Systemic Problems Related to Quality and Safety Outcomes
HAIs, occurring within healthcare settings, manifest typically 48 hours after a patient’s admission (Monegro et al., 2023), often due to inadequate care practices. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 8.7% of hospitalized patients experience HAIs, with urinary tract infections being prevalent. These infections lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased morbidity risks, financial burdens, and potentially fatal complications (Stewart et al., 2021). Addressing this issue necessitates a collaborative approach and healthcare providers’ commitment to change.
Practice Changes to Improve Quality and Safety Outcomes
Implementing targeted strategies like the Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is crucial (CDC, 2023). Prioritizing practices such as proper utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE), adherence to hand hygiene guidelines, maintaining environmental hygiene, and continuous staff training is essential for minimizing HAIs.
Prioritization of the Proposed Change Strategies
Among proposed strategies, prioritizing hand hygiene practices and healthcare professional education is paramount due to hands being significant germ transmission sources. CDC underscores the efficacy of proper hand hygiene in preventing antibiotic-resistant infections, highlighting its criticality for patient safety.
Quality and Safety Culture and its Evaluation
Enhancing quality and safety culture through inter-professional collaboration and continuous improvement efforts is imperative. Evaluation metrics including prevalence surveys, patient satisfaction levels, and staff knowledge assessments are essential for gauging the effectiveness of change strategies.
Organizational Culture Affecting Quality and Safety Outcomes
Organizational culture significantly influences quality and safety outcomes. Enhanced communication, adequate staffing, and fostering a culture of accountability are vital for improving care quality and patient safety.
Justification of Necessary Changes in an Organization
Organizational changes such as establishing inter-professional committees, implementing zero-tolerance policies for negligence, and ensuring adequate resource allocation are necessary steps to mitigate adverse quality and safety outcomes.
References
Alhumaid, S., Al Mutair, A., Al Alawi, Z., Alsuliman, M., Ahmed, G. Y., Rabaan, A. A., Al-Tawfiq, J. A., & Al-Omari, A. (2021). Knowledge of infection prevention and control among healthcare workers and Factors Influencing Compliance: A systematic review. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-021-00957-0
Baumbach, L., Frese, M., Härter, M., König, H.-H., & Hajek, A. (2023). Patients satisfied with care report better quality of life and self-rated health—cross-sectional findings based on hospital quality data. Healthcare, 11(5), 775. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11050775
Bearman, G., Doll, M., Cooper, K., & Stevens, M. P. (2019). Hospital infection prevention: How much can we prevent and how hard should we try? Current Infectious Disease Reports, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-019-0660-2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 3). The Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) strategy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hai/prevent/tap.html
Mello, M. M., Frakes, M. D., Blumenkranz, E., & Studdert, D. M. (2020). Malpractice liability and health care quality. JAMA, 323(4), 352. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.21411
Mitchell, B. G., Gardner, A., Stone, P. W., Hall, L., & Pogorzelska-Maziarz, M. (2018). Hospital staffing and healthcare–associated infections: A systematic review of the literature. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 44(10), 613–622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2018.02.002
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