Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion

Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion

In a 1,000-1,250-word paper, consider the outcome and process measures that can be used for CQI. Include the following in your essay:

At least two process measures that can be used for CQI.
At least one outcome measure that can be used for CQI.
A description of why each measure was chosen.
An explanation of how data would be collected for each (how each will be measured)Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion.
An explanation of how success would be determined.
One or two data-driven, cost-effective solutions to this challenge.
Use a minimum of three peer-reviewed scholarly references as evidence.

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The healthcare sector has been denoted as an ever-changing dynamic ensuring quality care is always delivered. Continuous growth and advancement have continued to engulf the field, with diverse aspects used to assess progress in the desired direction, including care, process, and patient outcomes. According to Dorr et al. (2022), different tools have been adopted to measure processes and outcomes, informing evidence-based changes. One such methodology has been continuous quality improvement (CQI). McCalman et al. (2019) defined CQI as a methodology that enhances healthcare outcomes and processes through detailed assessment Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion

By using diverse tools and models of measuring outcomes and processes, healthcare organizations and leadership units can identify bottlenecks in care delivery and areas of inefficiency and invest in evidence-based measures to address identified issues while optimizing care delivery. According to McCalman et al. (2019), healthcare organizations can achieve sustainable improvements through the dedicated integration of these measuring tools. This paper explores outcome and process measures that can be adopted in CQI, including two process measures and one outcome measure.

CQI is a structured approach in the healthcare industry that evaluates the output or performance of adopted systems and processes (Dorr et al., 2022)Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion. The primary goal of utilizing CQI is to enhance quality and desired outcomes. However, specific progress and outcome measures are needed for CQI to be an effective model. The major measures that inform the CQI include process and outcome measures.

Process Measures for CQI

Different process measures qualify for CQI. In simple terms, McCalman et al. (2019) regarded process measures as focusing on steps to be adopted and followed to achieve a certain outcome. Examples of process measures for CQI include hand hygiene compliance and medication reconciliation accuracy. Ataiyero et al. (2022) regarded hand hygiene compliance as adhering to set hand-washing protocols by the healthcare workforce to prevent HAIs. The rationale behind this practice is based on the knowledge that HAIs have been a thorny issue in care settings, contributing to adverse health outcomes, including mortality and morbidity, as well as high cost of care. Improving adherence to a set hand hygiene routine is a proven practice to reduce the incidence of HAIs. Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion

Regarding getting the right data to inform this practice, data collection can be done through direct observation, minoring the use rate of hand hygiene products, and electronic monitoring. The success of hand hygiene compliance can be estimated by determining the rate of health workers’ compliance with the set hand hygiene protocols. This can be compared to WHO guidelines, which state that the compliance rate should be at least 90%.

Secondly, there is process measure number two, which is medication reconciliation accuracy. According to Holt et al. (2019), medication reconciliation is when patient medication lists are confirmed to be accurate and complete during transition care, such as discharge or transfer. The rationale is that medication errors in healthcare settings have resulted in adverse effects. Accurate medication can help address the issue, resulting in better care delivery, patient safety, and reduced readmission cases. Data can be obtained by reviewing and comparing medication documents at diverse transition points (Holt et al., 2019)Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion. Discrepancies identified should be recorded. Success with this process measure can be determined via education on the number of discrepancies in the medication lists or documents.

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Outcome Measure for CQI

The outcome measure is simplified as a reflection on the impact of the healthcare service or a selected intervention on the patient’s health status. The selected outcome measure for CQI is the’ 30-day hospital readmission rate’. This rate measures the number of patients, or percentage of patients readmitted to a hospital within a 30-day discharge period. According to Hill et al. (2020), a higher hospital readmission rate indicates possible poor quality of care, poor patient outcomes, and higher cost of care. Hence, the rationale behind the hospital readmission rate as a measure for CQI is that healthcare efforts to reduce readmission rates align with improved care delivery, better care coordination, and improved quality.

