This document provides guidelines and a scoring rubric for a Week 3 assignment in an NR544 nursing course. The purpose is to apply quality improvement theories and tools to address a healthcare issue. Students must identify a quality or safety problem, analyze contributing factors, apply a quality model, identify relevant guidelines/benchmarks, recommend improvements using tools, and summarize conclusions. The rubric evaluates elements like problem identification, analysis, goal-setting, model application, and use of tools. Students must meet course competencies around quality frameworks, evaluation of improvement strategies, and advancing quality/safety knowledge. The assignment criteria and 10-point rubric assess inclusion of required elements and formatting using APA style.

1. Week 3: Quality Improvement Model Application
Guidelines With Scoring Rubric
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to (a) provide examples of a
quality improvement initiative or patient safety issue in any
healthcare delivery setting, (b) explore the contributing factors
for this adverse medical outcome, (c) apply quality
improvement theories and philosophies to a healthcare
management project, (d) demonstrate an understanding of
quality improvement tools by correctly choosing and using them
in specific cases, and (e) recognize the extent of problems of
patient safety in medical care.
Course Outcomes
Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the
ability to do the following.
· Apply frameworks and theories for improving quality of care
in various healthcare systems. (CO 1)
· Use critical inquiry to evaluate the design, implementation,
and outcomes of quality and safety improvement strategies. (CO
3)
· Advance knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the
continuous improvement of quality and safety in healthcare.
(CO 5)
Due Date: Submit by Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week
3.
Total Points Possible: 230Requirements
Assignment Criteria for the Paper1. Identify any existing
quality concern or an existing patient safety issue and provide
the rationale for choosing this issue.2. Explain the background
and scope of the problem.3. Analyze the issue based on the
appropriate quality philosophy.
4. Identify the regulatory guidelines, internal and/or external
benchmarks, or evidence-based practice standards surrounding

2. the issue—explain what that expectation is and why. 5. Use the
appropriate quality improvement tools to improve the quality
outcome. 6. Describe how you could or will get involved in this
initiative to make a difference and move it forward to
enactment.7. Summarize the content in concluding statements.8.
The body of the scholarly paper is to be 3–5 pages in length
excluding title and reference pages.9. Grammar, spelling,
punctuation, references, and citations are consistent with formal
academic writing and APA format as expressed in the current
edition.10. Include a minimum of four references published
within the past 5 years, not including your textbook. References
may include scholarly websites of organizations or government
agencies and must be presented using APA current edition
format for electronic media.Preparing the paper
Category
Points
%
Description
Introduction and quality concern
25
11%
Identify a quality issue/patient safety issue and provide a
rationale.
Background and scope of the problem
20
9%
Analyze the problem from a literature review and a practical
point of view.
Goals of improvement
20
9%
Identify three goals to improve the problem.
Quality philosophy application
35
15%
Using a quality model, analyze the patient safety concern and

3. the intervention to bridge the gaps.
Identification of the regulatory guidelines and internal/external
benchmarks or EBP standards for this issue
40
17%
Discuss all related factors to this problem and explain what the
expectation is and why.
Quality process tool and improvement recommendation
40
17%
Apply appropriate quality improvement tools to improve the
quality outcome; provide illustrations for all tools used
(flowchart, gap analysis, root cause analysis, etc.). Choose at
least two tools for implementation.
Conclusion
15
7%
Provide summary and concluding statements.
APA style
10
4%
Text, title page, and reference page(s) are completely consistent
with APA current edition format.
Scholarly references
15
7%
Paper is 3–5 pages in length, excluding the cover and reference
pages. References include a minimum of 4 scholarly references,
excluding the course text.
Grammar and spelling
10
4%
Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are
consistent with formal written work.
Total
230

4. 100%
A quality assignment will meet or exceed all of the above
requirements.
NR544
NR544: Week 3 Guidelines and Rubric
2
Grading Rubric
Assignment Criteria
Exceptional
(100%)
Outstanding or highest level of performance
Exceeds
(88%)
Very good or high level of performance
Meets
(80%)
Competent or satisfactory level of performance
Needs Improvement
(38%)
Poor or failing level of performance
Developing
(0)
Unsatisfactory level of performance
Content
Possible Points = 195 Points
Introduction and quality concern
25 Points
20 Points

