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Instructions of NURS-FPX 4020 Assessment One: Enhancing Quality and Safety
Introduction
Healthcare organizations and professionals strive to create safe environments for patients; however, due to the complexity of the healthcare system, maintaining safety can be a challenge. Since nurses comprise the largest group of healthcare professionals, a great deal of responsibility falls in the hands of practicing nurses. Quality improvement (QI) measures and safety improvement plans are effective interventions to reduce medical errors and sentinel events such as medication errors, falls, infections, and deaths. A 2000 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report indicated that almost one million people are harmed annually in the United States, (Kohn et al., 2000) and 210,000–440,000 die as a result of medical errors (Allen, 2013).
The role of the baccalaureate nurse includes identifying and explaining specific patient risk factors, incorporating evidence-based solutions to improve patient safety, and coordinating care. A solid foundation of knowledge and understanding of safety organizations such as Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and The Joint Commission and its National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) program is vital to practicing nurses with regard to providing and promoting safe and effective patient care.
You are encouraged to complete the Identifying Safety Risks and Solutions activity. This activity offers an opportunity to review a case study and practice identifying safety risks and possible solutions. We have found that learners who complete course activities and review resources are more successful with first submissions. Completing course activities is also a way to demonstrate course engagement.
References
Allen, M. (2013). How many die from medical mistakes in U.S. hospitals? https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/09/20/224507654/how-many-die-from-medical-mistakes-in-u-s-hospitals.
Kohn, L. T., Corrigan, J., & Donaldson, M. S. (Eds.). (2000). To err is human: Building a safer health system. National Academy Press.
Professional Context
As a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, you will be responsible for implementing quality improvement (QI) and patient safety measures in healthcare settings. Effective quality improvement measures result in systemic and organizational changes, ultimately leading to the development of a patient safety culture.
The purpose of this assessment is to better understand the role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse in enhancing quality improvement (QI) measures that address a safety quality issue in a healthcare setting. This will be within the specific context of patient safety risks in a healthcare setting of your choice. You will do this by exploring the professional guidelines and best practices for improving and maintaining patient safety in healthcare settings from organizations such as QSEN and the IOM.
Looking through the lens of these professional best practices to examine the current policies and procedures currently in place at your chosen organization and the impact on safety measures for patients surrounding a specific safety quality issue, you will consider the role of the nurse in driving quality and safety improvements. You will identify stakeholders in QI improvement and safety measures as well as consider evidence-based strategies to enhance quality of care and promote safety in the context of your chosen healthcare setting.
As a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, you will be responsible for implementing quality improvement (QI) and patient safety measures in health care settings. Effective quality improvement measures result in systemic and organizational changes, ultimately leading to the development of a patient safety culture.
The purpose of this assessment is to better understand the role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse in enhancing quality improvement (QI) measures that address a safety quality issue in a health care setting. This will be within the specific context of patient safety risks at a healthcare setting of your choice. You will do this by exploring the professional guidelines and best practices for improving and maintaining patient safety in health care settings from organizations such as QSEN and the IOM.
Looking through the lens of these professional best practices to examine the current policies and procedures currently in place at your chosen organization and the impact on safety measures for patients surrounding a specific safety quality issue, you will consider the role of the nurse in driving quality and safety improvements. You will identify stakeholders in QI improvement and safety measures as well as consider evidence-based strategies to enhance quality of care and promote medication administration safety in the context of your chosen health care setting.
Scenario
Select one of the safety quality issues presented in the Assessment 01 Supplement: Enhancing Quality and Safety [PDF] Download Assessment 01 Supplement: Enhancing Quality and Safety [PDF]resource and incorporate evidence-based strategies to support communication and ensure safe and effective care.
Instructions
For this assessment, you will analyze a safety quality issue in a health care setting and identify a quality improvement (QI) initiative.
Be sure that your plan addresses the following, which corresponds to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. Please study the scoring guide carefully so that you know what is needed for a distinguished score.
Explain factors leading to a specific patient-safety risk in a health care setting.
Explain evidence-based and best-practice solutions to improve patient safety and reduce costs.
Explain how nurses can help coordinate care to increase patient safety and reduce costs.
Identify stakeholders with whom nurses would coordinate to drive safety enhancements with a specific safety quality issue.
