NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

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Capella university

NURS-FPX 4020 Improving Quality of Care and Patient Safety

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Date

Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Patients’ identification errors are among the biggest problems in healthcare systems since they cause medication errors, incorrect treatments, surgical complications, and financial losses. Addressing these errors to improve patient safety and overall well-being is critical. This annotated bibliography focuses on four key themes to address this issue: Patient Identification Errors and Associated Issues, Technology Solutions to Address Patient Identification Errors, Training and Education for Patient Identification Safety, and the Importance of Patient Identification in Nursing Practices. These themes provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue and actionable strategies for effectively implementing the safety improvement plan.

Annotated Bibliography

Patient Identification Errors and Associated Issues

Jones-Darnell, T. (2022). Issues in patient identification during COVID-19. Nursing, 52(3), 38–40. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000820068.71332.77

This article focuses on the challenges of patient misidentification within COVID-19 and notes that long-term care facilities are at the highest risk. The article reveals the system problems, such as staff deficit and lack of communication between employees. This article also describes many misidentification incidents demonstrating the dangers of inadequate patient identification procedures. The conclusions focus on guidelines such as using two patient identifiers, a barcode system, and the patient’s photos. This article is most suitable for Greenfield Community Hospital nurses, especially in the aftermath of the recent event.

It highlights why system problems, such as communication breakdown and staff deficits, endanger patient safety. With the help of the article, nurses can adopt some measures, such as bar code technology and auditing staff compliance with the protocol, to improve patient identification at Greenfield Community Hospital. The article is useful for minimizing patient safety threats by promoting system solutions instead of blaming individuals. Such recommendations may help management enhance comprehensive training, periodic assessments, and better communication methods to minimize patients’ safety hazards. Much of the concern with photo-based identification and bar codes addresses real-life strategies that can be implemented to foster patient safety.

NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Sheedy, C., & Richard, S. (2020). Patient identification errors in the operating room. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555511/

This chapter discusses patient safety concerns in healthcare settings, emphasizing patient identification mistakes. These errors can result in adverse consequences, including wrong medications, procedures, and treatment. According to the result of the study, the problem of wrong patient identification hurts patient safety and care. This research calls for better practices and procedures, including better electronic systems, staff education, and proper use of patient identifiers to reduce these mistakes. There are several information technologies that nurses at Greenfield Community Hospital can use to manage patient identification errors. For instance, bar-coded wristbands for patients will enhance identification and verification when treating patient cases, medication administration, and procedures.

For example, when Mr. Robert Hayes underwent a patient safety incident of misidentification, EHRs with real alert messages would not have allowed it. Such measures as identifying the patient before administering treatment should be checked and double-confirmed. Nurses can use these tools to minimize the chances of an error occurring due to proper patient identification, particularly in areas of high risk. Of all the patient safety risks highlighted in this article, patient identification errors are most effectively managed by this article. These solutions can be very important in Greenfield Community Hospital to avoid a similar incident to that of Mr. Hayes. Applying technology in the delivery of patient care reduces the probability of the wrong patient receiving treatment and enhances patient safety and quality of care.

NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Suclupe, S., Kitchin, J., Sivalingam, R., & McCulloch, P. (2022). Evaluating patient identification practices during intrahospital transfers: A human factors approach. Journal of Patient Safety, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.1097/pts.0000000000001074

Suclupe et al. (2022) examine patient identification errors during intrahospital transfers, emphasizing systems factors. In this qualitative study, 60 patient transfers were monitored, and porters were interviewed. Analysis of results showed that all the transfers failed to meet the hospital patient identification policies in some ways. Some main causes were organizational shortcomings, lack of technology, and lack of inter-team communication. Lack of effective communication and inadequate documentation of patient information were identified as key issues, and the study recommended that misaligned policies be reviewed and systematic changes made. The findings of this research can be useful in helping to overcome the difficulties in patient identification in activities with high risk, such as intrahospital transportation for nurses at Greenfield Community Hospital.

The risk could be reduced by enhancing codecs across care transitions and training caregivers on correct handover practices. Mr. Robert Hayes’s case exemplifies the need for knowledge of the discrepancy between policy and practice, the research topic of this study. The resource is useful in minimizing patient safety risks because it focuses on the systemic enhancement of processes. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis used within the study can be particularly applied to Greenfield Community Hospital, where patient misidentification led to adverse outcomes. That is why this analysis is the most valuable out of all three in addressing the key problems, such as miscommunication, which can help make patient transfers safer and ensure appropriate patient identification.

