Date of Award

Fall 2015

Project Type

Thesis

College or School

CHHS

Department

Nursing

Program or Major

Nursing

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Pamela P. DiNapoli

Abstract

Background: Effective triage, assessment, and activation of necessary systems in emergent situations of clinical instability is vital in reducing morbidity and mortality of patients in any clinical setting. When medical emergencies occur outside of the hospital, organized and expedited transfer to a higher level of care reduces the potential for adverse events, lasting deficits, and patient death. Aim: The aim of this project was to identify weaknesses in the emergency response system in the community-based outpatient clinic setting and to propose solutions. Methods: The “Swiss Cheese” theoretical framework was used to do a root cause analysis of two clinical scenarios. Weaknesses in the emergency response system in the community-based outpatient clinic setting were identified. Results: Several tools were utilized including a fish bone diagram and the 5-Whys tool. Two root causes were identified. The first is that clinic staff does not have a working knowledge with specifics regarding the emergency response process. The second is that the existing emergency response checklist document is visually confusing and duties are not in sequence.

Discussion and Implications for the CNL: Weaknesses in the emergency response system will be discussed. Knowledge and experience from inpatient care will be translated to the outpatient clinic setting. The role of the CNL in designing an effective emergency response system will be discussed with the proposal of several plans of action.

Included in

Nursing Commons

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