Nursing Clinical Assignment: Quality Improvement Project . Goal
to assess a clinical issue that is the focus of your Quality Improvement Project.
Create a description of the clinical issue to be addressed in the project.
Content Requirements:
Identify the clinical issue that will be the focus of your Quality Improvement project.
Provide rationale for the need to change the status quo.
Identify best practices from the literature related to the issues.
Clinical Issue:
The clinical issue that will be the focus of the Quality Improvement project is the high rate of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).
Rationale:
HAIs are a significant concern in healthcare settings and are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in critically ill patients in the ICU. HAIs can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and even death. The ICU has a high risk of HAIs due to invasive procedures, immunocompromised patients, and high antibiotic use, among other factors. The hospital’s ICU has a higher than the expected incidence of HAIs, indicating the need for a Quality Improvement project.
Best Practices:
Several best practices can be implemented to reduce the incidence of HAIs in the ICU. These include regular hand hygiene compliance monitoring and education, proper use of personal protective equipment, timely removal of invasive devices such as catheters and ventilators, and appropriate antimicrobial stewardship. Other best practices include aseptic technique during procedures, environmental cleaning and disinfection, and the use of chlorhexidine for daily patient bathing. Additionally, a multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare providers, infection prevention and control staff, and hospital leadership is essential for successful implementation and sustainability of the best practices.
