Student Name
Capella University
NURS FPX 4010 Leading in Intrprof Practice
Prof. Name
Date
Interview Summary
An interview was conducted with Emily, a registered nurse who previously served at Riverwood Healthcare Center (RHC), a 25-bed healthcare facility located in Aitkin. Emily had nearly nine years of professional experience at the institution. The purpose of the interview was to explore the operational difficulties nurses encounter during medication administration and to identify interdisciplinary factors that influence patient safety within the organization.
Emily described her daily professional duties, which included administering prescribed medications, educating patients regarding the appropriate use of drugs, maintaining accurate clinical documentation, and coordinating treatment plans with physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers. These responsibilities require exceptional accuracy and attention to detail because medication administration errors can significantly compromise patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality.
NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification
During the discussion, Emily highlighted that medication errors (MEs) remain one of the most persistent safety concerns within the organization. She explained that these errors frequently occur due to ineffective communication among healthcare professionals, excessive workloads, inadequate training for newly recruited staff members, and the absence of clearly defined procedures for handling complex medication regimens. To mitigate these risks, RHC has introduced several safety measures, including the implementation of Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) systems, structured professional training programs, and mandatory double-verification protocols for high-risk medications. These strategies are designed to reduce human error and enhance medication safety practices (Albeshri et al., 2024).
Emily further emphasized that medication safety cannot be achieved through individual efforts alone. Instead, it requires coordinated collaboration among physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. Evidence suggests that interdisciplinary teamwork improves medication reconciliation processes, enhances patient safety, and contributes to improved clinical outcomes (Alsabri et al., 2020). Consequently, RHC continues to explore collaborative strategies aimed at strengthening communication and ensuring safer medication management practices.
Approach to Conduct the Interview
How Was the Interview Conducted?
The interview was structured to investigate safety gaps within medication administration processes and to assess the effectiveness of interdisciplinary strategies implemented at RHC. Emily explained that medication management is inherently complex because it involves multiple stages, including prescribing medications, dispensing them through pharmacy systems, and administering them to patients. If communication between healthcare professionals is inconsistent or procedures are not standardized, the likelihood of medication errors increases.
To obtain detailed insights, two primary interviewing techniques were utilized: open-ended questioning and active listening. Open-ended questions allowed Emily to describe her professional experiences in depth, providing valuable perspectives about workplace challenges and medication safety concerns. According to Slade and Sergent (2023), open-ended questions are particularly effective in qualitative interviews because they allow participants to articulate perceptions and experiences freely.
Active listening was another essential technique used during the interview. By carefully focusing on the interviewee’s responses and maintaining an attentive and supportive environment, the interviewer encouraged honest communication. This approach strengthened rapport between the interviewer and Emily, which facilitated deeper discussion about the causes of medication errors and potential interdisciplinary strategies for improvement.
Key Interview Techniques Used
| Interview Technique | Description | Purpose in the Interview |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Paying close attention to the interviewee’s responses and acknowledging their experiences | Establishes trust and encourages more detailed explanations |
| Open-Ended Questions | Questions that allow participants to respond in their own words | Produces comprehensive qualitative insights |
| Rapport Building | Creating a comfortable and respectful discussion environment | Encourages transparency regarding workplace challenges |
| Clarification Questions | Follow-up inquiries used to confirm or expand responses | Ensures accuracy and depth of collected information |
Problem Identification
What Interdisciplinary Issue Was Identified?
The interview revealed that medication errors remain a critical patient safety concern at Riverwood Healthcare Center. Emily identified several contributing factors that increase the likelihood of such errors. These include breakdowns in communication between healthcare professionals, inadequate training for staff members, excessive workloads due to staffing shortages, and inconsistencies in medication administration protocols. When these factors occur simultaneously, they significantly increase the risk of incorrect drug administration, improper dosage delivery, or documentation inaccuracies.
Medication errors represent a major public health issue within healthcare systems worldwide. Research indicates that these errors contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality rates. In the United States, it is estimated that medication errors cause between 7,000 and 9,000 deaths annually. Furthermore, at least one medication error occurs each day in many healthcare facilities, and approximately 100,000 hospitalizations each year are linked to medication-related mistakes (Alandajani et al., 2022). Although RHC has implemented multiple safety initiatives, the persistence of medication errors suggests that additional improvements are necessary.
