Alta Bates kicks off patient-focused care; Transition begins in two units.

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 1995--Patients in the Family Care Center and 4 West (medical, nonsurgical) units at Alta Bates Medical Center today became the first to experience the hospital's new team approach to patient care.

The work redesign program, announced last fall, expands the total number of care givers in the hospital environment. "We will be constantly evaluating this team approach in our model units, expecting that some adjustments and changes will be necessary," said Ellie Trondsen, RN, vice president of patient care services. "Our goal is fourfold; to work together as a team, improve the quality of our patients' hospital experience, respond more quickly to their needs, and become more cost efficient in health care delivery."

In the new team model, patients will be served by RNs or registered nurses as well as care associates I or certified nurse's aides, care associates II or licensed vocational nurses, and support associates. In addition, the units will be supervised by clinical care managers, who are also RNs. Desk activities will be managed by administrative coordinators.

The hospital began screening, hiring and training employees for the new work positions last October. Training was intense. For example, care associates I, in addition to being certified nurse's aides, have completed more than 130 hours of class room training. Skills assessment was done in class room labs and constant monitoring will take place on the unit floors, where care associates are paired with their RN mentors, who will also evaluate their performance.

Work restructuring is not a new concept among hospitals. In fact, it has been implemented at hundreds of hospitals across the country. Alta Bates Medical Center has become one of the first hospitals with a large unionized labor force to implement work redesign. Thus, the hospital has come under scrutiny and criticism by the California Nurses Association, the union which represents the hospital's 850 registered nurses.

"The team approach will enhance the registered nurse's ability to do the job for which the RN was trained," said Trondsen. "Up to 60% of an RN's duties were tasks performed for the patient that could be performed by other skilled patient care team members. Trained team associates will free the RN of these tasks, such as transporting patients, delivering meals, and getting supplies. Just think how much time that will allow the RN to care directly for the patient."

Like other healthcare providers, Alta Bates has faced increasing economic pressures by third party payers, employers and the insurance industry to become more cost efficient. "We at Alta Bates, like other industries, must change the way we do business," said Albert L. Greene, president and chief executive officer. "However, we must not and will not compromise quality over cost. We believe this will provide the best care for our patients, give our employees greater satisfaction, create new jobs, and reduce our costs. And we need to do all of those things."

The president of the hospital's medical staff said the plan has the full support of physician leadership. "We believe that Alta Bates is moving forward in a very thoughtful and appropriate way," said Judith Kellman, M.D. "The bottom line for us is quality patient care."

"Alta Bates has the reputation for being the best hospital in the East Bay to have a baby," said Debra Levinsky, M.D., chair of the Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology. "Now it's going to get even better. We want new moms to feel like they have had the best possible birth experience and that they will recommend Alta Bates to their families and friends."

"Alta Bates is an outstanding medical center. But we need to continually improve the quality of what we do," said Marcus Thygeson, M.D., chair of the Department of Medicine. "That's how we remain the leader. Our nurses are the key players in work redesign. They lead the team of caregivers who work together with physicians to provide for the patient's total needs. This team focus will result in patients receiving better care."

CONTACT: Alta Bates Medical Center

Public Relations, 510/204-4558