NURS 445

I.     Course Title: Quality and Safety in Nursing

II.    Course Number: NURS 445

III.    Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV.    Prerequisites: None

V.    Course Description:

This course will focus on the processes and practices of quality assessment and continuous quality improvement in healthcare. Students will examine a variety of healthcare quality indicators that nurses are accountable for achieving. Students will examine the issue of patient safety, risk appraisal, and medical error reduction.

VI.    Course Objectives:  

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Recognize the client as the source of control and full partner in providing compassionate and patient-centered care. (1, 2 )
2. Define the term quality as it applies to healthcare structure, process, and outcomes. (2, 4)
3. Explain and apply the processes and methods used in continuous quality improvement.  (3, 5)
4. Describe how to function effectively within nursing and healthcare teams, using open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care. (3, 4, 5)
5. Identify healthcare risks to client safety and develop plans to reduce the safety risk. (1, 2, 4, 5)
6. Analyze nurse-sensitive client outcomes and describe strategies to achieve optimal outcomes in a clinical setting. (1, 2)
7. Describe how information, technology, and evidence-based practice can impact quality and safety in nursing. (1, 2, 5, 6)

VII.            Date of Syllabus Approval: