Interdisciplinary Plan Proposal

Problem:

The issue that I identified in my interview with the Director of Nursing at a local hospital is high rates of patient falls. Falls are a leading cause of injury and death among hospitalized patients, particularly the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

Objective:

The objective of this interdisciplinary plan is to reduce the rate of patient falls by 10% within one year.

Predictions:

Based on the evidence, I predict that this plan will be successful in reducing the rate of patient falls. For example, a study by Greene et al. (2019) found that the use of wearable sensors to detect fall risk factors and help mitigate them reduced the rate of patient falls by 20%.

Evidence-Based Interdisciplinary Plan:

The following is an evidence-based interdisciplinary plan to reduce the rate of patient falls:

1. Identify high-risk patients. All patients should be assessed for their risk of falling upon admission to the hospital. High-risk patients should be identified and placed on a fall prevention protocol.
2. Implement fall prevention interventions. Fall prevention interventions should be tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Some examples of fall prevention interventions include:
   • Strength and balance exercises
   • Medication review
   • Environmental modifications
   • Use of assistive devices
3. Educate patients and staff. Patients and staff should be educated about fall prevention. Patients should be taught how to move safely and how to use any assistive devices that have been prescribed for them. Staff should be trained on how to identify and manage fall risk factors.

Change Theory:

The change theory that I will use to implement this plan is the Kotter Model of Change. This model is a comprehensive approach to change management that consists of eight steps:

1. Establish a sense of urgency. The first step is to create a sense of urgency for change among staff and patients. This can be done by sharing data on the prevalence and consequences of patient falls.
2. Create a guiding coalition. The next step is to create a guiding coalition of stakeholders who are committed to implementing the change. This coalition should include representatives from all disciplines involved in patient care, such as nursing, medicine, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
3. Develop a vision and strategy. The guiding coalition should then develop a vision for the future and a strategy for achieving that vision. The strategy should include specific goals and objectives, as well as a timeline for implementation.
4. Communicate the change vision. The guiding coalition should communicate the change vision to all staff and patients. This can be done through meetings, email, and newsletters.
5. Empower broad-based action. The guiding coalition should empower staff and patients to take action to achieve the change vision. This can be done by providing them with the necessary training and resources.
6. Generate short-term wins. The guiding coalition should celebrate short-term wins to maintain momentum and motivation.
7. Consolidate gains and produce more change. Once short-term wins have been achieved, the guiding coalition should consolidate those gains and produce more change. This can be done by refining the change strategy and implementing additional interventions.
8. Anchor new approaches in the culture. The final step is to anchor the new approaches in the culture of the organization. This can be done by incorporating the new approaches into policies and procedures, and by recognizing and rewarding staff members who embrace the change.

Leadership Strategy:

The leadership strategy that I will use to implement this plan is a transformational leadership style. Transformational leaders are able to inspire and motivate others to achieve a common goal. They are also able to create a shared vision for the future and to develop and implement strategies to achieve that vision.

Collaboration:

Collaboration is essential to the success of any interdisciplinary plan. The following are some best practices of interdisciplinary collaboration:

• Establish clear goals and objectives. All team members should be aware of the goals and objectives of the plan.
• Define roles and responsibilities. Each team member should have a clearly defined role and responsibility.
• Communicate effectively. Team members should communicate regularly and effectively with each other. This can be done through meetings, email, and phone calls.
• Be open to feedback. Team members should be open to feedback from each other. This feedback should be used to improve the plan and its implementation.
• Celebrate successes. It is important to celebrate the team’s successes along the way. This will help to maintain momentum and motivation.

Conclusion:

This interdisciplinary plan is designed to reduce the rate of patient falls by 10% within one year. The plan is based on evidence-based best practices and will be implemented using the Kotter Model of Change and a transformational leadership style. Collaboration will be essential to the success of the plan.