We are better together: nurses' ability to affect change.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Nephrology Nursing
• Patient Safety

Background:

• The Institute of Medicine encourages nurses to practice to their full scope.
• Nurses in direct patient care roles can significantly impact patient outcomes.
• Apheresis procedures require careful fluid replacement, often with fresh frozen plasma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate how nurses can apply their full training and education.
• To describe the process used by nephrology nurses to reduce transfusion reactions.
• To improve patient safety during apheresis with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) replacement.

Main Methods:

• A group of nephrology nurses without graduate education collaborated.
• They focused on clients undergoing apheresis requiring fresh frozen plasma.
• The team implemented specific processes to manage and prevent transfusion reactions.

Main Results:

• The implemented processes led to a decrease in the rate of transfusion reactions.
• Nurses successfully applied advanced practice concepts in direct patient care.
• The study highlights the effectiveness of proactive nursing interventions.

Conclusions:

• Nurses can effectively practice to the fullest extent of their training.
• Implementing evidence-based processes can reduce adverse events like transfusion reactions.
• Empowering nurses in direct care roles enhances patient safety and outcomes in nephrology.