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Oncology nurses achieve new level of expertiseFor years, the Oncology and Infusion Department at the New Ulm Medical Center has offered top of the line chemotherapy treatment and hematology services to area patients, saving them the trouble of long drives for treatment. Now there is another reason for patients to seek this type of service at NUMC. Actually, there are four more reasons: Lorna Holmberg, RN, Lori Brethorst, RN, Pat Hartman, RN and Mandy Schwarzrock, RN. Although all four nurses have worked in the department for several years – approximately 35 years of experience collectively – the four recently became certified oncology nurses, making NUMC’s Oncology and Infusion Department recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Oncology Nurse Association. In order to achieve that level of recognition, more than 50 percent of the department’s staff had to obtain the certification. A fifth nurse in the department, Kris Kral, RN, will be eligible to take the exam after completing 1000 hours working in the infusion and oncology department. “Not every oncology department has certified nurses,” Holmberg explained. “This is a very select group of nurses that we are proud to be part of. Only about 70 percent of nurses who take the test pass the first time.” Achieving and maintaining the certification, Holmberg said, means that “We provide the most current, best of practice oncology care and our nurses have become that much more knowledgeable in applying the skills to the benefit of the patients.” Holmberg acknowledged that the support of the NUMC management was an important piece of achieving the certification. “Our goal for the department in 2007 was for all the nurses who are eligible for the exam to take it and pass it,” said Brenda Nielsen, RN, manager of the Oncology and Infusion Services Department. The department achieved their goal by April. In addition to these certified oncology nurses, Physician Assistant Joalle Holmberg brings an extensive background in oncology to her work in the department. Holmberg did volunteer work in pediatric oncology while earning her Physician Assistant degree, then worked in the oncology department at Veteran’s Hospital in Iowa City, IA and continued her oncology work in Newport News, VA before starting at New Ulm Medical Center over a year ago. Rounding out the department is the expertise of oncologist Daniel Frenning, MD, who brings with him the backing and all the resources of the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, located at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Dr. Frenning is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. He does outreach work at other Minnesota facilities as well. “Dr. Frenning’s contributions to our chemo department are significant because he really believes in the outreach work he does,” Lorna Holmberg said. “He feels strongly that the quality oncology care you can get in the Twin Cities or anywhere else should be available close to home.” Holmberg explained that, though Frenning may not be in the building every day, he is continually available to staff in the department as are the physicians in the clinic who are caring for cancer patients. “He has a very close working relationship with all of our doctors,” Holmberg said. To maintain certification, the four nurses must now continue to obtain 100 hours of oncology education every four years. That requirement ensures that their knowledge of current information is held to a high standard. In the past year alone, the nurses have traveled to national conferences on topics such as breast cancer. “With the additional education they receive every year, they become a real resource for the entire medical center,” Nielsen said. Each month, the Oncology and Infusion Department records approximately 280 to 300 treatments. That includes not only chemotherapy, but services such as giving iron to patients, monitoring for anemia, giving intravenous medications to arthritis patients and performing blood transfusions. “Any of the outpatient oncology or hematology care you could get in the Twin Cities or Rochester, you can get here,” Lorna Holmberg said. “The achievement of this certification, plus our affiliation with Dr. Daniel Frenning and Virginia Piper Cancer Institute truly makes us a great regional center for patients with cancer,” Nielsen said. Related Links Chemotherapy / Oncology Department  Back to Health Edition |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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