HURON — Huron Regional Medical Center (HRMC) dialysis director, Jennifer Jungemann, RN, has been presented the Quality Improvement Award from the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) to include a $1000 grant.

The Nephrology Nursing QI Award is to recognize an individual or organization participating in a quality improvement project which promotes optimal patient outcomes in nephrology.

Jungemann applied for the NNCC grant to share the success of the development and implementation of a Hemodialysis Technician Program at HRMC.

Lori Neal, NNCC President, presented the award to Jungemann, “We felt like the project was of great significance and the approach was by far well-done, detailed, and the benefit was a great example for all clinics to follow.”  

Each NNCC grant recipient receives $1000, an engraved plaque, a poster display at the NNCC exhibit booth, and an announcement posted on NNCC’s website and social media pages.

Jungemann plans to utilize grant funds to further educate staff.

Jungemann’s project helped reduce the financial burden on the dialysis department by reducing the dependence upon travel nurses to provide the specialized care. The training program is offered through nine training facilities in state of South Dakota, now including HRMC. Training is led by a dialysis trained registered nurse instructor and includes completion of a board-approved dialysis technician training program, and successful completion of a certification exam.

As a result of implementing the program, dialysis staff shortages have been less prevalent at HRMC, nursing and patient satisfaction have increased and excellent mentoring opportunities have been provided. Jungemann stated, “We created something that did not exist at HRMC and that has successfully turned out Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technicians that opened another avenue for those looking to enter the medical field in the community.”