Laurie--

Absolutely you must not do the rewriting of policy and procedure
yourself.  Have a committee convened, preferably by someone other than
yourself, to do this rewrite.  Have the policy be "evidenced-based",
with committee members assigned the job of finding the evidence to
support best practices.

Have them contact some other hospitals, obtain a copy of the Wellstart
model policies document, use the newly released booklet on
evidenced-based management of the first 14 days, etc.

Perhaps where there are issues of very poor practices currently
prevaling, it would be worthwhile for staff members to do
mini-inservices for other staff members.  If you're lucky this may
already be a way for them to get extra points on their annual
evaluation.  If not check it out with your manager type.  Many
institutions have found this to be a way to keep all staff current and
involved.

The whole idea here is to let them believe that they have discovered the
proper way to do things, and it just happens that what they want to have
done is exactly what you would want to have done.  You may have to play
the devil's advocate at times to give some guidance, but don't set
yourself up as "the champion of the only right way."  Lead them to
information by challenging them to find the evidence, rather than by
telling them that this is where it tells us what to do.

Melinda Hoskins, MS, RN, wishing October wasn't so far away.
Of a Nurturing Nature
Minden, Nevada, USA

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