Required Readings
• Hickey, J. V., & Giardino, E. R. (Eds.). (2021). Evaluation of quality in health care for DNPs (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing.
o Chapter 15, “Drivers of Change, Impact, and Challenges for Evaluation of Health Care” (pp. 371–382)
• Sipes, C. (2024). Project management for the advanced practice nurse (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
o Chapter 4, “Planning: Project Management—Phase 2” (pp. 85–130)
• White, K. M., Dudley-Brown, S., & Terhaar, M. F. (Eds.). (2021). Translation of evidence into nursing and healthcare (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
o Chapter 9, “Project Management for Translation” (pp. 221–223)
• Aven, T., & Cox, L. A., Jr. (2021). Special issue: Simple characterisations and communication of risksLinks to an external site.. Risk Analysis. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/15396924/homepage/special_issue__simple_characterisations_and_communication_of_risks.htm
• Bohnenkamp, S., Pelton, N., & Cragun, J.(2020). The role of interprofessional practice in sustainability of a sequential compression devices projectLinks to an external site.. MedSurg Nursing, 29(5), 315–319. https://www.proquest.com/openview/377670f1d6139ad3ac444a3fe85570fc/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=30764
• Denney, V. P. (2020). Exploring the upside of risk in project management: A phenomenological inquiryLinks to an external site.. Journal of Modern Project Management, (1), 278–299. https://www.journalmodernpm.com/index.php/jmpm/article/view/JMPM02312
• Magdalinou, A., Mantas, J., Weber, P., Gallos, P., & Montandon, L. (2020). The dissemination and communication plan and activities of the CrowdHEALTH project: “Collective Wisdom Driving Public Health PoliciesLinks to an external site..” Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 272, 445–448. https://doi.org/10.5455/aim.2019.27.348-354
• Raderstorf, T., Barr, T. L., Ackerman, M., & Melnyk, B. M. (2020). A guide to empowering frontline nurses and healthcare clinicians through evidence‐based innovation leadership during COVID‐19 and beyondLinks to an external site.. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 17(4), 254–257. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12451
To Prepare
• Review your work on your practice problem throughout the course, reflecting specifically on your meetings with your preceptor and team.
• Consider the impact of how a practice change may impact your healthcare organization or nursing practice in addressing the practice problem.
• Reflect on your role as a nurse leader in promoting and supporting a proposed practice change.
Post a response detailing the impact of the practice problem you initially identified. Be specific. Now that a practice change has been proposed and implemented, describe the lasting impact of this practice change on your healthcare organization or nursing practice. Be specific and provide examples. What value have you found in making this practice change, meeting with your preceptor, and leading a team?
Reflection on Practice Change: Impact and Leadership in Nursing
Introduction
Throughout this course, my exploration of a specific practice problem within my healthcare organization has provided invaluable insights into the intricacies of implementing change. The practice problem I initially identified involved the high incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) within our unit. This issue significantly impacted patient outcomes, led to extended hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. Now, having proposed and implemented a practice change focused on enhancing infection control protocols, I am able to reflect on the lasting impacts of this change and my role as a nurse leader in facilitating it.
Impact of the Initial Practice Problem
The prevalence of HAIs presented several challenges within our organization:
1. Patient Safety and Quality of Care: The increase in HAIs negatively affected patient safety, leading to complications, prolonged recovery times, and in some cases, increased morbidity and mortality rates. This compromised the overall quality of care we strived to provide.
2. Financial Burden: The additional costs associated with treating HAIs, including longer hospital stays and potential legal ramifications, placed a significant financial burden on our healthcare organization. Resources that could have been utilized for patient care were redirected to address the consequences of these infections.
3. Staff Morale: The emotional toll on nursing staff, who often felt helpless in preventing these adverse outcomes, contributed to burnout and decreased job satisfaction. High stress levels among staff can further affect patient care delivery.
Lasting Impact of the Proposed Practice Change
With the implementation of enhanced infection control protocols, several positive outcomes have emerged:
1. Reduction in Infection Rates: Post-implementation data indicate a measurable decrease in HAIs within our unit. Regular audits and monitoring of infection control practices have established a culture of accountability. For example, hand hygiene compliance rates have improved from 70% to over 90%, directly correlating with reduced infection rates.
2. Improved Patient Outcomes: The reduction in HAIs has led to shorter hospital stays and better overall patient outcomes. Patients are experiencing fewer complications related to infections, which not only enhances their recovery but also boosts their satisfaction with the care received.
3. Financial Savings: The decrease in HAIs has resulted in significant cost savings for the organization. Resources previously allocated for managing infection-related complications can now be redirected toward enhancing patient services and staff training, ultimately benefiting both patients and the healthcare organization.
4. Enhanced Team Collaboration: Leading this change fostered greater collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. Regular meetings with my preceptor and team members encouraged open communication and the sharing of best practices, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Value of Leadership and Collaboration
Engaging with my preceptor and leading a team throughout this process has underscored the importance of leadership in nursing practice:
1. Role Modeling: As a nurse leader, I have learned that effective leadership involves modeling desired behaviors—such as adherence to infection control protocols—which can inspire colleagues to embrace change.
2. Empowering Staff: By involving team members in decision-making processes and valuing their input, I have witnessed an increase in staff engagement and ownership over their practice. Empowering frontline nurses fosters innovation and encourages them to take initiative in infection prevention strategies.
3. Continuous Learning: Regular discussions with my preceptor provided critical insights into project management principles outlined in Sipes (2024) and White et al. (2021), enhancing my understanding of how to navigate challenges during practice changes.
4. Building Resilience: Leading this initiative has equipped me with skills to address resistance to change within the team and foster resilience among staff, which is crucial for sustaining improvement efforts long-term.
Conclusion
The journey from identifying a significant practice problem to implementing a successful change has been transformative for both my professional growth and the healthcare organization’s outcomes. The lasting impact of enhanced infection control protocols illustrates how targeted practice changes can lead to improved patient safety, financial sustainability, and heightened team morale. My role as a nurse leader has been instrumental in promoting this change, empowering colleagues, and fostering a culture of excellence in care delivery. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing this momentum by advocating for evidence-based practices and strengthening collaborative efforts within our healthcare setting.