Surgical Care Improvement Essay

Words: 1162
Pages: 5

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is an evolutionary step in the nursing model of excellence in professional practice. A healthcare culture focused on excellence and world-class patient care requires that nursing research and EBP are integrated into the professional practice model and nursing care delivery. (Promoting Evidence-Based Practice and Translational Research, July-September, 2010)

In 1999, The Joint Commission together with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), focused on potential safety areas for hospitals that were Joint Commission Accredited. On July 1, 2002, data for several core measure improvement projects were set including the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP).

For specific procedures,
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(The Joint Commission, 2010, Surgical Care Improvement Project Core Measure Set). To achieve, it requires the development of staff expertise, time allocation for staff to participate in scholarly activities, resources that support EBP and research, and expert consultants in EBP. (Promoting Evidence-based Practice and Translational Research, July-September, 2010). Nurse managers and their staff are in a position to play an important role in meeting the SCIP core measure set requirements. The SCIP core measures are rooted in evidence-based practice and, in most cases, they make clinical sense and clearly advocate for improved quality. Nurses need to embrace the SCIP measures to ensure that their patients receive optimal care and have the best outcomes. In addition, quality improvement projects related to the SCIP and other core measures are well suited for clinical ladder programs and can provide further incentive for staff nurses to take an active part. (Banschbach, CNOR Professional Accountability in Perioperative Nursing, 2009). Banschbach further states “This is an undeniable opportunity for nursing to shine.” “Sterilization, aseptic technique, skin preparation, appropriate antibiotic timing, maintenance of normothermia, environmental controls and handwashing are but a few of the measures falling under the umbrella of perioperative