Learning Objective #1: 1. Discuss concept of high-acuity transplant unit. | |||
Learning Objective #2: 2. Describe the strategies for successful implementation of a high-acuity transplant unit. |
To address this issue, a new innovative clinical practice is to keep patient in the same room from admission to discharge regardless of acuity. The High-Acuity Transplant Unit was conceived to improve patient satisfaction of kidney transplant patients. A transdisciplinary team composed of Associate Chief of Nursing, Nursing Director, Clinical Nurse Specialist, managers, clinical leader and a nurse educator was convened to develop strategy for successful implementation. Benchmarking was sought with like institutions for evidence-based practices in the nation. The initiative was fully supported by hospital leadership. This educational activity will share the evidence-based strategies used to develop the High-Acuity Transplant Unit with an underlying goal of improving patient satisfaction. Strategies such as developing a kidney transplant nursing CORE curriculum, addressing the need for critical skills competency of the nursing staff, the logistics of the patient room, developing nurse-driven admission, discharge and transfer criteria of kidney transplant patients will be discussed.