Process

Process

The NICHE designation process starts with a vision to provide exemplary care to geriatric patients...a vision clinicians already share. Expansion of this vision throughout the hospital system is the challenge. NICHE provides access to unique methodologies and tools required to support this expanded vision and afford excellence in care to the hospital's largest population...older patients. Once these requirements are met, hospitals are ready for the eight steps to becoming a NICHE site. The NICHE roadmap describes these steps in detail.

The Six Step process to becoming a NICHE Site:

HOSPITALS

Step One: Plan for the Leadership Training Program; the steering committee:

  • Select participants (a minimum of three) - including a Nurse Clinical Leader, Clinical Educator, Quality Manager or Administrator. Recommended additions to steer initiative: direct care staff, and other disciplines (medical, rehab, social work, pharmacy, etc).
  • Prepares budget for administrative approval.

Step Two: Utilize the Introduction to NICHE powerpoint provided to customize a presentation for your facility. This can be used to engage the support of additional stakeholders and expand your steering committee.

Two versions to download: US or Canada

Step Three: Register for the NICHE Leadership Training Program

Step Four: Prepare for the Leadership Training Program; the steering committee:

  • Reviews the following and considers alignment with a NICHE initiative
  • The organization’s mission statement
  • The strategic plan
  • Other hospital or health system programs (considering the possibility for shared resources and synergetic goals)
  • Considers the organizational strengths and barriers to geriatric initiatives, and to change in general
  • Identifies clinical and operational priorities through a review of performance improvement and risk management data (including clinical, financial, and organizational measures, satisfaction surveys, and process measures)

Step Five: Participate in the Leadership Training Program.

Step Six: Develop and submit your NICHE Action Plan during stage 3 of the Leadership Training Program. The following criteria are utilized to determine NICHE designation:

  • Feasibility of implementation of the plan
  • Demonstrated administrative commitment
  • Description of rationale for measures
  • Consideration of contextual factors (characteristics of patient population, regulations, reimbursement, and human resource issues)

Contact NICHE to start the process.

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