Introduction
The purpose of this assessment is to complete the stages in the EBP process, translating the research into practice. Y?ou will be developing a policy or procedure to address a patient safety issue in a healthcare setting. Incorporate information from prior assessment where appropriate.
Scenario
As the Director of Clinical Operations and Nursing Excellence, it is your responsibility to ensure that the best practices and protocols are implemented and sustained at the medical center. The next step is to translate the evidence into practice. Policy development is an important final step. Without a formal policy or guideline, it is likely the change will not become permanent. Policies and procedures standardize care which in turn, improves patient safety.
Instructions
Create a new policy for the medical center based on evidence, ?using the Hospital Policy Template [DOCX].
Review the template before you begin filling in each section, and gather any materials or documentation you will need.
In the Subject/Title of Policy section of the Hospital Policy Template [DOCX], type the name of the policy.
In the Purpose section, explain the purpose of the policy in 1-2 short paragraphs. Include the following:
Summarize the patient safety issue.
Explain the gap or a problem in a health care or public health situation that caused the issue.
Use supporting evidence from the literature to show how it determined the need.
Explain how the evidence was gathered.
Include your revised PICO(T) question.
Explain why it was necessary to take action with the development of this policy.
In the Population Affected by the Policy section, identify and describe the populations affected by the change and how the scope of the problem was determined.
Scope is the extent of the problem, or how wide-sweeping the issue is for the target population and the community.
Describe the target population to be addressed by an intervention in enough detail that it is clear what population is included or excluded.
In the Definitions section, create definitions that explain the industry specific terms used throughout the document needed for the understanding of the policy.
Explain the terms in a manner that is descriptive to non-industry personnel.
In the Policy Statement section, create a policy statement in a 3-5 sentence paragraph that includes the following:
State the organization’s declaration of the plans giving a timeframe and scope of the policy implementation.
Explain the organization’s intentions or goal regarding the patient safety issue.
Clearly describe the policy plans, explaining that this is a quality improvement project based on evidence-based practices to address a specific patient safety issue.
In the Procedure section, elaborate on the step-by-step procedure that was outlined in the policy statement above in enough detail that one could replicate the process based on your description alone.
Information needs to be clear and easy to read. Avoid using wordy paragraphs.
Describe all the processes involved. This section could be in a numbered list or a detailed flowchart. Include the following:
All participants with their specific responsibilities listed.
Step-by-step description of the logistical flow of how the policy is to be implemented.
Instructions for completing each step.
Any supplies that may be needed.
If a protocol or guideline already exists for your patient safety issue, use additional guidelines and literature to revise and create a procedure using your own words.
Expert Solution Preview
Policy Title: Patient Safety Measures for Medication Administration
Purpose:
This policy is developed to address the patient safety issue concerning medication administration in the healthcare setting. The gap in the healthcare system that led to this issue is the occurrence of medication errors and adverse drug events, which can have serious consequences for patient safety. The need for action is determined through evidence gathered from various studies and literature highlighting the prevalence and impact of medication errors on patient outcomes.
Revised PICO(T) question:
In adult patients receiving medication in a healthcare setting, does the implementation of standardized medication administration protocols as compared to usual care reduce the incidence of medication errors and adverse drug events?
Population Affected by the Policy:
This policy will primarily affect healthcare professionals involved in medication administration, including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and other allied healthcare staff. The scope of the problem is determined by the widespread occurrence of medication errors in various healthcare settings, as evidenced by research studies and incident reporting systems. The target population for this intervention includes all patients receiving medication in the healthcare setting.
Definitions:
1. Medication administration: The process of preparing and delivering prescribed medications to patients while ensuring accuracy, safety, and proper documentation.
2. Medication errors: Inadvertent mistakes in the prescribing, dispensing, or administration of medications that may result in harm to the patient.
3. Adverse drug events: Any unexpected or undesirable response to a medication, including side effects, allergic reactions, or medication interactions.
4. Standardized medication administration protocols: Evidence-based guidelines and procedures that standardize the process of medication administration to minimize the risk of errors and increase patient safety.
Policy Statement:
This policy aims to improve patient safety by implementing evidence-based practices in medication administration. The organization declares its commitment to implementing this policy within the next three months to address the patient safety issue related to medication errors. The goal of this policy is to reduce the incidence of medication errors and adverse drug events by establishing standardized medication administration protocols based on the best available evidence. This policy is part of a quality improvement project aimed at ensuring safe and effective medication administration practices.
Procedure:
1. Participants and Responsibilities:
a. Nurses: Responsible for medication preparation, verification, and administration.
b. Physicians: Responsible for prescribing medications accurately and providing necessary information to the nursing staff.
c. Pharmacists: Responsible for reviewing medication orders, ensuring accuracy, and providing consultation to the healthcare team.
d. Allied healthcare staff: Responsible for assisting in medication administration and documenting any observations or patient responses.
2. Logistical Flow:
a. Upon prescription, the nurse retrieves the medication order from the electronic health record system.
b. The nurse reviews the medication order for accuracy and completeness, ensuring proper dosages, routes of administration, and frequency.
c. The nurse obtains the required medication from the designated storage area, following organizational guidelines for safe medication storage.
d. Prior to administration, the nurse performs medication reconciliation, verifying the patient’s identity and assessing any allergies or contraindications.
e. The nurse administers the medication to the patient using the prescribed route and documents the administration appropriately.
f. Any observed medication errors or adverse drug events are promptly reported to the appropriate individuals, following organizational incident reporting protocols.
3. Instructions for Completion:
a. Nurses should undergo training and education on the standardized medication administration protocols before implementation.
b. Documentation of medication administration should include the medication name, dose, time, route, and any relevant patient-specific information.
c. Any discrepancies or issues related to medication administration should be reported to the nurse in charge or the designated supervisor.
d. Regular audits and evaluations should be conducted to assess compliance with the standardized medication administration protocols and identify areas for improvement.
4. Supplies Needed:
a. Medications as prescribed.
b. Appropriate administration devices (syringes, oral syringes, etc.).
c. Documentation tools (electronic health record system or paper-based forms).
d. Personal protective equipment as required (gloves, masks, etc.).
If a protocol or guideline already exists for the patient safety issue of medication administration, additional guidelines and literature should be used to revise and align the procedure with best practices and evidence-based recommendations.
