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Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Improvement Plan Tool Kit

This Improvement Plan Tool Kit supports healthcare practitioners, primarily nurses, with various instruments to fight healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), one of the leading concerns in patient safety due to increased morbidity, length of stay, costs, and mortality. It focuses on evidence-based strategies organized into four themes: It is made up of general organizational safety and quality best practices, environmental safety and quality risks, staff-initiated and implemented preventive methods, and antimicrobial stewardship. Every part of the site contains tools and information that can be used to build a safer environment for patients, staff, and visitors and a focus on the quality of care.

Thus, this rich set of resources encompassing structured protocols, technological enhancements, and education-based processes has been designed to ensure long-term positive safety improvement changes. This paper will outline strategies and recommendations to lower HAIs and enhance patient and staff safety to help healthcare teams increase efficacy. Therefore, for any healthcare facility, this resource provides the guiding path to pursuing the goal of patient safety and enhancing the quality of care.

Annotated Bibliography

General Organizational Safety and Quality Best Practices

Chakma, S. K., Hossen, S., Rakib, T. M., Hoque, S., Islam, R., Biswas, T., Islam, Z., & Islam, M. M. (2024). Effectiveness of a hand hygiene training intervention in improving knowledge and compliance rate among healthcare workers in a respiratory disease hospital. Heliyon, 10(5), e27286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27286

This study highlights the importance of structured hand hygiene training programs to improve compliance and knowledge among healthcare workers. It utilizes the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene” framework, emphasizing critical hand hygiene opportunities during patient care to reduce infection risks. The intervention incorporated active learning techniques, feedback mechanisms, and periodic assessments, ensuring a holistic approach to enhancing hand hygiene compliance.

The study showed that the tailored training programs considerably improved staff compliance rates and awareness of proper hand hygiene techniques. This study further underlines the role of leadership support and continuous education in sustaining high levels of compliance over time. This resource, therefore, focuses on evidence-based strategies and gives health professionals practical insight into the design of effective training programs that can be tailored to the unique needs of their organization.

Nurses will find this a good resource for organizing onboarding sessions for new staff and refresher courses for existing personnel. It will also be beneficial to identify gaps in current hand hygiene practices and address these with targeted interventions. This will also be an excellent resource for conducting compliance audits that can reinforce hand hygiene as an essential aspect of infection control. Its findings can be used to inform policy updates and strengthen the institutional protocols for preventing HAIs.

Harun, M. G. D., Anwar, M. M. U., Sumon, S. A., Mohona, T. M., Hassan, M. Z., Rahman, A., Abdullah, S. A. H. M., Islam, M. S., Oakley, L. P., Malpiedi, P., Kaydos-Daniels, S. C., & Styczynski, A. R. (2023). Hand hygiene compliance and associated factors among healthcare workers in selected tertiary-care hospitals in Bangladesh. Journal of Hospital Infection, 139(139), 220–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2023.07.012

This article investigates factors influencing hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in tertiary-care hospitals. It identifies some barriers, such as resource access, poor training, and low monitoring levels. The study emphasized the role of infrastructure, including the availability of conveniently placed handwashing stations and alcohol-based hand sanitizers, while also stressing the importance of behavioral factors in improving compliance, including feedback and recognition. With its findings, the article reveals how the multifaceted approach can respond to the barriers to hand hygiene adherence at both system and individual levels.

This is a practical guide for nurses to understand the challenges of implementing hand hygiene protocols in diverse healthcare settings. It could inform the design of interventions, including tailored feedback mechanisms and motivational strategies for staff. This could be even more useful to facility managers since its recommendations on closing infrastructural gaps are critical in improving compliance.

By focusing on evidence-based practices, nurses can take the findings of this study and advocate for change in their workplaces to improve hand hygiene practices’ overall effectiveness. These strategies ultimately reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections and promote a safety culture in healthcare environments.

Mouajou, V., Adams, K., DeLisle, G., & Quach, C. (2022). Hand hygiene compliance in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections: A systematic review. Journal of Hospital Infection, 119(3), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.09.016

This systematic review compares hand hygiene compliance’s effectiveness as an essential component of reducing HAIs. The authors discuss various findings from different healthcare facilities and stress that the common barriers comprise insufficient training, lack of suitable infrastructure, and suboptimal protocol compliance. The study affirms that promoting hand hygiene entails repeated training, habit change, and context modification, including properly positioning hand washing facilities and alcohol-based hand rubs.

Organizational culture and leadership are key success factors in compliance; the authors stress the need for compliance audits and other feedback mechanisms. Most challenges relate to hand hygiene, and by pinpointing them and putting measures to reduce them in healthcare facilities, the risk of infections is drastically reduced.

This resource can be used to establish or upgrade an organization’s hygiene protocol for healthcare practitioners. It offers practical solutions for enhancing compliance by including hand hygiene training as part of orientation, staff training, and devising motivators to keep staff committed to compliance. Moreover, it emphasizes the involvement of healthcare workers in reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections and points out that hand hygiene is paramount to this effort. This systematic review provides a framework of HAI reduction strategies and theoretical and practical best interventions to improve patient safety for organizations.

Environmental Safety and Quality Risks

Casini, B., Tuvo, B., Scarpaci, M., Totaro, M., Badalucco, F., Briani, S., Luchini, G., Costa, A. L., & Baggiani, A. (2023). Implementation of an environmental cleaning protocol in hospital critical areas using a UV-C disinfection robot. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4284. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054284

This article presents a study on integrating UV-C disinfection robots into the critical areas of hospitals to enhance environmental cleaning protocols. The authors went into much detail regarding how these robots lower contamination on high-touch surfaces that are usually laden with pathogens associated with HAIs.

The study compared manual cleaning with UV-C technology and showed the latter to be better in reducing microbial loads. This study now demonstrates that in the long term, UV-C robots are cost-effective in savings from infection rates and reduced lengths of hospital stays. The authors also discuss challenges that might arise during implementation, such as up-front costs and staff training.

This paper will provide a resource for nurses and healthcare leaders to advocate for advanced cleaning technologies in high-risk hospital environments such as ICUs. The findings provide compelling evidence to justify the allocation of resources for UV-C systems. Moreover, this study can be used as a guide in designing training programs for staff familiarization with UV-C technology and its integration into the existing cleaning protocols. By adopting such innovations, healthcare facilities can enhance patient safety, minimize HAIs, and foster a culture of proactive infection control.

Leistner, R., Kohlmorgen, B., Brodzinski, A., Schwab, F., Lemke, E., Zakonsky, G., & Gastmeier, P. (2023). Environmental cleaning to prevent hospital-acquired infections on non-intensive care units: A pragmatic, single-centre, cluster randomized controlled, crossover trial comparing soap-based, disinfection and probiotic cleaning. EClinicalMedicine, 59, 101958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101958

This study evaluates novel environmental cleanliness treatments, particularly on soaped, disinfected, and probiotics methods to prevent HAIs. Carried out in a non-intensive care unit environment, this cluster randomized controlled trial supports the efficacy of these methods in reducing microbial loads on high-touch items known to harbor flora. Of the approaches, probiotic cleaning appeared to be the most effective as it provided long-lasting microbial reduction while having neutral environmental impacts.

The authors also address concrete and operational implementation concerns, such as scheduling, cost, staff development, and compatibility with the current cleaning regimen. They call for a one-of-a-kind commitment from the healthcare personnel, the cleaning services, and the facility management to embrace these techniques. The actions taken present wider aspects of environmental hygiene and the impact on the control of antimicrobial resistance and patient outcomes in healthcare settings.

The findings of this study are useful for healthcare organizations that wish to improve environmental cleanliness. It supports effective practice interventions that are also sustainable and extend a roadmap to safer clinical environments. By introducing these enhancing cleaning practices, healthcare centers can minimize HAIs, safeguard high-risk individuals, and establish a perception of early intervention against infections.

