Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Evaluation, Essay Example

Summary of Practice Problem and Mission Statement

Within the healthcare environment, patients deserve a high level of respect and support that demonstrates nurses’ commitment to quality care and treatment at all times. Each patient possesses individual needs, expectations, values that must be considered as part of the treatment plan in order to achieve the level of quality that is desired within the organization. Nurses must support the chosen strategy to improve their own performance and to recognize the value of new ideas and challenges to ensure that patient care quality is of the highest possible level. Therefore, adhering to guidelines and providing the utmost respect for patients must be a continuous process that has considerable value for patients and for nurses.

In accordance with the organizational mission, nurses must be educated regarding the needs of their patients and demonstrate their commitment to patient education, care, and overall respect for core values and principles. Nursing requires a high level understanding and acceptance of the key principles and values that embody the practice environment, and that includes the utmost dignity and respect for all patients and fellow nurses to ensure that their level of care and treatment are appropriate and timely. Nurses must aim to support quality-based initiatives that will enable them to embrace their core values and to be cognizant of the challenges that they face as communicators of change and progress to address patient concerns and expectations (Vanderbilt University, 2013). There are considerable needs associated with the development of a successful strategy to accommodate patients and to be aware that not all patients possess the same needs; however, nursing care quality must transcend these principles and address the challenges of supporting a high level of commitment to patients who require care and treatment on a continuous basis (Vanderbilt University, 2013). Improvements in patient care quality, therefore, must be the primsaary focus of nurses as they move forward in their careers (Vanderbilt University, 2013).

Quality Model Chosen and Fit for Practice Setting

The Quality-Caring Model is appropriate for the nursing environment because it captures the spirit of the nursing profession and aims to support improved relationships between nurses and patients on a continuous basis to improve patient outcomes and to deliver consistent care at all times (Duffy, 2005). Nurses must aim to provide greater comfort and support to patients which is reflected in their actions, verbal communication, and body language with them as they interact on a regular basis (Duffy, 2005). In addition, patient safety must be a critical priority for patients and reflect the importance of improving outcomes to accommodate patients effectively as their needs change (Aiken et.al, 2012). All organizations must determine the appropriate model that will best fit their current and future needs and be able to sustain the model and its key priorities for the foreseeable future (Hospitals & Health Networks).

Finally, nurses must be able to achieve greater quality of care by working directly with patients and their communication of preferences and other needs that will satisfy expectations and achieve the desired outcomes accordingly (Duffy, 2005). With these priorities in mind, it is possible to address the critical needs that patients have and to improve the visibility of the organization as it aims to address any quality-related concerns that are visible. In this context, nurses must continue to focus on the key priorities of their patients above all else and be effective in addressing patient needs on a consistent basis in order to overcome any challenges that may arise during the treatment process. Patients must feel the warmth and encouragement of their nurses as they strive towards an improved recovery rate and a long-term prognosis that is favorable and appropriate.

References

Aiken, L. H., Sermeus, W., Van den Heede, K., Sloane, D. M., Busse, R., McKee, M., … & Kutney-Lee, A. (2012). Patient safety, satisfaction, and quality of hospital care: cross sectional surveys of nurses and patients in 12 countries in Europe and the United States. BMJ, 344.

Duffy, J.R. (2005). Implementing the quality-caring model in acute care. Journal of Nursing Administration, 35(1), 4-6.

Hospitals & Health Networks. Which performance improvement method is right for your hospital? Pp. 1-2.

Vanderbilt University (2013). Nursing quality and performance improvement plan. Pp. 1-8.