How you would disseminate information about this evidence-based practice throughout your organization or practice setting

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Course Project: Part 3—Translating Evidence Into Practice

In Part 3 of the Course Project, you consider how the evidence you gathered during Part 2 can be translated into nursing practice.

Now that you have located available research on your PICOT question, you will examine what the research indicates about nursing practices. Connecting research evidence and findings to actual decisions and tasks that nurses complete in their daily practice is essentially what evidence-based practice is all about. This final component of the Course Project asks you to translate the evidence and data from your literature review into authentic practices that can be adopted to improve health care outcomes. In addition, you will also consider possible methods and strategies for disseminating evidence-based practices to your colleagues and to the broader health care field.

To prepare:

  • Consider Parts 1 and 2 of your Course Project. How does the research address your PICOT question?
  • With your PICOT question in mind, identify at least one nursing practice that is supported by the evidence in two or more of the articles from your literature review. Consider what the evidence indicates about how this practice contributes to better outcomes.
  • Explore possible consequences of failing to adopt the evidence-based practice that you identified.
  • Consider how you would disseminate information about this evidence-based practice throughout your organization or practice setting. How would you communicate the importance of the practice?To complete:In a 3- to 4-page paper:1) Restate your PICOT question and its significance to nursing practice. My PICOT question is: does hand washing and appropriate staff dressing among the surgical ward nurses reduce cross infection during patient management?2) Summarize the findings from the articles you selected for your literature review. Describe at least one nursing practice that is supported by the evidence in the articles. Justify your response with specific references to at least 2 of the articles. Please refer to the articles below: 

Aiken, A. M., Karuri, D. M., Wanyoro, A. K., & Macleod, J. (2012). Interventional studies for preventing surgical site infections in sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Surgery, 242-249. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2012.04.004

Al-Khawaldeh, O., Al-Hussami, M., & Darawad, M. (2015). Influence of Nursing Students Handwashing Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes on Their Handwashing Compliance. Scientific Research Publishing. Doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.4236/health.2015.75068 

Bukhari, S., Hussain, W., Banjar, A., Almaimani, W., Karima, T., & Fatani, M. (2011). Hand hygiene compliance rate among healthcare professionals. PubMed – NCBI. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 1 April 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21556474

3) Explain how the evidence-based practice that you identified contributes to better outcomes. In addition, identify potential negative outcomes that could result from failing to use the evidence-based practice.

4) Outline the strategy for disseminating the evidence-based practice that you identified throughout your practice setting. Explain how you would communicate the importance of the practice to your colleagues. Describe how you would move from disseminating the information to implementing the evidence-based practice within your organization. How would you address concerns and opposition to the change in practice?

This part of the Course Project should be combined with the other two components of the Course Project and turned in as your Portfolio Assignment for this course.

Note:  In addition, include a 1-page summary of your project

COURSE REQUIRED RESOURCES

Readings

  • Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012).  Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.).Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
    • Chapter 12, “Sampling in Quantitative Research”

      This chapter introduces key concepts concerning sampling in quantitative research. This includes such concepts as a description of populations, different types of sampling and their uses, and how to determine a manageable, yet sufficient number to be included in a sample. The chapter also includes suggestions for implementing a sampling plan.
    • Chapter 13, “Data Collection in Quantitative Research”

      Once a sampling design is complete, the next step is to collect the data, and this is the focus of Chapter 13. The chapter describes how to develop a data collection plan, and provides information about the different types of instruments that can be used, such as structured observation and biophysiologic measures.
    • Chapter 21, “Sampling in Qualitative Research”

      The focus of this chapter is on the sampling process in qualitative research. The chapter describes the different types of sampling and when they are commonly used. Sampling techniques in the three main qualitative traditions (ethnography, phenomenological studies and grounded theory studies) are highlighted.
    • Chapter 22, “Data Collection in Qualitative Research”

      This chapter examines the process of data collection in qualitative research as well as key issues surrounding data collection. This includes such methods as self-reporting, surveys, interviews, and personal journal keeping. The chapter also highlights important considerations when utilizing unstructured observations to gather data and how to record field notes.
  • Keough, V. A., & Tanabe, P. (2011). Survey research: An effective design for conducting nursing research. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 1(4), 37–44.
    Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

    This text emphasizes the advantages of survey research. The authors describe the nuances of survey research projects, including their design, methods, analysis, and limitations.

