HLT 362 Describe the difference between research and quality improvement

The main goal of research is to increase the knowledge and understanding of a specific variable and its possible correlation between another variable. One example would be assessing and analyzing the effectiveness of a drug. Quality improvement, on the other hand focuses on the collection of data and statistics to improve health outcomes. An example of this would be overtime data collected stating certain amounts of insulin helps control blood sugar better and the amount of times insulin is needed to help better control blood sugars. This is all data that is collected overtime, and overall helps improve health. Health care providers and nurses carry out a QI project, it may not be the implementation of something new, but it may be improvement upon something that is already in place (Helbig, 2020). “Quantitative research usually aims to provide precise, unbiased estimates of parameters of interest for the entire population which requires a large, randomly selected sample” (Hannigan, 2018). Quantitative research uses numbers and numeric variables (Helbig, 2020). Qualitative research is collected through descriptive characteristics that cannot be measured with numbers like quantitative research can (Helbig, 2020). Instead of numbers they use open-ended questions, interviews, and observation. In my hospital, leadership uses qualitative research to assess patients’ satisfaction in their hospital and ensure they feel they are receiving the care the need and anything else. They ensure this by rounding on patients and asking them open ended questions on their stay and interviewing the patient. Based on the data collected from patients, leadership connects with the managers on the floor to work on the areas needed according to the patient’s needs. In my workplace we quantitative research by assessing the number of times a patient is readmitted. My hospital strives to have a good turn around and when patients constantly are readmitted there is something not going right in the course of direction. My hospital keeps track of the readmissions and when people get admitted we assess them for high risk of being readmitted as well. When patients are readmitted case management and social worker instantly get a notification to look into their care at home and any possible needs they may need to further reduce readmissions.

Reference

Hannigan, A. (2018, June). Public and patient involvement in Quantitative Health Research: A statistical perspective. Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6250860/

Helbig, J. (2020). Reader. BibliU. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/1000000000581/epub/Chapter4.html#page_50

To generate new information, researchers use a technique (quantitative or qualitative). EBP looks for and utilizes the most up-to-date clinical data, which is frequently derived from research, when making patient-care choices. To enhance patient outcomes, QI employs methodical methods.

Quality assurance (QA) is a continuous improvement process centered on humans, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), whereas quality improvement (QI) is a continuous improvement approach focused on procedures and systems.

Provide a workplace example where qualitative and quantitative research is applied and how it was used within your organization.

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Quantitative research, such as online surveys, is more numbers-oriented and can aid in the evaluation of hypotheses generated by qualitative research. Adding a quantitative component to qualitative research might help you get a more comprehensive (and measurable) picture of the topic you’re studying.

HLT 362 Describe the difference between research and quality improvement

Qualitative data includes the color of a football player’s hair, the color of automobiles in a parking lot, the letter grades of pupils in a classroom, the kinds of coins in a jar, and the shape of sweets in a variety pack, if no numerical value is ascribed to any of these descriptors.

According to a study on workplace drug usage prevention, both qualitative and quantitative techniques have problems.

• Qualitative Research Methodologies

When commencing your assessment, qualitative approaches are a fantastic place to start. These techniques might help you describe a problem and give insight into your intervention strategy.

Observation, management meetings, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and expert consultation can all be used to accomplish this.

• Quantitative Approaches

Quantitative approaches are advantageous since they require less time to implement than qualitative ones. They’re also easier to assess, and they could offer more objective, unambiguous findings.

– Pre-existing data, self-report studies, and drug testing can all help with this.

References:

Cleland, J. (2015). Exploring versus measuring: considering the fundamental differences between qualitative and quantitative research. Researching medical education, 1-14.Newhouse, R. P., Pettit, J. C., Poe, S., & Rocco, L. (2006). The slippery slope: differentiating between quality improvement and research. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 36(4), 211-219.

Grimshaw, J., Eccles, M., Thomas, R., MacLennan, G., Ramsay, C., Fraser, C., & Vale, L. (2006). Toward evidence-based quality improvement. Journal of general internal medicine, 21(2), S14.

Abildgaard, J. S., Saksvik, P. Ø., & Nielsen, K. (2016). How to measure the intervention process? An assessment of qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection in the process evaluation of organizational interventions. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1380.

