Since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, there have been many opportunities to look at quality and errors within health care. Health Grades is an organized system devoted to looking at some of this data. Look at their most current report and review the content. Identify at least two major issues described in the report and discuss the implications to the APN.
Introduction
Quality and patient safety are key components of healthcare delivery that have gained increasing attention since the release of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report in 1999. The Health Grades organization plays a crucial role in examining data related to quality and errors in healthcare. This paper aims to review the most current report by Health Grades, identify two major issues discussed, and discuss their implications for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs).
Major Issues in the Health Grades Report
The Health Grades report highlights several significant issues related to healthcare quality and patient safety. Two major issues discussed in the report are healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and medication errors.
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
The report underlines the prevalence and impact of HAIs in healthcare settings. HAIs are infections acquired by patients during their healthcare stay, which can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased morbidity and mortality rates, and escalated healthcare costs (Scott, Kuperman, & Borowitz, 2007).
The implications of HAIs for APNs are significant. APNs play a crucial role in patient care and are often involved in providing direct care to individuals at risk of developing HAIs, such as post-operative patients or those with chronic illnesses. APNs must have a comprehensive understanding of HAI prevention strategies and ensure that evidence-based practices are implemented. This involves enforcing strict adherence to hand hygiene protocols, promoting timely administration of prophylactic antibiotics, and advocating for infection prevention measures such as proper cleaning and disinfection of patient care equipment.
Furthermore, APNs must be vigilant in identifying early signs of HAIs and promptly initiating appropriate diagnostic and treatment interventions. Timely recognition of HAIs can significantly impact patient outcomes and reduce the risk of further transmission. APNs should collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement strategies aimed at reducing HAIs, including staff education, effective surveillance systems, and implementation of evidence-based guidelines.
Medication Errors
Another major issue highlighted in the Health Grades report is medication errors. Medication errors can occur at any stage of the medication use process, including prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, and administering medications. These errors may result in adverse drug events, patient harm, and increased healthcare costs (National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention, 2017).
The implications of medication errors for APNs are twofold. Firstly, APNs must ensure safe prescribing practices by conducting comprehensive medication reconciliation, considering individual patient factors and potential drug-drug interactions. APNs play a critical role in educating patients about their medications, including proper administration techniques, potential side effects, and the importance of adherence to prescribed regimens.
Secondly, APNs must actively participate in medication error reduction efforts within their healthcare organizations. This involves reporting and documenting medication errors, engaging in root cause analyses, and advocating for system-level interventions. APNs can work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to implement strategies such as computerized provider order entry systems, barcode medication administration, and standardized medication administration protocols to reduce the risk of medication errors.
Conclusion
The Health Grades report presents crucial data on healthcare quality and errors. Two major issues identified in the report are healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and medication errors. The implications of these issues for APNs include the need for comprehensive knowledge of prevention strategies, early recognition and treatment of HAIs, safe prescribing practices, patient education, and active engagement in medication error reduction efforts. APNs have a vital role in improving healthcare quality and patient safety by addressing these issues and advocating for system-level changes.