| Tuesday, July 8, 2008: 1:15 PM-2:30 PM | |||
| Optimizing Nursing Quality and Outcomes through Best Practice Teams | |||
| Learning Objective #1: Discuss an innovative model in nursing quality that is based in evidence based practice. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify outcomes achieved through the use of the BEst Practice Model. | |||
| A Best Practice Council was created for targeting quality areas of concern in patient safety and continuity of care through an interdisciplinary evidenced based practice model. The establishment of a Best Practice Council was used as the vehicle for identifying potential or actual areas of problems, assessing current practice, and making recommendations for change. This committee replaced the traditional nursing quality council with a group committed to convene, charge and direct small interdisciplinary work teams that attacked specific areas. Five teams were identified to assess current practice and data results; review the current research and evidence related to the practice; and make recommendations for changes in policy and practice. This process was anticipated to take 4-6 months per team. When the work of the current teams was completed, new teams for new target areas will be identified. The first teams were assigned to study best practice in (1) pressure ulcer assessment and prevention; (2) blood stream infection prevention (related to central lines); (3) patient falls prevention; (4) hand-off communication; and (5) discharge instructions for heart failure patients. The team members used an evidence based practice model to focus concerns and questions, search for relevant evidence and determine the applicability and feasibility of necessary changes. The findings of each team varied. For example, the Hand-off Communication Best Practice Team spearheaded an entire change in the process of communication between caregivers and departments with completely new forms and procedures. The Blood Stream Infection Best Practice Team found the current policies and procedures required only minor updates based on the literature. The issues were inconsistency of practice across all the patient care areas. The success of the teams can be attributed to clear direction, an aggressive timeline and the short-term commitment required of the teams members keeps the group focused and on track. | |||
| Symposium Organizer: | Cheryl Novak Lindy, PhD | ||
| Symposium Presenters: | Claudia DiSabatino Smith, RN, MSN, CNA, BC Kimberly Rich, RNC, MS, GNP-BC | ||
| Fall Prevention Best Practice Team Cheryl Novak Lindy, PhD | |||
| Blood Stream Infection Prevention Best Practice Team Claudia DiSabatino Smith, RN, MSN, CNA, BC | |||
| Pressure Ulcer Prevention Best Practice Team Kimberly Rich, RNC, MS, GNP-BC, Susan Wieners, RN, BSN, WOCN | |||