NURS FPX 4035 Assessment 3 Improvement Plan In-Service Presentation

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4035 Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Care

Prof. Name

Date

Improvement Plan In-Service Presentation

Part 1: Agenda and Outcomes

Effective patient handoff is a critical concern in emergency departments (ED), where the quality of communication during transitions significantly influences patient safety and medical outcomes. This in-service session addresses the pressing issue of handoff failures by equipping nursing staff with evidence-based strategies and tools such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) and bedside handoff protocols. A past adverse event involving a septic patient demonstrated the consequences of communication gaps, emphasizing the importance of structured handoff techniques.

The session is structured around three main goals. First, it aims to explore the contributing factors to handoff errors in the ED, such as insufficient education, system limitations, time constraints, and staff shortages. These factors are linked to approximately 22.1% of adverse events in patient care (Kim et al., 2021). Second, the session will introduce proven methods to prevent errors, including SBAR and the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) for standardizing communication. Third, it emphasizes the importance of these practices and provides the practical skills needed to implement the safety improvement plan successfully. The outcomes will include increased awareness of risk factors, adoption of safer handoff procedures, and enhanced nurse confidence and proficiency.

By recognizing root causes and applying structured communication tools, staff will be better prepared to prevent handoff-related errors. Training in these methods will enhance staff readiness and trust, which are critical to reducing communication breakdowns (Nawawi & Ibrahim, 2024). The expected outcome is a safer healthcare environment with fewer patient incidents, improved documentation, and more efficient care transitions.

Part 2: Safety Improvement Plan

Patient handoff errors in the ED present a widespread challenge, compromising safety, increasing costs, and affecting care standards. Inadequate communication during transitions accounts for nearly 80.1% of all preventable medical errors, contributing to an annual estimated cost of \$12.1 billion in the U.S. alone (Janagama et al., 2020). Common causes include system inadequacies, staff shortages, and a lack of standardized handoff procedures.

The proposed safety improvement plan outlines a structured four-step process. The first step involves integrating the SBAR tool to provide a unified communication protocol. SBAR ensures that vital patient information is shared clearly and systematically, minimizing the risk of misunderstandings (Kay et al., 2022). The second step introduces improved alert systems and surveillance methods to preempt potential issues. In the third step, the use of EHR and Electronic Nursing Handover Systems (ENHS) allows for accurate, consistent, and quick documentation of patient details (Tataei et al., 2023). The final step includes training nursing staff to enhance their ability to conduct standardized and safe handoffs. Continuous education ensures long-term sustainability of the improved handoff practices, ultimately enhancing patient safety.

Poor handoffs affect not just patient health but also the financial and reputational integrity of healthcare organizations. Delays in care, prolonged hospital stays, and treatment complications are common outcomes of ineffective communication. By implementing a structured handoff system, hospitals can lower liability, improve teamwork, and achieve better compliance with accreditation standards.

Part 3: Audience’s Role and Importance

The role of nurses, clinicians, and administrators is vital in executing the safety improvement plan. Nurses are the primary actors in daily handoff practices and must use structured tools like SBAR to prevent missing crucial information during patient transfers. Their participation in ongoing training, providing feedback, and attending interdisciplinary rounds is essential for embedding these protocols into the facility’s daily operations. Hospital managers are responsible for supplying the necessary resources, including digital tools and educational support, to facilitate this transformation.

Nursing staff, being on the front lines, are central to the success of the initiative. Their engagement ensures that systems like EHR and ENHS are effectively utilized, reducing handoff durations and enhancing documentation quality. Staff insights also help refine processes, ensuring that they remain practical and sustainable in real-world settings. Embracing their role reduces communication stress, decreases errors, and supports smoother workflows. Ultimately, these practices lead to better patient care, fewer readmissions, and greater job satisfaction for staff (Kay et al., 2022; Nawawi & Ibrahim, 2024).

To reinforce learning, participants will engage in simulation-based activities. These involve role-playing handoff scenarios using SBAR to simulate real-world ED conditions. They will also participate in a Q\&A session to reflect on strategies and share insights. The goal is to foster collaborative learning and prepare staff to adopt improved handoff practices that enhance patient outcomes.

Summary Table

References

Abraham, J., Nguyen, V., Almoosa, K. F., Patel, B., & Patel, V. L. (2024). Impact of Electronic Handoff Tools on Patient Outcomes in Critical Care Settings. Journal of Nursing Management, 32(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.14012

Janagama, S., Khan, R., & Prasad, M. (2020). The economic burden of poor communication in healthcare. Journal of Health Economics and Management, 18(2), 112–119.

NURS FPX 4035 Assessment 3 Improvement Plan In-Service Presentation

Kay, M., Mitchell, G., & Clancy, A. (2022). Improving communication in patient handover using SBAR framework. BMJ Open Quality, 11(3), e001912. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001912

Kim, H., Lee, J. H., & Park, S. M. (2021). Factors Influencing Handoff Communication among Nurses: A Cross-sectional Study. BMC Nursing, 20(1), 182. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00717-6

Nawawi, M. M., & Ibrahim, M. H. (2024). Improving nurse handoff communication in emergency departments: A critical care study. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 11(1), 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2023.12.001

Tataei, A., Shariati, A., & Dehghani, M. (2023). Implementing Electronic Nursing Handover Systems to Improve Care Continuity. Health Informatics Journal, 29(2), 14604582231109892. https://doi.org/10.1177/14604582231109892

NURS FPX 4035 Assessment 3 Improvement Plan In-Service Presentation