Quality and Outcomes Management
The Nursing Quality and Outcomes Management Program promotes quality and
safety improvement through various activities. They address nurse-sensitive
quality indicators, participate in national nursing databases such as NDNQI and
NHSN, and conduct evidence-based performance improvement activities at the unit
and department level.
A departmental Quality Management
committee with representation of all levels of nurses, including bedside
clinicians, facilitates the performance improvement (PI) process. Examples of
associated PI work groups include:
- S.T.A.R. Committee (skin team advocate and resource) - unit-based staff
nurse skin experts dedicated to preventing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers
- Pain Management Committee - staff nurse pain champions working to improve
patient pain management
- Falls Prevention Committee – a group of staff nurses, nurse leaders, a
physical therapist, and a pharmacist working to prevent patient falls and
fall-related injuries
- Oral Mucositis Committee – co-chaired by a staff nurse, this group works to
prevent and treat oral mucositis
- Ergonomics Committee – a group of direct care staff who aim to reduce
staff-related patient handling injuries through the use of evidence-based
practices and patient handling equipment