Communicate using writing that is clear, logical, and professional, with correct grammar and spelling, using current APA style.
Additional Requirements
Length of submission: 3–5 pages, plus title and reference pages.
Number of references: Cite a minimum of 4 sources of scholarly or professional evidence that support your findings and considerations. Resources should be no more than 5 years old.
APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
Competency 1: Analyze the elements of a successful quality improvement initiative.
Explain evidence-based and best-practice solutions to improve patient safety and reduce costs.
Competency 2: Analyze factors that lead to patient safety risks.
Explain factors leading to a specific patient-safety risk in a health care setting.
Competency 4: Explain the nurse’s role in coordinating care to enhance quality and reduce costs.
Explain how nurses can help coordinate care to increase patient safety and reduce costs.
Identify stakeholders with whom nurses would coordinate to drive safety enhancements with a specific safety quality issue.
Competency 5: Apply professional, scholarly, evidence-based strategies to communicate in a manner that supports safe and effective patient care.
Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions; contains few errors in grammar or punctuation, word choice, and spelling.
Apply APA formatting to in-text citations and references exhibiting nearly flawless adherence to APA format.
Resources
Use the resources linked below to help complete this assessment.
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Collaboration and Leadership
The following readings may help you in completing this assessment’s activities:
Assessment 1: Collaboration and Leadership reading list.
Quality Improvement Initiatives
The following readings may help you in completing this assessment’s activities:
Assessment 1: Quality Improvement Initiatives reading list.
Quality and Safety Education
The following readings may help you in completing this assessment’s activities:
Assessment 1: Quality and Safety Education reading list
Quality and Safety Case Studies
Consider reviewing the following case studies as you complete your assessment:
Assessment 1: Quality and Safety Case Studies reading list.
Program Resources
Capella Writing Center
Access the various resources in the Capella Writing Center to help you better understand and improve your writing.
APA Style and Format
Capella University follows the style and formatting guidelines in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, known informally as the APA manual. Refer to the Writing Center’s APA Module for tips on proper use of APA style and format.
Capella University Library
BSN Program Library Research Guide.
The library research guide will be useful in guiding you through the Capella University Library, offering tips for searching the literature and other references for your assessments.
Activity
Click the linked title below, Identifying Safety Risks and Solutions, to complete this formative activity, which offers an opportunity to review a case study and practice identifying safety risks and possible solutions. These skills will be necessary to complete the Enhancing Quality and Safety assessment successfully. This is for your own practice and self-assessment.
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Step-By-Step Guide NURS-FPX 4020 Assessment One: Enhancing Quality and Safety
Introduction to NURS 4020 Assessment One
Welcome to NURS-FPX 4020 Assessment One: Enhancing Quality and Safety! Healthcare organizations and professionals strive to maintain safe patient environments, but complexities within the system often pose challenges. Nurses, the largest group of healthcare providers, are crucial in ensuring patient safety. This How-To NURS-FPX 4020 Guide provides strategies and guidelines for addressing safety quality issues, incorporating evidence-based solutions, coordinating care, and communicating effectively within healthcare settings.
Select one of the safety quality issues presented in the Assessment 01 Supplement: Enhancing Quality and Safety.
Selecting a Safety Quality Issue
To start the NURS-FPX 4020 Assessment One: Enhancing Quality and Safety, we will select a safety quality issue in healthcare.
- Read the Assessment 01 Supplement to identify various safety quality issues.
- Choose one issue that resonates with your interests or seems significant.
- Consider the impact of the chosen issue on patient safety and healthcare costs.
Example
Responding promptly to patients experiencing deteriorating conditions in healthcare settings presents a multifaceted challenge. Considine et al. (2021) highlight issues within emergency departments despite the presence of Rapid Response Systems, indicating inconsistent recognition and action regarding clinical decline. These systems’ complexity and varying implementation across healthcare facilities may contribute to this problem. Bucknall et al. (2022) delve into the role of nurses in detecting early signs of patient deterioration, emphasizing their crucial function. However, they also underscore the obstacles nurses face, including high workloads and staffing limitations, which hinder their ability to monitor and respond effectively.
Gertz et al. (2022) noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges in healthcare. Their study suggests that pandemic-related disruptions led to delays in medical treatment as healthcare systems grappled with overwhelming demand and had to adapt their care priorities. These circumstances likely contributed to slowed responses to deteriorating patients, with limited resources and unprecedented challenges medical staff face.
