Reengineering the role of a nurse manager in a patient-centered care organization

J Nurs Care Qual. 1999 Aug;13(6):47-56. doi: 10.1097/00001786-199908000-00006.

Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New York City expanded the role of a nurse manager to a manager and leader of the interdisciplinary team within a structure reorganized to focus on patients. As the literature noted the critical nature of the role of a middle manager, an interdisciplinary team reached the consensus that a registered nurse with progressive clinical and head nurse experience should be the first-line manager in a patient-centered care organization. The process of reengineering the role of a Patient Care Team Coordinator (PCTC), the support systems designed to develop the new leadership role, and the benefits associated with the changes implemented are discussed. The functional statement for the PCTC's position is included, as well as an organizational structure to show how staff are grouped to promote the continuity and coordination of care provided to patients.

MeSH terms

  • Continuity of Patient Care
  • Hospital Restructuring
  • Hospitals, Veterans / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Leadership
  • Models, Organizational
  • New York City
  • Nurse Administrators*
  • Organizational Innovation*
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
  • Patient-Centered Care / organization & administration*