By Diana J. Mason, PhD, RN, AJN Editor-in-Chief Emeritus

What makes a “good hospital”? A patient might have the best surgeon in the world; but as any nurse will tell you, that patient will die unless the surgeon has a top-notch nursing staff to ensure that the patient is well prepared for the surgery and well supported during the recovery period. Too many hospitals have lost their understanding of what’s essential to ensure great clinical and financial outcomes.  In such hospitals, nurses aren’t included in decision making, have little local authority, are penalized for identifying factors that lead to poor care, and can’t claim excellent team relationships.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program has helped to identify the factors that lead to excellence in nursing care, granting Magnet status to hospitals that provide such excellence. Now an initiative known as Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) has provided the framework and tools for empowering bedside nurses to become  agents for change. TCAB nurses work with other health care team members to improve care processes and effectiveness, focusing on four areas:  the safety and reliability of care, teamwork and job satisfaction, patient and family satisfaction, and “value-added care.” (Increasing the amount of time  […]