Sun, Y., Wu, Q., Liu, J., & Wang, Q. (2023). Effectiveness of ultraviolet-C disinfection systems for reduction of multi-drug resistant organism infections in healthcare settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Infection, 151(2). https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268823001371

This systematic review and meta-analysis addressed the role of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) disinfection systems in reducing multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in the healthcare environment. The authors pooled data from multiple studies to assess the effectiveness of UV-C technology in reducing microbial contamination on surfaces and in the air. The findings show apparent reductions in the presence of MDROs in facilities that have installed UV-C systems, primarily in high-risk settings such as intensive care units and surgical wards. This study further describes the scalability of UV-C technology, thus applying it to any healthcare setting.

This resource provides strong evidence to support using UV-C disinfection as an adjunct to manual cleaning strategies for nurses and infection control teams. This has established how human creature comforts must integrate sophisticated technologies in everyday inhibition of infection. This brief review’s findings can help healthcare organizations decide whether to invest in UV-C systems and effectively train their personnel on their use. By so doing, the facilities are in a position to strengthen their fight against HAIs and, therefore, minimize the risk posed to patients and healthcare professionals.

Staff-Led Preventive Strategies

Cline, K. M., Clement, V., Rock-Klotz, J., Kash, B. A., Steel, C., & Miller, T. R. (2020). Improving the cost, quality, and safety of perioperative care: A systematic review of the literature on implementation of the perioperative surgical home. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, 63(3), 109760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinane.2020.109760

This systematic review examines the implementation of the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH), a patient-centered, team-based system designed to improve the quality, cost, and safety of perioperative care. The authors review data from different healthcare settings to support the evidence of the feasibility of the model to enhance continuity of care, decrease the risk of postoperative complications, and enhance patient results. Another significant finding of this review is that PSH has an influence on infection prevention—through better communication and collaboration among surgical teams, nursing staff, and infection control experts. This study shows that such multidisciplinary approaches in successfully implementing organizational changes must be supported by leadership and include staff engagement.

This resource will help nurses to understand the role of coordinated care in improving patient safety, particularly in surgical settings. It gives an overall framework for designing interventions integrating infection prevention into broader quality improvement initiatives. Furthermore, this study provides practical insight into operational and cultural changes necessary to adopt the PSH model effectively. Thus, nursing teams must support the strategies mentioned earlier to reduce perioperative infections and foster safe, supportive cultures that support the goals of their healthcare organization.

Hammoud, S., Amer, F., & Kocsis, B. (2021). Examining the effect of infection prevention and control awareness among nurses on patient and family education: A cross‐sectional study. Nursing & Health Sciences, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12905

This article explains how the nurse’s awareness of IPC influences the overall success of patient–and family-centered education. Through cross-sectional surveys, the authors assess the relation of knowledge regarding IPC to the quality of patient education: higher levels of awareness are associated with better communication and a higher rate of adherence to safety measures by patients and their families. This study brings into bold relief the importance of nurses in making necessary clients, staff, and the general population embrace measures to avoid transmission of infections in health facilities.

This resource may benefit nurses by broadening their understanding of IPC and facilitating its interactions and communication strategies with the patient’s families. It has practical recommendations on how IPC education might be integrated into everyday conversations with patients to promote their active role in their treatment. Besides, the findings pointed out the need to further support training interventions to maintain the levels of IPC knowledge among the staff. This way, nurses can promote multi-sectorial cooperation in preventing diseases, develop a safer patient environment, and gain the patient’s trust.

