Cat's Notes : *POLICIES* + Safety

ADPIE (Nursing Process)

Mnemonic for the five core steps of nursing practice: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.

PQRST (Pain Assessment)

Mnemonic for evaluating pain: Provoke (triggers), Quality (dull/sharp), Radiate/Region, Severity (0–10 scale), and Time (onset/duration).

ISBARR Communication Tool

A structured communication framework representing Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, and Repeat.

ABC Prioritization Rule

A foundational clinical prioritization model standing for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A 5-tier motivational framework categorized from lowest to highest priority: Physiological, Safety, Love & Belonging, Self-esteem, and Self-actualization.

Nursing Policy

An action taken to address a specific clinical or operational issue, alongside the formal process through which it is executed.

ANA Ethics Code

Ethical standards established by the American Nurses Association containing 9 provisions that define nursing practice.

Organizational Policies and Procedures (P/P)

Written facility guidelines detailing purpose statements, authorized staff, indications/contraindications, equipment, room entry, step-by-step procedures, client monitoring, and documentation.

Client Acuity

The total amount of nursing time and direct care required to provide proper service to a specific patient.

Emergency Medical Treatment & Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

Federal legislation preventing patient dumping by requiring hospital emergency departments to provide medical screening and stabilizing treatment regardless of ability to pay or insurance status.

Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)

Federal law guaranteeing every patient the right to make choices regarding their medical treatment, including the right to refuse care.

Advance Directive

Written legal documentation specifying a patient's medical preferences and treatment choices in the event they lose decision-making capacity.

Health Promotion

The process of enabling individuals to enhance control over and improve their overall health.

Disease Prevention

Targeted measures aimed at reducing the incidence, burden, and risk factors associated with illness.

Health Outcomes

The measurable changes in health status resulting from combined health promotion and disease prevention interventions.

Wellness

A dynamic, positive state of holistic health.

Health Communication

Evidence-based, culturally sensitive verbal and written approaches used to inform, inspire, and promote healthier choices across populations.

Health Education

Instructional strategies designed to improve health knowledge, notify high-risk populations, highlight benefits, and foster behavior changes.

Variables Influencing Public Health Policy

The three primary forces shaping health policy: Institutions, Interests, and Ideas.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Behaviors and environmental exposures that increase illness risk but can be altered or prevented.

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

Inherent biological or demographic conditions that raise disease risk and cannot be changed, such as genetics, race/ethnicity, age, and family history.

Primary Prevention

Interventions delivered prior to the onset of negative health outcomes or disease to prevent occurrence.

Secondary Prevention

Early screening, checks, and diagnostic testing designed to detect and treat disease early, reducing its impact and limiting disability.

Tertiary Prevention

Interventions aimed at rehabilitation, minimizing severe effects, and delaying disability caused by existing chronic conditions.

Healthcare Regulatory Agencies

Governing bodies that enforce standards and practice rules to control the quality and costs of healthcare delivery.

The Joint Commission (TJC)

An independent body that accredits healthcare organizations across more than 9 settings, tracks regulatory shifts, and publishes annual National Patient Safety Goals.

Sentinel Event

An unexpected healthcare event resulting in client death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm, which must be reported to accreditation bodies.

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

An organization that evaluates healthcare delivery quality using client satisfaction scores and the HEDIS measurement framework.

Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)

A quality evaluation tool measuring 90 specific performance points across domains of care, combined with client satisfaction metrics to rate facilities.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The organization responsible for establishing the Magnet Recognition Program and Pathway to Excellence Program.

Magnet Recognition Program

An ANCC designation awarded to healthcare organizations demonstrating exemplary clinical quality outcomes, including low fall rates and high skin integrity.

Pathway to Excellence Program

A 4-year ANCC designation recognizing facilities that cultivate supportive work environments, focusing on retention, engagement, productivity, and teamwork.

HCAHPS Survey

A standardized, randomly administered post-discharge survey given 48 hours to 6 weeks after release to measure and compare patient satisfaction across hospitals.

Press Ganey Survey

An acute care survey emailed to every patient after a visit to evaluate access, wait times, staff interactions, and overall experience.