New system puts patient at center of medical care

By 1st Lt. Ashley Gray, Moncrief Army Community HospitalJanuary 5, 2012

Gray
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FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- What is the new Patient Caring Touch System and why is PCTS important? Why would people care about what it is? Those are questions I was recently asked by Col. John A. Nerges, my deputy commander for nursing.

I thought about it and came to the conclusion that our beneficiaries and the people to whom we give care are the reason for the PCTS. This system will improve the lives of those entrusted to our care by creating a new standard of care. By using the PCTS, the patient is the driving force, as the doctors and nurses work together to make sure that patient receives the best care.

The vision of the PCTS is to provide efficient and cost-effective health care that makes a difference in a time of dwindling resources. PCTS is a resource that will guide the health care team in providing the best possible care to our patients, who deserve it. It provides us, the Army Nurse Corps, with a way to gauge our performance and ensure we are on track and to help us to assess how care should be provided.

PCTS is built on the core values which take us as a Nurse Corps back to the basics -- how to provide our patients with amazing care. The Army Nursing Creed defines who we are, and PCTS is how we do it. In maintaining a positive and caring culture, we are able to provide exceptional care and foster the growth of our newest team members.

With PCTS, we will proudly care for all of our patients as a team, providing compassionate and proficient care for physical and psychological wounds of our Warriors.

PCTS care teams will empower patients to be active participants in their care, providing them with the opportunity to tell the providers and nurses what they expect and what they need from them. These teams will help establish consistent care and effective communication between patients, families and their team.

This system allows team members to develop professionally. It increases awareness of and attention to nursing competence by promoting nursing accountability and responsibility.

Optimized performance includes consistent data collection and reporting of different spectrums of care and tracking quality outcomes, business practices and patient/nurse satisfaction. Skill building will enhance the quality of care and the professional development of nursing staff. Shared accountability gives the nursing team voice and ability to improve the way they give care.

PCTS is represented by a five-point star with the patient at the center block. The PCTS is the perfect way to symbolize how the Army gives five-star care to its beneficiaries, who deserve nothing but the best.

Lastly, it will keep us grounded in our Army Values, the Warrior Ethos, and the Army Nurse Corps Creed.