Quality Improvement Initiative

Full Answer Section

Intervention:

• A multidisciplinary team, including nurses, physicians, social workers, and case managers, developed a comprehensive discharge plan for heart failure patients.
• Nurses played a key role in patient education, teaching them about medication adherence, signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure, and the importance of follow-up appointments.
• Nurses also conducted phone consultations after discharge to assess patients' progress and address any concerns.

Outcome:

• After six months, hospital readmission rates for heart failure patients decreased by 18%, exceeding the project goal.
• Patient satisfaction scores regarding discharge education and post-discharge support also improved.

Sustainability:

• The comprehensive discharge plan and patient education materials were incorporated into standard practice for heart failure patients.
• Nursing staff received ongoing training to ensure continued effective communication and patient education.
• The multidisciplinary team continues to monitor readmission rates and make adjustments to the program as needed.

Note: This is just an example. You can replace the details with a specific initiative from your own experience or research.

Sample Answer

Quality Improvement Initiative: Reducing Hospital Readmissions for Heart Failure Patients

Setting: General cardiac care unit in a large metropolitan hospital.

Problem: Readmission rates for heart failure patients were above the national average.

Goal: Reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients by 15% within six months.