A sentinel event is usually one that results in an unexpected outcome for the patient and signals the need for investigation and response. Which of these situations would be considered a sentinel event?
a. Patient dies because there is no bed available in the ICU.
b. Patient receives an incorrect dose of medication.
c. Patient consents to be terminally weaned.
d. A patient's family is upset with a physician's approach.
Question 2Which of these is a measured outcome from a performance improvement process perspective?
a. Overtime hours worked by the RNs
b. Identifying the responsible person for a patient's fall
c. Sternal infection rates in cardiac surgery patients
d. Method of shift report
Question 3An independent group of items, people, or procedures with a common purpose is called a(n):
a. process. c. system.
b. goal. d. organization.
Question 4What area is included when risk management explores the prevention of accidents, injuries, and errors?
a. Financial risk
b. Quality of care
c. Employee management
d. Employee promotion
Question 5A group of nurses is working with the Quality Assurance Department to improve the quality of care in the hospital. These nurses would recognize that one of the hospital's external customers would include which of the following?
a. Staff nurse c. Joint Commission (JC)
b. Pharmacist d. Hospital chaplain
Question 6A set of causes and conditions that repeatedly come together in a series of steps to transfer inputs into outcomes is called:
a. CQI. c. QA.
b. a process. d. a movement.
Question 7An effective nurse manager adopts several quality improvement methods in the management of the ICU. The manager's approach is based on the understanding that some of the primary benefits to this approach includes which of the following?
a. Empowers staff and provides an outlet for critical theory
b. Views every problem as an opportunity to improve and to improve staff satisfaction
c. Decreases necessary expenses from lost business and helps customers think you careabout them
d. Involves staff in how work is planned and done and increases the customer's perception
that you care by designing processes that meet the provider's needs