Module 5 DQ 2
Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is the responsibility of all nurses and is vital when addressing the challenges of the health care industry. Provide an example of how you would apply CQI in your current or past position.
CQI is an approach to quality management that builds upon traditional quality assurance methods by emphasizing the organization and systems: it focuses on "process" rather than the individual; it recognizes both internal and external "customers"; it promotes the need for objective data to analyze and improve processes.
An example I would focus on is the optimization and standardization of the patient signout/handoff process, with the goal of establishing a standard for patient signout/handoff.
The handoff is to transfer information (along with authority and responsibility) during transitions in care across the continuum; to include an opportunity to ask questions, clarify and confirm” (TeamSTEPPS, 2006). The handoff provides critical information about the patient, cultures that impact patient safety and transfers responsibility for care. Ineffective handoffs can contribute to gaps in patient care and failures in patient safety which include medication errors, wrong-site surgery, and patient deaths. One handoff communication tool that seeks to bridge the gap between the different communication styles of nurses and physician is the situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) model that is being used successfully to enhance handoff communication.
One of the best ways to implement this is with bedside report. This allows both the oncoming and off-going staff members to give an eyes on approach to the patient that is being handed off. This also encourage patients and family members to participate as advisors, promote better communication among patients, family members, and health care professionals from the point of admission, implement safe continuity of care by keeping the patient and family informed through nurse bedside
CQI is an approach to quality management that builds upon traditional quality assurance methods by emphasizing the organization and systems: it focuses on "process" rather than the individual; it recognizes both internal and external "customers"; it promotes the need for objective data to analyze and improve processes.
An example I would focus on is the optimization and standardization of the patient signout/handoff process, with the goal of establishing a standard for patient signout/handoff.
The handoff is to transfer information (along with authority and responsibility) during transitions in care across the continuum; to include an opportunity to ask questions, clarify and confirm” (TeamSTEPPS, 2006). The handoff provides critical information about the patient, cultures that impact patient safety and transfers responsibility for care. Ineffective handoffs can contribute to gaps in patient care and failures in patient safety which include medication errors, wrong-site surgery, and patient deaths. One handoff communication tool that seeks to bridge the gap between the different communication styles of nurses and physician is the situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) model that is being used successfully to enhance handoff communication.
One of the best ways to implement this is with bedside report. This allows both the oncoming and off-going staff members to give an eyes on approach to the patient that is being handed off. This also encourage patients and family members to participate as advisors, promote better communication among patients, family members, and health care professionals from the point of admission, implement safe continuity of care by keeping the patient and family informed through nurse bedside
References: TeamSTEPPS, 2006. Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety: Pocket guide (AHRQ Pub No 06-0020-2) Rockville, MD The Joint Commission, 2015. Guide to Patient and Family Engagement in Hospital Quality and Safety. Retrieved from: http://www.jointcommission.org/guide_to_patient_and_family_engagement_in_hospital_safety_and_quality_/