Miller named SCH DAISY award recipient
DAISY nominees (front left) attending the ceremony included Leticia Riley, BSN, RN; Melissa Ball, RN; Teri Carey, BSN, RN; Gretchen Priess, BSN, RN, CMSRN (back left); Tanya Glew, RN; Brittany Hagerman, BSN, RN; Cynthia Bush, BSN, RN; and Robert Beals, RN. Nominees not pictured are Melanie Kotowicz, BSN, RN, CNOR; 2 West: Jodie Hills, BSN, RN, CMSRN; Lori Sparks, BSN, RN; and Brandon Burton, RN.
Teresa Miller, RN, (center) was named Sparrow Clinton Hospital’s first DAISY Award recipient of 2022.
Sparrow Clinton Hospital recognized a medical/surgical nurse known for her compassionate care and always putting patients first with the DAISY Award for outstanding nursing.
Teresa Miller, RN, was among 13 Sparrow Clinton nurses nominated for the award by patients and their families. MIller was nominated by a patient who appreciated her kind, attentive, and helpful attitude. This is Miller’s second time to receive a DAISY Award at Sparrow Clinton Hospital.
“It’s an honor to be nominated again and very touching to receive another DAISY Award,” Miller said. “I always try to listen and help our patients feel safe.”
DAISY Committee nurses presented Miller with the award, a certificate of recognition, a DAISY pin, and a hand-carved sculpture entitled The Healer’s Touch. In addition, a DAISY Foundation banner signed by Miller and previous DAISY Award winners will be posted in the hospital.
“Our DAISY Award nominees personify the remarkable patient experience at Sparrow Clinton Hospital,” said Sparrow Clinton Chief Nursing Officer Mariah Hesse, BSN, RN, CENP. “It’s an honor to work with the DAISY program to recognize our exceptional nurses. Sparrow Clinton Nurses have a real passion for nursing and exemplify the very best standards of advocacy and excellence.”
The nominees included from Surgical Services: Robert Beals, RN; Cynthia Bush, BSN, RN; Teri Carey, BSN, RN; Brittany Hagerman, BSN, RN; Melanie Kotowicz, BSN, RN, CNOR; from unit 2 West: Melissa Ball, RN; Brandon Burton, RN; Tanya Glew, RN; Jodie Hills, BSN, RN, CMSRN; Teresa Miller, RN; Gretchen Priess, BSN, RN, CMSRN; Leticia Riley, BSN, RN; and Lori Sparks, BSN, RN.
The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care given by nurses every day. Nurses are nominated by their patients and patients’ families.
Sparrow Clinton honors two nurses each year as DAISY Award recipients. In addition, a DAISY Team Award is presented as merited. To nominate an exceptional Sparrow Clinton nurse or Nursing Team, complete and return a form from one of The DAISY Foundation displays at the hospital.
Remember When – Community help needed to fund new Emergency Services Department in 2013
Workers pictured here are pouring and smoothing the new concrete floors.
Construction of a new Emergency Services Department is moving forward at Sparrow Clinton Hospital in St. Johns. Underground work on water and electrical supply lines is completed, foundations and floors have been poured and the bare bones of the new facility’s structural steel frame will soon be erected.
With construction underway, Sparrow Clinton Hospital now launches the final phase of its Right Here, Right Now Capital Campaign – the public campaign to raise much-needed community funds to underwrite the $5.7 million cost of this vital project.
Leading this important fundraising drive are capital campaign steering committee members Dave Hunt, William Brewbaker, Ron Huard, Gary Brya, Bruce Fandel, Dan Matson, Craig Bishop, Nick Bancroft, Don Rademacher, Liz Nobis, and Pat and Becky Feldpausch.
Major gifts to date have come from individuals, foundations, farms, service organizations, Sparrow Clinton Hospital Auxiliary, and area businesses.
“Organizations and individuals in our community have shown unprecedented support of the hospital with their generous gifts during the quiet phase of this campaign,” says David Hunt, chairman of the Right Here, Right Now Capital Campaign. “We are inspired by their most generous support, but more help is needed.”
Emergency patient visits have more than doubled since the current department was built in 1998. This increase in visits spurred construction of a new facility better suited to the needs of the community.
From private, high-tech treatment rooms to innovative patient-flow efficiencies, the new Emergency Services Department is designed to maintain and enhance the quality of care with comfortable, first-class accommodations for patients and families. Facility features include 10 private rooms and two trauma treatment rooms as well as an exclusive lobby, family conference room, patient observation area, centralized nursing station, and decontamination treatment room.
“We are reaching out to residents of all the communities served by Sparrow Clinton Hospital, asking for their support of this vital project,” Hunt adds. “Building this new, leading-edge facility will provide you and your family with immediate, local health care when care is most needed. We need everyone who depends on the hospital’s emergency services to consider making a donation to this campaign.”
