How to Use Indicators for Quality Healthcare in Nursing Homes

The healthcare industry constantly strives to provide the best care for you and your loved ones during times of illness or after an accident. To ensure this goal is reached, indicators have been placed in healthcare facilities to "grade" the staff on quality of care. These indicators were introduced in the 1990s by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis, attempting to improve quality of care in nursing home facilities.

Instructions

• 1

  Record all precautions taken in your facility. For example, ensure all staff are properly trained to lift and transport patients; ensure all staff are trained in emergency care such as CPR; test the durability of all equipment such as lifts and belts, and ensure each room is fully stocked daily with gloves and hand sanitizer.

• 2

  Assign patients to rooms or areas according to their condition. Patients that suffer severe illness should be placed in a specialty wing with more staff to proficiently monitor their condition. Organizing patients in this manner allows complications to be addressed more quickly.

• 3

  Administer all required medications at the same time every day. Skipping doses or failing to give patients medication in a timely manner can have serious implications. This is a curial part of in-patient care and will be looked at during inspections by governmental health agencies.

• 4

  Reduce bed sores and infections by inspecting patients thoroughly during baths. Turn bed-bound patients every two hours to prevent breakdown of the skin. Creams and lotions that are designed to prevent bed sores should be available in the facility.

• 5

  Avoid excessive use of restraints within your facility. Indicators on restraint use strictly state that restraints are to be used only when there is danger of the patient causing severe harm to himself or others. It is never okay to restrain a patient for convenience.

• 6

  Clean all spills and clear all obstacles immediately. These pose a fall hazard for patients and can result in broken bones or other injuries.