Laura Plazak, MSN, BA, RN
Hartland,WI
Summary
Accomplished Masters-prepared Registered Nurse with extensive experience as a Clinical Team Lead in the Operating Room, specializing in robotic surgery and urology. Proven expertise in surgical quality management and process improvement, complemented by a strong background as a Project Manager in cardiovascular and vascular services. Demonstrated leadership in optimizing patient outcomes through innovative surgical techniques and best practices. Adept at fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, driving operational efficiencies, and implementing evidence-based strategies to enhance healthcare delivery and patient safety in surgical settings.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cardiovascular Surgery & Vascular Project Manager
Rush Copley Hospital
08.2019 - Current
- Develop quality projects from inception through delivery by prioritizing needs and delegating assignments.
- Manage a multi-disciplinary team achieving Platinum Performance designation from American College of Cardiology for management of STEMI/NSTEMI acute coronary syndromes.
- Demonstrated increase from 75th percentile to 95th percentile in management of acute MI quality measures among participating hospitals.
- Multi-disciplinary team collaboration through regular meetings, analysis of best patient safety practices, demonstrating highest quality standards for CV care.
- Present organizational dashboards and individual quality performance to surgeons/interventionist
- Demonstrated consistent performance in the 90th percentile quality index or Cath lab, EP, and atrial fibrillation procedures over past 5 years.
- Direct quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care delivery, reducing errors, and improving overall procedural performance metrics.
- Possess strong understanding of OR flow/sterility and surgical techniques, internal anatomy.
Surgical Quality Improvement Data Manager
Rush Copley Hospital
07.2014 - 09.2018
- Reviewed source documents and listings to compile resources for identifying and correcting data allocation issues.
- Trained key stakeholders in best practices for pre operative patient education, improving post operative outcomes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify data requirements and ensure proper integration within the system.
- Enhanced data accuracy by implementing robust data validation and quality control processes.
- Developed task force which led to successful reduction in deep venous thrombosis by 25%, reducing post operative readmissions rates.
- Created and updated database designs and data models.
- Presented quarterly surgical outcomes to hospital Administration and Board members.
Surgical Service Line Coordinator & Charge Nurse
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
10.2005 - 08.2014
- Participated on core surgical team implementing the DaVinci robotic surgery program at Northwestern.
- Collaborated with medical device specialists ensuring product availability for surgical procedures.
- Scheduled nursing assignments, balancing workload and experience among team members.
- Assigned surgical cases as Charge Nurse and prioritized procedure needs for busy 30 suite operating room.
- Communicated with other surgical team leads to achieve quality, patient satisfaction, and productivity goals.
- Streamlined workflow processes within clinical teams by implementing innovative technologies and best practices that resulted in improved efficiency and reduced error rates.
- Developed support plans and competency-based training with medical device representatives to enhance knowledge of medical equipment used in surgical procedures.
- Developed strong relationships with key opinion leaders in the industry, fostering collaboration and encouraging innovation wi
- Maintained inventory, developed budgets, and prioritized purchasing of capital expenditures.
- Managed inventory levels effectively, resulting in reduced waste and improved cost savings for the company.
- Adept at circulating and scrubbing for multi-specialty Operating Room Surgical procedures.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Chamberlain College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Administration
Chamberlain University
Downers Grove, ILBachelor of Arts -
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, ILSkills
- Project planning and development
- Project Leadership
- Patient Safety Protocols
- Clinical Leadership and Support
- Medical device contracting
- OR Charge Nurse
- Operating Room Circulator and Scrub Nurse
- Data Analysis and Dashboard Presentation
- Develop Relationships with Key Hospital Stakeholders
- Strong Presentation Performance to hospital Administration and Board Members
- Sterile Processing Knowledge of medical equipment
Certification
- Licensed Registered Nurse
Advisory Board Midwest Surgical Collaborative
Participated on task force advising quality initiatives aimed at providing best patient surgical outcomes.
Provide support and improve quality metrics for Midwestern Hospital Systems.
Collaborated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University surgeons and nursing leaders.
Timeline
Cardiovascular Surgery & Vascular Project Manager
Rush Copley Hospital
08.2019 - Current
Surgical Quality Improvement Data Manager
Rush Copley Hospital
07.2014 - 09.2018
Surgical Service Line Coordinator & Charge Nurse
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
10.2005 - 08.2014
Master of Science - Nursing Administration
Chamberlain College
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Administration
Chamberlain University
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
- Licensed Registered Nurse
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