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NOPH Unit Council Program

Partnering for Excellence

Unit based practice councils that promote shared decision making for unit activities & ensures evidenced-based practice(s)

Provides communication between floor staff & leadership

Teaches & promotes shared decision making on the unit

Lead pilot projects for care improvements Encourages and supports professional

growth & a healthy work environment

What is a Unit Council?

• Staff are encouraged to participate in organization-wide decision making

• Staff ownership & responsibility for decision making is encouraged

• Interdependence & cooperation between management & staff are promoted

• Autonomy & professional development are promoted

• Trust, respect, & open/honest communication is facilitated

Importance of a “Shared Governance”

Higher retention rates Lower levels of job strain & “burnout” Fewer psychosomatic complaints Positive patient outcomes Improved peer relationships Consistent practices Improved understanding of other

departments Leadership development of nursing staff Improved staff & administration

understanding Improved teamwork

Benefits of a Shared Governance

Identify, investigate, & determine solutions for clinical practice & patient care delivery issues at the unit level& within the sphere of influence

Provides the structure for shared decision-making between unit management & staff

Unit Council-Purpose

The goal of Unit Council is for nurses and TPW’s to communicate and collaborate identifying strategies to improve nursing practice in the unit, hospital, and even across the state health system.

Goal

Membership-RNs, LPNs, TPWs Chaired by: the selected Unit Council Chairman (voted by peers)

Structure

Quality Patient Satisfaction Education Clinical Practice

Responsibility Scope

Identify an Issue or a Problem Gather Data Design a Solution Obtain Feedback Finalize a Proposal Implement Evaluate Report

How it works

Review practice standards/policies as assigned by Nursing Executive

Determine educational & measurement needs for practice changes

Review unit level outcomes including patient safety & quality data

Make recommendations for unit/service PI projects

Answer the question: "What areas are impacted by this idea or change?"

Ensure that communication to individual units occurs

Responsibilities

Unit problem-solving forum-reviews pertinent data & develops action plans to resolve issues

Unit staff empowerment for decision-making-define & implement decision-making process

Develop & implement a process for staff to present issues, problems, or information for unit council consideration/resolution

Establish a mechanism of communication between staff, unit council & hospital wide stakeholders

Responsibilities

Foster & support unit recruitment & retention activities

Develops a unit council code of conduct Assist council structure to identify workgroups

& task forces Establish ground rules for meetings Establish leadership

Responsibilities

Determine meeting times Develop unit council meeting agenda Record attendance Record meeting minutes Report to nursing leadership quarterly Present proposed changes to Nurse

Executive

Responsibilities

Determine patient care specific standards (final approval is DON)

Communicate recommendations for changes, education and PI

Make recommendations for unit-based PI & education activities (DON to facilitate assignments)

Disseminate information to unit

Authority

Shared decision making is a journey, not an event. It is not achieved overnight, and there is no conclusion –no point when it is fully in place. It only provides a foundation for further growth.

Tim Porter O’Grady