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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