I. Course Title: Quality and Safety in Nursing
II. Course Number: NURS 445
III. Credit Hours: 3 credits
IV. Prerequisites: None
V. Course Description:
This course will focus on the processes and practices of quality assessment and continuous
quality improvement in healthcare. Students will examine a variety of healthcare quality
indicators that nurses are accountable for achieving. Students will examine the issue
of patient safety, risk appraisal, and medical error reduction.
VI. Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Recognize the client as the source of control and full partner in providing compassionate
and patient-centered care. (1, 2 )
- Define the term quality as it applies to healthcare structure, process, and outcomes.
(2, 4)
- Explain and apply the processes and methods used in continuous quality improvement.
(3, 5)
- Describe how to function effectively within nursing and healthcare teams, using open
communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient
care. (3, 4, 5)
- Identify healthcare risks to client safety and develop plans to reduce the safety
risk. (1, 2, 4, 5)
- Analyze nurse-sensitive client outcomes and describe strategies to achieve optimal
outcomes in a clinical setting. (1, 2)
- Describe how information, technology, and evidence-based practice can impact quality
and safety in nursing. (1, 2, 5, 6)
VII. Date of Syllabus Approval: