NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal

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NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal Instructions

  • Make a quality initiative proposal (7-10 PowerPoint slides) through a presentation, interpreting and communicating dashboard data to support the proposal.

Introduction

Health care providers are perpetually striving to improve care quality and patient safety. To accomplish enhanced care, outcomes need to be measured. Next, data measures must be validated. Measurement and validation of information support performance improvement. Health care providers must focus attention on evidence-based best practices to improve patient outcomes. Have a look at NHS-FPX6004 Assessment 1 Dashboard Metrics Evaluation.

Health informatics, along with new and improved technologies and procedures, are at the core of all quality improvement initiatives. Data analysis begins with provider documentation, researched process improvement models, and recognized quality benchmarks. All of these items work together to improve patient outcomes. Professional nurses must be able to interpret and communicate dashboard information that displays critical care metrics and outcomes along with data collected from the care delivery process.

Overview

A basic principle of quality measurement is: If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.

–Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2021)

In the previous assessment, you analyzed the effectiveness of an existing quality initiative. Now that you’ve done that, this assessment gives you experience interpreting and communicating dashboard data for the purpose of making a quality initiative proposal of your own. And you’ll make your proposal through a PowerPoint presentation, including using speaker notes in the Notes section of the slides, much like you might in your health care setting.

Health care providers are on an endless quest to improve both care quality and patient safety. This unwavering commitment requires hospitals and care givers to increase their attention and adherence to treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes. Health informatics, along with new and improved technologies and procedures, are at the core of virtually all QI initiatives. The data gathered by providers, along with process improvement models and recognized quality benchmarks, are all part of a collaborative, continuing effort. As such, it is essential that professional nurses are able to correctly interpret and effectively communicate information revealed on dashboards that display critical care metrics.

Instructions

In this assessment, you will make a QI initiative proposal based on a health issue of professional interest to you. This proposal will be based on an analysis of dashboard metrics from a health care facility. You have one of two options:

Option 1

If you have access to dashboard metrics related to a QI initiative proposal of interest to you:

  • Analyze data from the health care facility to identify a health care issue or an area of concern. You will need access to reports and data related to care quality and patient safety. If you work in a hospital setting, contact the quality management department to obtain the data you need.
  • You will need to identify basic information about the health care setting, size, and specific type of care delivery related to the topic that you identify. You are expected to abide by standards for compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Option 2

If you do not have access to a dashboard or metrics related to a QI initiative proposal:

  • You may use the hospital data set provided in the Vila Health: Data Analysis media piece to identify a health care issue or an area of concern.
  • You will follow the same instructions and provide the same deliverables as your peers who select Option 1.

Complete the following steps for your proposal:

  • Analyze data to identify a health care issue or an area of concern as it relates to a state, national, or accreditation benchmark requirement relevant to your professional setting.
  • Evaluate the quality of the data.
  • Outline a QI initiative proposal based on the selected health issue or area of concern and supporting data analysis to improve identified dashboard metric. The interactive activity Designing a Quality Improvement Initiative can get you going on the first steps of a QI process and your assessment.
  • Identify the target areas of improvement and outcome measures.
  • Include the QI model that will be utilized.
  • Specify evidence-based strategies that will be utilized.
  • Integrate interprofessional perspectives and actions to lead quality improvements in patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and work-life quality.
  • Specify roles and responsibilities.
  • Apply effective collaboration strategies to promote QI of interprofessional care.
  • Include specific communication tools.
  • Deliver a persuasive, coherent, and effective audiovisual presentation. Integrate relevant sources to support arguments, correctly formatting citations and references using current APA style.

Be sure that your proposal, at minimum, addresses each of the bullet points. You may also want to read the Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal Scoring Guide to better understand the performance levels that relate to each grading criterion. Additionally, be sure to review the Guiding Questions: Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal [DOCX] document for additional clarification about things to consider when creating your assessment.

RECORDING YOUR PRESENTATION

Before starting to record your presentation make sure you have:

  • Set up and tested your microphone and headset using the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer. You only need to use the headset if your audio is not clear or high quality when captured by the microphone.
  • Practice using the equipment to ensure the audio quality is sufficient.
  • Consult Using Kaltura for guidance on how to record your presentation and upload it in the courseroom.
  • Microsoft PowerPoint also allows you to record your narration with your slides. If you choose this option, simply submit your presentation to the appropriate area of the courseroom. Your narration will be included with your slides.
  • Remember to practice delivering and recording your presentation multiple times to ensure effective delivery.

