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Bedside nurses focus on high-quality patient care

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, March 18, 2008

The medical-surgical unit nurses at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, IN--an ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® recipient in 2003-focus on bringing quality patient care to the bedside, and have developed standards for nursing care in three key areas:

1. Diabetes patients: Medical-surgical unit nurses scan diabetic patients' armbands every 15 minutes as they document that their blood sugar was checked. The unit records around 170 patient's blood sugars each month, and the nursing staff met the standard for scanning each patient's armband every 15 minutes during August 2007, says Sharon Taylor, RN, BSN, CMSRN, case manager. Because of this success, the nurse manager rewarded staff with T-shirts that read, "Every patient, every day, every time."

2. Medication reconciliation: When patients come to the medical-surgical unit, nursing staff make a list of their medications in the computer and the physician considers whether to hold or discontinue each medication. At discharge, the nursing staff uses this updated medication list to teach patients about each of their medications and make sure patients have the exact list of medications to be taking.

3. Pressure ulcers: To reduce pressure ulcers, the medical-surgical unit has a standing order that allows bedside nurses to care for patients with skin problems by turning them and using skin care products without having to call a physician first.

   Source: Sharon Taylor, RN, BSN, CMSRN, case manager on the medical-surgical unit at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, IN.

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