Interview Summary

I interviewed a nurse manager at a large hospital in the Washington, DC area. The nurse manager shared with me some of the past and current issues that the hospital has faced, including:

• Medication errors: The hospital has had a number of medication errors in recent years, which have resulted in patient harm.
• Communication breakdowns: There have been a number of communication breakdowns between different departments at the hospital, which have led to delays in care and patient safety risks.
• Staff turnover: The hospital has a high staff turnover rate, which can impact patient care and the quality of the work environment.

Issue for Interdisciplinary Approach

One of the issues that the nurse manager identified as being particularly well-suited for an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach is medication errors. Medication errors can have serious consequences for patients, and they can be caused by a variety of factors, including human error, system failures, and communication breakdowns. An interdisciplinary team of experts from different areas, such as nursing, pharmacy, and information technology, could work together to identify and address the root causes of medication errors, and to develop and implement evidence-based solutions.

Change Theories and Leadership Strategies

There are a number of change theories and leadership strategies that could be used to inform an interdisciplinary solution to medication errors. One theory that could be helpful is the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, which explains how new ideas and practices spread through a social system. This theory could be used to understand how to get buy-in for change from different stakeholders at the hospital, and to develop a plan for implementing change that is likely to be successful.

Another leadership strategy that could be helpful is the Appreciative Inquiry approach, which focuses on identifying and building on strengths and successes. This approach could be used to create a positive and supportive environment for change, and to focus on the things that are going well at the hospital, rather than the problems.

Collaboration Approaches

There are a number of collaboration approaches from the literature that could facilitate establishing or improving an interdisciplinary team to address medication errors. One approach is to use a shared governance model, which gives different departments at the hospital a voice in decision-making. This approach can help to build trust and collaboration between different departments, and it can make it more likely that everyone will be on board with change.

Another collaboration approach is to use a patient safety huddle, which is a short meeting held daily or weekly to discuss patient safety concerns. This approach can help to identify and address medication errors early on, and it can also help to build a culture of safety at the hospital.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an evidence-based interdisciplinary approach can be a valuable tool for addressing complex organizational issues, such as medication errors. By bringing together experts from different areas, and by using evidence-based change theories and leadership strategies, interdisciplinary teams can develop and implement solutions that are more likely to be successful. Additionally, by using collaboration approaches from the literature, interdisciplinary teams can build trust and communication between different departments, which can create a more positive and supportive environment for change.