NSG 633 Unit 1: Discussion: Quality Improvement Herzing University sample 1
Please begin by describing why quality improvement is an ongoing process.
Quality improvement within healthcare is an ongoing process that involves systematic efforts to enhance patient care and outcomes. This process encompasses various strategies, including the implementation of best practices, the use of data analytics to identify areas needing improvement, and fostering a culture of continuous feedback among healthcare professionals. By prioritizing quality improvement, healthcare organizations aim to reduce errors, enhance patient safety, and ensure that all patients receive the highest standard of care possible. Ultimately, this commitment to ongoing improvement not only benefits individual patients but also contributes to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the healthcare system as a whole.
Choose a national safety and quality resource and consider a topic from that resource.
National safety and quality resources cover areas like medication safety, which is crucial for ensuring that patients receive the correct medications in the right dosages, thereby minimizing the risk of adverse effects and interactions. These resources provide guidelines and best practices for healthcare professionals to follow, ensuring that they are well-informed about the latest safety protocols and innovations in medication management.
Describe how nurses can use national and government resources in addition to their clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes.
Nurses can utilize various national and government resources, such as guidelines, research studies, and funding programs, in addition to their clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes. By staying informed about the latest evidence-based practices and leveraging available tools, they can enhance their care strategies and implement effective interventions. Collaborating with public health initiatives and accessing educational materials can further empower nurses to address the diverse needs of their patients, ultimately leading to better health results and a more efficient healthcare system (Hajizadeh, A. 2021). Thus, leading to better patient outcomes within the healthcare system.
References
Hajizadeh, A. (2021). Factors influencing nurses participation in the health policy-making process: a systematic review. BMC nursing, 20(1), 128. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00648-6
NSG 633 Unit 1: Discussion: Quality Improvement Herzing University
Instructions
It is anticipated that the initial discussion post should be in the range of 250-300 words. Response posts to peers have no minimum word requirement but must demonstrate topic knowledge and scholarly engagement with peers. Substantive content is imperative for all posts. All discussion prompt elements for the topic must be addressed. Please proofread your response carefully for grammar and spelling. Do not upload any attachments unless specified in the instructions. All posts should be supported by a minimum of one scholarly resource, ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.
GET WRITING HELP HERE
Classroom Participation
Students are expected to address the initial discussion question by Wednesday of each week. Participation in the discussion forum requires a minimum of three (3) substantive postings (this includes your initial post and posting to two peers) on three (3) different days. Substantive means that you add something new to the discussion supported with citation(s) and reference(s), you are not just agreeing. This is also a time to ask questions or offer information surrounding the topic addressed by your peers. Personal experience is appropriate for a substantive discussion, however should be correlated to the literature.
All discussion boards will be evaluated utilizing rubric criterion inclusive of content, analysis, collaboration, writing and APA. If you fail to post an initial discussion or initial discussion is late, you will not receive points for content and analysis, you may however post to your peers for partial credit following the guidelines above.
Initial Response
Instructions:
In this next discussion, please begin by describing why quality improvement is an ongoing process. Then follow these instructions:
Choose a national safety and quality resource and consider a topic from that resource.
Describe how nurses can use national and government resources in addition to their clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes.
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
The post and responses are valued at 40 points. Please review post and response expectations. Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets criteria.
Your initial response is due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm CT.
Estimated time to complete: 2 hours
Peer Response
Instructions:
Please read and respond to at least two of your peers’ initial postings. You may want to consider the following questions in your responses to your peers:
Compare and contrast your initial posting with those of your peers. How are they similar or how are they different?
What information can you add that would help support the responses of your peers?
Ask your peers a question for clarification about their post. What most interests you about their responses?
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
All peer responses are due by Sunday at 11:59 pm CT.
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour
Quality improvement is an ongoing process due to the nature of there being avenues for continued improvement regardless of how successful past or current interventions are. Part of continual quality improvement is evaluating success and being able to appropriately measure such success (O’Donnell & Gupta, 2023). Another reason for this being an ongoing process is the need to answer questions like “how are we doing? and ‘Can we do it better?’” (O’Donnell & Gupta, 2023).
The Joint Commission has a chapter in its patient safety goals centered on rural health. This chapter focuses in on being able to identify patients correctly through standardized processes, appropriate labeling of medications before any and all procedures, improved handwashing standards, and preventing mistakes within the surgical process (Joint Commission, 2025). This is just one of the many chapters that were shared through TJC, but it highlights the ways in which nurses can implement changes to improve the quality of the care that patients receive in these rural areas.
Nurses can use resources like that of The Joint Commission in conjunction with their own expertise to be able to improve patient outcomes through critical thinking and implementation of national goals. Along with this, nurses are at the center of the feedback loop surrounding patient outcomes and patient care. As nurses engage with patients, their expertise on what is needed grows and can be used to support what the national and government resources. Through this support, nurses can effectively implement and then report changes as they occur, which drives the ongoing nature of continued quality improvement.
Joint Commission. (2025).
National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs)
. Jointcommission.org. https://www.jointcommission.org/en-us/standards/national-patient-safety-goals
O’Donnell, B., & Gupta, V. (2023, April 3).
Continuous quality improvement
. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559239/
Expand discussion thread from Tara Darcy
5 Replies, 5 Unread
5 Replies, 5 Unread
Reply to post from Tara Darcy
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
JM
Jami McTague
Jan 7 10:53pm
| Last reply Jan 11 9:20pm
Reply from Jami McTague
Hello everyone. I am particularly excited about this course. In my opinion, quality improvement is an ongoing process because there is never a “good enough”. What I mean by that is in healthcare there is always the ability to find a better, safer, more effective way of doing something. The bar should never stop rising. Our patients are our top priority, and it’s vital that we do everything we can to take care of them to the best of our ability. I view myself as a permanent student, meaning I understand that I will never stop learning. I think it’s important for any healthcare professional to have this mind set. NSG 633 Unit 1: Discussion: Quality Improvement Herzing University
There are many national safety and quality resources available to healthcare professionals, and my choice was the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The topic I chose from that resource is catheter associated urinary tract infections. I found multiple resources within that resource including research, tools, and resources. I found a peer-reviewed journal under the research resource titled
A Program to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Acute Care
(
Saint et al., 2016
). There was study conducted in which educational materials and tool kits were distributed to hospitals and organizations, and then the rates of CAUTI’s were collected at a baseline, 2 months after, and 12 months after. They found that their intervention seemed to reduce the need for catheters and CAUTI’s in non-ICU’s (
Saint et al., 2016
). This is an example of the student mindset. There was education provided to these healthcare professionals in order to improve patient safety and quality improvement.
