New Knowledge, Innovations, and Research
As an academic medical center and Magnet organization, we embrace new knowledge, innovation, and research – each of which plays a vital role in the current and future state of medicine and patient care. UT Southwestern nurses at all levels seek new knowledge and current evidence to frame their practice in leadership, clinical education, advanced practice, and direct patient care. Structures and processes have been developed and implemented to involve more nurses in the research process, and new nursing knowledge gained through research efforts and contributions is regularly disseminated.
The Nursing Research Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center has three strong departments supporting nursing research throughout our organization, along with a variety of resources to help support integration of current evidence into practice. The UT Southwestern Health Sciences Digital Library and Learning Center provides electronic, web, and personnel resources to assist with searching and acquiring relevant evidence to guide and transform our professional nursing practice.
Neuroscience Nursing Research Center
The Neuroscience Nursing Research Center (NNRC) opened in 2013 and is dedicated to ensuring that nurses at all levels can provide vital research contributions to caring for patients with a neurological illness. Under the leadership of Director DaiWai M. Olson, Ph.D., RN, FNCS, the NNRC provides guidance to nurses who are interested in engaging in research by leveraging and coordinating existing research- related resources.
NNRC Leadership:
DaiWai Olson, Ph.D., RN, FNCS
Director
Maria Denbow, CCRP
Lead Research Coordinator
Byron Carlisle, M.S.N., RN, SCRN
NNRC Advisory Board:
Linda Littlejohns, M.S.N., RN, FAAN
Molly McNett, Ph.D., RN
Donna Tilley, Ph.D., RN, CA-CP SANE, FAAN
In 2024, NNRC nurses were listed as authors on 45 peer-reviewed publications, 49 scientific abstracts, and 41 platform presentations at conferences in eight U.S. states and nine foreign countries (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Germany, India, Japan, Taiwan, and Zambia). Also, during 2024, the NNRC welcomed Yuan Li, Ph.D., RN (Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China), who started her 12-month visiting research scholarship at UTSW in November.
Advanced Practice Providers Research Program
The Office of Advanced Practice Providers (OAPP) continues to innovate and enhance APP engagement in scholarly endeavors. Building on the progress made since creating of the APP Research, Quality Improvement and Evidence-Based Practice Committee in 2021, the OAPP has strongly encouraged APPs to participate in scholarly activities, a push that was significantly advanced by the launch of the APP Incentive Plan in 2023. This plan integrates scholarly initiatives into the professional contribution domain, providing motivation and recognition for APPs to participate in scholarly work.
In FY 2024, the impact of these efforts was substantial. APPs reported active involvement in 347 presentations, either by podium, by poster, or virtually; 95 publications, including manuscripts in article, book chapter, or book formats; and 373 QI, EBP, or research projects, either as a leader or collaborator.
Additionally, we are proud to report that two APP fellows graduated from the 2023 Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder cohort, and four APP fellows are currently enrolled in the program. Led by Christopher Roe, D.N.P., M.B.A., CENP, APRN, ACNP-BC, the program is a collaborative effort of the OAPP and the Department of Psychiatry, supported by funding from a Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) grant. This grant will continue to fund postgraduate training for APPs in mental health and substance use disorder through 2028.
In addition to the overall APP numbers reported above, our APRN-specific contributions in 2024 were:
- Publications = 55
- Presentations = 232
- QI, EBP, and Research = 212
- Research = 4 (this includes where the APRN was a PI or Co-PI and the study was a nursing-initiated idea or with equal collaboration with a physician or physician assistant)
- Grants = 1 (HRSA grant of $2.5 million for 2023-2028)
Magnet Program and Nursing Research Department
After merging the Magnet and Nursing Research programs in 2022, UT Southwestern is on the upswing and continues to expand nursing research efforts throughout the organization. The Magnet Program and Nursing Research Department’s goal is to broaden opportunities and resources for every nurse to pursue research and scholarly activities throughout the UT Southwestern Health System in every patient care setting. Cultivating and instilling nursing research expertise, in a framework of nursing administrative support, affirms the value UTSW places on both research and excellence in professional nursing.