5. 16 Points
10 Points
0 Points
Introduction offers broad overview of topic narrowing to key
concepts to be presented. Purpose statement is clear. All
elements provided.
Introduction includes issue and purpose. Statement present but
may lack a key component.
Introduction of topic issue lacks occasional important element
or specificity. One element provided.
Introduction of topic issue has multiple instances of
inaccuracies. None of the required elements present or no
introduction.
Introduction is not present.
Background and scope of the problem
20 Points
18 Points
16 Points
8 Points
0 Points
Succinctly defines problem and population with significant
demographics; describes depth of the problem and numbers
affected.
Defines problem, some elements may not be fully developed;
rare inaccuracy.
Identifies problem with lack of depth and occasional important
elements or specificity.
Identifies problem with multiple instances of inaccuracies or
one or more elements missing.
Overview of health problem is not present.
Goals of improvement
20 Points
18 Points
16 Points

6. 8 Points
0 Points
Comprehensive and realistic benefits to nursing profession
presented.
Benefits to nursing profession stated with adequate clarity or
realism.
Benefits to nursing profession stated but lack clarity or realism.
Benefits to nursing profession stated but unrealistic.
Benefits to nursing profession absent.
Quality philosophy application
35 Points
25 Points
20 Points
15 Points
0 Points
Application to problem/concern is fully developed and
comprehensive.
Application to problem/concern is adequately present or model
mostly linked to project.
Application to problem/concern is minimally present or model
not always linked to project.
Model is not linked to project.
Application to problem/concern is absent.
Identify regulatory guidelines, internal/external benchmarks and
EBP standards
40 Points
32 Points
25 Points
15 Points
0 Points
Able to discuss all related factors.
Able to discuss all related factors but there are some missing
details.

7. Discussed some related factors but there are some that are
missing.
Discussion is minimal and most of the factors are missing.
No discussion of related factors.
40 Points
32 Points
25 Points
15 Points
0 Points
Improvement process and recommendations
Decision recommendation thoroughl y discussed.
Discusses at least two tools.
Decision recommendation developed with rare inaccuracies;
Discusses at least one tool.
Discussion of the decision recommendation lacks occasional
important elements or specificity but
one tool is discussed.
Discussion of the decision recommendation has multiple
instances of inaccuracies and/or is vague.
One tool discussed.
Discussion of the decision recommendation is absent.
No tools discussed.
Conclusion
15 Points
12 Points
8 Points
4 Points
0 Points
Provides distinct summary with concluding statements regarding
the future direction and focus of the project; reflects key
elements of the paper.
Provides distinct summary with concluding statements regarding

8. the future direction and focus of the project; does not
summarize key elements of the paper.
Provides distinct summary with no concluding statements; no
summarization of key elements of the paper.
No distinct summary; concluding statements found at the end in
the general body of the paper.
No distinct summary or conclusion provided.
Content Subtotal _____ of 195 Points
Format
Possible Points = 35 Points
APA
10 Points
8 Points
6 Points
4 Points
0 Points
There are no APA format errors in the text, title page, and/or
reference page(s).
There are 1–2 APA format errors in the text, title page, and/or
reference page(s).
There are 3–4 APA format errors in the text, title page, and/or
reference page(s).
There are 5 APA format errors in the text, title page, and/or
reference page(s).
There are 6 or more APA format errors in the text, title page,
and/or reference page(s).
Scholarly
15 Points
12 Points
8 Points
4 Points
0 Points

9. The table provided is utilized. References include 2 or more
scholarly resources, excluding the course text, and may include
scholarly websites.
The table provided is utilized. References include a minimum of
2 scholarly resources, excluding course text. One of the
references utilized was not scholarly.
The table provided is not utilized and/or references contain a
minimum of 2 resources, excluding course text. One or more
references utilized is not a scholarly resource.
The table provided is not utilized and/or references utilized are
not scholarly and/or fewer than 2 resources were utilized.
Only one resource was utilized.
Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are
consistent with formal written work.
10 Points
8 Points
6 Points
4 Points
0 Points
Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are
consistent with formal written work with no exceptions.
Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are
consistent with formal written work with 1–2 exceptions.
Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are
consistent with formal written work with 3–4 exceptions.
Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are not
followed with errors.
Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are not
followed with 6 or more errors.
Format Subtotal _____ of 35 Points
Total Points _____ of 230 Points

