Uncategorized – Here for Life

144 nurses and counting: How nurse recognition blossomed at Hennepin thanks to DAISY program

November 11, 2019

“She is wonderful with her patients…her actions are excellent, a true statement of her skills. She…consistently demonstrates excellent nursing care.”

These words described Laraine Steel, a Hennepin Healthcare DAISY Award winner, in her nomination from January 2008. More than 10 years later, Steel continues to provide excellent nursing care at Hennepin Healthcare as a Diabetes Clinical Educator and the AADE Diabetes Program Coordinator. She also sees patients with diabetes at Whittier Clinic.

Laraine Steel, DAISY Award winner for January 2008

The DAISY Award is an international program created by the DAISY Foundation that recognizes nurses like Steel who make a difference in the lives of those they care for and work alongside with their clinical skills and extraordinary compassion. The foundation and program turn 20 this month and within two decades the program has expanded to over 700 healthcare facilities, including Hennepin Healthcare where it started 12 years ago. (more…)

One day at a time…. celebrating 50 years of Knapp Rehabilitation

July 5, 2019

It’s hard to put into words the daily life at Knapp Rehab, Hennepin Healthcare’s inpatient acute rehabilitation unit. To end up in Knapp, something pretty awful sent you there – a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, a chronic disease, an accident. (more…)

The Grizzly Bear in your (neighbor’s) Backyard

June 28, 2019

My three-year old daughter was testing limits like most toddlers while we were visiting family a few weeks ago, and she fell into their swimming pool. She thought it cute to keep moving her chair backwards despite several warnings until the chair toppled over and she went head first into the water! Her grandpa immediately jumped in and got her out in less than 3 seconds. (more…)

The Value in Vegetables

May 10, 2019

“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon” ~Doug Larson

(more…)

Get out gout

May 2, 2019

Waking up in the middle of the night with a painful, red, hot and swollen big toe is a common phenomenon for patients suffering with gout. Most patients describe the pain as being out of this world. Interestingly, in my clinic men rate the pain at 10+ out of 10 and women rate it 8 out 10. Nothing in our Rheumatology clinic causes more anxiety than a current gout attack or the thought of another gout attack. (more…)

In honor of brain injury awareness month – what to look for when you hit your head

March 21, 2019

If you’ve had a fall, a car accident, or been involved in any other event where you hit your head or could have, it’s important for you to know the signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Some symptoms are present right away, but others can develop over days. Following is a list of common symptoms of a mild TBI, also known as a concussion. (more…)

Tips for talking to children about difficult news stories

January 23, 2019

When traumatic events that may make children feel unsafe and scared are in the news, it is often difficult for parents to find ways to communicate and comfort them. For many parents, it can be difficult to have conversations with children about topics like death, violence and crime. (more…)

Clinic & Specialty Center Earns LEED Gold Certification

December 18, 2018

The Clinic & Specialty Center was recently awarded LEED certification at the Gold level! LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the foremost program for buildings, homes, and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

The Clinic & Specialty Center is the second building by Hennepin Healthcare to achieve LEED certification. Whittier Clinic, one of our neighborhood clinics, also achieved LEED certification and was the first healthcare facility in Minneapolis to be awarded certification under LEED for New Construction at any level.

“Studies have confirmed that the environment can have an impact on human health,” said Bill Howden, director of facilities and master campus planning. “Following sustainable building practices is yet another way we can achieve our vision of transforming the health of the community, while at the same time doing what’s right for the environment.”

LEED certification is difficult for healthcare facilities to achieve because of their specific design needs. The Gold certification means that 60-79 points were earned on the certification checklist. It is the second highest certification level in the LEED program.

(more…)