Innovation in action: Celebrating our nurses

October is a special month for several nursing teams across the MUHC. Through our Professional Days campaign, we take time to recognize employees on their special day, week or month. This October, we’re celebrating pediatric nurses from October 5 to 9, perinatal nurses from October 9 to 15, and emergency nurses from October 11 to 17, with a focus on innovation in nursing. 

A new approach to geriatric emergency care 

At the Montreal General Hospital, Nurse Manager Vanessa Turgeon De Bonis is involved in an innovative project in the Emergency Department designed to create a safer, more supportive and person-centred care environment for older adults. 

“The Geriatric-Friendly Stretcher Care Area is an example of the creativity and problem-solving that nurses bring to their work every day,” says Vanessa. 

The team is working towards recognition through the American College of Emergency Physicians’ (ACEP) Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation program. The space and approach are designed to better meet the unique needs of older adults in the emergency department, while also giving staff an environment that supports them in delivering the best possible care. 

“It is through the ideas, experience and passion of our frontline team that meaningful improvements happen. From a small change in the way we care for a patient to a larger innovation that transforms the care environment, every contribution matters. We want to celebrate not only what our nurses do, but who we are as a team: collaborative, compassionate, innovative and always striving to make a big difference in people’s lives.” 

More than 330 emergency nurses work across the MUHC’s five sites: the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Montreal General Hospital, Lachine Hospital, The Neuro and the Montreal Children’s Hospital. While emergency nurses work primarily in their dedicated emergency department, they may also support other areas when needed. Their work includes triage, ambulatory care, caring for patients on stretchers and working in the resuscitation room. 

Each emergency department also has its own areas of expertise. The MGH is a Level 1 trauma centre, while The Neuro specializes in neurological emergencies, the RVH provides specialized cardiac and transplant care, Lachine Hospital serves its local community and the Montreal Children’s Hospital provides emergency care to children and youth. 

Celebrating our pediatric and perinatal nurses 

October also gives us an opportunity to recognize our pediatric and perinatal nurses, who bring specialized knowledge and expertise to the care of children, mothers and families across the MUHC. 

At the Montreal Children’s Hospital and within the Women’s Health Mission, nearly 1,000 nurses work in a wide range of specialized roles. They include nurse externs, candidates to the profession of nursing, and nursing staff working in a wide range of clinical, specialized, advanced practice, education and management roles.  

Their work spans a wide range of clinical settings and specialties, supporting patients and families throughout their care. The perinatal nursing team also recently took part in an innovative initiative with colleagues from Northern Québec, welcoming an Indigenous midwifery student for a two-week clinical placement as part of her path to becoming a midwife in her community. More about this initiative will be shared soon. 

This October, the MUHC recognizes all of our emergency, pediatric and perinatal nurses and thanks them for the care, expertise and dedication they bring to patients and families every day.