Instructions
Tools and Methods for Quality Improvement Paper
To prepare:
• Review the Learning Resources for this week and reflect on tools for measuring quality in nursing practice.
• Download and the template for the Tools and Methods for Quality Improvement Paper found in Week 4 Learning Resources.
The Assignment (3–4 pages)
Analyze evidence from the literature and course materials, synthesize the information, and develop a 3- to 4-page scholarly response, applying the following criteria:
• Identify a patient care quality or safety gap in your selected healthcare organization.
• Describe the patient care delivery gap or problem in nursing practice.
o Include metrics or objective data and supporting information to substantiate this gap in nursing practice.
o Address the type of indicator, such as structural, process, or outcomes.
o Indicate the type of quality indicator, such as rate-based, prevention, patient safety, or nursing sensitive indicator.
o Describe whether this quality indicator is risk adjusted. Why or why not?
o How did the selected organization establish their target or benchmark metrics for this quality indicator? Be specific.
• Analyze the impact of not meeting this quality indicator to:
o Health equity and diversity
o Patient and staff engagement
o Human and financial to patients, the organization, or the healthcare system
• Analyze two (2) journal articles, clinical guidelines, or professional practice organization position statement that supports best practices related to the identified gap in nursing practice
• Submit the Comprehensive Quality Paper Template, Part 1.
Required Readings
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2024). The essentialsLinks to an external site.. AACN. https://www.aacnnursing.org/essentials
• Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.
o Chapter 8, “Translation” (pp. 189–203)
• Sipes, C. (2025). Project management for the advanced practice nurse (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
o Chapter 1, “Basic Project Management for Advanced Practice Nurses and Healthcare Professionals” (pp. 3–21)
o Chapter 2, “Advanced Practice Nurse Role Descriptions and Application of Project Management Concepts” (pp. 23–54)
o Chapter 3, “Design/Initiation: Project Management—Phase 1” (pp. 57–84)
• Walden University, LLC. (n.d.). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) practicum manualLinks to an external site.. Walden University. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/dnp-practicum-manual
Meditrek
• Document: DNP Practicum Activities Guideline 2024 (PDF)Download DNP Practicum Activities Guideline 2024 (PDF)
• Document: Example DNP Project and Practicum Objectives (PDF)Download Example DNP Project and Practicum Objectives (PDF)
Didactic Required Resources
Required Readings
• Sipes, C. (2020). Project management for the advanced practice nurse (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
o Chapter 4, “Planning Project Management—Phase 2” (pp. 75–120)
o Chapter 5, “Implementation/Execution—Phase 3” (pp. 121–146)
Utilize the Walden University writing center setting SMART goals academic guideLinks to an external site. to develop your goals.
• Zellefrow, C., Spalla-King, T. (2024) Development of the PICOT Decision Tree: A tool to Support Student LearningLinks to an external site.. Journal of Nursing Education. 63(4).
• Document: Tools and Methods for Quality Improvement Paper Template (Word document)Download Tools and Methods for Quality Improvement Paper Template (Word document)
Required Media
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (n.d.). Quality improvement essentials toolkitLinks to an external site. [Multimedia]. https://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Tools/Quality-Improvement-Essentials-Toolkit.aspx