Quality Applications: Benchmarking

 1. What did I expect to learn about this topic before beginning the unit?

I have to be honest and say that I really had no idea what to expect with this unit. The term "benchmarking," especially when related to healthcare was foreign to me. I guess I got the idea from looking over the objectives but I really had no expectations and was completely curious.

2.      What I actually learned:

Benchmarking was somewhat of a foreign idea to me at first but through reading and some research I realized that essentially it is a way for hospitals to create goals and targets and compare results with other hospitals. Not having a benchmark is a big deal…it’s like not having a goal in mind or anything to work toward. I think that these benchmarks are a way for the public to see how well a hospital is doing with certain aspects and decide if that is where they would like to receive their care. Benchmarks can be very beneficial to hospitals if created, used correctly, and actually met.  This goes along with the balanced scorecards of hospitals. I think it is important for those scores to reflect many different aspects and come together to show/prove that a hospital is successful and the main outcome/goal should be patient centered.

In the case study this week , I was reminded of the importance of proper catheter care for patient safety. I’m happy to say that through my research I realized the way we do it on my floor is correct and the most recommended. I think it is so important to research these things and make sure there is evidence based practice out there supporting a certain care. At the hospital we can use the CPGs for basically anything and those will provide the proper protocol.

Electronic health records can save lives!!! I was reminded of the importance and the responsibility I have to utilize the computer charting system to read about the histories of my patients to ensure proper continuity of care as well as safe medication administration. 

3.      My feelings/experiences from the individual and team activities:

The discussion this week was very difficult for me. I think the main reason was because I was not understanding the questions being asked and I was still trying to grasp the concept of benchmarking. After reading the posts of my teamates, I think I mostly understood what it meant but we all had somewhat different ideas. The critical thinking assignment about the score cards was also new and different. I liked looking those up and seeing the different variations of what is included and think I found a great one that really focuses on patient outcomes. The case study about the catheter care was a good reminder as well and I realized how it sort of ties in with the benchmarking. 

4.      How I will utilize the information learned in my nursing practice:

I think this information is helpful because now I realize the goals that are set for the hospital I work for or even goals on my unit specifically are all essentially contributing to that benchmark and comparison to other hospitals around the state and nation. I feel lucky to participate in these targets and goals and hope I have a positive influence. It is a good reminder to me to always practice safely and uphold the guidelines and evidence based practice that is in place because those were created as a result of benchmarks/goals met/not met. 

5.      My personal feelings about the material covered:

The material this week definitely made me think outside the box and it was abstract in many ways. I think I understand what it all means and how it ties together but I still can't say for sure. I like being challenged and understand that this is a high level class so some weeks like this is expected. I could have benefitted from some clarification or more guidance on this topic as well.