10. NR544 Week 3 Guidelines & Rubric
5
Title:
Documentation of problem based assessment of the nose, throat,
neck, and regional lymphatics.
Purpose of Assignment:
Learning the required components of documenting a problem
based subjective and objective assessment of nose, throat, neck,
and regional lymphatics. Identify abnormal findings.
Course Competency:
Demonstrate physical examination skills of the head, ears, and
eyes, nose, mouth, neck, and regional lymphatics.
Instructions:
Content: Use of three sections:
· Subjective
· Objective
· Actual or potential risk factors for the client based on the
assessment findings with description or reason for selection of
them.
Format:
· Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation,
etc.)
Resources:
Chapter 5: SOAP Notes: The subjective and objective portion
only
Sullivan, D. D. (2012). Guide to clinical documentation. [E-

11. Book]. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.rasmussen.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.
com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=495456&site=eds-
live&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_91
Smith, L. S. (2001, September). Documentation do’s and don’ts.
Nursing, 31(9), 30. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.rasmussen.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.
com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=107055742&site=eds-
live
Documentation Grading Rubric- 10 possible points
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Emerging
Competence
Proficiency
Mastery
Subjective
(4 Pts)
Missing components such as biographic data, medications, or
allergies. Symptoms analysis is incomplete. May contain
objective data.
Basic biographic data provided. Medications and allergies
included. Symptoms analysis incomplete. Lacking detail. No
objective data.
Basic biographic data provided. Included list of medications and
allergies. Symptoms analysis: PQRSTU completed. Lacking
detail. No objective data. Information is solely what “client”
provided.
Basic biographic data provided. Included list of medications and
allergies. Symptoms analysis: PQRSTU completed. Detailed. No
objective data. Information is solely what “client” provided.
Points: 1

12. Points: 2
Points: 3
Points: 4
Objective
(4 Pts)
Missing components of assessment for particular system. May
contain subjective data. May have signs of bias or explanation
of findings. May have included words such as “normal”,
“appropriate”,
“okay”, and “good”.
Includes all components of assessment for particular system.
Lacks detail. Uses words such as “normal”, “appropriate”, or
“good”. Contains all objective information. May have signs of
bias or explanation of findings.
Includes all components of assessment for particular system.
Avoided use of words such as “normal”, “appropriate”, or
“good”. No bias or explanation for findings evident Contains
all objective information
Includes all components of assessment for particular system.
Detailed information provided. Avoided use of words such as
“normal”, “appropriate”, or “good”. No bias or explanation for
findings evident. All objective information
Points: 1
Points: 2
Points: 3
Points: 4
Actual or Potential Risk Factors
(2 pts)
Lists one to two actual or potential risk factors for the client
based on the assessment findings with no description or reason
for selection of them. Failure to provide any potential or actual
risk factors will result in zero points for this criterion.
Brief description of one or two actual or potential risk factors

13. for the client based on assessment findings with description or
reason for selection of them.
Limited description of two actual or potential risk factors for
the client based on the assessment findings with description or
reason for selection of them.
Comprehensive, detailed description of two actual or potential
risk factors for the client based on the assessment findings with
description or reason for selection of them.
Points: 0.5
Points: 1
Points: 1.5
Points: 2
Clients Presentation: ( Your client can make up whatever they
want. They can be as dramatic. Have fun with it!)
Subjective Data (4 points): (Review History questions. See
subjective data questions in course announcements to help guide
you.) (Only for Nose, Mouth, Throat and Neck).
Objective Data (4 points): (See Objective Data Form in Course
Announcements to help guide you.) (Only for nose, mouth,
throat and neck).
Describe 2 Actual/Potential Risk Factors ( 2 points):