Instructions
PICOT Assignment

The purpose of this project is to select an issue/problem that you have identified during your mentored practicum experience. Each student must choose a different problem and receive faculty approval before proceeding.

THE PROBLEM IS SCHEDULING DELAYS IN THE CHEMO/INFUSION OUTPATIENT SETTING

You will discuss a new way to solve the problem based on current research and compare the way the issue/problem is currently being handled and the impact your new solution will have. You will begin by creating a PICOT statement (must be included in paper).

P- patient or population (problem): Describe and evaluate the leadership style of the nurse leader/manager (Manager manages 2 sites and spends only 1 day/week at this site but is available by phone anytime. The charge nurse manages the day to day operations and defers to Manager for bigger issues). Provide examples to support your answer. Describe the unit where you clinical experience occurred (outpatient chemo infusion suite, seeing 15 patients/day with 2 nurses and 5 chairs, attached to oncology office practice)(staff includes 1 pharmacist mixing chemo as it is released from orders, 2 nurses, 5 chairs for patients to sit in, and 1 receptionist/scheduler). Include the model of care delivery and the number and mix of staff. If you are not in a traditional health care setting, describe the setting and the type of personnel that the nurse supervises. What is the problem? Include at least one peer-reviewed source.

I-intervention:
-What are ways by which the nurse leader/manager proposes to solve this issue/problem (making patients get labs done prior to chemo visit when done on the day of that uses and extra 40mins minimum)?
-Describe his/her decision-making process. How does this problem affect patient outcomes (immunocompromised patients with needless exposure going to too many different places)?
-What impact does it have on staff? (could potential reduce workload as nurses wouldn’t need to draw labs while trying to verify orders, release chemotherapy and administer medications.) Identify way(s) that this problem could be resolved that are different than what the manager proposes.
-What does the literature state regarding this issue? How have other facilities successfully dealt with this problem?
-What do you think a good solution is to this problem? Use current research to support your proposed solution. You may not know what a good intervention could be until you conduct a literature review. You will probably need to work on this section last. Include at least one peer-reviewed source supporting your intervention.

C- comparison:
-In what way is the problem being handled right now?(fairly new problem that has developed with increased new diagnoses and patient load, current solution is to allow the scheduler, with no clinical experience, to determine appropriate times for people to come in without considering length of treatments, blood work needed and possible add-ons for that day)
-Describe why this approach is not working.( scheduler is overwhelmed and has no clinical experience to understand how and what might affect the day/process) Describe the leaders decision-making process and how it is affected by their chosen leadership style.
– How does this problem affect patient outcomes? (long wait times, potential for medication errors as pharmacist is overloaded.)
– What impact does it have on staff? (burnout?) Include at least one peer-reviewed source.

O- desired outcome: What would you hope to achieve through this intervention? Examples of desired outcomes might be improved staff morale, higher patient satisfaction or decreased absenteeism. Include at least one peer-reviewed source.

T- time frame:  Specify the time frame for your outcome measures

This assignment is a scholarly paper. Length: 6-8 pages not including references. A minimum of 3 references from peer reviewed journals is required.  Due 12/15 at 11:59pm

Possible references listed below.  If able to find any others please utilize.