Note: If you require the use of assistive technology or alternative communication methods to participate in this activity, please contact Disability Services at DisabilityServices@Capella.edu to request accommodations.

Additional Requirements

Your assessment should also meet the following requirements:

  • Length of submission: 7–10 PowerPoint slides, with speaker notes, not including title slide and attached reference list. Balance text with visuals. Avoid text-heavy slides. Use speaker’s notes for additional content.
  • Length of presentation: No more than 10 minutes.
  • Number of references: Cite a minimum of five sources (no older than seven years, unless a seminal work) of scholarly or professional evidence to support your evaluation, recommendations, and plans. Review the Nursing Master’s Program (MSN) Library Guide for guidance.
  • APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style. Review the Evidence and APA section of the Writing Center for guidance.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

  • Competency 2: Plan quality improvement initiatives in response to routine data surveillance.
  • Analyze data to identify a health care issue or area of concern as it relates to a state, national, or accreditation benchmark requirement.
  • Outline a quality improvement initiative proposal based on a selected health care issue or area of concern and supporting data analysis to improve identified dashboard metrics.
  • Competency 4: Integrate interprofessional perspectives to lead quality improvements in patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and work-life quality.
  • Integrate interprofessional perspectives and specify actions to lead quality improvements in patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and work-life quality.
  • Competency 5: Apply effective communication strategies to promote quality improvement of interprofessional care.
  • Apply effective collaboration strategies to promote quality improvement of interprofessional care.
  • Create a persuasive, coherent, and effective audiovisual presentation. Integrate relevant sources to support arguments, correctly formatting citations and references using current APA style.

Reference

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2021). Preventing falls in hospitals. https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/fall-prevention/toolkit/index.html

NURS-FPX6016 Assessment 3 Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal Example

Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal

Hospice Data 2020-2021

Facility metrics related to the four AHRQ reportable benchmarks.

Benchmark Category20202021
Hospice patients whose hospice care team always treated them with dignity and respect and cared about them78%80%
Hospice patients whose hospice care team  always communicated well with their family caregivers about taking care of them78%75%
Hospice patients who always received enough help for pain, sadness, breathing, or constipation from the hospice care team65%68%
Hospice patients and family caregivers who always got help as soon as they needed it from the hospice care team70%68%
Analysis Of Current Quality Improvement Initiative In A Health Care Setting

The data shown above gives insight into a hospice facility’s performance in four AHRQ reportable standards related to patient satisfaction and experience. Analyzing the data allows for the identification of areas for improvement and the development of a quality improvement proposal to improve the care delivered to patients and their families (Flieger et al., 2019). First, the data shows that there was a slight increase in the percentage of patients who reported that their hospice care team always treated them with dignity and respect and cared about them. This indicates that the facility is performing well in terms of patient satisfaction with the care provided by the hospice team.

However, the data shows a reduction in the percentage of patients whose hospice care team communicated well with their family caregivers about their care. This might indicate a communication breakdown between the hospice staff and the patient’s family caregivers, which could negatively influence the patient’s experience. To address this issue, the quality improvement plan should include measures for improving communication between the hospice staff and family caregivers (Flieger et al., 2019). This might include regular check-ins, family meetings, and hospice team training on effective communication with families.

Furthermore, the statistics suggest that the percentage of patients who felt they always received enough treatment for pain, sorrow, breathing, or constipation increased (68%). This is a wonderful trend, but the hospital should aim to continue enhancing patient care. The quality improvement plan should explore introducing a pain management strategy to guarantee that patients receive adequate and timely treatment for their symptoms to improve the provision of end-of-life care (Flieger et al., 2019).

Finally, the results show that the percentage of patients and family caregivers who always received assistance as soon as they needed it decreased to 68%. While this figure is decreasing, the hospital should strive to maintain or maintain it to guarantee that patients and families receive the assistance they require in a timely way. To accomplish this, the quality improvement proposal should include a system for tracking and reacting to patient and family requirements, as well as staff training on effective communication and reaction times.

What Prompted The Implementation Of The Quality Improvement Initiative?

The data presented in the report above illustrates a hospice facility’s success in four AHRQ reportable standards linked to patient satisfaction and experience. The data indicates both positive and undesirable patterns in the facility’s performance, prompting the development of a quality improvement project proposal.

