The Releasing Time to Care – Productive Ward Programme was developed by the National Institute of Innovation and Improvement and is based upon a series of 11 modules. It was introduced at HEFT as an initial 12 month, 6 wards pilot in April 2008 focusing on implementing the 3 Foundation Modules; Well Organised Wards (WOW), Knowing How We are Doing (KHWD) and Patient Status at a Glance (PSAG) modules.
You can read the first issue of our magazine, The Productive Series below,
The WOW module has led to improvements in efficiency with stock control processes, streamlining stock levels, rotation and storage facilities. The KHYD module encourages visual performance boards and regular performance meetings to enable ward staff to measure, track and improve against Quality Metrics and Patient Experience Surveys. The PSAG utilises patient boards to map the admission and discharge process which has led to a reduction in nurse interruptions thus releasing time for direct patient care.
The Productive Ward Programme offers a framework of training to enable staff to review current practise, remove waste and deliver patient care that is both efficient and effective. The key to this programme is that improvements are driven by staff themselves, by allowing them to make positive changes to the way they work. Staff morale has been shown to improve from the national PWP pilots due to engagement and ownership of this programme at ward level, which has impacted on attendance and sickness levels. Following recent changes in leadership, Trust restructure at HEFT and the new Vision for World Class Nursing; Nursing will drive forward the Productive Ward Programme as it recognises how this Programme empowers nurses and midwives to deliver safe, high quality care to our patients in ward environments that are well organised with appropriate facilities and resources.
A site by site approach to roll out has been taken, starting with GHH in January 2010 to fit in with the Trust’s X Site Strategy priorities for site redevelopment. 4 wards/dept’s will be in each cohort commencing with the 9 week roll out of the WOW module to include 2 day Rapid Improvement Events. The KHWD and newly amalgamated Patient Status at a Glance/Admissions and Planned Discharge PSAG/APD modules will have longer timescales and will form a 6-12 month sub project of the PWP due to the Government and Trust initiatives around streamlining the admissions and discharges process utilising electronic ward – based LCD Screens. Key Process modules will then follow with Medicines, Shift Handover and Ward Round the next ones to launch.
The programme lead is keen for the Productive Ward Programme not to be seen as a stand alone project and believes that the key to its sustainability is in embedding this programme into other key national and Trust workstreams to prevent duplication of work with the sole aim of improving quality and efficiency of services. For example; with regards to the High Impact Actions – the Meals module will link in with the ‘Well Nourished, Better Care’ HIA. Other modules within the Productive Series such as Teamwork will assist with the Trust’s Leadership workstream. New modules coming out – Driving Same-Sex Accommodation (DSSA) will also be incorporated into current work within the Trust.
For further information on the PWP, please contact Programme Lead; Janet Hunt, Corporate Nursing on 0121 424 7402 or 07766672944