The expansion of nursing research efforts reaches throughout local nursing schools. Our academic partnership with Texas Christian University (TCU) is an example. Through the TCU Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship, fellows attend hybrid sessions scheduled with TCU faculty and have UTSW mentors who assist them with their PICO (population, intervention, control, and outcomes) question, linked to organizational goals and mission. The fellow and nurse leaders together develop the clinical question, nursing strategic plan, and patient performance indicator to enhance clinical practice and outcomes. In September 2024, five fellows graduated at TCU: Kateleen Collins, B.S.N., RN; Maddie Leimbach, B.S.N., RN; Unni Mary Kurian, RN; Hunter Jackson, RN; and Amy John, B.S.N., RN-BC. For our 2024 cohort, we accepted eight TCU EBP fellows, which is our largest to date.
Fellow |
Specialty |
Mentor |
|---|---|---|
Sara Biscotto, B.S.N., RNC-EPM |
Maternal and Neonate Quality Program |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Madeleine Curran, B.S.N., RN, OCN |
Clinic SCC HemOnc Infusion |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Sheryll Anne Lazaro, B.S.N. |
Emergency Department |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Lillian Otieno, B.S.N., RN |
Rapid Response Team |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN |
Sandy Page, M.S.N., RN, OCN |
Unit-Based Educator |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Audra Rabroker, LMSW, ACM, CMAC, CBIS |
Care Coordination |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN |
Amie Swindle, M.S.N., RN, CPPS |
Patient Safety |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN |
Marites Yanto, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN |
6 Orange – Med/Surg |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN |
In Spring 2024, the Magnet Program and Nursing Research Department celebrated the first QI Fellowship graduation during Research Day for three fellows: Providence Mathew, M.S.N., RN, RN-BC; Rincey Daniel, B.S.N., RN, CMSRN; and Sini John, B.S.N., RN, CCRN. The team continues to collaborate with the Office of Quality, Safety, and Outcomes Education and accepted 14 fellows this year. The 2024 QI Fellowship comprised a one-week QI Bootcamp in June that included lectures, discussions, and applications of QI and systems engineering (SE) methodologies to project activities in group settings. Following the bootcamp, fellows were tasked with developing and implementing a department, unit, or organizational project leading to new processes of patient care delivery and enhanced outcomes. The fellows’ final projects will be showcased internally at the UTSW Celebration of Excellence and possibly published in academic journals or presented at industry conferences. Fellowship graduation will be held during Nurses Week in May 2025.
Fellow |
Specialty |
Mentor |
|---|---|---|
Sheryl Bartlett, B.S.N., RN |
After-Hours Triage |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN Teresa Phan, M.S.H.C.M., M.S.I.T.M., CLSSGB, PMP |
Taylor Branch, B.S.N., RN |
Internal Medicine Subspecialties Clinic |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Madison McEwen, B.S.N., RNC-NIC |
5 Green NICU |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN Teresa Phan, M.S.H.C.M., M.S.I.T.M., CLSSGB, PMP |
Katherine Medica, B.S.N., RN, CRRN |
Ambulatory Clinic Kidney & Liver Disease |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN Teresa Phan, M.S.H.C.M., M.S.I.T.M., CLSSGB, PMP |
Christa Montague, B.S.N., RN |
Ob/Gyn – Center for Women’s Preventive Health Care |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN Teresa Phan, M.S.H.C.M., M.S.I.T.M., CLSSGB, PMP |
Marco Pataray, B.S.N., RN, OCN |
11 Green – Oncology |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Ciji Saju, M.S.N. |
8 Blue MICU |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Ashley Torgerson, B.S.N., RN |
Ambulatory Medicine Infusion Center, RedBird |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Janine York, M.S.N., RN, RNC-OB |
5 Blue Delivery Room |
Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN |
Lauren Rae Moseley, B.S.N., RN, CNOR Rosevir Joy S. Penaflorida, M.S.N., RN, CNOR James G. Tucker, O.D., M.B.A., M.S.N. |
CUH OR |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN Jose Alejandro-White, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC, CCM, CNE, FACHE, FAAN Teresa Phan, M.S.H.C.M., M.S.I.T.M., CLSSGB, PMP |
Ashraf Rajani, M.S.N. Tawuana Willie, RN |
Home Health |
Ramona Baucham, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S.O.R.D., RN |
As research interest and skills populate throughout clinical settings at UTSW, the Magnet Program and Nursing Research Department continues to grow as a center of research-intensive activities and to provide the skills and capacity to pay it forward by mentoring and inspiring more nurses to think differently, ask the right questions, and pursue research.
