The meta-analysis of eight studies of inpatient deaths, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, puts the number of preventable deaths at just over 22,000 a year in the United States, instead of the oft-cited 44,000-98,000 estimate of a landmark 1999 study by the Institute of Medicine. Other frequently cited studies have placed the number of deaths as high as 250,000 deaths per year, which would make medical error the third leading cause of death, behind cancer and cardiovascular disease.

—Hathaway, 2020

These statistics indicate the need for quality improvement as it relates to patient safety. As you have examined throughout this course, error is a part of the human experience; however, when you are a healthcare professional, these errors can often be matters of life or death. What can an organization do to minimize these errors? Why is it important to consider potential errors in the application of quality improvement?

This week, you will examine the application of quality improvement through specific models. You will explore and justify how these models may be used to best address adverse events in nursing practice.

Resource:

Hathaway, B. (2020, January 28). Estimates of preventable hospital deaths are too high, new study shows. YaleNews. https://news.yale.edu/2020/01/28/estimates-preventable-hospital-deaths-are-too-high-new-study-shows

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze quality improvement models
• Analyze adverse events requiring quality improvement
• Justify application of quality improvement models related to adverse events in nursing practice

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Discussion: Quality Improvement Models

• What is the best way to implement quality improvement? What particular strategies and/or models should be used when developing a plan? Throughout the past 7 weeks, you have explored quality improvement in healthcare and nursing practice, and you will continue this exploration by analyzing specific quality improvement models. What models might work best in your nursing practice or healthcare organization?
  Healthcare is complex and varied; therefore, quality improvement cannot be a one-sized fits all approach. To fit the complex and varied needs of an organization, there are multiple strategies and methods to implement quality improvement.

• Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

For this Discussion, select one quality improvement model to explore and analyze. Using the selected model, consider how this model might be implemented in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. Examine the effectiveness of this model and consider how this model might be applied to address impacts to adverse events for nursing practice.

To Prepare:

• Review the Learning Resources for this week, and reflect on the different quality improvement models presented.
• Select one quality improvement model from the following to focus on for this Discussion:
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • A3
  • Lean
  • Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA)
• Reflect on the quality improvement model you selected, and consider how it might be implemented in your healthcare organization or nursing practice.

By Day 3 of Week 8

Post a brief explanation of the quality improvement model you selected, including a description of the components that make up this model. Be specific. Then, explain how this quality improvement model might be implemented in you healthcare organization or nursing practice in response to an adverse event requiring quality improvement. Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 6 of Week 8

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who selected a different quality improvement model than you. Suggest an additional strategy on how your colleague may implement the quality improvement model they selected in their healthcare organization or nursing practice.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 8 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 of Week 8 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 8

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 8 Discussion

What’s Coming Up in Module 5?

• Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

In the next module, you will conclude your exploration of quality improvement. You will explore the methods and tools used to improve patient safety and quality through your exploration of leadership and change. You will also submit your certificate of completion of the IHI Modules required for this course.

Looking Ahead: IHI Modules

• This Assignment requires completion of 13 IHI Open School modules and the completion of the Certificate of Completion at the Basic level. There are 13 modules that you must complete over the course of these 11 weeks.

• Photo Credit: NicoElNino / Adobe Stock

To access the IHI Certificate Program, go to IHI.org and register to create an account. Be sure to enter Walden University as your organization. Under Role, you will select student. Under Organization, you will select school, and under education type, you will select nurse.

Go to the Education tab, and select Open School Courses. Click on Online Courses, and then on Certificates and CEUs. You want to ensure that you are viewing the Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety. Click on Earn Your Certificate Today, and you should be in your student dashboard to begin completing the IHI modules. You will want to click on Go to your Learning Center. On the left-side navigation menu, you will want to Search Catalog to search for—and enroll in—each of the 13 modules required for this certificate.

You will earn contact hours for each module, and once all 13 are completed, you will download the certificate of achievement. Please save this certificate. You will be required to upload this to gradebook in evidence of your completion.

You must complete all IHI modules and submit your certificate by Day 2 of Week 11.

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