Media

  • Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012b). Data collection. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

    Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes.

    Dr. Kristen Mauk discusses how she collected data for her DNP project in this video. She describes the details of her pre- and post-tests used to track nurses’ knowledge in a rehabilitation unit. 
  • Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012).  Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.).Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
    • Review Chapter 2, Fig. 2.1
    • Chapter 27, “Systematic Reviews of Research Evidence: Meta-analysis, Metasynthesis, and Mixed Studies Review”

      This chapter focuses on the different types of systematic reviews. The chapter discusses the advantages of this type of analysis and the steps for conducting a meta-analysis or metasynthesis.
  • Dingle, P. (2011). Statin statistics: Lies and deception. Positive Health, 180, 1.
    Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

    In this article, the author outlines how misleading statistics are used to make false claims about the positive use of statin drugs in order to retain a market share of sales for pharmaceutical firms.
  • Katapodi, M. C., & Northouse, L. L. (2011). Comparative effectiveness research: Using systematic reviews and meta-analyses to synthesize empirical evidence. Research & Theory for Nursing Practice, 25(3), 191–209.
    Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

    The authors of this article assert that more comparative effectiveness research (CER) is necessary to accommodate the elevated demand for evidence-based health care practices. The article supplies a summary of methodological issues relevant to systematic reviews and meta-analyses used in the process of CER.
  • Stichler, J. F. (2010). Evaluating the evidence in evidence-based design. Journal of Nursing Administration, 40(9), 348–351.
    Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

    The quality of evidence used in EBP can vary considerably. This article highlights the necessity of critically appraising facility design research articles and using a hierarchical model to rate the strength of evidence.
  • Bernd, R., du Prel, J.-B., & Blettner, M. (2009). Study design in medical research: Part 2 of a series on the evaluation of scientific publications. Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, 106(11), 184–189. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695375/pdf/Dtsch_Arztebl_Int-106-0184.pdf

    This article provides guidance in evaluating the study design of scientific publications for reliability and credibility. The authors suggest that the most important elements to consider are the question to be answered, the study population, the unit of analysis, the type of study, the measuring technique, and the calculation of sample size.
  • Walden University. (n.d.a). Paper templates. Retrieved July 23, 2012, from http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/57.htm (for review)

    This website provides you access to the School of Nursing Sample Paper, which will serve as a template for formatting your papers.

Media

  • Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012g). Hierarchy of evidence pyramid. Baltimore, MD: Author.  (for review)

    This multimedia piece explains the hierarchy of evidence pyramid. The piece offers definitions and key information for each level of the pyramid.
  • Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012n). Weighing the evidence. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

    Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 6 minutes.

    In this video, Dr. Kristen Mauk provides insight about how she analyzed her data and interpreted meanings of what the data showed. She describes how she drew conclusions based on the results and how she explained unexpected findings that were contrary to her initial hypotheses.  

Comparison of the model used for the interdisciplinary geriatric teams at your current practicum site to models used at other sites

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Case Study 1:

Mrs. Martinez is an 83-year-old Mexican American widow who lives in her own home and is cared for by her adult daughter. Mrs. Martinez owns the home, and her daughter lives with her and provides the care. Her daughter brought her mother to the clinic today to ask to speak to the social worker. She requests that her mother be placed in a nursing home. The daughter states that her mother has nothing to do during the day. The television is on The Weather Channel most of the day because Mrs. Martinez has limited English capability and is unable to read closed-captioning. Mrs. Martinez also has two sons who do not live in the local area, but they do call regularly and check in with their mother and sister. The two sons are opposed to moving their mother to a nursing home because they had promised her that they would “never put her away.”