Hibbert, P. D., Stewart, S., Wiles, L. K., Braithwaite, J., Runciman, W. B., & Thomas, M. J. W. (2023). Improving patient safety governance and systems through learning from successes and failures: Qualitative surveys and interviews with international experts. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 35(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzad088

The article focuses on the changes in governance and systems to enhance patient safety based on the findings from the literature review of studies from other countries. In summary, one of the essential messages from this study is that identifying successes and failures in healthcare organizations is an effective way to understand how safety should be enhanced. Some key subjects of discussion are the importance of effective communication systems, accurate reporting mechanisms, and a culture of continuous improvement. The authors also note the importance of frontline staff engagement in safety work since their operational experiences are critical to identifying hazards and solutions.

Overall, this is an exhaustive guide that can assist nurses in understanding how governance structures can enhance infection prevention. It gives guidelines for improving organizational safety climate, such as reporting systems for adverse events and incidents that did not cause harm. Regarding practical implications, nurses can also use this study to support their lobbying for a more active role in decision-making procedures in the sphere of infection control and patient safety. By using the principles mentioned in this healthcare resource, even the most basic healthcare team will be able to create sustainable systems that will evolve and progress, thereby minimizing infection-related concerned and enhancing patient outcomes.

Best Practices for Reporting and Improving Environmental Safety Issues

Alamer, A., Alharbi, F., Aldhilan, A., Almushayti, Z., Alghofaily, K., Elbehiry, A., & Abalkhail, A. (2022). Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs): Challenges and measures taken by the radiology department to control infection transmission. Vaccines, 10(12), 2060. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10122060

This article emphasizes the barriers to controlling HAIs within radiology departments and the various actions to prevent infection transmission. The study indicates a unique nature of risk factors associated with radiological procedures in which shared equipment and direct patient contact are more frequent. The authors have presented information on the application of highly regulated cleaning protocols, staff education, training, and improved measures to ensure patient safety in an attempt to control HAIs. In addition, the study illustrated the role of antimicrobial stewardship programs in reducing antibiotic overuse and, therefore, the chances of multidrug-resistant organisms.

This would help nurses and infection control professionals to identify areas of vulnerability in radiology and other high-risk departments. The findings present actionable insights on enhancing cleaning and disinfection protocols, implementing staff training in a targeted manner, and integrating antimicrobial stewardship into broader infection prevention strategies. Using the same, it will be possible to demonstrate that the healthcare teams can minimize HAIs and promote safety accountability. This resource is helpful when multiple disciplinary members work on departmental infection control issues while pursuing the broader facilities’ safety objectives.

Madaras-Kelly, K., Hostler, C., Townsend, M., Potter, E. M., Spivak, E. S., Hall, S. K., Goetz, M. B., Nevers, M., Ying, J., Haaland, B., Rovelsky, S. A., Pontefract, B., Fleming-Dutra, K., Hicks, L. A., & Samore, M. H. (2020). Impact of implementation of the core elements of outpatient antibiotic stewardship within Veterans Health Administration emergency departments and primary care clinics on antibiotic prescribing and patient outcomes. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 73(5), e1126–e1134. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1831

This article reviews the findings on the effects of the Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship on outpatient prescribing and patient experiences in Veterans Health Administration-affiliated centers. It also mentions the sensible decrease in the number of unnecessary antibiotics prescribed to patients and their subsequent effect on the incidences of adverse drug events and patient safety. This involved leadership commitment, objectively defined roles, and the capacity to monitor prescribing habits and resistance profiles continuously.

The authors stress that the program should involve clinicians, pharmacists, and infection preventionists as key stakeholders to guarantee the program’s effectiveness. A key activity in promoting good practices in the use of antibiotics was the engagement of both healthcare practitioners and patients through continued educative programs. This study also underlines the necessity for continual assessment and change of stewardship techniques due to new threats, such as the shift of the pattern of resistance and lack of resources.

The study provides a useful roadmap for healthcare organizations that wish to develop or improve their antibiotic stewardship initiatives. It provides rational drug use guidelines with infection control strategies to prevent and minimize healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance. When applied to the stewardship of healthcare facilities, the following benefits can be realized: increased accountability, enhanced quality of patient outcomes, and improved global fight against the misuse of antibiotics.

