NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 3
[Student Name]
Capella University
[Prof. Name]
August 2025
NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 3: Interdisciplinary Plan Proposal
Our proposal is concerned with the communication problem at the Mercy General Hospital (MGH) when patients are changing shifts. The consequences of the gaps in data transfer during handoffs are care delays, the inability to receive timely and important information, and a higher risk of patient safety (Chien et al., 2022). This strategy supports the development of interdisciplinary communication to increase the speed of handoffs and serving as a significant goal of the NURS FPX 4005 assessment 3.
Objective
A collaborative structure will be employed, as proposed to bridge the communication gaps throughout the handoffs of the patients in MGH during handovers. The strategy aims to ensure proper and prompt data transfer through the inclusion of real-time communication methodology, standardization of the handoff processes, and the implementation of the training program all of which do not contradict the principles of the interdisciplinary theory nursing. Reaching these objectives will optimize MGH performance by lowering errors, enhancing team accountability, and promoting consistency of care over shifts.
Questions and Predictions
>How will the effectiveness of patient handoffs during shift transitions be improved by executing teams?
First, creating an interdisciplinary team to improve patient handoffs at MGH may need additional coordination efforts. However, by strengthening communication standards, the approach will promote efficient shift handoffs, prevent care delays, and enhance patient outcomes—all of which are in line with the goals of NURS FPX 4005 assessment 3.
What tools are required to improve communication at MGH when patients are being handed off?
Resources like SBAR handoff protocols, communication training sessions, integration of SBAR checklists into electronic health records, and collaboration with clinical and IT teams all crucial elements of interdisciplinary nursing are needed to ensure appropriate data transfer during handoffs.
In what ways can standardized handoff procedures enhance patient safety and communication?
Standardized handoff procedures will ensure the delivery of critical patient data, reduce mistakes, and improve patient safety all of which are major objectives of NURS FPX 4005 assessment 3 by promoting ongoing communication across disciplines.
What are the key measures to assess the plan’s success?
Key indicators related to patient handoff communication, coordination, and safety outcomes, as well as audits and feedback questionnaires, will be used to track success.
To assess communication accuracy and reduce errors, compliance with SBAR and I-PASS protocols will be tracked in addition to incident reports. As a crucial part of NURS FPX 4005 assessment 3, the efficacy of teamwork will be evaluated using TeamSTEPPS tools, and progress will be monitored through monthly evaluations (Hamm et al., 2021).
Change Theories and Leadership Strategies
This interdisciplinary proposal focuses on improving patient handoff communication at MGH during shift changes using Kurt Lewin’s three phases of change management: unfreezing, modifying, and refreezing (Harrison et al., 2021). The management unit emphasizes the risks and the negative consequences of poor handoff communication as they initiate the unfreezing aspect. This instills urgency and makes the staff prepared to change. The interdisciplinary team proceeds to altering process with the application of structured handoff concepts (such as SBAR and I-PASS) supported by
clearly defined protocols that enhance the facilitation of such data transfer. These practices are interdisciplinary proposal example because this occurs during the refreezing process when leadership wedges, performance reviews and education freeze the practices in standardized work. Such a strategy ensures long-term excellence through the improvement of the teamwork, accountability, and a continuity of patient care, all of which are aligned with the objectives of NURS FPX 4005 assessment 3. It was revealed through a practice example at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where the paradigm by Lewin was used to embrace the I-PASS procedure. It enhanced the safety of patients, minimized errors, and controlled the communication between members of a team and set a new benchmark on handoffs (Rehm et al., 2021).
Transformational Leadership Strategy
The excursion of Transformational Leadership (TL) combined with the TeamSTEPPS ® (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) standard will also contribute to presenting an interdisciplinary plan proposal on the improvement of teamwork with patient handoffs at MGH (Kuriyan et al., 2020). The motivational leadership approach to patient safety is creating shared goals with a focus on enhancing handoff communication under teams that achieve the overall goals. Leaders must develop how to enhance quality in handoffs, deal with certain communication process with handoffs and interdisciplinary opinion.
Nurses, physicians, and care managers gain experience with standardized handoff checklists and team meetings a highlight of NURS FPX 4005 assessment 3 through start seminars that TL arranges. Kuriyan et al. (2020) claim that TeamSTEPPS® improves speech and liability systems and bridges communication gaps.
At MGH, leadership has the power to create an atmosphere that enhances staff productivity and patient care. When leaders employed TL values to establish standardized tools, the Mayo Clinic offered a great example of how TL may improve handoff
communication. This method increased communication, which led to fewer misunderstandings during patient handoffs (Wallace et al., 2023).
Team Collaboration Strategy
The goal of the MGH team is to improve patient handoff processes. The team consists of clinical supervisors, bedside clinicians, executive leaders, and communication coordinators.
