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QUESTION
Step 1: Read the following case study:
A nurse has an order to complete a procedure on a patient. After reading the procedure, the nurse notices that it is not best practice and it has not been updated for 6 years. The nurse takes this issue to the nurse leader (charge nurse) and the nurse manager (unit manager).
Step 2: Your first post is based on the first letter of your last name. For example, if your last name is Smith, you would answer the nurse manager question. Please review the differences in these roles before posting.
| The First Letter of your Last Name | Question to Answer |
|
A-M |
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 What are the risks if they are outdated?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? |
|
N-Z |
What would you do as a nurse manager if your policy or procedure conflicts with the most recent evidence? Describe your response to this nurse.
Why is it important to update What is your role as a nurse manager in assuring policies or procedures are up to date? |
Step 3: Reply to classmates in either group.
Your discussion post should look like:
- Paragraph one: What would you do as a nurse leader or nurse manager (depending on your last name) if your policy or procedure conflicts with the most recent evidence? Describe your response to this nurse.
- Paragraph two: Why is it important to update
policies and procedures? What are the risks if they are outdated? - Paragraph three: What is your role as a nurse leader or nurse manager (depending on your last name) in assuring policies or procedures are up to date?
- Resources: Where did you find your data?
ANSWER
Procedures and Evidence
Majers and Warshawsky (2020) indicate that nurse leaders can support the evidence-based practice by creating an organizational culture of inquiry and using evidence to inform management decisions. I would respond to this issue by gathering, appraising, and synthesizing current and the best available evidence on the procedure before discussing the issue with my seniors. If the evidence supports practice change, I will use my leadership skills to support the transition. I would adhere to all best practices for implementing and sustaining change. This approach would help me adequately prepare all nursing staff for a “new normal” without jeopardizing patients’ safety.
Outdated policies and procedures can result in serious patient safety risks, inefficiencies, and malpractice claims. According to Irving (2014), outdated policies and procedures may cause practitioners to conduct procedures inconsistent with best practices or industry-recognized practices, increasing patient harm risks and malpractice claims. Also, outdated procedures are often inefficient and contain non-value procedures, resulting in unnecessary operational costs. These issues explain why updating policies and procedures are essential.
My job as a nurse leader is to create a culture or climate that encourages questioning current practice and the status quo. According to Majers and Warshawsky (2020), this inquiry culture will help the organization stay abreast with industry development and identify the best approaches to resolving various organizational problems. Creating an EBP culture requires consistent education and reinforcement. Therefore, I will create and implement organizational processes to reinforce staff’s skill development, e.g., providing resources, tools, and templates to support EBP practice.
References
Irving, A. V. (2014, October 13). Policies and Procedures for Healthcare Organizations: A Risk Management Perspective. Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (PSQH). https://www.psqh.com/analysis/policies-and-procedures-for-healthcare-organizations-a-risk-management-perspective/
Majers, J. S., & Warshawsky, N. (2020). Evidence-Based Decision-Making for Nurse Leaders. Nurse Leader, 18(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2020.06.006