Data can be collected to inform the readmission rate from the organization’s EHRs, tracking, and patient follow-up. It can either be done manually or electronically via EHR. Success concerning readmission rate can be measured by reducing the number of patients readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion

Data-Driven & Cost-Effective Solutions

Different solutions can be integrated to help align with evidence and data-driven interventions, resulting in improved outcomes and cost-effective practices. One is implementing a detailed or comprehensive discharge model or program. Hill et al. (2020) state that a well-organization-based discharge planning program can help reduce patient readmission rates. Such a plan would include multiple players and practices such as patient education, planned follow-up on discharged patients, post-discharge support, and performing well-formulated medication reconciliation. On the other hand, with the possible initial cost incurred, the subsequent gain from the implementation would result in reduced readmission and related costs. Moreover, developing and implementing standardized patient discharge programs or steps are cost-effective models that would improve care outcomes and reduce hospital costs related to long stays.

A second solution would be integrating a well-defined enhanced electronic health record system (EEHR). According to Tsai et al. (2020), EEHRs would present the healthcare workforce with real-time indicators and alerts for possible medication errors or discrepancies, post-discharge follow-up, and hand hygiene compliance or non-compliance and, in turn, provide a streamlined process which would result in better or adherence to set up protocols. On upfront evaluation, the initial cost of installing an EEHR is costly. However, benefits are expected, including reduced adverse events, better care coordination, protocol compliance, and improved patient outcomes, resulting in overall cost savings. For example, an automated reminder reduces the need for manual efforts and allows maximum focus on addressing patient needs Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion

Conclusion

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in healthcare demands streamlined measurement and analysis of outcomes and processes-based indicators for implementors to make meaningful improvement-related decisions. Hand hygiene compliance and medication reconciliation accuracy are denoted as key process measures that have an impact on patient care quality and safety. The 30-day hospital readmission rate is a key outcome measure, indicating overall care quality in a healthcare organization. With change ever present, effective data collection and use foster evidence-based and data-driven interventions that can significantly improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes. Adopting the identified strategies for saving and data-based interventions ensures a systematic approach to CQI, which is a critical foundation for a culture of excellence in the healthcare sector Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion.

References

Ataiyero, Y., Dyson, J., & Graham, M. (2022). An observational study of hand hygiene compliance of surgical healthcare workers in a Nigerian teaching hospital. Journal of Infection Prevention, 23(2), 59–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/17571774211066774

Dorr, M. C., van Hof, K. S., Jelsma, J. G. M., Dronkers, E. A. C., Baatenburg de Jong, R. J., Offerman, M. P. J., & de Bruijne, M. C. (2022). Quality improvements of healthcare trajectories by learning from aggregated patient-reported outcomes: a mixed-methods systematic literature review. Health Research Policy and Systems, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-022-00893-4

Hill, J. E., Stephani, A.-M., Sapple, P., & Clegg, A. J. (2020). The effectiveness of continuous quality improvement for developing professional practice and improving health care outcomes: a systematic review. Implementation Science, 15(1). https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13012-020-0975-2 Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion

Holt, K. M., & Thompson, A. N. (2019). Implementation of a Medication Reconciliation Process in an Internal Medicine Clinic at an Academic Medical Center. Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland), 6(2), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy6020026

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McCalman, J., Bailie, R., Bainbridge, R., McPhail-Bell, K., Percival, N., Askew, D., Fagan, R., & Tsey, K. (2019). Continuous Quality Improvement and Comprehensive Primary Health Care: A Systems Framework to Improve Service Quality and Health Outcomes. Frontiers in public health, 6, 76. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00076

Tsai, C. H., Eghdam, A., Davoody, N., Wright, G., Flowerday, S., & Koch, S. (2020). Effects of Electronic Health Record Implementation and Barriers to Adoption and Use: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Analysis of the Content. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 10(12), 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/life10120327 Continuous Quality Improvement In Healthcare Discussion