Prepare an 8 page data analysis and quality improvement initiative proposal based on a health issue of professional interest to you. The audience for your analysis and proposal is the nursing staff and the interprofessional team who will implement the initiative.
“A basic principle of quality measurement is: If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it” (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2013).
Health care providers are on an endless quest to improve both care quality and patient safety. This unwavering commitment requires hospitals and care givers to increase their attention and adherence to treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes. Health informatics, along with new and improved technologies and procedures, are at the core of virtually all quality improvement initiatives. The data gathered by providers, along with process improvement models and recognized quality benchmarks, are all part of a collaborative, continuing effort. As such, it is essential that professional nurses are able to correctly interpret, and effectively communicate information revealed on dashboards that display critical care metrics.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
- Competency 2: Plan quality improvement initiatives in response to routine data surveillance.
- Outline a QI initiative proposal based on a selected health issue and supporting data analysis.
- Competency 3: Evaluate quality improvement initiatives using sensitive and sound outcome measures.
- Analyze data to identify a health care issue or area of concern.
- Competency 4: Integrate interprofessional perspectives to lead quality improvements in patient safety, cost effectiveness, and work-life quality.
- Integrate interprofessional perspectives to lead quality improvements in patient safety, cost effectiveness, and work-life quality.
- Competency 5: Apply effective communication strategies to promote quality improvement of interprofessional care.
- Apply effective communication strategies to promote quality improvement of interprofessional care.
- Communicate evaluation and analysis in a professional and effective manner, writing content clearly and logically with correct use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
Reflect on QI initiatives focused on measuring and improving patient outcomes with which you are familiar.
- How important is the role of nurses in QI initiatives?
- What quality improvement initiatives have made the biggest difference? Why?
- When a QI initiative does not succeed as planned, what steps are taken to improve or revise the effort?
