Understanding Quality
Order Instructions:
Throughout this course, you will gain a deeper perspective of quality in health care and its importance in the health care industry. In this assignment, you will review a sample quality policy from a health care facility or provider.
Write a 1,000-1,250 word paper in which you assess the organization’s quality policy. Include answers to the following questions:
1.Discuss aspects of the policy: What is included and excluded?
2.What area of the organization is affected by this policy?
3.Why was this policy created?
- Unsatisfactory
0.00% - Less Than Satisfactory
65.00% - Satisfactory
75.00% - Good
85.00% - Excellent
100.00%
70.0 %Content
55.0 % Essay on the Quality Policy of a Health Care Organization, Focusing on Completeness
Essay does not demonstrate an understanding of the concept of quality in health care implications. Essay does not address inclusions and exclusions as specified in the assignment. Essay does not demonstrate critical thinking and analysis of the situation, and does not develop effective answers to the questions, with rationale.
Essay demonstrates minimal understanding of the concept of quality in health care implications. Essay minimally addresses inclusions and exclusions as specified in the assignment. Essay demonstrates minimal abilities for critical thinking and analysis of the case study, and develops weak answers to the questions, with minimal rationale.
Essay demonstrates knowledge of the concept of quality in health care, but has some slight misunderstanding of the implications. Essay satisfactorily addresses inclusions and exclusions as specified in the assignment. Essay provides a basic idea of critical thinking and analysis for the questions, answers, and rationale. Essay does not include examples or descriptions.
Essay demonstrates acceptable knowledge of the concept of quality in health care implications. Essay satisfactorily develops understanding of inclusions and exclusions as specified in the assignment. Essay develops an acceptable response and rationale. Essay utilizes some examples.
Essay demonstrates thorough knowledge of the concept of quality in health care implications. Essay thoroughly develops an understanding of inclusions and exclusions as specified in the assignment. Essay clearly answers the questions and develops a very strong rationale. Essay introduces appropriate examples.
15.0 % Integration of Information From Outside Resources Into the Body of Paper
Assignment does not use references, examples, or explanations.
Assignment provides some supporting examples, but minimal explanations and no published references.
Assignment supports main points with examples and explanations.
Assignment supports main points with explanations and examples. Application and description are direct, competent, and appropriate of the criteria.
Assignment supports main points with references, examples, and full explanations of how they apply.
20.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
7.0 % Thesis Development and Purpose
Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.
Thesis and/or main claim are insufficiently developed and/or vague; purpose is not clear.
Thesis and/or main claim are apparent and appropriate to purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are clear and forecast the development of the paper. It is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive. The essence of the paper is contained within the thesis. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
8.0 % Argument Logic and Construction
Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.
Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.
Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis.
Argument shows logical progression. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.
Clear and convincing argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.
5.0 % Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice and/or sentence construction are used.
Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, and/or word choice are present.
Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used.
Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used.
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
10.0 %Format
5.0 % Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)
Template is not used appropriately, or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.
Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is apparent.
Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.
Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style.
All format elements are correct.
5.0 % Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)
Sources are not documented.
Documentation of sources is inconsistent and/or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.
Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.
100 % Total Weightage
SAMPLE ANSWER
Understanding Quality
Introduction
An explicit health care policy helps a health care organization can in the establishment of a vision for tomorrow, outline the specific responsibilities of different individuals and the specific priorities of an organization (Black et al., 2011). However, it is important to note that implementation of health related policies can be faced with some challenges. Implementation of health care policies ensures standardization of care provided as much as possible. Systems in the healthcare sector are essential since they set a general plan of action to help lead in the desired outcomes and also are fundamental in the decision-making process (Black et al., 2011). The employees get a better understanding of the organization’s desired results and also whatever the organization expects from them by making them understand fully their roles and responsibilities. Besides, is provides clarification on legal and ethical issues.
Reasons for creation of the policy
In my organization of concern, Jaydee Hospital, the policy was created to serve a variety of purposes. To start with, the healthcare field is governed by a range of professional bodies, therefore, through the establishment of these policies, it will ensure that the organization complies with the relevant governing and regulatory body’s requirements. Also, the plan will ensure the improvement of care through implementation of standards and international best practices (Black et al., 2011). Also, it was to make sure that organization sets relevant goals and objectives which ensure provision of high-quality care and safety of the patient. In the healthcare environment, most often than not, policies in the health care sector help to lay a foundation for the provision of cost-effective and quality care. Finally, the plan was meant to ensure maintenance of an environment that is conducive to risk management by avoiding accidents to patients, employees and the customers in general (Black et al., 2011).
Aspects of the policy
Nosocomial infections are those infections that occur within forty-eight hours of admission or after 3days after discharge (Morrow & Kollef, 2010). Research indicates that in every one out of 10 patients get nosocomial infections. The overall effect per year is 5000 deaths, leading to high cost being incurred (Morrow & Kollef, 2010). Patients who acquire these infections tend to spend more time in the hospital making them incur extra cost more than the unaffected patient. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit are more prone to hospital-acquired infections due to their compromised state of health, use of mechanical ventilation and prevalence of invasive procedure to patients (Morrow & Kollef, 2010). Therefore, health care professional working in these areas needs to be more vigilant on prevention control measure. Development of these nosocomial infections compromises the safety of patients, health care providers working in these settings as well as other caregivers. It, therefore, calls for the health care organizations to come up with policies which will help in reducing the incidence of these nosocomial infections hence a reduction in the mortality rate.
Through the implementation of appropriate infection control measures, there can be a decrease in the frequency of these infections. Health care providers need to come up with strategies such as prevention strategies, treatment programs, and surveillance (Morrow & Kollef, 2010). An inspection team has to be set including a microbiologist; an infection control nurse has the responsibility of all issues of infection prevention and oversight within a hospital. This team is responsible for educating the other staffs, development of infection control and prevention policies and provide guidelines in this area. For the infection monitoring and prevention programs to be effective, they require extensive knowhow on local epidemiology of the causative agents and the most appropriate interventions (Alangaden, 2011).
Surveillance is the ongoing, step by step collection, analysis and interpretation of health related information which helps in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health issues. Through surveillance, data is collected for comparison of hospital-acquired infections to help come up with strategies to improve patient and health care provider’s safety. Before an organization comes up with any strategies, it should collaborate with the surveillance team.
Various factors predispose patients to nosocomial infections in the hospital settings. Mostly, these infections are contributed by poor hand hygiene (Alangaden, 2011). Studies show that compliance with hand washing go a long way in reduction of these hospital acquired infections. Health care providers, patients, and the other caregivers should use the proper hand washing techniques help reduce these infections. Also, health care providers should properly utilize protective gears to contribute to reducing contact with body fluids (Alangaden, 2011). Gloves, aprons and air filter masks are necessary for health care providers when handing body fluids.
Another prevention is use of appropriate antibiotics. Evidence shows that proper and early use of antibiotic helps to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with nosocomial infections (Alangaden, 2011). Health care providers require to have knowledge on antibiotic; that is, their proper mode of action, prevalent bacteria pathogens and resistant bacterial also, they should administer the right dosage for the appropriate duration of time. The health care providers should as well ensure they work in conjunction with the microbiologist and other surveillance personnel.
Area of the organization affected by the policy.
Nosocomial infections are occur in every department of a health care setting especially when relevant measures are not put in place. The infection prevention, control and treatment policy on nosocomial infections will affect major areas at jade health care organization (Alangaden, 2011). These strategies need to be implemented in the outpatient departments, operating rooms, the intensive care unit as well as the wards. Studies shows that most nosocomial infections are prevalent in the intensive care unit. Therefore, health care [professionals in this area need to be more cautious.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the significance of policies may not be apparent, though, through the management of these systems, it can help in improvement of the efficiency and productivity in the health care sector as well as ensure regulations and standards are not breached. Nosocomial infections are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates leading to increased financial burden. Use of appropriate infection control measures is necessary for effective control, prevention, and treatment of these infections. Awareness of upcoming pathogens and resistant organisms is also needed for treatment of nosocomial infections. Correct dosage and duration of antibiotic therapy are recommended to help in reduction of resistant pathogens (Alangaden, 2011). Healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients should use the recommended hand washing techniques to help in reduction of the hospital-acquired infections. Hand washing should not be substituted by use of gloves and hands must be washed after glove removal.
References
Alangaden, G. J. (2011). Nosocomial Fungal Infections: Epidemiology, Infection Control, and Prevention. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.idc.2010.11.003
Black, A. D., Car, J., Pagliari, C., Anandan, C., Cresswell, K., Bokun, T., … Sheikh, A. (2011). The impact of ehealth on the quality and safety of health care: A systematic overview. PLoS Medicine, 8(1). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000387
Morrow, L. E., & Kollef, M. H. (2010). Recognition and prevention of nosocomial pneumonia in the intensive care unit and infection control in mechanical ventilation. Crit. Care Med., 38(Suppl 8), 352–62. http://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181e6cc98
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