Kot Task 1

Running Head: Active Leadership 1 Active Leadership in The Interdisciplinary Team KOT 1 Task 1 November 18, 2012 Running Head: Active Leadership 2 Leadership Strategies It is a fact that in order to produce a favorable client outcome, we seek guidance from our leaders. There are times when a nurse assumes a leadership role while not formally possessing that title. Two strategies for a nurse on an interdisciplinary team to exhibit are assuming a leadership attitude and acting as a mentor. Assuming a leadership attitude involves effective communication.

To gain respect in an interdisciplinary group, one must give it as well. Feedback should be encouraged to allow fellow members to feel connected to the group. Leadership attitude involves setting the tone for teamwork to evolve. Respecting and valuing other team member’s opinions impacts their contribution to the goal at hand. When problems arise, it is essential that interdisciplinary groups work as a unit. Team members respect those individuals that exhibit a sense of mentorship. Mentors play an important role as they contribute both knowledge and experience.

Mentors serve as good resources when issues and concerns need to be addressed. Running Head: Active Leadership Active Involvement 3 Clients benefit when interdisciplinary teams interact. Nurses must be actively involved to ensure that specific goals are met. In patient care, there are many types of staff involved. Every team member plays a vital role and must be respected. A nurse’s role in the plan of care is important. The nurse presents data like lab work, diagnostic tests and nursing assessments. This information is important in acquiring a common goal.

Contributing Position Nurses often find themselves in a position where they can actively contribute in an interdisciplinary team. Two ways they can contribute are as patient advocates and educators. There are times when nurses may enlighten other team members to specific items such as lab work and diagnostic tests. A good example of patient advocacy is during a surgical procedure. While a client is under general anesthesia, the nurse serves as the clients advocate and care giver because they cannot fend for themselves.

These contributions are vital in adding to the plan of care formulated by the interdisciplinary group. Running Head: Active Leadership 4 Culture of Safety Unfortunately, mistakes in healthcare can and will continue to occur. Healthcare providers may obtain a level of reduction in mistakes by contributing to a “culture of safety”, as indicated by J. Roughton (July 02, 2008). There are many examples of the idea of promoting a safetyinfluenced environment in a healthcare setting. One example comes to mind while considering the four characteristics of a culture of safety as indicated by A. Frankel and M.

Leonard (2011). During a surgical procedure an operating room attendant notices that a sharps container is full. His job description does not entail the disposal of sharps. He decides that the issueat-hand must be addressed. He knows that because of active leadership, there is an air of comfort in expressing his concerns. Fear is reduced as his concerns are received openly and respectfully because of the psychological safety. Recourse is eliminated, as fairness is present in the system. Because of transparency, other team members will utilize the information to improve the decision making process.

Running Head: Active Leadership 5 References Frankel, A. MD, Principal, Pascal Metrics Inc. Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Lesson ! : The Power of speaking up. PS 106: Introduction to the Culture of Safety p. 4 (2011). Michael, L. MD, Principal, Clinical Group, Pascal Metrics Inc. Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Lesson ! : The Power of speaking up. PS 106: Introduction to the Culture of Safety p. 4 (2011). Roughton, J (July 2, 2008). Characteristics of a Culture of Safety [web blog]. Retrieved from http://www. emeetingplace. com/safetyblog/2008/07/02