Care coordinator--blending roles to improve patient outcomes.

A care coordinator blends aspects of the case manager and clinical specialist roles with those of a unit-based staff developer. In this position, the nurse facilitates critical pathways; coordinates care with the patient, family, ancillary staff and community services; delivers unit-based staff-development programs; and acts as mentor, staff resource person and physician liaison. The development and utilization of this professional nursing role in a community hospital is outlined.

MERG: medication event rating grid.

Through a four-step process, a medication event rating grid (MERG) tracks medication errors. An educational and a remedial plan are included to help individual staff members develop strategies to prevent future errors.