UT Southwestern’s Nursing Research Fellowship program was established in 2021 to prepare nursing professionals from multiple specialties for nursing research. Fellows are immersed in the nursing research process, from the clinical question to the study initiation, including regulatory and compliance components. The goal is for clinical nurses to understand that evidence is essential to nursing practice and that every nursing specialty can apply research to improve an agreed-upon department/unit level/organizational goal to enhance patient care and clinical practice and build the nursing body of science. UT Southwestern’s three Nursing Research fellows and their mentors in 2024 were:
Fellow |
Specialty |
Mentor |
|---|---|---|
Sonia Joseph, M.S.N., B.S.N., RN |
8 Orange ASU |
Linda Denke, Ph.D., RN, CCRC Yingzi Zhang, Ph.D., RN |
Cynthia Porcari, M.S.N., RN, CNOR |
Health System Patient Safety |
Linda Denke, Ph.D., RN, CCRC Yingzi Zhang, Ph.D., RN |
Savannah Silvas, B.S.N., RN, CCRN |
2 Orange SICU |
Linda Denke, Ph.D., RN, CCRC Yingzi Zhang, Ph.D., RN |
Nursing-Led Research in 2024
Throughout 2024, UT Southwestern nurses were involved in research and evidence-based practice initiatives in specialized areas. As in recent years, our ongoing nursing research studies have increased exponentially. Nursing research leaders review the annual research needs assessment and all nurses’ submissions and recommend research mentors, when appropriate, to cultivate the next generation of nurse researchers.
Outcomes |
2024 |
|
|---|---|---|
Research Studies (Ongoing) |
58 |
|
Research Studies (Completed) |
9 |
|
Nursing TCU EBP (Evidence-Based Practice) Fellowship |
8 |
|
Nursing Research Fellowship |
3 |
|
Neuroscience Nursing Research Fellowship |
9 |
|
Grant |
1 |
Disseminations of Research in 2024
The Neuroscience Nursing Research Center, Office of Advanced Practice Providers, and Magnet Program and Nursing Research Department lead and support multiple research studies and projects. Accomplishments include various disseminations and collaborations of research in peer-reviewed journals and podium and poster presentations.
Outcomes |
2024 |
|
|---|---|---|
Poster/Podium Presentations |
330 |
|
Publications |
107 |
Rapid Intelligence: Leveraging AI for Early Identification of Patient Deterioration
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) is a dedicated inpatient medical emergency response team at Clements University Hospital (CUH) and Zale Lipshy Pavilion. Its goal is managing active emergencies, while also focusing on preventing them by intervening early to avoid Rapid Response or Code Blue activations. For the past decade, the team has utilized the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) to identify patients at risk of deterioration. However, MEWS, a 25-year-old system, uses input such as vital signs, oxygen supplementation requirement, and level of consciousness, making it limited. With the increasing complexity and acuity of patients at CUH, the team recognized the need for a more sophisticated tool to leverage Epic’s rich data, prompting the formation of a workgroup to find a MEWS alternative.
Led by Chair and Medical Director Leah Cohen, M.D., the RRT’s Watchlist workgroup was formed in January 2023 with these goals:
- Conduct a gap analysis to identify areas for improvement in using MEWS.
- Formulate education to increase staff understanding and usage of MEWS.
- Explore new alternatives to MEWSPilot to use as a new tool.
This large-scale project required multidisciplinary support, with regular membership from IR, the Quality and Operational Excellence team, RRT leadership, critical care advanced practitioners and physicians, pharmacists, nurses from RRT, and key pilot units such as the 8 Green Pulmonary Unit at CUH.
