Intra- and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Addressing HAIs in the ICU
As a DNP-prepared nurse responsible for managing a large ICU, I encountered a challenging situation when the number of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) among cardiovascular patients increased significantly over three months. This issue required immediate attention and a comprehensive strategy involving both intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through collaborative efforts, we worked to identify the root causes of these infections and implement solutions to improve patient safety and outcomes: Intra- and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Addressing HAIs in the ICU.
Professional Experience with Intra- and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
This professional experience exemplifies the importance of leveraging both intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration. Intra-disciplinary collaboration within the nursing team involved brainstorming with the nursing manager and ICU staff on possible factors contributing to increased HAIs. The insight provided by the bedside nurses from the hands-on care of patients was very important and included possible lapses in infection control protocols and workflow inefficiencies.
The interdisciplinary team consisted of experts from different healthcare fields. Infection prevention specialists analyzed HAI patterns, identifying risk factors and recommending evidence-based interventions. Microbiologists studied the pathogens causing the infections to develop targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
The environmental services team reviewed cleaning protocols to assure optimal sterilization practices, while pharmacists reviewed antimicrobial use to ensure adherence to stewardship principles. Regular interdisciplinary meetings allowing open communication and a shared digital platform enabled the team members to monitor the progress and provide real-time feedback (Johnson & Johnson, 2023).
Specific Challenge and How We Overcame It
One major impediment to this was resistance from the staff about adhering to stronger hand hygiene practices. Preliminary audits showed non-uniform levels of compliance, while some staff found the new measures to be time-consuming or useless. The amount of resistance encountered was disturbing given the fact that hand hygiene is viewed as a cornerstone in infection prevention.
As such, we introduced a multifaceted plan:
- Education and Training:The connection between hand hygiene and infection rate reduction was highlighted during interactive sessions. We used real-life case studies and data specific to our ICU to illustrate the direct impact of such measures on patient safety.
- Behavioral Interventions: Visual reminders in the form of posters and digital alerts were placed throughout the ICU. Automated hand sanitizer dispensers with usage counters reinforced compliance.
- Accountability and Incentives:Real-time feedback came through peer audits, while a recognition program celebrated the units with top compliance rates.
These initiatives slowly changed the culture in the ICU. Participants came to see the tangible benefits of their compliance, which helped to create a sense of collective ownership over-patient outcomes. Compliance rates improved from 76% to 98% within two months and led to a substantial decrease in HAIs.
Specific Opportunity and How We Embraced It
This initiative also provided the opportunity to pilot an innovative electronic hand hygiene monitoring system. The infection prevention team piloted this system, which tracked compliance through wearable devices tracking when staff used hand sanitizers or washed their hands. Realizing the potential of this innovation, I drove its implementation within the ICU.
The system was implemented in phases for smooth adoption. The training it provides prepares staff with the knowledge and skills needed to use technology effectively. The weekly feedback reports of the system will highlight areas for improvement and celebrate compliance successes. It would also enable the team to put targeted interventions, like extra training or workflow adjustments, into practice based on the gaps identified (Errida & Lotfi, 2021).
When fully integrated, this system did lead to quite promising results. Besides increasing accountability, it created a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Within three months, HAIs decreased by 40%, and staff showed increased confidence in adhering to the standards of infection control (Wang et al., 2021).
Reflections and Lessons Learned
It truly highlights the transformative power of collaboration by bringing together intra- and interdisciplinary approaches to address complicated healthcare challenges. The dramatic reduction in HAIs put into focus the importance of committing every staff category, from the ranks of nurses to infection preventionists to patient safety. Harnessing diverse expertise enabled the development and implementation of much-needed comprehensive solutions that achieved enhanced quality of care and improvement in cost efficiency (Bendowska & Baum, 2023).
This experience showed the importance of innovation. The electronic monitoring system increased infection control but also built a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. In the future, these lessons will remain with my practice, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and flexibility in attaining optimal patient outcomes.
References
Bendowska, A., & Baum, E. (2023). The significance of cooperation in interdisciplinary health care teams as perceived by Polish medical students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 954. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20020954
Errida, A., & Lotfi, B. (2021). The Determinants of Organizational Change Management success: Literature Review and Case Study. International Journal of Engineering Business Management, 13(1), 1–15. Sagepub.
Johnson and Johnson. (2023, September 11). The importance of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare. Discover Nursing. https://nursing.jnj.com/getting-real-nursing-today/the-importance-of-interprofessional-collaboration-in-healthcare
Wang, C., Jiang, W., Yang, K., Yu, D., Newn, J., Sarsenbayeva, Z., Goncalves, J., & Kostakos, V. (2021). Electronic Monitoring Systems for Hand Hygiene: Systematic Review of Technology. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(11). https://doi.org/10.2196/27880
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Question 
Imagine that you are a DNP-prepared nurse responsible for overseeing a large intensive care unit (ICU). You have noticed that in the past three months, the number of nosocomial, or hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), has dramatically increased among patients who have undergone cardiovascular procedures. You would like to initiate a practice study to determine the source of these HAIs and to improve patient outcomes in your ICU.
What types of intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration might be needed to support the goals of this practice study?
One example of intra-disciplinary collaboration is that you might meet with the nursing manager in charge of your unit and ask to set up a brainstorming session with the nurses on the unit to explore their perceptions of why the HAIs have increased among patients who have undergone cardiovascular procedures. An example of interdisciplinary collaboration is that you might team up with an infection prevention specialist (who may be a PhD-prepared nurse or PhD-credentialed healthcare professional) who can address the problem from an alternative perspective.
These are just two of many potential intra- and interprofessional collaborations that may take place in an advanced nursing practice situation like this. Keep in mind that when intra- and interprofessional colleagues work together toward a shared, patient-centric goal, both the quality and cost of the care delivered will be optimized (Johnson & Johnson, 2016).
Reference:
- Johnson & Johnson. (2023, September 10). Nursing: The importance of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare. https://nursing.jnj.com/
getting-real-nursing-today/ the-importance-of- interprofessional- collaboration-in-healthcare
Resources
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Intra- and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Addressing HAIs in the ICU
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To prepare:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources, paying special attention to the various strategies mentioned to foster intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration in nursing practice.
- Reflect on your own previous professional experiences with intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Consider the various intra- and interprofessional individuals and groups with whom you worked and the ways in which you interacted.
- Choose one specific challenge you faced and reflect on how you and your colleagues overcame it.
- Choose one specific opportunity you faced and reflect on how you and your colleagues embraced it.
Address the following in your Blog entry:
- Describe one relevant professional experience you have had with intra- and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Describe the various intra- and interprofessional individuals and groups with whom you worked and the ways in which you interacted.
- Describe one specific challenge you faced and explain how you and your colleagues overcame it. Be specific.
- Describe one opportunity you faced and explain how you and your colleagues embraced it. Be specific.