Healthcare Management Capstone Discussion 03.1 ✓ Solved

HA4521D - Healthcare Management Capstone Discussion 03.1: Ca

Answer Discussion Questions 2, 4, 5, in Case 24 and post your answers to the discussion forum. Discuss these questions with your peers.

2. What are the management issues that need to be addressed in the case?

4. Should the nurse have questioned giving this large amount of insulin without checking with the doctor?

5. Should the pharmacist have questioned the dosage?

Paper For Above Instructions

The case study under discussion raises crucial management issues that are pertinent within healthcare settings, especially concerning medication administration and inter-professional communication. In this context, the discussion will address the management issues needing attention, the responsibilities of nursing staff, and the role of pharmacists in medication verification.

Management Issues in Healthcare Settings

Management issues in healthcare often encompass various aspects, including communication gaps, resource allocation, adherence to protocols, and accountability among healthcare professionals. The case study illustrates a significant breakdown in communication between the nursing staff and medical professionals, which is critical, especially in situations involving medication administration.

Firstly, proper communication is essential when administering medications, particularly those that can have a serious impact on patient health, such as insulin. In this instance, the nurse's responsibility to ensure that the prescribed dosage is appropriate reflects a broader issue of systemic communication failures. It highlights the necessity for implementing structured communication protocols where nurses are empowered to question unclear instructions or large dosages that seem excessive based on their clinical judgment.

Secondly, the aspect of accountability is also a critical management issue. Each healthcare team member has a role in ensuring patient safety. This means that not only the prescribing physician bears responsibility; nurses and pharmacists also share in the duty of care by verifying that the prescribed treatments are appropriate for the patient's condition.

Responsibilities of the Nurse in Medication Administration

One of the key questions raised in the case is whether the nurse should have questioned the administration of a large amount of insulin without consulting the physician. According to the principles of nursing ethics and patient safety, the nurse is obligated to advocate for patient care and safety. This includes questioning potentially unsafe practices or uncommon dosages.

The literature supports this expectation; for instance, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) encourages nurses to challenge orders that they believe could compromise patient safety. The case emphasizes a critical reflection on nursing practices, where the nurse's hesitation should have triggered a review of the patient's needs and current condition against the prescribed order. As such, if there were any doubts regarding the insulin dosage, it would have been prudent for the nurse to seek clarification or second opinions from attending physicians.

The Role of Pharmacists in Medication Safety

The case also questions whether the pharmacist should have questioned the insulin dosage. Pharmacists play an essential role within the healthcare team as medication experts. Their responsibilities extend beyond medication dispensing to include ensuring that all prescriptions are appropriate, effective, and safe for patients.

Pharmacists are trained to consider drug interactions, patient history, and current prescriptions when reviewing a medication order. They have the duty to intervene when they recognize potential errors. In situations where the prescribed dosage appears excessive or outside of normal parameters, pharmacists are ethically and professionally bound to raise concerns. This case should have prompted the pharmacist not only to check the dosage but also to communicate and clarify with the nurse or physician to prevent any adverse outcomes for the patient.

Promoting a Culture of Safety in Healthcare

To address the management issues illustrated in this case, healthcare organizations must foster a culture of safety that encourages open communication among all team members. Strategies include developing clear protocols for medication administration, encouraging nurses and pharmacists to voice concerns, and conducting regular training sessions focused on patient safety and inter-professional collaboration.

Creating an environment where team members feel empowered to speak up can mitigate risks associated with medication errors. Regular safety drills, role-playing scenarios, and fostering an environment where questioning protocols is accepted can enhance overall patient safety and organizational effectiveness. Establishing a non-punitive approach to error reporting will encourage healthcare professionals to engage in candid discussions about safety concerns without fear of reprisal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the case study presents critical management issues concerning inter-professional communication and responsibility in medication administration. The nurse’s and pharmacist’s roles are vital in upholding patient safety. Appropriately addressing these management issues involves promoting a safety culture, enhancing communication strategies, and encouraging professional accountability across the healthcare team. By adopting these measures, healthcare organizations can significantly reduce medication errors and improve patient outcomes.

References

• Bates, D. W., & Gawande, A. A. (2000). Improving safety with information technology. The New England Journal of Medicine, 348(25), 2526-2534.
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (2021). ISMP Guidelines for Preventing Medication Errors. Retrieved from http://www.ismp.org
• Kohn, L. T., Corrigan, J. M., & Donaldson, M. S. (2000). To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System. National Academy Press.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2019). Medicine safety: Preventing medication errors. NICE Guidelines.
• Weinger, M., & O’Connor, M. (2007). Medication errors: A nurse's perspective. Nursing Outlook, 55(4), 201-206.
• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA.
• World Health Organization. (2017). Medication without harm: global patient safety challenge on medication safety. WHO.
• Bourbonnais, F. F., & McMillan, K. K. (2017). Nursing engagement in medication safety: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 32(3), 290-299.
• Davis, M. M., & Hodge, M. (2010). Managing medication errors in healthcare. Healthcare Management Forum, 23(4), 226-230.
• Leape, L. L. (2012). The 100,000 Lives Campaign: The effect of the initiative on patient safety. Health Affairs, 31(5), 1027-1033.