Leading Better Care
Sharing Good Practice
NHS Board: NHS FIFE
Ward: BALCURVIE WARD CAMERON
Details of Improvement:
What was the particular problem that this case study isabout?
The visibility of ward staff to patients and visitors when the nursing staff are sitting at the nurses station doing documentation or making phone calls.
How was this identified?
When visitors came to the ward they commented that they could not see a nurse and patients would come looking for a nurse at times and would walk past nurses at the desk.
What were the implemented improvements (whattools/techniques did you use)?
Following discussion with the staff it was agreed that the current position of the desk was not good as the desk was in a corner and was not clearly visible. The desk was therefore moved over so that it would be seen by visitors when they entered the ward . The desk could now also be seen by patients when they were sitting in the sitting room and this helped the nursing staff to also observe patients when they were at the desk.
What is the situation now?
Visitors have commented that they can now see staff and the desk is now a welcoming reception area for the ward. Staff also have been able to respond to patients in the sitting room who will not call for assistance.
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How is the change sustainable?
The change is sustainable by keeping the desk in its new position.
Measurable outcomes
What are the patient benefits?
Patients can now see staff when they are sitting in the sitting room.
What are the staff benefits?
They are now more visible and this has increased communication with visitors. They can also see their patients when they are at the desk.
What are the organisational benefits?
Improve communication through being visible.
Nursing staff in a better position to respond to clinical events.
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How did staff feel before the improvement/during theimprovement and after the improvement?
Staff felt frustrated as they felt they were visible when they were sitting at the desk but soon realised once the desk was moved that they were not visible prior to the desk being moved.
Staff feel that communication has improved and that they have been able to prevent adverse events such as falls as they have been able to observe their patients while doing other things.
What plans are there to spread the improvement?
Other wards in Cameron are discussing moving their desks also.
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Contact information for case study
SCN Carole Buchanan Wellsley Unit Randolph Wemyss.