Quality Improvement for Older Adults During the aging process, many adults go through numerous mental, physical and emotional changes. The challenges facing the care of the elderly can be astronomical. While a large number of the population is in good health, many others are in poor health, requiring quality care, compassion, and attention. In this paper, I will discuss quality control and improvements that can contribute to the overall health and well-being of the elderly. Not only will this be advantageous to both patients and families, but to health care workers as well. The Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) are standards that need to be adhered to in order to evoke necessary changes to improve the overall quality
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Standards are set to ascertain quality care for these patients. If these standards are not followed, changes need to be made. There are five elements involved within the QAPI that provide a facility with a well designed program to deliver good quality care. The involvement of staff, administration, patients and their families can help contribute to overall care. When policies are set, a monitoring and feedback system is essential. When projects and issues need attention for improvement, a structural approach to solving these problems is vital (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, …show more content…
With the help of QAPI standards, policies can be set, refined and revised to keep up with the current geriatric population. These policies and standards apply to all health workers involved, no matter what their position. The hospital system I work for has open meetings monthly to discuss current changes and what can be improved to provide better patient care. This information is passed onto every unit and communicated through email, staff meetings, printed material and required online education. In conclusion, the substantial growth in the elderly population has presented a unique situation involving their quality of care. With this population, many physical and mental changes occur that need care and close attention. Through the five elements of the QAPI, it helps improve and build on current practices to recognize changes that need constant monitoring and evaluation for improvement. Involvement of all levels of staff is a necessity in order for QAPI standards to be workable and
Standards are set to ascertain quality care for these patients. If these standards are not followed, changes need to be made. There are five elements involved within the QAPI that provide a facility with a well designed program to deliver good quality care. The involvement of staff, administration, patients and their families can help contribute to overall care. When policies are set, a monitoring and feedback system is essential. When projects and issues need attention for improvement, a structural approach to solving these problems is vital (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, …show more content…
With the help of QAPI standards, policies can be set, refined and revised to keep up with the current geriatric population. These policies and standards apply to all health workers involved, no matter what their position. The hospital system I work for has open meetings monthly to discuss current changes and what can be improved to provide better patient care. This information is passed onto every unit and communicated through email, staff meetings, printed material and required online education. In conclusion, the substantial growth in the elderly population has presented a unique situation involving their quality of care. With this population, many physical and mental changes occur that need care and close attention. Through the five elements of the QAPI, it helps improve and build on current practices to recognize changes that need constant monitoring and evaluation for improvement. Involvement of all levels of staff is a necessity in order for QAPI standards to be workable and