Planning a change project in mental health nursing

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Mental Health Nursing
• Clinical Governance

Background:

• Physical health monitoring is often suboptimal in mental health settings.
• Inadequate measurement and recording of vital signs, such as respiratory rate, pose risks.
• A need exists to improve systematic care processes within mental health wards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a change project for enhancing physical health care quality on mental health wards.
• To improve the monitoring and recording of respiratory rates through staff training.
• To establish a framework for implementing and evaluating a change project.

Main Methods:

• Utilized root cause analysis to identify barriers to respiratory rate measurement.
• Proposed a change project based on identified root causes and project objectives.
• Described implementation using a change management model and evaluation strategies.

Main Results:

• Identified key reasons for low incidence of respiratory rate measurement.
• Developed a structured plan for a change project focused on staff training.
• Outlined methods for measuring and evaluating the project's impact.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a staff training program can improve respiratory rate monitoring in mental health wards.
• Change management principles and clinical governance are crucial for successful implementation.
• Addressing potential barriers, including human factors and leadership, is essential for sustained improvement.