Zhang, M., Wu, S., Ibrahim, M. I., Noor, S. S. M., & Mohammad, W. M. Z. W. (2024). Significance of ongoing training and professional development in optimizing healthcare-associated infection prevention and control. Journal of Medical Signals & Sensors, 14(5), 14. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmss.jmss_37_23

This critical study maps how continuing training and professional development can enhance IPC measures. The authors elaborate on how current IPC educational endeavors will be repetitive in improving knowledge and adherence among health workers in critical areas of IPC, such as hand washing, surface cleaning, and proper antimicrobial usage. Using simulation and practical workshops fills gaps between those methods’ theoretical and real-life implementation. It also emphasizes the leadership support and resource allocation needed to sustain professional development initiatives.

Nurses can use this resource to advocate for and participate in training programs that address IPC challenges. The evidence supports the implementation of structured educational interventions to increase compliance with infection prevention strategies. The findings also support using technology-driven tools, including e-learning platforms and simulation exercises, to reinforce key IPC practices. By focusing on professional development, healthcare organizations can embolden nurses and other frontline staff to take proactive roles in reducing HAIs and promoting patient safety.

References

Alamer, A., Alharbi, F., Aldhilan, A., Almushayti, Z., Alghofaily, K., Elbehiry, A., & Abalkhail, A. (2022). Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs): Challenges and measures taken by the radiology department to control infection transmission. Vaccines, 10(12), 2060. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10122060

Casini, B., Tuvo, B., Scarpaci, M., Totaro, M., Badalucco, F., Briani, S., Luchini, G., Costa, A. L., & Baggiani, A. (2023). Implementation of an environmental cleaning protocol in hospital critical areas using a UV-C disinfection robot. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4284. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054284

Chakma, S. K., Hossen, S., Rakib, T. M., Hoque, S., Islam, R., Biswas, T., Islam, Z., & Islam, M. M. (2024). Effectiveness of a hand hygiene training intervention in improving knowledge and compliance rate among healthcare workers in a respiratory disease hospital. Heliyon, 10(5), e27286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27286

Cline, K. M., Clement, V., Rock-Klotz, J., Kash, B. A., Steel, C., & Miller, T. R. (2020). Improving the cost, quality, and safety of perioperative care: A systematic review of the literature on implementation of the perioperative surgical home. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, 63(3), 109760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinane.2020.109760

Hammoud, S., Amer, F., & Kocsis, B. (2021). Examining the effect of infection prevention and control awareness among nurses on patient and family education: A cross‐sectional study. Nursing & Health Sciences, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12905

Harun, M. G. D., Anwar, M. M. U., Sumon, S. A., Mohona, T. M., Hassan, M. Z., Rahman, A., Abdullah, S. A. H. M., Islam, M. S., Oakley, L. P., Malpiedi, P., Kaydos-Daniels, S. C., & Styczynski, A. R. (2023). Hand hygiene compliance and associated factors among healthcare workers in selected tertiary-care hospitals in Bangladesh. Journal of Hospital Infection, 139(139), 220–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2023.07.012

Hibbert, P. D., Stewart, S., Wiles, L. K., Braithwaite, J., Runciman, W. B., & Thomas, M. J. W. (2023). Improving patient safety governance and systems through learning from successes and failures: Qualitative surveys and interviews with international experts. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 35(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzad088

Leistner, R., Kohlmorgen, B., Brodzinski, A., Schwab, F., Lemke, E., Zakonsky, G., & Gastmeier, P. (2023). Environmental cleaning to prevent hospital-acquired infections on non-intensive care units: A pragmatic, single-centre, cluster randomized controlled, crossover trial comparing soap-based, disinfection and probiotic cleaning. EClinicalMedicine, 59, 101958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101958

