Feasibility is an important aspect of implementing a solution. Our lesson this week discusses the characteristics involved as compatibility, complexity, trialability, relative advantage, and observability (CCN, Lesson 3, 2017). There are many factors to consider and I believe that working together to plan and implement change yields the best results. Therefore, I will also recruit some co-workers who also support this change to assist me in presenting this to management.
Although evidence shows that the initiation of early breastfeeding has worthwhile benefits for both mother and child, it is equally important to support and educate patients on making the right choices for themselves. As our lesson states “a supportive culture is one that provides the means to communicate effectively with any person, can also improve communication, which in turn can improve patient outcomes and patient satisfaction” (CCN, Lesson 3, 2017). Therefore, not only will educational material play an important part in implementing my project, but also increasing awareness, and one to one counseling.
Patients will need education on the benefits of breastfeeding and latching. Breastfeeding provides immune factors and other components essential for healthy babies (Making the decision to breastfeed). Colostrum, which is the first milk, is considered liquid gold and is the best for babies and cannot be replicated in formula (Making the decision to breastfeed). Information such as this will be communicated via poster boards and education leaflets for patients and hospital visitors. I will also seek the help of the Clinical Nurse Educator on our unit who can assist with training and educating staff on the importance of early SSC and latching techniques to initiate breastfeeding. Staff will need to implement SSC with the mother immediately after birth for all healthy infants regardless of delivery. Rooming-in will also need to be provided, allowing for uninterrupted contact/bonding. Furthermore, lactation consultants will need to be available 24/7 for patients that need further assistance with breastfeeding.
The primary outcome I anticipate is that there will be an increase in healthy neonates breastfeeding rates as a result of early direct skin-to-skin contact with their mothers. In addition, I hope that this early establishment of breastfeeding leads to continued exclusive breastfeeding rates in infants. I would also like to see an increase in prenatal breastfeeding education teaching mothers breastfeeding techniques to increase the overall breastfeeding rates. I anticipate this change will also generate maternity care policies and practices supporting SSC and its contributions to successful breastfeeding.
In order to accomplish these goals effective communication and support with interdisciplinary teams is imperative. Our lesson states that “effective communication of the solution to all stakeholders, including multidisciplinary teams and the organization, is crucial to successful change” (CCN, lesson 3, 2017). In order to gain support for this initiative I will communicate my findings via powerpoint presentation at our monthly evidence based practice council. I will include data on the improved neonatal outcomes associated with breastfeeding and skin to skin contact. Additionally, I hope to present data showing an increase in patient satisfaction associated with successful breastfeeding as a result of this intervention. I hope to provide sufficient evidence that supports the need to provide these additional resources.
References
Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2017). Solving the Problem [Online lecture]. Retrieved from nursingonline.chamberlain.edu
Making the decision to breastfeed. (2017, May 03). Retrieved May 16, 2017, from
https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/making-decision-breastfeedResponse 1
Professor and class,
During our lesson this week we learn that to implement our proposed design, it must be feasible for the organization. “Feasibility refers to whether the solution can actually be implemented.” (CCN, 2017). For my project I chose to research implementing antisepsis to decrease the number of CVC – related infections.
Tangible items are those which are material and can be felt, such as money and having the products to implement the proposed intervention. Intangible resources would be time and having the educational resources available that will help implement the intervention.
Improved outcomes related to my proposed design would be a decrease in CVC related infections. Thus, cutting back the number of readmission due to infections or longer hospital stays with more antibiotic use.
Communicating is one of the major ways in which to provide information to the staff, infectious disease team and as well as CEO’s and CNO’s. To communicate my findings on my projected project I would use educational opportunities such as power points, educational classes and a case exemplar. Another way to communicate would be through educational products such as packets with information regarding the latest EBP.
Jessica,
I like your plan to propose your changes to management. A case exemplar can be especially effective because it gives everyone a real experience that they can relate to (Pacini, 2006). Perhaps I will incorporate that into my own presentation because I feel it will make a huge impact on the presentation. Our lesson this week also solidifies the importance of effective communication and its impact on successful change (CCN, Lesson 3, 2017).