Major Causes of Medication Errors at RHC
| Contributing Factor | Description | Impact on Patient Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Failures | Ineffective information exchange between nurses, pharmacists, and physicians | Leads to incorrect medication administration or missed instructions |
| Heavy Workloads | Staff shortages and increased patient care demands | Causes fatigue and increases the probability of errors |
| Lack of Standardized Protocols | Inconsistent procedures for medication preparation and administration | Creates variability in clinical practices |
| Inadequate Training | Limited training on complex medication regimens or technologies | Reduces clinical competency in medication management |
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach. Medication management involves multiple healthcare professionals who contribute specialized expertise. Nurses are responsible for administering medications and monitoring patient responses, pharmacists possess advanced knowledge regarding drug interactions and pharmacological safety, and physicians design treatment plans and prescribe medications. Integrating these professional perspectives allows healthcare teams to evaluate patient needs more thoroughly and reduce the likelihood of medication-related complications (Zaij et al., 2023).
Interdisciplinary collaboration also facilitates continuous improvement in safety procedures, promotes consistent medication protocols, and strengthens medication reconciliation practices. As a result, healthcare organizations can enhance patient outcomes and maintain high standards of care delivery.
Change Theories Lead to an Interdisciplinary Solution
How Can Lewin’s Change Theory Address Medication Errors?
Lewin’s Change Theory offers a systematic framework that organizations can use to implement meaningful improvements in healthcare settings. The theory is composed of three primary stages: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing. Each stage guides healthcare institutions through recognizing problems, implementing solutions, and maintaining improved practices.
The first stage, unfreezing, focuses on creating awareness regarding the need for change. In healthcare environments such as RHC, this stage involves encouraging staff members to recognize the urgency of addressing medication errors. Educational sessions, case reviews, and discussions about previous incidents can help demonstrate the consequences of medication errors and highlight the importance of improving communication and safety procedures.
NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification
The second stage, changing, involves implementing practical strategies to improve medication safety. These interventions may include interdisciplinary training workshops, advanced medication management training programs, and the introduction of real-time medication error reporting systems. Such initiatives enable healthcare professionals to refine medication administration practices and reduce potential risks (Stanz et al., 2021).
The final stage, refreezing, focuses on sustaining the newly implemented practices. During this phase, organizations integrate improved procedures into routine clinical operations through continuous monitoring, reinforcement of teamwork, and ongoing professional education. Studies indicate that Lewin’s model effectively supports improved communication strategies and safer medication management practices, particularly during transitions of care (Stanz et al., 2021).
Lewin’s Change Theory Phases
| Phase | Description | Application at RHC |
|---|---|---|
| Unfreezing | Recognizing the need for change and preparing staff for improvements | Conducting training programs focused on medication safety |
| Changing | Implementing new processes and strategies | Organizing interdisciplinary workshops and error-reporting systems |
| Refreezing | Reinforcing and institutionalizing improved practices | Maintaining continuous training and standardized medication protocols |
Leadership Strategies
What Leadership Approach Supports Medication Safety?
Transformational leadership is widely recognized as an effective leadership style for improving patient safety in healthcare organizations. This leadership approach motivates team members to pursue shared organizational goals while encouraging innovation, collaboration, and accountability among healthcare professionals. Leaders who adopt this style empower staff to actively participate in patient safety initiatives and quality improvement programs (Ystaas et al., 2023).
At Riverwood Healthcare Center, nurse managers and healthcare administrators play a critical role in creating a supportive environment that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration. Transformational leaders encourage healthcare professionals to adopt advanced safety practices, including BCMA technology, medication double-verification systems, and improved communication protocols. By fostering a culture of shared responsibility, leaders help staff members recognize their individual roles in ensuring safe medication administration (Albeshri et al., 2024).
Additionally, transformational leadership promotes continuous professional development. Healthcare environments are constantly evolving, and leaders must ensure that staff remain informed about emerging medication safety risks and technological advancements. Evidence suggests that transformational leadership strengthens cooperation among healthcare professionals and contributes to improved patient outcomes (Ystaas et al., 2023).
Collaboration Approach for Interdisciplinary Teams
How Can Collaboration Reduce Medication Errors?
Collaborative Care Models (CCM) provide an effective framework for reducing medication errors through coordinated interdisciplinary teamwork. In this model, healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines collaborate to improve patient care, exchange knowledge, and identify potential safety risks. Healthcare institutions often establish collaborative committees responsible for monitoring medication practices and developing strategies to prevent errors.
These committees typically include nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and care coordinators. Through regular meetings, team members analyze medication incidents, identify root causes, and design preventive interventions. The use of structured communication tools and electronic medication management systems also supports real-time information sharing, which improves workflow efficiency and reduces the likelihood of errors (Hanifin & Zielenski, 2020).
Components of the Collaborative Care Model
| Component | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Teams | Cooperation among nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals | Enhances medication oversight and clinical decision-making |
| Regular Committee Meetings | Scheduled discussions to review safety concerns and develop improvement strategies | Strengthens collective problem-solving |
| Electronic Medication Systems | Digital platforms used to track, document, and report medications | Minimizes manual documentation errors |
| Continuous Education | Ongoing professional training programs | Maintains staff competency and awareness |
The collaborative care model promotes transparency, shared accountability, and coordinated healthcare delivery. Traditional healthcare models often rely on isolated decision-making processes, which may overlook important safety concerns. In contrast, collaborative care integrates diverse professional expertise, thereby improving healthcare quality and reducing medication errors (Abdulrhim et al., 2021).
Conclusion
Medication errors continue to represent a major patient safety concern at Riverwood Healthcare Center. Insights from the interview with Nurse Emily indicated that communication breakdowns, insufficient training, heavy workloads, and inconsistent medication protocols contribute significantly to these errors. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach that combines effective teamwork, leadership, and organizational change strategies.
Lewin’s Change Theory offers a practical framework for implementing and sustaining improvements in medication safety. At the same time, transformational leadership encourages healthcare professionals to collaborate, innovate, and actively participate in patient safety initiatives. Furthermore, the implementation of collaborative care models and interdisciplinary committees improves communication, strengthens medication management systems, and promotes continuous quality improvement.
By integrating strong leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based safety practices, healthcare organizations such as Riverwood Healthcare Center can significantly reduce medication errors and enhance patient outcomes.
References
Abdulrhim, S., Sankaralingam, S., Ibrahim, M. I. M., Diab, M. I., Hussain, M. A. M., Al Raey, H., & Awaisu, A. (2021). Collaborative care model for diabetes in primary care settings in Qatar: A qualitative exploration among healthcare professionals and patients who experienced the service. BMC Health Services Research, 21, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06183-z
Alandajani, A., Khalid, B., Ng, Y. G., & Banakhar, M. (2022). Knowledge and attitudes regarding medication errors among nurses: A cross-sectional study in major Jeddah hospitals. Nursing Reports, 12(4), 1023–1039. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep12040098
Albeshri, Alharbi, R. A., Alhawsa, Bilal, A. M., Alowaydhi, Alzahrani, O. M., Fallata, Almaliki, Alfadly, & Albarakati. (2024). The role of nursing in reducing medical errors: Best practices and systemic solutions. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(7). https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i7.4574
Alsabri, M., Boudi, Z., Lauque, D., Roger, D. D., Whelan, J. S., Östlundh, L., Allinier, G., Onyeji, C., Michel, P., Liu, S. W., Jr Camargo, C. A., Lindner, T., Slagman, A., Bates, D. W., Tazarourte, K., & Singer, S. J. (2020). Impact of teamwork and communication training interventions on safety culture and patient safety in emergency departments. Journal of Patient Safety, 18(1), 351–361. https://doi.org/10.1097/PTS.0000000000000782
Hanifin, R., & Zielenski, C. (2020). Reducing medication error through a collaborative committee structure: An effort to implement change in a community-based health system. Quality Management in Healthcare, 29(1), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.1097/QMH.0000000000000240
NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification
Slade, S., & Sergent, S. R. (2023). Interview techniques. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526083/
Stanz, L., Silverstein, S., Vo, D., & Thompson, J. (2021). Leading through rapid change management. Hospital Pharmacy, 57(4), 422–424. https://doi.org/10.1177/00185787211046855
Ystaas, L. M. K., Nikitara, M., Ghobrial, S., Latzourakis, E., Polychronis, G., & Constantinou, C. S. (2023). The impact of transformational leadership in the nursing work environment and patients’ outcomes: A systematic review. Nursing Reports, 13(3), 1271–1290. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep13030108
Zaij, S., Maia, Blache, Marson, Kinowski, J.-M., & Richard, H. (2023). Intervention of pharmacist included in multidisciplinary team to reduce adverse drug event: A qualitative systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09512-6