Madaras-Kelly, K., Hostler, C., Townsend, M., Potter, E. M., Spivak, E. S., Hall, S. K., Goetz, M. B., Nevers, M., Ying, J., Haaland, B., Rovelsky, S. A., Pontefract, B., Fleming-Dutra, K., Hicks, L. A., & Samore, M. H. (2020). Impact of implementation of the core elements of outpatient antibiotic stewardship within Veterans Health Administration emergency departments and primary care clinics on antibiotic prescribing and patient outcomes. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 73(5), e1126–e1134. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1831

Mouajou, V., Adams, K., DeLisle, G., & Quach, C. (2022). Hand hygiene compliance in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections: A systematic review. Journal of Hospital Infection, 119(3), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.09.016

Sun, Y., Wu, Q., Liu, J., & Wang, Q. (2023). Effectiveness of ultraviolet-C disinfection systems for reduction of multi-drug resistant organism infections in healthcare settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Infection, 151(2). https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268823001371

Zhang, M., Wu, S., Ibrahim, M. I., Noor, S. S. M., & Mohammad, W. M. Z. W. (2024). Significance of ongoing training and professional development in optimizing healthcare-associated infection prevention and control. Journal of Medical Signals & Sensors, 14(5), 14. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmss.jmss_37_23

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Question


Assessment 4 Improvement Plan Tool Kit
For this assessment, you will develop a Word document or an online resource repository of at least 12 annotated professional or scholarly resources that you consider critical for the audience of your safety improvement plan to understand or implement to ensure the success of the plan.

Introduction
Communication in the health care environment consists of an information-sharing experience whether through oral or written messages (Chard & Makary, 2015). As health care organizations and nurses strive to create a culture of safety and quality care, the importance of interprofessional collaboration, the development of tool kits, and the use of wikis become more relevant and vital. In addition to the dissemination of information and evidence-based findings and the development of tool kits, continuous support for and availability of such resources are critical. Among the most popular methods to promote ongoing dialogue and information sharing are blogs, wikis, websites, and social media.

Nurses know how to support people in time of need or crisis and how to support one another in the workplace; wikis in particular enable nurses to continue that support beyond the work environment. Here they can be free to share their unique perspectives, educate others, and promote health care wellness at local and global levels (Kaminski, 2016).

You are encouraged to complete the Determining the Relevance and Usefulness of Resources activity prior to developing the repository. This activity will help you determine which resources or research will be most relevant to address a particular need. This may be useful as you consider how to explain the purpose and relevance of the resources you are assembling for your tool kit. The activity is for your own practice and self-assessment, and demonstrates course engagement.

References

  • Chard, R., & Makary, M. A. (2015). Transfer-of-care communication: Nursing best practices. AORN Journal, 102(4), 329–342.
  • Kaminski, J. (2016). Why all nurses can/should be authors. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 11(4), 1–7.

Professional Context
Nurses are often asked to implement processes, concepts, or practices—sometimes with little preparatory communication or education. One way to encourage sustainability of quality and process improvements is to assemble an accessible, user-friendly tool kit for knowledge and process documentation. Creating a resource repository or tool kit is also an excellent way to follow up an educational or in-service session, as it can help to reinforce attendees’ new knowledge as well as the understanding of its value.

By practicing creating a simple online tool kit, you can develop valuable technology skills to improve your competence and efficacy. This technology is easy to use, and resources are available to guide you.

Scenario
For this assessment, build on the work done in your first three assessments and create an online tool kit or resource repository that will help the audience of your in-service understand the research behind your safety improvement plan pertaining to a specific patient safety issue and put the plan into action.

Preparation
Google Sites is recommended for this assessment; the tools are free to use and should offer you a blend of flexibility and simplicity as you create your online tool kit. Please note that this requires a Google account; use your Gmail or GoogleDocs login, or create an account following the directions under the “Create Account” menu.

Refer to the resources on the following list to help you get started with Google Sites:

Instructions
Using Google Sites, assemble an online resource tool kit containing at least 12 annotated resources that you consider critical to the success of your safety improvement initiative. These resources should enable nurses and others to implement and maintain the safety improvement you have developed.

