Sorting the work of the frontline nurse and addressing the system issues allowed the RN to focus time on patients and reduce the “burden of work.”

One of the exciting features of VMPS is the tremendous opportunity VM nurses have to participate in redefining their practice.  As the experts on the front line, VM nurses use their knowledge and skills to contribute to improvements that impact not only their own work but also the work of every nurse in the organization.  Seeing these results is rewarding and motivates further change. This work is fundamentally transforming the way nursing care is provided at Virginia Mason by getting nurses back to the bedside and doing the work they were called to do.

When striving for a goal of 0 defects and 0 errors, the sheer number of issues to address can be overwhelming; it cannot all be accomplished at once.  Order and focus are essential.  Leadership presence on the units was key to implementation success and sustainability.

All staff are motivated to participate in a process that fixes a broken system and improves patient safety, outcomes, or workflow.  Being part of a team that makes a difference is satisfying and builds confidence.

Adopting a new care model required leadership alignment and commitment.  The pace of such change is rapid and has the potential to create fatigue.  Through attrition, initial resistors have chosen to leave.  Now potential job applicants seek work at Virginia Mason specifically because of the strong values, organizational culture, and rewarding work environment that focuses on Patient First.