1
Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal
Student's Name
Institutional Affiliation
Due Date
, 2
DATA ANALYSIS AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE PROPOSAL
I. Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal
Hospital-based quality improvement (QI) is a critical sustainable method of enhancing
health systems. Improving healthcare quality results in positive outcomes among patients gives a
good image of a health care institution and a better working environment for the nurses who
directly interact with the patients. However, better care can only be successful through extensive
data analysis, effective QI initiatives, evidence-based practices, administration and staff's
collective efforts, and proper communication. Nurses play a critical part in quality improvement
programs since they are responsible for taking care of patients. A healthcare institution's
dashboard metrics help quality assurance personnel identify gaps in quality control and forms the
basis for quality improvement programs (Berman et al., 2014). This analysis aims at identifying
flaws from Vila Health's dashboard to ensure quality care to patients. The dashboard contains
hospice data on near misses and incidents that risked the patients' health for 2014 and 2015.
II. Vila Health Dashboard Analysis
The report's quality indicators are length of stay (LOS), inpatient unit admission (IPU),
pain and symptom relief. The data is essential since it shows whether patients in hospice care are
getting the attention they need and are receiving quality care. Since patients in hospice care
require special attention from nurses and physicians, their care level indicates the institution's
healthcare quality. How the hospital attends to vulnerable patients can help ascertain whether the
institution adheres to quality standards. Various professionals, including therapists, physicians,
nurses, and dieticians, all work collaboratively to ensure the patients' comfort and safety. Below
is a summary of data from hospice adverse event data between 2014 and 2015.
Table 1 Hospice Adverse Event Data
Hospice Unit Year LOS (Less than IPU Admission Pain Level Inadequate
, 3
DATA ANALYSIS AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE PROPOSAL
seven days) Symptom Relief
2014 50 47 13 13
2015 46 27 17 22
From the data, there is a decrease in patients' length of stay (LOS) from 50 to 46 and a
decrease in IPU admissions from 47 to 27 between 2014 and 2015. However, the number of
patients experiencing high pain levels for more than 24 hours increased from 13 to 17. On the
other hand, inadequate symptom relief increased from 13 to 22 between 2014 and 2015. As
much as a decrease in IPU admissions and length of stay signal an improvement, the increase in
the number of patients experiencing high pain levels for more than 10 hours and inadequate
symptom relief show that there are areas that need improvement. The stakeholders also point out
that patients in hospice care are usually referred when their health is in a critical state; therefore,
there is a need to improve the effectiveness of symptom and pain management and length of
stay. An efficient patient care protocol ensures that patients are satisfied with the care, their
chances of survival are increased, and their symptoms and comfort are improved.
Inefficient pain and symptom management in hospice care result in adverse outcomes in
patients' life quality. Evaluating and adjusting hospice pain management for better results
determines patients' quality of care. It is important to note that the decrease in length of stay for
patients has little significance in measuring the institution's enhancement in care level. In 2015,
there were fewer patients readmitted, which explains why there was a decrease in length of stay.
However, the Vila Health dashboard lacks critical data such as current practices on quality
improvement and caregivers' expertise in hospice care.
Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal
Student's Name
Institutional Affiliation
Due Date
, 2
DATA ANALYSIS AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE PROPOSAL
I. Data Analysis and Quality Improvement Initiative Proposal
Hospital-based quality improvement (QI) is a critical sustainable method of enhancing
health systems. Improving healthcare quality results in positive outcomes among patients gives a
good image of a health care institution and a better working environment for the nurses who
directly interact with the patients. However, better care can only be successful through extensive
data analysis, effective QI initiatives, evidence-based practices, administration and staff's
collective efforts, and proper communication. Nurses play a critical part in quality improvement
programs since they are responsible for taking care of patients. A healthcare institution's
dashboard metrics help quality assurance personnel identify gaps in quality control and forms the
basis for quality improvement programs (Berman et al., 2014). This analysis aims at identifying
flaws from Vila Health's dashboard to ensure quality care to patients. The dashboard contains
hospice data on near misses and incidents that risked the patients' health for 2014 and 2015.
II. Vila Health Dashboard Analysis
The report's quality indicators are length of stay (LOS), inpatient unit admission (IPU),
pain and symptom relief. The data is essential since it shows whether patients in hospice care are
getting the attention they need and are receiving quality care. Since patients in hospice care
require special attention from nurses and physicians, their care level indicates the institution's
healthcare quality. How the hospital attends to vulnerable patients can help ascertain whether the
institution adheres to quality standards. Various professionals, including therapists, physicians,
nurses, and dieticians, all work collaboratively to ensure the patients' comfort and safety. Below
is a summary of data from hospice adverse event data between 2014 and 2015.
Table 1 Hospice Adverse Event Data
Hospice Unit Year LOS (Less than IPU Admission Pain Level Inadequate
, 3
DATA ANALYSIS AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE PROPOSAL
seven days) Symptom Relief
2014 50 47 13 13
2015 46 27 17 22
From the data, there is a decrease in patients' length of stay (LOS) from 50 to 46 and a
decrease in IPU admissions from 47 to 27 between 2014 and 2015. However, the number of
patients experiencing high pain levels for more than 24 hours increased from 13 to 17. On the
other hand, inadequate symptom relief increased from 13 to 22 between 2014 and 2015. As
much as a decrease in IPU admissions and length of stay signal an improvement, the increase in
the number of patients experiencing high pain levels for more than 10 hours and inadequate
symptom relief show that there are areas that need improvement. The stakeholders also point out
that patients in hospice care are usually referred when their health is in a critical state; therefore,
there is a need to improve the effectiveness of symptom and pain management and length of
stay. An efficient patient care protocol ensures that patients are satisfied with the care, their
chances of survival are increased, and their symptoms and comfort are improved.
Inefficient pain and symptom management in hospice care result in adverse outcomes in
patients' life quality. Evaluating and adjusting hospice pain management for better results
determines patients' quality of care. It is important to note that the decrease in length of stay for
patients has little significance in measuring the institution's enhancement in care level. In 2015,
there were fewer patients readmitted, which explains why there was a decrease in length of stay.
However, the Vila Health dashboard lacks critical data such as current practices on quality
improvement and caregivers' expertise in hospice care.
