
With a diverse background and skill set, I possess a unique vision for identifying system issues and devising practical solutions. While working in Inova Healthcare, I observed a significant trend of waste in unused supplies at patient discharge, sparking my determination to address the issue. Initiating a value-enter study in 2023 with support from my director and colleagues, our waste control project was selected for funding among 83 other proposals by Inova ISHV leadership. Following its implementation, we successfully altered unit supply conservation habits, resulting in an average savings of $7000 for three consecutive months. Throughout the project, I navigated various challenges and collaborated with PCCU team, Material Management, Infection Prevention, and Environmental Services. This initiative garnered leadership attention and raised awareness through multiple presentations. With the creation of innovative waste control systems and the establishment of new roles as Waste Control Lead and Sustainability Technician, I am dedicated to my dream of reducing healthcare waste in the United States.
- 2023 Waste Control Volunteer Project:
- Conducted volunteer research on unused waste supply quantity, annual estimate unit financial loss, and estimated financial loss for IFMC (2023).
- Utilized the SBAR method to identify reasons for waste forming cycles in the unit (2023).
- Designed a new model for data gathering and generated new terminologies for project analysis.
- Engaged multiple teams in the research phase of the project, including Infection Prevention, Material Management, and the Inova Office of Sustainability (2023).
- Waste Control Project selected as top three for funding by Inova Schar Heart and Vascular leadership, Dr. O’Connor, among 83 medical proposals.
- 2024 Waste Control Lead Job Descriptions:
- Established and designed inaugural waste control guidelines to reduce the quantity of unused supply waste at bedside in Inova, IFMC, ISHV, and Progressive CCU.
- Led a culture shift from wasteful practices to a resourceful and efficient mindset of supply conservation.
- Identified bedside staff needs in the project and developed an effective communication loop to raise awareness and reduce unit waste quantities.
- Monitored Clean Supply Holding closely to prevent the formation of extra supply numbers inside patient rooms.
- Introduced a new role in the PCCU as Sustainability Tech, responsible for ensuring unit efficiency by delivering necessary supplies to bedside staff.
- Collaborated with material management to modify PAR levels for over 350 items in clean supply holding, preventing overstocking and understocking.
- Modified Infection Prevention guidelines for the first time in the PCCU to recycle all unused plastic-covered items through reprocessing after patient discharge.
- Achieved cost savings of over $700 per week by reprocessing unused supplies.
- Reduced supply consumption in PCCU by an average of $7000 per month.
- Enhanced patient safety by creating clutter-free patient rooms with minimal extra supplies.
- Implemented tools of awareness within the unit, including a board of reports in shared common areas and signage promoting resourcefulness.
- Presented the waste control project to Inova Health leadership and raised awareness at Inova Alexandria Hospital, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Go-Green by Office Sustainability, and Clinical Technician UBC.
- Introduced patient carts in each room filled with a minimalistic quantity of supplies to reduce waste potential, especially in cases of isolation patients.
- Provides direct care to patients with routine and standardized care requirements, ensuring predictable outcomes under the supervision of Registered Nurses.
- Effectively communicates and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient care.
- Demonstrates proficiency in various clinical disciplines.
- Serves as a unit preceptor, guiding and mentoring new Clinical Technicians.
- Accomplished over 1000 successful blood draws and more than 200 successful IV accesses.
- Proficient in conducting Covid-19 and MRSA swabs, and accurately recording vital signs.
- Assists patients with proper posture and mobility, ensuring their comfort and safety.
- Brings 4 years of experience in the Progressive Coronary Care Unit (PCCU), with a strong understanding of cardiac arrhythmias.
- Holds current CPR and EKG licensure, with expertise in interpreting electrocardiogram waves.
- Recognized as Inova's Fall Prevention Hero for preventing a patient from a high-risk fall.
- Received the Peach Award in Progressive CCU for direct patient recognition.
- Led a volunteer waste study in PCCU in 2023.
1. Initiatives of Change Process, designing logical easy first steps toward sustainable change
2. Culture Shift in the Unit, Being open with the team about complaints, feedback, and suggestions fosters a positive environment
3. Enhanced Patient Room Appearance, tangible improvements in the organization and less cluttered patient rooms
4. Effective PAR level modification, to prevent overstocking or supply expiration
5. Achieving first new IP guidelines for PCCU, to reduce the waste of unused supplies
6. Designing a new role in the unit, "Clinical Sustainability technician" is a new role in charge of all waste control guidelines and practices
7. Financial savings during 1st Quarter
Passionate about nature, I find solace in hiking and stargazing for hours. Dedicated to fitness, I've been committed to gym workouts for nearly 12 years. Always craving new adventures, I embrace life to the fullest. Enthralled by the works of Rumi, Saadi, and Hafiz, I deeply appreciate the intricacies of poetry. Eager to pursue further studies in philosophy.