Many of our patients’ and their families’ journeys begin in our busy Emergency Department—the front door of Sycamore Medical Center. According to 2013 statistics, “More than three-fourths (81.8 percent) of unscheduled admissions to the hospital now come through the Emergency Department, which is a sharp increase from the previous decade when only 64.5 percent of unscheduled admissions came through the ED” (ACEP, 2013). The Emergency Department, on average, sees 80 patients a day. So they are busy!
We want our community that comes through the ED to receive the best possible care we can provide, and we do that with our amazing staff. They are caring, compassionate, well-trained, educated, and prepared every time. Our ED strives for over-the-top teamwork, so we thank you for caring for our patients with professionalism and dedication to the quality of care we are known to provide at Sycamore.
The department has great throughput times, provides quality care, has fantastic teamwork, and maintains excellent relationships with our community fire departments.
How many employees work in the ED? 60
What are some of the different roles in the department? RNs, paramedics, HUC, unit educator, an administrative assistant, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, scribes, and registration.
What are some of your significant achievements? We are multi-time national award winners of the Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award for exceptional customer service.
What are your 2019 goals? Fall prevention and blood culture contamination prevention
What is something you are particularly proud of? Winning the Guardian of Excellence award three times and our teamwork and camaraderie. This team takes care of their own when times are tough (personally and professionally). This team is family.
What is something we may not know about your department? In January 2017 we began trialing new blood culture collection equipment that one of us brought back from an emergency nurse’s conference. We had such amazing results that now the product is being purchased for use network-wide. Sycamore was the very first place to use this second generation product from its manufacturing company.
Do you have a department nickname or motto? “Sick-no-more”
Favorite department term or acronym? “Honey badger! Honey badger!”
Meet Dee Guttadore
Favorite quote: “Do you want to see a picture of my cute boyfriend?” or “When’s lunch?”
How long have you been with Sycamore/Kettering Health Network? 27 years
What is your favorite part of the job? Watching staff grow and learn. Sycamore has added six nurse practitioners and three nurse managers over the past four years!
When you don’t work, what do you like to do for fun? Travel to the beach (any beach!)
Who are the co-workers/employees who make you laugh? Kyle Kalbaugh, Maren Bubnick, Doug Lukens, and everyone in the ED. ED staff always have a great sense of humor!
Something we may not know about your employees? They’re experts in more than just emergency nursing. We have crafters, crocheters, collectors, hikers, climbers, gym-goers, yoga buffs, soccer coaches, skiers, golfers, and travelers. They’re good to each other. They encourage each other to be their best selves (get to the gym, lose weight, do fun things with their kids, and lift each other up when one is having a bad day).
Coming Up Next Month: The department spotlight will be on the Patient Relations Department.