ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND PROMOTING SAFETY AND QUALITY

Introduction

The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have developed specific criteria that have significantly impacted the attention paid to clinical results, the safety of patients, and the quality of treatment. Implementing these standards has led to improved healthcare operations and a subsequent drop in the number of negative incidences known as Never Events. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) that are acquired in hospitals is one of the never events that CMS and TJC should aim at battling.

How has the emphasis on quality of care, patient safety, and clinical care outcomes been impacted by specific standards emanating from TJC and/or CMS? Cite your selected core measure or Never Event in your response.

Infections acquired in hospitals, often known as HAIs (Healthcare-associated infections), are one type of core measure or Never Event (Padula et al., 2020). To prevent and eliminate HAIs, the TJC and CMS have set standards and recommendations that strongly emphasise good hand hygiene, infection control procedures, and the appropriate use of antibiotics. By following these rules, healthcare facilities may better protect their patients against HAIs and reduce the number of times they experience them (Padula et al., 2020).

What is the impact of the nurse’s role in clinical outcomes for the organization?

It is absolutely necessary for the organization to have the participation of the nurse in order for it to accomplish effective clinical results. Nurses are the first line of defence in patient care; they maintain strong relationships with patients and are responsible for carrying out interventions. They are necessary for ensuring patients’ well-being, delivering care founded on evidence, and keeping tabs on the state of patients’ health. In addition, they act as a leader on the front lines in delivering high-quality care and preventing accidents. (Crespi et al., 2021) The nurses invest a significant amount of time in instructing the patients on how to protect themselves from developing pressure ulcers and nosocomial infections. The nurses will ensure that both the patients and their family are informed about the progression of the sickness and the treatment plan (McDowell & McComb, 2014). The nurses work together with the interdisciplinary team to ensure that they are keeping accurate records of errors and are aware of the regulations pertaining to patient treatment. The fact that nurses fulfil these tasks and provide patients with care of a high standard impacts the outcomes of clinical investigations. The knowledge and actions of nurses have a significant influence not only on the clinical results but also on the overall level of care.

Discuss nurse-specific challenges in influencing change in quality improvement.

However, for nurses to be able to affect quality improvement, they will need to overcome several challenges. These challenges come in the form of organizational roadblocks, resistance to change, an absence of resources or support, and time constraints, among other things. It is imperative that all healthcare team members work together, have open lines of communication, and actively participate in any quality improvement initiatives to be implemented. As a result of the expansion of the healthcare business, there has also been an increase in patient demand (Forster et al., 2012). As a direct consequence, the nurses’ workload has increased. It is becoming increasingly challenging for nurses to meet the needs of their patients as a direct result of the rising volume of their job. In order for nurses to actively contribute to programs aimed at improving quality, they must first effectively navigate the challenges presented here.

How does this influence the ability of the organization to achieve its strategic agenda?

The extent to which the nurse can exert an effect on the organisation’s quality improvement efforts has a direct bearing on its capability of implementing its strategic plan. Because nurses are involved in and actively participating in quality improvement initiatives, patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and healthcare expenditures all improve, rise, and drop, respectively. By aligning themselves with the strategic agenda of the business, nurses may help drive forward good change and contribute to the achievement of the organization’s overarching objectives. Besides, most healthcare companies have established roles and departments devoted to enhancing quality (McDowell & McComb, 2014). People who evaluate the quality of patient care provided by these departments in comparison to the standards established by CMS and look for chances for improvement are present. It is also necessary to make a determined effort to eliminate never occurrences in the healthcare industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the emphasis placed on quality of care, patient safety, and clinical outcomes has been significantly impacted by particular requirements from the TJC and CMS. Through their involvement in patient care, adherence to standards, and involvement in quality improvement activities, nurses play a significant role in accomplishing these outcomes. Despite obstacles, nurses have the power to promote good change and advance the strategic goals of the organization.

References

Crespi, Z., Ismail, A., Awad, M. E., Hasan, A. I., Irfan, F. B., Jaffar, M., … & Saleh, K. J. (2021).             Hospital-Acquired Conditions: A Review of Classical and Novel Risk Factors Following Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties. JBJS reviews, 9(7), e20.

Forster, A.J., Dervin, G., Martin, C. & Papp, S. (2012). Improving patient safety through the        systematic evaluation of patient outcomesLinks to an external site.. Canadian Journal of        Surgery, 55(6), 419-425.  http://doi.org/10.1503/cjs.007811

McDowell, D. S. & McComb, S.A. (2014). Safety checklist briefings: A systematic review of the             literatureLinks to an external site.. Association of PerOperative Registered Nurses             Journal, 99(1), 125-137. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.orn.2013.11.015

Padula, W. V., Black, J. M., Davidson, P. M., Kang, S. Y., & Pronovost, P. J. (2020). Adverse     effects of the Medicare PSI-90 hospital penalty system on revenue-neutral hospital-        acquired conditions. Journal of patient safety, 16(2), e97-e102.

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ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND PROMOTING SAFETY AND QUALITY

Paper details

Health care organizations have developed strategic agendas to help meet these standards and reduce the incidence of Never Events. Nurses significantly influence the overall quality of health care provided and play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes.

For this Discussion, you will consider the standards that are in place for nurses and how they can be used to improve quality of care.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the information at the Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services websites on the core measures and standards presented in the Required Readings.
• Consider the nurse’s role in supporting the organization’s strategic agenda as it relates to improving clinical outcomes.
• Conduct an Internet search for either a Never Event or a core measure and select one to address in your post.

Respond to the following:

• How has the emphasis on quality of care, patient safety, and clinical care outcomes been impacted by specific standards emanating from TJC and/or CMS? Cite your selected core measure or Never Event in your response.
• What is the impact of the nurse’s role in clinical outcomes for the organization?
• Discuss nurse-specific challenges in influencing change in quality improvement.
• How does this influence the ability of the organization to achieve its strategic agenda?

Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.