NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care 

Grand Canyon University NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care  – Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Grand Canyon University  NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.

How to Research and Prepare for NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care                            

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Grand Canyon University  NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care   depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.

How to Write the Introduction for NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care                            

The introduction for the Grand Canyon University  NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care   is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.

How to Write the Body for NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care                            

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care   assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.

Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.

How to Write the Conclusion for NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care                            

After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.

How to Format the References List for NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care                            

The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.

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Sample Answer for NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care 

Health care delivery is outcome-oriented since care providers must give high patient outcomes consistently. Achieving this goal requires in-depth knowledge of clinical issues, their manifestations, and potential solutions. The other important aspect is organizational culture since positive change requires environments committed to excellence and innovation. As nurses continue working in the complex care environment, care quality and patient safety issues will emerge at different times. The profound nature of these issues necessitates preparedness and nurses’ desire to explore and implement evidence-based solutions. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a care quality concern and appropriate quality improvement intervention for improving outcomes.

Description of Issue and Challenges

Care quality typically varies with health care procedures, nurses’ health, organizational culture, and other influential factors. Medication errors among new graduate nurses are among the issues I have encountered with profound impacts on care quality. Research shows that nurses encounter many issues when transitioning from education into practice, including a lack of confidence, inadequate clinical knowledge, and high workloads (Pertiwi & Hariyati, 2019). These issues increase the risk of medication errors, whose occurrence is high among fatigued and frustrated health care professionals. If new graduate nurses are not helped to overcome these issues, their overall capacity and motivation to provide high-quality care reduces.

The impacts of medication errors among new graduate nurses necessitate evidence-based quality improvement interventions. According to Pertiwi and Hariyati (2019), issues affecting nurses’ assimilation into their new work environment cause job dissatisfaction, a leading cause of nurse turnover. Medication errors also affect patients, nurses, and care facilities varyingly as a leading cause of patient injuries and increased hospitalizations (Rasool et al., 2020). Health management costs are also high in environments where medication errors are common. Besides a lack of job satisfaction, medication errors cause second-victim syndrome, where the guilt of their actions consumes nurses. Patients’ trust in health care providers dwindles if care quality does not match the expected outcomes.

Utilizing Research, EBP, and PI

Nursing professionals should be adequately conversant with issues hampering care quality and the appropriateness of various problem-solving approaches. In nursing, research aims to generate new knowledge about a particular problem using scientific methods (Connor et al., 2023). It can be experimental, descriptive, or observational, depending on study variables and intended purpose. Research can be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions for preventing medical errors among new graduate nurses. For instance, a randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of a resilience program can evaluate whether improving coping reduces medical errors among new graduate nurses. If the findings are positive, researchers can disseminate them to guide related interventions in the broader practice.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) can be used to implement known interventions based on the current research. Connor et al. (2023) described EBP as a problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making that combines research evidence, clinical expertise, and patients’ values and preferences to improve outcomes. Implementing EBP requires nurses to search for evidence from peer-reviewed, current sources, followed by critical appraisal before applying the evidence to guide practice change. Regarding medication errors among new graduate nurses, the search process would commence with formulating a PICOT question. Then, appropriate evidence would be sought and synthesized before using the appraised evidence to address nurses’ concerns. For instance, evidence on resilience training, residency programs, or orientating training can guide nurses to implement similar evidence-based programs in their facilities.

Performance improvement (PI) is a foundation of high-quality care and better outcomes for patients and health care organizations. Bertke and Nufer (2021) posited that the purpose of performance improvement is to maximize the value of care, which focuses on optimizing patient experience and reducing costs. A similar approach implies implementing programs to prevent medication errors among new graduate nurses to improve their capacity for high performance. For instance, helping new nurses transition into practice would reduce anxiety and frustrations associated with working in new environments (Pertiwi & Hariyati, 2019). A high-capacity workforce can also be achieved by supporting and guiding nurses to use effective technologies to prevent medical errors.

PI and CI Process

Quality or performance improvement processes should focus on improving outcomes to enable patients to enjoy health care services. An effective intervention for new graduate nurses is orientation training. Lalithabai et al. (2021) found that a well-structured orientation program can improve new nursing staff’s competence to enable them to handle their roles effectively. Such training should focus on capacity building and empowering nurses to cope with fear, anxiety, and knowledge gaps common when joining the practice. Pertiwi and Hariyati (2019) further underlined the significance of orientation programs in nurses’ adjustment to new work environments. Such programs prepare nurses to work in new work environments, essential for new graduate nurses’ improved capacity.

