Empowering nurses to utilize evidence for better patient care

摘要

In pockets across the United States, nurse leaders test innovations to improve care in hospitals, community settings, and the home. Nurses, for example, may develop a detailed care plan with hospitalized patients and their families to help them transition to their home or community-based care. A clinical nurse leader may be tasked with care coordination and chronic care management on a hospital floor. In other hospitals throughout the country, staff nurses who participated in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded Transforming Care at the Bedside program continue to suggest changes that they think will improve patient care. The changes are tested over a short period and are adopted if they are proven beneficial. This program has improved patient outcomes and given participating nurses leadership skills.