This plan proposal outlines a comprehensive interdisciplinary strategy to significantly reduce the high rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) among surgical patients at Agape Medical Center. It will highlight change theory and leadership strategy aspects, interdisciplinary collaboration, best practices, and the necessary organizational resources.
Objectives
This plan focuses on reducing the rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) among surgical patients at Agape Medical Center by implementing interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative infection control strategies. We aim to enhance patient safety, improve clinical outcomes, and establish a culture of continuous improvement by implementing evidence-based infection control practices and facilitating collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals.
Questions and Predictions
How will an interdisciplinary collaboration reduce the incidence of Hospital Acquired Infections? Multidisciplinary collaboration will foster better communication between medical professionals, enhancing infection control strategies. It will combine diverse expertise to implement comprehensive measures, improve hygiene protocols, and streamline patient care, thus reducing hospital-acquired infections.
How can interdisciplinary collaboration be effectively integrated into existing infection control protocols? Initial integration may require additional time and effort, but efficiencies will improve as collaboration becomes routine. Integrating interdisciplinary teams comprising medical, microbiology, nursing, and engineering experts will be through diverse perspectives, regular communication, shared data, and continuous improvement.
What strategies will the interdisciplinary teams use to achieve the desired objectives? The team will introduce Change and Leadership theories and evidence-based interventions to tailor solutions towards better outcomes.
Change Theory and Leadership Strategy
Lewin’s Three-Step Model will be instrumental in unfreezing the existing infection control practices. Healthcare professionals will recognize the need for change through awareness campaigns and educational initiatives. This theory will help the interdisciplinary team collaborate by creating a shared understanding of the urgency to improve infection control practices. It provides a structured approach that aligns with Agape Medical Center’s collaborative organizational culture. Research by Paudel (2022) elucidates how this theory has helped reduce the incidence of HAIs by acknowledging the need for change and emphasizing evidence-based interventions. This theory helped motivate healthcare professionals to actively participate in interdisciplinary collaboration actively, fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for achieving desired objectives.
Transformational Leadership will complement this theory by empowering leaders with advanced training in change management. A recent study by Asif et al. (2019) shows that transformational leaders set an example by being change champions themselves, thus bringing morale and a sense of responsibility to their teams. Within the context of Agape Medical Center, this strategy will encourage leaders to communicate a clear vision for improved infection control and engage healthcare professionals in the process. This will likely lead to better interdisciplinary collaboration as team members are inspired by leaders who actively support and promote change. This strategy’s emphasis on innovation aligns with the organization’s collaborative culture, encouraging creative problem-solving and the integration of diverse perspectives.
The combination of Lewin’s Three-Step Model and Transformational Leadership within Agape Medical Center’s context will help the interdisciplinary team collaborate effectively and create a sense of purpose and shared responsibility. As leaders lead by example and encourage open communication, healthcare professionals will buy into the project plan, recognizing the value of evidence-based interventions and interdisciplinary teamwork in achieving collaboration objectives, specifically reducing hospital-acquired infections (Hussain et al., 2018).
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Approaches
The Infection Control Task Force, composed of nurses, physicians, infection control specialists, pharmacists, and environmental services staff, will collaborate closely to enhance infection control at Agape Medical Center. Nurses will contribute frontline insights into patient care practices, while physicians will offer clinical expertise and ensure the integration of infection control measures into medical plans. Infection control specialists will leverage their knowledge to analyze data, identify trends, and propose evidence-based interventions. Pharmacists will oversee medication-related and advise on antimicrobial stewardship. Simultaneously, environmental services staff will maintain infection-free environments, focusing on sanitation and sterilization.
The task force’s bi-weekly meetings and workshops will facilitate seamless coordination, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning. This diverse expertise ensures a comprehensive approach to infection control, fostering a collaborative culture that continually refines evidence-based strategies to improve patient safety and outcomes.
Implementing Joint Training Workshops is a collaborative approach to efficiently achieve the plan’s objective at Agape Medical Center. According to Seaton et al. (2018), joint workshops have helped bring interdisciplinary team members together in various healthcare settings, enhancing their understanding of infection control from multiple perspectives. This strategy aligns with the organization’s needs by fostering comprehensive strategies to reduce hospital-acquired infections. It promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and shared responsibility, ultimately enhancing patient safety and outcomes.
Required Organizational Resources
The plan proposal necessitates allocating 20% of infection control team members’ time for collaboration, involving nurses, physicians, infection control specialists, pharmacists, and environmental services staff. To effectively implement evidence-based interventions, a $15,000 budget is needed for essential equipment like personal protective gear and advanced sterilization technologies, which the organization does not possess. Additionally, IT enhancements costing $10,000 are vital for facilitating access to patient data, surgical facilities, and cross-departmental collaboration. The comprehensive financial budget request totals $80,000, covering staff training, workshops, equipment acquisition, IT enhancements, and access-related expenses.
A study by Hoe GAN et al. (2020) reviews the impact of COVID-19 in hospitals and its effect on organizations. The review explains that organizations faced extended patient stays, complications, legal issues, resource strain, diminished morale, and compromised reputation. If this plan is not executed, Agape Health Center might experience similar impacts, underscoring the importance of addressing this issue to ensure patient safety and organizational integrity.
Conclusion
This interdisciplinary plan proposal outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the high rate of HAIs among surgical patients at Agape Medical Center. By implementing evidence-based infection control practices, fostering collaboration, and employing Lewin’s Three-Step Model of Change and Transformational Leadership, the plan aims to significantly reduce HAIs, enhance patient safety, and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Adhering to best practices in interdisciplinary collaboration and efficient resource allocation will be crucial to achieving the desired outcomes.
References
Asif, M., Jameel, A., Hussain, A., Hwang, J., & Sahito, N. (2019). Linking Transformational Leadership with Nurse-Assessed Adverse Patient Outcomes and the Quality of Care: Assessing the Role of Job Satisfaction and Structural Empowerment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(13), 2381. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132381
Hoe GAN, W., Wah LIM, J., & KOH, D. (2020). Preventing intra-hospital infection and transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare workers. Safety and Health at Work, 11(2), 241–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2020.03.001
Hussain, S. T., Lei, S., Akram, T., Haider, M. J., Hussain, S. H., & Ali, M. (2018). Kurt Lewin’s Change Model: A Critical Review of the Role of Leadership and Employee Involvement in Organizational Change. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 3(3), 123–127. Science Direct. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2016.07.002
Paudel, B. (2022). Reducing the Incidence of CLABSI through Hand Hygiene. Student Scholarly Projects. https://doi.org/10.46409/sr.LBCK7691
Seaton, C. L., Holm, N., Bottorff, J. L., Jones-Bricker, M., Errey, S., Caperchione, C. M., Lamont, S., Johnson, S. T., & Healy, T. (2018). Factors That Impact the Success of Interorganizational Health Promotion Collaborations: A Scoping Review. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(4), 1095–1109. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117117710875
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