Monday, 7 July 2008: 10:50 AM
This presentation will focus on the use of technology and collaboration to reform education and practice at Blessing Hospital and Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing. During the 1980's and 90's the hospital and college had several multi-layered relationships including projects, consultations, research, and committee involvement. The hospital adopted a Professional Practice Framework which included partnership councils, partnering relationships, evidence-based practice, scope of practice and technology. This initiated a new step in this partnership journey among college faculty, students, hospital leaders and staff. This represented a renewed commitment to bridge the gap between academia and service in order to provide consistent, quality, and safe care for patients. The orientation and participation of students and faculty in partnerships in research, technology, knowledge-based charting, scope of practice and clinical practice guideline development will be explored. Future steps include increased integration of interdisciplinary scope of practice in the students' education. The results of surveys conducted with faculty, students, staff and patients to evaluate the impact of these technology and collaboration initiatives will be presented.