NURS FPX 6212 Assessment 2 Executive Summary

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 6212 Health Care Quality and Safety Management

Prof. Name

Date

Executive Summary 

Adverse events are common in healthcare settings. This executive summary grounds the need for more effective communication among healthcare providers, specifically during hands-off among nurses. (mention your organization) is currently encountering a practice gap due to a lack of standardized protocols, maximized interruptions, and inefficient handover processes. Thus, the summary describes the quality and safety outcomes for the quality issue and its strategic value for our healthcare setting.

Quality and Safety Outcomes Measures

Kim et al. (2021) claim that ineffective hands-off communication results in several poor consequences, including medical errors, treatment duplication, health complications, mortality, and patient dissatisfaction. Thus, several critical quality and safety outcome measures are essential to evaluate the presence of this systemic problem and the effectiveness of our proposed changes within the organization.

Firstly, tracking the number of adverse events within the organization will provide direct evidence of the efficacy of improved handoff communication protocols. In (mention your organization), the data represents 25 adverse events per 1,000 patient days. Enhanced communication can ensure critical patient information is accurately conveyed, preventing adverse incidents that stem from oversight and poor information exchange (Khalaf, 2023). Yet, the weakness of this measure lies in nurses underreporting due to fear or pressure. 

NURS FPX 6212 Assessment 2 Executive Summary

Another essential outcome measure is the patient satisfaction score. This is a comprehensive measure reflecting various aspects of care quality, including communication, safety, and hospital experience. Assessed through surveys and feedback, this outcome measure provides qualitative insights into how handover communication improvements have impacted patient perceptions and satisfaction within our organization (Ghosh et al., 2021). In our organization, the current patient satisfaction score is 70%.

However, patient satisfaction can be influenced by numerous factors beyond handoff communication, such as wait times and interpersonal interactions, which can confound the results. Finally, it is essential to evaluate staff compliance with standardized protocols and technologies integrated for an effective handover process. The current compliance rate among nursing professionals related to communication protocols is 60%, with minimal standardization. Improved handoff communication ensures that care protocols are consistently followed, reducing variations in patient care (Ali, 2023). Nevertheless, the weakness of this measure is that securing and measuring compliance can be resource-intensive, requiring regular audits and continuous monitoring. 

Strategic Value of Outcome Measures in the Organization

These outcome measures have premeditated value for (mention your organization). Adverse events are associated with patient safety and the overall quality of care. By systematically monitoring and analyzing these events, the hospital can identify trends, root causes, and areas for improvement, which is essential for proactive risk management (Vikan et al., 2023). This data-driven approach can lead our organization to implement targeted interventions that reduce adverse events, enhance patient safety, and prevent legal liabilities.

Simultaneously, patient satisfaction scores reflect the quality of care and patient treatment within the organization (Ghosh et al., 2021). Strategically, high satisfaction scores can enhance the organization’s reputation, attracting more patients to generate patient revenues. Moreover, patient satisfaction scores are essential to evaluate as this data provides deeper insights into how to enhance patient experience and care quality, promoting organizational performance.

NURS FPX 6212 Assessment 2 Executive Summary

Lastly, ensuring staff compliance with care protocols is crucial for maintaining high standards of clinical care and patient safety. Strategic value lies in the consistency and reliability of care provided, which can reduce errors, enhance patient outcomes, and increase operational efficiency. Compliance tracking helps in identifying gaps in practice, underscoring the need for additional training and resource allocation needs (Ali, 2023).

To provide additional value, existing outcome measures can be integrated into a comprehensive performance management system that aligns with the (mention your organization)’s strategic goals. For instance, correlating adverse event data with patient satisfaction scores can reveal underlying issues affecting safety and experience. Similarly, analyzing compliance data alongside patient outcomes can help in refining care protocols and training programs. Regularly reviewing these integrated metrics at leadership meetings can ensure that strategic decisions are informed by robust data, driving continuous improvement and aligning daily operations with long-term organizational objectives. 

The Relationship Between Problem and Outcome Measures

In (mention your organization), the systemic problem of ineffective handoff communication among nurses directly impacts quality and safety outcomes. Ineffective handoffs often result in inaccurate information exchange among nurses, which can lead to adverse events like medication errors, duplication, and surgical complications. These incidents compromise patient safety, resulting in preventable harm and increased healthcare costs (Kim et al., 2021). By improving handoff communication, the hospital can ensure that critical information is accurately conveyed, reducing the likelihood of such adverse events and enhancing patient safety. Similarly, patient satisfaction is closely linked to the quality of handover communication.

When nurses fail to communicate effectively, patients may experience inconsistencies in their care, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction with their treatment (Ghosh et al., 2021). Clear and thorough handoff communication ensures that patients receive consistent messages from their caregivers, improving their experience and satisfaction with the hospital. Finally, staff compliance with care protocols is another critical outcome affected by ineffective hands-off communication. Inconsistent communication standards can lead to deviations from established care plans, resulting in suboptimal patient outcomes and reduced care quality (Khalaf, 2023). By standardizing handoff processes and ensuring thorough communication, our organization can enhance staff adherence to care protocols, leading to more consistent and high-quality patient care.

