A manager observes a rise in medication errors following staffing changes. What approach should the manager consider to decrease errors?
Motivate nurses who make medication errors to submit incident reports and include them in the patients’ records.
Delegate the task by requesting another department to manage quality improvement.
Work together with floor nurses to identify the causes of errors and develop solutions.
Prevent errors by highlighting the punishments for making a medication mistake.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
Motivating nurses to submit incident reports and include them in patients’ records is important for transparency and accountability. However, this approach alone does not address the root causes of medication errors. Incident reporting is a reactive measure that helps in documenting errors after they occur but does not proactively prevent future errors. Effective error reduction requires a more comprehensive strategy that includes identifying and addressing the underlying factors contributing to errors.
Choice B reason:
Delegating the task to another department to manage quality improvement might seem like a viable option, but it can lead to a disconnect between the staff directly involved in patient care and those responsible for quality improvement. This separation can result in a lack of ownership and accountability among the nursing staff. Quality improvement initiatives are most effective when they involve the active participation of the staff who are directly involved in the processes being improved.
Choice C reason:
Working together with floor nurses to identify the causes of errors and develop solutions is the most effective approach. This collaborative method ensures that the staff who are directly involved in patient care are engaged in the process of identifying issues and creating practical solutions. Nurses on the floor have firsthand knowledge of the challenges and can provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to medication errors. This approach fosters a culture of teamwork, continuous improvement, and shared responsibility for patient safety.
Choice D reason:
Preventing errors by highlighting the punishments for making a medication mistake is a punitive approach that can create a culture of fear and blame. This method is counterproductive as it discourages open communication and reporting of errors. When staff fear punishment, they are less likely to report mistakes, which hinders the ability to learn from errors and implement preventive measures. A more effective strategy focuses on creating a supportive environment where staff feel safe to report errors and participate in developing solutions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Implementation of centralized staffing to coordinate care across all departments. Centralized staffing can help streamline operations and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently across departments. However, while this can improve coordination and resource management, it does not directly address the enhancement of intellectual capital within the organization. The Nursing Intellectual Capital Theory emphasizes the importance of knowledge and skills in improving organizational outcomes.
Choice B Reason:
Implementation of nurse-patient ratios. Establishing appropriate nurse-patient ratios is crucial for ensuring patient safety and quality care. Adequate staffing levels can reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction among nurses. However, this factor alone does not encompass the broader concept of intellectual capital, which includes the accumulation and application of knowledge and skills within the organization.
Choice C Reason:
Adherence to budget-based staffing. Budget-based staffing focuses on managing financial resources effectively to ensure that staffing levels are maintained within budget constraints. While financial management is important, it does not directly contribute to the development of intellectual capital. The Nursing Intellectual Capital Theory highlights the role of knowledge and skills in driving organizational improvement.
Choice D Reason:
An increase in knowledge, whether individual, group, or organizational. This is the most accurate answer. The Nursing Intellectual Capital Theory posits that the accumulation and application of knowledge at all levels—individual, group, and organizational—are critical for improving organizational performance. Investing in the education and professional development of nurses enhances their skills and knowledge, leading to better patient outcomes and overall organizational improvement. This approach aligns with the theory’s emphasis on intellectual capital as a key driver of success in healthcare settings.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
“Critical pathways ensure cost-effective outcomes at a reduced cost.” While critical pathways can help in managing costs by standardizing care and reducing unnecessary variations, the primary focus is on improving patient outcomes. Cost-effectiveness is a benefit, but it is not the main purpose of critical pathways.
Choice B Reason:
“Critical pathways result in better care outcomes.” This statement accurately reflects the primary goal of critical pathways. These pathways are designed to standardize care processes, reduce variability, and ensure that patients receive evidence-based care. By following critical pathways, healthcare providers can improve the quality of care, enhance patient outcomes, and ensure consistency in treatment.
Choice C Reason:
“Critical pathways must be followed in the prescribed order to meet optimal outcomes.” While it is important to follow critical pathways to achieve the desired outcomes, there should be some flexibility to accommodate individual patient needs. Strict adherence without considering patient-specific factors can lead to suboptimal care. Critical pathways provide a framework, but clinical judgment is essential to tailor care to each patient.
Choice D Reason:
“Critical pathways are utilized to guide health promotion activities.” Critical pathways are primarily used to manage clinical care processes and ensure that patients receive standardized, evidence-based treatment. While they can include elements of health promotion, their main focus is on managing specific clinical conditions and improving patient outcomes.
Choice E Reason:
“Individual healthcare providers create critical pathways to guide the care they offer to their patients.” Critical pathways are typically developed by multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They are based on best practices and evidence-based guidelines. Individual providers may contribute to the development of critical pathways, but they are not created by a single provider.
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