Abstract | March 2, 2021
Integrating Shared Governance Principle with Real-Time Technology To Improve Infection Rates In A Large Burn Center With Patients Of Varying Acuity Levels
Learning Objectives
- Identify a nursing best practice that serves to empower nursing staff while contributing to nurse staff retention;
- Discuss how integration of technology can assist in aiding nursing staff to identify areas of concern related to CLABSIs and CAUTIs.
Methods: This is a nursing Quality Improvement project. Shared governance in the form of unit-based councils created within all of our patient care units has proven to be part of the equation for improved infection rates in all units. Our number of CAUTI AND CLABIS from 2018-2019 were reduced, we significantly reduced the number of device days (hospital-wide) for both foleys and central lines, which was also a goal. Through extensive nursing education, utilizing nurse driven protocol for foley removal, increased use of bladder scanning (each unit now has their own bladder scanner) and teaching about de-descalation of central lines/PICC lines as soon as possible, we have been able to reduce our device days overall. Alongside this nursing best practice, a new nursing data portal that allows for real time data collection to identify breaks in protocol with regards to central line and foley maintenance leading to CAUTIs and CLABSIs was also implemented, which allowed nursing to have direct impact on achieving success.
Results: (see tables also) Percent Change 2018 – 2019 CAUTI BU = 83% decrease, 3E burn = 100% decrease, 4W burn = 100% decrease Overall decrease = 90% CLABSI BU = 85%, 3E burn = 67% increase, 4W burn = no change Overall decrease = 78%.
Conclusion: Implementation of nursing best practice efforts such as shared governance and unit-based councils, coupled with cutting edge technological resources directly contribute to improved infection rate outcomes. Another result of these efforts is the overall positivity fostered among nursing staff, boosting their sense of empowerment and creating better retention rates in all our units.
References and Resources
- Bradbury-Jones C., Sambrook S. & Irvine F. (2008) Power and empowerment in nursing: a fourth theoretical approach. Journal of Advanced Nursing 62 (2), 258–266.
- Bogue, RJ., et. al., (2009) Shared governance as vertical alignment of nursing group power and nurse
