Kathryn Feigenbaum RN, MSN, CGRN, CDE Clinical Nurse Specialist kfeigenbaum@cc.nih.gov

Kathy Feigenbaum is a Medical Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist within the Research and Practice Development Service of the Clinical Center Nursing Department at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Ms. Feigenbaum received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 1981 from the University of Maryland.  Since graduating from nursing school she has worked at the National Institutes of Health in several areas including medical oncology, gastroenterology, and endocrionology.  In 1989 Ms. Feigenbaum moved into a specialty area for endoscopic procedures.   Ms Feigenbaum received her Master’s of Science in Nursing in 1990 from the University of Maryland.  She also became a certified gastroenterology nurse in 1991. Ms. Feigenbaum became a CNS in 2001 with a specialty area of endocrinology and interests in gastroenterology and medical-surgical internship program. Kathy Feigenbaum served on the research committee for the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates from 1990 to 2006. Ms. Feigenbaum became a certified diabetic educator in 2005. 

Program Interests

Blood Glucose Management Service (BGMS)
This is a new service offered to inpatients with diabetes requiring insulin.  The Primary Team enters an endocrine consult for BGMS and the multidisciplinary BGMS will follow and write orders regarding diabetes management for that patient during the length of the inpatient stay.  A flow sheet for nursing documentation of BBGM results and insulin administered has been developed to track patient response to therapy.

Medical Surgical Nurse Internship Program
This internship program has been at the Clinical Center for many years and has changed over time.  The program is now has a 2 year curriculum that includes leadership training and final project as a poster presentation at a regional meeting.  The program strives for certification in Medical Surgical Nursing.

Project Co-Leader for CNS Web Site Development
Develop web site for internal and external review of CNS accomplishments

Controlled Substance Workflow Taskforce
The policy for handling controlled substances was reviewed and revised to take into consideration new technology and processes to improve safety and security of medications both dispensed by pharmacy and controlled substances brought in by the patient from home.

5SW Day Hospital EBP Project-Venoscope as an effective IV insertion tool pH for enteral feeding tube verification
Evidence Based Practice projects for units and Clinical Practice Committee, championed with staff in order for the steps of EBP to be integrated into work activities.

Diabetes Training module for Nurses
Module developed to have nurses stay up to date with care and management of patient with diabetes.  This is an on-line training module for nurses to complete at their own pace.

Alaris remediation and backcheck valve safety plan
Members of the Standardization Committee worked with Cardinal Health during recall of the Alaris infusion pumps.  The Clinical Center used the backcheck valve during the interim period to provide additional safety measure until all of the pumps could be evaluated and repaired if needed.

Waived Testing PPR
Periodic performance review is done as part of the Clinical Center’s self assessment for JCAHO review.  Waived testing includes laboratory tests done outside of the clinical laboratory such as blood glucose testing, specific gravity and breathilizer.  All of the approved tests were reviewed and recommendations made to assure compliance with JCAHO standards.

Insulin administration Workflow
Performance Improvement Committee reviewed data related to insulin dose omissions and insulin administration flow diagram.  The PIC members formulated a plan to address educational and process issues from the gap analysis

Committees

CRN 2010: Leader of CRN Documentation
Evidence Based Practice Steering Committee
Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
Performance Improvement Committee
Point of Care Testing Committee
Standardization Committee