Various factors validate the effectiveness of an orientation program for new graduate nurses committing medical errors. Firstly, the intervention is outcome-driven, which is the primary purpose of performance improvement. It would create a safe work environment for nurses and patients. Secondly, the intervention is evidence-based since previous research supports its implementation to enable nurses to overcome transition shock and negative experiences (Lalithabai et al., 2021; Pertiwi & Hariyati, 2019). Thirdly, it is easy to implement since new nurses will only require guided introduction to the new work environments to understand culture, policies, and work approaches.

Data Sources

The present health practice has morphed into a data-driven profession; nursing leaders and staff use data to guide decision-making. An appropriate source for process data is nurses’ experiences with the current medication administration procedures. New graduate nurses would highlight process inefficiencies causing medication errors. Outcome data/measures demonstrate the impact of processes/interventions (Pantaleon, 2019). Before the intervention, such data include the rates and frequency of medication errors caused by new graduate nurses in the organization. Similar data can be collected after the orientation program for a comparative analysis to determine the effectiveness of the program.

Capturing and Disseminating Data

Nursing professionals can capture data using different methods depending on the volume, type, and intended use. Process data on nurses’ experiences with procedures or the culture of the new environment would be best captured via interviews. Here, nurses would answer both open-ended and close-ended questions about their challenges and experiences. Such data can be further analyzed thematically to get a detailed picture of their work environments and priority issues. Outcome data should be captured using medical records and data sheets using Microsoft Excel. A spreadsheet of medical errors incidence before and after the program can allow effective analysis using Microsoft Excel tools.

Nurses should guide their colleagues in implementing programs they find effective in their organizations. Dissemination involves sharing evidence-based practice for use in the broader nursing practice (Ravinetto & Singh, 2023). Nurses can disseminate findings internally or externally. The most effective dissemination strategy for the proposed program is a brief report summarizing the project, including objectives, procedures, and outcomes. Educational materials, such as handouts and brochures, are also appropriate for internal dissemination. External dissemination will not be prioritized in the current program, although it can be done later via publication or sharing via media.

Organizational Culture Considerations

Organizational culture includes a set of beliefs, values, and practices guiding how practitioners work and solve problems. A crucial consideration for the success of the proposed project is a culture of teamwork. Bendowska and Baum (2023) depicted teamwork as a critical factor for the success of interdisciplinary teams. The current project requires various team members to collaborate for effective implementation. The other important consideration is the leadership’s perception of change. Typically, leaders committed to innovation and practice change support evidence-based projects readily. Such support is crucial for the success of the proposed project since leaders’ motivation, presence, and support with resources are needed.

Conclusion

Nursing practice problems inhibit care quality and nurses’ capacity to deliver value and satisfaction. Their profound implications necessitate evidence-based interventions that nurses should be committed to implementing, evaluating, and sustaining. Medication errors among new graduate nurses harm patient safety due to the potential for injuries and health complications. They also reduce patients’ trust in care providers, hence unhealthy patient-provide relationships. Since these effects hamper care quality, sustainable interventions are necessary. As a result, new graduate nurses should be helped in the transition process to enable them to overcome fear, anxiety, low confidence, and other issues increasing the risk of medication errors.

References

Bendowska, A., & Baum, E. (2023). The significance of cooperation in interdisciplinary health care teams as perceived by Polish Medical students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 954. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20020954

Bertke, P., & Nufer, M. (2021). The impact of performance enhancement on value of care in hospitals. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 740257. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.740257

Connor, L., Dean, J., McNett, M., Tydings, D. M., Shrout, A., Gorsuch, P. F., … & Gallagher‐Ford, L. (2023). Evidence‐based practice improves patient outcomes and healthcare system return on investment: Findings from a scoping review. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 20(1), 6-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12621

Lalithabai, D. S., Ammar, W. M., Alghamdi, K. S., & Aboshaiqah, A. E. (2021). Using action research to evaluate a nursing orientation program in a multicultural acute healthcare setting. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 8(2), 181–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2021.01.002

Pantaleon, L. (2019). Why measuring outcomes is important in health care. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 33(2), 356–362. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15458

Pertiwi, R. I., & Hariyati, R. T. S. (2019). Effective orientation programs for new graduate nurses: a systematic review. Enfermeria Clinica, 29, 612-618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.04.094

Rasool, M. F., Rehman, A. U., Imran, I., Abbas, S., Shah, S., Abbas, G., … & Hayat, K. (2020). Risk factors associated with medication errors among patients suffering from chronic disorders. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 531038. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.531038

Ravinetto, R., & Singh, J. A. (2023). Responsible dissemination of health and medical research: Some guidance points. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 28(3), 144-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2022-111967

Sample Answer 2 for NUR 630 Overview of Quality in Health Care 

Optimal patient outcomes remain a fundamental aspect of health care amid increasing challenges like access problems, high costs, and safety concerns. Irrespective of their specialty and practice locations, nursing professionals should strive to achieve high-quality care and guarantee safe procedures. Unfortunately, safety and quality issues are widespread due to new risks, inadequate infection control processes, and unsafe procedures, among other causes. Effective solutions to these issues necessitate judicious application of evidence-based practice (EBP) and other concepts that lead to quality improvement in nursing practice. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a patient safety concern that can be addressed by applying EBP, research, and performance improvement concepts.

