Module Components

• Overview
• Assignments

Topics

• Why performance improvement?
• The performance improvement process
• Data and information technology in improving practice
• Additional Resources

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Nurs 659 - Organizational/Professional Dimensions

Module 6: Performance Improvement

Why performance improvement?

The Nation's eyes were upon former President Clinton at the time of his emergency surgery. Headlines were made across the nation daily as all the world followed the progress of his recovery. Note the quote below that called attention to the New York hospital and the availability of public information regarding the quality  of care at this and other hospitals. picture from image.google.com "The hospital where former President Bill Clinton had bypass surgery had the highest death rate for the operation in New York State" Quote from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/06/health/06hosp.html

What We Know Regarding The Current Healthcare Environment

• Poor quality is costing hospitals money (cost of errors and malpractice)
• Regulatory-driven emphasis on reporting (TJC comparisons across hospitals)
• Consumer-driven emphasis on reporting (published ‘web grades’ and ‘straight to consumer’ approach
• Directing business based on quality is imperative (Leapfrog group http://www.leapfroggroup.org/)

A National Response

A report from the committee on the Quality of Health Care in America concludes  that the U.S. health care delivery system does not provide consistent, high quality medical care to all people. Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century.

This report calls for a sweeping redesign of the entire health care system at all levels and with all care constituencies.  Among the key recommendations are the need for developing rules that require:

• Care based on continuous healing relationships
• Care customized according to patient needs and values
• The patient is the source of control
• Knowledge is shared and information flows freely
• Decision making is evidence based
• Safety is a system priority
• Transparency is necessary
• Needs are anticipated
• Waste is commonly decreased
• Cooperation among clinicians is a priority

How do you answer the question, "Why Performance Improvement?"

Does your practice environment meet the above recommendations?  If not, how do you  propose to implement redesign of this system?

Is it Performance Improvement Or Is it Research? Or Does it matter????????