Overview1

For this discussion, you will use information from your assigned readings, the literature and leaders in your organization to discuss the following:

• Compare and contrast informatics and clinical informatics. Cite references.
• Provide 2 examples with rationale of clinical informatics in your organization, or that of a nursing colleague, that has facilitated or improved patient care. You may not use the electronic health record as one of your examples.
• Provide 2 examples with rationale of how a nurse manager can use data management as a strategy to improve patient care on their unit(s).
• Why did President Bush mandate the implementation of electronic health records by 2014? Provide rationale.

References:

• Initial Post: Minimum of two (2) total references: one (1) from required course materials and one (1) from peer-reviewed references.

Words Limits

• Initial Post: Minimum 200 words excluding references (approximately one (1) page)

Overview2

This assessment requires you to use information from your assigned readings, the literature and leaders in your organization to answer the following questions. If you are not currently employed by an organization, gather information from a nurse leader or quality management colleague.

1. What are the organization’s quality program goals and objectives?
2. What is the organization’s quality management structure? If there is not a formal structure, who is responsible for quality management in the organization?
3. How are quality improvement projects selected, managed and monitored? Does nursing staff have any input?
4. State if quality improvement inservice programs are available for staff in your facility and describe a brief overview of the content.
5. What quality methodology and quality tools/techniques are utilized? Are they effective? Why or why not? Provide rationale.
6. How are QI activities and processes communicated to staff? Is the communication effective? How could it be improved?
7. How does the organization evaluate QI activities for effectiveness? What is the process when the QI activity is not effective?
8. Provide 2 examples of a QI initiative that has been effective in your organization. Describe the QI process that occurred. What was the impact on patient outcomes? Did it result in a change in practice?

Objectives

• Correlate a model of healthcare performance and quality to your organization.
• Identify the nurse’s role in measuring, monitoring and improving health care quality and safety.
• Discuss terms and concepts related to health care quality and safety.

References

Minimum of four (4) total references: two (2) references from required course materials and two (2) peer-reviewed references. All references must be no older than five years (unless making a specific point using a seminal piece of information).

Number of Pages/Words

Unless otherwise specified all papers should have a minimum of 600 words (approximately 2.5 pages) excluding the title and reference pages.