Abstract

This research paper delves into the realm of healthcare performance improvement, focusing on various models and approaches used to address critical issues within healthcare settings. The selected articles offer insights into different strategies for enhancing healthcare performance, particularly in the context of quality management and patient safety. The paper addresses two distinct discussion questions: one pertaining to the identification of the underlying causes of blood administration errors and the suitable performance improvement theory, and the other addressing the outdated pediatric code cart, specifically the Broselow board. Through the integration of the reviewed articles and relevant literature, this paper aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of performance improvement methodologies in healthcare.

Introduction

Healthcare organizations constantly seek to improve their processes and systems to ensure the highest quality of patient care and safety. Performance improvement theories and models play a pivotal role in diagnosing and addressing various issues within healthcare settings. This paper examines the insights derived from a collection of articles that focus on different aspects of performance improvement in healthcare.

Article Summaries

“The ED Nurse Manager’s Guide to Utilizing SWOT Analysis for Performance Improvement” by  emphasizes the strategic use of SWOT analysis by nurse managers to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in emergency department settings. The article provides a framework for utilizing SWOT analysis as a tool for performance enhancement .

“Lean Management and Breakthrough Performance Improvement in Health Care” by Ahn et al. (2021) explores the application of lean management principles to achieve significant performance improvements in healthcare settings. The study highlights the importance of minimizing waste and optimizing processes to enhance patient care (Ahn et al., 2021).

“Using Performance Improvement to Enhance Time‐Out Compliance and Prevent Wrong‐Site Surgery” by Vance et al. (2021) delves into performance improvement strategies to ensure compliance with safety protocols and prevent wrong-site surgeries. The article underscores the significance of systematic approaches to improving patient safety (Vance et al., 2021).

“Improving Throughput in Interventional Radiology: A Team Collaboration” by Sattler et al. (2019) discusses the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration in enhancing throughput in interventional radiology departments. The study underscores the value of teamwork and communication in process improvement (Sattler et al., 2019).

“Where Do Models for Change Management, Improvement and Implementation Meet?” by Harrison et al. (2021) presents a systematic review of change management models in healthcare. The article explores the applications of these models in driving performance improvement initiatives (Harrison et al., 2021).

“COVID-19 and Nurse-Sensitive Indicators” discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse-sensitive indicators, shedding light on the challenges faced by healthcare systems and the need for adaptive strategies.

Discussion Questions

DQ 1: When confronted with an upward trend in blood administration errors, the determination of whether it is an individual or a systemic failure is critical. Drawing from the articles reviewed, the analysis leans toward a systemic failure. Often, blood administration errors are indicative of underlying system issues such as inadequate training, communication gaps, or faulty procedures. The performance improvement theory best suited to address this issue is the Lean management approach. By focusing on process optimization, waste reduction, and continuous improvement, Lean management aligns with the goal of minimizing errors and enhancing patient safety (Ahn et al., 2021; Vance et al., 2021).

DQ 2: Addressing the issue of an outdated pediatric code cart, specifically the Broselow board, requires a structured approach. The problem-solving steps involve:

1. Problem Identification: Recognize the outdated equipment and its potential impact on patient care and safety.
2. Assessment: Gather data on the current state, evaluate risks associated with the outdated cart, and consider alternatives.
3. Solution Development: Research modern alternatives, involve stakeholders, and explore funding options for procurement.
4. Implementation: Introduce the new equipment, provide training to staff, and monitor its effectiveness.
5. Evaluation: Assess the impact of the updated cart on patient care, safety, and workflow efficiency.

Conclusion

Healthcare performance improvement is a complex and multifaceted endeavor that requires systematic approaches and continuous assessment. The articles reviewed highlight various models and strategies that healthcare organizations can adopt to enhance patient safety, optimize processes, and ensure quality care delivery. By addressing the discussion questions related to blood administration errors and outdated pediatric equipment, this paper emphasizes the importance of proactive problem-solving and evidence-based decision-making in healthcare settings.

References

Ahn, J., Rundall, T. G., Shortell, S. M., Blodgett, J. C., & Reponen, J. (2021). Lean Management and Breakthrough Performance Improvement in Health Care. Quality Management in Health Care, 30(4), 238-245.

Vance, C., Proctor, S., & Schmidt, M. (2021). Using Performance Improvement to Enhance Time‐Out Compliance and Prevent Wrong‐Site Surgery. AORN Journal, 113(4), 347-358.

Sattler, M. A., Morrison, L. J., Powell, D. L., & Steele, M. A. (2019). Improving Throughput in Interventional Radiology: A Team Collaboration. Journal of Radiology Nursing, 38(3), 203-207.

Harrison, R., Fischer, M. A., Walpola, R. L., Chauhan, A., Babalola, A. A., Mears, S., & Huong Le-Dao. (2021). Where Do Models for Change Management, Improvement and Implementation Meet? A Systematic Review of the Applications of Change Management Models in Healthcare. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 13, 59-70.