Technology Solutions to Address Patient Identification Errors

Sohn, J. W., Kim, H., Park, S. B., Lee, S., Monroe, J. I., Malone, T. B., Kinsella, T., Yao, M., Kunos, C., Lo, S. S., Shenk, R., & Machtay, M. (2020). Clinical study of using biometrics to identify patient and procedure. Frontiers in Oncology, 10(586232), 586232. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.586232

This study proposed the Biometric Automated Patient and Procedure Identification System (BAPPIS) to reduce patient and procedure identification errors in radiotherapy and surgery. BAPPIS employs fingerprints to associate patients with EMR. This involves using photo identification, fingerprints, and part information of the patient to identify the patient positively. In radiotherapy and breast surgery, BAPPIS was used on 164 patients, and verifying the patient’s fingerprints was successful in 96.9% of the cases (Sohn et al., 2020). No false positives were mentioned; however, some mistakes were attributed to insufficient operator training during the first stages of the experiment. This study shows the possibility of using biometric technology to improve patient identification for the nurses at Greenfield Community Hospital.

The flaws evident in Mr. Robert Hayes’s case are that the misidentification risks could be countered by the implementation of BAPPIS in that it eliminates the need for several manual procedures. Education and familiarization with such systems are vital to ensure that they are implemented correctly and that the benefits gained are the best ones feasible. This article helps identify new approaches to address the patient identification problem. Presenting a successful case of the application of biometrics in clinical settings points to the importance of automation to avoid mistakes. Greenfield can adopt similar technologies to increase safety and accuracy and conform to standard health sector identification procedures.

NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Popescu, C., Chaarani, H. E., Abiad, Z. E., & Gigauri, I. (2022). Implementation of health information systems to improve patient identification. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215236

In their study, Popescu et al. (2022) looked into how Health Information Systems (HISs) can help reduce patient identification errors, especially in hospitals within Lebanon. The study used quantitative research to compare data from 109 employees in Neioumazloum Hospital and concluded that these systems could greatly decrease patient identification errors. However, the study also showed that problems such as fatigue among nurses, increased workload, poor patient safety culture, and non-adherence to policies erode the effectiveness of HIS. The study highlighted the presented systematic and organizational factors that must be managed, and HISs must be launched to enhance patient safety and minimize errors.

This article is quite useful to the nurses at Greenfield Community Hospital, who are required to manage patient identification errors. These systems may enhance the identification of patient processes in terms of accuracy and effectiveness. For instance, the systems for connecting wristbands with EMR systems can guarantee that patient identification remains accurate and error-free. Greenfield’s nursing leadership could apply this research to create a large-scale technological plan incorporated with initiatives to advance nurse exposure to HIS technology, improve the organization’s safety culture, and enforce strict patient identification protocols. Some practical recommendations given by Popescu et al. (2022) regarding patient identification risks help enhance the quality of services at Greenfield.

NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Wu, L.-F., Zhuang, G.-H., Hu, Q.-L., Zhang, L., Luo, Z.-M., Lv, Y.-J., & Tang, J. (2022). Using information technology to optimize the identification process for outpatients having blood drawn and improve patient satisfaction. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 22(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-01799-5

This study aimed to establish the effects of information technology in enhancing the identification of patients during outpatient blood sampling. The study used a pre and post-test design to compare the results after introducing an optimized system with a patient call system, QR scanning, and a manual second check. The results enhanced the correct identification rate from 98.02% pre-optimization to 99.80% post-optimization, waiting time, and patient satisfaction (Wu et al., 2022). The study also pointed out that integrating technology with manual verification increases patient safety and productivity and decreases staff burden. This study is very relevant for the nurses at Greenfield Community Hospital.

The described system uses QR code scanning for automatic verification, and the possibility of further reconfirmation could be used in the inpatient facilities, for example, in Greenfield’s operating room. For instance, the wristband with a QR code connected to EMRs can be worn to mitigate the risk of wrong patient identification during specific operations or drug administration. This approach minimizes errors while always having someone to handle the situation in case of a mistake. Out of all the resources reviewed, the research by these authors on the combination of technologies and manual work is most valuable. The study provided sound instructions for countering threats to patient safety. It focuses on training and collaboration, which Greenfield can implement to enhance patient identification and staff responsibilities.

Training and Education for Patient Identification Safety

Alkhaqani, A. L. (2023). Patient identification errors in the hospital setting: A prospective observational study. Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences ( ISSN: 2789-3219 ), 4, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v4i.95

Alkhaqani (2023) carried out a prospective observational study to assess the identification of patients by healthcare workers in Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital. Of the respondents, 82.1% never checked the patient’s name and date of birth before executing tasks, with clinic doctors being the worst offenders. The lack of identification between the patients was a cause of preventable mistakes, showing the need for better training and technology. The study also recommended a patient-verifying identity program clinical model that would address the training needs of healthcare workers on education, identification protocols, and technology. For nurses at Greenfield Community Hospital addressing patient safety concerns like the Mr. Robert Hayes incident, this study underscores the importance of structured training programs in reducing errors.

The study proposed a “patient verifying identity program clinical model” that could be implemented in Greenfield by designing compulsory training sessions on patient identification procedures, including medication administration and procedural preparations. An accountability culture could also be created through real-time audits to check protocol compliance. The following resource is especially useful in managing risks associated with patient identification errors. Thus, Alkhaqani (2023) gives practical recommendations for the further enhancement of patient safety based on training and education. The study augments existing materials focusing on technology and provides a more rounded approach to improving identification practices.

NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

De Rezende, H., Melleiro, M. M., O. Marques, P. A., & Barker, T. H. (2021). Interventions to reduce patient identification errors in the hospital setting: A systematic review. The Open Nursing Journal, 15(1), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874434602115010109

This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of training and education to minimize patient identification errors in hospital environments. Four intervention categories were identified: Education for the staff, education with the involvement of patients and families, information technology, and information technology with the participation of education. Educational interventions improved staff awareness, and errors were decreased when combined with patient/family involvement. The authors suggest that more high-quality research should be conducted to assess the effects of training, IT systems, and service user participation on error reduction. This resource is quite relevant for Greenfield Community Hospital’s nurses since it concerns the problem of patient safety.

Staff development sessions focusing on patient identification safety measures, including name and date of birth check before a procedure, might be included as educational interventions. Integrating education with the patient and family might strengthen the obligation and minimize mistakes. For example, when speaking to healthcare workers, patients could be encouraged to check that they are who they are. This is why education forms the basis of safety improvement, as highlighted in this article. The recommendations it offers can be used to guide the implementation of safety culture promotion efforts and make it most useful resource for decreasing patient identification risks and increasing the quality of care.

NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Voltan, P., Roscani, A. N. C. P., Santiago, F. C. D. S., Silva, J. L. G., & Vilas-Boas, V. A. (2024). Impact of an educational intervention on patient identification adherence by nursing professionals. Texto & Contexto – Enfermagem, 33, e20230174. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265X-TCE-2023-0174en

In the study by Voltan et al. (2024), the effects of a digital educational intervention on the extent to which nursing professionals complied with patient identification in a teaching hospital in Brazil were investigated. The study’s design was pre-and post-intervention, using bedside audit, short online training for the nursing staff, and post-intervention assessment. As anticipated, the level of compliance with wristband use and identification plates was already very high at baseline (>80%). Significant improvement was observed in the professionals who checked wristbands during patient care at the end of the intervention. Nonetheless, the participants positively perceived the digital strategies used in the training despite low participation in training activities.

The recommendations presented in this paper can help Greenfield Community Hospital respond to patient identification errors. Training sessions using information on the web could be conducted to refresh the nursing staff’s knowledge of wristband checks and identification procedures. For example, short teaching-learning activities on error prevention could be incorporated into the staff working timetable, and the actual implementation could be checked through audits. The study results show positive feedback from the participants that may describe the usefulness of such digital education. The results highlight the need to incorporate academic approaches to prevent safety hazards. This article provides a pragmatic, generalizable approach for increasing nursing professionals’ interaction with identification protocols, thus improving patient safety and decreasing hospital identification errors.

