Bskv Scott And White Health Shared Governance

Baylor Scott & White Health (BSWH) has long held the belief that shared governance is the overarching infrastructure to support professional practice. Giving direct care nurses and staff a voice in the decisions that influence their practice and environment provides sustainable, accountability-based decisions. The BSWH Shared Governance Model (see Figure 1.2: Baylor Scott & White Health Shared Governance Model) provides the initial framework to be integrated into development of the shared governance model at the facility level. The shared governance structure is supported by the following:

Figure 1.2: Baylor Scott & White Health Shared Governance Model

• Equity-no role is more important than any other

• Partnership-a collaborative

The first council formed was the Regional Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Education Council to introduce the concept to the nursing units. In January 2016, education for staff and leadership began, consisting meeting management, roles and responsibilities, facility/system resources to support success, and setting expectations for participants at all levels. The shared governance structure now includes a Unit Practice Council (UPC) for each nursing unit, Regional Nurse Practice Council (RNPC), and Regional Nurse Leader Council (RNLC). Interprofessional team members serve as ad hoc members on various shared governance councils. In orientation, the CNO sets the expectation for participation in shared governance and shares positive benefits for patients and staff. As the BSWMC-MF shared governance council structure continues to grow and mature, organizational accountability to improve quality of patient care, patient and staff safety, patient and staff satisfaction, and fostering fiscal responsibility by management of resources is created and

Most UPCs choose to meet monthly to allow for proactive management of issues as well as to ensure timely discussion of organizational wide decisions requiring their feedback. The focus of the UPC is to address the needs of their specific patient population, evaluate existing practice as it relates to standards of care, improving the practice environment, and supporting organization goals. Idea cards submitted at the Daily Huddle may also be referred to the UPC for evaluation and input. On nursing unit, the UPC direct care nurses serve as chair and co-chair, with the unit leader serving as a facilitator, providing guidance and support to remove barriers to success. Council members disseminate information from council activities to their colleagues within the unit.

Regional Nurse Practice Council (RNPC)

The RNPC meets monthly, consists of members from UPCs as well as RNs working on a non-nursing unit such as the nurse navigator for Mammography. In addition to addressing concerns elevated from UPCs, RNPC members collaborate on organizational wide initiatives to improve patient care processes, promote clinical nurse development, satisfaction and retention, and enhance the patient experience.

Council members provide bi-directional communication between the organization and their unit. The chair of the RNPC represents the organization in the Central Texas Division Nurse Practice Council (CTX NPC), linking nurses at BSWMC-MF