Capella 4005 Assessment 4

Capella 4005 Assessment 4

Student Name

Capella University

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

Prof. Name

Date

Stakeholder Presentation

Greetings. I am ____, and in this presentation, I will outline an interdisciplinary plan to address inefficiencies in the discharge process at Gifford Medical Center. We will explore our proposed strategy, outline essential implementation steps, and review success metrics. This initiative emphasizes collaborative communication among nursing staff, physicians, case managers, pharmacists, IT professionals, and hospital administrators to improve both patient outcomes and organizational performance.

Healthcare Challenge within the Organization

Gifford Medical Center is currently facing substantial inefficiencies in its discharge procedures. These inefficiencies contribute to increased patient readmission rates and operational disruptions. The root causes include fragmented communication, lack of standardized protocols, and inadequate patient education. Furthermore, frequent turnover, particularly among nursing staff, impairs care continuity, leading to discharge delays and patient noncompliance with treatment plans.

These issues result in adverse outcomes such as hospital-acquired infections and extended recovery times. For instance, Delayed Transfers of Care (DToC) have surged, with a 25% increase in 2017 compared to 2016. NHS Trusts reported financial losses of approximately £173 million in 2016/17 due to similar inefficiencies (Smith et al., 2022). Gifford Medical Center risks financial instability and reputational damage if discharge inefficiencies persist. Implementing standardized discharge practices and communication strategies, such as the teach-back method, will be essential for aligning with best practices and enhancing patient care (Williams et al., 2021).

Significance of the Issue

Addressing discharge inefficiencies at Gifford Medical Center is critical to improving patient safety, enhancing satisfaction, and preserving institutional credibility. Disruptions in communication hinder discharge coordination, leading to legal risks and diminished care quality. Collaborative engagement among nurses, physicians, IT staff, and pharmacists will help align procedures and reduce preventable delays. A coordinated framework that encourages transparency and consistency in patient transitions can strengthen staff morale, optimize workflows, and reduce patient readmissions (McGilton et al., 2021).

Significance of an Interdisciplinary Team Approach

To rectify the inefficiencies, Gifford Medical Center will implement a comprehensive interdisciplinary plan focused on standardized procedures, communication, and patient education. This strategy integrates the following components:

Roles Within the Interdisciplinary Team

Achieving Better Outcomes

Improving the discharge process at Gifford Medical Center is essential to safeguard patient well-being and maintain healthcare standards. A strong collaborative culture among healthcare professionals will support quicker discharges and improved patient education. Technological integration, such as EHR enhancements and teach-back methods, will reduce errors and readmissions. Continuous education will ensure staff are well-versed in standardized discharge protocols and effective patient communication (Kelly & Cardy, 2023).

Failure to address discharge inefficiencies can result in increased infection rates, legal complications, and financial burdens. It undermines staff morale and patient confidence, which ultimately affects hospital credibility. A proactive, interdisciplinary approach fosters trust and reinforces Gifford Medical Center’s mission of delivering high-quality care (Smith et al., 2022).

Overview of the Interdisciplinary Plan

This evidence-based interdisciplinary initiative will enhance discharge planning by integrating expertise from nurses, pharmacists, IT specialists, and care coordinators. Nurse leaders will ensure standardized protocols and teach-back practices are implemented hospital-wide. Pharmacists will focus on safe medication transitions, while IT professionals will upgrade the EHR system to streamline discharge documentation. Studies indicate that collaborative discharge strategies significantly reduce readmissions and operational delays (McGilton et al., 2021).

Key Roles and Responsibilities of the Interdisciplinary Team

Resource Allocation and Execution Plan

Gifford Medical Center will adopt the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework for systematic implementation:

Planning Phase:

• Identify discharge-related inefficiencies.
• Introduce comprehensive training on standardized protocols.
• Establish feedback loops for continuous improvement (Jubic et al., 2021).

Doing Phase:

• Launch a pilot project in a selected department.
• Evaluate new procedures and adjust based on staff feedback.
• Ensure IT support for system modifications.

Study Phase:

• Analyze pilot outcomes based on discharge efficiency, readmissions, and patient safety indicators.
• Validate EHR performance and team adherence.

Act Phase:

• Implement full-scale rollout based on pilot data.
• Provide regular refresher training and IT support.
• Conduct audits to sustain gains (Jubic et al., 2021).

Resource Allocation and Management

By investing in training and digital upgrades, Gifford Medical Center can streamline discharge processes, reduce readmissions, and enhance care quality. Institutions like Mayo Clinic have demonstrated the long-term value of these investments, proving that proactive planning can reduce operational costs and improve patient safety.

References

Jubic, K., Przysucha, P., & Nowak, M. (2021). Improving hospital discharge: Communication strategies and protocol standardization. Healthcare Management Review, 46(3), 210-217.

Kelly, S., & Cardy, S. (2023). Enhancing interdisciplinary communication for effective discharge planning. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32(4), 456-469.

Capella 4005 Assessment 4

McGilton, K. S., Vellani, S., Yeung, L., Chishtie, J., Commisso, E., Ploeg, J., & Irwin, C. (2021). Understanding transitional care programs for older adults who experience delayed discharge: A scoping review. BMC Geriatrics, 21(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02056-3

Smith, J., Patel, R., & Green, T. (2022). Financial implications of delayed transfers in acute care: An NHS case study. Health Economics Journal, 19(2), 89-97.

Williams, A., Baker, M., & Morris, T. (2021). The impact of standardized discharge planning and the teach-back method on patient outcomes. American Journal of Nursing, 121(7), 36-43.

Yeh, T., Chang, Y., & Lin, H. (2024). Role of interdisciplinary collaboration in hospital discharge success. International Journal of Integrated Care, 24(2), 122-134.