Page 60 - MMP-N-NJ CCN 21st Century School Nurse Leadership Book

Key Principle: Quality Improvement

Definition: Quality Improvement (QI) is a continuous and systematic process that leads to measurable
improvements and outcomes (Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], n.d.) QI and
measuring quality are integral parts of healthcare reform and are current standards of practice
(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2011).

PRACTICE COMPONENTS DEFINITION*

Deming cycle of “Plan-Do-Check-Act”: assessment,
CONTINUOUS QUALITY identification of the issue, developing a plan,
implementing the plan, evaluating if goals/outcomes
IMPROVEMENT are achieved (Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, n.d.; ANA & NASN, 2017).

Sixth step of the nursing process and sixth standard of
school nursing practice (ANA & NASN, 2017). Evaluation
is the assessment of the attainment of outcomes.
DOCUMENTATION/ For school nurses, evaluation includes measuring
DATA COLLECTION meaningful health and academic outcomes and
determining whether the processes and interventions
used were appropriate. Evaluation should occur for all
components of the student’s IHP (practice component
of Care Coordination).

As leaders, change agents and full partners shaping
the future health and academic success of young
people, school nurses need to be aware and involved
with healthcare and education reform (Duncan, 2013,
August 25,; Institute of Medicine, 2011; Needleman &
Hassmiller, 2009; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
EVALUATION
2010). Understanding current reforms (e.g. Affordable
Care Act of 2010), affords opportunities for school
nurses to advocate for changes that best serve
students, articulate how school nursing fits into the
reform, and validate their role wo that it is not lost
(American Public Health Association, 2013).

For school nurses, evaluation includes measuring
MEANINGFUL HEALTH/ meaningful health and academic outcomes and
ACADEMIC OUTCOMES determining whether the processes and interventions
used were appropriate. May consider IHP components
part of this area.

Data and evaluation should also be used for performance
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL appraisal of the school nurses’ work goals and job
performance.

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