Transition To Residency · Year 4 · from Transition To Residency
Case 3: Interprofessional Conflict Resolution
Clinical Image
Source: Wikipedia - Interprofessional education - CC BY-SA 4.0
Case Presentation
A 26-year-old female pediatrics intern receives an angry call from a nurse regarding a medication order. The nurse states, "You ordered acetaminophen 500mg for a 12kg child - that dose is way too high and could cause liver damage!" The intern initially feels defensive, as she calculated the dose based on the child's weight. However, she takes a breath and responds professionally: "Thank you for catching that - let me look at this right away." Upon review, she realizes she calculated milligrams but entered the dose in milligrams per kilogram, resulting in a 6-fold overdose. She immediately corrects the order and returns to the nurse: "You were absolutely right. I made a calculation error and the dose I entered would have been dangerous. Thank you for questioning this - you may have prevented serious harm to this patient." She documents the near-miss in the safety reporting system and later approaches the nurse in person to express genuine gratitude. The nurse appreciates the acknowledgment, and their working relationship strengthens. The intern shares the experience at M&M conference as a learning opportunity about the importance of pharmacy and nursing safety checks.
Key Learning Points
- Effective interprofessional communication requires treating all team members with respect as professionals with valuable expertise
- Conflict resolution skills include listening to understand, acknowledging valid concerns, and focusing on shared patient care goals rather than ego
- Expressing gratitude for safety catches reinforces the collaborative culture that protects patients and maintains collegial relationships