Unit Board & Nursing Performance Improvement

Nurses Activism

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Specializes in Med Surge, Tele, Oncology, Wound Care.

Hello all-

I have been asked to be chair of a committee, (one of many our hospital has) to increase nursing performane improvement; as I am on that committee as well.

Our nursing perfomance improvement committee basically allows each unit to monitor what issues each unit has (JCAHO) specific things that we can improve on. I monitor on my unit IV labeling, noting MD orders, correct documentation of insulin administration and so forth...with that data I am to bring it to the unit board committee and find ways our staff can become more JCAHO compliant.

Also the unit board is supposed to get together any patient care issues and try to fix them.

First Question:

Do you do this on your units?

Is this JCAHO requried?

How can I get the other nurses to attend? They have already told me that they refuse to go to the meetings on their day off (which I can understand to a point)

If you do this on your unit can you help me to get ideas on how to get this thing going?

It seems that if the nurses can be a part of a unit where we can voice concerns regarding patient care then we can be better patient advocates and advocate about things that are important.

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First do an assessment, monitor the each issue, is it really an issue or just hear say? If you score less than 90% it is an issue. Review the policy , is it clear? Then ask each nurse in a non judgmental way what are the road blocks from performing this care?

Nurses will be your best advocate if you can find the road blocks to this issue.

Most nurses what to do a good job.

Yes this a joint commission but bigger picture this is good nursing care.

Make sure management supports these efforts. Not every one will be able to attend but make sure you keep people who are not in the loop informed. Also you should have an administration champion as member of the committee since this will imply how important this is.

Last try to have the meeting and a good time. If it is lunch time provide lunch.

Good Luck.

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