Post 1-2 page paper of a comparison of the model used for the interdisciplinary geriatric teams at your current practicum site to models used at other sites. Then, explain how the role of the advanced practice nurse differs according to the site of care. Finally, explain how care should be facilitated for the patient in the case you selected based on the model used for the interdisciplinary geriatric teams at your practicum site.

What physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient's condition

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In this Discussion, you consider case studies of abnormal findings from patients in a clinical setting. You determine what history should be collected from the patients, what physical exams and diagnostic tests should be conducted, and formulate a differential diagnosis with several possible conditions. 

Your Discussion post should be in the SOAP Note format, rather than the traditional narrative style Discussion posting format. Refer to Chapter 2 of the Sullivan text and the Comprehensive SOAP Template in the Week 4 Learning Resources for guidance. Remember that not all comprehensive SOAP data are included in every patient case.

Case 1: Nose Focused Exam
Richard is a 50-year-old male with nasal congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and postnasal drainage. Richard has struggled with an itchy nose, eyes, palate, and ears for 5 days. As you check his ears and throat for redness and inflammation, you notice him touch his fingers to the bridge of his nose to press and rub there. He says he’s taken Mucinex OTC the past two nights to help him breathe while he sleeps. When you ask if the Mucinex has helped at all, he sneers slightly and gestures that the improvement is only minimal. Richard is alert and oriented. He has pale, boggy nasal mucosa with clear thin secretions and enlarged nasal turbinates, which obstruct airway flow but his lungs are clear. His tonsils are not enlarged but his throat is mildly erythematous. 

To prepare:
With regard to the case study you were assigned:

  • Review this week’s Learning Resources and consider the insights they provide.
  • Consider what history would be necessary to collect from the patient.
  • Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. How would the results be used to make a diagnosis?
  • Identify at least 10 possible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient.

A case that deals with a client who has Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

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In this assignment you will review a case that deals with a client who has GERD.

Clinical Case:

Mrs. G. is a 45-year-old female arrives at the emergency department where you are working with complaints of burning pain in her chest and throat and a sour taste in her mouth. She states this pain has been going on for years after she eats certain foods. She has a large, extended family and does all of the cooking. She is Hispanic and likes to cook her special recipes because she believes that “these foods are good for herself and her family.” She is very proud of her cooking and believes that is one of her main contributions to her family. She has never been sick and does not like to take pills. 

She is examined by the emergency room doctor and diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The doctor has ordered medication for you to administer. These medications include a proton pump inhibitor (Prilosec), and a Histamine 2 blocker (Pepcid). He also prescribes the proton pump inhibitor to be taken at home for the next two weeks. Mrs. G. starts to feel better and is ready for discharge. You will be providing the client teaching and discharge instructions about GERD.

In your discussion include:

  • Dietary suggestions you would make
  • What foods and liquids she should avoid 
  • What changes she should make 
  • Barriers she will face in making these changes and how they can be overcome

Include APA formatted references if used. 

Mobility and independence and needs to rely on daughter for assistance with activities of daily living

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Martha is a 65-year-old woman who recently retired from her job as an administrative assistant at a local hospital. Her medical history is significant for hypertension, which has been controlled for years with hydrochlorothiazide. She reports that lately she is having a lot of trouble sleeping, she occasionally feels like she has a “racing heartbeat,” and she is losing her appetite. She emphasizes that she is not hungry like she used to be. The only significant change that has occurred lately in her life is that her 87-year-old mother moved into her home a few years ago. Mom had always been healthy, but she fell down a flight of stairs and broke her hip. Her recovery was a difficult one, as she has lost a lot of mobility and independence and needs to rely on her daughter for assistance with activities of daily living. Martha says it is not the retirement she dreamed about, but she is an only child and is happy to care for her mother. Mom wakes up early in the morning, likes to bathe every day, and has always eaten 5 small meals daily. Martha has to put a lot of time into caring for her mother, so it is almost a “blessing” that Martha is sleeping and eating less. She is worried about her own health though and wants to know why, at her age, she suddenly needs less sleep.

