- Explain the function of research in Health and Social Care What is research? Research is an investigation which follows a systematic and scientific approach which looks into and studies new materials, sources etc. so that we can establish facts and reach conclusions. We decide that we need to research a topic when we have a question that needs to be answered or a problem that needs to be resolved. There are a number of ways to carry out research; however there are two main approaches which are qualitative and quantitative.
Quality Improvement Part ll HCS/548 Mary Ellen Strout October 21, 2013 2. Quality Improvement Part ll Quality improvement is a hospitals applied process in order to ensure the advancement of the quality of care and outcomes for patients using an explicit set of philosophies and procedures (Walker, 2012). There are potential advances for quality improvement at Jordan Hospital in the Emergency Department. The quality improvement that would be applied uses the measurement of the collected data to be used towards the strategic improvement of patient care. Using the measurements taken and applied tools, it allows for leaders to understand the direction of the quality management in an organization or facility.
With concepts of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Quality Improvement (QI) introduced to health care organizations; administrators have had to decide which methodology is right for the organization. There are numerous methodologies: Six Sigma, Lean, and Customer Inspired Quality. Each has its own pros and cons. A key component of quality improvement is the technology that gathers and compares the data that the quality improvement measures produces. The information gathered from the technology can be benchmarked against other health care organizations.
Herein, Fleming has made some very strong and important recommendations on how to evaluate administrative data within the text, the example made is, “The team compares the data to other internal sources of this information. For example, a chart review of a random sample of patients in each condition could determine whether the mortality data were accurate, and whether the death was preventable”
Applying Standardized Terminologies in Practice Standardized Nursing terminologies (SNTs) are classifications, or taxonomies created to be shared among healthcare users. In the nursing field, the use of SNTs is essential to help nurses to document accurately, and clearly patient care information. The use and implementation of Standardized Nursing Terminologies add descriptions of nursing practice into the health record in a way that nursing personnel understand. The use of standardized terminologies is vital to the development of nursing as a profession. This article main purpose is to provide evidence of the importance and application of standardized terminologies in the Nursing practice.
The Quality Indicators (QIs) developed and maintained by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) are one response to the need for multidimensional, accessible quality measures that can be used to gage performance in health care. The QIs are evidence based and can be used to identify variations in the quality of care provided on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. These measures are currently organized into four modules: the Prevention Quality Indicators (PQIs), the Inpatient Quality Indicators (IQIs), the Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs), and the Pediatric Quality Indicators (PDIs). Prevention Quality Indicators (PQIs)- The AHRQ PQIs are one set of quality measures that can be used to identify potential problems and ascertain disparities across regions, communities, and providers. They mainly focuses on preventive care services—outpatient services that assist individuals with either staying healthy or managing chronic illness.
It can be depicted that whenever HCPs engage in practice, they make numerous clinical decisions; from which they draw on a wide range of knowledge (Pearson, Field & Jordan, 2007). This can be basic biological and behaviour sciences, the HCPs’ assessment of the current context and of the individual patient, their own experience and current understandings of research reports they may have read (Pearson et al., 2007). Although evidence of effectiveness of various interventions is necessary, it is evident that HCPs require a range of information, in order to facilitate changes in health practice and informed decision-making (Hoffman et al, 2010). Evidence-based practice is a process that can positively impact patient care, however, successfully implementing and sustaining this process at the bedside requires environmental readiness at the organizational level (Smith & Donze, 2010). Determining the level of readiness is vital before interdisciplinary teams can hope to accomplish successful dissemination of innovative and effective practices (Smith & Donze, 2010).
Quality Improvement (QI) can lead to a general approach to the measurable improvement of patient care. Quality improvement uses specialized plans and principles that guarantees quality of care for patients in healthcare facilities. Quality outcomes centers on quality management principles. This report will cover the fundamentals of Quality Improvement. This report will also explain the importance of stakeholders an how quality is identified.
Data are used to improved care by improving patient outcomes while reducing the cost of care. Having accurate and timely utilization, cost and outcomes data allows the healthcare community to expand the use of new health care delivery and payment systems. In order to improve health care, clinicians need to be able to look at raw data including outcomes, identify shortcomings in practice processes and see where costs can be better managed. Evidenced based practice tools are efficient for gathering information so that facilities can use data not only to guide patient care decisions, but also staffing and practice protocols as well as resource allocation. Collection of the raw data can be done through the skills of quality assurance and utilization
Evidence based practice has predominantly been used in the field of Medicine , to discover a more effective approach of treatment for patients. In medical profession evidence based practice is of critical importance.The practitioners rely on the evidence provided by researchers and experienced doctors to come up with treatments that are reliable