Switching to Celsius to Improve Patient Outcomes

<p>The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) collects and evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary (AACN, 2007). The objective of this project is to change the way the microsystem of the Surgical Services department takes, communicates, and documents patient body temperature. Currently when a healthcare provider takes or documents a patient’s body temperature, it is left to the healthcare provider’s preference whether to use Fahrenheit or Celsius values. The goal for the Surgical Services Microsystem is to measure and document patient body temperature consistently and exclusively in the Celsius value system. In accomplishing this, we will reduce missed critical values of body temperature, which currently is a true patient safety deficit. Improved patient safety and outcomes is the main goal of this project. With a strong team effort using a patient safety-first focus, this switch to Celsius should be a seamless integration of a safer and more efficient measurement protocol for patient care. The goal and achievement for this Clinical Nurse Leader project is that the Surgical Services Microsystem is to measure and document patient body temperature consistently and exclusively in the Celsius value system.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Level thesis:degree_level

Restricted Project/Capstone - USF access only

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Montague, Kimberly A

Contributors dc:contributor

• Elena Capella, EdD, MSN, MPA, RN, CNL, CPHQ, LNCC

• Patient safety
• Switching
• Celsius
• Body Temperature
• Fahrenheit

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/226

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.usfca.edu:capstone-1237