NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication Protocol
Capella University
NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication
Protocol Capella University
ABSTRACT 4
STANDARDIZED COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL 5
PICOT 5
Population and Setting 5
Intervention Overview 6
Comparison of Approaches 6
Initial Outcome Draft 7
Time Estimate 7
LITERATURE REVIEW 7
Methodology 8
Current Practices 8
The Effect of Standardization 10
Challenges to Implementation 11
Discussion 11
INTERVENTION PLAN 12
Intervention Plan Components 12
Cultural and Characteristics of Population 14
Theoretical Foundations 15
Technologies 17
Stakeholders, Regulations, and Government Bodies 17
pg. 1
, NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication Protocol
Capella University
Ethical and Legal Issues 18
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 20
Management and Leadership 20
Strategies for Managing Professional Nursing Practices 21
Strategies for Implementing Professional Nursing Practices 21
Documentation and Data Collection 21
Communication Skills Enhancement 22
Continuous Education and Professional Development 22
Interprofessional Collaboration 23
Quality, Experience of Care, and Controlling Costs 24
DELIVERY AND TECHNOLOGY 25
Delivery Methods Proposal 25
Technological Options 26
Impact of Stakeholders, Regulations, and Other Support 28
Timeline 29
EVALUATION PLAN 30
Defined Outcomes 30
Evaluation Plan 31
Data Collection and Analysis: 32
DISCUSSION 32
Nurse's Role in Leading Change 32
Impact on Interprofessional Collaboration and Health Care Field 33
Future Steps and Improvements 34
Reflection on Leading Change and Improvement 35
Personal Growth Goals: 35
Reflection on Transferability to Personal Practice 35
Consideration of Conflicting Evidence: 35
pg. 2
, NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication Protocol
Capella University
CONCLUSION 36
REFERENCES 38
Abstract
This capstone project addresses the critical need for effective communication across
preoperative, post-anesthesia, and medical-surgical units in a small surgical hospital. Using the
PICOT question “In a small surgical hospital, how does the implementation of a standardized
handoff protocol versus current ad hoc handoff practices affect patient safety and nursing
satisfaction within 18 months of implementation?” the project aims to theoretically implement a
standardized communication protocol to improve information exchange, patient safety, and
operational efficiency. Using an electronic health record-derived tool, inter-unit staff cross
training, and comprehensive training sessions, the intervention plan seeks to reduce
communication-related incidents and improve staff satisfaction. The implementation and
evaluation of the protocol will be monitored over an 18-month period, assessing its impact on
patient outcomes and workflow efficiency.
Standardized Communication Protocol
Effective communication is essential in healthcare, particularly in surgical environments
where the complexity and risk are high. The target population for this project includes all
healthcare professionals involved in patient transitions, primarily nursing staff but also surgeons,
anesthesiologist, respiratory and physical therapist, and support staff. The setting is a small
surgical hospital handling a variety of elective and emergent surgical cases. The current ad hoc
communication system leads to delays and miscommunication, resulting in prolonged patient
transfers, increased risk of complications, and staff stress.
pg. 3
, NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication Protocol
Capella University
PICOT
In a small surgical hospital, effective communication across preoperative, post anesthesia,
and medical-surgical units is critical to patient safety, efficiency, and quality of care. Currently
the hospital utilizes an ad hoc communication system that often leads to delays and
miscommunication between units. These communication failures can result in prolonged patient
transfer times, increased risk of complications, and heightened stress among staff. Standardizing
communication protocols is therefore, essential to address these issues, improve operational
workflow, and improve patient outcomes.
Population and Setting
The target population for this includes all healthcare professionals involved in the
transition of care. This will be primarily nursing staff, but includes surgeons, anesthesiologist
and anesthetist associates, respiratory therapist, informatics, and support staff. This hospital
services a large number of elective orthopedic, neurological, plastic, and emergent surgical cases
which necessitates frequent and complex interactions across different units. The settings limited
staff and resources amplify the need for an optimized and efficient communication protocol to
ensure seamless and safe patient transitions.
