Access to Existing Databases on Patient Safety, Quality of Care, and Clinical Practice
Quantitative health care databases are developed and published to give health care providers and consumers information about patient quality and safety outcomes. These reports are often distributed to staff in patient care units and shared with health agencies. Understanding the variables and findings described in these databases is important.
Post a description of one existing source of data you found with variables related to a patient quality and safety problem in your practice. Locate the data posted for your agency/facility. If you are unable to find this information for your agency, locate a national database that can be accessed by health professionals, e.g., Medicare Hospital Compare. (Data are also available for home health and nursing homes.) Include the citation and the link to use for web access. Identify three variables found in the database that are important in better understanding a patient safety problem. Explain how you would interpret the results and how they might help improve nursing practice and patient outcomes. Explain how data is used in your own agency, including nursing involvement in the process.
Note: Post a three paragraph (at least 250-350 words) response. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional materialand organizational frames. Use the writing resources and the Discussion and Response Rubric to develop your post.