NURS 8302 Week 3 Discussion: Identifying Practice Gaps for Quality Improvement

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NURS 8302 Week 3 Discussion: Identifying Practice Gaps for Quality Improvement

Discussion: Identifying Practice Gaps for Quality Improvement

What should be happening in practice? What is happening or observed in practice?

These two questions help to identify where quality improvement practice gaps might exist in nursing practice. If we know what should be happening does not coincide with what is happening, we know there is an issue, or more appropriately, a practice gap.

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A practice gap is the difference between a desirable or achievable state of practice and current reality. For example, a common gap in practice in healthcare organizations today, are healthcare associated infections (HAIs), such as central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs), or catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).

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The ongoing identification of practice gaps is critical to quality improvement and involves identifying the current state, comparing that current state to the desired state, identifying the causes of the gaps in practice, and validating those gaps to develop a process for improvement.

For this Discussion, reflect on quality improvement practice gaps that may exist in your practice or organization. Consider what quality improvement methods and/or tools might be useful in improving this practice gap. Then, think about how you might address these challenges and what strategies you might implement as a future DNP-prepared nurse.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Learning Resources on tools and methods for quality improvement.
  • Reflect on a potential quality improvement practice gap, you have seen in your practice or organization, which you might consider using for your DNP project.
  • Consider the tools and methods you might use to address this quality improvement practice gap.

By Day 3 of Week 3

Post a brief explanation of how you would identify a quality improvement practice gap in your practice or organization. Describe a potential quality improvement practice gap you might use for your DNP project, and explain why. Then, explain at least two types of tools and/or methods you might use to address this quality improvement practice gap, and explain why. Be specific and provide examples. NURS 8302 Week 3 Discussion: Identifying Practice Gaps for Quality Improvement

By Day 6 of Week 3

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by expanding upon your colleague’s post and suggesting alternative tools and/or methods your colleague might consider using to address the quality improvement practice gap they selected.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

NURS 8302 Week 3 Discussion: Identifying Practice Gaps for Quality Improvement