Outcomes Management

[bwautlet]

With gaining knowledge from BSN classes, outcome management is a key part of nursing today. So far we have learned that outcome management can be defined as:

" a technology of patient experience designed to help patients, and providers make rational medical care- related choices based on better insight into the effect of these choices on the patient's life" (American College of Emergency Physicians, 2014).

Based on this definition, we are seeking input on the following discussion questions:

• How does the advancement of technology affect the outcomes management of our patients for the future?
  

• Nurse have protocols and standards they have to follow, but if you specialize to each patient on an individual level will their outcomes management be more effective?
  

• How do nurses balance the cost of management and the quality of care?​
  

www.acep.org/Clinical---Practice-Management/Quality-of-Care-and-the-Outcomes-Management-Movement/

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

1.) With more options come more decisions.

2.) Of course. People are unique with unique needs, so even protocols have to be tweaked sometimes.

3.) Be good stewards of resources. The main way I'm doing this is taking what I use, and using what I take. Say I'm getting an admit and I'm setting up my room. In my ICU we generally put a Mepilex dressing on the person's sacrum to help prevent pressure ulcers. Well, is it wise to open one up and put a date on it before I even know anything about the patient? Maybe it's an 18-yr-old who will only be in the ICU overnight and can turn herself....so does she really need that Mepilex? Or did I just open a $30 product unnecessarily?

And then I prioritize basic nursing care even with the very critically injured or ill--e.g. oral care, turns. I'm not the decision maker as far as the overall treatment plan, but I can help prevent pressure ulcers and VAP, which can add weeks (or more) to their hospitalization, and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Hope I understood your question correctly!