Standardized handoff procedures will be implemented under the supervision of clinical supervisors, who will also keep an eye on compliance and schedule regular training sessions. The TeamSTEPPS framework enhances team responsibilities, communication, and mutual aid, all of which promote collaboration (Hamm et al., 2021). Bedside clinicians will participate in interactive simulations to enhance their skills and provide feedback on the value of handoff protocols, which align with interdisciplinary nursing concepts.
Communication coordinators will supervise training sessions and enhance message strategies to ensure that patient updates are provided, supporting the objectives of NURS FPX 4005 assessment 3. Healthcare workers will be able to communicate more effectively by incorporating electronic handoff platforms, which will enable them to provide data fast and reliably (Rehm et al., 2021). Executive executives will examine patient care indicators and gather employee feedback to assess the long-term success of these initiatives. In order to increase the coherence of communication, MGH will integrate the concept of SBAR and I-PASS into the strategy. SBAR will support effective data flow by increasing the concentration and structure of patient updates (Rehm et al., 2021). These coordinated activities will inspire the pursuit of excellent patient care outcomes and increase the standard for communication.
Required Organizational Resources
Resource commitments are necessary to carry out MGH’s plan to enhance handoff communication. Workers will work hard to supervise the application of standardized
handoff techniques, train staff, and assess the program’s efficacy. Existing resources including conference rooms, online communication platforms, and electronic systems will help with SBAR and I-PASS practice. The projected costs might include hosting yearly staff development workshops on handoff protocols ($500–$1,000 annually) and employing outside communication specialists ($150–$200 per session). Utilizing the existing access to patient records, schedules, and handoff monitoring reports will be essential to supporting this interdisciplinary plan proposal, even if it won’t incur new costs. Meetings, training hours, and audit evaluations are included in the estimated $15,000–$20,000 annual cost commitment. This funding will support enhanced departmental communication and better handoff processes.
If MGH does not try to improve handoff communication, persistent breakdowns could endanger patient safety and raise the risk of clinical errors. Inadequate patient transfers hinder continuity of care, delay medicines, and expose the organization to legal action and compliance violations (Chien et al., 2022). When handoffs go wrong, staff members get stressed and unhappy because crucial data is lost. As a result, turnover increases and employee morale declines. In addition to raising the expense of recruiting and onboarding new hires, this workforce instability would erode team cohesiveness. Additionally, a major focus of NURS FPX 4005 assessment 3 is the potential for reduced patient satisfaction and harm to the hospital’s reputation due to inconsistent patient care caused by poor handoff processes.
Conclusion
This initiative aims to improve patient handoff communication at MGH by putting established protocols into place, supported by cooperation and targeted training. TL and Kurt Lewin’s change theory will serve as the endeavor’s compass. Among the resources required are staffing, training, and digital technologies; progress will be evaluated through audits and feedback. Poor implementation of this plan could lead to low employee morale, breakdowns, and patient safety risks, underscoring the significance of interdisciplinary nursing.
References
Chien, L. J., Slade, D., Dahm, M. R., Brady, B., Roberts, E., Goncharov, L., Taylor, J., Eggins, S., & Thornton, A. (2022). Improving patient‐centred care through a tailored intervention addressing nursing clinical handover communication in its organizational and cultural context. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(5), 1413–1430. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15110
Hamm, B., Pozuelo, L., & Brendel, R. (2021). General hospital agitation management under the lens of leadership theory and health care team best practices using TeamSTEPPS. Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, 63(3), 213–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaclp.2021.10.007
Harrison, R., Fischer, S., Walpola, R. L., Chauhan, A., Babalola, T., Mears, S., & Le-Dao, H. (2021). Where do models for change management, improvement, and implementation meet? A systematic review of the applications of change management models in
healthcare. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 13(2), 85–108. https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S289176
Kuriyan, A., Kinkler, G., Cidav, Z., Kang-Yi, C., Eiraldi, R., Salas, E., & Wolk, C. B. (2020). TeamSTEPPS to improve collaboration in school mental health: Protocol for a mixed- method hybrid effectiveness-implementation study. JMIR Research Protocols, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.2196/26567
Rehm, C., Zoller, R., Schenk, A., Müller, N., Nerschbach, N., Zenker, S., & Schindler, E. (2021).
Evaluation of a paper-based checklist versus an electronic handover tool based on the Situation Background Assessment Recommendation (SBAR) concept in patients after
surgery for congenital heart disease. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(24), 5724. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10245724
Wallace, L. A., Schuder, K. K., Loeslie, V., Hanson, A. C., Ongubo, C., Chiarelly, E., Schalla, G., Meek, K. H., & Springer, D. (2023). Improving communication in the medical intensive care unit through standardization of handoff format: A quality improvement project. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 7(4), 301–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2023.05.006
