With Nursing Week just around the corner, Guelph General Hospital has lots of reasons to celebrate its nurses. Recently, the Hospital received the Registered Nurses of Ontario Association (RNAO) Recognition in the Workplace Award for 2012.

This award was presented at the RNAO annual meeting - Looking back with pride. Moving forward with vision.  The award recognizes an Ontario healthcare organization for its work to foster involvement of RNs in their professional association; for creating a climate of professional partnership and quality work life and for demonstrating commitment to promoting professional development and research-based practice.
 
In addition to winning that award, GGH just completed a three-year process to become an RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) by implementing five best practice guidelines. These Guidelines have specific outcome measures that improve the quality of the patient experience and ensure evidence-based best practice.
 
“GGH continues to demonstrate its commitment to collaborative professional practice,” said Eileen Bain, Vice President Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “The implementation of these guidelines has helped nurses and other members of the health care team apply the best available evidence to their clinical decisions at the point of care as well as supporting a healthy work environment.”
 
GGH adopted five new best practices.

• Assessment and Management of Pain

• Assessment and Management of Venous Leg Ulcers

• Stroke Assessment across the Continuum of Care

• Breastfeeding Best Practice Guideline for Nurses

• Workplace Health, Safety and Well-being of the Nurse Guideline.

 
The BPSO process is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care with matching funds provided by the Hospital.
 
The Recognition in the Workplace Award acknowledges the Hospital’s ongoing investment in its nurses. Many initiatives were cited in winning the award. For example, to help strengthen professional partnerships, each inpatient unit now conducts “bullet rounds” daily which supports the full participation of all team members to report on the progress of each patient and discuss any concerns. The focus of these rounds is to improve communication and patient outcomes and prepare the patient and family for their eventual return to home.
 
In addition, GGH has a strong commitment to promoting professional development. For example, the Hospital financially supported 45 people to complete the Hemispheres course improving their clinical expertise in stroke care.
 
Finally, GGH has secured five successful RNAO fellowships in the past few years providing development opportunities for staff who have demonstrated great leadership. These fellowships assisted the hospital in developing comprehensive workplace safety policies, as well as policies addressing bullying in the workplace, organ donation, wound care and the need for universal screening for victims of domestic violence.