Post a response to your Blog in which you describe at least two of the most important needs/challenges/issues in your community or organization. Why are these needs/challenges/issues important? Be specific. Then, recommend at least two practice changes or interventions you would suggest to address these needs/challenges/issues in your community or organization. Be sure to align your role as the DNP-prepared nurse to the competencies identified in the AACN Essentials.
Community Challenges
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Community Challenges
Despite the advances and innovations in the healthcare systems, healthcare organizations are still facing various challenges that need serious attention. Some of these challenges include medication errors and hospital-acquired infections. According to Haque et al. (2020), healthcare-acquired infections are a major source of comorbidity and the second most common cause of death. The authors reiterated that seven out of one-hundred patients admitted in high-income countries develop hospital-acquired infections, which is on the lower limit. The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for good strategies to prevent hospital-acquired infections (Ojanperä et al., 2022). Hygiene is highly recommended to prevent such incidents. On the other hand, Hawthorne-Kanife (2018) states that medication errors are common occurrences within clinical settings. They can lead to serious adverse events causing further health complications. Medication errors also lead to prolonged hospitalization and disability (Abukhader & Abukhader, 2020). Therefore, these two safety issues must be given the attention they deserve.
Hand hygiene is an effective strategy to address incidences of hospital-acquired infections. Pathogenic organisms are majorly transmitted through the hands of vulnerable patients who consequently develop infections (Haque et al., 2020). World Health Organization recommends hand hygiene such as washing hands with soap and using alcohol-based hand rubs containing 70% (Ojanperä et al., 2022). Additionally, educational interventions can be effective in addressing medication errors. In their study, Hawthorne-Kanife (2018) noted that proper education enhanced the capability of nurses to combat medication errors. Abukhader & Abukhader, (2020) also concluded from their study that educational programs on medication safety improved the knowledge of nurses on intravenous medication errors. DNP Prepared nurses can play a significant role in promoting hand hygiene practices and medication error awareness among nurses. They can do so by developing policies and educating staff regarding these challenges.