Commitment to Geriatric Nursing Care Earns National Designation for Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
02/17/2012
FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth has been named the first hospital in Tarrant County to earn the NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) designation from the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University College of Nursing.
The designation, given to hospitals exhibiting a dedication to excellence in the treatment of patients 65 and over, will provide caregivers the knowledge and specialized training necessary for a more comprehensive approach to caring for the older adult population.
Texas Health Fort Worth was the first hospital in Tarrant County to receive the designation.
“As the population continues to age, the percentage of our patients ages 65 and older is expected to increase, said Elaine Nelson, chief nursing officer at Texas Health Fort Worth.
”We are aware that the needs of this population differ from other patients and are proud to offer an evidence-based, interdisciplinary approach to the care and treatment of our older adult patients,” Nelson said. “This achievement is a symbol of our commitment to attaining greater outcomes and satisfaction rates for this unique and growing population.”
NICHE is the largest geriatric nursing program nationwide and the only program that addresses the needs of hospitalized older adults. Focusing on utilizing protocols that are largely under the control of nursing practice; the program’s goal is to achieve a systematic nursing environment that stimulates a change in the culture of health-care facilities to ultimately improve outcomes and attain greater patient and family satisfaction.
About Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth is 726-bed, Magnet-designated regional referral center that has served the residents of Tarrant County since 1930. The hospital’s services include cardiovascular services, high-risk and routine obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics and sports medicine, neonatal intensive care, and trauma/emergency medicine. Texas Health Fort Worth is also home to the 100-bed Texas Health Harris Methodist Heart Center. An affiliate of the faith-based, nonprofit Texas Health Resources system, Texas Health Fort Worth has more than 4,000 employees, 200 volunteers and nearly 1,000 physicians practicing on the medical staff. For more information, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit TexasHealth.org/FortWorth.
About Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health systems in the United States. The health system includes 24 acute care and short-stay hospitals that are owned, operated, joint-ventured or affiliated with Texas Health Resources. It includes the Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial and Texas Health Harris Methodist hospitals, a large physician group, outpatient facilities, and home health, preventive and fitness services, and an organization for medical research and education.
For more information about Texas Health Resources, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit TexasHealth.org.
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