QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION.
GUIDELINES FOR QI ASSIGNMENT
Quality improvement (QI) can be defined as the effort to better patient outcomes, system performance, and professional development (Batalden & Davidoff, 2007). The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has challenged professionals to improve healthcare quality, with quality described using the following six domains: safety, timeliness, effectiveness, efficiency, equity and patient-centeredness. These quality aims provide a framework for focusing improvement efforts. The unrelenting engagement of all providers is required to transform healthcare. APNs are well positioned to lead quality initiatives by virtue of their advanced knowledge and preparation. To effectively lead quality improvement requires understanding that organizations are complex adaptive systems; dynamic,
unpredictable, and are composed of moving parts. Knowledge of theoretical underpinnings of change (theory explicating the phenomenon of human behavioral change) is foundational to successful improvement. A wide variety of QI models, tools, and methods are available to guide the APN in facilitating improvement.
For this assignment, select a practice improvement issue within your organizational system and within the realm of your practice area. Using the grading rubric as a guide, develop a quality improvement plan to address the identified issue. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate knowledge of the essential elements of quality improvement, with change theory as an underpinning for the process. Students are not expected to implement the plan; however, the process for implementation and evaluation is addressed as part of the planning process.
The paper should be carefully written in a formal style, based on primary sources, provide an integration of ideas, and be 4-6 pages in length, excluding title page & reference list. Organized flow, logical progression of ideas, and clarity in thought are essential.
