NURS FPX 4035 Assessment 1 Enhancing Quality and Safety
This course has been completed and no further assessments may be submitted.
For this assessment, you will develop a 3–5 page paper that examines a safety quality issue in a healthcare setting. You will analyze the issue and examine potential evidence-based and best-practice solutions from the literature as well as the role of nurses and other stakeholders in addressing the issue.
Introduction
The role of the baccalaureate nurse includes identifying and explaining specific patient risk factors, incorporating evidence-based solutions to improving 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
Kohn, L. T., Corrigan, J., & Donaldson, M. S. (Eds.). (2000).
To err is human: Building a safer health system
. National Academy Press.
Overview
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 change, ultimately leading to the development of a patient safety culture.
Consider the hospital-acquired conditions that are not reimbursed under Medicare/Medicaid, some of which are specific safety issues such as infections, falls, medication errors, and other concerns that could have been prevented or alleviated with the use of evidence-based guidelines.
The purpose of this assessment is to better understand the role of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse in enhancing quality improvement (QI) measures to address patient safety risk 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 healthcare settings from organizations such as QSEN (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses) and the IOM (Institute of Medicine). Looking through the lens of these professional best practices to examine the current policies and procedures in place at your chosen organization and the impact on safety measures for patients, 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 your chosen healthcare setting.
See
Nursing Competencies
for more information.
QSEN Competencies
OVERVIEW
The overall goal for the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) project is to meet the challenge of preparing future nurses who will have the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) necessary to continuously improve the quality and safety of the healthcare systems within which they work.
Using the Institute of Medicine
1
competencies, QSEN faculty and a National Advisory Board have defined quality and safety competencies for nursing and proposed targets for the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be developed in nursing pre-licensure programs for each competency. These definitions are shared in the six tables below as a resource to serve as guides to curricular development for formal academic programs, transition to practice and continuing education programs
2
.
For information on applying the competencies at a graduate level, see the
Graduate KSAs
page.
Note:
This content is reprinted with permission from the “
Quality and Safety Education for Nurses
” article originally printed in Nursing Outlook Special Issue: Quality and Safety Education. For guidelines on use of this material, please read our
terms and conditions
.
DEFINITIONS AND PRE-LICENSURE KSAS
Patient-Centered Care
Teamwork and Collaboration
Evidence-based Practice (EBP)
Quality Improvement (QI)
Safety
Informatics
Click here
to download the PDF version
REFERENCES
1 Institute of Medicine. Health professions education: A bridge to quality.
Washington DC: National Academies Press
; 2003.
2 Cronenwett, L., Sherwood, G., Barnsteiner J., Disch, J., Johnson, J., Mitchell, P., Sullivan, D., Warren, J. (2007). Quality and safety education for nurses.
Nursing Outlook
, 55(3)122-131.
Instructions
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.
Assessment 01 [Group
5
] – Enhancing Quality and Safety
For this NURS FPX 4035 Assessment 1 Enhancing Quality and Safety assessment, you will develop a 3-5-page paper that examines a safety quality issue in a
health care setting. You will analyze the issue and examine potential evidence-based and best-
practice solutions from the literature as well as the role of nurses and other stakeholders in
addressing the issue.
Before you complete the instructions detailed in the courseroom, first select one of the safety
quality issues below to analyze for this assessment. After you have selected one of the issues
from the list below, return to the detailed instructions in the courseroom to complete your
assessment.
•
Care for Vulnerable Populations (Homeless, Migrants, Prisoners) in Healthcare:
Vulnerable populations, such as the homeless, migrants, and prisoners, often navigate a
myriad of challenges that can significantly impact their health and well-being. Here’s why
understanding and addressing the specific needs of these groups is essential:
o
Addressing Social Determinants of Health:
Social determinants of health are
conditions in the environments where people live, learn, work, and play that
affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
For vulnerable populations, these determinants can have profound impacts. For
instance, a homeless individual might struggle with exposure to the elements,
lack of nutrition, and limited access to hygiene facilities. Migrants might face
language barriers, cultural differences, and the stress of displacement. Prisoners
might experience limited autonomy, mental health challenges, and exposure to
violence. Recognizing these determinants is crucial for tailoring care plans and
interventions.
o
Building Trust:
Due to past negative experiences, systemic biases, or the
stigmatization of their circumstances, vulnerable populations might be wary of
healthcare systems and providers. Building trust is foundational for effective care
delivery. It ensures that patients feel safe disclosing information, adhering to
medical advice, and seeking care when needed. For nursing students, this
means practicing active listening, demonstrating empathy, and consistently
providing respectful and non-judgmental care.
o
Holistic Care Approach:
The health challenges faced by vulnerable populations
often intersect with other life challenges, such as legal issues, mental health
concerns, or the need for social services. A holistic care approach recognizes
and addresses these interconnected challenges. For instance, a migrant might
benefit from language translation services, cultural competency training for staff,
and referrals to community resources. A homeless individual might need
assistance with housing or access to social services. Prisoners might require
mental health support or resources for reintegrating into society post-release.
