BUS FPX 4123 Assessment 4 Promoting Accountability Through Measures

Student Name

Capella University

BUS-FPX4123 Quality Assurance and Risk Management

Prof. Name:

Date

Introduction

As the owner and CEO of Egebrecht Group Homes, maintaining the safety and health of residents is a top priority. With six to ten adult residents, many of whom experience mental impairments, addressing challenges promptly is essential to ensure high-quality care. Recently, concerns about medication administration, including missed doses and discrepancies in documentation, have surfaced. These issues call for the development of a comprehensive action plan to safeguard the standards of care and well-being of residents.

Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in March 2010, sought to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare for Americans. Beyond expanding insurance coverage, the ACA emphasizes enhancements in healthcare delivery, such as supporting breastfeeding mothers and mandating calorie transparency in restaurants. Additionally, it has improved access to prescription medications, including both brand-name and generic drugs, benefiting millions of people. These measures have strengthened the overall healthcare system and ensured better support for individuals in need (Rapogel et al., 2010).

Assessment of Educational Needs
An evaluation of educational needs at Egebrecht Group Homes was conducted using discrepancy analysis. This approach included self and peer assessments, coupled with reflective practices, to analyze performance and processes. Identifying organizational strengths and weaknesses through these assessments is essential for fostering growth and ensuring patient safety remains a priority.

Plan of Action and Implementation

Steps	Description	Expected Outcomes
Identifying Issues	Data collection from written statements and video footage to identify medication discrepancies.	Understanding root causes of medication errors and incomplete documentation.
Medication Reconciliation	Implementation of a new process requiring dual verification of medications by two staff members.	Reduced medication errors and enhanced accountability among staff members.
Error Reporting Mechanism	Ensuring medication errors are promptly reported and addressed through disciplinary action.	Improved adherence to protocols and reinforced culture of safety within the organization.

Continuous Improvement with PDCA Model

Phase	Description	Impact on Quality Improvement
Plan	Identify key areas requiring improvement, such as medication reconciliation processes.	Establishes a foundation for targeted interventions and measurable goals.
Do	Implement changes, such as the new verification process and reporting protocols.	Ensures immediate action to address and rectify medication administration discrepancies.
Check	Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of implemented changes through audits and performance reviews.	Provides insights into areas of success and aspects requiring further attention.
Act	Adjust processes based on evaluation findings to sustain improvements and address emerging challenges.	Promotes a culture of continuous improvement and organizational adaptability.

Conclusion

The updated medication reconciliation process at Egebrecht Group Homes aims to improve accuracy and mitigate errors. By emphasizing adherence to established protocols and prioritizing patient safety, the organization can ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality care. Incorporating continuous improvement strategies like the PDCA model further supports the organization’s responsiveness to the evolving needs of healthcare. Through these measures, Egebrecht Group Homes strives to maintain its commitment to excellence and resident well-being.

References

Barnsteiner, J. (n.d.). Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. NCBI.NLM.NIH.Gov. Retrieved July 20, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2648/

Rapogel, N., Gee, E., & Calsyn, M. (2010, March 23). 10 Ways the ACA Has Improved Health Care in the Past Decade. Americanprogress.Org. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/healthcare/news/2020/03/23/482012/10-waysaca-improved-health-care-past-decade/