NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2: Issue Identification
During the interview with Jane Doe, several valuable insights were obtained regarding the challenges and potential areas for improvement at City General Hospital. One of the major issues identified was the inefficiencies in the patient discharge process. Adopting an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach by leveraging the PDSA cycle was suggested, with the active participation of a baccalaureate-prepared nurse like Jane. This project can improve patient care and operational efficiency by promoting a collaborative and interdisciplinary model for healthcare delivery. This approach can replace traditional hierarchical structures and bring about positive changes (Stoller, 2021).
Strategies to Gather Information
A structured questionnaire was developed to gather information during the interview in a systematic manner. The questionnaire aimed to investigate various aspects of the healthcare organization, such as the organizational structure, culture, historical and current challenges, and the interviewee’s experiences with interdisciplinary collaboration. It also aimed to uncover insights into the organization’s strategies to address these challenges and assess their effectiveness and outcomes. This comprehensive approach ensured a thorough understanding of the organization’s dynamics and its key issues.
During the interview, the inefficient patient discharge process emerged as a critical issue suitable for an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach. Several factors drove this choice. Firstly, the complexity of patient discharge involving multiple departments like nursing, medicine, pharmacy, social work, and administration necessitates a collaborative and coordinated effort. Additionally, improving this process can significantly impact both patient and system outcomes, such as enhancing patient satisfaction, reducing the duration of hospital stays, and optimizing resource management.
Interdisciplinary collaboration, when applied to the patient discharge process, has the potential to achieve remarkable improvements in patient and system outcomes. Enhanced communication is a key benefit, where regular meetings among different departments ensure alignment and clarity of roles in the discharge process. Collaboration promotes shared decision-making, with each team member contributing their specialized knowledge, leading to a more comprehensive and patient-centric approach. Efficiency is another critical outcome, as collaborative efforts are well-positioned to identify and rectify bottlenecks in the discharge process, thereby improving the overall utilization of resources.
To establish or improve an interdisciplinary team effectively, several literature-based approaches can be considered. Integrated care pathways, for instance, offer a structured framework for multidisciplinary care planning, which can standardize and streamline the discharge process. Regular interdisciplinary meetings are vital for fostering communication and collaborative problem-solving. Additionally, clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of each team member can prevent functional overlap and ensure comprehensive coverage of all aspects of patient care and discharge.
Incorporating evidence-based practice (EBP) within the interdisciplinary team is crucial for effectively addressing patient discharge. This involves research and data analysis to inform the team’s approach based on current evidence on effective discharge processes. Benchmarking against best practices from other organizations can provide valuable insights for improvement (Kalmakis, 2020). Moreover, continuous evaluation and adaptation of strategies based on empirical evidence are essential to ensure the effectiveness and relevance of the implemented changes.
The interview provided vital insights into the inefficiencies of the patient discharge process, pinpointing it as an issue well-suited for an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach. An effective interdisciplinary team can be formed by leveraging the complexity of the process and its substantial impact on patient care and operational efficiency and incorporating literature-based strategies and EBP. This team would play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare organization, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and better resource management (Smye & Frangi, 2021).
Interdisciplinary Approach for Identified Issue
During the interview, the issue of inefficient patient discharge processes stood out as a prime candidate for an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach. Interdisciplinary teams consisting of physicians, nurses, DSNs (Direct Service Nurses), pharmacists, physician assistants, and social workers can greatly enhance the quality of care and improve patient outcomes. The patient discharge p