Blog: INTRA- AND INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION

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Imagine that you are a DNP-prepared nurse responsible for overseeing a large intensive care unit (ICU). You have noticed that in the past three months, the number of nosocomial, or hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), has dramatically increased among patients who have undergone cardiovascular procedures. You would like to initiate a practice study to determine the source of these HAIs and to improve patient outcomes in your ICU.
What types of intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration might be needed to support the goals of this practice study?
One example of intra-disciplinary collaboration is that you might meet with the nursing manager in charge of your unit and ask to set up a brainstorming session with the nurses on the unit to explore their perceptions of why the HAIs have increased among patients who have undergone cardiovascular procedures. An example of interdisciplinary collaboration is that you might team up with an infection prevention specialist (who may be a PhD-prepared nurse or PhD-credentialed healthcare professional) who can address the problem from an alternative perspective. These are just two of many potential intra- and interprofessional collaborations that may take place in an advanced nursing practice situation like this. Keep in mind that when intra- and interprofessional colleagues work together toward a shared, patient-centric goal, both the quality and cost of the care delivered will be optimized (Johnson & Johnson, 2016).

• Review this week’s Learning Resources, paying special attention to the various strategies mentioned to foster intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration in nursing practice.
• Reflect on your own previous professional experiences with intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration.
o Consider the various intra- and interprofessional individuals and groups with whom you worked and the ways in which you interacted.
o Choose one specific challenge you faced and reflect on how you and your colleagues overcame it.
o Choose one specific opportunity you faced and reflect on how you and your colleagues embraced it.
By Day 3 of Week 6
Address the following in your Blog entry:
• Describe one relevant professional experience you have had with intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration.

o Describe the various intra- and interprofessional individuals and groups with whom you worked and the ways in which you interacted.
o Describe one specific challenge you faced and explain how you and your colleagues overcame it. Be specific.
o Describe one opportunity you faced and explain how you and your colleagues embraced it. Be specific.

Sample Solution

A Collaborative Approach to Addressing HAIs in the ICU

Introduction

As a DNP-prepared nurse overseeing a large ICU, I have identified a concerning increase in nosocomial infections (HAIs) among patients who have undergone cardiovascular procedures. To address this issue and improve patient outcomes, I plan to initiate a practice study that involves a collaborative approach involving various intra- and interdisciplinary teams.

Intra-disciplinary Collaboration

  • Nursing Leadership: I will collaborate with the nursing manager of my unit to schedule a brainstorming session with the nursing staff. This will allow us to gather insights and perspectives from the frontline caregivers who have direct contact with patients.
  • Infection Prevention Team: I will work closely with the hospital’s infection prevention team, which includes infection prevention specialists and epidemiologists. Their expertise will be invaluable in identifying potential sources of infection and implementing prevention strategies.
  • Quality Improvement Team: Collaborating with the quality improvement team will help us develop data-driven solutions and track the effectiveness of our interventions.

Inter-disciplinary Collaboration

  • Physicians: I will partner with cardiologists, surgeons, and other physicians involved in patient care to discuss potential risk factors and identify areas for improvement.
  • Pharmacists: Collaborating with pharmacists will help us ensure that patients are receiving appropriate medications and that antibiotic stewardship practices are being followed.
  • Respiratory Therapists: Respiratory therapists can provide valuable insights into the management of patients with respiratory complications, which can increase the risk of infection.

Professional Experience

I have previously worked in a large academic medical center where I had numerous opportunities for intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration. One specific challenge I faced was coordinating care for a patient with complex medical needs who was being treated by multiple specialists. To overcome this challenge, I initiated a weekly interdisciplinary team meeting involving the patient’s physician, nurse practitioner, social worker, and physical therapist. These meetings allowed us to discuss the patient’s progress, identify any barriers to care, and develop a coordinated plan of action.

An opportunity for collaboration arose when our unit was tasked with implementing a new electronic health record system. By working closely with the IT department and other stakeholders, we were able to successfully implement the new system and improve the efficiency of our workflow.

Conclusion

By fostering strong intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration, we can effectively address the issue of HAIs in our ICU and improve patient outcomes. By leveraging the expertise of various healthcare professionals, we can identify the root causes of infection, implement targeted prevention strategies, and ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care.

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