Learning Objectives
1. Assess the quality ranking of two hospitals in your area. (Good Samaritan Hospital, Lafayette Colorado) (Saint Anthony North, Westminster Colorado)
2. Evaluate the connections between quality rankings and patient outcomes
3. Analyze a quality improvement strategy based on evidence
Assignment Instructions
This assignment will familiarize capstone students with quality ranking systems currently in use
for hospitals and the measures that are used to determine quality.
STEP 1
Access the Hospital Compare website at https://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/, and enter
your home zip code in the search box. Select two hospitals to compare, preferably with different
star ratings. If you are currently employed at a hospital, select your workplace for one of the
locations. Review information under all tabs.
STEP 2
Select one outcome quality measure focused on a change in health status (i.e. 30-day death
rates), one process quality measure focused on the steps of a process (i.e. Patients who reported
that staff “always” explained about medicines before giving them) and one patient satisfaction
measure ( i.e. Patients who reported YES, they would definitely recommend the hospital).
Compare and contrast the two hospitals based on these three measures. Based on your
knowledge of local needs, concerns and preferences select ONE of these measures that you
believe would be the most important the local community.
Research peer-reviewed nursing or hospital administration journals for strategies that has been
utilized to improve quality related to the ONE selected measure. For instance, if you selected a
patient satisfaction measure, you can research strategies for improving satisfaction in any
hospital unit or service. Select one strategy that you feel would be most effective. Analyze the
strategy, for this hospital in its community for the following:
· Feasibility
· Efficacy
· Stakeholders (a person with an interest or concern in the measure; those who are critical
for change to occur). Individuals should be identified by general job titles and not named
STEP 3
Create a 6-8 slide PowerPoint presentation Include the following in the PowerPoint:
Title slide
Introduction: Community demographics, data on hospitals selected (i.e. Size, trauma designation,
urban/rural location)
Selected measure: Outline the quality measure that you select as most important to the local
community, and the hospital selected to implement it. Provide your rationale
Research: Present strategy and analyze for
Feasibility
Efficacy
Stakeholders
Reference slide
STEP 4: NOT ON POWERPOINT SLIDE-SEPARATE FILE
Consider your preceptor to be the Director of Nursing for the selected hospital. Present your
review and evidence to your preceptor in a meeting. Type up exchange from meeting (meeting minutes)(Preceptor Name is Suzanne) Make the case for why the hospital
should consider using the strategy. Determine which stakeholders should be included on a
committee to decide if the strategy should be implemented.