Abstract
Many hospitals have been using different quality improvement (QI) programs. Such QI activities and processes can be critical towards providing quality care to different patients. The implementation of different hospital quality improvement programs can transform the quality of care availed to different populations. This essay gives a detailed analysis of the article “A Survey of Hospital Quality Improvement Activities”.
Summary of the Article
The authors of the article wanted to explore the effectiveness of different quality improvement (QI) programs. Such programs are usually aimed at improving the quality of care offered in different hospitals. The purpose of the study was to examine the major initiatives undertaken by different hospitals in order to improve the quality of care. The research study focused on a sample of 470 hospitals. The researchers made sure “such general hospitals had 25 or more beds” (Cohen et al., 2008, p. 575). The research findings indicated that most of the hospitals were embracing specific quality improvement (QI) programs. The QI efforts varied significantly from one institution to another. However, the researchers observed that such efforts promoted the best health outcomes. Hospital quality improvement strategies and programs are essential towards supporting the health needs of many patients.
Description of the Hospital Quality Improvement Programs
Majority of the surveyed hospitals focused on the best quality improvement (QI) programs. Such institutions were “actively engaged in improvement efforts in order to support the changing needs of their patients” (Cohen et al., 2008, p. 579). The managers of such hospitals indicated that QI was a critical priority towards effective organizational performance. The targeted institutions also employed the most appropriate practices. The targeted institutions focused on the goals promoted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). New practices were also implemented in order to support the targeted programs. For instance, the majority of the surveyed hospitals fostered new training practices. The hospitals embraced new QI methods. According to the research study, many Health Leaders (HLs) trained their workers in order to promote the best practices.
Hospital quality improvement is a powerful strategy that can support the needs and goals of many institutions. The research study explains why “hospitals should maintain staffing levels that favor fewer patients per nurse” (Cohen et al., 2008, p. 572). Hospitals should also embrace various QI methods in order to get the best results. Health Leaders (HLs) should also use proper strategies in order to mentor and support their followers. Every QI program should focus on the best practices in order to deliver the targeted outcomes (Silow-Carroll, Alteras, & Meyer, 2007). According to the authors, hospitals should embrace new innovations in order to improve the quality of care availed to their patients.
Concluding Remarks
This research examines how effective hospital quality improvement programs can be used to improve the quality of care. The cross-sectional analysis of 470 hospitals explains why QI is a powerful approach towards better health practices. This research study encourages clinicians to focus on the best quality improvement programs (Cohen et al., 2008). Such QI programs will eventually produce quality goals. New training programs will equip more nurses with better competencies. Such competencies will encourage different caregivers to promote the best health practices. According to the study, nurse-to-patient ratios should be improved in order to support the health needs of many patients.
Reference List
Cohen, A., Restuccia, J., Shwartz, M., Drake, J., Kang, R., Kralovec, P.,…Bohr, D. (2008). A Survey of Hospital Quality Improvement Activities. Medical Care Research and Review, 65(5), 571-595.
Silow-Carroll, S., Alteras, T., & Meyer, J. (2007). Hospital Quality Improvement: Strategies and Lessons from U.S. Hospitals. The Commonwealth Fund, 1(1), 1-55.