ABSTRACT - One paragraph summary of your proposed initiative – Limit 1500 characters (with spaces)
Every day, nurses are at risk. Since becoming a new nurse, I noticed a gap in our safety nets and this proposal seeks to address that. The Patient Protection Program (PPP) seeks to reduce costs, protect patients, and protect nurses. This program aims to implement PPP bins in every patient room and inside every medication room. The PPP bins will collect medication labels that are used to scan in and identify the 6 rights. These labels currently only go in 2 places: trash or sharps bin. Neither is a sufficient disposal method. When nurses choose to throw these labels away in the garbage, there is a high risk of HIPAA violations occurring. When thrown in the sharps bin, the cost to process these medication bags and medication labels is incredibly costly to the hospital. Having a PPP bin where these labels and bags can go ensures patient protection and can decrease costs through recycling measures.
TEAM - Core implementation team members and titles
Sharps collectors would collect both sharps bins and PPP bins during their rounds. Nurses would throw labels into the bins as they do their medication passes.
PROBLEM - Background of the problem. What is the cost associated with this problem? Why address this problem now? What is the current condition?
Costs of the problem include increased sharps disposal costs, and increased plastic bag costs. I want to address this now because I am new and want to help the hospital.
TARGET - What is the goal? What are the expected benefits, both qualitative and quantitative?
Goal: nurses utilize the bins. Sharps costs go down. Plastic bags get reused. Labels get properly disposed of/shredded. Qualitative benefits: increased safety for patients, increased ease for nurses, and lower chances of HIPAA violations. Quantitative benefits: decreased sharps costs, decreased plastic bag use costs.
GAPS - Why does the problem exist? Describe system issues; technological gaps; educational gaps
No proper disposal space.
INTERVENTION - Describe your proposed intervention and rationale for the approach. Describe your practice setting and target population (e.g. department, unit, clinic, patient characteristics, diagnosis group, procedural group, provider characteristics, staff characteristics, etc.). Describe potential barriers to implementation. What are the possible adverse outcomes that may occur that may affect the quality of care and patient safety as a result of your proposed intervention?
Placing PPP bins in every room and every medication room. Suitable for any unit giving medications. Barriers to implementation include: staff adherence, HIPAA approved shredders for the plastic labels.
PROPOSED EHR MODIFICATIONS-Note: EHR modifications are NOT required for a winning proposal
NONE
COST - Estimated baseline costs to the health system and projected savings from the proposed project
The cost of processing sharps waste.
SUSTAINABILITY - If successful, how will this intervention be sustained beyond the funding year? Who are the key UCSF process owners?
The bins are resistant to wear and tear, similar to sharps bins.
BUDGET- Line-item budget up to $50,000 -
Cost of bins
Salary of newly hired sharps/label disposers
Printing of signs
Email notice to all employees and education directly on the unit