In This Assignment You Will Propose A Quality Improvement

In This Assignment You Will Propose A Quality Improvement Initiative

In this assignment, you will propose a quality improvement initiative from your place of employment that could easily be implemented if approved. Assume you are presenting this program to the board for approval of funding. Write an executive summary (750-1,000 words) to present to the board, from which the board will make its decision to fund your program or project. Include the following: The purpose of the quality improvement initiative. The target population or audience. The benefits of the quality improvement initiative. The interprofessional collaboration that would be required to implement the quality improvement initiative. The cost or budget justification. The basis upon which the quality improvement initiative will be evaluated. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Paper For Above instruction

The growing emphasis on quality improvement within healthcare organizations necessitates strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and staff satisfaction. This executive summary outlines a proposed quality improvement initiative focused on reducing hospital readmission rates among elderly patients with chronic conditions in a community hospital setting. The initiative's primary goal is to establish a comprehensive, patient-centered transitional care program designed to address gaps in post-discharge support and follow-up, thereby decreasing avoidable readmissions and improving overall quality of care.

The target population for this initiative comprises patients aged 65 and older with chronic conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes mellitus. These patients often experience high rates of hospital readmission due to inadequate post-discharge management, social determinants of health, and limited access to appropriate outpatient services. Focusing on this vulnerable group aligns with organizational priorities to reduce readmissions, optimize resource utilization, and enhance patient satisfaction.

The benefits of this quality improvement initiative are multifaceted. Firstly, reducing readmission rates can significantly enhance patient safety by minimizing exposure to hospital-associated risks and complications. Improving transitional care can also lead to better symptom management, medication adherence, and patient education, resulting in improved quality of life. From an organizational perspective, decreasing readmissions can reduce financial penalties associated with excess readmissions under value-based purchasing programs, such as the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Additionally, this initiative promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering a team-based approach that leverages expertise from nursing, case management, social work, pharmacy, and primary care providers to deliver comprehensive discharge planning and follow-up.

Implementing this initiative requires a well-coordinated interprofessional effort. Nursing staff will play a central role by conducting thorough assessments and patient education at discharge. Case managers will coordinate follow-up appointments and community resources, while social workers will address social determinants impacting health outcomes. Pharmacists will ensure medication reconciliation and adherence education. Primary care providers will collaborate on post-discharge care plans, supported by transitional care nurses who will conduct home visits and telehealth check-ins. This integrated approach ensures continuity of care, addresses barriers to recovery, and promotes patient engagement in managing chronic conditions.

A preliminary budget justification estimates an incremental cost of $150,000 annually. This includes expenses related to hiring additional transitional care nurses, developing patient education materials, implementing telehealth technology, and training staff. The costs are justified by projected savings from reduction in readmission rates, estimated at a decrease of 20%, which translates into substantial financial benefits by avoiding penalties and reducing hospital days. Furthermore, investing in transitional care aligns with organizational goals to enhance patient outcomes while demonstrating fiscal responsibility through potential return on investment.

The success of this quality improvement initiative will be evaluated through specific metrics, including a reduction in 30-day readmission rates for targeted diagnoses, patient satisfaction scores, and staff feedback. Data will be collected pre- and post-implementation to assess effectiveness. Continuous quality improvement cycles will allow for iterative refinements based on real-world data, ensuring sustained improvements over time. Regular reporting to organizational leadership will facilitate accountability and demonstrate the initiative’s impact on patient safety, quality, and organizational performance.

In conclusion, this proposed transitional care program offers a practical, evidence-based approach to enhancing patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary hospital readmissions. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and targeted resource allocation, this initiative aligns with organizational priorities and healthcare best practices. Securing funding for this program will enable the organization to lead in quality care delivery and set a precedent for sustainable improvements in chronic disease management among vulnerable populations.

References

• Chen, J., et al. (2018). Impact of transitional care programs on hospital readmissions. Journal of Healthcare Quality, 40(2), 89–97.
• Hansen, L. M., et al. (2019). Strategies to reduce hospital readmissions for chronic illness. American Journal of Managed Care, 25(7), 345–352.
• Krumholz, H. M., et al. (2017). Post-discharge follow-up and readmission reduction. New England Journal of Medicine, 377(18), 1789–1794.
• Nelson, L. D., et al. (2020). Interprofessional teamwork in transitional care. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(3), 344–352.
• Retzlaff, P., et al. (2021). Cost-effectiveness of transitional care interventions. Health Economics Review, 11(1), 4.
• Singh, N., et al. (2019). Addressing social determinants of health in transitional care. Journal of Social Service Research, 45(2), 190–202.
• Smith, G. B., et al. (2018). Improving medication adherence during transitions. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(5-6), 1069–1076.
• Wang, L., et al. (2020). Technology-driven solutions for hospital transitions. Telemedicine and e-Health, 26(8), 975–983.
• Wilson, S. M., et al. (2022). Strategies for effective interprofessional collaboration. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 27, 100392.
• Zhang, X., et al. (2017). Reducing hospital readmission rates: A systematic review. Medical Care Research and Review, 74(4), 405–423.