Cynthia Blade
MD
Summary
Patient-oriented nurse with 14 years of diverse experience in direct patient care, staff supervision and department operations. Organized and dependable, and successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Orthopedic Nurse (2017-2020), Nurse Navigator (2020-present), Care Coordination Team
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics
03.2017 - Current
- Co-chair multi-disciplinary committee to coordinate stakeholders with goal of reducing LOS, improving ERAS protocols, decreasing complications, SDOH, CMS PROM reporting, same day discharge facilitation, reducing insurance denials
- Quality Oversight Committee member; prepared orthopedic data for presentation and discussion
- Managed and coordinated training for on-site and off-site nurses for triaging, alignment with hospital policy for SBAR, nurse interventions, critical-thinking, ESL communication
- Enhanced patient satisfaction with comprehensive pre-surgical assessments and education on expectations.
- Co-developed questions for pre- and post-op calls to patients designed to identify preventable complications, provide early education to patients for better outcomes, decrease length of stay, reduce risk of post-op complications, and prevent 30-day readmissions and ED visits
- Composed work instructions for nurses to use as training material and reference guide for on-going operations
- Team member in updating content for the patient joint replacement handbook
- Co-developed content and layout for Joint Education Class slides for presentation to patients
- Member of hospital initiative committees for both SSI and PE/DVT prevention to include operationalizing orthopedic pathways.
- Facilitated smooth discharge planning through close coordination with case managers, therapists, and family members.
- Provided emotional support for patients coping with chronic pain or facing complex surgeries, enhancing their overall wellbeing.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of orthopedic nursing best practices through continuing education courses and professional organization memberships, NAON.
- Contributed to overall hospital performance by participating in quality improvement initiatives targeting orthopedic services.
- Increased patient adherence to treatment plans through clear communication and engagement in shared decision making.
- Elevated patient care standards by participating in regular auditing activities within the orthopedic unit to identify areas for improvement.
- Mentored new nursing staff, fostering a positive learning environment for professional growth.
- Educated patients and caregivers on nature of diagnosis and specifics of treatment plans.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Expedited surgical scheduling processes by liaising between physicians' offices, insurance providers, and hospital administration teams.
Quality and Risk Management (PRN)
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Northwest Hospital
07.2016 - 06.2017
- Reviewed surgical cases for PPCs (provider preventable conditions) and MHACs (Maryland hospital acquired conditions) and acted to clarify notes with the providers as well as interviewed pharmacists, nurses, and specialists as needed to identify avoidable/unavoidable PPCs
- Collaborating with the Quality Director, collected and analyzed data for reporting the biannual Ongoing Professional and the Focused Professional Practice Evaluations which were then presented to and discussed in meetings with chiefs of departments.
Professional Nursing Practice, Performance Improvement Nurse (Surgical-Orthopedic Unit)
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Northwest Hospital
04.2014 - 06.2016
- Lecturer for new employee (NEO) and clinical orientation (CO) for topics covering pain, restraints, skin assessment, IV therapy, PCA pumps, SBAR/SBOR, and electronic plan of care
- Member of the planning team for developing the structure, timeline, and topics for NEO and CO
- Lecturer for the New Graduate Program at Northwest for topics Time Management and Delegation and IPOC and for skills NG Tube insertion and care
- Validated annual staff competencies for Medication History, Aspiration Protocol, and Patient Care Anesthesia
- Improving patient satisfaction surveys and HCAHPS scores by observing and providing feedback to staff during rounding for nurses’ shift-change bedside rounding
- Developed and implemented educational material and hands-on displays for education fairs including chest tubes, pain management, continuous passive motion equipment, and patient-controlled analgesia pump
