Question

Now that you have identified your capstone change project below, it is time to look at its feasibility.

Leppin, A. L., Gionfriddo, M. R., Kessler, M., Brito, J. P., Mair, F. S., Gallacher, K., & ... Montori, V. M. (2014). Preventing 30-day hospital readmissions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(7), 1095-1107. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.160

What tangible and intangible resources will be needed to implement your project?

What improved outcomes do you anticipate will occur that could indicate the project produced a successful return on investment (ROI) of these resources?

How will you communicate your plan for change with key decision makers so that they will support the allocation of the resources you are seeking?

Answer 1

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