Initially, I will recommend the nurse for good work by observing a problem and bringing it up for discussion. We will together assess the situation and review the procedure to find out any potential harm it might have on the patient. I will collaborate with the team of healthcare providers and together find an interim solution to the problem at hand, including alternate procedures that are current, evidence-based, and equally effective, if not better. Since I may not be on the team of the facility’s policies and procedure reviewing team, I will escalate the problem up the chain of command and ensure a review and update in the shortest possible time.
Policies and procedures (P&P) are essential in the healthcare system as they provide guidance, clarity, and uniformity in care provision. It is therefore vital to have it adequately updated. According to O’Donnell (2012), “having a P&P in place – so that individuals do not have to reinvent the wheel- reduces the likelihood of causing harm to patients.” Using outdated policies and procedures increases the risk of patient harm, which can lead to loss of income and lawsuits against the facility. It may also lead to non-compliance with accreditation organizations like Medicaid, Medicare, the Joint Commission, and federal health policy.
As a nurse leader, I wear many hats, including “putting Evidence-Based practices in place, evaluating patient outcomes, and conducting risk assessment” (St. Catherine University, 2021). I am also a liaison between clinical staff and management, a patient’s advocate, and collaborate patient care with Physicians, Social Workers, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Nurse Practitioners. To ensure that policies are up to date, I need to review them frequently and draw the nurse manager’s attention to outdated guidelines for timely replacement. I also need to collaborate with my clinical staff to find new evidence-based practices that will improve our patient care and share information with the policy review team. Volunteering on the team as they review our unit-specific policies and procedures will ensure the unit’s input is not foreign to any changes occurring.
Hilda
Reference
O’Donnell, J. (2012). Policies and Procedures: Enhancing Pharmacy Practice and limiting Risk. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (Links to an external site.).
St. Catherine University. (2021). The Role of nursing Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.stkate.edu (Links to an external site.)
Solution
What would you do as a nurse leader if your policy or procedure conflicts with the most recent evidence? Describe your response to this nurse.
Why is it important to update policies and procedures? What are the risks if they are outdated?
What is your role as a nurse leader in assuring policies or procedures are up to date?
Initially, I will recommend the nurse for good work by observing a problem and bringing it up for discussion. We will together assess the situation and review the procedure to find out any potential harm it might have on the patient. I will collaborate with the team of healthcare providers and together find an interim solution to the problem at hand, including alternate procedures that are current, evidence-based, and equally effective, if not better. Since I may not be on the team of the facility’s policies and procedure reviewing team, I will escalate the problem up the chain of command and ensure a review and update in the shortest possible time.
Policies and procedures (P&P) are essential in the healthcare system as they provide guidance, clarity, and uniformity in care provision. It is therefore vital to have it adequately updated. According to O’Donnell (2012), “having a P&P in place – so that individuals do not have to reinvent the wheel- reduces the likelihood of causing harm to
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