I also believe that your tangible and intangible resources will be seen as justified. After all, hospital acquired infections affect our reimbursement rates, and more importantly lead to poor clinical outcomes (Peasah et el, 2013). These are areas in which resources must be provided to positively impact our patient outcomes.
Your plan definitely seems feasible and I wish you the best of luck in getting it implemented.
References
Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2017). Solving the Problem [Online lecture]. Retrieved from nursingonline.chamberlain.edu
Pacini, C. (2006). Writing Exemplars. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from
https://www.med.umich.edu/nursing-PDE/framework/docs/writingExemplars.pdfPeasah, S., McKay, N., Harman, J., Al-Amin, M., & Cook, R. (2013). Medicare Non-Payment of Hospital Acquired Infections. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from
https://www.cms.gov/mmrr/Downloads/MMRR2013_003_03_a08.pdf Response 2
Professor Gembala,
This week’s lesson defines feasibility as, ’whether a solution can be implemented’’ (Chamberlain College of Nursing). To implement changes in any setting a plan must be put into place in addition to identifying any barriers that may impede implementation or introduction of new ideas or practices. The overall goal of implementing change is to improve patient care and outcomes. For my topic, it would be determining if using swab caps will aid in cutting CLABSI’s. Even though studies reveal a reduction in the number of CLABSI’s (61%), according to Moreau and Flynn (Feb 2015), with use of disinfecting caps, I too must look at other factors contributing to potential CLABSI’s. Will it be cost effective for the facility, will there be better compliance with use of caps and line maintence, and how will implementation of swab caps differ in our facility than in supporting studies?
I anticipate a reduction in our number of CLABSI’s if introduction of swab caps is implemented. Studies report supporting evidence in reduction in number of CLABSI’s as well as saving facilities over $464,000 in extra cost, per a study by Stango and Associates. Studies have also revealed other potential factors related to CLABSI’s that can be considered when implementing caps, such as CLABSI bundles and which swab caps have rendered better results.
When communicating my plan for change I feel power point or a brochure provided to staff, management, quality and infection control and education would be beneficial. ‘’Communication of information to all stakeholders, including multidisciplinary teams is crucial to successful change’’ (CCN, week 3 lesson). Presentation of information in an organized manner in a group setting would allow materials to be presented, reviewed and considered. This would allow collaboration between all members of the care team opportunity to ask questions and review materials.
Jennifer Stidham
Jennifer,
It seems like you have done a lot of research on this topic already and know the challenges you might be facing. Our hospital did this initiative last year and compliance was a big challenge for us. Even after education nurses were still not using the caps as indicated. Even though the caps were easy to use, some nurses claimed they were not readily available for use, while others needed time to get used to the new process. In an article I found on blood stream infections, it says one way to overcome this obstacle is to conduct weekly audits to ensure compliance and making sure caps are available at every point of use (Bloodstream Infections Reduced, 2014). This might be something else you might want to consider adding to your proposal as this effort will contribute to your tangible and intangible resources (CCN, Lesson 3, 2017).
Overall, I think you will find that this solution is an effective one. Data that I found in this article states that CLASBI’s cost an average of $45,000 per infection (Bloodstream Infections Reduced, 2014). Those numbers alone should be sufficient evidence to justify the cost of the resources needed.
Good luck on your project and in getting this implemented at your hospital. Great post.
References
Bloodstream Infections Reduced . (2014). Retrieved May 18, 2017, from
https://apic.org/For-Media/News-Releases/Article?id=0d9a8eaa-a82a-4076-81e9-89e6979e6300Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2017). Solving the Problem [Online lecture]. Retrieved from nursingonline.chamberlain.edu
To maintain compliance with use of the alcohol-impregnated port protectors, the infection prevention team educated nurse managers and front-line providers, conducted weekly audits, and made sure the port protectors were readily available at every point-of-use. It took five months to reach their goal of 85 percent of patients having 100 percent of their connector hubs and ports covered