Sunday, January 17, 2016

Quality Improvement


1-      What did I expect to learn about this topic before beginning the unit? I really didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to review what quality improvement is and how that can be achieved.  I also wanted to have a better understand of how I can personally apply it in my career as a nurse and how I can be involved.
2-      What I actually learned: Quality has developed/evolved overtime. Continuous quality improvement is necessary in healthcare. Poor quality care results in greater costs to patients not only monetarily but possible their health or even their life. So quality improvement, from my understanding and what was explained to me, is basically the science of process management. There are many different processes that take place in the realm of quality improvement. A few aspects of quality that made an impact on me are: quality is meeting the customer’s expectations and we should always do the right things and make sure we are doing them right. Quality is especially important in healthcare because good quality helps decrease incidences of healthcare acquired infections (HAIs). Deming’s 14 points were interesting and good things to think about. I feel that IHC has successfully followed some of these such as continuous improvement, training on the job, leadership, constancy of purpose (their mission and values), don’t be dependent on inspection to achieve good quality, drive out fear, break down barriers between departments,  vigorous continuing education, accomplish transformation by encouraging every employee to participate. I have been able to see many of these in action. While these are important things to think about, I remember in a video that they said not to get so caught up in these “catchphrases.” It’s so true! I feel like these phrases I mentioned are obvious things a facility can do to maintain that good quality. They are important but the point of the video was to remind us to think about it. As a nurse I really need to stop and think about everything and anything I am doing. That is also part of good quality healthcare.
3-      My feelings/experiences from the individual and team activities: The reading from the book was difficult and long to get through. I enjoyed the shorter videos and feel that I learned the most from those and that content really made the most sense.  Deming’s models were interesting to learn about and I feel that I can apply that to my thinking and problem solving. I also really enjoyed the M & M activity and the discussion I had with my team. We all had very similar ideas about what quality is and why it is important in healthcare. Discussions are always great! J
4-      How I will use this information in my nursing practice: I feel that I have really gained a new perspective on what quality is and how to deliver good quality healthcare. I will always keep this in mind as I am practicing as a nurse. I will apply the skills, concepts, and aspects of quality into my nursing. I also have a better understanding of how IHC functions and how it as a whole demonstrates some of the characteristics/concepts discussed in the videos. Because I have this knowledge and understanding I hope to be a contributing member to the quality improvement of IHC and deliver the best care possible.

5-      Feelings about the material covered: I felt that this material was interesting. I definitely learned some new things and I like that some of the videos required me to think outside of the box in an abstract way or at least think of things I have never thought of before. I remember learning about quality improvement during my 4th semester and I realize it was very basic compared to what content was covered this past week and the concepts that were introduced. I felt it was a success. 

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