Navigating the Data Highway--Optimizing Dissemination of NDNQI Data to Nursing Staff at the Unit Level

Purpose:
A consistent finding during unit rounding indicated data was not disseminated to the staff level in an useable format; therefore, a need was identified to develop, implement and disseminate a nursing dashboard that was understood by the direct care nurse at the bedside.

Significance:
Staff need to be informed of the quality patient outcomes at the unit level and their influence and direct impact on nursing sensitive indicators.

Strategy and Implementation:
An innovative three column table was developed to optimize the staff's understanding of the NDNQI nursing sensitive indicators and the national benchmarks. The first column contains the purpose of the nursing sensitive indicator, methods used to calculate the rate of the indicator, identifies the national benchmark and hospital goal. The middle column contains questions that prompt the staff to analyze the data that is presented in the third column. The three column table is posted to the Seton Family of Hospitals intranet on the Clinical Resource site as the NDNQI Dashboards and is accessible to all staff on all units. Additional information for Specialty Council PI Sub-Committee Initiatives, Performance Improvement Tools and Nursing Quality Reports are included in this site, along with links to other performance improvement sites.

Evaluation:
The three column report is accessed and analyzed by members of Specialty Councils, unit staff and clinical managers to track and trend nurse sensitive indicators and staffing effectiveness at the unit level. Unit data are used to identify top performers and areas that may need improvement.

Implications for Practice:
Access to this data provides staff at the unit level opportunity for evidence-based practice/research for the specific nurse sensitive indicators reported in NDNQI. Additionally,staff have the opportunity to look for waste, unit and staff redesign and performance improvement opportunities.