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Community Representative's Message

Helen McGurrin
Community Representative

Being the community representative on the QIWG (Quality Improvement Working Group) does present its share of challenges, humorous moments and grateful appreciation for the work that nursing staff perform.

On the challenge and humorous fronts, the exposure to acronyms in my first two QIWG meetings was definitely a challenge but it had its funny moments. I could often figure out what the acronym stood for by listening to the discussion where often the actual terms were used, but in writing the acronyms were easier and quicker. I figured out that NE stood for Nursing Education or Educator, CM for Clinical Manager, APN for Advanced Practice Nurse. But for some acronyms, I had to ask the other members of the QIWG for help.

For example, PUP just threw me. I was desperately trying to think of what PUP stood for. I wondered if it had to do with a Visiting Dog Program, as one of my neighbors has a dog with his own Hospital ID card so he can visit patients with her. I knew PUP must have something to do with skin care and what in my nursing days (back in the last millennium) was referred to as bedsores. For those of you who know the comic strip Peanuts, you may recall Lucy's horror at being licked by Snoopy the dog, and that picture did come to mind when I first heard PUP used in the context of skin care. I had to ask the Committee to spell that one out. PUP stands for Pressure Ulcer Prevalence.

To the credit of the nurses on the QIWG, for the rest of the meeting they made an effort to define each acronym. Once I heard what the acronym stood for it made so much sense that I thought I would remember it forever. I was wrong. One example is LRLR, I know it stands for Least Restraint, but what does the second LR stand for?

Some of the terminology besides acronyms can also conjure up a funny image. The first time I saw on the Agenda, “Delirium Best Practice” update, I wondered if there was a prize for practicing the best delirium.

Every profession has its terminology and acronym usages. And it makes sense to use these within the profession. And as a member of the QIWG, I will learn and become familiar these terms over time but I also know I can ask for clarification anytime.

I am so grateful and appreciative at the choice of areas chosen for study in quality improvement. Preventing bedsores, assessing the patient's level and possible cause of confusion or delirium, trying to limit use of restraints either physical or pharmaceutical, patient satisfaction with pain management, all these studies involve direct contact and interaction with the patient as a human being worthy of respect, care and kindness.

Despite the high-tech world of medicine and nursing, it is nice to know that patients can still count on the nurse for TLC (Tender Loving Care).

Helen McGurrin
Community Representative