Assess A Current Semi-Direct Or Indirect Nursing Situation

Assess a current semi-direct or indirect nursing situation that needs change

In this assignment, you will assess a current semi-direct or indirect nursing situation that requires change. Observe a healthcare environment, focusing on areas of the nursing process that are inefficient, unsafe, or problematic. Diagnose the problem and select an appropriate nursing change theory. Propose a detailed plan based on this theory, explaining how to implement the change. Develop criteria to evaluate the plan’s effectiveness, including a timeline. Reflect on how your proposed change impacts the nursing profession.

Paper For Above instruction

The quality of healthcare delivery hinges significantly on the efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of nursing practices. Identifying areas within the nursing process that are problematic offers opportunities for meaningful change, which ultimately enhances patient outcomes, staff satisfaction, and organizational performance. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of a current nursing environment, diagnosis of specific issues, selection of an appropriate change theory, development of an implementation plan, evaluation criteria, timeline, and reflections on the impact of this change on the nursing profession.

In a medium-sized urban hospital, I observed that medication administration for patients with complex medication regimens often experiences delays and errors, jeopardizing patient safety. The nursing staff, due to inadequate communication tools and unclear protocols, frequently encounter difficulties in verifying medication rights, leading to increased errors and compromised patient trust. This scenario exemplifies a problematic area within the nursing process that requires targeted intervention. The core issues identified are communication lapses, inadequate training on medication protocols, and lack of standardized practices across shifts.

Diagnosing the problem involves understanding the root causes of these errors. Studies indicate that communication failures are among the leading contributors to medication errors (Kohn et al., 2000). Furthermore, lack of standardized protocols and staffing shortages exacerbate the situation (Bates et al., 2003). Addressing the issue requires implementing a systematic approach to enhance communication, standardize medication procedures, and foster a safety culture. For this purpose, Lewin's Change Management Model is well-suited, as it emphasizes unfreezing current practices, introducing change, and refreezing new behaviors to embed safety protocols effectively (Lewin, 1947).

The proposed plan begins with unfreezing the current practices by engaging staff through educational sessions that highlight the risks associated with medication errors and the benefits of a standardized approach. The change phase involves implementing a barcode medication administration (BCMA) system integrated with electronic health records (EHRs) to improve accuracy and communication. Additional steps include developing clear, standardized medication protocols and providing hands-on training. During the refreezing stage, continuous monitoring, performance feedback, and recognition reinforce the new practices.

Success criteria include a measurable reduction in medication errors, increased staff adherence to protocols, and positive feedback from staff regarding workflow improvements. These can be assessed through incident reports, audits, and staff surveys conducted at regular intervals. The timeline for implementation spans three months: the first month for staff education and system installation; the second month for training and initial deployment; and the third month for evaluation and refinement. An ongoing review schedule ensures the sustainability of changes.

The impact of such a change on the nursing profession is multifaceted. It fosters a culture of safety, enhances professional responsibility, and encourages continuous learning. Nurses gain confidence in their practice, reduce stress associated with error management, and improve patient trust. Moreover, integrating technology aligns nursing roles with broader healthcare innovations, positioning nurses as vital players in clinical safety initiatives (Weingart et al., 2000). Overall, this change promotes a proactive, safety-oriented mindset within nursing, aligning with current trends toward high-reliability organizations in healthcare.

References

• Bates, D. W., et al. (2003). Development and evaluation of a medication safety program. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 1(1), 28–35.
• Kohn, L. T., Corrigan, J. M., & Donaldson, M. S. (2000). To Err is Human: Building a safer health system. National Academies Press.
• Lewin, K. (1947). Frontiers in group dynamics: Concept, method and reality in social science; social equilibria and change. Human Relations, 1(1), 5-41.
• Weingart, S. N., et al. (2000). The role of computerized provider order entry systems in facilitating medication errors. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 7(6), 595-601.