Specialized nursing for hospitalized older adults: Nurses Improving Care for the Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) Program

Older adults hospitalized at Hurley Medical Center receive specialized care through our NICHE Program, which tailors health care around the unique needs of individual patients and their families.

Since 2008, Hurley Medical Center has been proud to be designated a NICHE hospital – the only national designation indicating a hospital’s commitment to elder care excellence. Made up of nearly 300 hospitals throughout North America, NICHE helps hospitals create an environment where geriatric patients (anyone 65 & older) are cared for in ways that bring about better outcomes while also meeting older patients’ unique needs.

NICHE Geriatric Resource Nurses visit elder patients, assess their needs, and explain the NICHE program to them. They then meet with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best and most appropriate care plan for these patients. NICHE evidence-based protocols focus on fall prevention, reduction in the use of restraints, pain management, appropriate use of medication, wound care, dementia care and addressing patient and family concerns. 

Improved outcomes and greater satisfaction rates for our geriatric patients 

Implemented in 2008, the NICHE program has lead to greatly improved outcomes and greater satisfaction rates for our geriatric patients and their families. As the number of people receiving medical care at Hurley who are 65 and older grows each year, Hurley’s NICHE program is more important than ever. 

NICHE Geriatric Resource Nurses 

NICHE Geriatric Resource Nurses visit elder patients, assess their needs, and explain the NICHE program to them. They then meet with a multidisciplinary team to determine the best and most appropriate care plan for these patients.

NICHE evidence-based protocols focus on:

• fall prevention
• reduction in the use of restraints
• pain management
• appropriate use of medication
• wound care
• dementia care
• addressing patient and family concerns

Patient- and Family-Centered Care: a key part of NICHE

One of the most important elements of the NICHE program is its commitment to Patient- and Family Centered Care. Members of a geriatric patient’s family become key members of the healthcare team, partnering with NICHE nurses to provide a safer and better quality of care to their loved one, as well as a better outcome.