Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.

How has the emphasis on quality of care, patient safety, and clinical | NURS 4005 – Topics in Clinical Nursing | Walden University

The emphasis on quality of care, patient safety, and clinical care outcomes has been impacted by specific standards from The Joint Commission (TJC) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). One of the core measures identified by TJC and CMS is the prevention of hospital-acquired infections, which is a significant concern for health care organizations. Hospital-acquired infections are Never Events, meaning they should never occur. To prevent this, TJC and CMS have identified evidence-based practices, such as hand hygiene, isolation precautions, and use of personal protective equipment, which have been proven to reduce hospital-acquired infections (The Joint Commission, n.d.). The implementation of these standards has had a positive impact on patient safety and quality of care, as it has reduced the incidence of hospital-acquired infections and other Never Events.

The nurse’s role is crucial in improving clinical outcomes in the organization. Nurses have the most direct contact with patients and are responsible for implementing evidence-based practices to prevent Never Events, such as hospital-acquired infections. Nurses must also communicate effectively with other members of the health care team to ensure that all members are aware of the standards and that they are being implemented effectively (Buckley et al., 2019). The impact of the nurse’s role in clinical outcomes is significant, as they are responsible for the implementation of the standards and ensuring that the quality of care provided is of the highest standard.

One of the challenges that nurses face in influencing change in quality improvement is resistance to change. Resistance to change may be due to lack of knowledge or fear of the unknown. Nurses must be educated on the importance of implementing evidence-based practices and be provided with the necessary resources to implement the standards effectively (O’Connell et al., 2016). Additionally, nurses must be involved in the development of quality improvement programs to ensure that the programs are effective and relevant to the care they provide.

In conclusion, the standards set by TJC and CMS have significantly impacted the emphasis on quality of care, patient safety, and clinical care outcomes. The nurse’s role in improving clinical outcomes is crucial in implementing evidence-based practices and communicating with other members of the health care team to ensure that the standards are being implemented effectively. The challenges that nurses face in influencing change in quality improvement must be addressed to ensure that the organization achieves its strategic agenda in improving patient outcomes.

References:

Buckley, T., Soto, M., & Lee, R. (2019). Nursing role in promoting patient safety and quality. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(3), 5-11.

O’Connell, B., & Grindel, C. G. (2016). Improving patient outcomes: The role of nursing in bridging the quality gap. Journal of nursing education and practice, 6(10), 51-57.

The Joint Commission. (n.d.). National Patient Safety Goals. Retrieved from https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/