Name
Chamberlain University
NR-584: Quality and Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice
Prof. Name
Date
This assignment requires a critical review of the Week 3 Risk Management Case Study scenario provided in the course announcements. The following sections address the questions outlined in the worksheet, with evidence-based reasoning and scholarly support. Responses are written in accordance with APA formatting, grammar, and scholarly writing standards. At least three scholarly sources are referenced.
The primary risk event is delayed access to specialized care. The extended wait time for an appointment with an infectious disease specialist leads to deterioration of patient health outcomes, including worsening of symptoms, decreased quality of life, and the potential for complications in disease progression.
The risk is best classified as a hazard. A hazard refers to a situation that may lead to harm or adverse consequences. In this case, administrative delays in scheduling create hazardous circumstances for the patient by increasing the likelihood of poor clinical outcomes, heightened discomfort, and reduced chances of recovery.
The risk domain falls within Patient Safety and Quality of Care. This domain is directly concerned with protecting patients from harm while ensuring the delivery of effective, timely, and efficient healthcare services. In the given scenario, failure to provide timely specialized care compromises patient safety, resulting in substandard outcomes and highlighting systemic weaknesses in healthcare delivery.
Several factors contribute to the identified risk event:
Factor | Description |
---|---|
High Demand for Specialists | Infectious disease specialists are overburdened due to increasing numbers of patients requiring complex care. This leads to extended wait times. |
Administrative Inefficiencies | Outdated scheduling systems and poor appointment management processes delay timely access to specialists. |
Insufficient Staffing and Resources | Shortages of infectious disease physicians and support staff hinder effective patient flow and scheduling efficiency. |
Lack of Triage/Prioritization Systems | Without clear triage criteria, appointments are scheduled chronologically rather than based on urgency, delaying urgent care. |
To reduce or prevent risk, healthcare organizations can adopt the following proactive measures:
Proactive Measure | Explanation |
---|---|
Optimized Scheduling Systems | Upgrading scheduling platforms, implementing user-friendly digital tools, and offering extended clinic hours can reduce wait times and improve patient access (American Society of Healthcare Risk Managers [ASHRM], 2020). |
Triage and Prioritization Protocols | Introducing structured triage processes ensures urgent cases are prioritized for specialist appointments. This prevents critical delays for high-risk patients (ASHRM, 2020). |
Increase Specialist Resources | Hiring additional specialists or extending work hours of current providers, along with providing adequate administrative support, helps accommodate rising patient demand (Schwappach & Wernli, 2019). |
Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) can play a pivotal role in mitigating risks by implementing the following strategies:
Mitigation Strategy | Role of the APN |
---|---|
Enhanced Care Coordination | APNs can streamline referral processes by collaborating with primary care and specialists, ensuring urgent cases are expedited (Jalali et al., 2023). |
Improved Scheduling Systems | APNs can advocate for modifications in scheduling practices to reduce delays and ensure patients with urgent needs are prioritized (Jalali et al., 2023). |
Patient Support & Education | Educating patients on self-care strategies while awaiting specialized treatment empowers them to manage their conditions more effectively (ASHRM, 2020). |
The Joint Commission serves as the primary regulatory body offering guidance to healthcare organizations on patient safety and risk management.
National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs): These goals are updated annually to address emerging patient safety issues and reduce harm (The Joint Commission, n.d.).
Accreditation Standards: Facilities must comply with Joint Commission standards to maintain accreditation, covering areas like risk management, safety, and quality improvement.
Risk Management Plans: Organizations must design and implement comprehensive risk management frameworks to identify, assess, and mitigate patient safety risks (The Joint Commission, n.d.).
The APN can track the success of implemented strategies by conducting regular audits of referral and scheduling practices, monitoring patient outcomes, and reviewing wait-time metrics. Utilizing electronic health records (EHRs) helps identify inefficiencies, while patient surveys provide insights into satisfaction and perceived quality of care. Continuous data review ensures strategies remain effective and adaptable.
In practice, I plan to strengthen referral pathways by coordinating closely with specialists and prioritizing high-risk patients. A technology-driven scheduling system with dedicated slots for urgent cases will be implemented. Additionally, patients will receive educational resources and follow-ups to help them manage their condition while awaiting specialist care. Continuous monitoring and patient feedback will inform improvements in care delivery.
This assignment emphasized the importance of a comprehensive risk management approach in healthcare. I learned how APNs play a critical role in enhancing patient safety through streamlined coordination, improved scheduling, and patient empowerment. The integration of technology, performance monitoring, and adherence to regulatory standards such as those from The Joint Commission is vital in improving healthcare outcomes. The exercise reinforced the need for proactive, evidence-based strategies to reduce risks and improve patient access to specialized care.
American Society of Healthcare Risk Managers. (2020). Enterprise risk management: Implementing ERM. ASHRM. https://www.ashrm.org/system/files/media/file/2020/12/ERMImplementing-ERM-for-Sucecess-White-Paper_FINAL.pdf
Jalali, M., Dehghan, H., Habibi, E., & Khakzad, N. (2023). Application of “Human Factor Analysis and Classification System” (HFACS) model to the prevention of medical errors and adverse events: A systematic review. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(1), 127–127. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_123_22
Schwappach, D. L. B., & Wernli, M. (2019). Predictors of chemotherapy patients’ intentions to engage in medical error prevention. The Oncologist, 15(8), 903–912. https://doi.org/10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0117
The Joint Commission. (n.d.). Sentinel event policy and procedures. https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/patient-safety-systems-chapter/sentinel-event/sentinel-event-policy-and-procedures/