When General Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization suggested making 2020 the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, he described nurses as the “bridge to healthcare,” linking families, communities, and complex healthcare systems. In the mid-1800s, Florence Nightingale constructed such a bridge as she cared for British soldiers during the Crimean War. She inquired about environments that contributed to patient betterment, collected data to encourage innovation, spurred education, and kept the patient in the center all that nurses do for patients. Today, the role of nurses in improving patient quality and safety is ongoing.
For this Assignment, find a current article published within the last five years on how a nurse-led improvement or research project has enhanced patient safety and quality in a health care setting. (See attached PDF Document)
Nurse-led projects may be related to infections and complications; patient-centered care and engagement; teamwork, communication, and care transitions; health information technology; health care value; safety and quality measures; systems engineering; and healthcare worker performance; and etcetera. Health care setting examples include acute care hospitals; rehabilitation centers; schools; correctional institutions; nursing homes; specialized outpatient services.
Instructions
· Evaluate how this project has the potential to improve quality and safety for patients.
· What are at least two insights you gained from this project that enhance your personal professional goals?
Full Answer Section
This article describes a nurse-led quality improvement project that was implemented to reduce CAUTIs in the ICU. The project involved a multifaceted approach that included:
- Education for nurses and other staff on the prevention of CAUTIs
- Implementation of a new catheter care protocol
- Monitoring of CAUTI rates
The project was successful in reducing CAUTI rates by 50%. This improvement was sustained over a period of 12 months.
Evaluation:
This project has the potential to improve quality and safety for patients in the ICU by reducing the risk of CAUTIs. CAUTIs are a serious complication of care that can lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. By reducing CAUTI rates, this project has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care.
Insights:
There are two insights that I gained from this project that enhance my personal professional goals. First, I learned the importance of nurse-led quality improvement projects. Nurses are uniquely positioned to identify and address patient safety issues. By taking a leadership role in quality improvement, nurses can make a significant impact on the safety and quality of care.
Second, I learned the importance of education and communication in preventing CAUTIs. Nurses play a critical role in educating patients and staff about the prevention of CAUTIs. By providing clear and concise instructions, nurses can help to ensure that patients and staff are following the proper procedures for catheter care.
I believe that these insights will be valuable as I continue to work in the field of nursing. I am committed to improving the quality and safety of care for my patients, and I believe that nurse-led quality improvement projects are a valuable tool for achieving this goal.
I hope this helps!