Shared governance: Hartford Hospital's experience

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Administration
• Nursing Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Shared Governance is a partnership model for service delivery in organizations.
• In healthcare, the patient care unit is the primary service point.
• This model emphasizes staff nurses as owners of their clinical practice.

Observation:

• Acute care hospitals are evolving their governance structures.
• Staff nurses are increasingly involved in decision-making processes.
• This evolution aims to enhance professional autonomy and control.

Findings:

• Implementing Shared Governance allows staff nurses to gain greater autonomy.
• Nurses take ownership of clinical practice and patient care systems.
• The partnership model redefines roles in healthcare organizations.

Implications:

• This shift can lead to improved patient care quality and safety.
• Enhanced nurse autonomy may boost job satisfaction and retention.
• Adopting Shared Governance transforms healthcare organizational structures.