Do Hospital Units with Physician–Nursing Collaborative Teams Have Better Outcomes?

Some studies have indicated that unit-based physician–nursing teams might offer better outcomes for hospitalized patients; however, results have been mixed. In a prospective before–after study at four U.S. hospitals, investigators evaluated a collaborative care model that included physician rounding “geography”), physician–nurse co-leadership, interprofessional rounding, performance reporting, and patient engagement activities. Mentors assisted with the implementation of the intervention. Control units were used to compare patient outcomes.

Nurses' ratings of teamwork climate improved significantly in intervention units: 68% rated collaboration quality highly postintervention versus 51% preintervention. Hospitalists' ratings did not change s…