The decrease in the proportion of patients whose hospice care team always communicated properly with their family caregivers about their care to 75% was one of the key motivators for the execution of the quality improvement program. This suggests a communication breakdown between the hospice staff and the patient’s family caregivers, which may have a detrimental impact on the patient’s experience (Aston et al., 2022). To address this issue, the quality improvement project should prioritize better communication between the hospice staff and family caregivers.

Another incentive for implementing the quality improvement project is the need to continue enhancing end-of-life care. While the findings show an improvement in the number of patients reporting that they always received enough aid for pain, depression, breathing, or constipation, to 68% from 65%, the hospital should aim to continue improving patient care. To do this, the quality improvement program should think about developing a pain management strategy and ensuring that patients receive proper and timely treatment for their symptoms (Aston et al., 2022).

Furthermore, the findings show that the percentage of patients and family caregivers who always received support as soon as they needed it decreased. While this figure is not decreasing, the hospital should strive to maintain or enhance it to guarantee that patients and families receive the assistance they require promptly. To do this, the quality improvement project should include a system for tracking and reacting to patient and family requirements, as well as staff training on effective communication and reaction times.

Problems Not Addressed

The report’s data provide valuable insights into the hospice facility’s performance in key areas related to patient satisfaction and experience. However, several issues were not addressed in the data and could not be identified based on the information supplied. One of the major issues not addressed in the data is the core reason for the communication gap between the hospice team and family caregivers.

While the reduction in the percentage of patients whose hospice care team usually communicated well with their family caregivers (75%) indicates a problem, the data does not explain why this gap occurs. To address this issue, the quality improvement program should involve a thorough examination of communication procedures and impediments, as well as the creation of measures to increase communication and collaboration between the hospice team and family caregivers (Dhingra et al., 2020).

Another issue not addressed in the data is individuals’ particular pain management and symptom control requirements. While the results show that the percentage of patients who said they always received enough treatment for pain, depression, breathing, or constipation has grown (68%), it does not give information on patients’ specific requirements. To solve this issue, the quality improvement project should include a patient-centered assessment approach that identifies each patient’s requirements and preferences and ensures that their treatment plan is personalized to fit their specific demands (Dhingra et al., 2020).

Furthermore, the data does not indicate the degree of staff training and support offered to the hospice team. While the data suggests that the hospice quality improvement project may involve staff training and assistance, it does not specify the degree of training and support currently provided. To address this issue, the quality improvement plan should involve a thorough examination of current staff training and support programs, as well as the creation of initiatives to improve and sustain the education and training offered to employees of hospice (Dhingra et al., 2020).

What Problems Arose From The Initiative

The report’s data does not suggest that any specific concerns developed as a result of the hospice quality improvement project. The report includes information on four major patient satisfaction and experience standards and indicates some improvement in these indicators from 2020 to 2021. The percentage of patients who said their hospice care staff always treated them with decency and respect, for example, increased from 78% to 80%.

The proportion of patients who said they always got enough treatment for pain, sorrow, breathing, or constipation increased from 65% to 68%. However, it is crucial to remember that the data presented is restricted and may not represent all of the issues or difficulties encountered throughout the quality improvement initiative’s execution. Additional data gathering and analysis may be required to properly understand the initiative’s impact and identify any problems that developed (Verhoef et al., 2022).

Benchmarks Or Outcome Measures Were Used To Evaluate Success And Requirements For National, State, Or Accreditation Standards

Four criteria were used to assess the performance of the current hospice quality improvement project based on the data supplied in the initiative proposal:

  • Hospice patients whose hospice care staff treated them with decency and respect, and who genuinely cared for them
  • Hospice patients whose hospice care staff communicated effectively with their family caregivers about their treatment.
  • Hospice patients who received enough pain, grief, breathing, or constipation treatment from their hospice care team
  • Hospice patients and family caregivers received immediate assistance from the hospice care team.

These benchmarks are a measure of patient contentment and experience, indicating how satisfied patients are with their hospice care team (Rogers et al., 2019). From 2020 to 2021, the data show some improvement in these metrics, with the percentage of patients reporting that their care team always treated them with dignity and respect rising from 78% to 80% and the percentage of patients reporting that they always received enough help for pain, sadness, breathing, or constipation rising from 65% to 68%.

It should be noted that these metrics may not be the only ones utilized to assess the performance of the hospice quality improvement project. National, state, or accrediting criteria may necessitate the adoption of extra benchmarks or outcome metrics. Standards may, for example, entail measuring patient and caregiver satisfaction, the efficacy of pain and symptom treatment, or the efficiency of the hospice care delivery process.