Resources:
Saint, S., Greene, M.T., Krein, S.L., Rogers, M.A., Ratz, D., Fowler, K.E., Edson, B.S., Watson, S.R., Meyer-Lucas, B., Masuga, M., Faulkner, K., Gould, C.V., Battles, J., & Fakih, M.G. (2016). A Program to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Acute Care.
PubMedCentral.
Expand discussion thread from Jami McTague
6 Replies, 6 Unread
6 Replies, 6 Unread
Reply to post from Jami McTague
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Dawn Sullivan
Jan 7 10:11pm
| Last reply Jan 11 9:27pm
Reply from Dawn Sullivan
A national safety and quality resource is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has guidelines for the management, treatment and prevention of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), which is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. One of those practices is the use of corticosteroids, a topic mentioned by the CDC and in recent research, such as a systematic review by Cheema et al. (2024), which analyzes the effectiveness and safety of corticosteroids in various clinical trials. By using these resources, nurses can make sure that their clinical practices match up with the latest scientific evidence and national standards.
Nurses play an important role in improving patient outcomes by using national and government resources in their clinical practice. By educating themselves on CDC guidelines and similar government and national recommendations, nurses can work with other healthcare professionals to use best practices, such as utilizing corticosteroids when appropriate, monitoring for potential reactions, and educating patients and their families about treatment and possible outcomes. Nurses can use resources like risk stratification tools and health promotion strategies as described by Severson et al. (2014) to identify patients at risk for hospitalization due to CAP and use interventions to reduce those risks. Through education, advocacy, and patient-centered care, nurses help bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, making sure that care is not only evidence-based but also personalized to the needs of the patient as an individual. This resource-informed approach leads to better health outcomes and reduced rates of complications and hospitalizations.
Cheema, H. A., Musheer, A., Ejaz, A., Paracha, A. A., Shahid, A., Rehman, M. E. U., Hermis, A. H., Singh, H., Duric, N., Ahmad, F., Ahmad, S., Torres, A., & Szakmany, T. (2024). Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Journal of Critical Care, 80
, 154507. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883944123002563
Severson, C., Renstrom, C., & Fitzhugh, M. (2014). Health promotion, risk stratification, and treatment options to decrease hospitalization rates for community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 26(10), 537–549. https://doi.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12072
Expand discussion thread from Dawn Sullivan
2 Replies
2 Replies
Reply to post from Dawn Sullivan
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
DA
Desteny Anderson
Jan 7 9:17pm
| Last reply Jan 11 3:49pm
Reply from Desteny Anderson
Quality Improvement
Quality improvement (QI) is an ongoing process because healthcare environments, patient needs, and evidence based practices are constantly evolving. As new research emerges, technologies advance, and patient populations change, healthcare organizations must continually evaluate and refine processes to maintain safety, effectiveness, and high quality care. Rather than being a one time initiative, quality improvement relies on continuous monitoring, feedback, and adjustment to reduce errors, improve outcomes, and enhance patient experiences.
A key national safety and quality resource is the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ). One important topic emphasized by AHRQ is medication safety, particularly the prevention of medication errors. Medication errors remain a significant cause of patient harm, making this an essential focus area for nursing practice. AHRQ provides evidence based tools, safety guidelines, and educational resources designed to help healthcare professionals identify risks and implement safer medication practices.
Nurses play a vital role in quality improvement by combining clinical expertise with national and government resources. By using tools such as AHRQ’s medication safety protocols, checklists, and root cause analysis frameworks, nurses can identify system-level issues that contribute to errors and advocate for process improvements. For example, nurses can apply standardized medication administration practices, participate in safety huddles, and report near misses to support organizational learning. These actions, supported by national guidelines, help reduce variability in care and improve patient outcomes.
In addition, nurses contribute to quality improvement through data collection, patient education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. When nurses align their clinical judgment with nationally recognized safety standards, they help create a culture of safety and accountability. Overall, integrating national quality resources with bedside nursing practice strengthens patient safety initiatives and supports continuous improvement in healthcare delivery.
References
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2023).
Medication safety
.
Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2022).
Leading and managing in nursing
(8th ed.). Elsevier.
Expand discussion thread from Desteny Anderson
2 Replies
2 Replies
Reply to post from Desteny Anderson
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Renae Daniels
Jan 7 9:10pm
| Last reply Jan 10 12:16pm
Reply from Renae Daniels
Quality Improvement and National Safety Resources
Quality improvement (QI) is a continuous process because healthcare is constantly evolving. Advances in research, technology, and emerging patient safety concerns require healthcare providers to regularly evaluate and improve how care is delivered. Ongoing QI efforts are essential for reducing errors, improving patient safety, and enhancing patient outcomes over time (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2001).
A key national resource that supports QI initiatives is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). AHRQ focuses on improving the safety and quality of healthcare through evidence-based tools and research. One important area addressed by AHRQ is the prevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). HAIs pose serious risks to patients, increase hospital stays, and contribute to higher healthcare costs, making prevention a major priority across healthcare settings (AHRQ, 2022).
Nurses play a critical role in quality improvement by applying national safety guidelines and integrating evidence-based practices into daily care. Resources from organizations such as AHRQ and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide nurses with guidance on infection prevention strategies, including proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to standardized care protocols. Nurses also contribute by educating patients and families about infection prevention and safety practices.
Evidence shows that implementing evidence-based infection prevention interventions significantly reduces infection rates and improves patient safety outcomes (Storr et al., 2017). By actively participating in QI initiatives and utilizing national safety resources, nurses help promote consistent, high-quality care. Overall, the use of national safety and quality resources supports safer healthcare environments and leads to improved patient outcomes.
References:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2022). Patient safety and quality improvement. https://www.ahrq.gov
Institute of Medicine. (2001). Crossing the quality chasm: A new health system for the 21st century. National Academies Press.
Storr, J., Twyman, A., Zingg, W., Damani, N., Kilpatrick, C., Reilly, J., & Allegranzi, B. (2017). Core components for effective infection prevention and control programmes. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 6(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-016-0149-9
Expand discussion thread from Renae Daniels
2 Replies
2 Replies
Reply to post from Renae Daniels
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Phoebe Tateronis
Jan 7 8:20pm
| Last reply Jan 11 8:08pm
Reply from Phoebe Tateronis
Quality improvement is ongoing process as healthcare is always changing. New evidence, patient needs, as wsell as safety standards constantly emerge, so organizations must continuously evaluate and refine their practices. Without ongoing improvement, care quickly becomes outdated and less effective.
