Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), long esteemed for its rigorous science and technical excellence, takes time each day for something seemingly unscientific: telling stories. Why? Research has shown that in today's high-tech, rapid-change environment, one of the simplest tools-storytelling-can significantly improve outcomes. MGH's systematic use of clinical narratives has improved patient care and increased patient, family, and staff satisfaction while reducing costs. Used in conjunction with best-practice technical expertise, clinical narratives have become a key component of the hospital's evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation. In Fostering Clinical Success, MGH nurse leaders share their model for creating, embedding, and fostering a narrative culture. Create a safer environment for your patients and improve the practice environment for your staff through storytelling and other evidence-based techniques presented by three nurse leaders at a premier U.S. hospital.

Creating a narrative culture -- Theme of practice : clinician-patient relationship -- Theme of practice : clinical knowledge and decision-making -- Theme of practice : teamwork and collaboration -- Theme of practice : movement -- Strategies to hardwire a narrative culture.