The Measurement of Critical Outcomes, Research Paper Example

The measurement of critical outcomes that include medication errors and patient falls requires an organized and detailed approach to data collection and the use of prior evidence to improve patient quality of care. It is important to evaluate the conditions under which errors have occurred and how to best overcome these conditions in order to be successful in treating patients with quality-based methods in mind. Most importantly, patients must be provided with an environment in which their care and treatment is contingent upon measuring errors and other events that have a negative impact on patients and on determining which areas will be used to improve patient quality and safety for patients (Thomas & Petersen, 2003).

Medical errors and adverse events must be addressed in a timely manner with the primary intent to save lives and to protect quality of life for all patients. It is important for nurses to be mindful of health care quality indicators and to be proactive in working with patients in meeting their needs effectively and consistently. As a result, health care quality measures to promote patient safety are only one part of the process, as areas such as coordination of care, pain control, and depression management must be supported by tools that will have a positive impact on patients and the care that they receive (Bielaszka-DuVernay, 2011). In this context, it is important for nurses to be proactive in working with patients not only with their safety in mind, but their overall ability to utilize tools must be addressed as part of a larger framework for managing their roles in the workplace environment. Quality and safety indicators are necessary for successful nursing practice; however, the same tools may not always apply to each case. Therefore, different indicators may be necessary in working with different types of populations and with patients who possess specific needs that cannot be addressed with existing tools to measure quality. A balance must be achieved in using these tools to accomplish the desired tasks in the workplace setting.

References

Biellaszka-DuVernay, C. (2011). Improving quality and safety. Health Affairs, retrieved from http://www.healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/brief.php?brief_id=45

Thomas, E.J., & Petersen, L.A. (2003). Measuring errors and adverse events in health care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18(1), 61-67.