Leading change.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Nursing
• Healthcare Team Collaboration
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Inter-shift conflict and resentment negatively impacted a rehabilitation unit's functioning.
• Rising patient falls, staff injuries, and workers' compensation cases indicated systemic issues.
• Increased staff call-out rates exacerbated workload and decreased morale.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address inter-shift conflict and improve care delivery in a rehabilitation unit.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a "tag-team" approach to patient care.
• To enhance both patient and staff satisfaction within the rehabilitation setting.

Main Methods:

• A "tag-team" care delivery program was implemented, pairing nurses and clinical assistants.
• Collaborative care practices were prioritized, with two staff members performing tasks requiring assistance.
• Single-person patient handling and transfers were minimized when two staff members were needed for safety and efficiency.

Main Results:

• The "tag-team" approach led to positive outcomes in patient satisfaction.
• Staff satisfaction significantly improved following the implementation of the program.
• The collaborative model contributed to a safer and more efficient care environment.

Conclusions:

• The "tag-team" approach effectively mitigated issues arising from inter-shift conflict.
• Collaborative care delivery enhances patient safety and improves staff morale.
• This model offers a viable strategy for improving overall rehabilitation unit performance.