Process Improvement for a Clinical Problem

Process Improvement for a Clinical Problem

Statement of the Problem

Process improvement refers to the structured and systematic approach which is implemented to maintain and improve the quality of care for patients in the healthcare system. The term clinical governance was widely acknowledged in 1995, followed by Bristol heat scandal. Process improvement can be defines as a framework used by health services organization s to consistently improve the quality of services to patients and safeguard moral standards. Three basic elements highlighted in this definition include the reorganization of high standards of patient care, accountability of typical standards, transparent responsibility and persistent improvement in dynamic environments.

The concept of process improvement is parallel with the widely known concept of corporate governance. This concept does not affect the other business processes of an organization rather focuses on delivery of quality care (Clegg, Kornberger, Pitsis, 2005, pp 101-121). A new concept of integrated governance emerges from the amalgamation of corporate and clinical governance for duties in healthcare organizations.

Literature Review

Clinical governance does not propose and authorize any structured system or process for maintenance and improvement in the quality of patient's care services (Badham, Wall, Sinfield, 2006, 22 - 29). Clinical governance ensures that the designated responsibilities must be established and practiced in the Trust Board level. Every Trust Board is responsible to report the application of quality care and maintenance through Annual Report of Clinical Governance. Apart from that the Trust and clinical departments, required to implement and interpret the clinical governance into appropriate structure, system, processes, roles and responsibilities. In this paper, we will establish an understanding of Clinical governance through various practical examples, consider a pressure ulcer case and recommend strategies for improvement in clinical practice to deal with pressure ulcers.

Clinical Practices for Quality Care

Care Management supports the premise work done by the nursing team consisting of nurses, paramedical and auxiliary of service. Work must be participatory and shared responsibilities; this will be the guarantee of effective management, secure, humane and efficient management of such care. To do this, the nurse needs to have independence in their professional field, expressed as an endorsement of such regulatory, and administrative, for taking over with decisions, functions and actions and lead nursing practice in line with the health needs of patients (Martin, 2002, pp. 51-64).

The nurse's professional services include care management in terms of promotion, maintenance and restoration of health, prevention of illness or injury, and implementation of actions arising from the diagnosis and treatment and the duty to ensure better management of resources for patient care.

Quality Improvement Strategies

The paramedical staff and nurses have a very caring and positive attitude towards patients. They involved in the integration of nursing and paramedical activities throughout the hospital activities and medical and technical collaboration with leaders of various aspects of these activities. The Chief Nurse of the Mid Staffordshire Hospital supervises, organizes and provides coordination of nursing and allied health. He/ She supervises the recruitment policies, promotion and dismissal; working conditions; hospital hygiene, lifelong learning, ...