Improving Continuity and Effectiveness by Reducing Nurse Turnover

Human resources and the nursing leadership team worked together using a PDCA for rapid cycle improvement to decrease turnover of registered nurses by refining the interview process and improving their orientation.

This project enhances the patient experience of care by providing continuity of caregivers and controls the cost of providing care by reducing the dollars spent repeatedly filling vacant nursing positions. Baseline turnover for fiscal year 2007 was 12.5 percent. In 2011, turnover was down to 8.9 percent.

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)