The workgroup began by performing a thorough gap analysis of MEWS and surveyed staff on its purpose. Based on the findings, the workgroup designed and implemented nursing and PCT-focused education for the nursing and PCT onboarding programs. The team also worked with IR and Epic specialists to improve MEWS visibility in Epic and streamline charting for greater accuracy.
Over the past year, the focus shifted to augmented usage of MEWS. The workgroup performed a literature review on existing machine-learning tools and evaluated options such as the Rothman Index and the Epic Deterioration Index (DI).
After careful deliberation, the workgroup decided to move forward with the DI tool, which is a machine-learning algorithm integrated into Epic. It analyzes various data, such as vital signs, demographics, lab values, imaging, past medical and surgical history, recent nursing assessments, and even patient self-reported data from health devices. Validated from multiple institutions, the DI tool has proven effective in identifying patients who need earlier care escalation. By adopting the DI tool, we aim to refine the rounding process, detect deterioration sooner, and prevent critical events such as Code Blue.
Over the summer of 2024, we launched the DI tool in Epic, performed test runs, and observed its stability and consistency. Currently, we are pilot testing the concurrent use of the DI tool alongside MEWS with select RRT RNs involved in the project over the next two or three months.
The goal is to investigate if the DI offers additional benefits in triaging deteriorating patients or predicting deterioration earlier than MEWS. Ultimately, the workgroup aims to publish its findings from this initiative in a peer-reviewed journal.
Chair: Leah Cohen, M.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Facilitators:
- Ambrose Muchiri, B.S.N., RN, CCRN, RRT Manager
- Lillian Otieno, B.S.N., RN, RRT Assistant Nurse Manager
- Kathrina Siaron, B.S.N., RN, CCRN, SCRN, RRT Assistant Nurse Manager
Reducing Fatigue from Alarms and Alerts in an Acute Stroke Unit and Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
In-patient hospitals have traditionally relied on auditory alarms to alert nursing staff to patient emergencies, deteriorating patient conditions, or patient requests. Nurses in the ASU and EMU progressive care units are exposed to numerous sounds, tones, and pitches throughout the shift. Nurses have difficulty distinguishing alarm sounds, which can lead to desensitization and delayed or missed responses over time. Overlooked critical alarms jeopardize patient safety.
We initiated a study aimed at identifying all alarm sounds on the ASU/EMU units and establishing a clear distinction among critical alarms, such as the seizure alarm, and other alarm sounds. Our thought was that this distinction would significantly enhance patient safety by ensuring that critical alarms are promptly and accurately responded to, reducing the risk of harm.
The most common alarm on our unit was Vocera, the hands-free communication device that all staff utilize each shift. A Vocera analytics report from June 2022 through November 2022 showed an average of 5,480 alarms, 240,126 alerts, 384,460 calls, and 619,755 messages played on the ASU/EMU unit each month, with an average of 1,249,841 total interruptions or noises coming from Vocera on the unit each month.
These data were presented to the ASU/EMU Unit-Based Council (UBC), which initiated a trial of interventions to mitigate staff alarm fatigue. The interventions included patient reeducation on the correct usage of call lights, collaboration with therapy teams to use secure chat for planning patient care activities instead of Vocera calls, and the implementation of the “Do Not Disturb” function and buddy system to facilitate uninterrupted staff breaks. Furthermore, the Nursing Informatics team adjusted the Vocera Pathway settings to exclude noncritical Vocera alerts and alarms from every member of the unit.
After the UBC interventions were implemented, we analyzed the number of Vocera interruptions on the unit from March 2023 to November 2023. The findings showed an average of 8,187 monthly alerts, 8,408 monthly calls, and 31,915 interruptions. The total number of interruptions included a single triggering alert, such as a seizure alarm, sent only to all staff logged in during a shift. This is a significant decrease compared to data collected from November 2022.
Contributors:
- Kaitlyn Dupriest, M.B.A., B.S.N., RN, CCRN
- Sheena John, B.S.N.
