title: Clinical Nurse Specialists Guide Staff Nurses to Promote Practice Accountability Through Peer Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to describe the clinical nurse specialist role in developing and implementing a staff nurse education program to promote practice accountability using peer review principles.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Peer review is essential for professional nursing practice demanding a significant culture change. Clinical nurse specialists in a Magnet-designated community hospital were charged with developing a staff nurse peer review education program.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Peer review is a recognized mechanism of professional self-regulation to ensure delivery of quality care. The American Nurses Association strongly urges incorporating peer review in professional nursing practice models. Clinical nurse specialists play a critical role in educating staff nurses about practice accountability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical nurse specialists developed an education program guided by the American Nurses Association's principles of peer review. A baseline needs assessment identified potential barriers and learning needs. Content incorporated tools and strategies to build communication skills, collaboration, practice change, and peer accountability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The education program resulted in increased staff nurse knowledge about peer review and application of peer review principles in practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical nurse specialists played a critical role in helping staff nurses understand peer review and its application to practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical nurse specialist role will continue to be important in sustaining the application of peer review principles in practice.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist (Ms Semper), Medical/Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist (Ms Halvorson), Registered Nurse (Ms Torres), Palliative Care Manager (Ms Hersch), and Nurse Researcher (Dr Lillington), Torrance Memorial Medical Center, California.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Semper
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Halvorson
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hersh
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lillington
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education*; D010380:Peer Review; D016730:Program Development; D012941:Social Responsibility