering team was asked to establish a plan to expand vascular access support of PIV and blood draws to the Riley Maternity Tower by June 1, 2024. The VAT steering team ensured that the maternity services team members received education and competencies to complete challenging blood draws and PIV placements. In May 2024, VAT phase 1 went live at Riley Children’s with the Riley VAT team supporting the Riley Maternity Tower on challenging PIV placements and lab draws. The support the VAT team has provided at Riley Children’s improves patient health and safety. It ensures accurate diagnosis and monitoring, efficient medication delivery, reduced patient discomfort, improved patient outcomes and prevention of complications.
Nursing scholarly work
Kristin Miller, Laura Koke , Magnet and Pathways Panel Discussion, IU Health Nursing Research Conference – Leading & Sustaining Magnet Programs of Excellence Alisha Harter, Kristy Todd, Laura Koke, Christina Madriz Professional Governance Structure and Clinical Practice Panel, IU Health Ambulatory Conference Bri Carrera , New Grad RNs Driving Practice Through EBP, Riley Innovation in Practice Conference Stacy Nance, Scott Coven, Jamie Turman, Jennette Champion, Ericka Cheng , Health Equity Symposium, Pediatric Grand Rounds Kathleen Head, Amy Haskamp , Amplifying Voices of Another Language: A Nurse-Led Intervention to Address the Needs of Patients, Families, and Medical Interpreters, Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses Mackenzie Edge-Reetz, Melissa Hollar , Clinical Prevention of Severe Maternal Morbidity, Labor of Love Laura Koke, Kristin Miller , Riley Children’s Health DAISY Program, Indiana DAISY Round Table Discussion Kristin Miller, Laura Koke , Nursing Professional Governance’s Impact on the Professional Practice Environment, Riley Innovation in Practice Conference Lisa Mayer, Carly Steinborn, Rebecca Sutton , Riley Maternity and Newborn Health Perinatal Outreach Team OBGYN Sims, American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference RMNH Perinatal Outreach Team , Riley Maternity and Newborn Health Outreach, Riley Children’s Foundation Red for Our Kids Gala RMNH Perinatal Outreach Team , Surfactant Administration through Laryngeal or Supraglottic Airways (SALSA), 7th Annual Resuscitation Symposium Dr. Anthony Shanks, Dr. Lindsay Blazin, Kathleen Head , Achieving Language Equity: The Why and How of Using Medical Interpretation to Optimize Care, Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics SEED Initiative Laura Blazier, Dr. Beatrice Stefanescu , Neuroprotective Bundle in Preterm Infants: A QI Initiative to Reduce Severe IVH, IU School of Medicine QI Competition Tisha Kivett, Colleen Brunetti, Lauren Janzen, Lisa Lea, Brittany Davis, Lee Ann McDowell, Navneet Singh , Partners in Progress: How Patients and Industry Can Work Together to Move Science Forward, 2024 International Pulmonary Hypertension Conference and Scientific Sessions Laura Koke, Katie Feley, Jen Embree, Indiana State Nurses Association Statewide Nurse Advocacy Coaching Program, IU Health Nursing Research Conference - Leading & Sustaining Magnet Programs of Excellence Laura Koke, Katie Feley, Jen Embree, Indiana State Nurses Association Statewide Nurse Advocacy Coaching Program, Indiana Organization for Nursing Leadership Fall Conference Cindy Fiscus, Katy Treadwell , Asthma Discharge Twistle Program Reduces Pediatric Asthma Admissions, Association of Asthma Educators Stacy Nance, Scott Coven, Jamie Turman, Karen Doe , Health Equity Community Engagement Through Family Partnerships, IU Health Nursing Research Conference - Leading & Sustaining Magnet Programs of Excellence
Structural empowerment Venipuncture training for RNs and medical assistants
In early 2024, there was a request that the RNs and medical assistants in the Riley Children’s Health Fort Wayne office start performing lab draws. The manager reached out to the nursing professional development team and a learning needs assessment was completed. Required education was created and provided to the RNs and medical assistants in the Fort Wayne office. This education covered the supplies needed for lab draws, venipuncture procedure, documentation, filling and labeling lab tubes, and age-appropriate resources to assist with lab draws. This training will significantly improve accuracy and efficiency, improved patient comfort, reduce complications, streamline the workflow, improve access to care and provide professional development to our team members.
Stacy Nance wins Riley Values Leadership Award for Nursing
In 2024, Stacy Nance, BSN, RN, CPHON, ambulatory clinical nurse, received the Riley Values Leadership Award for Nursing. Stacy consistently demonstrates the IU Health Values and supports the strategic priorities of Riley Children’s. Stacy is a mentor, researcher and facilitator. She invests time in health equity efforts and addressing social determinants of health. This is all done to improve health outcomes for our patients and families at Riley Children’s, aligning with our strategic priority to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states.
Riley team members partner with Red Cross to install smoke detectors and create comfort kits for homeless hospitalized veterans.
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Exemplary professional practice Riley Value Analysis Committee
Nursing contributions to organizational recognition
U.S. News & World Report Riley Children’s is honored to be ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report . For 2024 – 2025, Riley Children’s was ranked in 11 out of 11 pediatric specialties. We are also recognized as Indiana’s best children’s hospital. In addition, our Urology (No. 5), Pulmonology (No. 8) and Nephrology (No. 10) programs are ranked in the top 10 nationally and six total programs are ranked in the top 25. Riley Children’s is also one of six IU Health hospitals recognized as 2025 High Performing hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report .
Levels of Care Riley Children’s is designated as Obstetrical Level of Care IV and a Neonatal Level of Care IV, giving mothers and infants high-level care under one roof. Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) Riley Children’s pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit is CARF accredited, recognizing our inpatient rehab program for its commitment to the care and well-being of patients. Our inpatient rehab team helps children and teens optimize recovery, maximize quality of life and improve functional ability. Children’s Surgery Verification Program Riley Children’s has been named a Level I Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons, becoming the first children’s hospitals in Indiana to earn this status.
In the summer of 2024, a Riley Value Analysis Committee (VAC) was established to develop and implement an organized and systematic approach to determine the value of products while supporting and complementing process improvement, improved outcomes, safety and quality practices, and financial stewardship. This committee is chaired by Kristin Miller, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CPN, and Troy Tinsley, MBA, PMP, Director of Supply Chain. In 2024, the work of the VACs across IU Health saved the system $2 million. One product that the Riley VAC implemented is the Microbore Tri-fuse Extension Set. This was a request that was brought to the Riley VAC by Colleen Flora, MSN, CPN, PCNS, to improve patient safety and reduce harm. This product aligns with our tubing change policy and can be changed every seven days instead of every three days like the previous product. New knowledge and innovation Nurse Residency Program
evidence-based practice projects
In 2024, the Nurse Residency Program led by Bri Carrera, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, and Mary Claire Smith, MSN, RN, began partnering with key stakeholders in the document review process to review evidence-based practice
American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Designation In January 2024, Riley Children’s obtained its fifth Magnet Recognition Program designation. Magnet designation is awarded to organizations approximately every four years to healthcare organizations that demonstrate exceptional nursing practice and quality patient care. Eight Riley nurses attended the ANCC Magnet conference in October and walked the stage to celebrate this accomplishment. As of September 2024, there are 48 pediatric- only hospitals that have Magnet designation, and 91 organizations that have achieved Magnet designation five times or more (less than 1%). Nurse Residency Program The Nurse Residency Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Nurse Residency Program is one of two accredited programs in Indiana.
and make recommendations to the documents based on their findings. So far, the Nurse Residency Program groups have reviewed 12 documents, and four documents have been finalized with their recommendations and literature tables. One specific evidence- based practice recommendation from a Nurse Residency Program group that was implemented was adding a fresh tracheostomy sign as an appendix to the Tracheostomy Care for Neonatal and Pediatric Patients policy. Adding the fresh tracheostomy sign as an appendix to the policy makes it easy for clinical team members to print the sign and align with evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice projects by our Nurse Residency Program participants play a crucial role in impacting the health of our patients. Improved patient outcomes, standardized care, enhanced safety, continuous improvement and patient-centered care all lead to more effective and personalized care for our patients. Additionally, this work contributes to professional development for our new nurses by developing critical thinking and research skills. Riley Innovations in Practice Symposium In October 2024, Riley Innovations in Practice (RIP) Council hosted its annual symposium. Seven presenters representing various disciplines such as nursing, pharmacy and physicians shared their evidence-based practice, quality improvement and research projects completed at Riley Children’s. The opportunity to share interprofessional projects helps to foster a culture of knowledge sharing, continuous improvement and enhanced collaboration. Empirical outcomes
Level I Pediatric Trauma Center Riley Children’s is verified as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), keeping us on the leading edge of trauma care practices, which helps us to meet the unique needs of children with traumatic injuries. Riley Burn Program The Riley Burn Program is Indiana’s only dedicated pediatric burn program verified by the American Burn Association (ABA) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
35% reduction in hospital-acquired pressure injuries
1% below goal for NTSV C-section rate
3% improvement in patient experience question: “ Did nurses treat you with courtesy/ respect Riley-wide? ”
8.6% improvement in Emergency Department access (door-to-doc)
6.9% improvement in left without being seen (LWBS)
Riley team members celebrate our fifth Magnet Recognition Program designation
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Riley Children’s Health Riley Children’s Health is Indiana’s only full service statewide pediatric health system. Riley Children’s offers complete, comprehensive pediatric care ranging from routine primary care checkups to the most complex acute care needs from highly skilled pediatric specialists. The system connects patients with expert primary care and specialty care physicians in communities across the state of Indiana. Riley physicians treat patients in their home communities, bringing top-notch care close to home. This statewide network is an extension of Riley Hospital for Children, one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals consistently ranked a Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report . rileychildrens.org
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