Quality Improvement Organizations For The Healthcare Sector Nursing Essay

Quality Improvement Organizations For The Healthcare Sector Nursing Essay The National Healthcare Quality report released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that healthcare quality in America is suboptimal and that the receipt of needed healthcare varies widely (Kneipper, 2009). A report published by the Institute of Medicine, To Err is Human, diagnosed the quality problem in health care caused by people struggling to perform within a system riddled with opportunities for mistakes (Buchbinder and Shanks, 2007). While it is recognized that even the most strenuous accreditation programs will never eliminate all the issues in the facilities and services being accredited; it is important that steps are taken to significantly improve quality and reduce risk. Pursuing accreditation demonstrates a commitment to improving quality in health care. Numerous accrediting bodies exist in the U.S. with each having their own particular area of focus. This paper will examine three that are responsible for monitoring quality in health care organi zations. Joint Commission, founded in 1951, is a health care accreditation agency known for its high-quality patient care standards. It develops standards for quality and safety and evaluates performance within healthcare organizations based on these standards. In addition, it strives to enhance the effect that performance measures have on improving health outcomes for patients. The duties of the Joint Commission are numerous. The Joint Commission assesses organizational compliance through unannounced surveys that include direct observations, data analysis and staff interviews. It accredits and certifies over 18,000 health care organizations and programs in the US. It has identified hundreds of performance standards that represent the highest in quality health care. It publishes quarterly reports that track performance on quality of care measures. It issues annual reports as part of its ongoing efforts to emphasize the health importance of accountability and continuous improvement. The Joint Commission monitors quality by continually reviewing the best practices that optimize patient care. It works with various subject matter experts to identify quality measures. Hundreds of performance standards guide health care providers in administering care and improving performance. Hospitals are expected to adhere to standardized processes for quality measurement, reporting and improvement. The Joint Commission requires annual periodic performance reviews. A health organization must conduct a self-assessment ascertaining its compliance with the Joint Commissions standards and submit a report to them. Joint Commission uses this information as part of its Periodic Performance Review. Joint Commissions efforts promote quality of care. Its annual reports identify the top compliance issues each year which include quality standards that were the most difficult for hospitals to meet. Joint Commissions collaborative efforts with clinicians, health care providers, hospital associations, performance measurement experts, and health care consumers identify quality measures that reflect the best evidence-based treatments for specific medical conditions. Through this collaboration, a set of standard national measures are created that allow comparisons across health organizations. To help hospitals make a significant impact on patient outcomes through performance measurement, the Joint Commission introduced an approach placing greater emphasis on an organizations accountability measures (measures of evidence-based care that yields the greatest the most favorable impact on patient outcomes) and less on non-accountability measures (suitable for secondary use). In 2009 it formed the Center for Transforming Healthcare that works on developing collaborative programs with leading health care systems to identify causes of breakdowns in patient care. The Joint Commission collaborates with other organizations, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Quality Forum (NQF), to align quality measures with other measurement efforts to ease data collection efforts and ensure that the data is gathered and calculated consistently across all organizations. Another organization responsible for monitoring quality is the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) which has accredited programs in five continents. Founded in 1966, CARF accredits in the areas of behavioral health, aging services, child and youth services, employment and community services, and medical rehabilitation. Through a consultative accreditation process, CARFs attention focuses on enhancing the lives of the people with disabilities. Their consumer-focused standards help organizations measure and improve the quality of the programs and services that achieve optimal outcomes. CARF assists providers and organizations in improving the quality of its services and demonstrating value. It accredits providers for many specific programs and services that support rehabilitative health, with many providers seeking CARF accreditation in multiple areas. It publishes standards manuals that correspond to the fields served that relate to health and safety, risk management, and corporate compliance. These nationally and internationally recognized service standards are developed with input of key stakeholders such as professionals, organizations, surveyors, purchasers, and those served. They are reviewed and revised annually at a national and international level to ensure they exhibit standards for quality that are current, relevant, and practical. For monitoring quality, a quality improvement plan that matches the needs of the program or services is a critical part of the accreditation process. Rather than an inspective approach, a survey team employs a consultative methodology to conduct an on-site survey to evaluate its services. Once the report information has been reviewed the organization