Cluster Care Nursing: What is It and What Are the Benefits?

• Cluster care nursing is a technique that combines common protocols that would normally require multiple visits into a patient’s room into one.
• Not only is it time-efficient for the provider, but it allows patients to have more uninterrupted rest.
• The patient benefits speak for themselves. Check out how you can begin clustering your nursing care.

With low-staffing levels and high workload demands, it is common that nurses within a healthcare facility can care for up to six or more patients at a time. 

As you can imagine, this can become quite difficult to manage.

Whether a patient needs to be turned, or vitals need to be retaken, the number of tasks per patient can add up quickly.  

Cluster care nursing is a great way to stay time-efficient and provide patients with all the necessary care that they need.  

Cluster Care Nursing

Clustering care is when tasks such as checking vital signs, toileting, medication administration, and turning a patient are all completed simultaneously rather than individually and at different times. Its origin stems from a lengthy history of patients not being able to receive quality sleep due to constant disruptions related to their care throughout the night.

This form of care is commonly found in hospital facilities as well as assisted and independent living facilities.

There are instances where cluster care nursing is not applicable (i.e. specific oversight or medication instructions). But for the most part, it is a proven method in increasing productivity and time-efficiency as well as promoting positive patient outcomes and experiences. 

What Are the Benefits of Cluster Care Nursing?

• Uninterrupted sleep

The benefits of clustering care can vary depending on the patient, however, one factor remains relatively consistent: sufficient rest.

A Clinics in Geriatric Medicine review found that most nighttime interruptions among older patients were a result of phlebotomy, medication administration, and vital signs being taken at separate times throughout the night shift.  

Sleep disturbances can become detrimental to patients of any age, so the idea of clustering care protocols is not only time-effective but allows for longer periods of sleep for patients.

• Stress reduction

A study evaluating stress levels in preterm NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) infants due to several noninvasive procedures determined that although the number of procedures did not matter, the practice of clustering care is recommended.

• Infection prevention

An Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine clinical study evaluating the effectiveness of multi-drug resistant (MDR) infection prevention in ICU patients with severe encephalopathy through clustering care determined that it was a great application of nursing care.  

Additionally, the findings determine that cluster care nursing practices reduce mortality rates (in relation to MDR infections).  

Our Experience with Cluster Care Nursing

As nurses, we’re always trying to find extra time.  

Time to chart, time to pass medications, and sometimes just time to eat a snack. Clustering care is a great way to “buy” some extra time throughout your shift, while ensuring that all necessary tasks per patient are completed.  

Instead of visiting a patient four times within an hour, you can cluster your care and get everything done at once; saving you a significant amount of time in the long run.

More experienced nurses tend to learn this over time, but it can be a valuable skill to instill in new nurses. 

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