WGU C815 Quality and Performance Management and Methods –
Task 1 |Passed on First Attempt |Latest Update with Complete
Solution
Quality and Performance Management and Methods – C815
Task 1
Tricia Roach 011495150
College of Health Professions, Western Governors University
03/23/2025
1. Summarize three quality improvement initiatives at Fielder Medical Center and justify why the
initiatives are necessary to the center.
Three quality improvement initiatives Fielder Medical Center is implementing include reducing surgical
site infections (SSI), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), and catheter-associated urinary
tract infections (CAUTI).
The first quality improvement initiative is central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).
Central line catheters are the most frequent cause of bloodstream infections. Roughly 3 million central lines are
used each year. That’s 3 million potential CLABSI that can be easily acquired if the facility does not follow
proper procedures before placement and during maintenance of the central line placement. Each phase of the
central line is vital, as improper care can cause a hospital-acquired infection and jeopardize the patient’s life.
The following quality improvement initiative is catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
CAUTI can easily be caused by improper setup before placement and during maintenance. Prolonged use after
placement increases the risk of infection. If each step is not followed correctly, then the chance of a hospital-
acquired infection may occur, which can cause harm to the patient.
1
, The third quality improvement initiative is reducing surgical site infections (SSI). Surgical sites are
where the incision or entry point for the operation begins. It's vital for proper procedures to be followed as SSI
can lead to serious complications, increase costs, reduce quality of life, and lead to death (Blot et al., 2022).
All three quality improvement initiatives are important for Fielder Medical Center to implement. Each
initiative may improve the patient's quality of care and outcomes, lower healthcare costs, and enhance patient
safety.
2. Evaluate whether each of the three quality improvement initiatives at Fielder Medical Center complies
with their internal organizational processes.
The quality improvement initiatives Fielder Medical Center implemented comply with their internal
organizational processes. Fielder Medical Center intends to provide exceptional and safe care to its patients.
Each area of the hospital is working diligently together to reduce infection rates by identifying and consistently
implementing best practice bundles to reduce infections caused by central line catheters, urinary catheters, and
post-surgical sites.
Fielder Medical Center team worked together to develop an action plan to prevent CLABSI. The plan
includes a cost-effective best practice checklist and education for central line maintenance. This initiative was a
push to reeducate staff to be more careful and practice consistency when placing a central line catheter. The
initiative includes all staff, from secretaries and environmental services to the clinical team, to speak up if they
believe the sterile environment has been contaminated. Ensuring the environment is sterile will significantly
reduce the potential of an infection.
Fielder Medical Center clinicians have been encouraged to use alternative methods to urinary catheters.
Not only are they encouraged to use other methods, but they are also encouraged to remove the urinary catheter
as soon as possible. The longer the urinary catheter is in place, the higher the patient's CAUTI risk. As
mentioned above, ensuring a sterile technique is used during placement and during the maintenance of the
2
Task 1 |Passed on First Attempt |Latest Update with Complete
Solution
Quality and Performance Management and Methods – C815
Task 1
Tricia Roach 011495150
College of Health Professions, Western Governors University
03/23/2025
1. Summarize three quality improvement initiatives at Fielder Medical Center and justify why the
initiatives are necessary to the center.
Three quality improvement initiatives Fielder Medical Center is implementing include reducing surgical
site infections (SSI), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), and catheter-associated urinary
tract infections (CAUTI).
The first quality improvement initiative is central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).
Central line catheters are the most frequent cause of bloodstream infections. Roughly 3 million central lines are
used each year. That’s 3 million potential CLABSI that can be easily acquired if the facility does not follow
proper procedures before placement and during maintenance of the central line placement. Each phase of the
central line is vital, as improper care can cause a hospital-acquired infection and jeopardize the patient’s life.
The following quality improvement initiative is catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
CAUTI can easily be caused by improper setup before placement and during maintenance. Prolonged use after
placement increases the risk of infection. If each step is not followed correctly, then the chance of a hospital-
acquired infection may occur, which can cause harm to the patient.
1
, The third quality improvement initiative is reducing surgical site infections (SSI). Surgical sites are
where the incision or entry point for the operation begins. It's vital for proper procedures to be followed as SSI
can lead to serious complications, increase costs, reduce quality of life, and lead to death (Blot et al., 2022).
All three quality improvement initiatives are important for Fielder Medical Center to implement. Each
initiative may improve the patient's quality of care and outcomes, lower healthcare costs, and enhance patient
safety.
2. Evaluate whether each of the three quality improvement initiatives at Fielder Medical Center complies
with their internal organizational processes.
The quality improvement initiatives Fielder Medical Center implemented comply with their internal
organizational processes. Fielder Medical Center intends to provide exceptional and safe care to its patients.
Each area of the hospital is working diligently together to reduce infection rates by identifying and consistently
implementing best practice bundles to reduce infections caused by central line catheters, urinary catheters, and
post-surgical sites.
Fielder Medical Center team worked together to develop an action plan to prevent CLABSI. The plan
includes a cost-effective best practice checklist and education for central line maintenance. This initiative was a
push to reeducate staff to be more careful and practice consistency when placing a central line catheter. The
initiative includes all staff, from secretaries and environmental services to the clinical team, to speak up if they
believe the sterile environment has been contaminated. Ensuring the environment is sterile will significantly
reduce the potential of an infection.
Fielder Medical Center clinicians have been encouraged to use alternative methods to urinary catheters.
Not only are they encouraged to use other methods, but they are also encouraged to remove the urinary catheter
as soon as possible. The longer the urinary catheter is in place, the higher the patient's CAUTI risk. As
mentioned above, ensuring a sterile technique is used during placement and during the maintenance of the
2