- Sonia Joseph, M.S.N., B.S.N., RN
Reduction of Pyxis Overrides on 5 Blue
The electronic tracking of override counts for nursing leadership suggested that Labor and Delivery consistently ranked among the top three units weekly and was the top unit systemwide for Pyxis medication overrides. This highlighted the need for leadership to address barriers and improve our process to reduce Pyxis overrides.
In 2023, the total number of Pyxis overrides in Labor and Delivery, including Pyxis A and Pyxis B, was 3,014. We recruited a bedside nurse, Sara Biscotto, RN, who was passionate about leading this project with the goal of reducing overrides by 50% by the end of 2024.
Sara identified key causes leading to override medications, noting that most involved emergent medications for postpartum hemorrhage and preeclampsia. Collaborating with the medical director, she updated L&D order sets to include these emergency medications, along with repeat doses, as pro re nata (PRN), meaning “as needed.” She also educated staff during meetings on the importance of minimizing medication overrides when possible.
Maternal Program Manager Audrey Thompson, B.S.N., RN, RNC-OB, C-ONQS, led an initiative that also identified opportunities to improve the workflow of the Newborn Admission Nurse Role (6 Blue) to ensure newborn medications are verified rather than overridden. This plan of action received strong support from 6 Blue Leadership.
Through the collaboration with unit leadership, pharmacists, medical providers, and the informatics team, Sara received strong support for updating the order sets and workflow and implementing these changes in Epic.
This project began in January 2024. Overrides for the first three quarters of 2024 totaled 684, with a projection of 912 for 2024 – well below our goal of 1,507 or fewer total overrides. Data were collected from the Tableau report “Override Count for Nurse Leadership,” based on UH05Blue LD Pyxis A and UH05Blue LD Pyxis B. Efforts are ongoing to reduce the overrides number.
Contributors:
- Sara Biscotto, B.S.N., RN, RNC-EFM
- Jamie Morgan, M.D., Maternal Program Medical Director
- Audrey Thompson, B.S.N., RN, RNC-OB, C-ONQS, Maternal Program Manager
- Janine York, M.S.N., RN, RNC-OB
Aromatherapy Initiative for Sleep Disturbance in Geriatric Patients
The global population of older adults is growing rapidly, increasing health care demands, and posing significant implications for health care systems worldwide.
Sleep disturbances are a common challenge faced by hospitalized older adults, leading to functional decline and cognitive impairment. Adequate sleep is crucial for health, aiding recovery from fatigue and stress, while insufficient sleep can result in fatigue, depression, and cognitive decline. However, pharmacological treatments for these issues may carry risks of adverse effects. To address sleep disturbances holistically, unit 12 Blue implemented aromatherapy, a proven method to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety, stress, and fatigue in older adults. Lavender essential oil, in particular, has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing sleep quality and alleviating anxiety and pain. Aromatherapy offers a patient-centered, nonpharmacological approach to managing sleep disturbances, allowing patients to continue this practice at home.
The Aromatherapy Initiative aimed to improve the quality of sleep among hospitalized older adults, addressing common sleep disturbances that significantly contribute to functional decline and cognitive impairment.
The initiative was based on the understanding that older adults often face multiple stressors during hospitalization, including unfamiliar surroundings, medical procedures, and disruptions to their daily routines. These factors can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and lead to significant sleep issues. Lavender essential oil is renowned for its calming properties and has been shown in numerous studies to help induce sleep and improve sleep quality. By integrating aromatherapy into the care of older adults, we sought to foster a peaceful and soothing environment within the hospital setting.
An evidence-based practice project led by Lincy Babu, M.S.N., RN, RN-BC, CMSRN, on 12 Blue was conducted, affirming that aromatherapy improved sleep quality and duration for older patients. Several key steps were taken to ensure the project’s success, including reviewing literature on the benefits of lavender essential oil, collaborating with the geriatric program coordinator to order the necessary oils and diffusers, and discussing sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment among older patients with nursing staff and patient care techs. This collaboration ensured the intervention was rooted in our everyday clinical practice. Nurses assessed individual patients' needs and explained to them the benefits of aromatherapy.
