kdfranzen

Thanks for all the answers so far :) I'm not giving out money or gift certificates etc. I'm just looking for small ways to let nurses know that everyone realizes how hard they are working when we are stage 4 capacity and running around like crazy trying to care for everyone :) It just seems like lately all we are hearing is the negative--long hold times, delayed report giving, etc and I'd really try to change that. The thumbs up board sounds great.

I am trying to establish some morale boosting projects at my hospital. I don't have a large budget so I'm looking for some cheap ways to recognize nurses for the outstanding jobs they are doing. I've been looking at kudos type awards where co-workers can write and recognize each other for going above and beyond during their shifts. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I completely agree regarding the teamwork issue. However, when we had our analysis meeting about this situation the house supervisor and charge nurse both had various reasons for why they were basically not involved in the situation. The nursing administrator was the one who suggested this new code implementation, and I've been placed in charge of trying to set it up. I'm hoping it will also cut back on some of the lesser Clinical Response codes. We had one a week ago where they simply needed lift help getting a patient back in bed.

We already have a code strong in place for the violent patient. We would like to add another type of code for nursing support. Here is the example of the situation that prompted this: The hospital was in a code 3 capacity (basically patients in every bed and all holding areas). We had 8 tele patients remotely monitored on a medical unit. One of the tele patients seized and a CT scan showed a head bleed. There were no ICU bed and the patient needed to be transfered to a neuro hospital. There were ongoing issues with this nurses other 3 patients, and she needed assistance that was not given by the other floor nurses. Next time we have this happen we would like to call a nursing support "code" and responders would be nurses from various areas who are not busy and can lend a hand i.e calling family, copying chart, running for meds, sending off stat labs, and assisting with the other patients included in this assignment until the primary nurse can reassume their care.

We are trying to establish a mini swat type policy or a code set up for staff to use when they need extra assistance on the floor. We have been having issues with nurses being overwhelmed and needing assistance, but not at the level of calling for a Clinical Response Team (which is typically a pre-code blue call). I had heard of other hospitals setting up something like a Code White, where any available staff could respond and assist an overwhelmed staff member. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm on the committee trying to establish the policy and am looking for other hospitals models Thanks!