A helpful national resource is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). One major topic AHRQ focuses on is preventing hospital‑acquired infections. Their evidence-based toolkits and guidelines give nurses practical steps to reduce risks such as poor hand hygiene or improper catheter care.
Nurses can use these national resources alongside their clinical expertise to improve outcomes. AHRQ and CMS provide data that help nurses compare their unit’s performance to national benchmarks, identify gaps, as well as to guide improvement efforts. Nurses can also apply their own judgment to tailor these guidelines to individual patient needs. By combining these national standards with real‑world clinical insight, nurses help reduce preventable harm as well as strengthen patient safety.
References Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.).
https://www.ahrq.gov
Expand discussion thread from Phoebe Tateronis
4 Replies, 4 Unread
4 Replies, 4 Unread
Reply to post from Phoebe Tateronis
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
TP
Tess Perkins
Jan 7 5:51pm
| Last reply Jan 7 9:20pm
Reply from Tess Perkins
Tess Perkins
Unit 1 Discussion
NSG633
1/7/26
Quality improvement (QI) is a continuous effort since healthcare is ever-changing. New research, developing technologies, patient populations, and safety data all suggest potential areas for improvement. (Comfere et, al. 2020) What works today may not be the greatest practice tomorrow, thus quality improvement necessitates ongoing evaluation, feedback, and adjustment to ensure that patient treatment is safe, effective, and evidence-based. Errors, near-misses, and result data also provide continual learning opportunities, reinforcing the notion that quality and safety are never “completed,” but rather necessitate continuous attention and improvement.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is an important national source of safety and quality information. AHRQ’s mission is to improve patient safety, reduce medical errors, and improve healthcare quality. AHRQ focuses on patient safety culture, which stresses teamwork, communication, and systems-based approaches to harm prevention. (AHQR, 2024) AHRQ’s Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture assists institutions in assessing staff views of safety, identifying shortcomings, and guiding targeted improvement efforts.
Nurses can improve patient outcomes in a variety of ways by combining their clinical skills with national and federal resources such as AHRQ. National guidelines and evidence-based tools, like as checklists, safety bundles, and communication frameworks, offer nurses with standardized best practices to use at the bedside. For example, AHRQ’s TeamSTEPPS program assists nurses in improving communication and collaboration, which directly minimizes errors associated with handoffs and miscommunication. (Battles et. al, 2021) Nurses can also utilize these tools to advocate for system-wide changes, such as policy revisions or staff training, by basing their suggestions on nationally recognized research. NSG 633 Unit 1: Discussion: Quality Improvement Herzing University
Nurses play an important role in putting quality improvement programs into practice by combining hands-on clinical judgment with data, research, and direction from national safety groups. This integration ensures that care is not only compassionate and patient-centered, but also consistently safe, measurable, and in line with national standards.
Cited Sources:
AHRQ. (2024).
Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality
. Ahrq.gov; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. https://www.ahrq.gov/
King, H. B., Battles, J., Baker, D. P., Alonso, A., Salas, E., Webster, J., Toomey, L., & Salisbury, M. (2021).
TeamSTEPPS
TM
: Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety
. Nih.gov; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK43686/
Comfere, N. I., Matulis, J. C., & O’Horo, J. C. (2020). Quality improvement and healthcare: The mayo clinic quality academy experience.
Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases
,
20
(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jctube.2020.100170
Expand discussion thread from Tess Perkins
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Tess Perkins
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
AA
Anthony Adelakun
Jan 7 3:34pm
| Last reply Jan 11 11:43pm
Reply from Anthony Adelakun
Expand discussion thread from Anthony Adelakun
2 Replies, 2 Unread
2 Replies, 2 Unread
Reply to post from Anthony Adelakun
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
MA
Maya Ahmad
Jan 7 3:08pm
| Last reply Jan 8 9:02pm
Reply from Maya Ahmad
Maya Ahmad
Safety and Quality
Discussion #1: Quality Improvement
Dr. Hayden
Quality improvement is an ongoing process because the healthcare system is always evolving and adapting to the needs of patients. The medical field is always improving in the aspects of safety and patient care. “
The goal of CQI may include improvement of operations, outcomes, systems processes, improved work environment, or regulatory compliance” (O’Donnell, 2023).
A national safety and quality resource is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). A key topic AHRQ gives attention to is preventing hospital acquired infections mainly due to poor hand hygiene. These are a major concern in the hospital environment because of the harm it can cause to patients, the extended hospital stays, and the increase in hospital costs. “The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the National Quality Forum, the Joint Commission, and many other national organizations endorse the use of valid and reliable measures of quality and patient safety to improve health care” (Hughes, 2008). Nurses can use national and government resources from organizations such as AHRQ to help treat and improve the health of their patients. Evidence-based practice along with their own clinical judgement can help nurses provide more effective care to their patients. These resources can direct nurses to better implement preventative interventions and patient safety protocols in a patient treatment course.
Quality improvement will continue to be an ongoing process since healthcare demands are always changing and requiring updates in the healthcare system. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality along with other resources help guide nurses to improve the quality of patient care and improve the healthcare organization as a whole.
References
O’Donnell B, Gupta V. Continuous Quality Improvement. [Updated 2023 Apr 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559239/
Links to an external site.
Hughes RG. Tools and Strategies for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. In: Hughes RG, editor. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Apr. Chapter 44. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2682/
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from Maya Ahmad
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Maya Ahmad
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Matthew Baldwin
Jan 7 2:49pm
| Last reply Jan 11 7:47pm
Reply from Matthew Baldwin
In this next discussion, please begin by describing why quality improvement is an ongoing process.
Quality improvement (QI) is an essential component in nursing. “As a consistent 24-hour presence in hospitals, nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and safety (Q&S) of patient care” (Patrician, 2024). This systematic approach ensures the highest care and safety for patients, and there is always room for improvement and learning.
QI is an ongoing process because with every patient encounter, information and statistics are being recorded, which helps hospitals improve future patient outcomes. For example, if an error or near miss occurs, nursing staff can learn from this incident in the future. Hospitals and nurses continually adapt to patient outcomes and strive to improve them.
Choose a national safety and quality resource and consider a topic from that resource.
One national safety and quality resource I found is the Nursing Alliance for Quality Care (NAQC), which is managed by the American Nurses Association. According to the American Nurses Association, the NAQC “has become the ‘go to’ organization in the field for advancing high-quality, patient-centered health care. The NAQC is continuously working to achieve quality and safety for all patients” (ANA, 2019).
A topic of discussion from the NAQC describes the importance of fostering successful patient and family engagement. “It believes that (1) the active engagement of patients, families, and others is essential to improving quality and reducing medical errors and harm to patients; and that (2) nurses at all levels of education and across all health care settings must play a central role in fostering successful patient and family engagement” (Sofaer, 2013). After reading this article, it is clear that engaging with the patient and their family is imperative in the care and treatment process. Clear communication between the patient and their family helps establish a rapport, making them feel more comfortable, which in turn aids in the assessment.
Describe how nurses can use national and government resources in addition to their clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes.
Nurses can utilize national and government resources in conjunction with their clinical expertise and experience to enhance patient outcomes. They achieve this by utilizing quality improvement and continuing education to enhance their knowledge and skills on a daily basis. National and government studies and research are often conducted, and clinical guidelines are refined and improved to enhance patient experience and outcomes. They also rely upon their experience and expertise gained from nursing school and patient contacts to help their patients.
References
Patrician, P. A., Campbell, C. M., Javed, M., Williams, K. M., Foots, L., Hamilton, W. M., House, S., & Swiger, P. A. (2024). Quality and Safety in Nursing: Recommendations From a Systematic Review.
Journal for healthcare quality: official publication of the National Association for Healthcare Quality
,
46
(4), 203–219.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JHQ.0000000000000430
Links to an external site.
Quality improvement
. (2022, March). Johns Hopkins Center for Nursing Inquiry.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/nursing/center-nursing-inquiry/nursing-inquiry/quality-improvement
Links to an external site.
Sofaer, S., & Schumann, M. J. (2013). Patient Engagement: a white paper. In Nursing Alliance for Quality Care,
Nursing Alliance for Quality Care
. https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/naqc/naqc_patientengagementwhitepaper.pdf
Welcome to Nursing Alliance for Quality Care – NAQC | ANA
. (2019, October 18). ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/naqc/
Expand discussion thread from Matthew Baldwin
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Matthew Baldwin
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
JS
Jessup Schiks
Jan 7 2:07pm
| Last reply Jan 10 10:23pm
Reply from Jessup Schiks
Continuously improving quality of care is an ongoing process in healthcare that improves the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals, as well as for the patients they serve. The field of healthcare is continuously changing through new research, new illnesses, and new needs from patients. Even if the quality of care appears to be good, quality improvement identifies opportunities for care to be delivered in a safer, more effective manner or in a more efficient way. Quality improvement also promotes healthcare professionals to continually learn and improve their practices over time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is one example of a national organization that supports quality improvement through safe and high-quality care, particularly through the prevention of healthcare associated infections. Infections acquired in healthcare facilities can result in extended hospitalization, prolonged recovery times, and an increased risk of developing complications. However, many of these infections could be prevented using established evidence-based practices.
In recent years, the need for CDC resources has become apparent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC provided guidance for healthcare providers throughout the country. Many healthcare workers were reminded of the role of the CDC during both routine care and mass casualty events.
Another benefit of the CDC is the manner in which the information is presented. The guidelines are written clearly and concisely allowing healthcare providers to access the information needed quickly, without having to read lengthy scientific documents. The resources developed by the CDC are used by nurses to make decisions regarding the delivery of care, educating patients and reinforcing the implementation of safe practices among the healthcare team.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Guidelines for Infection Prevention in Healthcare Settings. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines
Expand discussion thread from Jessup Schiks
6 Replies, 6 Unread
6 Replies, 6 Unread
Reply to post from Jessup Schiks
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Ayla Rose Marisa Yarbrough
(She/Her)
Jan 7 1:49pm
| Last reply Jan 11 11:51pm
Reply from Ayla Rose Marisa Yarbrough
My apologies if this is redundant, but I am posting here as well as attaching my response. I couldn’t find the preferred document naming in the rubric and wanted to eliminate confusion.
Quality improvement is an ongoing process in healthcare because patients’ needs, clinical evidence, and system-level risks are constantly evolving. As care environments grow more complex, organizations must continuously evaluate outcomes, identify safety gaps, and adjust practices to protect patients. Quality improvement isn’t a one-time initiative but a continuous effort to reduce harm and improve outcomes over time (Yoder-Wise & Sportsman, 2023).
One national safety and quality resource that supports this ongoing process is The Joint Commission (TJC). TJC establishes National Patient Safety Goals each year based on emerging safety risks. One key goal for hospitals is reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which remain a significant cause of patient harm and increased healthcare use (Yoder-Wise & Sportsman, 2023).
Nurses play a critical role in reducing HAIs by integrating national safety standards with clinical expertise at the bedside. The Joint Commission emphasizes evidence-based practices such as hand hygiene, aseptic technique, proper use of personal protective equipment, and adhering to isolation precautions. Nurses apply these guidelines through daily clinical judgment by assessing patient risk factors, monitoring for early signs of infection, and ensuring safe management of invasive devices. Furthermore, nurses use national safety resources to educate patients and families, advocate for timely device removal, and participate in quality improvement efforts. From a leadership perspective, The Joint Commission’s use of unannounced accreditation visits and annual patient safety goals reinforces continuous readiness and highlights the nurse’s role in sustaining infection prevention as part of everyday practice (The Joint Commission, 2021).
References
The Joint Commission. (2021).
National patient safety goals for hospitals
. https://www.jointcommission.org
Yoder-Wise, P. S., & Sportsman, S. (2023). Quality and safety. In
Leading and managing in nursing
(8th ed.). Elsevier.
Unit 1 Discussion_Quality Improvement.docx
Expand discussion thread from Ayla Rose Marisa Yarbrough
2 Replies, 2 Unread
2 Replies, 2 Unread
Reply to post from Ayla Rose Marisa Yarbrough
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
L
LarissaAlexander
Jan 7 1:16pm
| Last reply Jan 7 2:17pm
Reply from LarissaAlexander
Quality improvement will always be an ongoing process because of new diseases and sickness, evolving patient needs, and consistently updated technology. Clinical practices change as well as contribute to the fact that healthcare is a constantly changing and updating environment to ensure that we are providing the best care according to the patient’s needs. Models such as the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle support this ongoing approach by encouraging small, incremental changes that can be tested and adjusted based on outcomes (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2023). As all these changes are made, it is important to ensure that all healthcare treatments are safe, effective, and efficient for patient care.