It is recommended that you focus on the 3 or 4 most critical categories or themes with respect to your safety improvement initiative. For example, for an initiative that concerns improving workplace safety for practitioners, you might choose broad themes such as general organizational safety and quality best practices; environmental safety and quality risks; individual strategies to improve personal and team safety; and process best practices for reporting and improving environmental safety issues.

Following the recommended scheme, you would collect 3 resources on average for each of the 4 categories focusing on a specific patient safety issue. Each resource listing should include the following:

  • An APA-formatted citation of the resource with a working link.
  • A description of the information, skills, or tools provided by the resource.
  • A brief explanation of how the resource can help nurses better understand or implement the safety improvement initiative pertaining to a specific patient safety issue.
  • A description of how nurses can use this resource and when its use may be appropriate.

Remember that you must make your site “public” so that your faculty can access it. Check out the Google Sites resources for more information.

Here is an example entry:

Merret, A., Thomas, P., Stephens, A., Moghabghab, R., & Gruneir, M. (2011). A collaborative approach to fall prevention. Canadian Nurse, 107(8), 24–29.

This article presents the Geriatric Emergency Management-Falls Intervention Team (GEM-FIT) project. It shows how a collaborative nurse lead project can be implemented and used to improve collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork, as well as improve the delivery of health care services. This resource is likely more useful to nurses as a resource for strategies and models for assembling and participating in an interdisciplinary team than for specific fall-prevention strategies. It is suggested that this resource be reviewed prior to creating an interdisciplinary team for a collaborative project in a health care setting.

Additionally, be sure that your plan addresses the following, which corresponds to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. Please study the scoring guide carefully so you understand what is needed for a distinguished score.

Improvement Plan Tool Kit

Improvement Plan Tool Kit

  • Identify necessary resources to support the implementation and continued sustainability of a safety improvement initiative pertaining to a specific patient safety issue.
  • Analyze the usefulness of resources to the role group responsible for implementing quality and safety improvements focusing on a specific patient safety issue.
  • Analyze the value of resources to reduce patient safety risk related to a specific patient safety issue.
  • Present reasons and relevant situations for use of resource tool kit by its target audience.
  • Communicate in a clear, logically structured, and professional manner that applies current APA style and formatting.

Example Assessment: You may use the following example to give you an idea of what a Proficient or higher rating on the scoring guide would look like but keep in mind that your tool kit will focus on promoting safety with the quality issue you selected in Assessment 1. Note that you do not have to submit your bibliography in addition to the Google Site; the example bibliography is merely for your reference.

  • Assessment 4 Example [PDF]

To submit your online tool kit assessment, paste the link to your Google Site in the assessment submission box.

Example Google Site: You may use the example found on the Assessment 4: Google Sites reading list, Resources for Improved Heparin Infusion Safety, to give you an idea of what a Proficient or higher rating on the scoring guide would look like for this assessment but keep in mind that your tool kit will focus on promoting safety with the quality issue you selected in Assessment 1

Note: If you experience technical or other challenges in completing this assessment, please contact your faculty member.

Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:

  • Competency 1: Analyze the elements of a successful quality improvement initiative.
    • Analyze the usefulness of resources to the role group responsible for implementing quality and safety improvements focusing on a specific patient safety issue.
  • Competency 2: Analyze factors that lead to patient safety risks.
    • Analyze the value of resources to reduce patient safety risk related to a specific patient safety issue.
  • Competency 3: Identify organizational interventions to promote patient safety.
    • Identify necessary resources to support the implementation and continued sustainability of a safety improvement initiative pertaining to a specific patient safety issue.
  • Competency 5: Apply professional, scholarly, evidence-based strategies to communicate in a manner that supports safe and effective patient care.
    • Present reasons and relevant situations for resource tool kit to be used by its target audience.
    • Communicate resource tool kit in a clear, logically structured, and professional manner that applies current APA style and formatting.