Clinical Councils at CRH Empowers Nurses, Improves Quality

March 23, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rebecca Winter, Marketing Coordinator
Crittenden Regional Hospital
870.735.1500

The concept of shared governance in nursing has been used over the past 20 years as a mechanism for healthcare organizations to empower nurses to participate in decision-making within an organization; particularly in regard to making decisions that affect nursing practice. Shared Governance is an innovative organizational framework which affords nurses professional autonomy. It empowers the nursing staff and managers to contribute collectively to the decision-making process related to patient care, nursing practice and the work environment.
There are four nursing councils that make up the Shared Governance Model – Clinical Practice Council, Professional Development Council, Quality/Research Council, and Leadership Council.
The Clinical Practice Council is the first council formed at CRH. The members include: Anita Brinkley, ER, Olivia Vega, ER, Jami Carpenter, Women’s Center, Tina Rains, Day Surgery, Ruth Timze, Med Surg, Diane Patterson, Med Surg, Felicia Turner, Med Surg, Sherry Reel, ICU, and Shannon Hosman, ICU.