Journal 5- QA/CQI Review Part 1

Tuesday, 20th 2009

Monthly QA/CQI review at my clinical site is scheduled for next week and it appears I would not only be attending but also contributing. However, prior to this meeting, my preceptor (J.C) and I have decided that I would review previous QA/CQI reports and in the process, she would explain the different areas/items on this monitory tool. We started off with her explaining what the QA/CQI monitory tool was and it’s benefits. According to J.C, the QA/CQI reviews is a way in which each member of the interdisciplinary team come together to review and indentify areas of clinical practice and the environment that requires improvement or change in the processes, policies and procedures. The QA/CQI monitoring tool, analyzes a wide range of issues that affect patient care. As stated by J.C, a few examples includes, growth and capacity of the facility, patient mortality, patient satisfaction, clinical standards and outcome goal (patient treatment adherence, anemia, nutrition, bone diseases and blood pressure management), hospitalization trends, infection control, etc. When examining the report, previous goal are evaluated as new goals are set and implementations are either continued (if effective) or revised (not effective) and eventually leading to process improvement.

We both agreed that by attending this review, I could use this opportunity to transit my learning experience from an observatory role to a more participatory role. After reviewing the previous month report, I picked two areas of interest (clinical standards and outcomes goal (patient treatment adherence) and infection control), that I would be offering health promotion/maintenance initiatives inputs to help facilitate positive clinical outcomes for the next month. Based on my preceptor’s recommendation, I reviewed a couple of evidence based researched literatures related to these areas. In the process, I was able to identify specific causes of non-compliance to treatment, major infection control issues, and ways to improve adherence to treatment regimen and infection among dialysis patient. Additionally, she provided feedback; guidance and clarification to help me better understand QA/CQI as it relates to safety and quality of patient’s care.

In the end, I must admit that this pre introductory QA/CQI review was a good head start. I am extremely excited and looking forward to next week’s meeting. This would be the opportunity I have been waiting for, where I can actually but to effective use some of the leadership skills learnt, by utilizing my knowledge, competencies and skills to help patient achieve the highest level of quality care, health and well being.

From this learning experience, I learnt that QA/CQI reviews are vital monitoring tools, that if properly implemented would promote positive patient outcome.

Clinical Hour- 6hours