Evaluating the Clinical Practice Model's Strengths and Improvement Opportunities Using the Professional Practice Framework Assessment Survey: One Integrated Healthcare System's Experience.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study are (1) to describe the division, organizational strengths, and improvement opportunities of self-reported behaviors indicative of the multidimensional construct of professional practice and (2) to understand demographic characteristics that contributed to these strengths and improvement opportunities. BACKGROUND: Prior to implementing a system-wide interdisciplinary shared governance structure, ProHealth Care measured staff attitudes toward the multidimensional construct of professional practice as proposed within the Clinical Practice Model framework using the Professional Practice Framework Assessment Survey (PPFA-S). METHODS: Clinical and support staff were invited to share their views toward professional practice using the previously validated, reliable tool, the PPFA-S. RESULTS: Partnering relationships, scope of practice, and shared purpose were strengths. Strategies were initiated to strengthen networking councils, integrated competency, evidence-based practice, transformative capacity, and clinical tools. CONCLUSIONS: The survey identified professional practice strengths and improvement opportunities across the organization as well as factors contributing to these strengths and opportunities. These findings were useful to help guide system integration.

The Geriatric Resource Nurse Model: a culture change.

The introduction of the Geriatric Resource Nurse (GRN) Model and the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program has changed the culture at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. The number one key to successfully implementing them has been the overwhelming administrative and staff support. The following article contains an outline of the initial steps taken to implement the GRN model and a NICHE program, the way both became fully integrated into the culture of care, and evidence of positive patient and staff outcomes.