Care Delivery Model

Models of care delivery provide a framework for the provision of patient care and promote the professional practice of the registered nurse, giving the nurse responsibility, accountability and authority for the provision of patient care. A care delivery model also incorporates evidence based practice and adapts to the needs of the patients. Enhancing professional practice has been shown to improve nurse satisfaction resulting in decreased turnover (Hall, Doran, Baker, Pink, Sidani, Pallas, Donner, 2003).

The Synergy Model is a framework for designing nursing practice and developing competencies that reflect an integration of knowledge, skills and experience of the nurse. The model engages registered nurses involving them in clinical decision making processes of the organization. The core concept of the Synergy model is that synergy results when the needs and characteristics of the patient, clinical unit or system are matched with a nurse’s competencies (AACN, 2006).

We believe the Synergy Model provides our charge nurses the framework to make clinical decisions in making patient assignments matching the right nurse with the right skills to care for the patient. Implementation of the Synergy Model results in increased nurses’ involvement in decision making, improved the work environment, a culture of learning, decreased work intensity and assured collaboration and communication among the interdisciplinary team. All of these things enhance patient care, increase nursing satisfaction and retention while decreasing vacancies. The potential usefulness of the Synergy Model is limitless and it can be used as a framework for nursing orientation, performance improvement and other nursing activities. It is practical and provides a useful framework for success.

Providence Hospital received a $1 million grant to enhance the delivery of patient care. For more information, click here