10.7 QSEN: Advocating for Patient Safety and Quality Care in Nursing Education
10.7 QSEN: Advocating for Patient Safety and Quality Care in Nursing Education
The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) project began advocating for safe, quality patient care in 2005 by defining six competencies for nursing graduates. This initiative was created after a decade of review and investigation into the high number and high cost of medical errors in the United States. The goal of the QSEN initiative was to prepare future nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) needed to improve the quality and safety of the health care systems. Historically, nursing education focused on knowledge and skill acquisition, but did not address the attitudes and values of the nurse. The QSEN competencies are designed to train nursing students in KSAs as part of the pre-licensure nursing curriculum. The six QSEN competencies, as shown in Figure 10.6[1] are Patient-Centered Care, Teamwork and Collaboration, Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement, Safety, and Informatics.[2]
Read the QSEN Pre-Licensure Table of Competencies.
View QSEN Institute’s Learning Modules Introduction YouTube video to learn more.[3]
Patient-Centered Care
The Patient-Centered Care QSEN competency advocates for the patient as “the source of control and full partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient’s preferences, values, and needs.”[4] This competency encourages nurses to consider the clients’ cultural traditions and personal beliefs while providing compassionate care. Patient-centered care also includes the family in the care team. The goal of client-centered care is to improve individual client’s health outcomes. Integration of this competency has led to improved client satisfaction scores, reduced expenses, and a positive care environment.[5]
Teamwork and Collaboration
The Teamwork and Collaboration QSEN competency focuses on functioning effectively within nursing and interprofessional teams and fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care.[6] Effective communication has been proven to reduce errors and improve client safety.[7],[8] The Joint Commission also includes improved communication as one of the National Patient Safety Goals, aligning with this QSEN competency. Collaboration requires information sharing across disciplines with respect for the knowledge, skills, and experience of each team member. Two examples of tools used to promote effective teamwork and collaboration are ISBARR and TeamSTEPPS®. Additionally, “principles of collaboration” have been established by the ANA.
ISBARR
Several communication tools have been developed to improve communication in various health care settings such as ISBARR. ISBARR is a mnemonic for the components to include when communicating with another health care team member: Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment, Request/Recommendations, and Repeat back.[9]
- Introduction: Introduce your name, role, and t