In simple terms research is searching for new knowledge or using existing knowledge to improve ways of doing something. In other words, it is used to find answers to questions. Research is used to investigate or study and find knowledge about material or resources to establish facts and develop new conclusions. It involves the collection of data, organization, and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic. For example, in healthcare research is used to improve quality care and enhance the patient experience or prevent diseases and cure them. One very common form of health research is the clinical trial, in which patients volunteer to participate in studies to test the efficacy and safety of new medical interventions (Institute of Medicine).

Quality Improvement (QI) is a systematic approach that is guided by collected data with the purpose of improving quality care. (Helbig, 2021). For example, healthcare professionals review patient and other medical data and analyze it then use it to provide quality care to their patients. With the information, they collected from the data, they use it to identify areas of improvement and also to identify areas that are working toward excellence. Their goal is to have positive patient care outcomes. Some quality improvements in healthcare include, decrease hospital readmissions, improved care coordination among departments, and decreased medication administration errors.

One example of the application of qualitative and quantitative research at the organization where I work is used to identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement. The methods they use include management and employee meetings, observations (ex. Employees’ behavior), they hire expert consultation, surveys and perform drug testing to new hires.

References

Helbig, J. et al. (2021). Applied Statistics for Health Care. (n.d.).Statiscal Analysis; lc.gcumedia.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/1000000000581/epub/Chapter4.html#page_72

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Health Research and the Privacy of Health Information: The HIPAA Privacy Rule; Nass SJ, Levit LA, Gostin LO, editors. Beyond the HIPAA Privacy Rule: Enhancing Privacy, Improving Health Through Research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2009. 3, The Value, Importance, and Oversight of Health Research. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9571/

Quality Improvement projects work to make the system better, more cost-effective, increase productivity, and create continual gains in an identified process. The QI project is directed to specific processes or practice within the organization and is intended to advance the operation of the system in the organizational environment. Because of the nature of QI studies, participant protections are more easily addressed. QI investigators in health care frequently collect primary data from volunteer participants using anonymous surveys. QI project teams stringently adhere to confidentiality of patient data. QI projects examine internal processes and work to generate solutions to process problems, the new knowledge generated is specific to that organization or system and not generalizable. QI projects have a limited audience. The project results are intended for individuals internal to the organization rather than the scientific community at large.

The hallmark of research is the process of generating new scientific knowledge. Whether the research has a quantitative or qualitative focus, it is characterized by a design to test a hypothesis or expand current knowledge. The products of research are focused in a way as to generalize to other similar patients and settings so the results are expected to be presented, published, or otherwise disseminated to consumers or the scientific community. The design of the research includes a scientific framework and control of variables. Due to its benefits and risks inherent in research, proposals must be reviewed by an institutional review board (IRB) and approved before research begins.

QI provides steps to assess, plan, implement change, and evaluate results connected to an organizational process, which reflects an internal organizational concern. Research, on the other hand, is focused on gaining new knowledge, within a scientific framework (Reinhardt & Ray, 2020).

Examples of potential nursing research include conducting a systematic review of studies on preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), a randomized controlled trial exploring new wound care methods, and a qualitative study to investigate the lived experiences of patients with a specific chronic disease (Conner, 2019).

One example of qualitative research is patient satisfaction surveys as these include collecting data on nurse-doctor communication, nurse-patient communication, and pain management through survey questions. Throughout all of the hospitals I have worked, care is adjusted based on the survey results as the data collected supports quality measures reported to CMS. For example, the AIDET Model (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank) was roled out to address patient and family frustration with “not being kept in the loop on patient care issues”. Using AIDET increased patient and family satisfaction toward what was happening in the patients care and allowed the patient and family a voice in that care.

An example of quantitative research would be the data collected regarding operating room turnover times. This data is collected in minutes from the EMR and used to help evaluate operating room efficiency. This research is a part of almost every large operating room today. Collection of this data helps the OR and hospital to increase efficiency in procedural areas to improve patient, staff, and physician satisfaction as well as the bottom line of hospital revenues.

References:

Conner, B. T. (2019). Differentiating research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement. American Nurse Today, 9,6. https://www.americannursetoday.com/differentiating-research-evidence-based-practice-and-quality-improvement/

Reinhardt, A. C. & Ray, L. N. (2020). Differentiating quality improvement from research. Elsevier Science. https://www.memorialcare.org/sites/default/files/media/JoyGoebelResearchorQIMay2014.pdf

HLT 362 Describe the difference between research and quality improvement