Putting The “A” Game Back in Team

Project Topic:

Optimizing collaboration between RNs and nursing assistants to improve patient care

Hospital, City and State:

Providence Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington

Unit:

Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU)

CSI Participants:

• Victoria Sandoval BSN, RN
• Daniel Tamayo DNP, FNP-BC
• Alyssa Verlinnich BSN, RN

Project Goals/Objectives:

1. Increase AACN Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT)1 True Collaboration score >3
2. Staff report 50% usage of the communication tool
3. 50% or greater use and review of checklists
4. Decrease in repeated and unexpected call-outs
5. Decrease the occurrence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) 50%

Project Outcomes:

1. Increased HWEAT True Collaboration score from 2.72 to 3.85
2. All HWEAT standard scores increased
3. Decreased HAPIs from 8 to 5
4. These outcomes resulted in a positive estimated annual fiscal impact of $65,282

Project Overview:

Based upon the HWEAT results the CSI team identified True Collaboration as the project focus between the RNs and the nursing assistants. The CSI team created a “brain sheet” for the nursing assistants to help inform them about patient care. The sheet was used on the unit and also shared with float pool nursing assistants that came to work on the unit. The team identified that the sheet was not being used effectively and redosed the project at month 10. The CSI team also created a Sharepoint site for newer staff with selfcare and professional development resources.