Time off the ward: an action research approach to reducing nursing time spent accompanying children to X-ray.

UNLABELLED

Nursing staff on a busy medical ward were concerned about the amount of time spent off the ward accompanying children to X-ray and for other radiological investigations. They chose this as the focus for an action research project.

AIM

To improve the process of accompanying a child to X-ray and reduce the amount of time spent off the ward by nursing staff.

METHOD

A facilitated action research approach was used which involved defining the issue, gathering baseline measures, introducing changes in practice and repeating the measures.

OUTCOMES

The changes in practice included telephone negotiation of timings between ward staff and X-ray, the inclusion of X-ray in the orientation programme of new staff and students, and the establishment of a link nurse system. Audits, performed before and after changes in practice, demonstrated that the proportion of time spent in X-ray was halved.

CONCLUSION

Changes in day-to-day practice, implemented at ward level, can have a measurable impact on routine events and in building co-operative relations between departments. The facilitated action research process provided a structure and direction to the process of improving practice whilst providing an opportunity to learn new skills.