Patient Satisfaction, Outcomes Could Improve with Use of Nursing Quality Analytics Data

Having access to a quality analytics database that measures clinical data specific to the role of nurses as well as data about the nursing environment, could help improve patient satisfaction and outcomes nationwide, according to Christina Dempsey, chief nursing officer at Press Ganey.

Press Ganey, an organization that works to help hospitals and other medical facilities improve patient experiences, recently acquired the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) from the American Nursing Association (ANA). NDNQI includes clinical quality measures and corresponding information on nurse engagement and the nursing environment. Press Ganey is distilling the data into four areas that affect the patient experience. They believe this approach will ultimately help their clients decide where to invest in improvements.

“Nurse-sensitive indicators reflect the structure, the process and the outcomes of nursing care,” Dempsey told HealthITAnalytics. “The structure of nursing care is indicated by the supply of the nursing staff, the skill level of the nursing staff, and the education of the nursing staff.  Process indicators measure things like assessments, intervention, and job satisfaction.  And then outcomes are those things that improve if there’s a greater quantity or quality of nursing care, such as pressure ulcers and falls.”

“… Being able to bring some of that data together will allow managers, clinicians, and nurses at the bedside better understand what they need to do for which population of patients to get the highest and best return,” Dempsey said.

Funding Opportunity: American Nurses Foundation Nursing Research Grants Program

Each year, through its Nursing Research Grants program, the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) provides funds to beginner and experienced nurse researchers to conduct studies that contribute toward the advancement of nursing science and the enhancement of patient care. Some of the specific grants have research area requirements – such as hospice. Some require or give preference to membership in a specific nursing association. In addition, ANF encourages applicants to draw upon the American Nursing Association's (ANA’s) research priorities.  Applicants choosing to utilize ANA’s National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) database will be eligible for up to an additional $3,000 to offset database management costs. (Use of NDNQI data requires a separate application to the NDNQI program which must be completed and approved prior to the May 1, 2013 NRG application date.)

The 2013 application process is now open and will close May 1, 2013.

Click here for details.  

ANA: Care Coordination Should be Fully Funded

The American Nurses Association recently released a statement noting the importance of nurses in successful coordination of care delivered in hospitals.  They believe that fully funding these services will lead to improved health care quality and better patient outcomes.

Click here to read, "ANA: Care coordination should be reimbursed" on Nurse.com.

Click here to read about the Lamb-Sainfort INQRI project on care coordination.