The purpose of the Shared Decision-Making Model is to foster an environment at Plaza in which nurses feel empowered to draw on their own experience and training in doing what’s best for patients at the bedside.

Staff nurses serve on the councils and committees that make decisions and formulate policies regarding the care of patients. These councils include:

Nurse Practice

Council

The Nurse Practice Council is the central forum into which all of Plaza’s other nursing councils channel input. It consists of representatives from each of the hospital’s nursing units. The Nurse Practice Council concerns itself with matters such as quality assessment and improvement, regulatory compliance, education and research as they relate to the clinical and professional practice of nursing. The Nurse Practice Council does not deal with issues related to working conditions, wages and salaries, benefits or human-resources policies.

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Nurse Executive

Council

The Nurse Managers and Team Leaders who serve on the Executive Council meet monthly to receive reports from the councils subsidiary to them and to discuss issues that span the entire Nursing Department.

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Nurse Peer Review

Council

This council assesses nursing practice throughout the hospital, providing helpful feedback and - when needed - recommendations for corrective action.

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Unit Practice

Councils

Each nursing unit has its own unit-based council, which deliberates and makes decisions on issues specific to that unit. To the greatest extent possible, staff members exercise self-determination in the governance of their respective units. A majority of the members of a unit practice council must be RNs.

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Nursing Quality / Staffing Effectiveness

Council

Monitors the overall size, skill mix and competency level of the nursing staff as it relates to the delivery of needed services. Accomplishes this through the use of specific clinical indicators - including patient outcomes - combined with human-resources screening measurements. Formulates action plans for improvement.

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Nurse Education

Council

Identifies what is needed in the way of continuing education for Plaza’s nurses. Establishes and evaluates education programs. Reviews and revises (as needed) the nursing orientation program/competency assessment.

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Magnet Steering

Council

Communicate with and educate members of the nursing staff about pending Magnet initiatives. Host Magnet surveyors during site visits.

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Magnet Champions (“Hot Rockets”)

Charged with coordinating Plaza’s pursuit and acquisition of Magnet Designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Council.

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Plaza Research Advisory Team

Promotes an environment within the hospital supportive of research. Develops a model for integrating research with actual practice as well as with education. Provides educational programs to elevate nurses’ research awareness. Establishes networks that facilitate research collaboration and exchanges of information.

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Evidence-Based Practice

Council

Promotes and facilitates nursing research and scholarly activities through the development of research priorities. Educates and supports the use of evidence-based practice for nursing.

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Nursing Documentation

Council

Evaluates computerized documentation practices and advocates for improvement of their quality. Develops and implements evidence-based practice/best practice guidelines for computer documentation and standardized orientation for computer charting.

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At Plaza Medical Center and elsewhere in the State of Texas, nursing care is governed by the Nurse Practice Act as it is administered by the Board of Nurse Examiners. Job descriptions, performance evaluations and standards of care are as defined in the policies, procedures, care plans, and codes of professional standards of the various nursing associations. Nurses are expected to practice according to the Code of Ethics of the American Nurses Association.

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Nurse Practice Council

Nurse Executive Council

Nurse Peer Review Council

Nursing Quality/Staffing Effectiveness Council

Nurse Education Council

Magnet Steering Council

Magnet Champions (“Hot Rockets”)

Plaza Research Advisory Team

Evidence-Based Practice Council

Nursing Documentation Council

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