This model focuses on decentralizing patient care and empowering nurses to improve patient care.  Initial resistance to the elimination of one central supervisor from physicians and other departments was converted to universal support as competent direct care nurses and RN Designees demonstrated their knowledge and organizational agility in resolving complex patient care and communication issues.

CMO quote: “We work together well because we know our success is completely interdependent...and the patient is the beneficiary.  And we will continue to figure out how to help each other succeed because we all come to work for the patient.”

“Growing our own” is essential to the long-term viability of the Patient Centered Care model.  Education is important because when staff stop learning and developing, they stop trying to innovate and improve patient care.

At Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, everyone has a voice.  Incentives and recognition for employee involvement are integrated with organizational goals.  Frontline staff input resulted in the creation of new roles and a more efficient structure.