CAPTION: The Nurse Practice Council at Hedrick Medical Center was formed to improve patient care. Members are front, from left: Jennifer Dewitt, R.N., Shirley Carr, R.N., Julie Harper, L.P.N., Amber Marshall, R.N., Nancy Johnston, R.N. Back, from left: Joyce Winkowski, L.P.N., Connie Greever, R.N., Julie Jones, R.N., Jaime Pittman, R.N., Shirley Garr, R.N.

Submitted Photo/ C-T

Officials at Hedrick Medical Center continually work toward improvement processes to offer the highest quality care to the Chillicothe community. One process involved the creation of a Nurse Practice Council. Established in April 2006, the NPC at HMC was inspired by a successful Shared Governance organizational model in place at Saint Luke’s Health System, of which HMC is a part.

The NPC is comprised of HMC staff nurses from various shifts and departments who review potentially problematic issues throughout the facility. Their responsibilities include exploring current nursing policies and protocols, reviewing equipment and practices used within nursing, as well as reviewing current trends and issues affecting the nursing profession. All of these responsibilities are addressed by the NPC with the goal of improving patient care.

Policies recently implemented by the NPC to improve patient safety include the hospital’s armband policy and its “Blue Mat Quiet Zone” policy. The armband policy, applied earlier this year, standardized patient armband colors in accordance with both a Saint Luke’s Health System initiative and Banding Together for Patient Safety, a Missouri Center for Patient Safety program. Standardized armband colors reduce the risk of medication errors and confusion about patient needs. The “Blue Mat Quiet Zone” policy also reduces the risk of medication errors – by requiring that those standing on a blue mat while obtaining medication not be disturbed in any way.