QSEN Primer

Or, “QSEN in a Nutshell” 1

Background

 1999—Institute of Medicine published “To Err is Human”  Determined errors have an effect on both patient satisfaction and on trust in the healthcare system  One of four recommendations to prevent medical errors: “Implementing safety systems in health care organizations to ensure safe practices at the delivery level” 2

Development of QSEN

 The Quality and Safety Education for Nursing program was established in October, 2005  Developed specifically for future nurses to understand the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for quality and safety in our healthcare system  Correlates with the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine 3

Why the change

  Shift from identifying one person to blame Recognized that mistakes arise from flaws or holes in the system  Continued mistakes create deeper flaws or holes in the system 4

Goal of QSEN initiative

 Preparing future nurses to have the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) to continuously improve the quality and safety of the health care systems in which they work  There are 6 competencies (or, areas of competency) 5

1. Patient centered care

  The patient is the source of control The patient is your partner for your providing compassionate and coordinated care  Requires respect for the patient’s preferences, values, and needs 6

2. Teamwork and collaboration

 Function effectively within nursing and other teams through:  Open communication  Mutual respect  Shared decision-making 7

3. Evidence-based practice

  Use the best current evidence in your practice Recognize patient and family preferences and values 8

4. Quality improvement

   Use data to monitor the outcomes of care processes Use improvement methods to create change Continuously improve the quality and safety of healthcare systems 9

5. Safety

   Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers Improve system effectiveness Improve individual performance 10

6. Informatics

 Use information and technology to:  Communicate  Manage knowledge  Reduce error  Assist with decision making 11

Requirements for continued personal and system improvement

Patient Centered Care Teamwork And Collaboration Evidence Based Practice Quality Improvement Safety Informatics Knowledge Skills Attitudes

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As you study and practice, ask yourself…  How do the competencies (patient-centered care; teamwork; evidence-based practice; quality improvement; safety; informatics) of QSEN apply to this situation?

 What knowledge, skills, and attitudes are required for this situation?

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Example of QSEN standard

Competency: Patient centered care

  Knowledge: Collaboration with the family is crucial Skills: Assess patient and family for risk  Attitudes: Understand the unique qualities of each patient, family, and culture 14