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What are You Doing to Change the Status Quo in Your Work Setting?

21 Feb, 2025 Anne Llewellyn

                               
Case Management Focus

Nurse case managers are leaders. They take charge, work to encourage teams to work together, educate the injured worker, and involve the employer in the process of getting the injured worker back to work.  This is our role and we do it well when all systems work together.  

But as we know, there are many complexities that can derail our efforts. The complex and fragmented healthcare system, competition for jobs, and stress from all sides make our jobs harder. So, what can nurses do?  

Recently, I read an article from Johnson and Johnson on the nurses' role in transforming the healthcare system. Their studies showed how influential nurses can be when allowed to take on projects that address the challenges in today's healthcare system.  

As a result, they worked with the Institute of Healthcare Improvement to provide actionable steps for nurse leaders to scale innovative care models that improve patient outcomes and nurse satisfaction. The projects have yielded good results and have improved outcomes and satisfaction levels from all members of the healthcare team.  

This type of work can be leveraged in any setting. Most nurses know where the roadblocks are and have ideas on how to remove them. Unfortunately, the job is done in silo's, which limits success.  

So, can nurses bring their teams together as part of quality improvement projects? Here are some key steps to consider.  

Steps include:  

  1. Embrace starting small with rapid-cycle testing after you identify an issue. What is the problem, and how is it impacting outcomes and staff morale?  
  1. Secure leadership buy-in: You need this to have the support to move forward. Partner with finance and operations teams early to identify potential cost savings and demonstrate the value of proposed innovations. 
  1. Engage frontline staff early and often: Host a “listening session” with bedside nurses and support staff to identify the most pressing daily challenges. In worker's compensation, bring in the claims adjustor, treatment team members, therapists, and physicians to find out where the log jams are.  
  1. Measure and communicate results—be transparent. We all know problems, own them, and work to improve processes.  
  1. Build a cross-disciplinary team – this step follows step 3.  
  1. Sustain and spread success. 

This article introduces an exciting venture nurse case managers can undertake in their individual settings to improve the work we all do. By participating in quality improvement projects, you showcase the value you bring to improving the delivery of care for those you care for and work with.  

I hope you will look at the references, which give you more information and tools to start your own projects and create the change that will make your work environment stimulating and successful.  

Question: Have you worked on a quality improvement program in your organization? If so, I would love to discuss your success in a future article on workerscompensation.com. Feel free to email me at allewellyn48@gmail.com  

References:  

Scaling success: Six steps for nurse-led care delivery transformation: https://nursing.jnj.com/nursing-news-events/nurses-leading-innovation/six-steps-for-nurse-led-care-delivery-transformation?utm_medium=email&utm_source=crm&utm_term=3985781&utm_content=button-HeroCTA-body&utm_campaign=Nursing_2025_2_NotesOnNursing  

Actionable solutions to improve the nursing experience and patient care: https://nursing.jnj.com/nursing-news-events/nurses-leading-innovation/actionable-solutions-to-improve-the-nursing-experience-and-patient-care  

Transforming Health Care Through Innovative Nurse-Led Care Delivery Solutions: A Toolkit for Transformation: https://www.ihi.org/resources/tools/transforming-health-care-through-innovative-nurse-led-care-delivery-solutions 

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    About The Author

    • Anne Llewellyn

      Anne Llewellyn is a registered nurse with over forty years of experience in critical care, risk management, case management, patient advocacy, healthcare publications and training and development. Anne has been a leader in the area of Patient Advocacy since 2010. She was a Founding member of the Patient Advocate Certification Board and is currently serving on the National Association of Health Care Advocacy. Anne writes a weekly Blog, Nurse Advocate to share stories and events that will educate and empower people be better prepared when they enter the healthcare system.

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