Answer 2 for HLT 362 Describe the difference between research and quality improvement
When research is done, its purpose is to obtain new knowledge about the effect of a medication, procedure, or treatment. Data is collected for research purposes. Data collection is done to meet certain requirements of mandatory reporting by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Data will also be collected for quality improvement. If date is collected for the purpose of research, certain procedures will be required. In health care, data that is collected for quality can be done without getting approval which is required for research studies. Health care providers will use research to give evidence-based care that brings about quality health outcomes for all. Quality improvement (QI) is driven by data and done to usually improve the quality of care given to patients. QI is defied by the Department of Health and Human Services and consists of “systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health services and health status of targeted patient groups”. A QI project will most likely occur at the facility where a problem occurs. The differences in QI and research can be based on intent. Research helps general knowledge, but a QI project may only improve what is already set in place (Helbig, 2018).
Quantitative research is done by evaluating numbers and numeric variables that are gathered in the form of data. Qualitative research is done by evaluating variables that are not numeric. The data is collected through characteristics that are descriptive and cannot be measured with numbers. It is measured through observation, open-ended questions, or an interview (Helbig, 2018).
One example of quantitative research on the unit I work on is the research performed on fall risk assessment. Much of the research is measured with numbers of falls that occur, and on numeric values each patient is given as a fall risk. I am a preceptor on my unit. I know that my hospital has done quantitative research for improving the preceptor course and training so that the new graduate students are prepared for the job.
One form of research my unit performs that is qualitative is with the surveys that the patients receive asking them about their care at the hospital. This gives us a good idea of ways we can improve our work and things we are doing well on.
Reference:
Helbig. (2018). Applied Statistics for Health Care. Retrieved from https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/1000000000581/epub/Chapter4.html#page_
Strickland, Jessica. “Preceptor Training: A Quantitative Study to Determine the Effectiveness of a Formal Preceptor Training Program for Medical-Surgical Nurse Preceptors.” Theses and Dissertations from 2020, 1 Dec. 2020, orc.library.atu.edu/etds_2020/13/.
