Capella 4005 Assessment 3

Capella 4005 Assessment 3

Student Name

Capella University

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

Prof. Name

Date

Interdisciplinary Plan Proposal

Improper patient handoff during critical care transitions remains a persistent challenge at Riverview Medical Center. Breakdowns in communication often result in fragmented care, leading to avoidable clinical errors and compromised patient safety (Desmedt et al., 2021). To address this, the proposed plan introduces a structured, interprofessional framework for managing patient handoffs. By integrating standardized protocols and enhancing collaborative practices, the plan aims to reinforce communication integrity and ensure continuity of care. This strategy leverages evidence-based tools such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) and I-PASS, combined with targeted training and digital solutions, to bridge communication gaps and bolster team accountability.

The primary objective is to implement a cohesive team strategy that addresses communication inconsistencies during handoffs in critical care. Standardizing handoff tools and improving real-time interaction between care providers will minimize preventable errors and strengthen care transitions. The initiative also involves training programs to foster consistent adherence and improve response time during patient transfers, ultimately enhancing organizational outcomes.

Key Questions and Implementation Metrics

Several guiding questions and predictions drive the evaluation and design of this initiative. Initially, establishing interdisciplinary handoff teams may lengthen coordination time. However, this is expected to improve the precision and efficiency of handovers over time. Key resources such as structured protocols, integrated communication tools, and training workshops will support this transformation.

To measure the effectiveness of this plan, Riverview Medical Center will utilize several outcome indicators. The table below outlines these considerations:

Question	Expected Outcome	Evaluation Method
Will interdisciplinary teams enhance handoff efficiency?	Improved accuracy, reduced information delays	Audit reports and transition timing analysis
What resources are required to improve communication?	Uniform protocols (e.g., SBAR), electronic tools, and staff workshops	Inventory and utilization of tools
How will standard protocols reduce errors?	Minimization of miscommunication and improved patient data clarity	Incident tracking and protocol compliance reports
What indicators define success?	Reduced sentinel events, improved team feedback, consistent SBAR/I-PASS use	Staff surveys, monthly review meetings, TeamSTEPPS

Change Theories and Leadership Strategies

Kurt Lewin’s Change Management Model

Lewin’s three-phase model—unfreezing, changing, and refreezing—provides a systematic method for improving communication during patient handovers at Riverview Medical Center (Silvola et al., 2024). The unfreezing stage involves educating staff on the risks associated with ineffective handoffs and cultivating urgency for change. In the changing stage, implementation of structured tools such as SBAR and I-PASS is supported by training and workflow redesign. The final refreezing stage embeds these tools into daily practice through regular monitoring and leadership reinforcement, ensuring sustainability. Boston Children’s Hospital’s use of the I-PASS protocol serves as a real-world example where this model led to a measurable reduction in medical errors (Shahian, 2021).

Transformational Leadership Strategy

Transformational leadership plays a critical role in driving this change. At Riverview Medical Center, leaders such as nurse managers and senior physicians can model effective communication and engage staff through a shared vision of patient safety. Utilizing transformational elements like individualized support, intellectual stimulation, and inspirational motivation, leaders encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and solution-finding (Deveaux et al., 2021). For example, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital leveraged these principles to enhance SBAR implementation, reduce sentinel events, and reinforce a culture of safety and openness (Sluder & Gillespie, 2024).

Team Collaboration Strategy and Organizational Resources

Collaborative Roles and Implementation Strategy

The interdisciplinary team structure at Riverview Medical Center involves key stakeholders including nurse managers, bedside nurses, communication specialists, and hospital administrators. Their coordinated roles are described below:

Team Member	Role and Contribution
Nurse Managers	Oversee implementation, ensure protocol adherence, monitor staff compliance
Bedside Nurses	Provide feedback on usability, engage in training exercises, contribute to tool refinement
Communication Specialists	Conduct workshops, optimize handoff scripts, promote message clarity
Hospital Administrators	Track outcomes, manage policy alignment, ensure sustainability of practices

Tools like TeamSTEPPS support this collaboration by offering structured strategies to improve teamwork, role clarity, and mutual support (Hassan et al., 2024). Incorporating digital handover platforms will further expedite data sharing and enhance access for all care providers, reducing lag in information exchange (Desmedt et al., 2021). Standardized communication tools such as SBAR will ensure clear, structured data transfer, while I-PASS will help embed consistency in clinical dialogue and documentation (Patel et al., 2024).

Resource Allocation and Risk of Inaction

The resource requirements for this initiative include human capital, training infrastructure, and modest financial investments. Nurse managers, communication experts, and administrators will contribute dedicated time to planning and training. Existing meeting spaces and IT platforms will support execution, but some additional expenses will be incurred for expert-led workshops and communication consulting services.

Resource Type	Details	Estimated Cost
Human Resources	Nurse managers, administrators, communication trainers	Staff time allocation
Training & Workshops	External consultants for SBAR and I-PASS training	$500–$1,000 annually
Technology Integration	EMR updates, SBAR forms, data tracking dashboards	Covered by existing IT support
Financial Summary	Overall operational investment including training, reviews, and meetings	$10,000–$15,000 annually

Neglecting to implement this handoff communication plan may result in ongoing communication breakdowns, exposing the facility to increased patient harm, delays in care, and potential litigation (Keebler et al., 2022). Ineffective transitions frustrate staff, increase turnover, and erode team cohesion—adding indirect costs through recruitment and training while reducing overall morale. Patient satisfaction may also decline, harming the hospital’s credibility.

Conclusion

Enhancing communication during critical care handoffs is essential for reducing preventable errors, improving team cohesion, and elevating patient outcomes. The interdisciplinary plan at Riverview Medical Center provides a structured approach grounded in evidence-based tools and robust leadership models. The integration of Lewin’s Change Theory and transformational leadership supports both the cultural and procedural shifts necessary for sustainable improvement. Through collaboration, training, and the use of standardized tools like SBAR and I-PASS, the initiative establishes a resilient framework for safer, more effective care transitions.

References

Desmedt, M., Ulenaers, D., Grosemans, J., Hellings, J., & Bergs, J. (2021). Clinical handover and handoff in healthcare: A systematic review of systematic reviews. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 33(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzaa170

Capella 4005 Assessment 3

Deveaux, D., Kaplan, S., Gabble, L., & Mansfield, L. (2021). Transformational leadership meets innovative strategy: How nurse leaders and clinical nurses redesigned bedside handover to improve nursing practice. Nurse Leader, 20(3), 290–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2021.10.010

Hassan, A. E., Mohammed, F. A., Zakaria, A. M., & Ibrahim, I. A. (2024). Evaluating the effect of teamstepps on teamwork perceptions and patient safety culture among newly graduated nurses. BioMed Central Nursing, 23(1), 170. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01850-y

Keebler, J. R., Lazzara, E., Griggs, A., Tannenbaum, S., Fernandez, R., Greilich, P., & Salas, E. (2022). Holistic strategy for promoting effective handoffs. BMJ Leader. https://doi.org/10.1136/leader-2022-000639

Patel, S. M., Fuller, S., Michael, M. M., O’Hagan, E. C., Lazzara, E. H., & Riesenberg, L. A. (2024). Handoff mnemonics used in perioperative handoff intervention studies: A systematic review. Anesthesia & Analgesia. https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0000000000007261

Shahian, D. (2021). I-PASS handover system: A decade of evidence demands action. BMJ Quality & Safety, 30, bmjqs-2021-013314. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2021-013314

Silvola, S., Restelli, U., Croce, D., & Basu, D. (2024). Change management for services redesign in healthcare: A conceptual framework. PubMed, 65(3), E410–E433. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2024.65.3.3023

Capella 4005 Assessment 3

Sluder, A., & Gillespie, G. (2024). A quality improvement study to improve patient and family satisfaction through handoff of patient care between emergency department and inpatient nurses. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 15(3), 33–33. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v15n3p33

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