Last Updated on April 5, 2023 by Admin
Imagine that, for about a year, your nursing unit has been involved in an intensive campaign to improve patient satisfaction scores with pain management
Applying Performance Improvement Tools
Read the following scenario:
Imagine that, for about a year, your nursing unit has been involved in an intensive campaign to improve patient satisfaction scores with pain management. You are getting good data from your patients, as the length of stay on this inpatient geriatric medical nursing unit is only about 6 days. Your hospital does 100% survey to inpatients, and the response rate is about 25%, which is higher than it has been. This notwithstanding, the percent of “patient very satisfied” (top box), with a score of 5, has been in the low 70s.
The national benchmark for medical surgical units like yours is about 85% very satisfied. Of all the units in your hospital, your unit is the lowest scoring on this HCAPHS survey. But as your unit is the only geriatric medical nursing unit in the hospital, you’d always thought it was the nature of the patient population.
You have been the day shift representative to the QI team, and the scores on your unit are posted monthly. Here are the numerous strategies that have been tried on your unit and the timeframes.
Document: Strategies and Interventions (PDF)
For this Discussion, examine the strategies and interventions tried in your unit and consider the following questions: a) Were the strategies effective in creating a sustainable change on your nursing unit, and b) To what extent can your nurse manager and CNO count on your unit exceeding the national benchmark in the next quarter, the next year? That is, does this run chart have some predictive ability? Does the run chart support the nursing unit’s decision to celebrate? To what extent can the leadership be confident that the trend will continue?
By Day 3
Based on the scenario, explain what was done successfully and where improvement was needed in the quality improvement process. Identify the quality improvement tools and explain how they contributed to the outcome.
Support your response with references from the Resources and professional nursing literature. Your posts need to be written at the capstone level.
Notes Initial Post: This should be a 3-paragraph (at least 350 words) response. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames. Avoid quotes; paraphrase to incorporate evidence into your own writing. A reference list is required. Use the most current evidence (usually ? 5 years old).
Required sources
Spath, P. (2018). Introduction to healthcare quality management (3rd ed.). Health Administration Press.
- Chapter 4, “Evaluating Performance” (pp. 79-118)
- Chapter 5, “Continuous Improvement” (pp. 119-142)
- Chapter 6, “Performance Improvement Tools” (pp. 143-174)
Note: Although Chapter 4 is previously assigned reading, please review it in preparation for this week’s material.
Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2019). Leading and managing in nursing (7th ed.). Mosby.
- Chapter 19, “Building Effective Teams” (pp. 335-356)
Microsoft. (n.d.). Use charts and graphs in your presentation. https://support.office.com/en-
gb/article/Use-charts-and- graphs-in-your-presentation- c74616f1-a5b2-4a37-8695- fbcc043bf526
Perla, R. J., Provost, L. P., & Murray, S. K. (2011). The run chart: A simple analytical tool for learning from variation in healthcare processes. BMJ Quality and Safety, 20(1), 46–51. http://doi.org/10.1136/
bmjqs.2009.037895
Expert Answer and Explanation
Applying Performance Improvement Tools
Successful Implementations
The primary role of the healthcare sector is to ensure that the patients are cared for in an effective manner and that there is proper patient satisfaction. The main symptom that the majority of the patients complain about is the aspect of pain or discomfort. In order to ensure patient satisfaction, there was a need to identify quality improvement measures on how to address the issue of pain.
The success of the campaign was attributed to various interventions that were taken to ensure that the patients experienced less pain, were able to identify the source, and could easily tell the magnitude of the pain (Farooq et al., 2016). Within the surgical unit, some of the successful measures taken include nurse education on assessment of pain, collection or posting of pain data, and teaching patients and the staff about overall pain management techniques.
The success of the nurses in ensuring proper pain management techniques is based on whether they are in a position to meet the desired outcome. Nurse education provided the desired skills and expertise to identify, monitor, and intervene when a patient is depicting signs of pain and suffering (Trail-Mahan and Heisler, 2015). The knowledge was critical for the attainment of the desired outcome. Be that as it may, the satisfaction of patients with the pain management measures they receive is dependent on different elements such as the overall patient expectation, severity of the pain, promptness of health care providers, and effectiveness of pain medication.
