August 20, 2012

Women’s College Hospital (WCH) has always been at the forefront of women’s health with groundbreaking programs and research. But did you know that WCH is also a leader in innovative workplace initiatives?

A resourceful team of nurses including Rose Henry, lead member, Rosanne Kotzer, Shana Brandes and Audrey Gyles from the Bay Centre for Birth Control (BCBC) at WCH recently came together to brainstorm how the clinic could progress into the future of health care.

The opportunity came by way of an approved proposal submitted to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to implement the Quality Nursing Environment using Collaborative Practice Among Nursing Teams Best Practice Guideline as the focus. With the funding in place it allowed the team dedicated time to research clinics with exemplary patient and staff flow. They were inspired to create the BCBC’s Collaborative Practice.

The Collaborative Practice consists of a new set of guidelines which expands the role of an existing leadership position, all with the goal to enhance patient efficiency at the clinic.

During the creative process, the team experienced an unexpected benefit. “It really brought the entire staff together,” said Gyles, clinical manager, BCBC. “It allowed us to reflect on our strengths and think about the functionality of the clinic. Everyone was involved.”

Once the Collaborative Practice initiative has undergone all stages of approval, it will be rolled out and a current nurse will take on the expanded leadership role, called a resource nurse. In this role he or she will become a fixture in the clinic co-ordinating staff, clinicians, patient flow and working with the manager to maintain a vision for high quality patient care.

“The Collaborative Practice will facilitate consistency among the whole health-care team,” said Henry, RN, BCBC.

BCBC at WCH is paving the way for workplace initiatives with its Collaborative Practice and contributing to the future of health care.

“We hope other organizations and programs will look at this initiative as a practical and dynamic way to improve efficiency in a health-care-based workplace,” said Jane Mosley, chief nursing executive and health disciplines, professional affairs.

For more information about the BCBC at WCH and its services, click here.