- Shaped hospital policy and practices by researching EBP, gathering data, approving changes and educating staff as a member of the committees on MHAC, Pain Management, Information Technology, Aspiration Precautions, ETOH Withdrawal, Agitation Management, Quality Council, and Professional Nursing Practice
- Continually improving documentation excellence and meeting CMS and TJC standards and core measures by daily review of charts and having one-on-ones with staff needing improvement
- Audited for patient safety by daily observation rounds for two patient identifiers, aspiration precaution interventions, VTE interventions, physical restraints, and hand washing; on-the-spot staff coaching for non-compliance
- Educational resource for staff
Surgical-Orthopedic Unit, Registered Nurse
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Northwest Hospital
01.2013 - 04.2014
- Speaker for weekly Joint Replacement Class with patients scheduled for surgery to include topics as pertains to the operating room experience, setting expectations for in-patient care, physical therapy, and social work
- Assessments of surgical incisions and dressing changes to surgical sites, including new AKA/BKAs, pressure ulcers, ostomies, PEGs, and plastic surgeries
- Assess chest tubes and JP & Stryker drains and monitor output, as well as insert NG and nephrostomy tubes, and Foley’s, and their outputs
- Monitor and manage the hemodynamic stability of patients with GI bleeds
- And lots of patient and family education on procedures, what to expect, before- and after-care, care of surgical sites and dressings, and drains
- Worked with PT, OT, RT, social workers, and care managers to ensure patient had his needs met in the hospital and as well as needs for outpatient, home care, or facility placement
- Active participant on Call-bell Response and Alarm Fatigue committees.
Geriatric, Respiratory, & Stroke Unit, Registered Nurse
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Northwest Hospital
09.2011 - 01.2013
- Used NIH stroke scale to assess neurological changes in stroke patients
- Monitored stroke patients on telemetry
- Assessed blood pressure to maintain optimal perfusion to stroke patients
- Performed bedside swallow evaluations
- Assessed and frequently monitored respiratory patients for oxygen perfusion, ability to clear secretions and deep suctioning, as needed
- Fed enteral nutrition patients via Kangaroo pump or gravity feed
- Monitored gastric residuals
- Worked with Speech and Nutritionist
- Turned and repositioned patients to prevent pressure ulcers.
Staff RN
WELL ADVANTAGE, Sykesville, MD
04.2011 - 11.2011
- Provided health screenings, individualized consultations, & patient education on blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, bone-density, metabolic syndrome, & skin analysis screenings to clients at various on-site locations during employee health fairs
- Led patient education presentation & discussion on metabolic syndrome in a classroom-style setting at the Maryland Metabolic Institute.
Education
Associate of Science Cum Laude in Nursing -
Carroll Community College
Westminster, Maryland05.2010
Skills
- Compassionate communication
- Preoperative preparation
- Discharge Planning
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation
- Orthopedic Assessment
- Orthopedic surgery assistance
- Geriatric Orthopedics
- Medical Documentation
- Physical therapy coordination
- Orthopedic Triage
- Joint Replacement Care
- Patient care planning
- Post Operative Care
Certification
- Maryland Registered Nurse, R191923
- American Heart Association CPR/BLS
- NIH Stroke Scale, Parts A and B
Training
- CPR/BLS Instructor, 06/01/15
- EKG Rhythm Class, 2012
Affiliations
- National Association of Orthopedic Nurses since 2019
Timeline
Orthopedic Nurse (2017-2020), Nurse Navigator (2020-present), Care Coordination Team
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics
03.2017 - Current
Quality and Risk Management (PRN)
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Northwest Hospital
07.2016 - 06.2017
Professional Nursing Practice, Performance Improvement Nurse (Surgical-Orthopedic Unit)
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Northwest Hospital
04.2014 - 06.2016
Surgical-Orthopedic Unit, Registered Nurse
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Northwest Hospital
01.2013 - 04.2014
Geriatric, Respiratory, & Stroke Unit, Registered Nurse
LIFEBRIDGE HEALTH, Northwest Hospital
09.2011 - 01.2013
Staff RN
WELL ADVANTAGE, Sykesville, MD
04.2011 - 11.2011
Associate of Science Cum Laude in Nursing -
Carroll Community College
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