The Design and Implementation of a Relationship-Based Care Delivery Model on a Medical- Surgical Unit by Paula A. Rodney MSN, California University of Pennsylvania, 2011 BSN, University of Virginia, 1979 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University April 2015   Patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes have become important issues in healthcare since the introduction of the Value Based Purchasing Program. Patient satisfaction, as measured by Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, was declining and hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU), falls, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) were rising on the pilot unit. The purpose of this non-experimental correlational design quality improvement project was to combine information from focus groups, a content analysis of the literature on Kristen Swanson's theory of caring, and relationship-based care, to develop and implement a relationship-based care delivery model. An additional aim was to determine its impact on patient satisfaction and the reduction of HAPU, falls, and CAUTI. The model was designed and implemented by a team consisting of bedside care providers, leaders, an educator, and a student facilitator. The components of the model included scheduling for continuity of care, whiteboards, seated bedside report, hourly rounding, a nurse advocate, and 5 focused minutes of attention per shift. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the mean change in HCAHPS scores before and after implementation of the model, and revealed improvements in dimensions of communication with nursing by 13.2%, responsiveness by 12.5%, overall rating of care by 14.5%, and willingness to recommend by 8.7%. The result of audits of the pilot unit's medical records indicated a reduction in falls by 3, HAPU by 2, and CAUTI by 2 from August, the baseline month. As a result of these findings the model will be implemented on all inpatient nursing units. The target audience for this project includes nursing leaders, educators, and bedside providers with interest in patient-centered care and staff empowerment.