ITS IMPORTANT TO MEET THE COMPETENCES. PLEASE READ THE COMPETENCES ! Write 8-10 pages in which you identify a major patient-safety issue within your own organization and use evidence-based best practices and technology to develop a plan to improve the safety issue. Quality improvement and patient safety are central to the nursing leadership role. By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria: As you prepare for this assessment, complete the following:

Introduction

Patient safety is a critical aspect of healthcare and plays a pivotal role in the nursing leadership role. It ensures that patients receive the highest quality of care while minimizing the risk of harm. In this paper, we will identify a major patient safety issue within our organization and develop a plan to improve this issue using evidence-based best practices and technology.

Identification of Patient Safety Issue

After thorough assessment and analysis, we have identified medication errors as a major patient safety issue within our organization. Medication errors pose a significant threat to patient safety, leading to adverse drug events, prolonged hospital stays, and even death in severe cases. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), medication errors harm at least 1.5 million patients each year in the United States alone (Institute of Medicine, 2006).

Evidence-Based Best Practices

To address the medication error issue, it is crucial to implement evidence-based best practices that have been proven to reduce errors and improve patient safety. The following are some key best practices that can be incorporated into our plan:

1. Barcoding Medications: Barcoding technology has shown to be effective in reducing medication errors. By scanning the barcode on the medication and the patient’s identification bracelet, nurses can ensure accurate medication administration and reduce the potential for errors in dosage or medication selection (Institute for Safe Medication Practices, 2008).

2. Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE): CPOE systems facilitate the electronic ordering of medication, eliminating the possibility of illegible handwritten orders and reducing transcription errors. With built-in clinical decision support systems, CPOE can provide alerts and reminders to minimize medication errors (Bates et al., 1998).

3. Medication Reconciliation: A thorough process of medication reconciliation should be implemented at admission, transfer, and discharge to ensure accurate medication histories and prevent errors due to discrepancies in medication orders. This involves reviewing the patient’s medication list, verifying its accuracy, and updating it as necessary (The Joint Commission, 2019).

4. Automated Dispensing Cabinets: These cabinets enable secure storage and dispensing of medications with restricted access, reducing the risk of medication errors and unauthorized access. By using the cabinets, nurses can also have quick and easy access to medications, thus promoting efficiency and timely administration (Institute for Safe Medication Practices, 2011).

Implementation Plan

To address the medication error issue, we propose the following implementation plan:

1. Assess Current Practice: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current medication administration process in our organization. This will involve observing nurses during medication administration, reviewing incident reports, and analyzing medication error data to identify patterns and common causes.

2. Education and Training: Provide education and training sessions to all healthcare professionals involved in medication administration. This will include nurses, physicians, and pharmacists. The training will focus on medication safety principles, best practices, and the proper use of technology to minimize errors.

3. Barcoding Technology: Implement a barcoding system for medication administration. This will involve upgrading our current medication administration software to include barcode scanning capabilities. Nurses will be trained on how to use the system effectively and will be responsible for scanning both the medication and patient identification bracelet before administering any medication.

4. CPOE Implementation: Collaborate with the information technology department to implement a CPOE system. This will involve integrating the system into the electronic medical records and training healthcare providers on how to use it. The system will have built-in clinical decision support to alert providers to potential medication errors and drug interactions.

5. Medication Reconciliation Process: Develop and implement a standardized medication reconciliation process for all patient transitions, including admission, transfer, and discharge. This process will involve dedicated staff members responsible for verifying accuracy, updating medication lists, and communicating any changes to the healthcare team.

6. Automated Dispensing Cabinets: Install automated dispensing cabinets in all relevant patient care areas. Ensure appropriate medication storage and follow strict security protocols to prevent unauthorized access. Train nurses on how to use the cabinets and ensure timely restocking to prevent shortages.

Monitoring and Evaluation

To assess the effectiveness of our plan, we will establish monitoring and evaluation processes. This will involve collecting data on medication errors, adverse drug events, and near misses before and after implementing the interventions. Additionally, we will conduct regular staff surveys to gather feedback on the usability and effectiveness of the implemented technologies and best practices.

Conclusion

Patient safety is a crucial aspect of healthcare, and addressing medication errors is essential to ensure optimal patient outcomes. By implementing evidence-based best practices and utilizing technology, we can improve medication safety within our organization. It is imperative that nursing leaders take the lead in implementing these interventions to promote patient safety and improve the quality of care provided.