NHS5004: Communication, Collaboration, and Case Analysis

Effective interprofessional collaboration and high-stakes communication are the foundations of modern healthcare leadership. This course prepares master’s level nursing and healthcare students to analyze complex patient cases through a lens of systemic improvement and collaborative practice.

Assessment 1: Interprofessional Communication and Case Analysis

1. Overview

In this assessment, you will analyze a specific clinical case study to identify communication breakdowns and collaborative failures. You must propose an evidence-based intervention plan that utilizes interprofessional frameworks to improve patient outcomes and organizational safety.

2. Instructions and Brief

To complete this assignment successfully, follow these structured requirements:

• Case Selection: Choose one of the provided clinical scenarios involving a multidisciplinary team (e.g., a medication error during a shift change or a failure in surgical site marking).

• Root Cause Analysis: Identify the specific points where communication failed. Distinguish between verbal, non-verbal, and written documentation errors.

• Collaborative Strategy: Apply the TeamSTEPPS framework or the SBAR communication model to the scenario. Explain how these tools would have mitigated the risks identified.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Describe the roles of at least three different healthcare professionals (e.g., Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist, Case Manager) and how their collaboration is essential to the case resolution.

3. Submission Format

1. Introduction: Define the case and the importance of collaboration in the specific clinical context.
2. Analysis of Communication Gaps: Detailed breakdown of systemic and individual communication barriers.
3. Proposed Intervention: Evidence-based strategies to foster a culture of safety.
4. Conclusion: Summary of how collaborative leadership impacts long-term patient health.

4. Grading Criteria (Rubric Summary)

• Critical Thinking: Ability to synthesize case details with advanced nursing theory.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Use of peer-reviewed literature to support intervention choices.
• Professionalism: Adherence to APA 7th edition formatting and clear, concise academic writing.

Learning Resources

• Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC). (2023). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: Version 3. Washington, DC: IPEC.

• O’Daniel, M. and Rosenstein, A. H. (2019). Professional Communication and Team Collaboration. In: R. G. Hughes, ed., Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

• Ploylearmsang, C., Torkwon, B. and Maneewat, K. (2021). ‘Impact of interprofessional collaboration on medication safety: A systematic review’, Journal of Interprofessional Care, 35(4), pp. 512–522.

• Rosen, M. A., DiazGranados, D., Dietz, A. S., Itri, J. N., Pronovost, P. J. and Weaver, S. J. (2018/2019 updated). ‘Teamwork in healthcare: Key discoveries enabling safer, high-quality care’, American Psychologist, 73(4), pp. 433–450.

• Weller, J., Boyd, M. and Cumin, D. (2020). ‘Teams, tribes and patient safety: overcoming barriers to effective teamwork in healthcare’, Postgraduate Medical Journal, 90(1061), pp. 149–154.