2. Objectives
•
Examine the AACN Synergy Model.
•
Identify the three components of the AACN Synergy Model.
•
Compare & contrast the Chronic Care Model (NU 307) and the AACN
Synergy Model.
•
Interpret how the AACN Synergy Model can facilitate a common language
for nurses in identifying and communicating the needs of patients.
•
Appraise how nurse characteristics by the AACN Synergy Model provide a
comprehensive and contemporary view of the work of nurses.
•
Using case studies, apply concepts relative to the AACN Synergy Model to
patient care.
3. Introduction
•
The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) began
developing their Synergy Model in the early 1990s as a way to match
patient/family needs to nurse competencies
•
The term synergy comes from the Greek word synergos, which
means working together.
4. WhatistheSynergyModel?
•
At its core, the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care is a
conceptual framework that aligns patient needs with nurse
competencies. Originally developed in 1996 as a new framework for
AACN’s certification programs, the Synergy Model shifted the
assessment of nursing skills from the then- prevalent body
systems/medical model — which didn’t consistently match actual
practice — to a “nurse competencies” framework.
https://www.aacn.org/nursing-excellence/aacn-standards/synergy-
model
5. Nursing has history of advocacy-
Primacy of care is based on needs of patients-
Nursing must articulate nurses’ unique contribution to
patients’ outcomes
AACN Certification Corporation designed synergy model describing nursing
practice based on needs & characteristics of patients & demands of
healthcare environment predicted for the future
Today’s healthcare environment is changing, so is the role of nurses
6. PrinciplesoftheAACN SynergyModelfor
PatientCare
• The AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care “is a conceptual
framework describing a patient-nurse relationship that
acknowledges the primary importance of nursing care based on
the needs of patients and their families.
• The fundamental premise of the Synergy Model is that patients’
characteristics drive nurse competencies. When patient
characteristics and nurse competencies are in synergy, optimal
patient outcomes are more likely to occur.”
7. UnderstandingtheSynergyModel
•
The central idea of the model is that a patient’s needs drive the
nurse competencies required for patient care. When nurse
competencies stem from patient needs, and the characteristics of the
nurse and patient match, synergy occurs. This synergy enables
optimal outcomes.
•
The model identifies eight patient characteristics and eight nurse
competencies.
https://www.aacn.org/nursing-excellence/aacn-standards/synergy-
model
9. Synergy& You
•
The Synergy Model emphasizes the importance of alignment
between patient needs and nurse competencies in achieving
optimal outcomes and nurse satisfaction
•
Synergy is established when patients needs and characters are
matched with nurses’ competences and talents
•
Offering maximum care is improved by coordination between
patients’ character (needs) and nurses’ characteristics
(competencies).
10. AssumptionsofSynergyModel
Patient
BBiological,sociaall,&
spirritual entities
M
a
a
nnycharaaccteristics,aall
are interconnected &
contrribute to each other,
caannnotbe looked at in
isolation
Morecompromised
patients aarremore severe
& have complex needs
Death- an
acceptable
Nurs
e
CContaiinnnumber of
diimensions, iinterrellaated
diimensions paint a profille of
the nurse
Goal- restore patient to
optimal level of
wellllness as defined by
the patient
Death- an
acceptable
outcome, nursing care
moves patient toward a
peaceful death
Context for the nurse-patient rellaationshiipderriived from
patient/family/community
11. PatientCharacteristics
• Resiliency
• Vulnerability
• Stability
• Complexity
• Resource availability
• Participation in care
• Participation in decision
making
• Predictability
•
The eight patient characteristics are
evaluated on a 5-point scale that ranges
from 1 (worst patient state) to 5 (best
patient state).
•
For example, a patient with Level 1
stability is minimally stable, not responding
to treatment and at a high risk of death,
while a patient with Level 5 stability is
highly stable, responding to treatment and
at a low risk of death. A patient with Level
3 stability would be moderately stable and
somewhere in between a Level 1 and
Level 5 patient.
13. ApplicationoftheSynergyModeltoPatient
C a r e
Characteristics of Patients Assessment
Resource Availability Level 1 – Few resources
Level 3 – Moderate resources
Level 5 – Many resources
Participation in Care Level 1 – No participation
Level 3 – Moderate level of participation
Level 5 – Full participation
Participation in Decision Making Level 1 – No participation
Level 3 – Moderate level of participation
Level 5 – Full participation
Predictability Level 1 – Not predictable
Level 3 – Moderately predictable
Level 5 – Highly predictable
14. PatientCharacteristics
•
Resiliency – The patient’s ability to bounce back from an illness or injury.
This is based on age, overall health, and comorbid (or simultaneous)
medical conditions. One is considered minimally resilient (unable to cope).
Three is moderately resilient (able to mount a moderate response). Five is
highly resilient (strong endurance).
•
Vulnerability – Susceptibility to stressors that can endanger patient
outcomes. This ranges from medically fragile to fully recovering.
•
Stability – Ability to maintain steady equilibrium, ranging from a high risk
of death to a low risk of death.
15. PatientCharacteristics
•
Complexity – Intricate entanglement of psychological and emotional
states, including family relations and environmental factors. This
ranges from complicated lifestyles and family relations to
straightforward interactions.
•
Predictability – Expectations of a certain course of action,
ranging from not predictable to highly predictable.
•
Resource Availability – Availability of support, including supportive
relationships, financial stability, and psychological care, ranging from
few resources to abundant resources.
16. PatientCharacteristics
•
Participation in Decision Making — Accessibility, availability, and
willingness by the patient and family to understand the information
provided, ranging from no participation to full participation.
•
Participation in Care – Accessibility, availability, and willingness by the
patient and family to assist in care, ranging from no participation to
full participation.
19. Nurse Competencies: utilized to match the competencies of the nurse
w ith th en eed so f th ep atien t:
•
Clinical judgment
•
Advocacy & moral agency
•
Caring practices
•
Collaboration
•
Systems thinking
•
Response to diversity
•
Facilitator of learning
•
Clinical inquiry
•
The eight nurse competencies
shown above are evaluated on a 5-
point scale that ranges from:
•
Level 1 – competent
•
Level 3 – proficient
•
Level 5 - expert
20. NurseCompetencies
•
Clinical Judgment – Assessing a situation based on education and
experience.
•
Advocacy & moral agency – Working on another person’s
behalf.
•
Caring Practices – Using caring behaviors based on individual
patient needs.
•
Collaboration – Working with others to promote wellbeing.
•
Systems Thinking – Using tools and knowledge from across the
healthcare system.
21. NurseCompetencies
•
Response to Diversity – Recognizing and appreciating
differences for appropriate care.
•
Clinical Inquiry – Guided by Why
•
Facilitator of Learning – Using knowledge to educate patients,
families, caregivers, and other healthcare providers.
25. ChronicCareModel(CCM)
The Chronic Care Model identifies six fundamental areas that form a
system that encourages high-quality chronic disease management:
•
Self Management Support
•
Delivery System Design
•
Decision Support
•
Clinical Information Systems
•
Organization of Health Care
•
Community
27. C l a s Activities
AACN SynergyModelforPatientCare
•
Refer to this article to complete the Synergy Class Exercise, posted
in Canvas
•
Complete the case studies
•
Be prepared to report work out in class
