Use of a Pediatric Cardiovascular Nursing Consortium for Development and Evaluation of Quality Measures: The C4-MNP Experience

BackgroundThe evidence linking nursing care and patient outcomes has been globally demonstrated. Thus, it is time for translation and application of this evidence to robust measurement that uniquely demonstrates the value of nursing care and the characteristics of the nursing workforce that contribute to optimal patient outcomes.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify and develop standardized measures representative of pediatric nursing care of the cardiovascular patient for benchmarking within freestanding children's hospitals.MethodsUsing a consensus-based approach, the Consortium of Congenital Cardiac Care- Measurement of Nursing Practice (C4-MNP) members developed quality measures within working groups and then individually critiqued all drafted measures. Final draft measures were then independently reviewed and critiqued by an external nursing quality measurement committee. The final quality measures were also made available to a national parent support group for feedback.OutcomesThe development process used by C4-MNP resulted in 10 measures eligible for testing across freestanding children's hospitals. Employing a collaborative consensus-based method plus implementing the criteria of the National Quality Forum and external vetting period provided a strong framework for the development and evaluation of standardized measures.Next StepsThe Consortium will continue with implementation and testing of each measure in 9 of our 28 collaborating centers. This activity will support initial development of benchmarks and evaluation of the association of the measures with patient outcomes.