Center for Clinical Excellence

Clinical Excellence Programs

• Your Learning Management System 
• AHA Community Training Center Programs 
• Call ED: Just-in-time Clinical Mentor Program 
• S.O.S. Training (Simulation Optimizing Synergy) 
• Clinical Simulations Training 
• Health Care Continuing Education 
• Clinical Connections 

In 2007, Providence Hospitals received a five year one million federal grant to enhance the patient care delivery system, improving patient care outcomes and nurse retention. The initiative has three goals: (1) Implement the evidenced-based Synergy Model of Care linking nurses competencies to patient needs; (2) Develop a diversified team; (3) Rebuild a healthy work environment improving communication, collaboration, decision making, and leadership. There are several performance metrics tracked. Some of the metrics are nursing vacancy rate, patient satisfaction with the skill of the nurse, patient fall rate, and nursing hours per patient day. The Synergy Model focuses on eight nurse competencies and eight patient characteristics. The key to improve patient outcomes is linking the nurse’s competencies like clinical judgment, communication, collaboration… to the patient needs based on characteristics like vulnerability, resiliency, complexity…

Training, using different methodologies has been developed to support the initiatives. To integrate the new process changes and improve staff competencies, the Synergy Model is threaded throughout the clinical curriculum including orientation. Courses provided integrate the Synergy Model into the program. The patient simulators have preprogrammed scenarios to reinforce not only the course content but also a Synergy Model competency. The preprogrammed scenarios are created by the instructors for each course. At the end of the simulated experience, the instructor leads a debriefing session helping the staff reflect on the situation and what they did well or could have done better.

NEPR Grant Funding

Funding for resources for programs listed was made possible by Nurse Education Practice and Retention grant #D11HP08362 from Health Resources and Services Administration. The views expressed in the project do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.