Deerborne Dialysis Supply Management

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Discussion: Workflow Modeling

Workflow modeling is widely used throughout many different types of businesses, including health care organizations, to visually summarize the steps of complex processes and systems. When constructing a workflow model, it is important to ensure that the model accurately reflects the actual steps in a process.

In this Discussion, you consider a case study of a health care clinic and its process for ordering medical supplies. You then examine a workflow model that is meant to reflect that process and analyze the model’s accuracy based on the information in the case study. You also analyze the importance of accurate workflow modeling and consider strategies for creating accurate workflow models for health care processes.

Case Study:

Deerborne Dialysis is a local dialysis clinic that is part of a larger health care network, Buckeye Health. Buckeye Health executives have recently been examining the processes by which organizations within the network manage their supplies. Deerborne Dialysis was identified as an exemplary model of efficient supply management, and Buckeye Health executives have requested a workflow model of how Deerborne Dialysis handles their supply management process.

Sharon is the nurse who oversees the process of ordering and stocking supplies for Deerborne Dialysis. She knows the process well and developed a description of the steps in the supply management process. First, Sharon conducts a daily check of the supplies in the storage room. If there is a supply that is running low, Sharon submits an order to the medical supplier. When the clinic receives the shipment, Sharon unpacks the shipment and cross-checks the supplies that were shipped with the supplies that were ordered. If there is a discrepancy, the entire shipment must be returned to the medical supplier, who then rushes a new shipment to the clinic to be received the next day. If there is no discrepancy, or once the new shipment is received, unpacked, and cross-checked, Sharon stocks the shelves in the storage room and gives the supply bill to the clinic’s accountant, who ensures that the medical supplier receives payment.

Sharon has created the following workflow model to reflect the steps she goes through to manage the clinic’s inventory of supplies:

Workflow Model: Deerborne Dialysis Supply Management

To prepare:

  • Review the case study above and examine the workflow model that is meant to reflect the process described in the case study.
  • Identify problems with the workflow model. How could the model be revised to be more accurate, clear, and effective?
  • Reflect on the importance of creating an accurate workflow model of health care processes. What are the challenges involved in workflow modeling? What are the consequences of inaccurate workflow models?
  • Consider strategies that you can use to ensure that workflow models are effective and accurate.

With these thoughts in mind:

Postby tomorrow 9/27/16 a minimum of 550 words essay in APA format with 3 references (References must come from the list provided in the instruction area), addressing the level one headings as numbered below:

1) A summary of at least three specific problems you identified in the workflow model.

2) Describe how the model could be revised to address those problems.

3) Analyze the importance of accuracy and clarity in workflow modeling, and describe at least one strategy you plan to use to ensure that the workflow models you create are accurate and clear.

Required Readings

Dennis, A., Wixom, B. H., & Roth, R. M. (2015). Systems analysis and design (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

  • Chapter 5, “Process Modeling” (pp. 153–186)

 This chapter introduces the most common process-modeling techniques. In particular, there is emphasis on the data flow diagram and how it is developed and used.

Helmers, S. (2011). Microsoft Visio 2010 step by step. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly.

  • Chapter 3, “Adding Sophistication to your Drawing” (pp. 69–110)

 This chapter focuses on creating a diagram that is both professional and accurate. Topics covered include adding and using text boxes, inserting fields, and grouping shapes.

  • Chapter 4, “Drawing the Real World: Flowcharts and Organization Charts” (pp. 111–142)

 The focus of this chapter is creating accurate flowcharts and organization charts. It explains how to create and use swimlanes. It also covers the development of organization charts and how they can be stylized.

  • Chapter 5, “Adding Style, Color, and Themes” (pp. 143–170)

 This chapter demonstrates how to change the color, types of lines, and over all format of a drawing. It also covers the use of Visio themes.

Benyoucef, M., Kuziemsky, C., Rad, A. A., & Elsabbahi, A. (2011). Modeling healthcare processes as service orchestrations and choreographies. Business Process Management Journal, 17(4), 568–597.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

 Remodeling health IT systems for optimal health care delivery requires an assessment of both the health care organization and the usability of the available technology. This article evaluates ways of combining web-service-based health care processes to best suit the needs of service-specific health care organizations.

