Consensus management as a pattern of care within a general surgical ward

Area of Science:

• Healthcare delivery
• Surgical nursing
• Quality improvement

Background:

• Traditional team leader models in general surgical wards may not be optimal for patient care.
• Exploring alternative care delivery models is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a patient-centered, consensus management model in a general surgical ward.
• To compare patient and staff perceptions of care quality between a new model and a traditional approach.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study was conducted in a general surgical ward.
• Data collected through staff perceptions and patient opinion surveys.
• Utilized a standardized quality assurance tool to measure nursing care.

Main Results:

• Staff preferred the patient-centered, consensus management pattern of care.
• Patients in the trial group experienced greater continuity of care.
• Initial nursing assessment and planning were significantly better in the trial group (p>0.05).

Conclusions:

• A patient-centered care model is a viable and preferred alternative in general surgical settings.
• This model enhances continuity of care and the quality of nursing assessment.
• Further implementation of patient-centered care models is recommended for surgical wards.