RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation care is specialized and individualized requiring effective and efficient communication to achieve optimal patient outcomes. PURPOSE: To examine how effective implementation of shared governance could improve care delivery, promote patient-centered care, and improve patient outcomes. DESIGN: The shared governance approach included all members of the rehabilitation team (i.e., physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, registered nurse and nurse aide) and was implemented over 6 months. FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS: The major end products of this shared governance effort were improved staff communication, problem solving, patient outcomes, and staff satisfaction on our stroke and brain injury unit. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When effectively implemented and sustained, shared governance between all rehabilitation team stakeholders can increase the effectiveness of communication along with more positive patient and staff outcomes.
