GUIDELINES FOR QI ASSIGNMENT
Quality improvement (QI) can be defined as the effort to better patient outcomes, system
performance, and professional development (Batalden & Davidoff, 2007). The Institute of
Medicine (IOM) has challenged professionals to improve healthcare quality, with quality
described using the following six domains: safety, timeliness, effectiveness, efficiency, equity
and patient-centeredness. These quality aims provide a framework for focusing improvement
efforts. The unrelenting engagement of all providers is required to transform healthcare. APNs
are well positioned to lead quality initiatives by virtue of their advanced knowledge and
preparation. To effectively lead quality improvement requires understanding that organizations
are complex adaptive systems; dynamic, unpredictable, and are composed of moving parts.
Knowledge of theoretical underpinnings of change (theory explicating the phenomenon of
human behavioral change) is foundational to successful improvement. A wide variety of QI
models, tools, and methods are available to guide the APN in facilitating improvement.
For this assignment, select a practice improvement issue within your organizational system and
within the realm of your practice area. Using the grading rubric as a guide, develop a quality
improvement plan to address the identified issue. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate
knowledge of the essential elements of quality improvement, with change theory as an
underpinning for the process. Students are not expected to implement the plan; however, the
process for implementation and evaluation is addressed as part of the planning process.
The paper should be carefully written in a formal style, based on primary sources, provide an
integration of ideas, and be 4-6 pages in length, excluding title page & reference list. Organized
flow, logical progression of ideas, and clarity in thought are essential. Please use headings to
separate content.
Grading Rubric
Criteria Points
Introduction paragraph (one paragraph). Introduce a practice issue appropriate for a
quality improvement project facilitated by a MSN or DNP prepared nurse. There must
be a thesis statement at the end of the paragraph that tells the reader the purpose of
paper and what will be discussed.
1/1
Briefly provide the background/context of the practice issue. Integrate at least two of
the six dimensions of quality defined by the IOM.
3/3
Discuss a theoretical underpinning of change (Lewin, Rogers, Kotter, Havelock,
Proschaska & Diclemente, Bandura) for the proposed quality initiative. Using the
selected change theory, describe the profound importance of staff engagement,
empowerment, commitment, and ownership of practice improvement
initiatives/projects.
4/4
Describe how at least one improvement tool (flow chart, root cause analysis, cause and
effect diagram, FMEA, etc.) can be used to better understand the practice issue.
4/4
Please note that this paper will go through turnitin. Submit the document early to allow yourself time to revise for originality report. You should receive reports promptly.
