CSI Project

Own It!

Methodist Hospital (San Antonio, Texas)

CSI Summary

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Summary

CSI Presentation

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Presentation

CSI Toolkit

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Toolkit

Added to Collection

Project Topic:

Improving nurse retention through staffing

Hospital Unit:

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)

CSI Participants:

  • Sueyon Dodd BSN, RN
  • Kevin Muntean, ADN, RN
  • Cindy Ortegon, ADN, RN
  • Susan Vogel, MSN, RN

Project Goals/Objectives:

  1. Increase the overall average score for Standard 5 (Meaningful Recognition) on the AACN Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) from 3.08 to 3.5
  2. Increase the overall average score for Standard 2 (True Collaboration) on the HWEAT from 3.15 to 3.75
  3. Reduce the yearly turnover rate for staff nurses to less than the national average of 27.1% (2021 data)

Project Outcomes:

  1. Increased the Standard 5 score on HWEAT to 4.09
  2. Increased the Standard 2 score on HWEAT to 4.15
  3. Decreased turnover rate to 14.8%
  4. These outcomes resulted in an estimated annual fiscal impact of $1.3 million.

Project Overview:

Inconsistent leadership on our unit had contributed to increased turnover in staff nurses and decreased physician satisfaction. To help resolve this problem, our CSI team implemented our "Own It!" project.

First, we collected baseline data through AACN's Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT). After baseline data was collected, the project was officially announced to the nurses on our unit. Our project strategy involved:

  • Implementing 24-hour clinical nurse coordinator coverage throughout the week
  • Having the same charge nurses work each weekend to ensure:
    • Consistent leadership for our unit nurses
    • Consistent care for our patients
    • Steady growth and comfort among staff
  • Creating recognition boards to highlight the amazing things nurses in our unit do
  • Host team-building events for unit staff and physicians.

Near the end of our project, we re-surveyed staff using HWEAT. Results indicated that we exceeded our improvement goals, with a much bigger reduction in our unit's staff nurse turnover rate than anticipated. Overall the "Own It!" project was an amazing success, and we hope to spread the project to other ICUs in our organization.

Permission to Reuse Materials
The materials associated with this AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy project are the property of the participating hospital noted above, not AACN. Requests to use content contained in the CSI team’s summary, presentation or toolkit should be directed to the hospital. We suggest reaching out to the hospital’s Communications, Marketing or Nursing Education department for assistance.

Disclaimer
The AACN CSI Academy program supports change projects based on quality improvement methods. Although CSI teams seek to ensure linkage between their project and clinical/fiscal outcomes, data cannot be solely attributed to the project and are estimations of impact.