Steven Keller, MS, BSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC is the pinnacle of the core values in nursing. Staff shared "he has an open-door policy that fosters trusting relationships, he welcomes feedback and follows up promptly". "He engages the team in process improvements, policy development and this is described by his team to drive the ownership and accountability on the unit".
Steven partners and collaborates with the stroke coordinator to assure the highest quality of care. Steven played a critical role in the TJC CSC (Comprehensive Stroke Certification). Without engaging the entire team from emergency department to interventional radiology (where he and his team respond for code strokes) through the NSICU (Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit)- we could not see the improvement in stroke processes to place CMC at this elite honor and most importantly improve patient outcomes. When his unit was asked to document for the physicians the TICI score, he was the first to advocate that nurses should not be documenting scores that are medical evaluation based. He worked with the neurosurgeons and interventional radiologists to assure the MDs take responsibility for their documentation. He is often on the unit and helping with code strokes, covering while teammates are off the unit, for example, in radiology. He will advocate for his team, assuring they have input, their voice is heard, and they drive the outcomes.
When there are fallouts for any quality care bundle metrics, he will always address the teammate first, assuring they understand the why the elements are important to support quality metric. Based on his honesty and consistent approach with the staff the unit has outperformed the national benchmarks for all infections, falls, and pressure injuries. They lead the way amongst the 5 ICUs in our organization.
Managing over 125 teammates, Steven knows each and can tell personal stories about each. He connects with each as a person. He never gossips and this is reflective in the unit. The team has highest teammate engagement, works together and values each other. This demonstrates integrity and his ability to lead teams to the same high standards.
Steven leads daily huddles to assure consistent communication with his teammates. During his huddles, he selects a keyword for the week. Last week, he used "mama" reminding the team to treat every patient like it is your mother or family. He read a letter of thanks and appreciation each day to reconnect the staff to the patients and caring. Another example is "windows" he was power washing windows and he was happy the windows were clean, yet his wife was upset because a couple screens got holes in them from the power washer. We often think we are doing a great job yet, did we meet the patient and family needs? He will always engage his team to connect with patients optimizing care.
Steven recognizes the team and acknowledges their efforts. This leads the way for highest quality improvements and drives engagement. His unit was accepted in the Society of Critical Care collaborative- for A-F Bundle and has led nationally shared best practices in many collaborative elements. Under his direction and support, this work has spread to other ICUs in the hospital and system. His creativity with the schedule and working with the team supported a 30% increase in BSN and advance degrees. He additionally supports all teammates receiving a minimum of 8 stroke-specific education hours for comprehensive stroke. He can be seen teaching classes, videotaping neuro-talk sessions, or covering for staff to support his team!
When a teammate comes to Steven noting they need to change their status because they are attending NP or CRNA school, he always finds ways to support them and shares ways to be successful as they pursue their dreams. He encourages his team to always look for ways to be the best and most satisfied with their work.
His unit holds the highest patient satisfaction scores. This comes from his support to do teambuilding workshops with his team based on patient experience. He allows teammates to share stories good and bad and always look at what we can learn and do better.
Another example how he helps his team grow includes an HCT who was having lots of health and back issues from lifting patients, he mentored him and helped him get an EEG technician position. He followed up frequently if training was going well and what help did he need. He has also supported multiple HCTs transition to RN programs as he saw their abilities far exceeded the HCT role. He is always looking to get the most and best out of people.
Steven supports and participates in the team sports such as kickball, engaging them in Live Well activities and teambuilding. Within a year of his leadership, the unit achieved highest teammate engagement and sustained it for three years.
He rounds daily on all patients and families assuring their needs are met. Recently a complex patient had all family members out of town, he assured twice a week family skype calls were done with all the consultants to update the worried family members across the nation.
An example of honesty and integrity is when he won an award and received a $500 gift to help pay for travel expenses. The organization had paid for the travel and when he received monies, he turned it over to senior leadership knowing the intent for travel reimbursement. There are many examples how he leads as an exemplar of many core values of nursing.
Steven is a "think out of the box" leader. His concern for the children of young stroke patients, led him advocating to change a nurse aid position to a child life specialist who works with the families helping them work through the many devastating life-altering changes the patients are experiencing. Mom may not be able to drive to dance class for six months is more understandable after he advocated for this necessary resource to improve family coping.
He worked in a biology lab as his first career and then missed helping people. Because of this he excels as a leader and reminds us each day of the power of caring and compassion in helping people. With this, his unit led a 68% reduction in CAUTIS, 47% reduction in CLABSIs- having gone 9 months without any infections.
Prior to his leadership, the unit suffered a high vacancy rate. He was creative and hired two large cohorts of new grads. He personally meets every two weeks with the new grads assuring their onboarding and orientation is successful. He goes above and beyond for his team, coming in on all shifts, weekends, and holidays. He is the leader who always helps his team see the value they bring to patients and overall hospital operations.
Safety is always evident. When the hospital implemented a new hallway bed policy, he spoke up when other leaders were unwilling to address the safety concerns. People respect him and often say they want to be like him and be mentored by him.
His passion leads many work teams such as new EKG processes at night, what supplies are kept in the ICU bedside carts, new code stroke process starting in the ED, and the EVS standard cleaning checklist. His expertise and collaboration are extensive.
He is current with BLS, ACLS, and holds dual certification as NE-BC and CCRN. This RN and leader is devoted to the nursing profession and his team.
Steven is active in his son's scouts serving as camp nurse and safety patrol leaders. Whenever possible he will teach healthcare concepts of healthy nutrition and exercise or the many roles that nurses can play at his children's school or church. Additionally, he will volunteer and speak at many colleges and universities on interview skills for nursing students. His wife's family owns a nursing home in Florida, and his family vacations each year to the SNF to visit with residents and make crafts while spreading cheer.
Steven leads the way on volunteer hours with over 80 hours annually and community service for stroke education whether at Knights or Panther's game, BOA, in work and church communities.
Since being the NM, he has supported more teammates doing podium and poster presentations at various conferences (locally, nationally and even internationally). He builds up his team and their self-confidence to share best practices and the important and great work they do. He has additionally presented at NTI and other conferences, always willing to help others improve quality care and outcomes. He challenges the team to seek IRB and do research, evidence-based practice projects and improve outcomes.
Last year Steven was selected at the AACN Circle of Excellence Leaders Award for many of the same core values and leadership principles he maintains as we acknowledge him for this DAISY Nurse Leader Award. The team believes in him and respects his passion and energy for nursing and excellence in patient care delivery.
There is no doubt- Steven Keller is truly a DAISY Nurse Leader and lives these values and commitment each day on and off the unit, out in the community and across the nation as a professional role model for excellence.