Approaches to Quality Improvement
Quality improvement in healthcare occurs when a performance is analyzed, and efforts are made to improve the performance. This is improving patient care by ensuring that all the processes done are effective in the provision of care. Quality improvement approaches include computerized physician order entry and Care Coordination. They are the stated quality improvement approaches that have been mentioned in the book which I will include in the discussion.
Computerized physician order entry is a process where medical practitioners enter their data that is used in the treatment of patients who are under care. The data is easily transmitted to a wide range of users which is later used by other health professionals in the healthcare setting. CPOE is a quality improvement approach that should be implemented in most healthcare facility because it ensures minimal errors of transmission and provides entry at the point of care. CPOE ensure quality by checking all the duplicate and incorrect tests where they are eliminated. CPOE increase accountability where the physician can be accountable for the data transmitted throughout the facility. It assists in the reduction of medication errors which is why hospitals are encouraged to use it as a quality improvement tool.
Pros
It increases safety of patients
Improve the quality of care given
Minimizes errors in the data where physicians are held accountable for any error made
It ensures that data is transmitted effectively from one provider to another as well as other departments in the hospital.
Cons
Implementation can be costly which means not all hospitals can afford implementing CPOE.
Resistance of use is likely if health professionals are not included in the implementation stage
It is not 100 percent error-free which means other approaches can be considered.
Care coordination is the other approach that hospitals can adopt to ensure quality improvement. This is because patient care activities are organized among several participants of patient care who facilitate delivery of care. The approach ensures that patients receive well-coordinated care to minimize errors which also ensure quality and safety of care given. This approach assures quality care across all the healthcare organizations which mean it should be implemented as a quality improvement approach in the Affordable Care Act. Care coordination ensures that patients get the right treatment where they can be treated by any physician wherever they are. The approach puts patient care under the care of several people which ensures that the patient gets the right care when needed.
Pros
There is better treatment of patients especially for those with chronic diseases
The treatment is physician-driven
Medicare system is never wasted
There are financial incentives given to any successful coordinated care which motivates physicians to offer quality care
Cons
Its implementation in all hospitals can be a challenge
Physicians may fail to be part of the system if they are not included in the implementation
It leads to demotivation of physicians who are not interested in the new system
I recommend that hospitals adopt CPOE approach as it will help to minimize errors hence improve the quality of care. Care coordination should also be implemented as it ensures that better treatment for all patients.
Analytics should ensure that private stakeholders are accountable for the care given to patients. They should also implement proper actions that will ensure quality care in healthcare delivery. The methods with which the action is taken should be enhanced to ensure that patients are protected from harm.