Staff were trained in proper application techniques and best practices for creating a relaxing atmosphere for patients. Following preparation, the initiative was launched on a designated unit. Once the nurse completed an assessment and determined a patient would benefit from the diffuser, it was set up in the patient’s room. Nurses tailored the use of aromatherapy based on individual patient needs, preferences, and medical conditions, enhancing patient engagement in their care.
The Aromatherapy Initiative significantly improved patients’ sleep quality, mood, and anxiety levels, highlighting the value of holistic, patient-centered care approaches in addressing the complex needs of older adults.
This interprofessional collaboration, with nurses monitoring patients' cognition and patient care techs assessing anxiety, fostered a collaborative dialogue to optimize patient outcomes. The initiative integrated aromatherapy into geriatric care, improving patient well-being and equipping patients’ families with the knowledge needed to continue the therapy at home.
Contributors:
- Lincy Babu, M.S.N., RN, RN-BC, CMSRN
- Donna Fletcher, B.S.H.A.
- Christine Georgy, M.S.N., M.B.A., RN, GERO-BC
- Sabitha Purayil, M.S.N., RN, RN-BC, CMSRN
- Michelle Roberson, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN, GERO-BC, NE-BC
- 12 Blue Staff
Acuity Tool
The implementation of a standard patient acuity tool is essential for ensuring fair and equitable patient assignments in health care settings. With increasing patient complexity and diversity in needs, charge nurses face the challenge of balancing workloads while delivering high-quality care. A standardized acuity tool systematically categorizes patients’ clinical needs, allowing more accurate staffing decisions. It helps charge nurses balance workloads, allocate resources effectively, and promote transparency in patient assignments, fostering collaboration and understanding among health care workers. This clarity enhances job satisfaction and reduces burnout, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Clements University Hospital’s 12 Blue Unit lacked a standardized tool to capture the variety of its patients, which made it difficult for charge nurses to make patient assignments. Staff raised this concern, prompting a review of several options. Ultimately, 12 Blue adopted a new acuity tool, modified to reflect its geography, specialties, and patient needs. Implementing a standard patient acuity tool fosters a fairer, more balanced system, promoting both patient satisfaction and staff retention.
The goal of this initiative was to ensure an even distribution of workload among nurses and increase transparency regarding the acuity of each nurse’s assignment. Due to the unique geography for 12 Blue, patient rooms spread across four hallways, so another objective of this tool was to visualize and organize nurses' assignments closer to patients, gaining better accessibility.
First, we collected the acuity report sheet from other units. After careful review, we chose a tool aligned with our goal, customizing it to suit our patient population and specific needs. Our unit-based council (UBC) approved the initiative for implementation. Around the same time, an assignment template was also surveyed to complement this tool. After evaluating and testing multiple options, an acuity tool was chosen that is easy to use, reliable, and productive. It, too, was introduced and explained to the UBC, and charge nurses received individual training on its use. After implementation, staff provided feedback both individually and in groups, and subsequently this initiative was welcomed and integrated into our workflow without hesitation.
Following implementation, we have seen increased transparency of patient acuity and assignments, which fosters a more unified work environment. This initiative has benefited charge nurses by providing a comprehensive view of patients and their geographic locations. Charge nurses are able to make assignments with increased confidence and a clear view of each patient’s acuity. With this increased transparency, nurses understand everyone’s acuity and are assured assignments are made fairly, which has also improved teamwork among staff and a sense of understanding and compassion for each other. Overall, this initiative promoted a sense of assurance and clarity in the unit.
Contributors:
- Lincy Babu, M.S.N., RN, RN-BC, CMSRN
- Stefanie Crain, B.S.N., RN, GERO-BC
- Christine Georgy, M.S.N., M.B.A., RN, GERO-BC
- Sabitha Purayil, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN, RN-BC
- Michelle Roberson, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN, GERO-BC, NE-BC
- Jessica Yi, B.S.N., RN, GERO-BC
