The results from an Independent Assessment Committee about the special care nursery at Guelph General Hospital are in.
On Saturday, the IAC came back to the hospital’s board of directors and the Ontario Nurses Association with 31 recommendations for managing the staffing concerns around the SCN.
The report stems from a decision to merge paediatric nurses and special care nurses at the hospital earlier this year. A release from Guelph General says the hospital’s plan was to invest in cross-training to create a sustainable pool of highly skilled nurses.
The Ontario Nurses Association raised concerns about this decision, claiming it could compromise the nurses ability to provide high quality care for patients. Instead, the ONA was asking the hospital to hire more qualified nurses.
Overall, the IAC report concluded the current method of cross-training nurses was affecting the quality of patient care, and an additional resource nurse will need to be hired to support the special care nursery.
The report also outlined different resources and funding available to help the hospital provide further education for staff. The report suggested focusing training efforts on paediatric nurses who volunteer for further education, and who have some required skills and knowledge beforehand.
As well, the IAC report outlines recommendations to address other areas of concern; registered nurse staffing levels; practicing issues and standards; nursing leadership and governance; unit processes, policies and procedures.
“It was time well spent getting a third-party perspective on the issue,” says Melissa Skinner, VP Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive in a release about the recommendations.
“Based on their extensive, 117-page report, much thought and expertise went into it. It will take some time to review with staff the non-binding recommendations and assess which ones are feasible and what the timelines may be.”
“Our hope is that we can work with Guelph General Hospital’s management to implement the IAC’s recommendations without delay,” said Vicki McKenna, the ONA president and RN, in a different release on the IAC report.
To review the full IAC report on the Guelph General Hospital Special Care Nursery, click here.
