Abstract

While peer review and self evaluation concepts are not new, leveraging technology to support the process was a new venture for a large, inner city, tertiary, academic medical center. The purpose of this project was to decrease nurse manager preparation time and increase nurse satisfaction with the evaluation process for 1400 nurses. In 2011, a task force was developed to trial the use of SharePoint survey technology to replace the manual paper process that managers had used for many years. The survey template was built based on the RN job description, which is directly linked to the ANA Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice. Each nurse has a unique survey to provide self evaluation and receive peer review feedback. The survey is sent out as a hyperlink via email to the nurse and at least five peers for feedback on performance related to the job description. At the conclusion of the feedback period, the manager was able to view a graphical summary of the responses, which substantially decreased the manager preparation time. The nurses evaluated the process of using SharePoint survey technology, and the comments demonstrated that nurses are satisfied with using technology to enhance the peer review and self evaluation processes.  Based on these findings, the process spread to all nursing units in the hospital in 2012 as well as pilot units at six sister hospitals in 2012 and 2013.

Bringing Peer Review Into the 21st CenturyStephanie S. Jackson, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC

Sentara Leigh Hospital

Norfolk, VA 23502

Source of Evidence

Exemplary Professional Practice 15

Nurses at all levels engage in periodic formal performance reviews that include a self-appraisal and peer feedback process for assurance of competence and continuous professional development (2014 Magnet Application Manual, 2013, p. 47).

Results

Nurse managers were surveyed and asked to estimate the amount of time per employee that was spent on the manual paper process prior to 2011 compared to the amount of time spent using SharePoint survey technology 2011-2013. The average time spent using a manual paper process was 18.3 minutes, while the average electronic process was 3.7 minutes. This yielded a savings of 14.6 minutes of manager time per employee.

Clinical nurses were surveyed and asked for their thoughts and suggestions to improve the electronic Peer Review process, The following comments capture the themes of 116 responses:• valuable and useful tool• requested a mid year survey• worked well for our department• straight to the point and easy to follow• process was refined from 2011 to 2012 to meet

the needs of the staff and leadership• maybe only 3 (surveys) instead of 5 per peer• review people that you routinely work with

Conclusion

Leveraging technology to support peer review and self-appraisal offers a significant time savings for nurse managers. Clinical nurses positively responded to electronic Peer Review and offered constructive feedback for improvements.

Copies of the job aids may be requested via email to sxjacks1@sentara.com.

Job Aids

Leveraging technology to support the peer review process was new for nurse managers so job aids were developed to assist with the process.

Purpose

The purpose of this pilot project was to decrease nurse manager preparation time and increase nurse satisfaction with the peer review and self evaluation process for 1400 nurses using SharePoint survey technology.

Objectives• Describe the process for professional nurse peer

review using SharePoint survey technology. • Describe the benefits of electronic peer review

processes.

Magnet Model

© 2013 American Nurses Credentialing Center. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of the American Nurses Credentialing Center.