One valuable national safety and quality resource is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This national agency focuses on improving the safety and quality of healthcare by offering evidence-based guidelines, toolkits, and data reports. A topic discussed by this agency is the prevention of hospital-acquired infections (AHRQ, 2022). Nurses can use national and government resources in addition to their clinical experience to improve patient outcomes by intergrating these ideas in their clinical pratice. They use the provided data and research to determine if incorporating these recommend changes can improve patient outcomes. They also can present the research and evidence to the your direct supervisor and recommend that we include their facilities protocol.
References:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2022).
Toolkit for reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections
. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
https://www.ahrq.gov/
Links to an external site.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2023).
Science of improvement: How to improve
.
https://www.ihi.org/
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from LarissaAlexander
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from LarissaAlexander
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
IG
Isabel Gautier
Jan 7 12:22pm
| Last reply Jan 11 9:37pm
Reply from Isabel Gautier
Discussion: Quality Improvement
Isabel Gautier
Herzing University
NSG633: Safety & Quality
Dr. Teri Hayden
January 07, 2026
Discussion: Quality Improvement
National safety & quality
Established under the auspices of the American Nurses Association (ANA) in April 2013, the Nursing Alliance for Quality Care (NAQC) has emerged as the primary organization for promoting high-quality, patient-centric healthcare. Its mission remains steadfast: to achieve quality and safety for all patients.
The NAQC and QSEN Institute’s Practice Strategies Repository houses nurse-led and innovative solutions to ongoing patient quality and safety concerns. This repository, a peer-reviewed practice strategy submission process, mirrors the QSEN Teaching Strategies repository. This initiative aligns QSEN competencies, which are essential for patient-centered care, teamwork, collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics, with nursing education. The project’s objective is to enhance this alignment.
National & government
Nurses frequently encounter challenges necessitating the implementation of new or revised policies in their daily practice. Healthcare trends are profoundly influencing the workforce and workplace environment. Policies exert substantial influence on nurses and patients across these healthcare concerns at various levels. A policy is defined as a comprehensive set of intricate actions meticulously designed to achieve specific objectives. It encompasses actions taken by both governmental and nongovernmental entities, including guidelines, standardized practices, procedures, and more. Nurses frequently presume that policy implementation is synonymous with public policymaking; however, it is crucial to recognize that policy permeates professional practice and extends beyond public policymaking. Healthcare, akin to nursing, is subject to stringent regulatory frameworks governed by policies. Nurses are held accountable for addressing policy concerns related to patient care and professional conduct. Nurses’ scope of practice encompasses the advocacy for health and well-being.
“Successful nurses know that better patient care involves more than administering treatment. To provide quality care to patients, nurses must offer emotional support and empathy. They also need to be resourceful, innovative, and collaborative with other members of the health care team. Explore practical ways to improve patient care.
At the heart of quality patient care is clinical competence. Care must be timely, efficient, and built on evidence-based practices. These practices let nurses stay attuned to new protocols and intervention methods so they can make well-informed decisions regarding patient care. Nurse leaders and their teams should review guidelines, best practices, and current research regularly and put them to use daily”. (Ana Nursing Resources Hub, 2023, July 11)”.
References
Ana Nursing Resources Hub. (2023, July 11), Ways Nurses Can Improve Patient Care.
https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-leadership/ways-nurses-can-improve-patient-care
Expand discussion thread from Isabel Gautier
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Isabel Gautier
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Deleted by Isabel Gautier
Deleted Jan 7 12:22pm
Logan Evans
(She/Her)
Jan 7 11:41am
| Last reply Jan 11 6:55pm
Reply from Logan Evans
Quality and Dately: Discussion Post 1
Quality improvement is an ongoing process, as medicine is constantly evolving. New medications are developed, new research is completed and analyzed, leading to innovations or breakthroughs in healthcare. (O’Donnell & Gupta, 2023) The medical conditions change in specificity, or new conditions are added as they are observed. Even patients themselves change their lifestyle, as well as environmental and social factors that influence their health. Technology is another example in healthcare that is constantly improving, which requires the system to adapt to it to maintain quality care for our patients. (O’Donnell & Gupta, 2023) These evolving technologies and patients require consistent and continuous reevaluation of procedures to maintain the highest level of positive patient outcomes.
I chose the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as my resource for the national organization of safety and quality. Within the IHI, I decided to focus on their community and education efforts. IHI has national as well as global connections and networks to promote growth, educate, and share expertise and strategies for the shared purpose of improving healthcare for our patients. (
Communities
, 2026) The IHI offers conferences and classes that facilitate professional and personal development, as well as opportunities for collaboration on the knowledge gained. For example, the leadership and professional education provided by the IHI can encourage nurses to identify gaps in their current workplace and find ways to remedy them. (
Communities
, 2026) These resources, combined with clinical expertise, can provide them with a better understanding of patient health and enhance their bedside manner. This, in turn, helps nurses explain things more effectively and allows patients to understand better, becoming an active participant in their own healthcare. The resources provided by the IHI directly translate to how nurses care for and interact with patients.
References:
Communities
. (2026). Ihi.org.
https://www.ihi.org/connect/communities
Links to an external site.
O’Donnell, B., & Gupta, V. (2023, April 3).
Continuous quality improvement
. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559239/
Expand discussion thread from Logan Evans
2 Replies, 2 Unread
2 Replies, 2 Unread
Reply to post from Logan Evans
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
KB
Kylisha Banks
Jan 7 8:35am
| Last reply Jan 11 9:34pm
Reply from Kylisha Banks
Hello class, my name is Kylisha Banks, and I am excited about being on this journey to obtain my nursing degree.
Choose a national safety and quality resource and consider a topic from that resource.
A widely used national safety and quality resource is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which provides evidence-based guidelines, toolkits, and national data to support safer, higher quality care. One important topic within AHRQ is fall prevention, a persistent patient‑safety challenge across acute and long‑term care settings.
AHRQ’s Preventing Falls in Hospitals Toolkit offers structured strategies such as standardized risk assessments, environmental safety checks, and patient specific interventions. Nurses can integrate these national resources with their own clinical expertise to strengthen patient outcomes in several ways.
Describe how nurses can use national and government resources in addition to their clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes.
Nurses can use national and government resources by applying clinical judgment to personalize care. While national guidelines provide structure, nurses use their clinical reasoning to adapt recommendations to each patient’s unique needs. For example, a patient with orthostatic hypotension may require more frequent monitoring than the standard protocol suggests. When nurses blend national validated resources with clinical expertise, they create care plans that are both evidence‑based and patient‑centered. It strengthens safety practices, reduces preventable harm, and improves patient outcomes across the continuum of care.
