In Brief

Under the leadership of chief nursing officer Nancy Bucher, Crozer-Keystone Health System nurses are moving toward the model of shared governance. Introduced in March at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Springfield Hospital and Taylor Hospital, the Nursing departments have recently established Quality, Education, Management and Executive councils, in addition to their existing Nurse Practice Council. A system-wide Research Council has also been created.

“Shared governance is an organizational structure in which clinical nurses have a voice in determining nursing practice, standards and quality of care,” says Bucher, who also serves as the vice president of Patient Services at Crozer. “It empowers nurses to use their clinical knowledge and expertise to develop, direct and sustain their own professional practice, and also gives them the opportunity to network with colleagues and to collaborate among units and departments.”

As the Nursing departments adopt this new organizational model, the new nursing councils are beginning to meet and develop their goals. Separate councils have been established at Crozer, DCMH and Taylor, but because of their size and that they share many practice issues and nurse educators with Crozer, Springfield Hospital nurses are part of the Crozer councils. However, Springfield maintains a separate Management Council.

“I believe that our nurses and patients will benefit from shared governance on two levels,” says Jo-Zetta Shawl, director of Nursing and Clinical Support Services at Springfield Hospital. “First, it will benefit the practice of nursing because nurses will have more input into how care is delivered and can take ownership of their work. Secondly, patients will benefit from improved outcomes and increased involvement in their care.”

Nurse Practice Council

The Nurse Practice Council defines standards, policies, procedures, models and approaches for clinical practice and care delivery. Led by staff nurses, the Nurse Practice Council is comprised of volunteers for each of the hospital units.

Over the past years, each hospital’s council has worked to identify the need for development of new or revised standards or policies related to new technology, new defined practice standards and/or new research findings. This council works to ensure consistency of policies and procedures developed at unit and departmental levels and develop a communication plan for informing and educating clinical nurses about new policies and/or procedures.

“Everyone benefits from the work of the Nurse Practice Council,” says Janice Perry, assistant vice president of Patient Services at Taylor Hospital. “The council has been in existence at Taylor for two and a half years and I believe it gives the nurses the ability to take an active role in defining standards, policies, and procedures that affect their day-to-day responsibility.”

Quality Council

The Quality Council will work to provide a forum to develop and review nursing quality indicators. Led by staff nurses, the group will facilitate improvements in quality and patient care, as well as monitor performance and strive to design processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

“The goal of the Quality Council is to assure the highest level of care is provided to patients,” says Jerri LaRocco, assistant vice president of Patient Services at DCMH. “Because this council is composed of staff nurses, they are empowered to take ownership of this initiative and make a direct impact on patient care.”

Education Council

Led by staff nurses, the Education Council will work to develop, coordinate and implement staff and patient education. This council will also identify plans and evaluate educational offerings and resources for patients and staff.

Management Council

Each hospital has developed a Management Council that is comprised of nurse managers and nursing directors. Together this group will provide leadership to facilitate, support and integrate care within the framework of the hospital and health system’s mission.

Executive Council

Led by Bucher, the Crozer-Keystone Health System Executive Council will provide oversight for the other nursing councils and ensure that all of their work and progress is communicated throughout the Nursing department. In addition to the system-wide council, each hospital has its own separate Executive Councils. These groups include council leaders, as well as representatives from supporting departments such as Case Management and Quality.

Research Council

The only system-wide committee, the Research Council will work to aid the development of master- and doctorate-level nurses. It will also support and promote the use of nursing research.

“Through this structure, along with mutual respect and recognition by the Medical Staff and Administration, I am confident that our nurses will have a strong voice in determining nursing practice,” Bucher says. “These new councils will provide our nurses with an effective way to communicate and help foster an environment that promotes retention and recruitment of highly qualified professional staff.”