Releasing time to care

A new initiative which frees up nurses’ time for direct patient care is in full swing at Waikato Hospital.

‘Releasing Time to Care - Productive Wards’ focuses on improving ward processes and environments to help nurses and therapists spend more time on patient care which in turn improves safety and efficiency on the ward.

Developed by the British National Health System, ‘Releasing Time to Care - Productive Wards’  delivers ward-based care that is as efficient and effective as possible by empowering staff to be more productive.

The Ministry of Health have funded the programme licences, with the pilot occurring on two surgical wards - two and 12 - at Waikato Hospital, and is already proving to be of great benefit to patients and nurses alike.

New Zealand chief nurse advisor Mark Jones visited Waikato Hospital recently to help celebrate the launch of the programme locally, and observe the model.

“The productive ward programme empowers nurses on wards to look at how processes such as drug rounds, ward rounds and discharge work can be streamlined, allowing nurses to spend more time on direct patient care,” said project manager Ros Morell.

“It’s about looking to improve the processes of those activities, to make them less time intensive, so more time can be spent on patient care.”

She said benefits staff expect to see from the programme, include:

• Nurses getting back at least 10 per cent of their time to spend on patient care.
• Calmer wards and fewer patient complaints.
• Increased patient safety.
• Increased morale.
• Barriers broken down between frontline staff and managers between disciplines.
  

“There is a temptation to look hospital-wide for sources of improvement,” she said.

“And that is valid, but difficult to achieve and difficult to sustain. Much can be done by ward staff to improve their own environment without having to wait for improvements in other departments.”

However, she says the productive ward programme is spreading rapidly throughout the UK and around the world with great success, with the productive series including the productive community hospital, the productive mental health ward and the productive leader.

Meanwhile, other areas are under development in the UK including operating theatres and community services, and following evaluation of Waikato Hospital’s pilot phase, the model may be rolled out to other Health Waikato wards and services.

“A lot of work has gone into implementing the programme. It is a great challenge and an exciting time for all involved."

NB: Images of Mark Jones' visit can be obtained at the contact below.

ENDS

Date: 5 May 2009

For more information contact:

Amy Thomsen
Communications consultant
Media and Communications
Waikato District Health Board

021 712 663
(07) 839 8899 ext. 23133
ThomsenA@waikatodhb.govt.nz
Level 1, Campbell Johnstone