Baptist Hospital of Miami initially piloted the 12-Bed Hospital model on a cardiovascular unit at the end of 2000.  Research on the pilot began one year later, and in early 2002, the pilot was extended to two 50-bed medical-surgical units.  In 2002, Baptist hired a project manager for the 12-Bed Hospital, who helped define the model for the remainder of the hospital’s units.  Model roll-out began in the first quarter of 2003 and was completed in the third quarter of 2004.

Baptist Hospital requires a BSN for all entry-level Patient Care Facilitator (PCF) roles, as well as three years of acute care experience and demonstrated clinical maturity, team leadership, and excellent communication skills.  Baptist recruits internally for PCF openings, and almost 100 percent of the PCF positions have been filled by internal hires.

Each applicant is interviewed by a variety of internal staff, including a nurse manager, a current PCF, and staff nurses.  Baptist receives multiple applicants for each PCF opening.

Baptist has found that the PCF role helps them recruit novice nurses.

Baptist Hospital offers a five-week training program for new Patient Care Facilitators. As part of the program, new PCFs shadow an experienced PCF for two weeks on her or his unit and then spend an additional week being mentored by the experienced PCF on the new PCF’s own unit.  The PCF also spends two to four days with an experienced social worker, as well as time with risk management, utilization review, pastoral care, and patient and guest relations.

Finally, new PCFs attend a specialized leadership course developed for the new role.

Baptist Health is currently building a new 96-bed hospital based on the 12-Bed Hospital model.

Morton Plant Mease Health Care in Clearwater, Florida implemented a variation of the 12-Bed Hospital in May 2006, in which Patient Care Leaders (RN with BSN who is pursuing a Clinical Nurse Leader degree) or Advanced Patient Care Leaders (MSN-trained nurse) oversee 12 to 17 patients.

Greenville Hospital System in Greenville, South Carolina implemented a variation of the 12-Bed Hospital model on its oncology and pulmonary units in July 2006.  Since then, Greenville has implemented the model on its medical renal unit and is beginning implementation on its vascular unit.

The 12-Bed Hospital model and the Patient Care Facilitator role have broad applicability for many medium to large hospitals.