Continuous Quality Improvement
Examine a quality improvement program. Choose to examine the quality improvement program from a quality improvement program from a long-term care facility that you will research online. Be sure that you can talk about the following areas of your chosen program:
Structures.
Processes.
Outcomes.
Regulatory minimum standards.
Respond
In this discussion preparation, you were asked to examine the quality improvement program from a long-term care facility. Address the following:
Describe the current quality improvement program chosen as part of the Discussion Preparation this week. Focus on the areas listed below and specify the main roles involved in this program.
Structures
Processes
Outcomes
Regulatory minimum standards.
Determine whether this quality improvement program is aligned with Deming's Process Improvement Cycle.
Provide a rationale for your determination.
Quality Improvement Program: Fall Prevention in Long-Term Care
Source: https://dsc.duq.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=dnp
This program focuses on reducing falls among residents in a long-term care facility.
Structures:
- Quality Improvement Team: A multidisciplinary team consisting of nurses, therapists, social workers, and facility administrators.
- Data Collection Tools: Fall incident reporting forms, resident assessment tools, environmental checklists.
- Policies and Procedures: Fall prevention protocols, resident care plans, medication management guidelines.
Processes:
- Identification: Reviewing fall incident reports to identify trends and risk factors for falls.
- Assessment: Conducting resident assessments to identify individual fall risks and contributing factors (e.g., gait problems, medications, environmental hazards).
- Intervention: Implementing individualized fall prevention strategies based on resident assessments, such as:
- Modifying the resident's environment (e.g., removing clutter, installing grab bars).
- Providing assistive devices (e.g., walkers, canes).
- Implementing exercise programs to improve strength and balance.
- Reviewing medications that might increase fall risk.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitoring residents' progress, tracking fall rates, and adjusting interventions as needed.
- Feedback and Improvement: Reviewing program effectiveness through data analysis, team meetings, and resident feedback, and continuously improving the program based on findings.
Outcomes:
- Reduced fall rates among residents.
- Improved resident mobility and independence.
- Increased staff awareness of fall prevention strategies.
- Improved collaboration and communication among disciplines.
Regulatory Minimum Standards:
- Federal Nursing Home Regulations (F-Tags): These regulations mandate that long-term care facilities have a comprehensive resident assessment process and implement individualized care plans to address identified needs, including fall prevention.
Deming's Process Improvement Cycle:
This program aligns well with Deming's Process Improvement Cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act).
- Plan: The program establishes a team, identifies goals, and develops fall prevention strategies.
- Do: The team implements the interventions for residents at risk of falling.
- Check: Fall rates and resident assessments are continuously monitored to evaluate effectiveness.
- Act: Based on data and feedback, the team refines interventions, modifies the program, and continues to improve fall prevention strategies.
Therefore, this quality improvement program demonstrates a cyclical approach to fall prevention, aligning with Deming's philosophy of continuous improvement.
Rationale:
The program actively seeks feedback and uses data to modify and improve interventions, adhering to the core principles of Deming's cycle:
- Focus on the customer (residents): The program prioritizes resident safety and well-being by addressing their individual fall risks.
- Empowerment: The multidisciplinary team collaboratively identifies and implements solutions.
- Data-driven decision making: Fall rates and resident assessments guide adjustments to the program.
- Continuous improvement: The cycle ensures continuous evaluation and refinement for better fall prevention outcomes.
Overall, this quality improvement program exemplifies a structured approach to fall prevention, aligned with Deming's Process Improvement Cycle, aiming to enhance resident safety and well-being in a long-term care facility.