Unertl, K. M., Weigner, M. B., Johnson, K.B., & Lorenzi, N. M. (2009). Describing and modeling workflow and information flow in chronic disease care. Journal of American Medical Informatics Association, 16(6), 826–836.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

 This article evaluates how workflow and work practices in chronic disease care can be improved through the use of informatics tools. It also focuses on studies that discern potential real-world benefits of health information technology (HIT).

Vankipuram, M., Kahol, K., Cohen, T., & Patel, V. L. (2011). Toward automated workflow analysis and visualization in clinical environments. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 44(3), 432–440.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

 In this article, the authors offer a framework for improving workflow analysis. It combines cognitive decision making, movement, and interaction and communication. The authors used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research practices to gather the data for analysis.

Required Media

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012d). A workflow diagram. Baltimore, MD: Author.

 This multimedia piece continues to build on the scenario introduced in Week 1. In this segment, the health care facility creates a workflow diagram with assessment that maps the current workflow.

Quality Improvement Proposal

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Identify a quality improvement opportunity in your organization or practice. In a 1,250-1,500 word paper, describe the problem or issue and propose a quality improvement initiative based on evidence-based practice. Apply “The Road to Evidence-Based Practice” process, illustrated in Chapter 4 of your textbook, to create your proposal.

Include the following:

Provide an overview the problem and the setting in which the problem or issue occurs.

Explain why a quality improvement initiative is needed in this area and the expected outcome.

Discuss how the results of previous research demonstrate support for the quality improvement initiative and its projected outcomes. Include a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources published within the last 5 years, not included in the course materials or textbook, that establish evidence in support of the quality improvement proposed.

Discuss steps necessary to implement the quality improvement initiative. Provide evidence and rationale to support your answer.

Explain how the quality improvement initiative will be evaluated to determine whether there was improvement.

Support your explanation by identifying the variables, hypothesis test, and statistical test that you would need to prove that the quality improvement initiative succeeded.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance

Developing an Advocacy Campaign

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Only USE THE REFERENCES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE DIRECTIONS BELOW.

Part 1 is the document labelled Part 1.

The Rubric that needs to be copied at the end of the paper is labelled usw1_nurs_5051

 

Application Assignment 2: Part 2 – Developing an Advocacy Campaign

To prepare:

  • Review Chapter 3 of Milstead, J. A. (2012). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publisher In the first assignment, you reflected on whether the policy you would like to promote could best be achieved through the development of new legislation, or a change in an existing law or regulation. Refine as
  • necessary using any feedback from your first paper.
  • Contemplate how existing laws or regulations may affect how you proceed in advocating for your proposed policy.
  • Consider how you could influence legislators or other policymakers to enact the policy you propose.
  • Think about the obstacles of the legislative process that may prevent your proposed policy from being implemented as intended.

To complete:

Part Two will have 4 pages of content plus a title page and references. Part Two will address the following:

  • Explain whether your proposed policy could be enacted through a modification of existing law or regulation or the creation of new legislation/regulation.
  • Explain how existing laws or regulations could affect your advocacy efforts. Be sure to cite and reference the laws and regulations using primary sources.
  • Provide an analysis of the methods you could use to influence legislators or other policymakers to support your policy. In particular, explain how you would use the “three legs” of lobbying in your advocacy efforts.
    • Summarize obstacles that could arise in the legislative process and how to overcome these hurdles.
    • Paste the rubric at the end of your paper.
Required Readings

Knickman, J. R., & Kovner, A. R. (Eds.). (2015). Health care delivery in the united states (11th ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.

  • Chapter 7, “Health and Behavior” (pp. 119–144)

    This chapter discusses the role of behavior on health and describes behavioral risk factors and potential community-based interventions.

Backer, E. L., Geske, J. A., McIlvain, H. E., Dodendorf, D. M., & Minier, W. C. (2005). Improving female preventive health care delivery through practice change: An Every Woman Matters study. Journal of the American Board of Family Practice, 18(5), 401–408.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article informs the Assignment as an example of a health program that was not successful. You will conduct additional research on this topic to determine current advocacy programs that have been more effective.

