Clinical Issues That Will Be The Focus Of Quality Improvemen ✓ Solved

Clinical issues that will be the focus of quality improvement p

The Quality improvement projects will focus on healthcare associated infections which refer to the infection acquired by patients as they receive health care services. They may occur as a result of surgical or medical condition. As the current health care professionals employ numerous types of invasive devices as well as procedures to help and treat patients, infections resulting from the procedures or devices used such as ventilators or catheters among others. Some of the most common Healthcare associated infections include surgical site infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, Clostridium difficile, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Healthcare associated infections need to be addressed because they are associated with significant causes of mortality and morbidities in the US. They are also accompanied by increased cost of health care every year. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2020), one out of 25 patients who are hospitalized in the USA is affected by healthcare associated infections. Healthcare associated infections can occur in any health care setting such as acute care hospitals, dialysis facilities, ambulatory surgical sites, outpatient care, or long-term care facilities. They can cause complications in the continuum of care since they can also be transmitted between different health care facilities.

The risk factors of healthcare associated infections can be classified into three groups: antibiotics use and medical procedures, patient characteristics, and organization factors (Haque, Sartelli, & Bakar, 2018). Health care providers’ behavior and the way they interact with the health care system influence the rate of infections. Studies suggest that the implementation of existing prevention practices will result in the reduction of 70 percent of cases of healthcare associated infections. Modeling data have also suggested that a substantial reduction of resistant bacteria such as MRSA can be attained through the coordination of activities between healthcare facilities in a particular region.

Effective prevention of healthcare associated infections will lead to financial benefits that are estimated to be between $25 billion and $31.5 billion in savings of medical costs. Health care facilities should also conduct proper training and education of health care workers to increase compliance and adoption of best practices to prevent healthcare associated infections. The best healthcare practices that a health care provider should embrace include careful insertions, prompt removal of catheters, careful antibiotics use, and maintenance of medical devices. They should also ensure decolonization of patients using evidence-based methods so that they can minimize cases of MRSA transmission in healthcare facilities.

Healthcare providers should also be trained on best practices that will help in reducing healthcare associated infections. They should be encouraged to adopt and maintain hand hygiene, infection control, antibiotics stewardship, as well as attention to safety culture. The government has also been committed to reduce healthcare associated infections through policy formulation. The Health and Human Services Department in the US formed a steering committee that focuses on the prevention of healthcare associated infections, which was published in 2008 (Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). The committee, in collaboration with program officials and scientists, developed the HHS Action Plan for Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections.

The Department of Health and Human Services has been recognizing the reduction of healthcare associated infections; hence it is the Agency’s priority goal.

Paper For Above Instructions

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a critical public health challenge, significantly impacting patient safety, healthcare costs, and overall health outcomes. The increasing prevalence of HAIs, particularly in various healthcare settings, necessitates a structured quality improvement project aimed at reducing their incidence. This paper discusses the key aspects of a quality improvement project focused on minimizing HAIs, including their types, risk factors, best practices for prevention, and established policies and frameworks to ensure an effective approach.

Types of Healthcare-Associated Infections

HAIs encompass a range of infections acquired during the course of receiving healthcare, excluding infections present at the time of admission. Common types include:

  • Surgical site infections (SSIs)
  • Pneumonia
  • Bloodstream infections
  • Clostridium difficile infections
  • Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)

Each type poses unique risks and demands targeted prevention strategies. For instance, SSIs can arise from inadequate aseptic techniques during surgical procedures, while pneumonia is often associated with ventilator use.

Rationale for Focus on Healthcare-Associated Infections

The motivation to address HAIs is underscored by their significant morbidity and mortality rates, as well as their financial implications. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2020) estimates that one in 25 hospitalized patients in the U.S. contracts an HAI, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions. The annual costs associated with HAIs are substantial, with estimates ranging from $25 billion to $31.5 billion due to extended hospital stays, additional treatments, and potential legal liabilities (Haque et al., 2018).

Risk Factors for Healthcare-Associated Infections

Risk factors contributing to HAIs can be categorized into three primary groups:

  • Antibiotics use and medical procedures: Overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance and complicate infection management.
  • Patient characteristics: Age, comorbidities, and immune status significantly influence susceptibility to infections.
  • Organizational factors: Healthcare providers' practices and institutional cultures heavily impact infection rates.

Understanding these risk factors is crucial for devising tailored interventions that address the underlying issues contributing to HAIs.

Best Practices for Prevention

Implementing evidence-based best practices is vital in reducing HAIs. Studies indicate that adherence to prevention guidelines can lead to a reduction of up to 70% in infection cases. Key practices include:

  • Effective hand hygiene
  • Infection control protocols
  • Antibiotic stewardship
  • Safe insertion and maintenance of invasive devices
  • Regular staff training and education

Healthcare facilities must conduct regular training sessions to ensure staff are skilled in these practices and understand the importance of infection prevention.

Governmental Policies and Programs

Addressing HAIs also necessitates robust governmental support and policy formation. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) established a steering committee focused on HAI prevention. This committee developed the HHS Action Plan for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections, which facilitated the coordination of efforts among healthcare providers and institutions. Implementing these policies has been instrumental in the recognized reduction of HAIs and reflects the government's commitment to safeguarding public health (Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 2018).

Conclusion

The fight against healthcare-associated infections is a multifaceted challenge that requires collective efforts from healthcare providers, policymakers, and organizations. Implementing best practices, focusing on risk factors, and adhering to governmental guidelines can significantly reduce the incidence of HAIs, thus improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. A proactive approach towards quality improvement in this area will contribute to a safer healthcare environment for patients across all settings.

References

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, November 13). Healthcare-associated Infections. Retrieved from CDC
  • Haque, M., Sartelli, M., & Bakar, M. (2018). Health care-associated infections – an overview. Infection and Drug Resistance, 11, 2327-2335.
  • Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020). Healthcare Associated Infections. Retrieved from Health.gov
  • Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. (2021). APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology. (3rd ed.).
  • National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). (2020). NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual.
  • World Health Organization. (2021). Health care-associated infections: Fact sheet.
  • Weber, D. J., & Rutala, W. A. (2018). The Role of the Hospital Environment in Health Care-Associated Infections. Journal of Hospital Infection, 100(1), 85-92.
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020). Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) in Hospitals.
  • Gould, D. J., & Moralejo, D. (2019). The Role of Health Care Personnel in Infection Control. Journal of Infection Prevention. 20(3), 101-110.
  • Arshad, S. H., & Mushtaq, S. (2022). Interventions to reduce healthcare-associated infections: A systematic review. British Journal of Nursing. 31(4), 208-215.

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