and survey team partner to develop a quality improvement plan to improve the operations and service delivery. An accredited provider participates in reviewing its practices on an annual basis. The organizations leadership sends a signed commitment to CARF affirming that it continues to their standards to guide their organization. To promote the quality of care, every year CARF creates standards that help programs monitor their services, quality, recovery and business. Surveyors are peers in the field with experience in the programs and services that are accredited. They are matched to organizations they survey based on the organizations characteristics and program types. CARF accreditation assures the public that the provider/organization is committed to improving the quality of services with a focus on service outcomes as well as customer satisfaction. A third organization responsible for monitoring quality in medical imaging and radiation oncology is the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR is the most recognized medical imaging and radiation oncology accrediting body that began accreditation in 1987. It continually promotes recognition for issues of quality and safety in radiologic procedures. ACR accreditation consists of a self-assessment and an independent external expert audit that assesses personnel qualifications, policies and procedures, equipment specifications, quality assurance activities, patient safety, and the quality of patient care. The ACR is involved in numerous undertakings. It has established over 150 practice guidelines and technical standards to improve how imaging, radiation therapy, and interventional services are delivered. Currently, eight accreditation programs have been established by the ACR and there are plans to add more. Over 160 sets of evidence-based guidelines have also been set up to assist referring physicians in making the most appropriate imaging or treatment decision. The ACR uses several methods to monitor for quality. Accreditation requires active participation in a physician-peer review program. Radiology exams must be systematically reviewed and evaluated for the appropriateness of the exam as well as for the accuracy of interpretation as part of the overall quality improvement program at that facility. Complications and adverse events must be monitored, analyzed and reported as required. They must also be regularly reviewed to identify opportunities for improving patient care. Imaging facilities must have documented policies and procedures for monitoring and evaluating the effective management, safety, and operation of equipment. ACR accreditation promotes quality of care in several ways. It focuses on factors unique to imaging that includes image quality, dose monitoring, phantom testing, equipment evaluation, calibration and maintenance, and personnel qualifications. The Appropriateness Criteria enhance quality-of-care decisions; contribute to the most effective use of radiology; help providers address issues of overutilization of radiological care, and in the near future, will provide information on appropriate radiation dose. In conclusion, people seek medical attention to improve their health. The economic pressures of spiraling healthcare costs and suboptimal health outcomes are intensifying the search for new approaches to health management. Accreditation helps to ensure that patients will receive adequate and appropriate health care according to nationally accepted standards and it demonstrates commitment to improving quality in health care.

Help Stop Bullying Essay

An 11 year old Massachusetts boy, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, hung himself April 6, 2009 because he was being taunted daily for being gay. The mother begged the school to address the problem, but nothing was ever done about it and now a woman is left son less. That was at least the fourth suicide of a middle-school aged child linked to bullying that year. Most harassment and bullying go unreported. Children are being bullied each and every day, but the question is what should be done to stop it? Each and every day a child is being teased or picked on because of the way they look, act, dress, or because of what they believe in. Children should not have to be tortured just because they are not like everyone else. Children should be able to come to school and enjoy themselves and not worry about being picked on. A child that is being bullied can have many problems such as low self esteem and low self confidence which could lead them to suicide. Also, children that are bullied may start doing poorly in school or maybe even drop out because they do not feel safe at school. Bullying really needs to be stooped because it can leave a child physically, emotionally, and mentally scarred for the rest of their lives. Some schools say that there is very little that they can do about bullying because a lot of bullying starts off of school property. â€Å"Much of today’s bullying originates online, school officials said, with the growing use of social networking websites and cell phones has led to new ways to intimidate and tease. But because cyber bullying usually happens off-campus school administrators have little recourse† (Nissley 2010). I do not agree with the school district when they say that there is little they can do. Even though, it may start online, it continues or become worse at the school. With that being said, they need to try and do more so it can stop all together no matter where it starts. The solution that they think will help stop bullying is if the educate student about it more. Like Nissley (2010) stated, â€Å"In a model that has been mirrored by other school districts across the state, Abington Heights has been working on educating students as early as kindergarten about bullying and their responsibility to report it when they see it (p. 1). I think that it is good to educate the students about bullying and reporting it, but what is that really going to do? As we