Communication in the health care environment consists of an information-sharing experience whether through oral or written messages (Chard & Makary, 2015). As health care organizations and nurses strive to create a culture of safety and quality care, the importance of interprofessional collaboration, the development of tool kits, and the use of wikis become more relevant and vital. In addition to the dissemination of information and evidence-based findings and the development of tool kits, continuous support for and availability of such resources are critical. Among the most popular methods to promote ongoing dialogue and information sharing are blogs, wikis, websites, and social media. Nurses know how to support people in time of need or crisis and how to support one another in the workplace; wikis in particular enable nurses to continue that support beyond the work environment. Here they can be free to share their unique perspectives, educate others, and promote health care wellness at local and global levels (Kaminski, 2016).
You are encouraged to complete the Determining the Relevance and Usefulness of Resources activity prior to developing the repository. This activity will help you determine which resources or research will be most relevant to address a particular need. This may be useful as you consider how to explain the purpose and relevance of the resources you are assembling for your tool kit. The activity is for your own practice and self-assessment, and demonstrates course engagement.
Scenario
For this assessment, build on the work done in your first three assessments and create an online tool kit or resource repository that will help the audience of your in-service understand the research behind your safety improvement plan pertaining to a specific patient safety issue and put the plan into action.
Preparation
Google Sites is recommended for this assessment; the tools are free to use and should offer you a blend of flexibility and simplicity as you create your online tool kit. Please note that this requires a Google account; use your Gmail or GoogleDocs login, or create an account following the directions under the "Create Account" menu.
Full Answer Section
- Organize your website based on key themes:
- Introduction: Briefly describe the patient safety issue, its significance, and the goals of your safety improvement plan.
- Research and Evidence: Summarize the key findings from your research and link to relevant articles, reports, or data sources.
- Safety Improvement Plan: Clearly outline the steps of your plan, including specific interventions, roles and responsibilities, and expected outcomes.
- Implementation Resources: Provide practical tools and resources to support implementation, such as:
- Flowcharts or infographics: To visually represent the plan's workflow.
- Checklists or templates: To facilitate documentation and standardization.
- Case studies or best practices: To showcase successful examples of similar initiatives.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): To address common concerns or doubts.
- Discussion Forum: Consider adding a forum or comments section where users can share experiences, ask questions, and support each other.
3. Make it User-Friendly:
- Use clear and concise language, avoiding technical jargon whenever possible.
- Organize the information logically and chronologically.
- Highlight key points with visuals, bullets, or bold text.
- Ensure easy navigation with a clear menu and search function.
- Make the website accessible for users with disabilities.
4. Collaborate and Update:
- Share the website with your colleagues and encourage their feedback.
- Consider assigning ownership for different sections and updates.
- Regularly review and update the content based on new evidence or plan adjustments.
5. Promote and Share:
- Inform your target audience about the tool kit through email, meetings, or presentations.
- Consider presenting your work at conferences or publishing it in peer-reviewed journals to reach a wider audience.
Additional Tips:
- Use Google Forms to collect feedback and ideas from your audience.
- Integrate multimedia elements like videos or podcasts to enhance learning.
- Translate the content into multiple languages if applicable.
Remember, your online tool kit is a living document, so actively maintain and improve it over time to ensure its effectiveness in promoting patient safety in your healthcare setting.
Sample Answer
Based on the provided information, it seems you've already made significant progress on your safety improvement plan for a specific patient safety issue. Now, it's time to translate your research and proposed actions into an online tool kit for your audience using Google Sites.
Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Define Your Audience:
- Who will be using your tool kit? (e.g., nurses, doctors, other healthcare professionals)
- What is their existing knowledge and experience with the safety issue?
2. Structure Your Content: