Read this article: Sammer, C. & James, B. (2011, September 30). Patient safety culture: The nursing unit leader’s role. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing,16(3), Manuscript 3. In the Hospital Hope scenario, what do you think was the most important factor that led to the change in practice in the SICU? If you worked in a facility that needed a practice change, what framework would you use and why?

QUESTION

Assignment Description

A Culture of Patient Safety

Read this article:

Sammer, C. & James, B. (2011, September 30). Patient safety culture: The nursing unit leader’s role. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing,16(3), Manuscript 3.

In the Hospital Hope scenario, what do you think was the most important factor that led to the change in practice in the SICU?

If you worked in a facility that needed a practice change, what framework would you use and why?

Assignment Expectations:

Length:1000 to 1250 words in length

Structure: Include a title page and reference page in APA format. These do not count towards the minimum word count for this assignment. Your essay must include an introduction and a conclusion.

ANSWER

 A Culture of Patient Safety: Factors Influencing Practice Change in the SICU

Introduction

Patient safety is a critical aspect of healthcare delivery, and establishing a culture of patient safety is crucial for improving outcomes and reducing adverse events. This essay explores the factors that led to a practice change in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at Hospital Hope and discusses a suitable framework for implementing practice changes in a healthcare facility.

Factors Leading to Practice Change in the SICU at Hospital Hope

In the scenario presented in the article “Patient safety culture: The nursing unit leader’s role” by Sammer and James (2011), several factors contributed to the practice change in the SICU at Hospital Hope. The most important factor can be identified as leadership commitment and engagement in promoting a culture of patient safety (EBSCOhost | 69584127 | Patient Safety Culture: The Nursing Unit Leader’s Role., n.d.).

Leadership commitment played a pivotal role in driving the change by setting clear expectations, providing resources and support, and fostering an environment where staff felt empowered to voice their concerns and ideas. The SICU nurse manager, Ms. Johnson, demonstrated leadership commitment by actively participating in safety rounds, conducting regular staff meetings, and promoting open communication channels. By engaging with the frontline staff, she created a sense of trust and collaboration, which contributed to the successful implementation of practice changes.

Another significant factor was staff engagement and involvement. The staff members in the SICU at Hospital Hope were actively engaged in the process of identifying and addressing safety concerns. The implementation of a multidisciplinary safety committee allowed staff from various disciplines to collaborate, share insights, and contribute to decision-making processes. This collaborative approach empowered the staff to take ownership of patient safety and played a crucial role in the successful adoption of new practices.

Communication and teamwork were also vital factors in facilitating the practice change. The establishment of a safety huddle system, where staff could discuss safety concerns and potential solutions, improved communication among team members. This platform fostered teamwork, promoted a sense of collective responsibility, and ensured that all staff members had a voice in the decision-making process. Enhanced communication and teamwork contributed to a more proactive approach to patient safety and the successful implementation of practice changes.

A Framework for Implementing Practice Change

If I were working in a healthcare facility that required a practice change, I would utilize the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework (Tearle, 2004). The PDSA cycle is a quality improvement methodology that enables systematic and iterative changes while incorporating feedback and data-driven decision-making.

The PDSA framework consists of four stages:

 Plan: In this stage, the current practice is assessed, and a change is planned based on evidence-based practices and identified areas for improvement. Goals, objectives, and measures are established, and potential barriers and strategies for implementation are identified (Kotnour, 1999).

 Do: The planned change is implemented on a small scale or as a pilot project. This allows for testing and learning from the implementation process. Data and feedback are collected to assess the impact of the change and identify any necessary modifications.

Study: The data collected during the implementation phase are analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of the change. This stage involves measuring outcomes, comparing them to the established goals, and identifying areas for improvement.

Act: Based on the findings from the study phase, modifications are made to the practice change. Lessons learned are incorporated into the revised plan, and the cycle restarts with the implementation of the revised change. This iterative process allows for continuous improvement and refinement of the practice change.

The PDSA framework is well-suited for implementing practice changes as it promotes a systematic and evidence-based approach. It allows for the involvement of frontline staff, encourages data collection and analysis, and facilitates continuous learning and adaptation.

Conclusion

A culture of patient safety is essential for delivering high-quality healthcare and minimizing adverse events. Leadership commitment, staff engagement, effective communication, and teamwork were crucial factors that led to the practice change in the SICU at Hospital Hope. Implementing the PDSA framework can provide a structured and iterative approach to practice change, allowing for continuous improvement and fostering a culture of patient safety in healthcare facilities. By prioritizing patient safety and utilizing appropriate frameworks, healthcare organizations can achieve meaningful and sustainable practice changes that enhance patient care and outcomes.

References

EBSCOhost | 69584127 | Patient Safety Culture: The Nursing Unit Leader’s Role. (n.d.). https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=10913734&AN=69584127&h=disxIw3v4sAnJc9ouEHouDH5yuvO0e6HPOnDbCIpL5pvb%2FCa1FWSK5RTT45ViOQU6ekVyTI8Zxvq8AcT6%2B7rPw%3D%3D&crl=c 

Kotnour, T. (1999). A Learning Framework for Project Management. Project Management Journal, 30(2), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/875697289903000206 

Tearle, P. (2004). A theoretical and instrumental framework for implementing change in ICT in education. Cambridge Journal of Education, 34(3), 331–351. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764042000289956