ASSIGNMENT : Safety, Quality and Informatics

Overview:
Write 8-10 pages in which you identify a major patient-safety issue within your own organization and use evidence-based best practices and technology to develop a plan to improve the safety issue.
Quality improvement and patient safety are central to the nursing leadership role.
Context:
Central to the nursing leadership role, quality improvement and patient safety are analyzed from many perspectives. Types of quality improvement and patient safety programs may range from internal, organization-based quality improvement team reports to external benchmarks from The Joint Commission, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), MAGNET, and numerous other organizations.
A landmark 2001 publication by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) identified the imperative to focus on quality care and patient safety. The initiative to create cultures of patient safety and quality care remain at the forefront of the health care leadership landscape. As a future nursing leader, you must understand the components and use of effective tools for successful quality improvement programs within your practice setting.
In this program, you have also examined the application of research and information technology in the nursing profession. Information systems and patient-care technologies have contributed in many ways to improved patient outcomes; however, safeguards, secure practices, and ethical standards are necessary to promote and support data security, patient confidentiality, and regulatory requirements. You have also investigated the effective use of patient-care technologies, communication systems, and information systems across the health-illness continuum.
Preparation
As you prepare for this assessment, complete the following:
1. Before you begin, examine your organization\’s history of safety in a specific area and how your organization addresses patient safety issues. If possible, consult with a key stakeholder in the organization (such as an administrator) to better understand specific patient-safety concerns and how the organization is working to resolve the concerns. This person should also be able to discuss some of the organizational barriers impacting the patient safety issue.
2. Next, look at the basic concepts, principles, and practices that contribute to organizational quality improvement and patient safety. Review the literature for best practices and how technology might be used to improve the issue.
3. Finally, be sure to consider the legal and ethical implications associated with the safety issue, as well as possible organizational barriers to change.
Directions
As you construct this assessment, address each point as completely as possible:
Describe a patient-safety issue within your organization.
Compare the way your organization addresses patient-safety issues with the concepts, principles, and practices that contribute to quality improvement and patient safety.
Analyze the legal and ethical consequences of not addressing the issue.
Recommend evidence-based interventions to address the patient-safety issue.
Explain how technology can be used to improve the issue.
Identify possible organizational barriers to change (budget, vision, technology, et cetera).
Describe strategies to overcome organizational barriers to change, based on your knowledge of the organization.

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Safety, Quality, and Informatics
Introduction
Over the years, my organization has invested in the provision of exceptional ageing care that is needed by the senior citizens. Some of the medical services offered include supported living, long-term attention, nursing home, adult daycare and infirmary care. Providing shelter, food and medical attention are some of the main reasons that older adults need to be accommodated in a nursing home. Although financially stable, this group is often unwell, mentally disturbed and neglected by their families. As such, the hospital becomes the main source of hope for this older generation. Given the delicate nature of the older patients, a lot need to be done to ensure their safety within the facility.
Patient-Safety Issue
The quality of healthcare in my place of work has improved over the years due to enhanced safety and quality concerns. According to recent medical reports, the hospital-acquired conditions have progressively dropped by 17% from 2012 to 2017 leading to fewer patient deaths in the facility. However, medication error has been a significant…