Nursing Sensitive Indicators

The understanding of Nursing Sensitive Indicators (NSI) can assist nurses in identifying care concerns that could potentially interfere with quality patient care. NSI reflect the structure, process and outcomes of nursing care. The structure of nursing care is indicated by nursing staff levels, staffing mix, educational levels and experience levels of those providing care. Process indicators measure methods of nursing assessment, methods of care, and types of interventions as well as staff satisfaction. Outcomes are directly relatable to quantity and quality of nursing care (American Nurses Association, 2017).

In the scenario provided, had the nurses been aware of the NSI relating to Mr. J and his overall care needs, the outcomes and experience

Quality Patient Care

Data collection of NSI provides ongoing evidence of measure relating to areas that need to improvement, as well as areas where quality care is being provided. These are valuable items that advance quality patient care throughout the caregiving setting, no matter the location. Hospitals track and utilize this data as evidence base approach to improve outcomes. Evidence based outcomes are proof that when a patient is repositioned frequently and attentively, skin breakdown can be prevented.

To provide quality patient care as well as maintain safety a very specific protocol regarding initiation of restraints would be in place and followed closely. A patient that requires restraints would have failed other options including utilization of family at the bedside to assist with supervision, tab alarm utilization. Documentation would also be in pace that shows evidence of failed approaches legitimizing use of restraints. More importantly is the process of very strict standard of patient care when restraints are in place. A patient must be checked every 15 minutes including assessment of the skin affected as well as range of motion to that area. Clear documentation of this assessment would be entered into the patient record. A patient would also be given a bathroom break every 2 hours. This requires either a transfer to the bedside commode, or ambulation to the bathroom. During this transfer, the patient’s skin would be entirely assessed with a change to the lying

Mix-ups occur from time to time in the hospital setting. This should never be perceived as a small factor. Utilization of education and review is an important process in nursing care. If a supervisor exhibits a calloused attitude and lack of compassion, those that work on that supervisor’s unit will demonstrate the same attitude. Quality care must be a conscious goal. This goal when accomplished is what promotes job satisfaction. Quality departments in the hospital often track and report on NSI such as nosocomial infections, pressure ulcers, Foley catheters and pressure ulcers. Educational partnering with staff around the importance of these measures provides improved outcome. This scenario shows areas where education to staff is needed. Partnership with the hospital quality department would help in bringing forth how care is improved with alertness to specified