LINCOLN PRAISES NEWLY RENOVATED JRMC SCHOOL OF NURSING

By Amy Riggin/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., toured classrooms, a new simulation lab and other areas of the newly-renovated Jefferson Regional Medical Center School of Nursing Monday before offering high praise to administrators, instructors and students.

Lincoln described the facility as “the result of years of hard work and collaboration between JRMC and public officials.”

“It’s a perfect example of what we can do when we work together,” she said.

She added that JRMC’s willingness to provide the “brick and mortar” investment made it easier to secure federal dollars.

Additional funding

Kathy Pierce, director of the School of Nursing, said the hospital initially planned to invest $500,000 for the expansion and renovation project but ended up spending nearly $800,000. Lincoln is credited with helping to obtain an additional $948,000 to equip the building.

“We got everything we wanted,” Pierce said.

In a lab where the patients are simulation mannequins, students can practice various medical procedures, from putting in a catheter to administering intravenous medicine, while recording themselves. They use the recordings to see where improvement is needed.

The lab also includes a child and baby simulation mannequin, as well as one high fidelity “SimMan” that can blink its eyes and respond to questions. Staff and students can monitor its vital signs and practice treatments in a more lifelike setting. Lincoln described the SimMan as “amazing.”

“This is the safest way to have a real first experience without actually jeopardizing a patient’s life,” said critical care nurse Tina McDaniel. “It helps them build their confidence level.”

Pierce said a software program called Eclipsys is particularly helpful to students and staff because it trains them to deal with electronic patient medical records.

Health care reform

Lincoln said electronic records, which are being pushed by the Obama administration for use in all medical facilities, is a major part of the health care reform discussion.

One obstacle legislators are facing, however, is that the information technology industry is pushing for a goal, rather than a standard, to be set for implementation due to constantly changing technology. Health administrators, however, want a clearly defined standard.

“So it’s really tough for us,” Lincoln said of balancing that input.

During remarks after the tour, Lincoln said one-fifth of the nation’s economy is wrapped up in health care costs.

“One of the things we’re learning is that quality and outcome have a tremendous impact on lowering costs,” she said.

Lincoln mentioned the importance of training more geriatric medical professionals to address an aging baby boomer population.

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Lincoln and other Democrats are working to pass an unprecedented health care reform package by fall that aims to extend insurance coverage to 46 million uninsured Americans.

“We want to keep what works and make it better,” she said. “We just know that we can’t continue on our current path.”

Despite criticism from Republicans about the cost of reform, Lincoln said, “Everything we’re doing we’re paying for.”

In a later interview, she indicated that private insurers create competition, which drives costs down, but didn’t rule out public plans, a cooperative or nonprofit as other options as well.

“Private insurers will have a role in this,” she said. “If it works I’m not going to throw it out.”

However, she added that insurance companies “are going to have to change the way they’ve done business in the past,” such as excluding coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Future nurses

During the tour, Lincoln frequently stopped to chat with students and instructors, telling one that future nurses “wouldn’t be possible if you weren’t there to guide them.”

She said facilities like JRMC School of Nursing are helping to combat a nationwide shortage of health care professionals and instructors, particularly in rural areas.

“None of it [health care reform] is going to happen if we don’t have medical professionals,” Lincoln said, adding, “We need to hear from you guys about what works and what doesn’t.”

There are nearly 70 students currently enrolled.