Now what?
1. Celebrate success. Provide genuine feedback and encouragement for individual and group progress. Collaborate with the core leadership team to communicate and celebrate milestones. Consider a deliberate and significant acknowledgement to staff for the incredible work efforts required for this change process. Depending on the unit culture and available resources, various methods can be used to demonstrate meaningful recognition. For example, a coffee or pizza party to celebrate a milestone may be appropriate. An example of a celebration award is located in the resource section of this blog.
2. Share results. Consider how you will demonstrate the new bedside reporting process with senior executive, board, patient advisory committees, core leadership team, nursing committees and other staff. Depending on the organizational structure and in collaboration with the executive sponsor, a group presentation, clinical demonstration, article submission, conference presentation or research proposal may be appropriate.
The celebration activity was advertised and communicated to staff. One week was designated to celebrate success. The conference room was decorated with balloons and the table was filled with bowls of packaged snacks, such as cookies, candies and chips. The snacks remained available throughout the week, allowing for staff on various shifts to enjoy. Each staff member was also awarded a certificate of achievement and had their name placed in a draw for door prize (tickets for movie night). Some staff felt the celebration was premature as the report process continued to require adjustment and continuous communication regarding the PDSA cycle of change was necessary.
Leadership visits on the unit provided additional support and encouragement. Feedback from patients and families regarding the patient-centered approach to shift handover was also very effective in affirming the process. Maintaining ongoing continuous feedback is vital to sustaining success.
