Quality Improvement Initiative Development

Wk 4: Quality Improvement Initiative Development
Homework Content

Nurse leaders understand that quality improvement is driven by how the organization performs against established standards based on national trends and organizational benchmarks.

This week, you will (1) review the organizational data supporting your chosen QI problem from wk 2 and (2) consult the nursing literature for an evidence-based solution that solves the problem by eliminating its cause(s).

PROBLEM: Catheter-associated UTI ( see week 2 paper for reference)

Step 1: Collect Data to Verify the Cause
Define the data needed to test your possible theories of causes.

In Week 2, you identified data that would substantiate the existence of the problem. You also identified regulatory agencies that would drive the need for improvement on the selected problem. (Refer to week 2 paper)

Those agencies may have quality measures regarding your selected problem that have already been tested and established.
These quality measures will tell you what data needs to be collected regarding your quality issue. The collection and interpretation of data will either prove a hypothesis or disprove it.
If possible, use existing data, but if not, determine what will be collected, how it will be collected, and by whom.

Collect appropriate data needed to analyze the problem and to establish the severity of the problem compared to established benchmarks or quality indicators.

After you’ve collected the data, use data analysis tool (e.g., bar charts, run charts, pareto diagrams) to display and analyze the data to draw conclusions of the root cause. Data analysis tools help to reveal disparities, patterns, and trends. Visit the Graphical Analysis section of the CIToolkit to learn more about analyzing data.

Write 600 words to present your data analysis
and summarize your analysis of the data. Include the following:
1- An explanation of data collected to identify the problem
2- Your investigation of the possible causes
3- Explain the data analysis tool that you used to determine the cause of the problem–with a visual such as bar chart, graph to display data– as noted above
4- Your determination of the cause of the problem

Step 2: Consult the Literature
Now that you have identified the root cause of the problem based on data analysis, it’s time to determine an appropriate solution. A good place to start is by considering solutions others have tried when they had similar problems or situations with a similar root cause.
Examine these problems and solutions closely to see what led to success or failure. In the literature review you conducted in this week’s discussion, you had the opportunity to delve into others’ research and collect information about possible solutions.

Write a 600 word summary of the literature you selected as a result of this week’s discussion. This must include at least 2 articles from scholarly nursing journals (10 points each on the Rubric)– use our library or a professional nursing organization website. Let faculty know by Thursday if you need assistance** we are studying the discipline of nursing -its important to learn how other RNs across the country have dealt with a similar QI problem. Lots to learn from other RNs !

Address the following in your literature summary:
1-Discuss how each article is applicable to the evidence-based solutions for the root cause of the problem.
2-Determine 1 evidence-based solution supported by your literature review. 3-Explain the solution and your rationale for selecting it.
Identify and rationalize the measures you will use to determine initiative improvement and success.

For example, if the issue you are addressing is falls, is there a benchmark your organization should be achieving?
What is the benchmark?
How is it calculated?
Are there quality measures for falls?
This might be the measure you will use to determine success.

Cite 3 peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your assignment, 2 of which must be from scholarly nursing journals. If you need help, ASK faculty by Thursday* See articles posted in class (Course Questions Room). Use PRN.

Format your references according to APA guidelines.

Submit your (1) data analysis presentation & (2) literature summary.

***Files included university library articles