Headwaters Health Care Centre has been awarded the Employer Award of Excellence by the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario.

The award recognizes employers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in improving the utilization of Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in innovative and creative ways and creating a multi-disciplinary team environment supportive of all health care workers.

Headwaters began developing a renewed professional practice environment in 2002. Since then, changes in its model of care delivery, to move to full scope of practice for RPNs, have resulted in positive changes for both nursing staff and patients.

With expanded scope of practice, RPNs gain the education and skills to provide more components of a patient's care. Full scope of practice benefits patients, as it provides continuity of care and enables one nurse to meet the majority of a patient's needs. When a nurse spends more time with a patient he/she can develop a plan of care that meet the patient's individualized needs.

"I feel the new model of care allows me to use all of my training and abilities as a nurse," said Jacquie Parliament, RPN. "The new model of care improves teamwork and continuity of care for the patient because the primary nurse is responsible for all aspects of care including medication administration. Patients are much happier and more satisfied with their care."

The model-of-care changes were implemented across the hospital. RPNs practise to their full scope in Obstetrics, Surgery, Day Surgery, Emergency Room, Operating Room, Medicine and Continuing Complex Care.

With the changes, RPNs initiate and maintain intravenous, administer medications, initiate and maintain patient controlled analgesia (pain pumps), remove staples/ sutures, insert catheters, and care for post partum patients.

"We would like to thank all our professional nursing staff for their commitment and encouragement over the last five years," said Kim Cook, vice-president of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive at Headwaters.

"We hope we can be a model for other hospitals going through a similar process to ensure sustainability of the RPN role in hospital settings."

Headwaters thanked TD Canada Trust, which provided a $25,000 grant used to fund a medication administration course for all RPNs.

Ms. Cook and Leanne Ament, RPN, accepted the award on behalf of Headwaters at the RPNAO's annual meeting in Mississauga on April 27.