What is the purpose of Healthcare Quality Improvement (QI) exactly? And what does it mean to have quality “for the rest of us”?
At the most basic level, Healthcare QI uses evidence to improve patient care. For many facilities, one of the first goals is to be resilient, adjusting to change without diminishing patient care. Effective QI can help mitigate some of the risk involved in healthcare, both for the patients and staff. But how does QI affect patient care in practical terms?
My first clinical experience was at a prestigious teaching hospital, where patient care was informed by the most up-to-date research. Nursing staff coordinated treatment with a team of skilled specialists in nutrition, therapy, and other departments. Physicians collaborated with nursing staff, and the clinical team carefully scheduled time to educate, treat, and discuss care with the patient.
The patient was the most important person, and we had to respect the patient’s schedule to avoid delays in treatment. The patients I met said their care was personal, purposeful, and efficient, and I was humbled and impressed by the care I witnessed.
One day during my clinical experience, my nursing instructor abruptly stopped us in the hallway and introduced us to an environmental services (EVS) employee cleaning a patient’s room. Her name was Lydia. My professor said, “this is the most important member of the hospital care team.” My professor eyed each of us warily before she continued:
By Gayle Porter
