Overview and Purpose of the Assignment

The quarterly Dashboard included a wide range of clinical and administrative variables. These metrics assess nurses' performance in several duties such as service line, patient handling, and medication administration. The dashboard provides a wealth of information about these parts. According to the dashboard, 8.47% of patients in the first quarter suffered pressure ulcers (PRSSULC). This figure rises to 20% in the second quarter before falling to 10.53% in the third. Over the three quarters, this pattern is similar to that of acquired pressure ulcers (AQPRULC). It is such patients who should be accorded the best care during their visits to the health facility. The patients had at least an eight hour length of stay (LOS) in the health facility. The essay will analyze the indicators presented in the dashboard, identify the potential area of improvement and prepare the nursing plan to improve its performance.

Analysis of the Data

The nurse-sensitive service-line indicators recorded a good performance. Each of the indicators in this section recorded low variances (between -0.30 and +0.40) in the three quarters. The functional independence measure (FIM: Bowel) recorded actual values of 1.0, 1.3 and 1.4 in the first second and third quarters respectively. The FIM: Bladder recorded actual values of 1.5, 1.1 and 1.3 in the first second and third quarters. The potential area of improvement include the patient satisfaction section as depicted by the relatively poor performance of the nurse-sensitive patient satisfaction survey indicators.

The potential area of improvement include the patient satisfaction section as depicted by the relatively poor performance of the nurse-sensitive patient satisfaction survey indicators. The RN Courtesy had relatively higher performance in this section, with the actual values exceeding the target metrics. The RN Courtesy recorded actual metric values of 91.2, 92.7 and 91.4 against the target metric values of 88.85 for the three quarters. Other indicators like promptness, attention to specific needs, response pain, and care well-coordinated performed dismally during the three quarters. Patient satisfaction is the choice area for improvement considering its bearing in the nursing care. The patient has to be satisfied with the level of service offered. Otherwise, the patients would prefer other health facilities with similar services but better patient handling. This could spell economic doom for the health institution considering the loss of revenue. Therefore, the patient satisfaction will be assessed to identify the best interventions to improve its performance.

Of the patient satisfaction survey indicators, the response pain indicator requires the most improvement. This indicator recorded the metric values of 85.5, 80.00 and 86.20 against the target value of 88.15 for the three quarters.

Nursing plan

In order to improve the patient satisfaction levels, the nurses have to integrate these three practices in their daily schedules. They should observe the patient regularly for any signs or their response to medication. They should also give the patient a warm welcome and stay, for example, by smiling and saying hello when the patients arrive (Radtke, 2013). The third practice is keeping the communications open, responding to the patients' concerns and explaining to them what would happen next (Radtke, 2013). The three practices will change the patients' perception of the nurses, from a negative one to a positive perception.

Considering the first practice, occasional observation of the patient spells a huge impact on the diagnosis and handling of the patient. The nurse may administer a medication for pain, but this may not be effective in relieving pain. Such a stance can be identified by conducting occasional observation of the patient's response to the medication. The patients will feel good when the nurses check on their progress on an hourly basis (Radtke, 2013). They would feel that their concerns are of utmost importance to the health facility, and would always return to the same for medical services. The second practice involves the patient handling stance. Every person feels good when recognized or acknowledged. A patient will feel appreciated when a nurse smiles and inquires how he/she is doing (Rathert, 2013). It is the basic human psychology to acknowledge people. This fact is usually overlooked in most health institutions. A little recognition will go a long way in improving the customers' experience in the hospital.

In the third practice, the health professional should be competent in communication skills. They have to build that trust with the patient through open communication. Building such rapport involves application of the verbal skills, for example, explaining clearly in a way that is easy for the patient to understand his/her condition (Coulter, 2014). They have to respond to the patients' concerns and explain to them what would happen next. The patients would feel important knowing that the procedures have been outlined clearly and that all are meant to restore his/her previous healthy condition.

Conclusion

A good patient-nurse rapport increases the patient satisfaction levels. Improving these indictors involves basic practices like maintaining open communication with the patient, conducting patient observations regularly for any signs or their response to medication, and giving the patient a warm welcome and stay. Integrating these in the nurses' daily schedule will improve the patient satisfaction levels.

References

Coulter, A. L. (2014). Collecting data on patient experience is not enough: they must be used to improve care. BMJ: British Medical Journal (Online), 348.

Radtke, K. (2013). Improving patient satisfaction with nursing communication using bedside shift report. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 27(1), 19-25.

Rathert, C. W. (2013). Patient-centered care and outcomes: a systematic review of the literature. Medical Care Research and Review, 70(4), 351-379.