In this assignment, you will take on the role of Quality Improvement Manager at Rasmussen Hospital. You have learned that there may be an increase in the number of patients with a nosocomial infection and the hospital would like to the rates to stay below 2%.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has provided you with the Quality Improvement Initiative Worksheet below. The worksheet contains 2 years of data regarding Patient Infections and Discharges as well as detailed instructions for each of the parts highlighted below:
- Part 1: Compute the monthly nosocomial infection rates and provide two bar graphs depicting the infection rate for each month for the past 2 years. Then analyze the graphs and indicate data trends.
- Part 2: Explain which hospital employees should be on the Performance Improvement (PI) Team.
- Part 3: Address teamwork issues on the Performance Improvement (PI) Team.
Download the Quality Improvement Initiative Worksheet, complete the 3 parts, then save your completed worksheet.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As the Quality Improvement Manager at Rasmussen Hospital, addressing nosocomial infection rates is a critical aspect of maintaining patient safety and satisfaction. The Chief Medical Officer has provided a Quality Improvement Initiative Worksheet with instructions to complete three parts. Let’s discuss each part separately.
1. How would you compute the monthly nosocomial infection rates and analyze the data trends for the past 2 years?
To compute the monthly nosocomial infection rate, one needs to divide the number of patients with a nosocomial infection by the total number of discharges in a given month and multiply by 100. This will give the infection rate for that particular month. To analyze the data trends, create two bar graphs, one for each year, depicting the infection rate for each month. These graphs can be used to compare the infection rates for each month over the past two years. Look for any trends in the data, such as an increase or decrease in infection rates, which can provide insights into the effectiveness of the hospital’s infection prevention strategies.
2. Who should be on the Performance Improvement (PI) Team to address the nosocomial infection rates?
The PI Team should consist of hospital staff from a range of departments involved in infection prevention and control, such as nursing, environmental services, microbiology, and infection prevention. The team should also include physicians who treat patients with nosocomial infections. The team should have a leader who is responsible for coordinating meetings, setting goals, and ensuring team members are informed of any changes in infection prevention practices.
3. How would you address teamwork issues on the Performance Improvement (PI) Team?
To address teamwork issues, it is essential to establish clear communication channels and define roles and responsibilities for each team member. Open communication encourages the exchange of ideas and identification of problems before they escalate. Each team member should respect their colleague’s opinions and decision-making processes. If there are any conflicts, the leader should address them by encouraging the involved parties to resolve them with open communication. Finally, the team should receive regular feedback on their progress and celebrate their successes as a team.
