Methodologies in the Current Practice Environment
My practice environment is connected with UCHealth, which has initiatives to improve patient care. UCHealth recognizes the importance of research in achieving effective and timely care. The main approach is based on evidence-based practice, the principles of Lean Six Sigma are introduced, and a patient-centered approach is implemented. An evidence-based approach is an appropriate framework for promoting change and using statistics to identify areas for improvement (Facchiano & Snyder, 2012). Since the main goal is to provide the highest quality medical services, UCHealth regularly analyzes customer satisfaction. The primary method for such testing is a survey of patients.
Study Metrics: Pre- and Post-Implementation
There is no pre-metric, but the post-metric provides valuable insights into areas of potential improvement. The results of the surveys help improve the patient experience and make the provision of care ethical and individually oriented.
The Role of Analytic Statistics in Quality and Process Improvement
Although surveys are a way to learn about patient experience, a wider range of statistical tools is needed to allow analysis of the general population data. One of the tools is common vs. exceptional cases. Common causes describe a quantitative change in the system, while exceptional cases refer to previously unobserved phenomena (Nash et al., 2019).
Both tools allow critical assessment of behavior patterns, which helps develop an evidence-based approach. These tools are suitable in a reasonably short term, while tools like Run Chart allow one to evaluate data over time (Nash et al., 2019). This method can also provide valuable and statistically correct information, but may not be used immediately. A crucial statistical tool is stratification, separating patients according to characteristics. This method is part of the typical case approach and does not require such a significant time gap as the Run Chart.
All the methods described are statistically essential and can lead to valuable insights, which will be helpful in evidence-based practice. Common causes and exceptional cases make evaluating patterns’ uniqueness possible. A Run Chart is a tool that allows one to display long-term statistics (Nash et al., 2019).
Stratification can be applied in the process, providing information regarding gender, age, or race (Nash et al., 2019). Analytical statistics significantly improve the quality and process of providing medical services. Statistical data allows medical professionals to diagnose faster and more accurately, develop an individual approach, calculate risk groups, and assess the comfort of conditions for further improvement.
Evaluating Types of Data Diagrams from Quality Tools
The most appropriate tools for my practice are the control chart, stratification, and surveys. Since UCHealth is integrating Lean Six Sigma, one of the primary management goals is to improve efficiency (Steere et al., 2018). A control chart will allow me to estimate efficiency by measuring the use of resources. It will be suitable for my practice, since this tool will help me compare whether the process is ongoing and under control, that is, whether the chosen methodology works.
The stratification method could reflect a comparison of readmission rates, which would identify gaps in the system (Nash et al., 2019). Stratification is helpful, since it will reveal patterns related to the quality of medical care. Finally, a patient survey will also be an effective practical measure. It will reflect opinions and help identify the practice’s strengths and weaknesses. All three types of statistics collection and analysis will allow UCHealth to become a provider of the most comfortable conditions for patients based on continued self-improvement.
References
Facchiano, L., & Snyder, C. H. (2012). Evidence‐based practice for the busy nurse practitioner: Part one: Relevance to clinical practice and clinical inquiry process. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 24(10), 579-586. Web.
Nash, D.B., Ransom, E.R., Joshi M.S., & Ransom S.B. (eds.). (2019). The healthcare quality book: Vision, strategy, and tools. Health Administration Press.
Steere, L., Rousseau, M., & Durland, L. (2018). Lean six sigma for intravenous therapy optimization: A hospital use of lean thinking to improve occlusion management. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access, 23(1), 42-50. Web.