Importance of Patient Identification in Nursing Practices

Mehralian, G., Yusefi, A. R., Ahmadinejad, P., Bahmaei, J., & Bordbar, S. (2024). Investigating the professional commitment and its correlation with patient safety culture and patient identification errors: Evidence from a cross-sectional study from nurses’ perspectives. The Open Public Health Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.2174/0118749445292305240416101923

In the present research study by Mehralian et al. (2024), the authors examine the role of nurses’ professional commitment to patient safety culture, emphasizing patient identification mistakes. The researchers also discovered that a higher level of professional commitment was significantly associated with fewer errors in patient identification and a higher safety culture. The most important variables, such as job satisfaction, responsibility, and personal sacrifice for the profession, were considered important for enhancing safety measures. This underlines the need to work on a professional commitment to improving patient safety, mainly in identification. For nurses at Greenfield Community Hospital, such insights may be used to steer quality improvement endeavors.

Regarding Mr. Robert Hayes, it is clear that patient safety errors may involve wrong identification, leading to bad treatment or delay in treatment. Thus, nurses may prevent identification errors by applying the study’s approaches, including increasing job satisfaction and encouraging professional activity. Performing relevant practice, establishing training schedules on concrete patient identification initiatives, encouraging people to report errors, and stressing organizational dedication can dramatically decrease such mistakes. This article is useful for minimizing patient safety risks, especially in areas associated with identification mistakes. The quantitative approach of the study provides useful recommendations regarding how patient safety practice can be enhanced and the implementation of nurses’ expert commitment in healthcare organizations.

NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Phuong Ngo, M. T. (2020). Evaluation of patient identification practices by nurses working at Saigon ENT hospital. University of Northern Colorado Open. https://digscholarship.unco.edu/theses/158

This paper by Phuong Ngo (2020) assesses patient identification by nurses in Saigon ENT Hospital concerning weaknesses in the process that may compromise patient safety and quality care. This study revealed that patient identification errors continue to occur despite the WHO guidelines and the support from the barcode scanning technology, which resulted in medication errors, wrong diagnostic tests, and wrong procedures. Patient identification accuracy was positively related to education levels and certain department specializations, including inpatient departments. This underscores that patient identification can still be problematic and must be done more consistently. This study is relevant to Greenfield Community Hospital nurses, who want to understand how patient identification can be enhanced.

In the case of Mr. Robert Hayes, the patient’s misidentification during the treatment process could result in serious safety issues like wrong treatments or delay of treatments. The following protocols could avoid such mistakes: nurses should follow best practices such as double checking the patient’s identification verbally and using technology. The study also outlines the need to address issues with nurse education and departmental guidelines on conducting identification safely. Therefore, this article is very useful for minimizing patient safety threats in Greenfield Community Hospital. It provides solutions on how to enhance patient identification processes. Thus, optimizing these processes helps improve the patient’s safety and quality of care, excluding the possibility of identification-related errors.

NURS FPX 4020 Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Romano, R., Marletta, G., Sollami, A., La Sala, R., Sarli, L., Artioli, G., & Nitro, M. (2021). The safety of care focused on patient identity: An observational study. Acta Bio Medica: Atenei Parmensis, 92(Suppl 2), e2021038. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v92iS2.11328

The study by Romano et al. (2021) pointed to a set of observations that targeted the identification of patients safely, particularly nursing students in Italy. The research revealed that while patient identification wristbands are an effective tool regarded as one of the safety strategies for patients, it is not effectively implemented. It was found that the wristbands were mostly employed during certain procedures, and patients were not sufficiently enlightened about their use. These results reveal an important deficiency in patient identification practices; education for patients and appropriate usage of safety measures should be enhanced.

To the nurses at Greenfield Community Hospital, this article gives insight into aspects of patient identification to avoid mistakes like that of Mr. Robert Hayes. This might result in severe safety hazards, including wrong diagnosis during procedures or administration of wrong drugs during treatment. If identification wristbands are used correctly and people were informed about their application, such mistakes would be minimized. The following resource is crucial in reducing patient safety hazards at Greenfield Community Hospital. The study can be useful for nurses who can use the results to increase the effectiveness of patient identification strategies and reduce errors. This article is useful in enhancing the patient safety culture in healthcare organizations, especially regarding patient identification.

Alkhaqani, A. L. (2023). Patient identification errors in the hospital setting: A prospective observational study. Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences (ISSN: 2789-3219), 4, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v4i.95

Jones-Darnell, T. (2022). Issues in patient identification during COVID-19. Nursing, 52(3), 38–40. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000820068.71332.77