Gerontology Quality Improvement

Evidence Based Practice for Quality Improvement
In today’s society, the number of aging people are steadily increasing, leading to longer lives with advances in medicine and technology. Gerontology is the study of the physical, social, psychological, and cognitive characteristics of aging (Tabloski, 2014). These studies bring forth valuable information of the geriatric population to enhance quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to discuss challenges related to age, provide literature on the elements of Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI), reveal physical and emotional changes in elderly that make the execution of the project more arduous, present barriers and solutions to quality improvement (QI) programs, and offer
These elements include a blueprint and scope, governance and management, response, data structure and observing, performance improvement projects (PIPs), and system evaluation and action plans (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS], 2014). In reviewing the five elements of QAPI, there are several evidence-based literature reviews that support these components. In an evidence-based study for fall prevention in a nursing facility, the practice of fall prevention was inadequate, therefore a QI process was implemented (Gama, Medina-Mirapeix, & Saturno, 2011). In a systematic analysis of the problem in element five of the QAPI, it was found that there were unsafe practices. As part of the PIP in element four, the use of multidisciplinary teams was effective in preventing falls. A QI model was integrated from an internal development stemming from evidence-based practice (EBP), along with feedback, design and application of interventions to augment quality (Gama et al., 2011). These components touched on element three in receiving feedback and benchmarking baseline data. Interventions for the QI process included modifications in registration systems, education and awareness for health care staff, and work configuration (Gama et al.,
In element one of designing a QI project, the intervention that will be initiated will need to demonstrate a progression of value and centered on useful evidence to fulfill these advances. A systematic approach is used by health care professionals to include asking a concentrated question, discovering the most useful evidence, assessing evidence judiciously, modifying practice in uncovering evidence, and gauging performance (Gillam & Siriwardena, 2014). In receiving feedback from health care professionals, limitations of professional autonomy, deficiencies in training, and constraints of resources were identified as obstacles in fulfilling EBP (Gillam & Siriwardena, 2014). To entice health care professionals in promoting EBP, incentives are bestowed for