Reference:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2017). Preventing falls in hospitals: A toolkit for improving quality of care. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/fall-prevention/toolkit/index.html
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from Kylisha Banks
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Kylisha Banks
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Hi everyone! My name is Jas and I’m based in Nashville, TN. I’m transitioning into nursing after a career in fintech, where a lot of my work focused on quality improvement. At a basic level, my job was often to figure out where systems were breaking down, why that was happening, and how to improve processes in a way that actually held up over time. One thing that became very clear to me is that improvement is never really done. If you stop paying attention, things will quickly get off track.
That’s why I see quality improvement as an ongoing process.n any high-stakes environment, and especially in healthcare, variables are constantly shifting. Patient acuity, staffing levels, and environmental stressors change, and new risks emerge regardless of whether we are actively looking for them. Even a robust process requires regular iteration because a solution that worked six months ago may not address the complexities of the current clinical landscape. In psychiatric-mental health nursing, where the stakes involve human lives, failing to continuously monitor and adapt these systems allows small gaps to evolve into significant patient harm.
Effective QI depends on using data to identify risk and reduce variation before a sentinel event occurs. A critical national resource for this is the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Key Components of Safety. To look deeper into this resource, the domain of Assessment and Monitoring provides a sophisticated framework for reducing risk. Specifically, the APNA advocates for a shift from passive observation, such as standard 15-minute safety checks, to active therapeutic engagement. From a QI perspective, passive checks are often a procedural exercise that can fail to detect subtle clinical changes. By implementing engagement-based monitoring, a facility moves toward a proactive safety model that identifies escalating distress before it reaches a crisis point (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2025).
Nurses are the primary drivers who operationalize these national standards by merging evidence-based guidelines with clinical expertise. While the APNA provides the structural framework of safety, the nurse’s expertise provides the execution. For instance, a national competency might mandate standardized suicide risk assessment, but it is the nurse’s clinical judgment that identifies the mask of wellness, a phenomenon where a patient’s sudden calm actually signals a finalized suicide plan rather than true clinical improvement. Research confirms that safety initiatives are most effective when nurses use these national competencies as a foundation for their own critical thinking rather than following a rigid script (Lu et al., 2024). Sustainable improvement occurs when a strong, evidence-based system supports frontline nursing judgment, ensuring that care is both standardized and highly individualized.
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2025).
Key Components of Safety
. APNA.
Key Components of Safety
Links to an external site.
Lu, C., Beckstead, J. W., Ye, J., & Chiu Yueh Yang. (2024). Psychometric evaluation of Suicide Management Competency Scale for nursing students: A cross‐sectional study.
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
.
https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13348
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from Jasmine Bond
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Jasmine Bond
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
IP
Iveline Pierre
Jan 6 10:22pm
| Last reply Jan 7 3:45pm
Reply from Iveline Pierre
Quality improvement is an ongoing process because healthcare is always changing. New research, updated guidelines, and advances in technology mean that what works today might need to be adjusted tomorrow. Nurses and other healthcare professionals have to constantly evaluate patient outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and make changes to provide the safest and most effective care (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2023). This continuous process helps prevent errors and ensures patients get the best care possible.
One resource that supports quality and safety in healthcare is The Joint Commission. They set national standards and provide guidelines to help reduce risks, like hospital-acquired infections, through practices such as proper hand hygiene and staff education (The Joint Commission, 2023). Nurses can use these national resources along with their clinical experience to identify problems on their unit and develop solutions that fit their patients’ needs. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022).
By combining evidence-based guidelines from national and government resources with their own clinical judgment, nurses can improve patient outcomes and make care safer. Using these tools doesn’t replace experience, it enhances it, helping nurses make informed decisions and advocate for changes that benefit patients. Quality improvement is not something you do once it’s a continuous effort that keeps healthcare moving forward
References
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2023).
Quality improvement and patient safety
.
https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/resources/resources.html
Links to an external site.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022).
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) prevention
.
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/cauti/index.html
The Joint Commission. (2023).
National patient safety goals
.
https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/national-patient-safety-goals
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from Iveline Pierre
3 Replies, 3 Unread
3 Replies, 3 Unread
Reply to post from Iveline Pierre
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Tarikah Butler
Jan 6 8:54pm
| Last reply Jan 11 10:10am
Reply from Tarikah Butler
Quality improvement is an approach to evaluate the quality of servicing given in healthcare and finding measurable ways to make this service better for all, making it an ongoing since it requires continuous evaluation of performance, effectiveness and efficiency of different strategies, to find ways always improve on outcomes of a continuously changing systems, patients and new clinical research. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is an agency which focuses its mission on improving safety and quality in healthcare and provides evidence-based resources to improve the outcome.
One interesting topic from their resources is the programs and resources in place to help combat hospital infected infections. We go to the hospital to receive care and feel better so imagine if we went in and got another infection, we wouldn’t agree that it was quality care that we received, right? The AHRQ has multiple tools to prevent these hospital- acquired infections like MRSA, Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) and Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), which can in return have a more positive mortality and morbidity rate of patients, less burn out of employees due to collaboration and coordination and overall patient satisfaction from efficiency in handling their care.
Nurses can use both national and government resources, along to improve patient outcomes by using these tools as the baseline when they provide care as these tools and resources are based on evidence-based research and trials to have these practices be so safe and efficient in providing quality care. While utilizing these tools, they can use their clinical judgements to improve these strategies and tailor them to each individual patient.
References
AHRQ’s healthcare-associated infections program
. (2025, November). | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
https://www.ahrq.gov/hai/index.html
Links to an external site.
Quality improvement
. (2022, March). Johns Hopkins Medicine.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/nursing/center-nursing-inquiry/nursing-inquiry/quality-improvement
Links to an external site.
A scoping review of continuous quality improvement in healthcare system: Conceptualization, models and tools, barriers and facilitators, and impact
. (2024, April 19). PMC Home.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11031995/
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from Tarikah Butler
3 Replies, 3 Unread
3 Replies, 3 Unread
Reply to post from Tarikah Butler
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
SS
Shonda Salisbury
Jan 6 6:41pm
| Last reply Jan 11 10:10am
Reply from Shonda Salisbury
Quality Improvement as an Ongoing Process
Quality improvement (QI) is an ongoing process because healthcare delivery is dynamic, influenced by evolving patient populations, emerging evidence, and changing safety standards. As new research becomes available and clinical environments grow more complex, healthcare organizations must continually assess and refine care processes to maintain safe, effective, and patient-centered outcomes. Quality improvement is not a single intervention but a continuous cycle of identifying gaps, implementing changes, evaluating outcomes, and making adjustments as needed. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model exemplifies this iterative approach by emphasizing continuous testing and refinement of interventions to achieve sustained improvements in care quality (Taylor et al., 2014).
National Safety and Quality Resource: Patient Falls Prevention
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a national organization focused on improving healthcare safety and quality through evidence-based research and practical tools. One key safety topic addressed by AHRQ is patient falls prevention, which remains a significant concern across healthcare settings. Patient falls are associated with increased risk of injury, extended hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life.
AHRQ’s
Preventing Falls in Hospitals Toolkit
provides nurses and healthcare teams with structured, evidence-based strategies to reduce fall risk. These strategies include standardized fall-risk assessments, individualized care planning, patient and family education, environmental safety modifications, and consistent communication among care team members (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2013). By offering practical tools grounded in research, AHRQ supports the translation of evidence into everyday nursing practice.
Using National Resources to Improve Patient Outcomes
Nurses play a vital role in leveraging national quality and safety resources alongside their clinical expertise to improve patient outcomes. Resources from AHRQ and The Joint Commission provide nurses with standardized guidelines, safety benchmarks, and best-practice recommendations that support consistent, high-quality care.
For example, nurses can apply AHRQ fall-prevention tools in conjunction with bedside assessment skills to identify patients at increased risk and implement targeted interventions such as frequent rounding, mobility assistance, and patient education. In addition, The Joint Commission’s
National Patient Safety Goals
emphasize the prevention of patient harm through improved communication, accurate patient identification, and reduction of safety risks, including falls (The Joint Commission, 2024).
By integrating these national resources with clinical judgment and interdisciplinary collaboration, nurses enhance decision-making, promote a culture of safety, and support continuous quality improvement. This alignment of evidence-based guidelines with individualized patient care ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes and reduced adverse events.
References
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2013).
Preventing falls in hospitals: A toolkit for improving quality of care
.
https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/fall-prevention/toolkit/index.html
Links to an external site.
Taylor, M. J., McNicholas, C., Nicolay, C., Darzi, A., Bell, D., & Reed, J. E. (2014). Systematic review of the application of the Plan-Do-Study-Act method to improve quality in healthcare.
BMJ Quality & Safety, 23
(4), 290–298.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2013-001862
Links to an external site.
The Joint Commission. (2024).
National Patient Safety Goals
.
https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from Shonda Salisbury
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Shonda Salisbury
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Emily Linden
(She/Her)
Jan 6 6:28pm
| Last reply Jan 6 6:44pm
Reply from Emily Linden
In our nation today, quality improvement is evolving every day. Quality improvement is the process to make services safer, more effective, efficient, and patient-centered while trying to focus on reducing errors. One program that supports research to improve healthcare quality is The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRG). This is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that contributes research to improve health care quality, safety and efficiency. It is based on evidence-based practices, patient centered care and services like publications and funding. A key topic for this resource is the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).
HAIs are a significant source of preventable harm in healthcare settings worldwide caused by bacteria, viruses, and yeast. They are more common than we think and can occur in any healthcare setting ranging from extending hospital stays, long-term care facilities to invasive procedures such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections and so on. To help prevent as much HAIs as possible the nurses have access to agencies that release new protocols to help prevent said infections and to create a better working environment for not only the nurses but for the patients as well. The nurses can look at the data that was recently collected and determine the best course of action to help prevent HAIs. No matter what the setting or the severity of the situation all nurses in healthcare should be able to address the social factors that influence health and provide care that meets the people’s needs and where they are safe.
Work Cited:
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; National Academy of Medicine; Committee on the Future of Nursing 2020–2030; Flaubert JL, Le Menestrel S, Williams DR, et al., editors. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2021 May 11. 4, The Role of Nurses in Improving Health Care Access and Quality. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573910/
Links to an external site.
Tobin EH, Zahra F. Nosocomial Infections. [Updated 2025 Aug 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559312/
Links to an external site.
Yoder-Wise, P. S., & Sportsman, S. (2022). Leading and Managing in Nursing (8th ed.). Elsevier – Evolve.
https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780323792080
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from Emily Linden
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Emily Linden
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
JP
Jennifer Price
Jan 6 7:19am
| Last reply Jan 11 7:16pm
Reply from Jennifer Price
Jennifer Price
Herzing University
NSG 633 Quality and Safety
Unit 1: Discussion: Quality Improvement
Professor: Dr. Teri Hayden
1/5/2026
Quality improvement isn’t a one-and-done task in healthcare, it’s a continuous process that evolves as we learn more and gain experience. Early in nursing education, we are taught that best practice is not fixed and will continue to evolve as research advances and patient outcomes are evaluated.
To me, quality improvement truly reflects the realities of everyday healthcare. Patients don’t stay the same, and the systems meant to care for them have to change along with them. According to Potter et al. (2023), quality improvement allows nurses and healthcare teams to adjust care practices in ways that promote safer and more effective patient outcomes (Ch. 22, Quality and Safety, pp. 448–452).
One national resource that supports ongoing quality improvement efforts is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). AHRQ places a strong focus on patient safety by looking at how methods can be adjusted to avoid errors as a substitute to placing blame on individuals. Tools like Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) and TeamSTEPPS, AHRQ supports healthcare teams recognize possible safety issues, make improvements to communication, and develop stronger teamwork. These show that standardizing care and using research-based methods can greatly reduce preventable and unsafe events (AHRQ, 2023). As discussed in
Fundamentals of Nursing
, because nurses spend the most time with patients, they are often the first to recognize small changes that could point to safety concerns. (Potter et al., 2023, Ch. 22, pp. 453–456).
Nurses enhance patient results by mixing their clinical skills with national and government means such as AHRQ guidelines, particular safety benchmarks, and quality statistics. Clinical assessment permits nurses to identify patient needs, while national resources support evidence based contexts that support reliable, high quality care.
For instance, nurses are able to use AHRQ safety tools to advance handoff interaction, decrease medication oversights, and improve collaboration during risky situations. This allows for safe practice standards to implemented and help decrease adaptability in care delivery. Cherry and Jacob (2022) highlight that combining national quality advantages into daily nursing practice improves responsibility and establishes better patient outcomes (Ch. 14, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, pp. 417–423).
References
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2023).
Patient safety and quality improvement
.
https://www.ahrq.gov
Links to an external site.
Cherry, B., & Jacob, S. R. (2022).
Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management
(9th ed.). Elsevier.
Chapter 14: Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (pp. 417–423)
Institute of Medicine. (2001).
