WGU D159 HIP Paper: Standardizing
Safety Huddle across Inpatient Units |
2026 Update with complete solutions
WGU D159 HIP Paper: Standardizing Safety Huddle across
Inpatient Units
Executive Summary
Title: Implementing Standardized Safety Huddles Across Inpatient Units: A Quality Improvement
Initiative
Author: [Your Name]
Course: D159 - Organizational Leadership and Communication
Date: [Current Date]
Problem: Inconsistent safety communication practices across inpatient units at [Healthcare
Organization] have led to preventable adverse events, near-misses, and inefficient resource
utilization. Current safety huddles vary significantly in structure, frequency, participation, and
documentation, resulting in communication gaps and missed safety opportunities.
Proposed Solution: Implement a standardized, evidence-based safety huddle framework across
all inpatient units using the I-PASS (Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation
awareness, and Synthesis by receiver) handoff model adapted for daily safety communications.
Expected Outcomes:
• 30% reduction in preventable adverse events within 12 months
• 25% improvement in staff satisfaction with communication
, • 15% decrease in near-miss incidents
• Standardized documentation compliance >90%
• Interdisciplinary participation >85%
Implementation Timeline: 6-month phased rollout with pilot units, full implementation, and
sustainability planning.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Problem Statement
2. Literature Review and Evidence-Based Foundation
3. Proposed Solution: Standardized Safety Huddle Framework
4. Implementation Plan
5. Measurement and Evaluation Strategy
6. Budget and Resource Requirements
7. Stakeholder Analysis and Communication Plan
8. Sustainability and Scalability
9. Conclusion and Recommendations
10. References
11. Appendices
1. Introduction and Problem Statement
Organizational Context
• Healthcare Organization: [Name of Hospital/Health System]
• Setting: 300-bed acute care hospital with 8 inpatient units
, • Current State: Varied safety communication practices across units
• Strategic Alignment: Supports organizational goals for zero harm and high reliability
Problem Identification
Quantitative Data:
• 12% increase in medication errors (Q3 2025 report)
• 18% of staff report "communication failures" in safety surveys
• 45% variation in huddle documentation across units
• 22% of adverse events attributed to communication breakdowns
Qualitative Findings:
• Inconsistent huddle timing disrupts workflow
• Variable participation from interdisciplinary team members
• Lack of standardized structure leads to missed safety concerns
• Inadequate follow-up on identified issues
Impact Analysis
Clinical Impact:
• Increased patient safety risks
• Delayed recognition of deteriorating patients
• Medication errors and near-misses
• Inconsistent care coordination
Operational Impact:
• Inefficient use of staff time
• Duplication of communication efforts
• Poor resource allocation
Safety Huddle across Inpatient Units |
2026 Update with complete solutions
WGU D159 HIP Paper: Standardizing Safety Huddle across
Inpatient Units
Executive Summary
Title: Implementing Standardized Safety Huddles Across Inpatient Units: A Quality Improvement
Initiative
Author: [Your Name]
Course: D159 - Organizational Leadership and Communication
Date: [Current Date]
Problem: Inconsistent safety communication practices across inpatient units at [Healthcare
Organization] have led to preventable adverse events, near-misses, and inefficient resource
utilization. Current safety huddles vary significantly in structure, frequency, participation, and
documentation, resulting in communication gaps and missed safety opportunities.
Proposed Solution: Implement a standardized, evidence-based safety huddle framework across
all inpatient units using the I-PASS (Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation
awareness, and Synthesis by receiver) handoff model adapted for daily safety communications.
Expected Outcomes:
• 30% reduction in preventable adverse events within 12 months
• 25% improvement in staff satisfaction with communication
, • 15% decrease in near-miss incidents
• Standardized documentation compliance >90%
• Interdisciplinary participation >85%
Implementation Timeline: 6-month phased rollout with pilot units, full implementation, and
sustainability planning.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction and Problem Statement
2. Literature Review and Evidence-Based Foundation
3. Proposed Solution: Standardized Safety Huddle Framework
4. Implementation Plan
5. Measurement and Evaluation Strategy
6. Budget and Resource Requirements
7. Stakeholder Analysis and Communication Plan
8. Sustainability and Scalability
9. Conclusion and Recommendations
10. References
11. Appendices
1. Introduction and Problem Statement
Organizational Context
• Healthcare Organization: [Name of Hospital/Health System]
• Setting: 300-bed acute care hospital with 8 inpatient units
, • Current State: Varied safety communication practices across units
• Strategic Alignment: Supports organizational goals for zero harm and high reliability
Problem Identification
Quantitative Data:
• 12% increase in medication errors (Q3 2025 report)
• 18% of staff report "communication failures" in safety surveys
• 45% variation in huddle documentation across units
• 22% of adverse events attributed to communication breakdowns
Qualitative Findings:
• Inconsistent huddle timing disrupts workflow
• Variable participation from interdisciplinary team members
• Lack of standardized structure leads to missed safety concerns
• Inadequate follow-up on identified issues
Impact Analysis
Clinical Impact:
• Increased patient safety risks
• Delayed recognition of deteriorating patients
• Medication errors and near-misses
• Inconsistent care coordination
Operational Impact:
• Inefficient use of staff time
• Duplication of communication efforts
• Poor resource allocation