Each of these attributes was put into account during the account and all the stakeholders addressed the importance of ensuring all the elements are put into effect. The identified measures were critical in the creation of nursing sustainability and reliance between the nurse and the patient (Trail-Mahan and Heisler, 2015). Through the implementation of the measure, various areas of nurse-patient interactions were improved significantly.
For instance, there was improved communication and feedback between the nurses and the patients in relation to how the interventions were acting on their bodies. Other aspects that improved include overall knowledge of pain management, and how different pain medications work. The improvements have been critical in the success of the campaign.
Quality Improvement Tools
In order to ensure the success of the campaign the use of quality improvement tools was effective and helped maintain the desired outcome. The main tool used was the patient performance tool which helped in recording the overall quality of pain management that the patient had over time (Rice et al., 2019). The tool consisted of areas where the patient could rate their pain levels after being administered the appropriate medication and their overall feeling. The document offered details that would be used to create the run chart showing levels of patient satisfaction over time.
The other tool used was the six sigma DMAIC tool which was beneficial for the definition of pain, measurement of severity, analysis of best intervention, and creating of improvement or control strategies to help the patient (Ponsiglione et al., 2021). The use of the DMAIC tool ensures that the success of the pain management aspect among the patients within the facility is maintained.
The tools offer a means to ensure constant and accurate patient care and effective guidance towards mitigating the pain felt by the patients. The tools are instrumental in the establishment of the desired outcome and better communication and engagement between the patients and the nurses. The overall outcome would be continued quality improvements and better rates in relation to patient satisfaction.
References
Farooq, F., Khan, R., & Ahmed, A. (2016). Assessment of patient satisfaction with acute pain management service: Monitoring quality of care in clinical setting. Indian Journal of Anesthesia, 60(4), 248-252.
Ponsiglione, A. M., Ricciardi, C., Improta, G., Orabona, G. D. A., Sorrentino, A., Amato, F., & Romano, M. (2021). A Six Sigma DMAIC methodology as a support tool for Health Technology Assessment of two antibiotics. Math. Biosci. Eng, 18(4).
Rice, K., Castex, J., & Redmon, M et al (2019). Bundling interventions to enhance pain care quality (BITE Pain) in Medical Surgical Units. Ochsner Journal, 19, 77-95 Discussion: Applying Performance Improvement Tools Essay.
Trail-Mahan, & Heisler, S. (2015) Quality Improvement Project to Improve Satisfaction with Pain Management: Using Human Centered Design. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 31(2), 105-112.
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Six Steps of the Quality Improvement Process
As businesses strive to provide top-notch products or services, they need to be in a continuous process of improvement to ensure they meet customer satisfaction. This process of improvement is called the Quality Improvement Process, which involves a systematic approach to analyzing and improving business processes. In this article, we will look at the six steps involved in the quality improvement process.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the problem
- Measuring the problem
- Analyzing the problem
- Improving the process
- Controlling the process
- Sustaining the improvements
Understanding the problem
The first step in the quality improvement process is to understand the problem. This involves identifying the issue that needs to be addressed and defining it clearly. The problem can be identified through customer feedback, product defects, or any other issue that affects the business’s performance.
Measuring the problem
Once the problem is identified, the next step is to measure it. This involves collecting data related to the problem and determining the extent of the issue. The data collected can be quantitative or qualitative, and it is essential to use reliable data sources.
Analyzing the problem
After collecting the data, the next step is to analyze it. This involves identifying the root cause of the problem and understanding the process that led to the issue. It is important to involve all stakeholders in this step to ensure that all perspectives are considered.
Improving the process
Based on the analysis, the next step is to improve the process. This involves developing a solution to address the root cause of the problem. The solution can be implemented through various techniques, such as process redesign, process automation, or employee training.