Being aware of these broader needs and integrating them into care plans can
lead to more comprehensive and effective care.
o
Advocacy:
Vulnerable populations often face systemic barriers that hinder their
access to quality healthcare. These barriers can be legal, economic, or societal.
Nursing students should recognize the power of advocacy. By understanding the
challenges faced by vulnerable populations and advocating for policy changes,
resource allocation, or community support, they can play a pivotal role in
improving healthcare access and outcomes for these groups.
o
Cultural Competency and Sensitivity:
Vulnerable populations, especially
migrants, might come from diverse cultural backgrounds with unique beliefs,
practices, and perspectives on health.
Cultural competency ensures that care is
tailored to respect and address these differences. It can improve patient
satisfaction, adherence to medical advice, and overall outcomes.
•
Inadequate Patient Education in Healthcare:
Ensuring that patients understand their
condition, treatment options, and care plan is crucial for optimal outcomes. Here’s why
recognizing the significance of patient education is essential:
o
Patient Safety and Well-being:
Without proper understanding, patients might
misuse medications, misinterpret symptoms, or fail to recognize warning signs of
complications. This can lead to preventable adverse events, exacerbation of their
condition, or even life-threatening situations.
o
Empowerment and Autonomy:
Adequate patient education empowers
individuals to take an active role in their healthcare. When patients understand
their condition and treatment, they can make informed decisions, advocate for
themselves, and participate actively in their care.
o
Adherence to Treatment:
A clear understanding of the reasons behind a
particular treatment or medication increases the likelihood that patients will
adhere to their care plan. Non-adherence, often stemming from a lack of
understanding, can compromise treatment effectiveness and lead to poorer
outcomes.
o
Reduced Hospital Readmissions:
As you’ve noted, when patients don’t follow
their care plans correctly, they are more likely to experience complications or
relapses, leading to hospital readmissions. These readmissions are costly for
healthcare systems and can be distressing for patients.
o
Healthcare Costs:
Inadequate patient education can result in increased
healthcare costs due to unnecessary tests, treatments, and hospital stays. By
ensuring patients understand and follow their care plans, healthcare systems can
reduce these avoidable expenses.
o
Patient Satisfaction:
Patients who feel informed and understood are more likely
to be satisfied with their care. This satisfaction can lead to better patient-provider
relationships, increased trust, and higher ratings for healthcare facilities.
o
Legal Implications:
Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement in
healthcare. Without proper patient education, informed consent can be
compromised, potentially leading to legal actions against healthcare providers or
institutions.
o
Holistic Care:
Beyond the physical aspects of care, patient education addresses
the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of health. By providing
comprehensive education, healthcare providers can ensure that patients are
equipped to manage all facets of their well-being.
For this assessment, be sure to focus on an organizational setting. This could be a primary care office, urgent care, mobile clinic, hospital ED, rural clinic, etc. Then use the literature to support the problem and solution in the organization. Reflect on costs to that organization/setting and what nurses can do to coordinate the care within the setting. Reflect on stakeholders who may be involved.
Be sure that your plan addresses the following, which corresponds to the grading criteria in the rubric. Please study the rubric carefully so you understand what is needed for a distinguished score.
Explain factors leading to a specific patient safety risk.
Explain evidence-based and best-practice solutions to improve patient safety related to a specific patient-safety risk and reduce costs.
Explain how nurses can help coordinate care to increase patient safety and reduce costs.
Identify stakeholders with whom nurses would need to coordinate to drive safety enhancements.
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 of content 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. Use the
Capella University Library
and
BSN Nursing Program Library Guide
as needed.
APA formatting:
References and citations are formatted according to current APA style. See the
APA Module
.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and 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 related to a specific patient safety risk and reduce costs.
Competency 2: Analyze factors that lead to patient safety risks.
Explain factors leading to a specific patient-safety risk in a healthcare 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.