Hancock, C., & Cooper, K. (2011). A global initiative to tackle chronic disease by changing lifestyles. Primary Health Care, 21(4), 24–26.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article details the efforts of the C3 Collaborating for Health charity. In particular, C3 focuses on minimizing the risk factors of poor dieting, smoking, and low physical activity.

Schwartz, S. M., Ireland, C., Strecher, V., Nakao, D., Wang, C., & Juarez, D. (2010). The economic value of a wellness and disease prevention program. Population Health Management, 13(6), 309–317.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

The authors of this article detail a study that sought to determine the economic consequences of a disease prevention program conducted by the Hawaii Medical Service Association.

Tengland, P. (2010). Health promotion and disease prevention: Logically different conceptions? Health Care Analysis, 18(4), 323–341.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article investigates the differences and causal connections between health promotion and disease prevention.

Genitourinary Disorders

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Maya is a 5-year-old who presents for a well-child visit. She is a healthy child with no complaints. Physical examination is normal. Routine urinalysis indicates 2+ proteinuria; specific gravity 1.020; negative for glucose, blood, leukocytes, and nitrites. Her blood pressure is normal, and she is at the 60th percentile for height and weight.

To prepare:

•Review “Genitourinary Disorders” in the Burns et al. text.

•Review and select one of the three provided case studies. Analyze the patient information.

•Consider a differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study you selected. Think about the most likely diagnosis for the patient.

•Think about a treatment and management plan for the patient. Be sure to consider appropriate dosages for any recommended pharmacologic and/or non-pharmacologic treatments.

•Consider strategies for educating patients and families on the treatment and management of the genitourinary disorder.

POST 1 TO 2 PAGES PAPER ON :An explanation of the differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study you selected.

Explain which is the most likely diagnosis for the patient and why.

Include an explanation of unique characteristics of the disorder you identified as the primary diagnosis. Then, explain a treatment and management plan for the patient, including appropriate dosages for any recommended treatments.

Finally, explain strategies for educating patients and families on the treatment and management of the genitourinary disorder.

REFERENCE:

Readings

•Burns, C. E., Dunn, A. M., Brady, M. A., Starr, N. B., & Blosser, C. G. (2013). Pediatric primary care (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.

◦Chapter 34, “Genitourinary Disorders” (pp. 809–843)

◦Chapter 35, “Gynecologic Disorders” (pp. 844–876)

American Academy of Pediatrics, Subcommittee on Urinary Tract Infection, Steering Committee on Quality Improvement and Management. (2011). Urinary tract infection: Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of the initial UTI in febrile infants and children 2 to 24 months. Pediatrics, 128(3), 595–610.

Nurse/Patient Empowerment

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As a registered nurse, you have the power to influence change in patient outcomes. An important aspect of influencing change is identifying areas that need improvement. This is done primarily through measurement of data. There are several different measures to gather data within organizations as well as on a national scale. Some of these measurements include core measures, standards, best practices, evidence-based practices, and the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI). These support mechanisms have also been discussed as a means for helping nurses to deliver quality care and improve patient safety. Each measurement essentially focuses on providing care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable.

Although there are several different measurements, NDNQI data is used in the process of attaining Magnet Recognition. Magnet Recognition is the highest honor a health care organization can receive for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. The nurse-specific measures presented in the NDNQI help inform nursing staffs and their organizations of areas where nursing practices can be improved and where nursing practice efforts are producing positive clinical outcomes. Nurses must be directly involved in developing and implementing action plans based on the data presented by the NDNQI.

This week, you will explore the importance of nurse empowerment in effecting change and how action plans are created based on the results of the NDNQI as presented on a dashboard. You will also consider how nurses advocate for patients’ rights, even when that means supporting a patient whose personal choices may have negative health outcomes.

