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CS419
Shared Governance as a Catalyst for Success in a Small Community Hospital ICU
By: M. Gooding & R. Lindsey; Seton Northwest Hospital; Texas
For further information, please contact: mgooding@seton.org
Purpose: With the current nursing shortage, retention of qualified experienced staff is more important than ever. A small ICU in a community hospital is more dependent on staff expertise and stability than a larger hospital with an abundance of ancillary support.
Description: In an effort to retain motivated experienced staff, bedside nurses and management have chosen to implement shared governance to help manage our ICU. Our ICU unit council met to identify issues important to staff. Communication, autonomy, self-scheduling, unit design, patient care excellence based on evidence-based practice, and emphasis on education, continual learning, and recognition were priority. Nurses were given the opportunity and were expected to take roles in committees or projects, based on their interests and expertise. Each staff member received email access and was encouraged to keep colleagues updated on projects or education. Nurses in our satellite hospital ICU expressed a desire to participate in the latest initiatives and programs started by our network’s flagship hospital, such as a critical response team, multidisciplinary rounds, and hypothermia, sepsis, and insulin protocols. Staff chose to mentor each other as well as new nurses, and nurses from other units. One staff nurse proposed to act as an information liaison between the flagship hospital ICU and our ICU. Our unit staff decided to participate and have a voice in committees network-wide and in the local AACN.
Evaluation and Outcomes: Because of our staff-driven, management supported shared governance system, our ICU has very low turnover, and staff are motivated to give outstanding patient care and to participate in activities to help the unit succeed. Our CCRN percentage has increased by 100%. Our VAP and pressure ulcer rates are low. We hope to set up an ICU website in the future, work on a research project, and are in the process of applying for Beacon.
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