Nur204 Week 9 Assignment Page 1 Assignment Change ✓ Solved
NUR204: Week 9 Assignment Page 1 ` Assignment: Change Paper Assignment Overview In this assignment, you will assess a current semi-direct or indirect nursing situation that is in need of change. Observe a healthcare environment, focusing on areas of the nursing process that are inefficient, unsafe, or problematic in nature. Diagnose the problem and choose a nursing change theory that suits the change(s) you want to make. Propose a detailed plan based on your chosen change theory, explaining how to implement change. Develop criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and include a timeline for your change proposal.
Finally, reflect on how your change affects the nursing profession. Assignment Details: Perform the following tasks: ï‚· Complete the reading assignment and the interactive lesson before attempting this assignment. ï‚· Assess a current semi-direct or indirect nursing situation that is in need of change. o Observe your healthcare environment, focusing on areas of nursing process that are inefficient, unsafe, or problematic in nature. o Diagnose the problem and choose a nursing change theory that suits the change you want to make. o Propose a detailed plan based on your chosen change theory, explaining how to implement change. o Develop criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and include a timeline for your change proposal. o Reflect on how your change affects the nursing profession. ï‚· Write a 3-5 page paper following the criteria below: o Your paper should include primary sources and include at least two peer- reviewed nursing journal articles. o Citations should be in your own words and not direct quotes. o Include a title page, running head, appropriate headings, and reference page. o The paper should be double spaced, written in Times New Roman, 12-point font, follow APA style format, and cite all sources correctly. ï‚· Include the proper file naming convention: NUR204_wk9_assn_jsmith_mmddyyy.
Grading: Criteria Excellent (3pts) Good (2pts) Needs Improvement (1pt) Pts. Research - Cited 4 or more reliable sources. - Sufficient information provided to support topic. - Research in-depth, revealing new insight. - Cited 4 or more reliable sources. - Adequate information provided to support topic. - Research is superficial. - Missing citations or unreliable sources used. - Information does not support research topic. - Research is not relevant to paper. NUR204: Week 9 Assignment Page 2 ` Content - Appropriate topic is chosen that relates directly to the nursing process. - Proposed plan contains specific ideas for change. - Change theory is included and proposal follows theory. - Timeline is included for change proposal. - Reflection is provided. - Appropriate topic is chosen that relates directly to the nursing process. - Proposed plan is included but missing specifics. - Change theory is included and proposal follows theory. - Timeline is incomplete - Reflection is not relevant to nursing process. - Inappropriate topic is chosen that is unrelated to nursing process. - Proposed plan is inconsistent and missing specifics. - Change theory is missing or inappropriate.
Plan does not follow theory. - Timeline is missing. - Reflection is missing. Grammar/Spelling - Consistent and appropriate writing style. - No spelling/grammar errors. - Length is 3-5 pages using Times New Roman, 12-point font - Writing is consistent and appropriate. - Grammar/spelling errors are minor. - Length is less than 3 Roman, 12-point font not used. - Writing is inconsistent and inappropriate. - Significant grammar/spelling errors. - Length less than 3 Roman, 12-point font not used. References/APA - All sources properly cited using APA format. - Includes title page, numbers, proper paragraphs, and reference page. - All sources properly cited using APA format with minor errors (punctuation). - Includes title page, numbers, and reference in paragraph format. - Sources not cited correctly. - Missing elements such as title page, reference page. Instructor: Total Points
Paper for above instructions
Title: Improving Medication Administration Processes Using Kotter’s Change ModelIntroduction
In the fast-paced environment of healthcare, the nursing profession is continually challenged with the need for effective change to enhance patient safety and outcomes. One pressing issue identified in many healthcare facilities is the inefficiency in medication administration, which can lead to severe complications for patients. This paper aims to assess the current inefficiencies in the medication administration process within a hospital setting, propose a change based on Kotter's Change Management Theory, and outline the implementation plan. This change will positively impact the nursing profession by enhancing patient safety, reducing medication errors, and improving overall healthcare delivery.
Assessment of Current Situation
During a recent observation in a hospital setting, it was noted that nurses faced significant challenges during the medication administration process. These included interruptions from various sources (e.g., phones, patient requests), a lack of standardized protocol for administering medications, and insufficient training regarding the use of electronic health records (EHR) for medication logging. According to a study by Westbrook et al. (2018), interruptions during medication administration significantly increase the likelihood of medication errors, thus compromising patient safety.
The problem is exacerbated when nurses are responsible for multiple patients and are required to multitask. This leads to fragmentation of nursing duties and may cause steps in the medication administration process to be overlooked (Bagnasco et al., 2020). Therefore, it is imperative to diagnose the inefficiencies within the medication administration process and propose a structured change to enhance effectiveness and safety.
Change Theory: Kotter’s Change Management Model
For this proposal, Kotter's Change Management Model will serve as the framework for instituting change within the medication administration process. Kotter’s model, which consists of eight steps, is applicable as it provides a clear roadmap for successful change that involves all stakeholders, including nurses and administrative staff (Kotter, 1996).
