Capella 4005 Assessment 3

Capella 4005 Assessment 3

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations

Prof. Name

Date

Interdisciplinary Plan Proposal

This proposal seeks to address the issue of inadequate patient handoffs during critical care transitions at Riverview Medical Center. Inefficient communication during these handoffs often leads to missing or incomplete information, resulting in preventable medical errors and jeopardizing patient safety (Desmedt et al., 2021). The suggested plan emphasizes the integration of a multidisciplinary team approach to create uniform handoff protocols, refine communication procedures, and preserve care continuity.

Objective

The primary aim of this initiative is to mitigate communication failures that occur during patient handoffs by leveraging a collaborative team strategy. Standardizing communication protocols, incorporating real-time communication technology, and offering specialized training are central to the plan. This approach is designed to reduce clinical errors, elevate team accountability, and ensure seamless patient transitions, ultimately improving organizational performance.

Questions and Predictions

The plan includes several guiding questions to evaluate its potential impact and success. Initially, concerns may arise regarding the time needed to coordinate interdisciplinary efforts for patient handoffs. However, improved communication is expected to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of handoffs, which will, in turn, minimize delays. Key resources include standardized communication tools, training programs, and integration of electronic health records. The Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation (SBAR) model and collaboration between healthcare providers and IT personnel are crucial to facilitating consistent and reliable handoffs. Standardized communication frameworks will streamline information sharing, reduce misinterpretations, and lower the risk of errors. The effectiveness of this proposal will be measured through communication audits, incident reporting, SBAR usage rates, and team performance assessments using TeamSTEPPS instruments (Hassan et al., 2024).

Change Theories and Leadership Strategies

Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory

The three-step model by Kurt Lewin—unfreezing, changing, and refreezing—provides a structured framework for addressing communication inefficiencies at Riverview Medical Center (Silvola et al., 2024). The unfreezing stage involves creating awareness among staff about the consequences of poor communication during handoffs. This helps build urgency for change. During the changing phase, the implementation of structured methods like SBAR, I-PASS, and handoff checklists can be facilitated by interdisciplinary teams. Lastly, the refreezing stage involves embedding these practices into the hospital’s routine through continuous staff education, outcome tracking, and leadership support. For instance, Boston Children’s Hospital employed this model to introduce the I-PASS protocol, significantly improving handoff quality and reducing clinical errors (Shahian, 2021).

Transformational Leadership Strategy

The application of transformational leadership (TL) in handoff communication reform fosters shared accountability, innovation, and commitment to patient safety (Deveaux et al., 2021). Nurse and physician leaders practicing TL can provide personalized guidance during transitions, using inspirational motivation to communicate the importance of reducing communication errors. Intellectual stimulation encourages staff to identify gaps and propose effective handoff solutions collaboratively. TL builds a culture of open communication, trust, and mutual respect—essential elements for improving handoff practices. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital exemplified this strategy by adopting SBAR under TL guidance, significantly reducing sentinel events through enhanced team engagement (Sluder & Gillespie, 2024).

Team Collaboration Strategy

At Riverview Medical Center, a multidisciplinary team comprising nurse managers, bedside nurses, communication experts, and administrative staff will work collectively to strengthen handoff communication. Nurse managers will be responsible for ensuring protocol implementation, training consistency, and adherence monitoring. According to Hassan et al. (2024), tools such as TeamSTEPPS enhance teamwork by clarifying roles and reinforcing mutual support. Bedside nurses will evaluate handoff tool usability and participate in scenario-based communication exercises. Communication specialists will refine protocol language and lead training sessions that emphasize clarity and brevity. Integrating digital systems will also expedite the exchange of real-time patient data, ensuring accessibility for all relevant care providers (Desmedt et al., 2021). Hospital administrators will oversee the initiative’s impact by monitoring patient safety metrics and conducting staff surveys. The team will adopt SBAR and I-PASS to maintain consistency and improve information clarity during handovers. This structured communication will bridge professional silos, fostering cooperation and shared objectives (Patel et al., 2024).

Required Organizational Resources

The execution of this handoff improvement plan requires strategic allocation of human, technological, and financial resources. Key personnel include nurse managers, communication trainers, and hospital administrators who will oversee training, monitor compliance, and evaluate program outcomes. Existing infrastructure like meeting rooms and digital platforms will support SBAR training without incurring new facility costs. Financial requirements may involve contracting external communication consultants, estimated at $100–$150 per session, and annual training sessions costing between $500 and $1,000. Access to current electronic health records and audit tools will aid implementation without added expense. Estimated yearly operational costs for the initiative, including staff time, meetings, and evaluations, are projected at $10,000–$15,000.

If not implemented, persistent communication lapses could elevate patient risks, legal liabilities, and institutional penalties (Keebler et al., 2022). These handoff failures may also demoralize staff, increase turnover, and disrupt care continuity. The hospital’s reputation and patient trust may be undermined due to perceived inconsistency and unsafe practices.

Conclusion

Implementing an interdisciplinary strategy to enhance handoff communication at Riverview Medical Center is essential for improving safety, reducing clinical errors, and supporting coordinated patient care. By incorporating standardized communication tools such as SBAR and I-PASS and relying on Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory and transformational leadership principles, the plan promotes lasting improvement. The inclusion of diverse team members, continuous training, and digital integration ensures sustained success and quality outcomes.

References

Desmedt, M., Ulenaers, D., Grosemans, J., Hellings, J., & Bergs, J. (2021). Clinical handover and handoff in healthcare: A systematic review of systematic reviews. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 33(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzaa170

Deveaux, D., Kaplan, S., Gabble, L., & Mansfield, L. (2021). Transformational leadership meets innovative strategy: How nurse leaders and clinical nurses redesigned bedside handover to improve nursing practice. Nurse Leader, 20(3), 290–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2021.10.010

Hassan, A. E., Mohammed, F. A., Zakaria, A. M., & Ibrahim, I. A. (2024). Evaluating the effect of teamstepps on teamwork perceptions and patient safety culture among newly graduated nurses. BioMed Central Nursing, 23(1), 170. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01850-y

Capella 4005 Assessment 3

Keebler, J. R., Lazzara, E., Griggs, A., Tannenbaum, S., Fernandez, R., Greilich, P., & Salas, E. (2022). Holistic strategy for promoting effective handoffs. BMJ Leader. https://doi.org/10.1136/leader-2022-000639

Patel, S. M., Fuller, S., Michael, M. M., O’Hagan, E. C., Lazzara, E. H., & Riesenberg, L. A. (2024). Handoff mnemonics used in perioperative handoff intervention studies: A systematic review. Anesthesia & Analgesia. https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0000000000007261

Shahian, D. (2021). I-PASS handover system: A decade of evidence demands action. BMJ Quality & Safety, 30, bmjqs-2021-013314. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2021-013314

Silvola, S., Restelli, U., Croce, D., & Basu, D. (2024). Change management for services redesign in healthcare: A conceptual framework. PubMed, 65(3), E410–E433. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2024.65.3.3023

Capella 4005 Assessment 3

Sluder, A., & Gillespie, G. (2024). A quality improvement study to improve patient and family satisfaction through handoff of patient care between emergency department and inpatient nurses. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 15(3), 33–33. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v15n3p33