Quality Improvement and Patient Safety - Essay Example

"Quality Improvement and Patient Safety" is a great example of a paper on the health system. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is an organization that specializes in research regarding improvement of health care quality corresponding to four indicators. According to the AHRQ website, it aims to ensure quality care for patients who undergo return visits (Prevention Quality Indicator or PQI) as well as those who receive care within the hospital premises under their (In-patient Quality Indicator or IQI). This agency is also concerned about mortalities due to preventable difficulties in their (Patient Safety Indicators or PSI) and also for those who are receiving pediatric care in their Pediatric Quality Indicator. According to Wiley, in his book, Patient Safety, AHRQ PSI’s have been adapted in different groups across the globe. It has been utilized in their respective systems. (2010)

            Quoted from   A Guide to Patient Safety in the Medical Practice, Vance wrote, “ Four percent of all patients undergoing CABG were found to have one or more potentially preventable adverse events by means of the AHRQ identified PSIs” (2008, p. 110). This organization has indeed been helpful and is being used as a basis by a lot of important individuals. For instance, their studies on trainee attitudes helped increase patient safety.  Research on physician duty hour regulations concluded to improve resident well-being, thus patient care quality. A study on the reduction of resident work hours turned out to create communication failures.  In addition to AHRQ’s strength is that cable individuals can submit reports. The organization also welcomes comments from the public, giving more access to the people. Moreover, the qualities of the outputs are validated by professional peers.  This measure adds credence to the validity of the studies.

            Since it is only a research organization, AHRQ has no authority to reprimand groups with low marks vis-à-vis the quality indicators.  As stated in the notice given by AHRQ Grants and

Contracts Management that was released on May 24, 2011, salary limitation is implemented for the year 2011 regarding AHRQ grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. In a former notice issued on August 5, 2004, there notice read, Budget Limitation on AHRQ Large Research and Conference Grant Applications.  Since the agency seems to be having financial setbacks, this could affect the quantity and quality of assistance rendered regarding quality and safety.  One example would be the expansion and improvement of the AHRQ software. There were reports that only the original developer is competent to offer sufficient support. The development of this software could have lesser prospects due to lacking funds.  Furthermore, like in every research, this organization may have some methodological limitations. For instance, as written on the AHRQ website, most respondents in a certain study were users of the AHRQ QIs. Therefore, their responses may be geared towards a more positive perception as compared to non-users regarding the AHRQ QI program.

            Overall, AHRQ has a lot of benefits to offer. If managed well and given enough support, it can cater to more patients in need. With proper regulations, this agency can employ its indicators satisfactorily to promote safe and commendable health care.

 

           

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