Standard 10. Quality of Practice

The registered nurse contributes to quality nursing practice.

Quality of Practice: Some Characteristics

The Quality of Practice standard addresses the role of registered nurses and APRNs in assuring quality patient care. Quality care is:• Safe• Patient centered• Effective• Timely• Efficient• Equitable

RNs and Quality of PracticeRegistered nurses contribute to quality care through direct and indirect care.

Direct care activities:• Using the nursing process to provide

evidence-based, patient-centered care• Implementing research based nursing care

policies, procedures, and guidelines• Monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of

care using indicators such as nurse-sensitive outcomes

RNs and Quality of PracticeIndirect care activities: • Participating on interdisciplinary teams to

assure continuity of care • Identifying and working to correct barriers to

quality care• Formulating recommendations to improve

nursing practice • Participating in efforts to minimize costs and

resource utilization and increase efficiency

APRNs and Quality of PracticeAPRNs contribute to quality care through:• Providing leadership in the design and

implementation of quality improvement initiatives • Utilizing sound research findings to identify and

implement innovations in practice to improve patient outcomes

• Generating research questions pertinent to quality patient outcomes

• Initiating and project managing changes in the delivery system to remove barriers to quality care

Quality Practice: Some Organizations

Resources and policy groups focused on quality care:• American Nurses Association National Database of Nursing

Quality Indicators (NDNQI, 2011) http://www.nursingquality.org

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ, 2011) http://www.ahrg.gov

• Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI, 2011) http://www.ihi.org

• National Quality Forum (NQF, 2011) http://www.qualityforum.org

• The Joint Commission (2011) http://www.Centerfortransforminghealthcare.org