Discussion Question 2: Quality of Care

There are many variables influencing the definition of quality of care. For example, patients and their families may perceive quality in one way and the healthcare provider may perceive quality of care in a much different manner. In assessing quality of care, the nurse leader must create a culture of quality through the structures, processes, and outcomes in the healthcare organization.It is only through commitment and the creation of a culture of quality and safety that healthcare organizations in the twenty-first century can succeed and excel. Using the readings for the week, the South University Online Library, and the Internet, respond to the following: Explain the relationship between quality of care and Medicare reimbursement. Summarize two contemporary external influences to the healthcare organization that are impacting reimbursement to healthcare organizations based on quality of care. Describe one strategy your current or former healthcare organization uses to assess and measure quality of care. Comment on the postings of at least two peers. Evaluation Criteria: Explained the relationship between quality of care and Medicare reimbursement. Summarized two contemporary external influences to the healthcare organization that are impacting reimbursement to healthcare organizations based on quality of care. Described one strategy your current or former healthcare organization uses to assess and measure quality of care. Justified your answers with appropriate research and reasoning. Commented on the postings of at least two peers.

 

 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Quality of Care

Introduction

The quality of care provided to a patient by a hospital is one of its most important components. This includes everything from nursing care to physical therapy and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services and social services.

Nursing care

Nursing care is the most important aspect of nursing. Nurses are the most important members of the healthcare team and they provide patient care, teaching patients and their families how to manage their health.

Nursing care involves providing basic physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs through observation, assessment and treatment plans that can be adjusted as needed by nurses or doctors.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services are all available to help you.

• Physical therapy: Physical therapists work with patients who have suffered a stroke or heart attack to help them recover movement of the affected limbs or muscles. They may also treat other conditions involving pain and discomfort in the area being treated.

• Occupational therapists: Occupational therapists work with people who have suffered an injury or illness that affects their ability to perform daily activities such as walking, standing up from sitting down without assistance and communicating clearly with others (e.g., talking). These therapists may use exercises designed by physical therapists to improve function related to these activities so that patients can resume their normal routines after recovery from injury/illness occurs.* Speech language pathologists: Speech-language pathologists help people communicate by teaching them how words sound through oral communication devices such as microphones connected directly into computer systems for use during medical procedures such as surgery when no one else will be able hear what’s going on outside working hours

Social services

• Social workers are available to help you and your family with many issues.

• They can help you find a place to live or financial assistance, if needed.

• They can also help you find employment, or even a job search coach who will work with you on your resume and cover letter.

• If legal issues arise, social workers are trained in helping people navigate the legal system as well as provide information about community resources such as affordable housing programs and other assistance services available throughout New York City including those offered by Community Service Society of New York (CSSNY).

Discharge planning

Discharge planning is a process that takes place as you are discharged from the hospital, and it involves several people. Your team of care providers will meet to discuss your plan for discharge. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions about your care and any other concerns you may have about the process of being discharged from the hospital.

In addition to your primary care physician or nurse practitioner, other members of this team may include:

• A social worker who can help with housing issues if needed

• A case manager who can provide information about community resources for employment assistance or insurance coverage

Care coordination, transitional care and follow-up

Care coordination is the process of linking patients to other health care providers who may offer them additional services or coordinate their care. Care coordination can be done in many ways, but one commonly used method is the use of a team approach with multiple providers working together. This allows for better communication between patients and doctors, as well as increased efficiency in delivering services to patients during their stay at the hospital.

Post-discharge home follow-up (PDHF) is an important part of any patient’s recovery process because it allows families to gather information on what happened during their loved one’s stay in hospital, how well they’re healing from surgery/treatment given during hospitalization, how much longer it will take before he/she feels better again—and ultimately whether we were successful in helping him/her recover from whatever illness caused him/her along this journey! This information can help us decide whether we should continue supporting his treatment plan based on these results; if there are changes needed then PDHF becomes an important part of planning future visits so we know exactly where he stands today compared against yesterday or last week…

Health promotion and education

Health promotion and education are key to providing quality care, as they promote healthy living and prevent illness.

• Promote health: Teach people how to stay healthy, with an emphasis on nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation and other lifestyle choices that can impact their overall health.

• Educate patients about their condition: Make sure you explain what is happening with your patient’s condition so that he or she understands it fully before moving forward with treatment options. If a patient does not understand something about his/her illness or how it affects him/her personally (for example), then he/she may delay necessary treatment out of fear rather than because there is anything wrong at all!

Takeaway:

If you’re reading this article, you probably want to know some things about it. I’ll tell you:

• The takeaway should be a summary of the article. It should provide a key point or idea that the article is trying to convey, and it can be used in conversations or presentations.

• The takeaway might also include some type of statement that can be used in conversations or presentations (e.g., “I learned something”).

Conclusion

We are all in this together. We have a shared responsibility to each other to make sure that people with disabilities can live a fulfilling life, regardless of their specific needs. It is up to us as professionals to create an environment where everyone has access and opportunity for success.