Controlling the process
Once the solution is implemented, the next step is to control the process. This involves monitoring the process to ensure that it meets the desired outcomes. It is important to establish control mechanisms to ensure that the process remains stable.
Sustaining the improvements
The final step in the quality improvement process is to sustain the improvements. This involves embedding the changes in the business’s culture and ensuring that the improvements are maintained over time. It is essential to establish a continuous improvement framework to ensure that the business is always in a process of improvement.
In conclusion, the quality improvement process is a systematic approach to improving business processes. The six steps involved in the process are understanding the problem, measuring the problem, analyzing the problem, improving the process, controlling the process, and sustaining the improvements. By following these steps, businesses can ensure that they provide high-quality products or services that meet customer satisfaction.
Quality Improvement in Healthcare Examples
In today’s world, healthcare is an industry where quality improvement is of utmost importance. The constant evolution of medical technologies and techniques, as well as the changing needs and expectations of patients, have made it crucial for healthcare providers to continually strive to improve the quality of their services. In this article, we will explore some examples of quality improvement in healthcare.
Introduction to Quality Improvement
Quality improvement is the process of continually examining and refining the way healthcare is delivered to patients. It involves identifying areas where improvement is needed and implementing changes that will improve patient outcomes, safety, and satisfaction. Quality improvement is a continuous process that involves all aspects of healthcare, from diagnosis and treatment to communication and patient education.
Example 1: Patient Safety
One area where quality improvement has had a significant impact is patient safety. Hospitals and healthcare facilities have implemented a variety of strategies to improve patient safety, such as:
- Reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections
- Standardizing procedures for administering medications
- Improving communication between healthcare providers
- Reducing the risk of falls and other accidents
These efforts have resulted in fewer medical errors, improved patient outcomes, and increased patient satisfaction.
Example 2: Chronic Disease Management
Another area where quality improvement has had a significant impact is chronic disease management. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension require ongoing care and management. Healthcare providers have implemented a variety of strategies to improve chronic disease management, such as:
- Providing patient education and self-management tools
- Encouraging patients to participate in their own care
- Using electronic health records to track patient progress
- Coordinating care between different providers
These efforts have resulted in better control of chronic diseases, fewer hospitalizations, and improved quality of life for patients.
Example 3: Patient Satisfaction
Patient satisfaction is a critical component of healthcare quality improvement. Healthcare providers have implemented a variety of strategies to improve patient satisfaction, such as:
- Improving the physical environment of healthcare facilities
- Enhancing communication between patients and healthcare providers
- Providing timely and accurate information to patients
- Ensuring that patients have access to the care they need
These efforts have resulted in higher patient satisfaction rates and increased patient loyalty.
Example 4: Staff Training and Development
Quality improvement in healthcare also involves investing in staff training and development. Healthcare providers have implemented a variety of strategies to improve staff training and development, such as:
- Providing ongoing education and training opportunities
- Encouraging staff to participate in professional development activities
- Creating a culture of learning and continuous improvement
These efforts have resulted in better-trained healthcare providers, improved patient outcomes, and increased staff satisfaction.
Example 5: Electronic Health Records
Electronic health records (EHRs) are an essential tool for quality improvement in healthcare. EHRs allow healthcare providers to:
- Access patient records from anywhere
- Share patient information with other providers
- Track patient progress over time
- Analyze patient data to identify areas for improvement
These efforts have resulted in improved communication between healthcare providers, better patient outcomes, and increased patient satisfaction.
Example 6: Continuous Quality Improvement
Continuous quality improvement is an ongoing process that involves continually examining and refining the way healthcare is delivered to patients. Healthcare providers have implemented a variety of strategies to promote continuous quality improvement, such as:
- Regularly collecting and analyzing data on patient outcomes and satisfaction
- Implementing changes based on data analysis
- Encouraging staff and patients to provide feedback
- Continually reassessing and refining quality improvement strategies
These efforts have resulted in ongoing improvements in healthcare quality, patient outcomes, and patient satisfaction.
Conclusion
Quality improvement is an essential aspect of healthcare that involves continually examining and refining the way healthcare is delivered to patients.
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