NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification

Student Name

Capella University

NURS FPX 4010 Leading in Intrprof Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Interview Summary

The interview was conducted with Emily, a registered nurse who formerly worked at Riverwood Healthcare Center (RHC), a 25-bed facility in Aitkin. With approximately nine years of clinical experience, Emily provided detailed insights into nursing responsibilities and patient safety concerns. The primary objective of the interview was to examine challenges associated with medication administration and to identify interdisciplinary factors affecting patient safety within the organization.

Emily explained that her daily responsibilities included administering medications, educating patients about drug usage, maintaining accurate clinical documentation, and collaborating with physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. These duties demand a high degree of precision because even minor medication errors can negatively affect patient outcomes and compromise care quality.

What safety issue was emphasized during the interview?

Emily highlighted medication errors (MEs) as a persistent and critical safety concern at RHC. These errors often stem from ineffective communication, heavy workloads, insufficient training for new staff, and the absence of standardized procedures for complex medication regimens. To address these risks, RHC has implemented strategies such as Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), structured training programs, and double-check systems for high-risk medications (Albeshri et al., 2024).

Why is interdisciplinary collaboration important?

Emily stressed that medication safety is not an individual responsibility but a collective effort. Collaboration among nurses, physicians, and pharmacists improves medication reconciliation, reduces errors, and enhances patient outcomes (Alsabri et al., 2020). As a result, RHC continues to strengthen teamwork and communication practices to ensure safer medication management.

NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification

The discussion reinforced that medication management is a complex, multi-step process involving prescribing, dispensing, and administration. Breakdowns at any stage—especially due to poor communication or inconsistent protocols—can significantly increase the likelihood of errors.

Approach to Conduct the Interview

How was the interview conducted?

The interview was structured to explore gaps in medication safety and evaluate interdisciplinary strategies at RHC. Two primary qualitative techniques were used: open-ended questioning and active listening.

Open-ended questions enabled Emily to elaborate on her experiences, offering deeper insights into workplace challenges. Research supports that such questions are effective in eliciting detailed qualitative data (Slade & Sergent, 2023). Active listening further enhanced the process by fostering trust and encouraging transparent communication, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of medication-related issues.

Key Interview Techniques Used

Interview Technique	Description	Purpose in the Interview
Active Listening	Carefully focusing on responses and acknowledging perspectives	Builds trust and encourages detailed responses
Open-Ended Questions	Questions allowing unrestricted, descriptive answers	Generates in-depth qualitative insights
Rapport Building	Creating a respectful and comfortable environment	Promotes openness about workplace challenges
Clarification Questions	Follow-up questions to refine or confirm responses	Ensures accuracy and completeness of information

Problem Identification

What interdisciplinary issue was identified?

The primary issue identified was the high prevalence of medication errors at RHC. Multiple contributing factors were noted, including communication breakdowns, inadequate staff training, excessive workloads, and inconsistent medication protocols. When combined, these issues significantly increase the risk of incorrect dosages, improper administration, and documentation errors.

How significant are medication errors in healthcare?

Medication errors are a major global health concern, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. In the United States, such errors are responsible for approximately 7,000–9,000 deaths annually and contribute to nearly 100,000 hospitalizations each year (Alandajani et al., 2022). Despite safety measures at RHC, the persistence of errors indicates the need for further systemic improvements.

Major Causes of Medication Errors at RHC

Contributing Factor	Description	Impact on Patient Safety
Communication Failures	Ineffective exchange of information among healthcare providers	Leads to incorrect or missed medication instructions
Heavy Workloads	Staffing shortages and high patient demands	Increases fatigue and likelihood of errors
Lack of Standard Protocols	Absence of consistent medication procedures	Creates variability in care practices
Inadequate Training	Insufficient preparation for complex medication processes	Reduces competency and increases risk

Why is an interdisciplinary approach necessary?

Medication management involves multiple professionals, each contributing specialized expertise. Nurses administer medications and monitor patients, pharmacists ensure drug safety, and physicians prescribe treatments. Integrating these roles improves clinical decision-making and reduces adverse drug events (Zaij et al., 2023).

Change Theories Lead to an Interdisciplinary Solution

How can Lewin’s Change Theory address medication errors?

Lewin’s Change Theory provides a structured framework for implementing organizational improvements through three stages: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing.

During the unfreezing stage, healthcare staff are made aware of the urgency of reducing medication errors through training sessions and case discussions. The changing stage focuses on implementing solutions such as interdisciplinary training programs and real-time error reporting systems (Stanz et al., 2021). Finally, the refreezing stage ensures sustainability by integrating improved practices into routine workflows and reinforcing them through continuous education.

Lewin’s Change Theory Phases

Phase	Description	Application at RHC
Unfreezing	Preparing staff for change by raising awareness	Medication safety training and incident reviews
Changing	Implementing new strategies and interventions	Interdisciplinary workshops and reporting systems
Refreezing	Sustaining and standardizing improvements	Continuous training and adherence to protocols

Leadership Strategies

What leadership approach supports medication safety?

Transformational leadership is particularly effective in promoting patient safety. This leadership style motivates healthcare professionals to work toward shared goals, encourages innovation, and fosters accountability (Ystaas et al., 2023).

At RHC, leaders play a vital role in supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and implementing safety initiatives such as BCMA systems and double-verification protocols.

How does leadership improve outcomes?

Transformational leaders cultivate a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff engagement and professional development. This approach strengthens teamwork, enhances communication, and ultimately improves patient outcomes (Albeshri et al., 2024; Ystaas et al., 2023).

Collaboration Approach for Interdisciplinary Teams

How can collaboration reduce medication errors?

Collaborative Care Models (CCM) are designed to improve patient safety through coordinated teamwork. These models involve healthcare professionals working together to identify risks, share knowledge, and implement preventive strategies.

Interdisciplinary committees, consisting of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and care coordinators, regularly review medication practices and analyze error trends. Additionally, digital systems and structured communication tools enhance real-time information sharing, reducing the likelihood of errors (Hanifin & Zielenski, 2020).

Components of the Collaborative Care Model

Component	Description	Benefit
Interdisciplinary Teams	Collaboration among diverse healthcare professionals	Improves decision-making and patient safety
Regular Committee Meetings	Ongoing evaluation of medication practices	Enhances problem-solving and accountability
Electronic Medication Systems	Digital tools for tracking and documenting medications	Reduces manual errors and improves accuracy
Continuous Education	Ongoing staff training programs	Maintains competency and awareness

Why is collaborative care more effective than traditional models?

Unlike traditional approaches that rely on isolated decision-making, collaborative care integrates multiple perspectives. This ensures comprehensive evaluation of patient needs and leads to improved healthcare quality and reduced medication errors (Abdulrhim et al., 2021).

Conclusion

Medication errors remain a significant patient safety challenge at Riverwood Healthcare Center. The interview with Emily revealed that communication gaps, insufficient training, heavy workloads, and inconsistent protocols are key contributors to these errors. Addressing these issues requires a well-coordinated interdisciplinary strategy.

Lewin’s Change Theory provides a structured method for implementing sustainable improvements, while transformational leadership fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability. Additionally, collaborative care models enhance communication, improve medication management systems, and support continuous quality improvement.

By integrating leadership, teamwork, and evidence-based practices, healthcare organizations can significantly reduce medication errors and improve 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

NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification

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

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

NURS FPX 4010 Assessment 2 Interview and Interdisciplinary Issue Identification

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