Newman institutes Team-nursing model
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 01:16 p.m., May 22, 2008
Updated 01:16 p.m., May 22, 2008
Newman Regional Health’s inpatient numbers continue to be in the red as the number of patient days in the hospital continues to be lower than expected.
The hospital’s April financial report was discussed during Wednesday’s board of trustees meeting. Inpatient revenues were below the budgeted amount for April by $208,941. The report stated the majority of that amount is attributed to decreased nursery, skilled and rehab patient days.
Outpatient revenues, however, were over budget by $377,607 for April. This is due mainly to increased surgeries.
In other business, Paula Taylor, assistant administrator of clinical services at Newman, gave board members a report on a new model of team nursing the hospital implemented this week. Nurses will be divided into teams depending on which hallway they are working on in the hospital. Each wing will be assigned a team that will consist of a team leader and, depending on census, each team leader will be assigned a licensed practical nurse and an aide. The team leader’s role is to do hourly rounds, doctor rounds, handle IV push medications and doctor notification, note orders, medications and care and assess patient activity.
The LPN’s role is to assess patient activity, do hourly rounds, distribute medication and treatments and do doctor rounds. The CNA’s role is to do rounds, take vital signs, give baths, help with meals and feedings, pass out snacks and do room maintenance.
There also will be a ward clerk and a charge nurse. The charge nurse does doctors’ rounds if team leaders are not available, assigns staff into teams, assists with checking orders and verifying medication, does admission assignment to teams (bed placement), assists with admissions, trouble shooting and adjusts team composition as well as doing hourly rounds.
Taylor said the rounds are particularly important. She said the call-light usage in other hospitals decreased by 70 to 80 percent when patients knew somebody would be around hourly to attend to their needs.
newme314 (anonymous) says...
This all may be well and good in theory. As a former employee of Newmans I have seen the stress of the floors. During low census days a CNA or a nurse can ge floated to another unit, so this will not work.
May 22, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )