DNP 835 Sustainability Plan Worksheet

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: DNP 835 Sustainability Plan Worksheet

The purpose of this assignment is to identify the elements needed to create a long-term plan to sustain the improvement outcomes for your proposed evidence-based quality and/or safety program selected for your Quality and Sustainability paper.
Page 20 Grand Canyon University 2022 © Prepared on: May 4, 2022
You will use this worksheet to develop your Sustainability Plan Presentation in Topic 7.
General Guidelines:
Use the attached “Sustainability Plan Worksheet” to complete this assignment.
Scholarly or peer-reviewed research articles are required for support. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and nursing practice.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become
familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
Learners will submit this assignment using the assignment dropbox in the digital classroom. In addition,
learners must upload this deliverable to the Learner Dissertation Page (LDP) in the DNP PI Workspace for
later use.
Directions:
Use the “Sustainability Plan Worksheet” to complete this assignment. Follow the instructions on the
worksheet as indicated.

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: DNP 835 Sustainability Plan Worksheet

Title:  DNP 835 Sustainability Plan Worksheet

Introduction

Healthcare entities strive to achieve various patient care goals. Central among them are patient safety and offering quality services. Therefore, stakeholders apply or use strategies that ensure safety and quality are achieved. However, there are different events and situations which threaten patient safety and compromise the quality of healthcare delivered to patients. Quality can be defined as the achievement of established standards and requirements; therefore, if an organization has the ability to achieve such standards, then the organization achieves quality.

On the other hand, safety measures involve approaches put in place by the organization to protect patients from harm. For example, patient care settings usually experience various adverse events such as medication administration errors, patient falls, healthcare-acquired infections, and other non-intentional errors (Simsekler et al.,2019). Therefore, such events call for the formulation of sustainable quality improvement initiatives.

Detailed Plan

The proposed project regarded the use of interventions such as barcodes and medication dispensing machines to reduce the rates of medication errors. Medication errors are among the most common problems affecting patient care. Even though no uniform definition has been used to describe the problem, it may refer to a preventable even having the potential of resulting in patient harm or inappropriate medication used while a consumer, patient, or healthcare professional is handling the medication.

Medication errors have been shown to cause various negative impacts on patients and even death (Rodziewicz et al.,2022). The problem is not only common in the US but throughout the world as well. The plan of reducing the errors by using barcodes and medication dispensing machines is expected to reduce the problem significantly and ensure that it meets the desired outcome.

Measures

After the project’s completion, I will continue measuring various aspects, such as the number of adverse events resulting from medication errors and the rates of use of barcodes and automatic dispensing machines (Wheeler et al.,2018). As earlier indicated and highlighted, medication errors are common in the care environment and may occur whenever medication is in the hands of a patient, healthcare professional, or a consumer. The increase of the events arising from medication errors shows an increasing problem with the new technology system and it does not meet the desired outcome. The data further shows that the risks of using intervention is likely to affect the entire healthcare delivery system.

Implementing the barcode system can be key in reducing medication errors. However, several requirements will need to be in place. For example, the organization has to purchase the system and install it. Training of the personnel is also key as they will need to know how to operate the system (). Apart from purchasing the required software and hardware and training staff, it will also be appropriate to evaluate the organization’s readiness to use the new system.

The increasing rate of using barcode and automatic dispensing shows that these interventions are important in increasing patient care and safety. The acquisition of the whole barcoding system and training of the personnel may need a huge capital. The other possible solution is a structured education offered to patients to equip them with skills and knowledge on medication use in terms of doses, adherence, and times. One advantage is that it can easily be carried out by nurses in the care settings.

One of the aspects of the project I will stop measuring is the staff’s willingness to use the new technology as by then, their buy-in shall have been achieved, and probably every staff will be using the technology (Lamé & Dixon-Woods, 2020).  The willingness to use the technology after the intervention is already incorporated in the healthcare system would be insignificant because the nurses are already using the system to dispense their roles. The measure would not also be important because then nurses will have already interacted the system and any barrier that could have affected the system in then implementation stage.

Measurement Threshold that Trigger Investigation

An increasing rate of the medication errors after the installation of the system is an adverse outcome. Negative effects can sometimes be observed when implementing a quality improvement project. Therefore, it is important to have plans for such unexpected negative effects (Hoyiso et al.,2018). If the aspects are adversely affecting the patients, then the project can be stopped.

Otherwise, other approaches will be used to eliminate the negative impacts.  Such measures would imply that the barcode and automatic dispensing technology is not significant in reducing errors in an organization. In such cases, the implementation process could be stopped and more reviews to be done on the system.

Ownership

The new process focuses on improving the care outcomes related to medication in my healthcare organization. In addition, the organization will be responsible for the provision of the resources to be used in sustaining the project.

Therefore, the organization will own the process. It is important to determine if the person is engaged and on board with the improvement process (Carcone et al.,2022). Therefore, I plan to monitor aspects such as unity which will be a reflection of the level of commitment to the improvement process. Spearing time to participate in the project will also be a reflection of engagement and onboarding. 

Communication

Communication forms a central part of any project; therefore, it will be important to communicate the change (Moullin et al.,2020). Therefore, I will use formal channels such as internal memos. I also plan to send official mail to the individuals concerned. It will also be prudent to get in contact with the organization’s communication director to help communicate. The communication will take place when the implementation of the proposed technology is ready to kick off.

However, the intention to change to a new approach will be communicated early in time to ensure that the employees’ buy-in is attained. Offering support to individuals in the new process is important for successful implementation and acceptance. One strategy for offering support is to answer everyone’s questions regarding the new process. I will also support them by offering the right information on how the new process is likely to improve patient outcomes.

Training Plan

The training plan will be important in ensuring that the new system is understood by the nurses. The effective training process would allow healthcare workers to appreciate the new system and ensure that it meets the desired outcome.

Besides, training after the completion is key for continuity; hence I will offer training in the form of workshops on the use of the new technology, what to uphold, and what not to do while operating the new system and process (Moullin et al., 2020). While I will be responsible for training, I plan to be assisted by the nurses who will be part of the implementation team, as they will be knowledgeable enough to assist with the training process.

Change Management Theory

Change is an important aspect of healthcare as it defines the future existence of these organizations. The mode of operation that an institution uses to adopt change defines its ability to meet the needs of the patients. Intense nurse research and innovations have been championing the need for change. Barriers and resistance to change can greatly hamper the project’s chances of succeeding.

Therefore, it is important to have an appropriate plan in place on how to respond to them and possibly eliminate them in time (Li et al.,2019). So I will give everyone clear timelines, guidelines for implementation, and why the project is of benefit. This will help in ensuring that everyone feels part of the effort, is informed, and feel motivated.

This reduces the chances of resistance. The evidence-based change model will be vital in ensuring adoption and sustainability. Lewin’s change model’s third face is about refreezing, where change is adopted and sustained. Therefore I will use continued support to ensure that the change is completely adopted and sustained.

Staff workload

Nurses need to have a sensible workload and measures that lower nurse burnout to reduce low retention. For instance, longer working hours of the nurses in the emergency section have resulted in the high death of patients, as nurses lack the ability to unleash their best performance.

It is for this reason the study contends some measures that look into the rectification of nurse fatigue that aids in solving low nurse retention (Wheeler et al., 2018). Many healthcare workforces. The proposed change is not likely to increase the workload since the staff will simply move away from manual medication administration to using automatic medication administration and using barcodes.

References

™Carcone, A. I., Coyle, K., Butame, S., Harper, G. W., Aarons, G. A., & Naar, S. (2022). Using the   Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainment (EPIS) Framework to prepare for the   implementation of evidence-based practices into adolescent HIV settings. AIDS and   Behavior, 26(12), 4093–4106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03735-0

™Hoyiso, D., Arega, A., & Markos, T. (2018). Evidence-based nursing practice and associated factors   among nurses working in Jimma zone public hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia. International Journal   of Nursing and Midwifery, 10(5), 47–53. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJNM2017.0294

™Lamé, G., & Dixon-Woods, M. (2020). Using clinical simulation to study how to improve quality and   safety in healthcare. BMJ Simulation & Technology Enhanced Learning, 6(2), 87.   https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmjstel-2018-000370

™Li, S., Cao, M., & Zhu, X. (2019). Evidence-based practice: Knowledge, attitudes, implementation,   facilitators, and barriers among community nurses—systematic review. Medicine, 98(39).   https://doi.org/10.1097%2FMD.0000000000017209

™Moullin, J. C., Dickson, K. S., Stadnick, N. A., Albers, B., Nilsen, P., Broder-Fingert, S., … & Aarons, G.   A. (2020). Ten recommendations for using implementation frameworks in research and   practice. Implementation Science Communications, 1, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-020-00023-7

™Wheeler, A. J., Scahill, S., Hopcroft, D., & Stapleton, H. (2018). Reducing medication errors at transitions   of care is everyone’s business. Australian Prescriber, 41(3), 73.   https://doi.org/10.18773%2Faustprescr.2018.021.

 

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: DNP 835 Sustainability Plan Worksheet

Title:  DNP 835 Sustainability Plan Worksheet

An improvement team needs to consider the long-term sustainability of an improvement effort. This worksheet will help you outline the elements needed for a sustainability plan for your proposed evidenced-based quality and/or safety program design by taking you through a series of questions. By answering these questions, you will be able to develop a plan to ensure the longevity of the expected improvements from your proposed quality and/or safety program stick long-term.

For each category, use the questions provided to help you draft the necessary components that will be needed in a sustainability plan. Use one or two concise sentences to inform on each bullet point/question. Provide scholarly and peer-reviewed support accordingly.

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Areas for Consideration	Detailed Plan
Measurement After project completion: What will you continue to measure? What will you stop measuring? What will you do if you see a negative effect? What will you do if you see clinical significance, but not statistical significance?	The organization has been hampered by cases of nurses burnout; hence a proposal for mental health wellness program has been proposed. Therefore, after the project’s completion, there are various aspects that I will continue to measure. They include job satisfaction, engagement in teamwork, and reported cases of medical errors (Kelly et al.,2021). These will be measured even after completion as they reflect the nurses’ burnout status.There are various aspects that I will stop measuring. For example, commitment levels as it shall have been covered and reflected under engagement in teamwork.Negative effects can also be observed upon implementing a project or a quality improvement initiative. Therefore, it is important to have a plan for resolving them. In cases where the negative impact is adversely impacting patients or the staff, then the project can be stopped for a review and inquiry into why the negative effects have been observed.Clinical significance and statistical significance are both important in nursing research. Even though particular findings may not be statistically significant, they can still be clinically significant, meaning they are beneficial to the group under consideration (Lamé & Dixon-Woods, 2020). In such a case, I recommend that the project proceeds due to its potential importance to the group under consideration.
Ownership Who will own the new process that was implemented? How will you tell if the person is engaged and on board with the improvement process?	The project has been designed to reduce nurse burnout. Therefore, as part of the plan, the organization will own the new process to be implemented.Being engaged and on board with the improvement process is important as it enhances the successful implementation of the project and also ensures the continuity of the project after implementation (Carcone et al.,2022). I will tell if the person is engaged and on board by checking their commitment and willingness to be part of the project. I will also evaluate if they are ready to spare some time and spend in the implementation process.
Communication How will you communicate about the change, and who will be the messenger? When will communication take place?How will you support individuals in the new process? What type of training will you use after project completion? Who will be responsible for that training?	Communication of the proposed change to the relevant individuals is important since it enhances the chances of onboarding (Palinkas et al.,2018). Therefore, the intended change will be communicated through various strategies such as face-to-face conversations, emails, and text messages. I plan to take the central role of being a messenger.The communication will take place at the beginning of the project. However, it is important to note that communication will occur throughout the project to help convey important messages during the project.Offering support to the individuals regarding the new process is important. Therefore, I will offer them support by answering any questions asked regarding the new program and offering documentation where applicable. Training is important to help the staff sustain the change as appropriate. Therefore, training will be offered as educational sessions and workshops.The training will be conducted by a senior nurse educator with relevant skills in education and instruction delivery.
Change Management How will you respond to resistance/barriers to change (“But this is how we have always done things.”)How would you use your evidence-based change model to ensure adoption and sustainability?How will you standardize the process so that it is easy to do the “new” right thing?	Resistance and barriers to change can adversely impact the implementation process and adoption of a new strategy or intervention. Therefore, it is important to have a prior plan (Melnyk et al.,2021). I will respond by offering an adequate explanation of why the organization needs to embark on the mental wellness program. I also plan to approach individuals and have one-on-one discussions to help change their opinion about resisting the proposed change.Evidence-based change models are important in leading change and ensuring that the change is successful. As such, Lewin’s change model phases of unfreezing, change, and refreezing will be used (Hussain et al.,2018). The third phase will be key in ensuring that the change becomes part of the organization’s culture, ensuring full adoption and stability.The process should be standardized to ensure that individuals make no mistakes. Therefore, the process will be standardized by creating a guideline documentation showing when individuals should be involved in the program.
Workload Is the change increasing the overall workload to the system? If so, how can you decrease the workload? If not, how will you communicate about what is changing and not changing?	The proposed change is not connected with the workload. Therefore, it is expected to increase the overall workload to the system.It will also be important to communicate what is changing and what is not changing. Therefore, I will use the organization’s official communication platforms to inform concerned individuals of what will be changing and what is not. Using the established organization’s channels will make communication more impactful.

Adapted from “Sustainability Planning Worksheet” by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (2019).

References

Carcone, A. I., Coyle, K., Butame, S., Harper, G. W., Aarons, G. A., & Naar, S. (2022). Using the Exploration-Preparation-Implementation-Sustainment (EPIS) Framework to prepare for the implementation of evidence-based practices into adolescent HIV settings. AIDS and Behavior, 26(12), 4093–4106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03735-0

Hussain, S. T., Lei, S., Akram, T., Haider, M. J., Hussain, S. H., & Ali, M. (2018). Kurt Lewin’s change model: A critical review of the role of leadership and employee involvement in organizational change. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 3(3), 123-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2016.07.002

Kelly, L. A., Gee, P. M., & Butler, R. J. (2021). Impact of nurse burnout on organizational and position turnover. Nursing Outlook, 69(1), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.06.008

Lamé, G., & Dixon-Woods, M. (2020). Using clinical simulation to study how to improve quality and safety in healthcare. BMJ simulation & technology enhanced learning, 6(2), 87. https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmjstel-2018-000370

Melnyk, B. M., Tan, A., Hsieh, A. P., & Gallagher‐Ford, L. (2021). Evidence‐based practice culture and mentorship predict EBP implementation, nurse job satisfaction, and intent to stay: Support for the ARCC© model. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 18(4), 272-281. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12524

Palinkas, L. A., Garcia, A., Aarons, G., Finno-Velasquez, M., Fuentes, D., Holloway, I., & Chamberlain, P. (2018). Measuring collaboration and communication to increase implementation of evidence-based practices: the cultural exchange inventory. Evidence & Policy, 14(1), 35–61. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426417X15034893021530