I interviewed A.J, a nurse manager, about her views on the creation of appropriate executive summaries for QI initiatives. The following is a reflection of this discussion as a follow-up to my QI project on CRE infection prevention. Overall, A.J looks for the purpose statement, analytical methods, findings, inferences, and recommendations in an executive summary. She suggested that it should be a Word document or not exceeding 250 words, written in APA format. Further, the author should always use in-text citations, where necessary, to avoid instances of plagiarism.
Now, A.J noted that she always uses four dimensions to evaluate the contents of a QI project given the information provided in their associated executive summaries. These aspects include program design, implementation, indicators used to measure quality, and confidentiality. As an initiation to the executive summary, the author should always consider stating the primary objective or purpose of their QI initiative (American Psychological Association, 2009). In essence, such objectives should target the enhancement of quality of care in the area under analysis. Executive summaries should, therefore, show how authors plan to ensure and promote quality initiatives. In my case, A.J would consider the extent to which my project reduces CRE infections.
The next area worth consideration is the project’s identification and active involvement of representatives from the affected QI area. A review of my project shows that it would be vital to identify and actively involve bedside nurses, the administration, and ICT department in the CRE containment exercise. Some of the top methods of evaluation could include placement and formative assessment criteria. The former, for instance, evaluates the learners’ capacity to grasp the skills and attitude required for the planned transformation. Contrarily, the formative evaluation would show how the author monitors the stakeholders’ learning progress during and after the exercise (American Psychological Association, 2009).
Finally, A.J asserted the purpose of the executive summary is to have the leadership interested in going through the RN’s QI plan. Therefore, a good executive summary should always follow a logical and thoughtful format. The flow makes it easy for readers to move from the purpose statement to project conclusions. Bad executive summaries, on the other hand, lack the organization required for review (American Psychological Association, 2009).
Reference
American Psychological Association. (2009). Criteria for the Evaluation of Quality Improvement Programs and the Use of Quality Improvement Data. American Psychological Association, 64 (6), 551-557.
