NR 449 Week 7 RUA Presentation AHR Quality Indicators: A Comprehensive Overview

AHR Quality Indicators: A Comprehensive Overview

Presented by: Aissatou Diallo, Alyssa Harrison, Ashley James, Safina Ortiz, and Maame Seiwaa

Problem Identification

The key quality indicators identified in this research focus on critical infection control practices, such as proper hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the prevention of infections. These factors are essential in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and improving patient outcomes.

Impact on Nursing Practice

Failure to adhere to infection control practices like handwashing and correct PPE use can lead to severe consequences, including higher mortality and morbidity rates. These lapses also result in increased healthcare costs, which affect the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare systems. Preventing HAIs is crucial to ensuring the well-being of patients and improving the overall quality of care.

The Research Process

The research process was comprehensive, involving multiple databases and terms to gather evidence supporting best practices in infection control:

• Databases Utilized:

  • Chamberlain Online Library
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
  • CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature)
  • PubMed

• Terms Searched:

  • Evidence-Based Practice Research
  • Quality Indicators
  • Hand hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Infection Control

The research utilized various methodologies, including observational studies, randomized control trials, surveys, and video-reflexive ethnography.

Research Findings

A variety of studies were reviewed, providing valuable insights into infection prevention:

• Study Types:

  • 5 Observational Studies
  • 1 Randomized Control Trial
  • 1 Randomized Trial
  • 2 Surveys

• Key Findings:

  • The research emphasized the significant impact of proper hand hygiene and PPE use in reducing infection rates.
  • A randomized control trial (Kim, E.- Gyeong, & Jeong, I. S., 2019) showed that experimental groups had higher rates of accuracy in hand hygiene (p < 0.001) and PPE donning/doffing (p < 0.001) compared to control groups.

Summary of the Validity of Qualitative Evidence

A survey conducted across 183 US hospitals, involving 11,282 patients, reported that 4% of patients had at least one healthcare-associated infection (HCAI). The most common microorganisms identified were Clostridium difficile, with the majority of infections being surgical site infections (SSIs), pneumonia, and gastrointestinal infections. A previous study by the same group found a 6% rate of HCAIs, with Staphylococcus aureus as the most frequently detected microorganism.

Summary of the Validity of Quantitative Evidence

The research draws on historical figures like Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, who advocated for hand hygiene to reduce maternal mortality. The transmission of organisms through improper hygiene practices has long been a critical issue in healthcare, and early interventions like chlorinated lime hand washing helped reduce infection rates significantly.

NR 449 Week 7 RUA Presentation

Practice Changes

Several practices can be implemented by both patients and healthcare providers to minimize the risk of infections:

• For Patients:

  • Wear masks during hospital stays.
  • Maintain proper hand hygiene.
  • Adhere to prescribed antibiotics and report signs of infection promptly.
  • Get vaccinated to prevent flu and other infections.
  • Allow environmental staff to clean hospital rooms effectively.

• For Healthcare Providers:

  • Ensure proper PPE training and fit, including FFP2 masks.
  • Provide face-to-face training courses and hard-copy modules for in-service education, ideally twice a year.

Recommendations for Implementation

To improve infection control and ensure the effective use of PPE, the following recommendations are made:

• Availability of private patient isolation rooms (Sujan C Reddy,