A root cause analysis identified a lack of clinician-family communication as an issue. What should the NP develop as part of the performance improvement plan?

Developing guidelines for clinician-family communication aimed at establishing treatment goals is vital in addressing the issue identified in the root cause analysis. Effective communication between clinicians and families ensures that everyone involved is on the same page regarding the patient's treatment plan, expectations, and goals for care. This fosters collaboration and trust, which are essential elements in improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

By creating structured guidelines, the NP can establish clear protocols for interactions during treatment discussions, which may include regular updates, check-ins, and mechanisms for families to ask questions and provide input. This systematic approach can significantly enhance the quality of care provided to patients by ensuring that families understand the treatment process and can participate actively in decision-making.

In contrast, while other options also play important roles in patient care, they do not directly target the communication gap identified. For example, documentation procedures for therapy sessions focus on record-keeping rather than improving interactions; protocols for medication administration are relevant to safe and effective drug delivery but do not address communication; and standardized discharge summaries, although valuable, mainly relate to the transition of care rather than ongoing dialogue. Building communication guidelines directly addresses the core issue of shared understanding and collaboration between clinicians and families.