In a step toward achieving Magnet designation, BWH submitted a body of evidence last April that demonstrates how the hospital meets 49 standards within the components of the Magnet model:

• Transformational Leadership
• Structural Empowerment
• Exemplary Professional Practice
• New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements

Seventy-five initiatives were selected for BWH’s submission, representing examples of our deep commitment to quality, nursing excellence, interprofessional collaboration and innovation. Through “Magnet Matters,” we are sharing some of these examples with you. We hope you find the broad range of work being done across BWH inspiring!

Exemplary Professional Practice

Clinical nurses are involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of the professional practice model. (EP 20EO)

Example: Improving patient safety by reducing the rate of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) in Tower 8AB

Seventy to 80 percent of Urinary tract infections (UTI) are attributable to the use of an Indwelling Urinary Catheter. In December 2014, clinical nurses from Tower 8AB (an intermediate Burn/Trauma/Surgical Unit) decided to pilot a nurse-driven protocol for the removal of indwelling urinary catheters to further decrease CAUTI rates and catheter days. While the unit had experienced improved outcomes for two years due to earlier efforts to reduce rates, they determined they could decrease rates even more.

The nurses implemented the protocol in February 2015 by first developing a binder for unit-based education. Then, members of the unit-based Nursing Practice Council each pulled together a group of clinical nurses for education, helping to reinforce adherence to best practice maintenance standards. The nurse-driven protocol (NDP) algorithm was displayed within the units, and urinary catheter use was reviewed daily during morning rounds to increase awareness aimed at helping facilitate the early removal of urinary catheters. Through their commitment to utilize the NDP, 8AB clinical nurses decreased their unit’s CAUTI rate from 2.22 per 1000 to zero per 1000 over a four-month period.