all know a lot of students will not tell because they will be too afraid. Or if they do tell they will be little done about it and they will continue to get bullied. So, their solution would not be effective at all. â€Å"Safe to learn: Embedding anti-bullying work in schools is the overarching anti-bullying guidance for schools and was launched in 2007† (teacherNet, 2009, p. 2). It seems that everyone thinks that the solution to stop bullying is just to educate students about it. I think that it is good that they are trying to educate students about the issue, but we all know that it is going to take more than that to stop bullying. It does not matter how much information you provide the students with about bullying, it still is not going to do anything. People have been trying to stop bullying by just telling students it is not the right thing to do for years and nothing has changed. As you see, they tried this solution in 2007 and now in 2010 the same problem is still going on. You can make students take classes every day about bullying and there will still be children getting bullied. Principals and administrators need to punish students by making use of more suspensions and require mandatory parent meetings for those who are bullying others. If the bullying continues, it must be dealt with strongly. And, both the child and parent should be held responsible for it. Until people start taking actions of this nature, bullying will forever be a problem. I think that the only way to stop bullying is to actually make a law against it. In Massachusetts, they have passed a bill for anti-bullying. I think that is wonderful because now that the law is involved I am sure bullying will be cut down because the kids would not to have to deal with the harsh consequences. â€Å"The bill would prohibit bullying at schools and clamp down on so-called cyber bullying by prohibiting the use of e-mails, text messages, internet postings, and other electronic means to create hostile school environment† (Gay & Lesbians, 2010, p. 16). I also believe that it is good that they are requiring the school principals to report to the bullying to the police, if they believe criminal charges should be pursued. Maybe now if the students know that they could possibly go to jail they would stop bullying. It is great that somebody has passed a bill and takes this issue seriously because this has been going on for too long and it is time for it to stop. Lately there have been many other cities discussing and making laws about bullying. In New Jersey, they have also passed a bill regarding bullying. â€Å"A law against bullying in schools which advocates call the nation’s toughest because it requires schools to develop anti-harassment programs, was approved Monday in New Jersey† (Mulvihill, 2010, pg. ). I believe that this is what the schools need in order for bullying to stop. It may take a while for the schools to get all the policies and programs in the public schools, but it will be worth it. This law will hopefully prevent any more suicides from happening due to children being bullied. Maybe it should have been stricter laws a long time ago and a lot of bullying could have bee n stopped. The state of New Jersey has already passed the law for anti-bullying shows how it will cut down on a lot of bullying. There was already an anti-bullying law in 2002, but it was not required that schools set up anti-bullying programs. The new bill is claimed to be one of the toughest anti-bullying bill that there is. They are going all out the way to make sure students will not get bullied. They are even making teachers get training to help to bulling. Like Julie Bolcer (2010) stated, ‘’ The measure would required training for most public school employees on how to spot bulling and mandate that all districts from ‘school safety teams’ review complaints, reported The Star – Ledger . Superintendent would have to report incidents of buying to the state board of education, which would grade schools and districts on their efforts to combat it ‘’ (pg. 1). I think that it is to stop bulling because this is a very serious problem. But now that there are such harsh laws against it, I know the rates will go down a lot. Bullying is something that has been around for ages, but no one has ever seemed to find the right solution for it. Many say there is not a lot that can be done to stop bulling because it starts off school property; I totally isagree with that. While you have others that think that just by telling students about will stop it, which we all know will not. I feel that the only way bulling will ever stop is if they give harsh punishments and let the bullies know that is not a joke. Even though, there have been many attempts to stop bulling, I think that they have finally found a solution which is by making a tough anti-bulling law. If a child wants to bully someone then they should deal with the law and suffer the consequences.

Biography of Damien Hirst, British Contemporary Artist

Damien Hirst (born June 7, 1965) is a controversial contemporary British artist. He is the best-known member of the Young British Artists, a group that shook up the U.K.s art scene in the 1990s. Some of Hirsts most famous works feature dead animals preserved in formaldehyde. Fast Facts: Damien Hirst Occupation: ArtistKnown For: Key member of the Young British Artists and the creator of controversial, sometimes shocking artwork.Born: June 7, 1965 in Bristol, EnglandEducation: Goldsmiths, University of LondonSelected Works: The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1992), For the Love of God (2007)Notable Quote: I was taught to confront things you cant avoid. Death is one of those things. Early Life and Career Damien Hirst (born Damien Steven Brennan) was born in Bristol and grew up in Leeds, England. His mother later described him as a morbid child, interested in grisly and gruesome images of disease and injury. These subjects would later inform some of the artists iconic works. Hirst had several