Learning Objectives
Students will:
Evaluate strategies to empower both the nurse and the patient to improve quality of care
Analyze the use of National Database of Nursing Quality Indictors for nurse empowerment in practice
Analyze nurse empowerment in relation to use of quality improvement data for practice
Analyze practice experiences for patient or nurse empowerment
Analyze quality improvement dashboards for nursing plans
Note: The Assignment related to these Learning Objectives is introduced this week and submitted in Week 5.

Photo Credit: [Eva Katalin Kondoros]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

Learning Resources
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings
Brown, D. S., Aydin, C. E., & Donaldson, N. (2008). Quartile dashboards: Translating large data sets into performance improvement priorities. Journal of Healthcare Quality, 30(6), 18–30. doi: 10.1111/j.1945-1474.2008.tb01166.x

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Typically, references should be within five to seven years of publication. However, this publication is considered a classical research reference pertaining to quality improvement and the use of data sets.

Cole, C., Wellard, S., & Mummery, J. (2014). Problematising autonomy and advocacy in nursing. Nursing Ethics, 21(5), 576–582. doi: 10.1177/0969733013511362

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Garrard, L., Boyle, D. K., Simon, M., Dunton, N., & Gajewski, B. (2016). Reliability and validity of the NDNQI® injury falls measure. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 38(1), 111–128. doi: 10.1177/019394591454281

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Giancarlo, C., Comparcini, D., & Simonetti, V. (2014). Workplace empowerment and nurses’ job satisfaction: A systematic literature review. Journal of Nursing Management, 22(7), 855–871. doi: 10.1111/jonm.12028

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Guglielmi, C. L., Stratton, M., Healy, G. B., Shapiro, D., Duffy, W. J., Dean, B. L., & Groah, L. K. (2014). The growing role of patient engagement: Relationship-based care in a changing health care system. AORN, 99(4), 517–528. doi: 10.1016/j.aorn.2014.02.007

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Rock, M. J., & Hoebeke, R. (2014). Informed consent: Whose duty to inform? MEDSURG Nursing, 23(3), 189–194.

American Hospital Association. (2003).

Read through this document created by the American Hospital Association. This document was created for inpatient hospital stays. However, it is applicable to other practice settings as well.

Montalvo, I. (2007). The national database of nursing quality indicators. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 12(3).

The IHI offers numerous resources for improving nursing practice and patient care. Explore a variety of topics and examine some of the resources available.

National Quality Forum. (2016b).

The National Quality Forum (NQF) strives to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors. Explore the NQF’s endorsed standards and consider how they apply to nursing practice.

Document: Dashboard Directions (Word document)

Document: Sample Dashboard (Excel spreadsheet)

Required Media
Laureate Education. (Producer). (2009a). Topics in clinical nursing: Accountability and nursing practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 15 minutes.

Discussion: Nurse/Patient Empowerment
As a nurse, you are the individual who has the ability to empower patients in the decision-making process pertaining to their health care. In addition, you are in a unique position to empower your nursing colleagues to improve job satisfaction and use performance indicator data from dashboards to effect social change.

In this week’s Learning Resources, you examined both the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) and the key role nurses play as advocates for patient rights. To assist nurses in being better prepared for this role, programs such as Patient Care Partnership provide guidance.

For this Discussion, you will analyze the use of quality improvement data and discuss how this data can help empower both patients and nurses. Review the Patient Care Partnership information presented in this week’s Learning Resources. In addition, reflect on the media presentation and the information shared by Ms. Manna on patients’ rights.

By Day 3
Respond to the following:

What are the best strategies the nurse can employ to empower patients and support patients’ rights to improve quality of care? (Some considerations to keep in mind may include: providing information on effectiveness, risks, and benefits of alternative treatments.)
In what ways can NDNQI data from dashboards or quality improvement data be used to support nurse empowerment in practice?
How has your institution empowered the nursing staff through the use of quality improvement data?
Provide an example of how you have personally empowered either a patient or a fellow nurse.
Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.

Note Initial Post: A 3-paragraph (at least 250–350 words) response. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames. Avoid quotes; paraphrase to incorporate evidence into your own writing. A reference list is required. Use the most current evidence (usually ≤ 5 years old).