COVID-19 RN Workflow: Leveraging Interprofessional and Staff Partnerships in Complex and Continually Evolving Clinical Practice
Topic of Interest
Capture Value of the CNS
Interprofessional Collaboration
Abstract
COVID-19 RN Workflow: Leveraging Interprofessional and Staff Partnerships in Complex and Continually Evolving Clinical Practice
Significance & Background
As science rapidly evolved in the treatment for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) there were constant changes to hospital best-practice guidelines. The institution’s COVID-19 intranet site housed over 200 documents, many with significant nursing practice implications. The pace of change and multitude of documents threatened patient safety, care, and outcomes. Nurses seeking current up-to-date clinical guidelines found it challenging to navigate the intranet site. The need for a comprehensive, easily accessible source of truth became critical. The unit-based Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) played an integral role in creating a succinct Inpatient Nursing Workflow and intranet site for frontline staff.
Evaluation Methods
Due to multiple constantly changing documents on the intranet, staff consolidated information by creating their own tip-sheets, workflows, and signage, thus reducing adherence to best-practice recommendations. Through rounding, in-person education, Shared Leadership Council (SLC) and Unit Educator (UE) collaboration, the unit-based CNS, in conjunction with the Nursing Professional Development Specialist team, optimized the delivery of practice changes. Their unified approach resulted in a streamlined and centralized Inpatient Nursing Workflow that incorporated guidelines from various interprofessional departments to clearly guide nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.
Outcomes
The revised “COVID-19 Inpatient Nursing Workflow” incorporated feedback from staff and operational leaders, as well as content developed by other disciplines that impacted nursing. This all-encompassing workflow became one of the most highly visited COVID-19 documents on the organization’s intranet site, exceeding 1400 views over 3 months. Additional rounding and continued engagement of staff through SLC and UE Forums has further solidified the importance of this standardized Inpatient Nursing Workflow. This is evidenced by staff using this workflow as their source for best practices and no longer creating their own content. Staff also escalate practice gaps to the appropriate interprofessionals.
Implications
Constant adjustments to workflows and guidelines can easily create silos and gaps in best-practice application. Interprofessional collaboration and frontline engagement is integral to timely dissemination of, and adherence to, practices changes. The partnership between the unit-based CNS and NPDS helped connect frontline staff with interprofessional clinical guidelines that impact nursing care. Identifying gaps and consolidating information into an easily accessible document allows for fluid, transparent, and rapid information dissemination, providing a reliable source of information for staff in an ever-changing environment.