Description of Issue and Challenges

Pressure ulcers are a significant patient safety concern requiring increased attention to ensure effective control and minimize risks. Among adult patients in hospital settings, pressure ulcers stem from protracted pressure application on the affected skin area, such as soles, ankles, and tailbone (Qian et al., 2024). Besides persistent pressure, friction and shear cause pressure injuries when the patient lies in bed. Prolonger moisture is another cause, resulting in maceration and tissue distraction (Roussou et al., 2023). Since pressure ulcers typically occur in patients who stay in bed, the incidence is high among patients admitted in inpatient settings.

Challenges associated with pressure ulcers are multimodal due to the problem’s potential to hamper patients’ safety, mental health, and quality of life. Roussou et al. (2023) identified pressure ulcers as a leading cause of poor-quality life among patients due to the resultant pain and poor physical condition. Other issues include increased treatment costs and dependence on family caregivers. Patients’ inability to self-manage their conditions and the increased pain weigh them psychologically, causing anxiety, discomfort, a feeling of helplessness, and depression (Qian et al., 2024). These undesired outcomes underscore the need for nursing professionals to implement and sustain evidence-based interventions to reduce pressure ulcers and help patients overcome their challenges.

Utilizing EBP, Research, and PI

EBP is the cornerstone of improved patient safety and care quality. It guides nurses and organizational leaders in implementing best practices to resolve issues hampering outcomes using scientific evidence. Grys (2022) described EBP initiatives as a commitment to translating existing evidence on patient care or optimization of clinical operations. Effective EBP application requires nurses to evaluate and appraise findings from current research and use them to support their initiatives. For instance, current research identifies regular repositioning as a practical strategy for reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers among hospitalized patients (Asiri, 2023; Cortés et al., 2021). Implementing such strategies implies EBP utilization since the effectiveness of an intervention has been proven in a similar practice.

Nurses need new knowledge to understand the impact of health interventions, patients’ experiences, and the causes of safety concerns. Research involves generating new evidence using the scientific method (Grys, 2022). It is a rigorous process of testing hypotheses, data collection, analysis, and using the findings to establish a knowledge base. Research would be applied to address pressure ulcers through quantitative and qualitative evaluation of their causes and impacts. Qian et al. (2024) cited that pressure ulcers cause psychological distress among caregivers, necessitating self-care and mental health support. A qualitative study can establish pressure ulcer manifestations in the hospital setting and guide nursing professionals in determining the most appropriate initiative to optimize patient outcomes.

Performance improvement (PI) seeks to enhance the value of care. Bertke and Nufer (2021) illustrated PI as a systematic, data-driven process for optimizing care delivery. It is established on the premise that nurses should continually address performance gaps and initiate measures to reduce the gaps between the present and expected outcomes. A model usually guides PI in achieving better care quality and value. Such models include Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA), lean, and the Six Sigma. Regarding pressure ulcers, PI would be achieved by analyzing the current incident data to identify safety and care quality barriers. Based on the data, nurses and leaders would collaborate in standardizing procedures, reviewing practices, and risk assessment, among other strategies for higher-value care.

PI and QI Process

Pressure ulcers can be addressed using various interventions to ensure the current performance leads to the expected care quality and patient safety levels. The most effective process would be implementing a pressure ulcer care bundle. Nursing research recognizes a pressure ulcer care bundle as a multi-component intervention involving risk assessment, repositioning, skin care, nutrition support for patients, and support surface management (Mao & Zhu, 2021; Yilmazer & Tuzer, 2022). Nurses also keep records of incidence rates to track progress and quantify outcomes. The multimodal nature of the care bundle ensures all issues causing pressure ulcers are addressed and that patients receive the safest and most satisfactory care possible.

Nurses should consider implementing a pressure ulcer prevention bundle since it is evidence-based and highly effective. It necessitates an interprofessional approach where nurses collaborate to implement the different components and support patients as situations oblige. Research also underscores the effectiveness of the bundled approach since statistically significant differences are observed between patients under routine nursing and those nursed with care bundles (Mao & Zhu, 2021; Yilmazer & Tuzer, 2022). Besides reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers, the bundle reduces disease management costs and ensures patients are more skilled in pressure ulcer management.