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Marking in Dogs
You may wonder why your dog is urinating in so many places when you take them out for a walk. This type of behavior is known as urine marking.
Urine marking in dogs is a natural behavior where dogs release small amounts of urine in various locations. Both male and female mark, but it’s more commonly seen in male dogs.
Urine marking can quickly become a nuisance behavior if your dog starts marking indoors. Here’s some helpful info on why dogs mark, how to tell urinary accidents from urine marking, and how to stop your dog from marking in the house.
Why Dogs Mark
For most dogs, urine marking usually begins around the time they reach sexual maturity, which can be between 6 and 12 months of age, depending on the size and breed of dog.
If you can identify why your dog may be urine marking indoors, then you can take steps to resolve the issue. Several reasons dogs may exhibit urine marking include:
Territory Identification
Many dogs will often urine mark to tell other pets that their territory has been claimed. Your dog may consider both your yard and the inside of your house to be their territory, and they may mark vertical surfaces.
Some dogs will frequently re-mark specific areas to make sure it is clear to other pets that this is their territory. Urine marking may also occur if there are animals outside near your house or apartment. Your dog may feel threatened by their presence and feel the need to mark their territory.
Male Dogs Interacting With Female Dogs
Male dogs will typically exhibit urine marking if there is a female dog in heat nearby. Urine marking is often a way for dogs to attract mates, so the presence of an intact female dog can influence this behavior.
Conflicts With Housemates
If there are one or more dogs within the household and there is tension or a disagreement between dogs, then one dog may start marking. The anxiety associated with the conflict as well the basic need to mark territory can lead to increased urine marking.
Changes in a Dog’s Environment
Some dogs will exhibit urine marking when there are changes in their environment. New furniture, new people, and new items that are normally not a part of the household can be targets for dogs to mark. The anxiety associated with a change in routine and structure in the environment can lead to urine marking indoors.
Submissive Urination
Some people note that if they talk loudly or their dog is easily startled, their dog may have an accident of a few drops of urine on the ground. This is different from urine marking, as submissive urination happens in response to your pet being startled or scared.
House Soiling vs. Urine Marking
There is a difference between a dog that is having urinary accidents in the house and marking. The main way to distinguish between house soiling and urine marking is to note how much pee there is and how often it happens.
When marking, your dog will often urinate small amounts in one or more locations. With house soiling, there will be a lot of urine, typically in one location, as if you had taken them outside.
Any time your pet is having inappropriate urination issues, it is worthwhile to have them examined by your veterinarian to rule out any possible underlying medical conditions.
Some possible causes of inappropriate elimination include urinary tract infection, crystalluria, kidney disease, endocrine disease, or other metabolic disease.
How to Stop Dogs From Marking in the House
Overall, urine marking is a natural behavior in dogs, but if it starts happening indoors, there are many ways to help manage it.
Neutering Your Dog
If your male dog is still intact, then getting him neutered can help reduce urine marking in your home. One research study showed that in 25-40% of dogs, castration at any age was effective in reducing urine marking by 90%.
Also, if your home is a multi-pet household, consider getting other pets neutered or spayed as well, including intact female dogs, as going into heat could trigger more urine marking in male dogs inside the household.
Thoroughly Cleaning the Soiled Areas
It is important to use an enzymatic urine cleaner when cleaning urine from areas in your home. These cleaners help reduce remaining odors and particles. If your pet smells any lingering urine odor, they may continue to re-mark the area. Always follow the directions on the product label for best cleaning results.
Preventing Access to the Area
If there is an area in your house that your pet continually marks, try blocking off access to the area. For instance, consider a baby gate, or covering the area with a rug or mat once the affected area has been sanitized to see if this deters your dog from continuing to mark.
Training and Counter-conditioning
Do not yell at or punish your dog for urine marking in the house. Punishment will likely have the opposite effect and create anxiety or stress, which can trigger or make marking worse.
If you can monitor your dog when the behavior is happening, then intervening to stop them from marking can be helpful. Ideally, the goal would be to try to redirect your dog’s marking with a different behavior.
When your pet is about to mark, distract them by asking them to perform a task (such as “sit” or “stay”) to redirect their actions. Reward them with a treat.
Belly Bands
While working on the strategies above, you can also a belly band to prevent urine marking. These bands are similar to dog diapers and can be placed on male dogs to try to prevent urine marking indoors. Change the belly band as needed to prevent skin irritation.
Managing Anxiety
If you realize that anxiety is the trigger for your dog’s urine marking, then work on enhancing calming behaviors.
Using canine pheromones such as the Adaptil plug-in or spray in affected areas can be helpful. There are a variety of supplements that can help with anxiety in dogs. If your dog’s anxiety is severe, consult with your veterinarian about anxiety medications.