• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Ask the expert: Monitor unit-based quality indicators

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, October 2, 2007

This week, a reader asks how nursing staff can monitor unit-based quality indicators. Please read the response below from our advisor, Elise Gropper, PhD, APRN,BC, CPHQ, president of Gropper & Associates, Inc., Coral Springs, FL.

Q: How can nursing staff monitor unit-based quality indicators?

A: Direct-care nurses should have responsibilities that include monitoring quality indicators. Nurses are stronger at learning and correcting issues when they can identify quality issues based on objective criteria. Frequent monitoring of the quality indicators important on a unit help nursing staff identify issues and understand the criteria that is used as measurement. There should be a standing agenda item at unit-based meetings, leadership councils, and coordinating councils to encourage the sharing of data from monitoring quality issues.To get staff nurses started on monitoring unit-based quality indicators, follow these seven steps:  

1. Select meaningful indicators
2. Select indicators that can be measured
3. Develop a template to track and report unit-based issues
4. Identify collection process and frequency (who and when)
5. Monitor consistency
6. Analyze appropriateness and sensitivity
7. Determine reporting structure

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive