Benchmarking and Quality Improvement Paper

Benchmarking and Quality Improvement Paper
Required Assessment – Benchmarking and Quality Improvement Paper HL 400
Description (Course Guide)
As part of any quality improvement process, healthcare organizations will gather data from both internal and external sources to use for comparison to their own data. This process is known as benchmarking. Leaders use benchmarking to learn where an organization is performing well against its peers, and where it needs improvement. In this 8-10 page (not including cover sheet, abstract, or reference list) APA-formatted paper, students will compare and contrast the internal and external benchmarks used by healthcare organizations for any quality improvement initiative. As part of this compare and contrast exercise, students must discuss the value of benchmarking in a healthcare organization and how this process may be used to improve access to and quality of healthcare. A minimum of eight (8) professional references must be included. References should be less than five years old in order to reflect current information.
Grading Components *
% of Grade *
Below Standard
Approaching Standard
At Standard
Exceeds Standard
APA style (citations/reference list)
15
Fails to cite and reference sources to support ideas. Paper is not in proper APA format. The majority of the resources are more than five years old.
Attempts to cite and reference credible and/or relevant sources, appropriate to the discipline, to support ideas. Portions of paper are in proper APA format. Several of the resources are more than five years old.
Almost always cites and references credible and/or relevant sources, appropriate to the discipline to support ideas. Most of the paper, including the reference list, is in proper APA format. Most of the resources are less than five years old.
Always cites and references credible and/or relevant sources, appropriate to the discipline, to support ideas. Includes more than the required number or resources. APA formatting throughout the paper is flawless. Nearly all of the resources are less than five years old.
Style and Mechanics
20
Contains spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors, so understanding is difficult. Contains numerous awkward or ungrammatical sentences, and sentence structure is simple or monotonous. Misuses words, or uses words that are too vague and abstract or too personal and specific for the topic. Student is more than one-page short of the minimum page requirement
Contains spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors which may temporarily confuse the reader, but does not generally impede the overall understanding. Sentence structure generally correct but may be wordy, unfocused, repetitive, or confusing. Uses relatively vague or general words and sometimes inappropriate words. Paper is not in the third person throughout. Student is one-page short of the minimum page requirement.
Contains minimal spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors that not impede understanding. Sentences generally clear, well structured, and focused. Generally uses words accurately and effectively, but sometimes may be too general. Paper is in the third person throughout. Students meets the minimum page requirement.
Entirely free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Sentences are varied, clearly structured, carefully focused, and fits assignment’s purpose and audience. Words chosen for their precise meaning and an appropriate level of specificity is used. Paper is written in the third person throughout. Student exceeds the minimum page requirement.
Compare and Contrast
30
Student does not compare and contrast internal and external benchmarks.
Student attempts to compare and contrast internal and external benchmarks. Comparison is vague, incomplete, or inaccurate.
Student compares and contrasts internal and external benchmarks. Comparison is clear, complete, and accurate.
Student compares and contrasts internal and external benchmarks. Student provides numerous examples that are backed up by research.
Value and Use
35
Student does not discuss the value of benchmarking in a healthcare organization and how this process may be used to improve access to and quality of healthcare.
Student attempts to discuss the value of benchmarking in a healthcare organization and how this process may be used to improve access to and quality of healthcare. Student’s discussion is vague, incomplete, or inaccurate.
Student discusses the value of benchmarking in a healthcare organization and how this process may be used to improve access to and quality of healthcare. Student’s discussion is clear, complete, and accurate.
Student discusses the value of benchmarking in a healthcare organization and how this process may be used to improve access to and quality of healthcare. Student provides numerous examples that are backed up by research