Week 4 (your nursing study bay): Nurse/Patient Empowerment in
Practice
Week 4 (your nursing study bay): Nurse/Patient Empowerment in Practice
As a registered nurse, you have the power to influence change in
patient outcomes. An important aspect of influencing change is
identifying areas that need improvement. This is done primarily
through measurement of data. There are several different
measures to gather data within organizations as well as on a
national scale. Some of these measurements include core
measures, standards, best practices, evidence-based practices,
and the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI).
These support mechanisms have also been discussed as a means
for helping nurses to deliver quality care and improve patient
safety. Each measurement essentially focuses on providing care
that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and
equitable.
Although there are several different measurements, NDNQI data is
used in the process of attaining Magnet Recognition. Magnet
Recognition is the highest honor a health care organization can
receive for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. The
nurse-specific measures presented in the NDNQI help inform
nursing staffs and their organizations of areas where nursing
practices can be improved and where nursing practice efforts are