Data Sources

Performance improvement is a data-based process. It necessitates accurate and adequate data for informed decision-making. The incidence rate before and after the pressure ulcer care bundle would be reliable outcome data since quantifiable observations can be made concerning the impact of the bundle (Yilmazer & Tuzer, 2022). Data on the incidence rate can be retrieved from clinical records. The other critical outcome reference is patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of the pressure ulcer care bundle. Process data relates to procedures; it is about what care providers do to improve health and enhance value. Such data involves the various components of the care bundle, the time delivered, and the beneficiaries. A checklist can help to determine whether all the elements have been implemented as the nurses intend.

Capturing and Disseminating Data

Data on outcomes and processes will be captured electronically using the appropriate forms, records, and checklists. The process data will be progressive, while the incidence rate comparative analysis before and after implementing the pressure ulcer care bundle will be the primary outcome data. All data, including patients’ and nurses’ experiences with the care bundle, will be compiled in a report summarizing the findings. Within nursing, dissemination involves targeted distribution of knowledge to share findings and experiences in different areas of the nursing discipline (Barría, 2022). It allows knowledge application in favor of patient care since nursing professionals can emulate what their colleagues achieved through EBP initiatives in other settings. Dissemination strategies for the care bundle include a report to be shared with nurses, an organization-wide presentation to leaders, and publication in the organization’s education portal.

Organizational Culture Considerations

Organizations have different cultures that shape their values, shared beliefs, and perspectives about innovation and care improvements. Organizational leadership is a critical cultural consideration essential to the success of the pressure ulcer care bundle implementation. As Sevy Majers and Warshawsky (2020) suggested, leaders should create a culture of inquiry and lay the foundation for EBP initiatives’ success through continuous support of innovative practices. The multicomponent nature of the care bundle requires massive leadership support, presence, and guidance to achieve the desired outcomes. Other cultural considerations include the value system, interprofessional collaboration, and vision. Organizations committed to quality/performance improvement typically invest in solid systems that support EBP and encourage team-based practices that enable them to achieve their strategic visions of improved patient care. In such organizations, the staff is uncomfortable with the status quo, hence embracing changes that optimize processes and outcomes.

Conclusion

Health care facilities should guarantee high care quality and risk-free processes that optimize patient safety. Despite numerous efforts to achieve this fundamental goal, patient safety concerns occur in varying severity. Pressure ulcers are a significant concern that hampers patients’ health, increases hospitalization costs, and causes psychological distress among patients and nurses. A pressure ulcer care bundle is an effective PI process for reducing the incidence rate and empowering patients to self-manage the condition. Organizational culture considerations that will likely impact the implementation process include the leadership, interprofessional collaboration philosophy, and the staff’s shared values regarding innovation and change.

References

Asiri, S. (2023). Turning and repositioning frequency to prevent hospital-acquired pressure injuries among adult patients: Systematic review. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 60, 00469580231215209. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580231215209

Barría, P R. M. (2022). Nursing research, dissemination of knowledge and its potential contribution to the practice. Investigacion y educacion en enfermeria, 40(3), e01. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.iee.v40n3e01

Bertke, P., & Nufer, M. (2021). The Impact of performance enhancement on value of care in hospitals. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 740257. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.740257

Cortés, O. L., Herrera-Galindo, M., Villar, J. C., Rojas, Y. A., del Pilar Paipa, M., & Salazar, L. (2021). Frequency of repositioning for preventing pressure ulcers in patients hospitalized in ICU: Protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC Nursing, 20, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00616-0

Grys, C. A. (2022). Evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and research: a visual model. Nursing2023, 52(11), 47-49. DOI: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000889812.89287.45

Mao, X., & Zhu, L. (2021). Effects of care bundles for patients with pressure ulcers and the impact on self-care efficacy. American Journal of Translational Research, 13(3), 1799–1807. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8014366/

Qian, L., Yan, S., Ting, S. T., Han, Z. M., & Qi, T. (2024). Complications and psychological impact of pressure ulcers on patients and caregivers. International Wound Journal, 21(4), e14836. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14836

Roussou, E., Fasoi, G., Stavropoulou, A., Kelesi, M., Vasilopoulos, G., Gerogianni, G., & Alikari, V. (2023). Quality of life of patients with pressure ulcers: a systematic review. Medicine and Pharmacy Reports, 96(2), 123–130. https://doi.org/10.15386/mpr-2531

Sevy Majers, J., & Warshawsky, N. (2020). Evidence-based decision-making for nurse leaders. Nurse Leader, 18(5), 471–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2020.06.006

Yilmazer, T., & Tuzer, H. (2022). The effect of a pressure ulcer prevention care bundle on nursing workload costs. Journal of Tissue Viability, 31(3), 459-464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtv.2022.05.004