Did you know UofL Health has a team dedicated to the evaluation and improvement processes related to resuscitation and medical emergency response for UofL Health – Downtown Medical Campus? Meet the team members of the Resuscitation Institute.
The institute is a part of the UofL Health – Office of Professional Practice. The team is committed to a multifaceted approach with education and process improvement related to early recognition, optimal resuscitation practices and post-cardiac arrest care.
There are currently three team members assigned to the institute:
- Amanda (Mandi) Pyles, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NPD-BC, system resuscitation and simulation coordinator
- Rebecca Busch, BSN, RN, CCRN, resuscitation RN data abstractor
- Taylor Campbell, BSN, RN, resuscitation RN data abstractor
This team has a total of 34 years of service to UofL Health. Mandi has been with UofL Health for 17 years, Rebecca for 12 years and Taylor for five years.
Part of this team’s responsibility is to individually review all Code Blue and rapid response events at the Downtown Medical Campus. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and survival through an evidence-based approach.
“As part of these reviews, we find opportunities for improvement and work with leaders and key stakeholders to improve processes and provide education where needed,” Mandi explained.
One of the team’s goals for fiscal year 2024 is to improve our team members’ use of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) to ensure airway confirmation during a resuscitation event. ETCO2 is a measurement of how much carbon dioxide is released when you exhale (breathe out). Blood circulation is responsible for carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs, in a process called gas exchange, so that oxygen can continue to move throughout your body. In a resuscitation event, it is important to confirm the airway is clear because a dislodgement of the airway could be the cause of cardiac arrest. Be on the lookout for “Resuscitation Tidbits” sheets on airway confirmation in your units!
In addition to improving patient outcomes, this team is recognizing individuals that exhibit exemplary efforts in a medical emergency with the Lifesaver Award. Award winners are chosen for exemplary actions in a medical emergency such as patient advocacy, proactive or preventative care, effective leadership, critical thinking and effective teamwork. All volunteers, team members and providers within UofL Health – UofL Hospital, Jewish Hospital and Heart Hospital are eligible for this award. For more information or to nominate someone for the Lifesaver Award, visit the Lifesaver Award page on the team member intranet.
The Resuscitation Institute equally aligns its practices with the organization’s vision and values by working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary approach to providing evidence-based care. The team works to develop working relationships with others throughout the organization to ensure that we are continually striving to improve patient outcomes.
Get to Know the Team
We asked Mandi, Rebecca and Taylor a few questions to learn more about their group dynamic and individual personalities. Here’s what we found out:
Q: Who is most likely to get recognized by the Guinness World Record, and what would it be for?
A: The entire team for having the most conversations about conspiracy theories.
Q: Who is the most talented on the team?
A: All three of us are pretty talented! We each bring something different to the team.
Q: Who is the most caring?
A: We’re all equally caring, but Rebecca has a motherly nature.
Q: Who is the team jokester?
A: Mandi – She likes to say humor is the root of all happiness!
Q: Who is the most athletic?
A: This is a toss-up between Taylor and Rebecca. Taylor was forced to be athletic in the military reserves. Rebecca loves to work out, but she is currently pregnant and is not as athletic as she would like to be.
Q: Who is the most introverted?
A: Taylor – We’re slowly pulling her out of her shell, though!
Q: Who travels the most?
A: Taylor – She is a former traveling nurse and is in the military reserves, so she has lots of miles under her belt.
If you have questions or concerns related to Code Blue and rapid response events at the Downtown Medical Campus, please reach out to the Resuscitation Institute team at Resuscitation@UofLHealth.org or visit the team’s page on the team member intranet.