run-ins with the law, including two arrests for shoplifting. He failed numerous other academic subjects, but he succeeded in art and drawing. Damien attended the Jacob Kramer School of Art in Leeds, and in the late 1980s, he studied art at Goldsmiths, University of London. In 1988, in his second year at Goldsmith, Damien Hirst organized an independent student exhibition titled Freeze in an empty London Port Authority building. It was the first significant event organized by a group that would become known as the Young British Artists. The final version of the exhibition included two of Hirsts iconic spot paintings: multicolored spots on white or near-white backgrounds painted by hand with glossy house paint. International Success Damien Hirsts first solo exhibition, In and Out of Love, took place in an empty shop on Woodstock Street in central London in 1991. During that year, he met the Iraqi-British businessman Charles Saatchi, who became a primary patron. Saatchi offered to fund any art that Hirst wanted to create. The result was a work titled The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living. It consisted of a shark preserved in formaldehyde inside in a tank. The piece was part of one of the first Young British Artists exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery in 1992. As a result of the media attention surrounding the piece, Hirst earned a nomination for the U.K.s Turner Prize for distinguished young artists, but he lost to Grenville Davey. In 1993, Hirsts first major international work at the Venice Biennale was titled Mother and Child Divided. The work included a cow and a calf cut into sections and exhibited in separate tanks. The next year, Hirst exhibited a similar piece: Away from the Flock, which featured a sheep preserved in formaldehyde. During the exhibition, the artist Mark Bridger entered the gallery and poured black ink into the tank, then offered a new title for the work: Black Sheep. Bridger was prosecuted, but at Hirsts request, his sentence was light: two years of probation. In 1995, Damien Hirst won the Turner Prize. In the latter half of the decade, he presented solo shows in Seoul, London, and Salzburg. He also branched out into directing music videos and short films, and he formed the band Fat Les with actor Keith Allen and Alex James of the rock group Blur. By the end of the decade, the Young British Artists, including Hirst, were seen as a key part of the mainstream art scene in the U.K. Later Career On September 10, 2002, the day before the one-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks in New York City, Hirst released a statement describing the attacks as kind of like an artwork in its own right. The outrage was quick and severe. A week later, he issued a public apology. After meeting Joe Strummer of the band The Clash in 1995, Damien Hirst became good friends with the guitarist. In late 2002, Strummer died of a heart attack. Hirst stated it had a powerful effect: It was the first time I felt mortal. In March 2005, Hirst exhibited 30 paintings at the Gagosian Gallery in New York. They took over three years to complete and were based on photos taken mostly by assistants but finished by Hirst. In 2006, he introduced the work: A Thousand Years (1990). It contains a life cycle of maggots hatching inside a box, turning into flies, and feeding on a bloody, severed cows head in a glass display case. The case included buzzing live flies, many of which were electrocuted in a device designed to ward off insects. The famed artist Francis Bacon praised A Thousand Years (1990) in a letter to a friend a month before he died. In 2007, Hirst presented the piece For the Love of God, a human skull copied in platinum and studded with over 8,600 diamonds. The only part of the original skull included are the teeth. The price for the work was $100,000,000. No one bought it at the original exhibition, but a consortium that included Hirst himself purchased it in August 2008. Praise and Criticism Damien Hirst has earned praise for drumming up new interest in the arts through his celebrity persona and sense of the dramatic. He helped bring the British art scene back to prominence internationally. His supporters, including his benefactor Saatchi and many other noted artists, say that Hirst is a showman, but that getting the attention of the public is essential. He is sometimes mentioned in the company of 20th-century masters like Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock. However, detractors question whether there is anything artistic about dead, preserved animals. Brian Sewell, an Evening Standard art critic, said that Hirsts art is no more interesting than a stuffed pike over a pub door. A 2009 Hirst show titled No Love Lost, which featured his paintings, received almost universal criticism. His efforts were described as shockingly bad. Plagiarism Controversy In 2000, designer Norman Emms sued Damien Hirst over the sculpture Hymn, which was a reproduction of the Young Scientist Anatomy Set, designed by Emms and manufactured by Humbrol. Hirst paid an out-of-court settlement to two charities and Emms. In 2007, artist John LeKay, a former friend of Hirst, claimed that the inspiration for many of Hirsts works came from the Carolina Biological Supply Company catalog. He also claimed that the diamond-encrusted skull titled For the Love of God was inspired by LeKays own crystal skull work in 1993. In response to a number of other claims of copyright infringement or outright plagiarism, Hirst said, As a human being, as you go through life, you just do collect. Personal Life Between 1992 and 2012, Hirst lived with his girlfriend, Maia Norman. They have three sons: Connor Ojala, Cassius Atticus, and Cyrus Joe. Hirst is known to spend much of his private time at a farmhouse in Devon, England. He also owns a large compound in Mexico where multiple artists help carry out his projects at his art studio. Source Gallagher, Ann. Damien Hirst. Tate, 2012.

Why Is This Koolhaas Design So Special