a plan to improve patient satisfaction on the unit
APA format. MUST BE 1 SEPERATE RESPONSE TO EACH QUESTION. 1 paragraph per response. Use only scholar authors only. References needed
Discussion 1:
The unit set out a plan to improve patient satisfaction on the unit with specific strategies and interventions over two years. Within the last two years, staff received training and education about pain management, data analysis of pain assessment and management, pain medication effectiveness, patient teaching, and evaluating staffs’ attitudes (Walden University, n.d.b.). The data over time showed an upward shift, trending upward, and data runs after the median (Walden University, n.d.a.). In looking at the run chart, it does objectively show the strategies and interventions were successful as satisfaction scores improved above the baseline since February 2015 (Walden University, n.d.a.). Perla et al. (2011) indicate that run charts are an easy tool to interpret data objectively and evaluate improvement plans’ outcomes.
Furthermore, the quality assurance improvement plan was multilayer and took time to introduce. It was crucial to educate the staff on why there is a need for patient satisfaction improvement. Education and training to the staff and patients added another dimension to the importance of patient care and satisfaction. During the interventions, data were analyzed by the QI team, which allowed for the development of strategies for quality improvement (Walden University, n.d.b.). In the first half of the implementation process, it included training and education about pain and demographics of the typical patient seen on the unit (Walden University, n.d.b.). I believe this was an essential piece for the implementation strategies to be effective. Staff needs to know the whys and whats of the end goal.
CNO and the nurse manager know that in the last two years, they improved patient satisfaction scores for pain management on the unit. In particular, the Fade model has been used to increase customer satisfaction with a clear focus of the problem, analyze the data, develop a solution, implement a plan, look objectively at the data results, and adjust accordingly (Spath, 2013). Management and the CNO can adapt the plan to exceed the national benchmark within the next year or next quarter. To do that, they would have to objectively look at the data and determine another solution to implement to get their patient satisfaction scores even higher. The run chart from 5/1/2015 to 5/1/2016 consistently shown 80% and above and within the last five months in 2016 have trended above 90% (Walden University, n.d.a.).
