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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