An organizational model for patient safety for patients with advanced care needs in hospital

Purpose and goal

The aim of this project was to develop an organizational model tailored for hospitalized patients with advanced nursing needs as well as a plan for implementation. The overall goal of this project is to reduce the occurrence of hospital induced complications such as falls, pressure ulcers, impaired oral health and malnutrition, and uncertainty in illness. This will be evaluated after implementation. So far the components of the patient safety model have been identified and discribed which was a sub-target in this planning phase.

Results and expected effects

Criteria for the specific patient group have been developed, staffing level of the clock and the skill level has been proposed and formulated, equipment and facilities have been identified, architectural environment have been assessed on the basis of patient´s and professional´s needs, cooperation were initiated with a company that has experience of technical solutions for information and communication, notes from meetings. Finally the description of the patient safety model and implementation plan have been reviewed, discussed and documented.

Approach and implementation

Three groups were created; a steering group, a working group and a focus group. The steering group had representatives from the SU and Chalmers. The working group, which consisted of an architect, two development manager and an associate professor with special expertise in healthcare environment, assisted with evidence based data and proposals on patient safety models. The focus group (the patient, doctor, registered nurse, enrolled nurse, occupational- and physiotherapist) examined the proposal critically. Staff associations assisted with a work environment perspective.