Proposed Plan
1. Creating Urgency: The first step involves establishing a sense of urgency regarding the need for change. This can be achieved by presenting statistics related to medication errors and their consequences during team meetings or through internal communications.
2. Forming a Powerful Coalition: A multidisciplinary team, consisting of nurses, quality improvement specialists, and IT personnel, will be formed to champion the change initiative. Key stakeholders must be engaged from the beginning.
3. Creating a Vision for Change: The coalition will develop a clear vision for improving medication administration that includes streamlined protocols, incorporating EHR effectively, and minimizing interruptions.
4. Communicating the Vision: The vision will be communicated frequently to all staff through newsletters, meetings, and training sessions to ensure everyone is informed and on board.
5. Empowering Employees for Broad-based Action: This step involves identifying and removing barriers to change, such as offering additional training on medication administration protocols and EHR usage.
6. Generating Short-term Wins: To demonstrate early success, we can begin by implementing standardized medication administration in a single unit, highlighting the reduction of errors and time saved.
7. Consolidating Gains and Producing More Change: Once success is established, the change will expand to other units throughout the hospital, reinforcing the vision of safe medication administration.
8. Anchoring New Approaches in the Culture: As a final step, continuous monitoring and reinforcement of the new protocols will be essential. Regular feedback sessions will be established to evaluate the ongoing effectiveness of the new processes.
Criteria for Evaluation
To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed changes in the medication administration process, the following criteria will be used:
1. Reduction in Medication Errors: Comparing data on medication errors pre- and post-implementation to measure improvement.
2. Staff Satisfaction Surveys: Conducting surveys to gauge nursing staff satisfaction with the new process, including its ease of use and effectiveness.
3. Patient Feedback: Soliciting patient feedback regarding their perceptions of medication administration.
4. Time Efficiency: Measuring the time taken for medication administration before and after implementing the changes.
5. Training Effectiveness: Evaluating pre- and post-training assessments to ensure nurses comprehend and can effectively use the new processes.
Timeline for Change Proposal
The proposed timeline for the change initiative is as follows:
- Months 1-2: Establish urgency, form a coalition, and communicate the vision. Begin initial training on EHR and protocol changes.
- Months 3-4: Empower staff, conduct more in-depth training, and analyze feedback from initial interventions.
- Month 5: Select a pilot unit for the new processes and monitor outcomes.
- Months 6-7: Review pilot data, refine processes, and prepare for expansion hospital-wide.
- Months 8-12: Implement hospital-wide changes and establish ongoing monitoring and feedback mechanisms.
Reflection on Impact to Nursing Profession
Enhancing the medication administration process through the application of Kotter’s Change Management Theory will significantly benefit the nursing profession. By reducing medication errors, nurses can provide safer, higher-quality care, resulting in improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. The change will also empower nurses to take an active role in quality improvement initiatives, fostering a culture of safety and excellence.
Moreover, improved efficiency in medication administration allows nurses to invest more time in direct patient care, enhancing their professional satisfaction and reducing burnout. Additionally, by standardizing procedures and incorporating technology effectively, nursing practice can evolve to meet the demands of contemporary healthcare.
Conclusion
The proposed change in the medication administration process, guided by Kotter’s Change Management Model, is crucial in addressing safety concerns and inefficiencies within nursing practice. By systematically implementing this change, the nursing profession can improve patient outcomes, enhance the quality of care, and foster a culture of safety within healthcare environments.
References
1. Bagnasco, A., Timmins, F., & et al. (2020). Safety of Medication Administration in Hospitals. Nursing Management, 51(5), 12-20.
2. Kotter, J. P. (1996). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.
3. Westbrook, J. I., et al. (2018). The impact of interruptions on medication administration: a systematic review. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 48(4), 351-362.
4. Wong, D. L., & Whaley, L. F. (2018). Nursing Care of the Pediatric Patient. Nursing Care of the Pediatric Patient, 473-485.
5. Clancy, C. M., & Evarts, B. (2016). Making Health Care Safer II: An Updated Critical Analysis of the Evidence for Patient Safety Practices. AHRQ Publication.
6. Kohn, L. T., Corrigan, J. M., & Donaldson, M. S. (2000). To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System. National Academies Press.
7. McBride, A., & McGowan, S. (2019). Medication Error Prevention: Strategies for Nurses. Nurse Leader, 17(4), 306-310.
8. Poon, E. G., et al. (2010). Effect of bar-code technology on the safety of medication administration. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(18), 1698-1707.
9. Raban, M. Z., & Westbrook, J. I. (2014). Interruptions during medication administration: a systematic review. BMJ Quality & Safety, 23(5), 414-421.
10. Weant, K. A., et al. (2013). Evaluating a medication administration training program on nurses’ knowledge and confidence. Nurse Education Today, 33(5), 539-543.