Intervention Overview
The proposed intervention involves developing and implementing a standardized
communication protocol that includes the uses of an electronic health record derived tool,
interunit staff cross training, and comprehensive training sessions for all involved staff. Hedges
et al. (2019) points out that interprofessional relationship and collaboration are improved with
cross training staff. Improving the understanding of each units needs and operational flow is
pg. 4
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication Protocol
Capella University
NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication
Protocol Capella University
ABSTRACT 4
STANDARDIZED COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL 5
PICOT 5
Population and Setting 5
Intervention Overview 6
Comparison of Approaches 6
Initial Outcome Draft 7
Time Estimate 7
LITERATURE REVIEW 7
Methodology 8
Current Practices 8
The Effect of Standardization 10
Challenges to Implementation 11
Discussion 11
INTERVENTION PLAN 12
Intervention Plan Components 12
Cultural and Characteristics of Population 14
Theoretical Foundations 15
Technologies 17
Stakeholders, Regulations, and Government Bodies 17
pg. 1
, NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication Protocol
Capella University
Ethical and Legal Issues 18
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 20
Management and Leadership 20
Strategies for Managing Professional Nursing Practices 21
Strategies for Implementing Professional Nursing Practices 21
Documentation and Data Collection 21
Communication Skills Enhancement 22
Continuous Education and Professional Development 22
Interprofessional Collaboration 23
Quality, Experience of Care, and Controlling Costs 24
DELIVERY AND TECHNOLOGY 25
Delivery Methods Proposal 25
Technological Options 26
Impact of Stakeholders, Regulations, and Other Support 28
Timeline 29
EVALUATION PLAN 30
Defined Outcomes 30
Evaluation Plan 31
Data Collection and Analysis: 32
DISCUSSION 32
Nurse's Role in Leading Change 32
Impact on Interprofessional Collaboration and Health Care Field 33
Future Steps and Improvements 34
Reflection on Leading Change and Improvement 35
Personal Growth Goals: 35
Reflection on Transferability to Personal Practice 35
Consideration of Conflicting Evidence: 35
pg. 2
, NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication Protocol
Capella University
CONCLUSION 36
REFERENCES 38
Abstract
This capstone project addresses the critical need for effective communication across
preoperative, post-anesthesia, and medical-surgical units in a small surgical hospital. Using the
PICOT question “In a small surgical hospital, how does the implementation of a standardized
handoff protocol versus current ad hoc handoff practices affect patient safety and nursing
satisfaction within 18 months of implementation?” the project aims to theoretically implement a
standardized communication protocol to improve information exchange, patient safety, and
operational efficiency. Using an electronic health record-derived tool, inter-unit staff cross
training, and comprehensive training sessions, the intervention plan seeks to reduce
communication-related incidents and improve staff satisfaction. The implementation and
evaluation of the protocol will be monitored over an 18-month period, assessing its impact on
patient outcomes and workflow efficiency.
Standardized Communication Protocol
Effective communication is essential in healthcare, particularly in surgical environments
where the complexity and risk are high. The target population for this project includes all
healthcare professionals involved in patient transitions, primarily nursing staff but also surgeons,
anesthesiologist, respiratory and physical therapist, and support staff. The setting is a small
surgical hospital handling a variety of elective and emergent surgical cases. The current ad hoc
communication system leads to delays and miscommunication, resulting in prolonged patient
transfers, increased risk of complications, and staff stress.
pg. 3
, NURS-FPX6030 – MSN Practicum and Capstone Dr. Justin
Pascucci DNP, RN CNE Standardized Communication Protocol
Capella University
PICOT
In a small surgical hospital, effective communication across preoperative, post anesthesia,
and medical-surgical units is critical to patient safety, efficiency, and quality of care. Currently
the hospital utilizes an ad hoc communication system that often leads to delays and
miscommunication between units. These communication failures can result in prolonged patient
transfer times, increased risk of complications, and heightened stress among staff. Standardizing
communication protocols is therefore, essential to address these issues, improve operational
workflow, and improve patient outcomes.
Population and Setting
The target population for this includes all healthcare professionals involved in the
transition of care. This will be primarily nursing staff, but includes surgeons, anesthesiologist
and anesthetist associates, respiratory therapist, informatics, and support staff. This hospital
services a large number of elective orthopedic, neurological, plastic, and emergent surgical cases
which necessitates frequent and complex interactions across different units. The settings limited
staff and resources amplify the need for an optimized and efficient communication protocol to
ensure seamless and safe patient transitions.
Intervention Overview
The proposed intervention involves developing and implementing a standardized
communication protocol that includes the uses of an electronic health record derived tool,
interunit staff cross training, and comprehensive training sessions for all involved staff. Hedges
et al. (2019) points out that interprofessional relationship and collaboration are improved with
cross training staff. Improving the understanding of each units needs and operational flow is
pg. 4
