Jean Straker-Darbeau, Clinical Educator for the MMC Emergency Department is pictured center, kneeling, with the Crisis Response Team Award trophy and members of the ED team and hospital leadership.
Long Branch, N.J. – The Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) Emergency Department Team has received the 2021 Crisis Response Team Award from the New Jersey Emergency Nurses Association (NJENA).
The award, presented at an awards ceremony and presentation held during the NJENA Virtual State Council Meeting on May 19, was in recognition of the team’s significant contributions and response to the challenges of the public health crisis/pandemic of Covid-19.
“In receiving the 2021 NJENA Crisis Response Team Award, you are being recognized for stepping up and going above and beyond for one of the most challenging years we have ever faced as emergency nurses,” said Kimberly Russo, 2021 NJENA President. “You should be proud of the amazing work that you do every day. Each and every person on your team has made a difference this past year and I would like to offer your team my personal thanks for your hard work.”
“Your team utilized multiple approaches to include potential lifesaving techniques by the creation of a ‘BAM’ Suite to administer bamlanivimab, a new therapeutic drug regimen of monoclonal antibodies,” said Elizabeth McFarland, former NJ ENA President and 2021 Chair, NJENA Professional Development Committee. “As a result, you have made a significant impact on public safety by decreasing hospitalization and/or death particularly with your high risks population.”
Jean Straker-Darbeau, Jean Straker-Darbeau, DNP, RN, CEN, Clinical Educator for MMC’s Emergency Department who submitted the criterion for the award, noted the program consisted of a designated suite constructed to administer Covid-19 monoclonal antibody infusions (Bamlanivimab, Regeneron & Etesevimab).
“The implementation of this program enabled us to expedite Covid-19 positive patients to this designated suite, an ED RN administering the infusion, and observing the patient,” she said. “This suite has decreased the overall patient wait time from seven to four hours, greatly improving patient satisfaction. The monoclonal antibody infusion program continues to be extremely successful in improving the health of the Covid-19 positive patients.”
In a congratulatory letter announcing the award, NJENA noted that also impressive are the department’s high patient satisfaction scores and low left without being seen rate. “Your team has significantly supported each other resulting in a 0% staff turnover rate and low vacancy rates,” McFarland added.
Regional Chief Nursing Officer Diann Johnston noted that the Emergency Department’s patient satisfaction scores have been consistently high despite the challenges of Covid-19.
“Our ED team prioritizes patient care from the time of arrival, decreasing patients ‘Leaving Without Being Seen’ to less than 1%,” she said. “The team strives to deliver culturally competent and congruent care to our community, and to receive this statewide recognition of their commitment, competence, collaboration and especially their compassion in caring for Covid patients is so gratifying.”
CAPTION: Jean Straker-Darbeau, Clinical Educator for the MMC Emergency Department is pictured center, kneeling, with the Crisis Response Team Award trophy and members of the ED team and hospital leadership.
CONTACT: Kathy Horan
(732) 546-6317
Kathy.Horan@rwjbh.org