Implementing Policy In the Health Care Delivery SystemIn this episode, you are the Director of Quality Improvement for a Health Care System. Your team is in the process of establishing policies and procedures to ensure health law compliance. You must work with team members to create policies and procedures that address the requirements, determine who the changes impact the most, and work with those people to develop a comprehensive communication strategy.Based on the policy and law changes, hospitals are now required to:
- Monitor and report medical errors to the DHHS.
- Use root cause analysis on a certain percentage of errors
- Track and report patient outcomes focused on the clinical problems identified in the National Health Care Quality Report (http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/qrdr10.htm).
- Integrate the 5 health care profession core competencies into staff education and track outcomes.
- Establish a no-blame culture.
You will submit policy and procedure points that address each of the changes, and a communication strategy for the changes.
- Work through the simulation.
- Answer all questions.
- Submit your points.
- Save as “ImplementingPolicy_YourName” word document.
- Click on the assignment link to submit your word document.
The images on the left are screen shots similar to what you will see in your own Learnscape course.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is important to understand the various policies and regulations that govern the healthcare industry. One such policy is the requirement for hospitals to monitor and report medical errors to the DHHS, use root cause analysis on a certain percentage of errors, track and report patient outcomes, integrate the 5 healthcare profession core competencies into staff education, and establish a no-blame culture. In this assignment, students are required to create policies and procedures that address these requirements and develop a comprehensive communication strategy for the changes.
Answer:
The policy and procedure points that address the changes required by this policy are:
1. Medical error reporting: Develop a clear protocol for the reporting of medical errors within the hospital system. The protocol should include the requirements for reporting to the DHHS, the process for reporting, and the appropriate channels for escalation.
2. Root cause analysis: Establish a process for conducting root cause analysis on a certain percentage of medical errors. This process should include the selection criteria for cases to be analyzed, the methodology for analysis, and the actions taken to address the issues identified.
3. Patient outcomes tracking: Implement a system for tracking and reporting patient outcomes for clinical problems identified in the National Health Care Quality Report. This system should include the key performance indicators for measuring progress, the frequency of data collection and reporting, and the channels for disseminating the information.
4. Core competencies integration: Develop a training program for staff on the 5 healthcare profession core competencies. This program should cover the key concepts of each competency, the methods for applying them in practice, and the assessment criteria for evaluating staff proficiency.
5. No-blame culture establishment: Promote a culture of transparency and accountability in the hospital system by establishing a no-blame culture. This culture should encourage staff to report errors and identify opportunities for improvement without fear of retribution or punishment.
The communication strategy for these changes should include:
1. Internal communication: Develop a comprehensive communication plan for disseminating the policies and procedures to all staff within the hospital system. This plan should include the channels for communicating the changes, the key messages to be conveyed, and the timelines for implementation.
2. External communication: Communicate the changes to the patients, their families, and the wider community. This should include the rationale behind the changes, the expected benefits to patients, and the channels for receiving feedback.
In conclusion, implementing policy in the healthcare delivery system requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the requirements of the policy, determines the impact on stakeholders, and develops a communication strategy for the changes. As medical professors, it is important to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate these complex policies and regulations in the healthcare industry.