Interprofessional Perspectives Related To Initiative Functionality And Outcomes

Additional study and data gathering would be required to understand the responsibilities and views of different members of the interprofessional team engaged in the endeavor to include interprofessional viewpoints. Interviews with healthcare professionals from various disciplines, such as nurses, social workers, chaplains, and physicians, should be conducted to better understand the initiative’s impact. Their contributions might influence the study by offering useful insights into the many components of hospice care and the problems that the interprofessional team faces in providing comprehensive and effective care.

The interprofessional team, which includes doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals, can help the QI project succeed by sharing their experiences and collaborating to meet the needs of patients and their families. They may bring a variety of viewpoints and skill sets to the table, allowing for a more holistic approach to patient care. Social workers, for example, can assist in identifying and addressing patients’ and their families’ social and emotional needs (Bhatnagar & Lagnese, 2022). Chaplains can help with spiritual and emotional needs, while doctors and nurses can address physical symptoms.

Additional Indicators And Protocols To Improve And Expand Outcomes Of A Current Quality Initiative

The following proposals can be explored to improve and broaden the outcomes of an existing quality initiative:

  1. Process changes: Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, which incorporates the opinions and experiences of multiple healthcare experts, can lead to improved outcomes. Enhancing patient outcomes can be achieved by fostering collaboration and communication among members of the interprofessional team.
  2. The adoption of new technology, including telemedicine, electronic medical records, and decision support systems, can improve patient care by enabling more efficient and effective communication and information exchange across the interprofessional team.
  3. Outcome measurements: In addition to the existing benchmarks and outcome measures, the following outcome measures may be beneficial to include:
  4. Satisfaction of patients and their families with the care they received
  • Duration of hospice care for patients and families
  • Reduced hospital readmissions
  • Improvements in symptom management and patient and family quality of life.

A quality initiative may enhance and broaden its outcomes by incorporating these improvements and adding additional outcome measurements, resulting in greater patient care and satisfaction (Bhatnagar & Lagnese, 2022).

Conclusion

A hospice quality improvement initiative proposal is an important part of healthcare delivery that aims to enhance patient outcomes by addressing their specific requirements. The data from 2020-2021 revealed a slight increase in several benchmarks but also identified areas for development, such as improved contact with family caregivers. Including interprofessional viewpoints and employing new technology can increase the initiative’s performance, and incorporating other outcome measures can broaden its influence even more. Healthcare practitioners may guarantee that patients receive the best possible care towards the end of life by regularly reviewing and enhancing the quality of hospice care.

References

Aston, O., Taylor, S., Geary, A., Walmsley, C., Finucane, A., Morrison, R., Sutherland, A., Arnold, E., McCall-Smith, E., Spiller, J., Sampey, L., Marshall, L., & Kemp, R. (2022). P-178 Improving pain intervention chart (PIC) completion: A quality improvement project (QIP). Poster Presentations, 12, A77–A77.

Bhatnagar, M., & Lagnese, K. R. (2022). Hospice Care. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537296/

Dhingra, L., Walker, P., Berdella, M., Plachta, A., Chen, J., Fresenius, A., Balzano, J., Barrett, M., Bookbinder, M., Wilder, K., Glajchen, M., Langfelder-Schwind, E., & Portenoy, R. K. (2020). Addressing the burden of illness in adults with cystic fibrosis with screening and triage: An early intervention model of palliative care. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis: Official Journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society, 19(2), 262–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2019.08.009

Flieger, S. P., Spatz, E., Cherlin, E. J., & Curry, L. A. (2019). Quality improvement initiatives to reduce mortality: An opportunity to engage palliative care and improve advance care planning. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, 36(2), 97–104. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909118794149

Rogers, M., Meier, D. E., Heitner, R., Aldridge, M., Hill Spragens, L., Kelley, A., Nemec, S. R., & Morrison, R. S. (2019). The national palliative care Registry: A decade of supporting growth and sustainability of palliative care programs. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 22(9), 1026–1031. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2019.0262

Verhoef, M.-J., de Nijs, E., Sweep, B., Warmerdam-Vergroesen, D., Horeweg, N., Pieterse, A., van der Steen, J., & van der Linden, Y. (2022). Non-specialist palliative care – question prompt list preparation: patient, family, and clinician experiences. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003035