NURS FPX 6212 Assessment 2 Executive Summary

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the systemic problem, additional data is required, which includes detailed incident reports that provide context around communication failures during handoffs, identifying common contributing factors and areas that need improvement (Umberfield et al., 2019). Additionally, gathering direct feedback from nursing staff through surveys can capture their experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improving the handoff process. This qualitative data can provide deeper insights into the practical barriers to effective communication (Ali, 2023). Furthermore, tracking patient outcomes related to specific handoff periods and collecting patient feedback specifically related to their care transitions can offer insights into how communication issues affect their experience and outcomes. By integrating these additional data with existing outcome measures, our hospital can develop a more detailed and actionable plan to address ineffective handoff communication, 

Outcome Measures and Strategic Initiatives 

The strategic initiatives proposed for our organization include the implementation of standardized protocols, integration of EHR technology, and establishment of interruption-free environments to foster a culture of quality and safety. These initiatives align with specific outcome measures, including reducing adverse events, improving patient satisfaction, and enhancing staff compliance with care protocols. Each measure directly supports the hospital’s strategic goals and reflects its commitment to excellence in patient care. 

• Currently, our organization reports 25 adverse events per 1000 patient days due to communication failures. Our target is to reduce the rate to 15 events/1000 days. By implementing standardized protocols and interruption-free environments, the goal is to ensure that critical patient information is consistently and accurately conveyed during handoffs, reducing the likelihood of errors that lead to adverse events (Chien et al., 2022). Moreover, by integrating EHR tools, the aim is to enhance accuracy and efficiency in communication.

NURS FPX 6212 Assessment 2 Executive Summary

• Similarly, only 70% of patients rate their experience as “satisfactory” or higher in our organization. The desired performance is to achieve an 85% satisfaction rating within one year. By executing standardized communication protocols, we aim to ensure that patients receive consistent care and clear communication from their healthcare providers. Moreover, integrating technology can streamline processes and reduce communication failures, enhancing patient experience (Panda, 2020). By regularly surveying patients and analyzing satisfaction data, our organization can identify areas for improvement and continuously improve the patient experience. 
• Thirdly, the current staff compliance rate with communication protocols is 60%. However, the target is to reach a 95% compliance rate. Standardized protocols will provide clear guidelines for staff to follow, reducing variability in care and increasing adherence to best practices. Integrating technology, such as electronic health records and checklists, supports staff in following protocols accurately and efficiently. Creating interruption-free environments ensures that staff can focus on critical tasks without distractions, further enhancing compliance (Teigné et al., 2023). Regular audits and feedback mechanisms will help monitor adherence and identify areas needing additional training or support. 

Leadership Role in Supporting Proposed Changes 

The leadership team at (mention your organization) plays a crucial role in supporting the execution of proposed practice changes aimed at improving quality and safety outcomes through effective communication. To effectively drive these changes, leadership must set clear expectations, provide necessary training, and allocate resources to ensure staff are well-equipped to adopt new practices (Musaigwa, 2023). Leaders should also foster a culture of continuous improvement and encourage feedback from staff. Several critical resources required from leaders are adequate budget allocations for training programs, new technology and process improvement initiatives, ongoing training sessions to ensure staff are proficient in using new tools, and enforcement of policies that support interruption-free environments and prioritize patient safety.

Interprofessional collaboration is essential for the successful implementation of these practice changes. Leadership can facilitate this by establishing multidisciplinary teams that include nurses, physicians, IT specialists, and administrative staff. These teams can work together to develop, test, and refine standardized protocols and electronic handoff tools, ensuring that they are practical and effective across different departments (Samardzic et al., 2020). Regular interprofessional meetings and workshops can provide a platform for sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and promoting a cohesive approach to patient care. By fostering a collaborative environment, leadership can leverage the diverse expertise of staff to enhance the quality and safety of patient care.

References 

 Ali, A. Q. (2023). Nurses’ compliance with handover practices in adult medical surgical units at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Aga Khan University. https://ecommons.aku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3086&context=theses_dissertations 

Chien, L. J., Slade, D., Dahm, M. R., Brady, B., Roberts, E., Goncharov, L., Taylor, J., Eggins, S., & Thornton, A. (2022). Improving patient‐centred care through a tailored intervention addressing nursing clinical handover communication in its organizational and cultural context. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(5), 1413–1430. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15110

Ghosh, S., Ramamoorthy, L., & pottakat, B. (2021). Impact of structured clinical handover protocol on communication and patient satisfaction. Journal of Patient Experience, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373521997733 

NURS FPX 6212 Assessment 2 Executive Summary

Khalaf, Z. (2023). Improving patient handover: A narrative review. African Journal of Paediatric Surgery, 20(3), 166–170. https://doi.org/10.4103/ajps.ajps_82_22 

Kim, J. H., Lee, J. L., & Kim, E. M. (2021). Patient safety culture and handoff evaluation of nurses in small and medium-sized hospitals. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.12.007

Musaigwa, M. (2023). The role of leadership in managing change. International Review of Management and Marketing, 13(6), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.13526 

Panda, S. (2020). Nursing shift handoff process: Using an electronic health record tool to improve quality. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 24(5), 583–585. https://doi.org/10.1188/20.cjon.583-585

Samardzic, M., Doekhie, K. D., & Wijngaarden, J. D. H. (2020). Interventions to improve team effectiveness within health care: A systematic review of the past decade. Human Resources for Health, 18(2). https://human-resources-health.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12960-019-0411-3 

Teigné, D., Cazet, L., Birgand, G., Moret, L., Jean-Claude Maupetit, Guillaume Mabileau, & Terrien, N. (2023). Improving care safety by characterizing task interruptions during interactions between healthcare professionals: An observational study. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 35(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzad069

NURS FPX 6212 Assessment 2 Executive Summary

Umberfield, E., Ghaferi, A. A., Krein, S. L., & Manojlovich, M. (2019). Using incident reports to assess communication failures and patient outcomes. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 45(6), 406–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2019.02.006 

Vikan, M., Haugen, A. S., Bjørnnes, A. K., Valeberg, B. T., Deilkås, E. C. T., & Danielsen, S. O. (2023). The association between patient safety culture and adverse events – A scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09332-8