Full Answer Section

• Increased workload: Responding to medication errors requires additional time and effort for nurses, leading to increased stress and burnout.

• Negative patient outcomes: Medication errors can lead to poor patient satisfaction and potential legal ramifications.

• Damaged reputation: High rates of medication errors can negatively impact the reputation of the unit and the hospital.

Review of the Literature:

Extensive research highlights the benefits of pharmacist-nurse collaboration in reducing medication errors and improving patient safety.

• [Reference 1]: A study published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy found that collaborative medication management programs involving pharmacists led to significant reductions in medication errors and ADEs.

• [Reference 2]: The Journal of Nursing Administration reports on the positive impact of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation programs on patient safety and medication adherence.

Proposed Interventions:

Based on the evidence, this project proposes to implement a pilot program for enhanced pharmacist collaboration on our unit. Three options were considered:

1. Dedicated Pharmacist Rounds: A pharmacist would conduct daily rounds on the unit to review medication orders, identify potential risks, and provide direct support to nurses.

2. Increased Phone Consultations: A designated pharmacist would be available via phone for immediate consultation on complex medication orders, resolving ambiguities and preventing errors.

3. Collaborative Medication Review Sessions: A regular schedule of collaborative sessions would be held with nurses and pharmacists to review high-risk medications, discuss best practices, and address emerging concerns.

Intervention Choice:

Option 3, Collaborative Medication Review Sessions, was chosen as the primary intervention. This approach offers a balanced approach to addressing medication errors, combining the expertise of nurses and pharmacists in a structured setting. This approach fosters continuous learning, shared decision-making, and a collaborative culture of safety.

Resources Required:

• Personnel: A dedicated pharmacist (part-time) to lead the sessions and provide support.

• Equipment: A designated meeting room or space equipped for collaborative sessions.

• Fiscal: Funding for pharmacist compensation and training materials.

• Stakeholders: Collaboration with the hospital’s Pharmacy Department, Nursing Leadership, and the Quality Council.

• Regulatory/Legal: Compliance with state and federal regulations for medication management.

Potential Barriers and How to Overcome:

• Time Constraints: Nurses’ busy schedules may pose a challenge to attending sessions. This can be addressed by offering flexible scheduling options and highlighting the time saved by preventing errors.

• Resistance to Change: Some nurses may resist the new approach. This can be overcome through clear communication, education, and emphasizing the benefits for patient safety and practice improvement.

• Limited Pharmacist Resources: The hospital may have limited pharmacist availability. This can be addressed by negotiating with the Pharmacy Department for dedicated pharmacist time and exploring the possibility of virtual collaboration.

Evaluation Strategies:

SMART Goals:

• Goal 1: To reduce medication errors by 20% within 6 months of implementing the collaborative medication review sessions.

• Measurement: Track medication errors using the unit’s current error reporting system and compare the data before and after implementing the intervention.

• Goal 2: To increase nurse satisfaction with medication management by 15% within 6 months.

• Measurement: Administer a survey to nurses regarding their satisfaction with medication management processes before and after implementing the intervention.

• Goal 3: To improve patient satisfaction with medication information and communication by 10% within 6 months.

• Measurement: Administer a survey to patients regarding their satisfaction with medication information and communication before and after implementing the intervention.

Dissemination of Results:

• Presentation to unit leadership: Share the project results and recommendations with the unit’s nursing leadership team.

• Presentation to hospital’s Quality Council: Present the findings and recommendations to the hospital’s Quality Council to consider wider implementation across the hospital.

• Publication in hospital newsletter: Share a summary of the project findings and outcomes with the hospital staff through a newsletter or intranet article.

Impact of Non-Implementation:

Without implementing this project, the unit will continue to face challenges related to medication errors, potentially leading to:

• Increased risk of ADEs: Patient safety will remain compromised.

• Higher healthcare costs: Increased length of stay, treatment costs, and potential legal expenses.

• Negative patient experience: Reduced patient satisfaction and potential damage to the hospital’s reputation.

Conclusion:

This leadership project aims to address a critical patient safety issue within the Medical-Surgical unit by implementing a program of enhanced pharmacist collaboration. Through collaborative medication review sessions, the project seeks to reduce medication errors, improve patient outcomes, and foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement. The anticipated positive impacts on patient safety, nurse satisfaction, and organizational reputation make this project a crucial step towards achieving excellence in nursing practice.

References:

• [Reference 1] – Include APA formatted citation

• [Reference 2] – Include APA formatted citation