Imagine that you are a hospital administrator at Sunlight Hospital in California. The main complaint among the patients is the quality of care. The hospital board has become aware of this issue and wants to see it addressed. Your job is to understand the state of the hospital, create value, increase efficiency, and turn the facility into a local hospital of choice. Whenever you are making visits to various wards to meet the employees and the patients, you hear how the patients love the hospital, but they would like to see certain improvements in care. The employees seem to be very busy executing their duties and not interacting much with the patients. The hospital board has asked you to compile a report of your findings and suggested strategies for achieving the hospital’s current goals.
Note: You may create or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.
Write 4-6 pages in which you:
Identify five measurements of quality of care in a hospital, and explain the major reasons why you believe these measurements matter to patients in their process of choosing a hospital for emergency or inpatient care.
Determine four main features in health care organizations that can be used to design a successful quality improvement plan. Describe the manner in which the features can lead to failure or success of quality of care in Sunlight Hospital.
Propose the main reasons why the quality of care would add value to and create a competitive advantage for Sunlight Hospital. Provide a rationale for your response.
Use at least four quality sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment.
Use the Strayer University Online Library to find four recent resources that are current (within the last five years) for this assignment.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS Helpance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Propose a quality improvement plan for a hospital that will add value and create a competitive advantage.
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The quality of care is a crucial factor in the healthcare industry, and it plays a significant role in the success and growth of any hospital. In recent years, Sunlight Hospital has been receiving complaints from patients about the quality of care they receive. As a hospital administrator, it is essential to identify the measures of quality of care that matter to patients and develop a quality improvement plan that will add value and create a competitive advantage for the hospital. This paper identifies the five measurements of quality of care in a hospital, describes four main features in health care organizations that can be used to design a successful quality improvement plan, proposes the main reasons why quality of care adds value and creates a competitive advantage, and provides relevant sources to support the discussion.
Measurements of Quality of Care:
Patient Safety: Patient safety is the most crucial measure of quality of care in a hospital. Patients want to receive care in a safe and secure environment where they can be assured that their health and well-being are the top priority. Safety measures can include infection control, medication management, and fall prevention.
Patient Satisfaction: Patient satisfaction is a crucial measure of quality of care as it is an indicator of how well a hospital meets patients’ needs and expectations. Patients who are satisfied with the care they receive are more likely to return to the hospital in the future and recommend it to others.
Clinical Outcomes: Clinical outcomes are another measure of quality of care that is important to patients. Patients want to receive care that results in positive health outcomes, such as improved health, reduced pain, and a faster recovery.
Wait Times: Wait times are a significant measure of quality of care as they impact patients’ experiences and perceptions of the hospital. Patients want to receive care promptly and efficiently, and long wait times can cause frustration and dissatisfaction.
Communication: Communication is an essential measure of quality of care as it impacts patients’ understanding of their diagnosis, treatment options, and care plans. Patients want to receive clear, concise, and timely communication from healthcare providers to ensure they are informed and involved in their care.
Features for a Successful Quality Improvement Plan:
Leadership: Leadership is a critical feature for a successful quality improvement plan. Strong leadership ensures that the hospital’s goals and objectives are clearly defined and communicated, and that the necessary resources and support are provided to achieve those goals.
Data and Analytics: Data and analytics play a vital role in developing and implementing a successful quality improvement plan. By collecting and analyzing data on patient outcomes, wait times, and other measures of quality of care, hospitals can identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.
Staff Engagement: Staff engagement is crucial to the success of a quality improvement plan. Engaged employees are more likely to be invested in the hospital’s goals and motivated to provide high-quality care. Hospitals can promote staff engagement through training and education, recognition programs, and other initiatives.
Patient Involvement: Patient involvement is an essential feature of a successful quality improvement plan. Hospitals can involve patients in quality improvement initiatives by soliciting feedback, implementing patient satisfaction surveys, and involving patients in decision-making processes.
Reasons for Quality of Care to Add Value and Create Competitive Advantage:
Improved Reputation: High-quality care can improve a hospital’s reputation and increase its visibility in the community. Patients who receive excellent care are more likely to recommend the hospital to others, which can increase patient volume and revenue.
Increased Patient Loyalty: Patients who receive high-quality care are more likely to return to the hospital in the future and become loyal customers. Loyal patients can provide a steady stream of revenue and support the hospital’s long-term growth and success.
Reduced Costs: High-quality care can reduce costs by improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for follow-up care or
