FORT GORDON, Ga. - When caregivers at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center want to improve procedures or suggest a change in policy they now use the Unit Practice Council to affect change at every level.
Unit Practice Councils are the ground level of the Patient Caring Touch System (PCTS) and have given a voice to employees at every level of patient care in the Eisenhower Army Medical Center.
The council consists of an elected group from the clinical staff, working together to improve the clinic for both patients and employees.
These elected members consist of clerks, technicians, nurses and healthcare providers gathering together under an established mission.
"The nurses work with the patient at the bedside and are able to see the processes that work or don't work, and they come to the UPC to give suggestions or a plan to correct an issue based on the evidence and patient experience," said Maj. Virginia Vardon-Smith, Critical Care Nurse Specialist.
In 2010, EAMC implemented the Patient Caring Touch System as the frame work for nursing to improve the quality of patient care, which operates under shared governance principles that allow for collaboration from the staff.
Operating under Shared Governance, there are other counsels set up similar to the chain of command.
When the UPC initiates an idea it then goes to the Nurse Practice Council, then the Nurse Leaders Council, and lastly the Nurse Executive Council for final approval.
The UPCs are where ideas begin as part of the Patient Caring Touch System that helps patients by building relationships and bonds to make the experience better for the patient.
It all begins with the lead nurse doing an assessment of the patient to get a feeling for their needs where the lead nurse gets to know the patient and asks questions aimed at improving the experience.
"Patients and their families have needs and expectations and we get to know those. It allows us to focus on the patient's own needs based on what they tell us," said Vardon-Smith.
Although there are steps to approval, the process starts with the initiating of ideas through UPC and gives a voice to proposals and changes that may have gone unnoticed.
Vardon-Smith says the UPCs are so successful because the staff sees that their words collectively allow things to be done to make changes happen in the MTF.
"Their voices are being heard and actions are being taken. It allows us to contribute and build our unit or practice as a whole. We see results. And as each unit gets better we better the organization and MEDCOM as a whole."
"PCTS and the UPCs allow us to manage talent and team nurses with patients based on experience, strengths, or styles of treatment. You can match the nurse's abilities with the patients' needs to get positive outcomes."
According to Vardon-Smith the other reason PCTS works is that with great civilian and military mentorship the unit can operate as a team.
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