Page 165 - Essentials of Nursing Leadership and Management, 5th Edition

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152 unit 2 | Working Within the Organization CikguOnline
your impact. (1) Write a letter to your represen- selected, focus attention on the following in patient
tative (local, state, federal), ANA leadership or care delivery (Hansten & Washburn, 2001, p. 24D):
state-level delegate, the editor of your local
1. Think critically. Use your creative, intuitive,
newspaper, or to the editor of your favorite
logical, and analytical processes continually in
nursing journal/magazine. (2) Attend a meeting
working with patients.
where your topic will be addressed in a public
2. Plan and report outcomes. Emphasizing results
forum or at a professional gathering. Meet the
is a necessary part of managing resources in
people who are influential, and share your ideas
today’s cost-conscious environment. Focusing
or learn from others. (3) Vote for candidates and
on the outcomes moves the nurse out of the
officers in your professional organizations and
mindset of focusing just on tasks.
within the government. (4) Visit your represen-
3. Make introductory rounds. Begin each shift
tative (local, state, federal) or ANA leadership
with the health-care team members introduc-
or state-level delegate to share your ideas.
ing themselves, describing their roles, and pro-
(5) Volunteer. Ask what you can do to help.
viding patients updates.
(6) Testify before decision-making bodies.
4. Plan in partnership with the patient. In conjunc-
tion with the introductory rounds, spend a few
Conclusion minutes early in the shift with each patient,
discussing shift objectives and long-term goals.
Pressure from quality organizations, consumers,
This event becomes the center of the nursing
payers, and providers has caused the focus in the
process for the shift and ensures that the patient
health-care system to shift from patient care to
and nurse are working toward the same outcomes.
issues of cost and quality. Experts indicate that
5. Communicate the plan. Avoid confusion
quality promotes decreased costs and increased sat-
among members of the team by communicat-
isfaction. This is an opportunity for nurses to
ing the intended outcomes and the important
become more professional and empowered to
role that each member plays in the plan.
organize and manage patient care so that it is safe,
6. Evaluate progress. Schedule time during the
efficient, and of the highest quality. Begin early in
shift quickly to evaluate outcomes and the
your career to participate actively in QI initiatives.
progress of the plan and to make revisions as
Regardless of the care model used or the indicators
necessary.
Study Questions
1. How have historical, social, political, and economic trends affected your practice? Give specific
examples and their implications.
2. What problems have you identified during your clinical experiences that could be considered issues
to be addressed using CQI?
3. What SCMs have you seen implemented in practice? Which ones might you use to assist you in
planning care? If you have not seen any, ask the nurse manager what is used on the unit.
4. Review the section in this chapter on risk management. In what areas of risk do you feel you are
the most vulnerable? How will you work on correcting your risk?
5. Discuss the role of the nurse in CQI and risk management.
6. Based on patient safety goals for the current year, what will you do to ensure adherence to these goals?
7. What are evidence-based practices that promote quality and safety within the health-care system?
8. Describe how regulatory agencies and accrediting agencies affect patient care and outcomes at the
bedside.