Ullah et al. (2022) provide further insights by examining the workload associated with vital signs-based monitoring. Their research in a New Zealand hospital setting indicates that the monitoring and response process for deteriorating patients is labor-intensive. This suggests that time constraints and physical workload may impede timely responses, particularly in settings with limited resources.
The consequences of delayed responses to patient deterioration are significant. Firstly, patient safety and outcomes are directly affected. As evidenced by the studies, failure to promptly recognize and address clinical deterioration can result in adverse events, heightened morbidity, and, in severe cases, mortality. Swift interventions are essential in halting or reversing a patient’s decline, and any delay can reduce the effectiveness of intervention, leading to more severe health consequences.
Additionally, delayed responses often necessitate more intricate and aggressive treatments. As a patient’s condition deteriorates, interventions become more invasive, pose significant risks, and require increased resources. This not only impacts the patient’s prognosis but also escalates healthcare expenditures. Prolonged hospital stays, additional interventions, and potential legal ramifications for healthcare institutions are financial burdens stemming from delayed responses.
Incorporate evidence-based strategies to support communication, ensure safe and effective care, and reduce costs.
Incorporating Evidence-Based Strategies
Next, we will incorporate evidence-based strategies.
- Research evidence-based solutions related to the selected issue.
- Utilize reputable sources such as academic journals, professional organizations, and government reports.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies in improving patient safety and reducing costs.
- Justify the chosen strategies based on their applicability and success in similar healthcare settings.
Example
Scholarly research offers essential strategies for promptly responding to patients experiencing deterioration in healthcare settings. Considine et al. (2021) emphasize the critical importance of structured approaches in identifying and managing clinical decline, particularly within emergency departments. Rapid Response Systems (RRSs) are valuable tools in aiding healthcare practitioners in the early detection of deteriorating patient conditions and prompt intervention. Implementing such systems significantly enhances patient safety by providing clear protocols for monitoring patients and determining appropriate interventions.
Bucknall and colleagues (2022) provide a compelling analysis of facilitation interventions to enhance nurses’ ability to respond to clinical deterioration. Their study underscores the vital role of ongoing education and support for nurses in adhering to clinical practice guidelines. Establishing a culture of continuous learning and active engagement within clinical settings markedly improves nurses’ capacity to detect and address early signs of patient deterioration, thereby mitigating risks associated with delayed responses.
Ullah et al. (2022) discuss the potential of technology in monitoring patients and facilitating prompt action in response to deteriorating health conditions. Utilizing electronic systems for monitoring vital signs and alerting healthcare providers to abnormalities offers a promising approach. These systems provide real-time information and expedite decision-making processes, enabling healthcare practitioners to respond swiftly to changes in patient status. Transitioning from traditional manual monitoring to technological solutions streamlines processes and alleviates pressure on nurses, allowing them to dedicate more time to patient care.
Hospitals must implement explicit and up-to-date protocols to ensure timely intervention in cases of patient deterioration. These protocols, grounded in robust evidence, should undergo regular review to align with contemporary standards of care. Hospitals can promote consistency in patient management by establishing clear thresholds for intervention and delineating definitive action plans. These guidelines must empower nurses and healthcare professionals to act promptly upon observing signs of patient decline, providing them with the necessary resources and support for effective execution.
Explain how nurses can help coordinate care to increase patient safety and reduce costs.
Coordinating Care to Increase Patient Safety
Here, we will explore how to coordinate care to increase patient safety.
- Explain the role of nurses in coordinating care to enhance patient safety.
- Highlight the importance of effective communication and collaboration among healthcare team members.
- Discuss how nurses can streamline processes and implement standardized protocols to reduce errors and improve outcomes.
- Provide examples of successful care coordination initiatives impacting patient safety and cost reduction.
Example
Nurses play a pivotal role in safeguarding patient safety, particularly detecting and managing deteriorating health conditions. Studies by Bucknall et al. (2022) and Ullah et al. (2022) underscore the indispensable role of nursing in this vital aspect of healthcare. Beyond routine vital signs monitoring, nurses are instrumental in the early identification of worsening illnesses, aiming to prevent adverse health events by promptly addressing even subtle changes in patients’ conditions.
