Professional blog

Introduction

Discuss the relevance of quality, safety and risk management within the current healthcare
setting.
Discuss the role and function of HIQA and its importance in the Irish healthcare system where
applicable.

Main Body & Conclusion

Present a brief account/rational for your quality/safety initiative and include a summary of its
relevance to your area of practice with particular reference to where it is positioned in today’s
health system.
Outline the quality tools/techniques/models used in the initiative/project i.e Six Sigma, Lean,
fishbone technique etc.
 Critically discuss how the outcomes of the initiative/project improved: patient safety, the
quality of care and addressed risk management.
You can choose to present the process and outcome of the project in a simple diagram/flow
chart and include as an appendix with the assignment.
Support your assignment with relevant national and international literature. You may wish to
make reference to HSE’s initiatives of quality improvement where applicable.

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS MODULE

1. Critically discuss quality management processes, techniques and models.
2. Critically discuss patient safety and its relevance to nursing and midwifery and the Patient Safety First Initiative, Department of Health & Children.
3. Critically discuss the roles and function of HIQA and its importance in the Irish healthcare system.
4. Critically discuss national and international initiatives for patient safety, quality and risk management.
5. Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding to critically evaluate risk management and quality improvement techniques in delivering patientcentered health care services with a focus on the HSE’sinitiatives of quality improvement.