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| Rachel Fenske |
Rachel Fenske, USA Information Services/Outreach Librarian, was a recipient of a $15,000 National Network of Libraries of Medicine Southeastern/Atlantic Region Technology Improvement Award in June 2018 to expand her patient/family education program to all units of the University of South Alabama (USA) Medical Center and the High Risk OB and Mother/Baby units at the USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
This award will enable the purchase of thirteen Android tablets and rolling bedside stands to be distributed to the pre-admit, cardiac, chronic illness, medical, surgical, trauma, and oncology units of the USA Medical Center and to the prenatal, maternity, and high risk obstetric units at the USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital. The tablets will enable nurse educators to teach patients about their condition, various procedures and medications while at their bedside. Resources from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health can be consulted with ease as health care professionals complement and expand their existing education protocol.
With the additional funding provided by this award, the initial project that began with a $5,000 NNLM Award in 2016 for various departments of the USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital (specifically pediatric, NICU, hematology/oncology and USS HOPE Infusion units) will now expand across the USA Health System, providing a wealth of quality health information that is easy to understand and easily accessible.
These resources will help patients and families locate reputable and current information needed to comprehend serious illnesses, in a format that is suitable for different learning styles while assisting patients when making informed decisions about their health. Rachel is extremely happy and grateful to NNLM SE/A for allowing her to continue the patient education program that has helped so many at the USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital and will continue to benefit the residents of Mobile and the surrounding communities.