Moreover, nurses are central in facilitating swift and appropriate interventions. Upon identifying potential risks, nurses are responsible for effectively communicating this information to the medical team and initiating necessary medical responses (Bucknall et al., 2022). This role necessitates quick decision-making and clear communication of the situation’s urgency, positioning nurses as pivotal links between patients and the broader medical team (Bucknall et al., 2022; Ullah et al., 2022).
Identify stakeholders with whom nurses would coordinate to drive safety enhancements with a specific safety quality issue.
Identifying Stakeholders for Safety Enhancements
This section of NURS-FPX 4020 Assessment One: Enhancing Quality and Safety will identify stakeholders for safety enhancements.
- Identify critical stakeholders involved in addressing the chosen safety quality issue.
- Consider healthcare providers, administrators, patients, families, regulatory agencies, and quality improvement teams.
- Explain how collaboration with stakeholders can drive safety enhancements and facilitate the implementation of evidence-based strategies.
- Highlight the importance of engaging stakeholders throughout the improvement process to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.
Example
Nurses’ engagement in interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration enhances patient care. Nurses collaborating with various healthcare professionals, including physicians and specialists, foster a holistic approach to patient treatment and management. Additionally, nurses are crucial in partnering with hospital management to drive improvements in patient safety systems. Their involvement in proposing policy revisions, developing safety protocols, and advocating for essential patient monitoring and care resources is indispensable. These contributions by nurses are instrumental in shaping healthcare environments that prioritize patient safety and deliver high-quality care.
Stakeholders in Quality Improvement
Various stakeholders play interconnected yet distinct roles in healthcare quality improvement. Healthcare professionals, such as physicians and nurses, are on the front lines and deeply involved in patient care and safety. Their direct experiences and perspectives are crucial for identifying improvement opportunities and implementing changes. Equally important are hospital administrators and policymakers, who have the authority to implement broad reforms, allocate resources, and establish policies that significantly influence the quality and safety of patient care.
Collaborative Strategies for Safety Enhancement
Collaboration among all stakeholders is essential for enhancing safety. Research by Considine et al. (2021) and Bucknall et al. (2022) emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation in recognizing and managing patient deterioration. This collaboration goes beyond individual responsibilities, encouraging collective efforts that leverage diverse skills and perspectives to improve patient outcomes.
The integration of efforts from both clinical staff and administrative bodies is vital. Healthcare professionals provide the practical knowledge and experience to identify and address patient safety risks. At the same time, hospital management and policymakers support these safety measures through training investments, infrastructure improvements, and protocol revisions to align with contemporary best practices (Bucknall et al., 2022).
Closing
In conclusion, NURS-FPX 4020 Assessment One: Enhancing Quality and Safety How-To Guide equips students with the essential tools to address safety quality issues in healthcare. Nurses can significantly enhance patient safety and reduce costs by selecting relevant issues, incorporating evidence-based strategies, fostering care coordination, identifying stakeholders, and communicating effectively. Remember, proficiency in these competencies is achievable through dedication, critical thinking, and adherence to professional standards.
References
Bucknall, T., Considine, J., Harvey, G., Graham, I. D., Rycroft‐Malone, J., Mitchell, I., Saultry, B., Watts, J. J., Mohebbi, M., Mudiyanselage, S. B., Lotfaliany, M., & Hutchinson, A. (2022). Prioritizing Nurses’ Responses To deteriorating Patient Observations (PRONTO): a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a facilitation intervention on recognition and response to clinical deterioration. BMJ Quality & Safety, bmjqs-013785. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs2021-013785
Considine, J., Fry, M., Curtis, K., & Shaban, R. Z. (2021). Systems for recognition and response to deteriorating emergency department patients: a scoping review. Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00882-6
Gertz, A., Pollack, C. C., Schultheiss, M. D., & Brownstein, J. S. (2022). Delayed medical care and underlying health in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 28, 101882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101882
Ullah, E., Albrett, J., Khan, O., Matthews, C., Perry, I., GholamHosseini, H., & Lu, J. (2022). Workload involved in vital signs-based monitoring & responding to deteriorating patients: A single site experience from a regional New Zealand hospital. Heliyon, 8(10), e10955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10955
