Monitoring Data and Quality Improvement - Essay Example

Explain how health care organizations use quality improvement techniques to guide decision making? Discuss the challenges organizations encounter in applying quality improvement techniques to guide decision making.Health care organizations use quality improvement techniques to guide decision-making through various means: integrating quality improvement methods in their organization’s policy and procedures; following a specifically designed handbook; through regular orientation, training, and development programs; and through being kept apprised of best practices, evidence-based nursing methods and new developments on the subject of quality improvement in health care.

 The challenges encountered by organizations in applying quality improvement techniques to guide decision making include: (1) costs in designing, implementing and monitoring of the outcomes of quality improvement technique that cater to the specific needs and requirements of the organization; (2) complying with regulatory requirements, particularly “federal regulations governing the ethical conduct of human subjects research” (Baily, 2008, p. 147); (3) adherence to ethical, moral, and legal standards; and (4) balancing privacy and confidentiality issues vis-à-vis transparency in the health care setting.