Crossing the quality chasm: A new health system for the 21st century
. National Academies Press.
Chapter 2: Improving the 21st-Century Health Care System (pp. 39–45)
Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., & Hall, A. M. (2023).
Fundamentals of nursing
(11th ed.). Elsevier.
Chapter 22: Quality and Safety (pp. 448–456)
Expand discussion thread from Jennifer Price
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Jennifer Price
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
EB
Eli Belschner
Jan 6 2am
| Last reply Jan 6 9:02pm
Reply from Eli Belschner
Discussion 1
Quality improvement is the process of continuously making efforts to improve care (Cho & Kim, 2025). Quality improvement must be a continuous process, as it enhances various aspects of the workplace, from encouraging innovation and improvement to fostering trust and respect within the organization (Endalamaw et al., 2024). It promotes programs to broaden their perspective from avoiding mistakes to striving for the highest standards possible (Endalamaw et al., 2024). Medicine is a constantly evolving field, and continuous quality improvement enables programs to maintain the highest standards of care (Endalamaw et al., 2024).
Numerous national safety and quality resources are available for nurses. One of these is Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN). QSEN defines several essential competencies that nurses must possess to deliver the best care to their patients. One of these is patient-centered care. In today’s world, this is a crucial concept to keep in mind. In the ICU nurses can begin to focus more on the technology that is keeping the patient alive instead of the patient attached to the machines (Secunda & Kruser, 2022). Nurses must keep in mind that even if a patient is unable to communicate, they still have wishes, preferences, and values that must be considered (Secunda & Kruser, 2022). There are numerous tools that hospitals and nurses can utilize to maintain a patient-focused approach (Secunda & Kruser, 2022). These range from questions such as “What do I need to know about you as a person to give you the best care possible?” to boards in the room that display personal information about the patients (Secunda & Kruser, 2022). All of these contribute to keeping the patient at the forefront of our minds, rather than losing their humanity in the multitude of machines. This facilitates a better connection between nurses and patients, while also making patients and their families feel cared for and receive the best care possible.
This highlights how nurses can utilize government resources to enhance patient outcomes. These resources highlight areas that we may not consider due to high workloads or complex daily tasks. The information outlined in the resources is essential to consider, along with clinical experience, to ensure the best possible clinical outcome.
Cho, S., & Kim, E. M. (2025).
Quality improvement interventions for peripheral intravenous catheter nursing practices: A systematic review
. Journal of nursing care quality.
http://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12594121/
Links to an external site.
Endalamaw, A., Khatri, R. B., Mengistu, T. S., Erku, D., Wolka, E., Zewdie, A., & Assefa, Y. (2024, April 19).
A scoping review of continuous quality improvement in healthcare system: Conceptualization, models and tools, barriers and facilitators, and impact
. BMC health services research.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11031995/
Links to an external site.
Secunda, K. E., & Kruser, J. M. (2022, September).
Patient-centered and family-centered care in the Intensive Care Unit
. Clinics in chest medicine.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9885766/#S4
Links to an external site.
Expand discussion thread from Eli Belschner
1 Reply, 1 Unread
1 Reply, 1 Unread
Reply to post from Eli Belschner
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
KH
Ketelia Honeycutt
Jan 5 1:27pm
Reply from Ketelia Honeycutt
Quality improvement (QI) is an ongoing process because healthcare care delivery involves many moving parts such as people, workflows, and systems, and problems can reappear if processes are not continuously monitored and refined. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) explains that performance improvement/quality improvement is the continuous study and improvement of processes with the intent to improve services or outcomes and reduce the likelihood of problems by identifying opportunities and testing new approaches that address underlying causes (CMS, 2024). In other words, QI is not a one-time fix; it is repeated, ongoing work to make care safer and more effective.
A national safety and quality resource nurses can use is the CMS Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program. CMS describes the QIO Program as a major federal effort dedicated to improving health quality for people with Medicare (CMS, 2024). Nurses can use QIO materials and improvement support to strengthen unit-level outcomes by helping teams implement evidence-based changes, track performance measures, and reduce preventable harm.
Nurses also use government guidance to support daily bedside practice, especially infection prevention. The CDC states that handwashing is “one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs” (CDC, 2024). Nurses can apply this directly by reinforcing hand hygiene before and after patient contact, teaching patients and families, and supporting unit compliance initiatives. When nurses combine clinical expertise with national resources like CMS QI guidance and CDC infection prevention education, QI becomes practical and measurable which leads to better patient outcomes and safer care.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, February 27). About handwashing.
https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html
Links to an external site.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024, September 10). QAPI description and background.
https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/qapi/qapidefinition
Links to an external site.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024, September 10). Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs).
https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/quality-improvement-organizations
Links to an external site.
Reply to post from Ketelia Honeycutt
Reply
Mark as Unread
Mark as Unread
Chandrea Green
(She/Her)
Jan 5 1:19am
| Last edited Jan 5 1:23am
| Last reply Jan 11 2:48pm
Reply from Chandrea Green
Utilizing National Safety and Quality Resources
Hi everyone,
I plan to use
the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
(NHQDR
) to guide my nursing practice, with a focus on equity and care transitions. The NHQDR provides national and state-level dashboards on patient safety, care coordination, and readmissions, allowing nurses to find disparities across racial, socioeconomic, and geographic groups. For example, NHQDR data show higher readmission and adverse event rates among Black, Hispanic, rural, and low-income populations, highlighting the need for targeted interventions (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2024).
Nurses can use NHQDR findings alongside CMS Care Compare data to find safety gaps, benchmark outcomes, and support quality improvement efforts. Practical strategies include implementing culturally sensitive discharge education, using teach-back methods to address health literacy barriers, and improving medication reconciliation and follow-up care during transitions. Evidence-based tools from AHRQ’s Patient Safety Network (PSNet) can further support these interventions.
A concrete example is reducing post-discharge adverse events among older, low-income patients by standardizing discharge education in preferred languages, conducting follow-up calls, and using transition-of-care checklists. Monitoring readmissions and patient understanding through unit dashboards allows nurses to evaluate impact and refine interventions. Overall, using national data resources enables nurses to translate evidence into practice and promote safer, fairer patient outcomes.
Discussion Question:
Based on NHQDR data and your patient population, which disparities or safety measures are most relevant in your setting, and how could you apply a focused PDSA cycle to address them?
Reference
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2024).
National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report data
tools.
https://www.ahrq.gov/data/nhqdr.html NSG 633 Unit 1: Discussion: Quality Improvement Herzing University