Introduction

Note: Each assessment in this course builds on the work you completed in the previous assessment. Therefore, it is recommended that you complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.

As a master’s-level nurse you will be responsible for promoting equitable quality of care. In the biopsychosocial model of care, there are a number of areas where you can have an impact on improving the quality, safety, and equitability of care. One example area where equitable quality of care is an issue is with medications, especially considering the cost of various medications to treat the same condition versus the effectiveness and potential side-effects of the medications. A further pharmacological concern for safe and quality care is medication errors. This could include considerations like a patient getting the wrong medication or a dangerous interaction due to other aspects of a patient’s health and treatment situation. An example could be vitamin or herbal supplements the patient has not disclosed as part of the medication reconciliation process.

The ability to propose and promote quality improvements in care is a vital skill for a master’s-prepared nurse. One aspect of this is understanding strategies for implementing best practice changes in a team, department, or care setting. Another is understanding how best practices can help lead to a continuous quality improvement cycle. Additionally, it is important to grasp how successful change strategies can be leveraged to help in the creation or implementation of clinical best practices. Part of this is considering the audience when proposing quality improvement projects or new best practices. Another part of this is being able to effectively communicate the goals, rationale, and benefits of a project.

One way to communicate the need for quality improvements, and your plans for achieving specific improvements, is through a presentation poster. This type of communication tool is used both in the work place and at professional and academic conferences. Being able to convey the essence and value of a project in a compelling and succinct way is a valuable skill, and it is vital within the constraints of a single poster.

Professional Context

As a master’s-level nurse, you will be responsible for promoting equitable quality of care. In the biopsychosocial (BPS) model of care, there are a number of areas where you can have an impact on improving the quality, safety, and equitability of care. One example area where equitable quality of care is an issue is with medications, especially considering the cost of various medications to treat the same condition versus the effectiveness and potential side-effects of the medications. A further pharmacological concern for safe and quality care is medication errors. This could include considerations like a patient getting the wrong medication or a dangerous interaction due to other aspects of a patient’s health and treatment situation. An example could be vitamin or herbal supplements the patient has not disclosed as part of the medication reconciliation process.

Scenario

For this assessment, you may take any number of approaches. Two suggestions are:

• Build upon the clinical issue that was the focus of your Change Strategy and Implementation assessment, and turn it into a full, organization- or community-wide quality improvement (QI) initiative.
• Or, identify a new issue related to a BPS clinical issue. The focus here should be on a specific patient or health care setting

As a master’s-level nurse, your specific focus is on reviewing the implications of the data relevant to the clinical issue you are trying to address. Once you research this, review the aggregate data, and understand the BPS considerations relevant to the clinical issue, you can suggest strategies for improving the quality, equitability, and safety of care around the issue. You should act as an advocate for the value and need to pursue quality improvements to leadership and executives, as well as be able to present potential projects to a wide range of colleagues and community stakeholders.

Instructions

Create an abstract and a poster for a presentation with voice-over to your colleagues that will sell them on your quality improvement plan.

Abstract Requirements

• Your abstract should be 100–250 words.
• It should summarize the key information in your poster.
• Do not put your abstract on the poster itself; submit it as a separate document. Or, if you are using PowerPoint to help create your poster, create a new slide that is clearly labeled as your abstract.

Poster Requirements

• Your poster should include the following sections:
  • Quality Improvement Methods.
  • Evidence Supporting QI Methods.
  • Change Strategy Foundation.
  • Interprofessional Team Benefits.
  • Overall Project Benefits.