How do APRNs define high-quality patient care?

High-quality patient care is defined by a comprehensive set of principles that collectively ensure positive outcomes for patients. The correct choice emphasizes that high-quality care is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable.

This definition aligns with the six domains of quality established by the Institute of Medicine, which highlight the need for patient safety to avoid harm, effectiveness to ensure that treatments produce the desired outcomes, and patient-centeredness to respect the preferences and values of patients. Timeliness refers to the reduction of waits and harmful delays, while efficiency focuses on avoiding waste of resources. Lastly, equity emphasizes that care should be fair and accessible to all patients, regardless of their background.

In contrast, options that suggest minimizing patient contact or focusing solely on diagnostic testing do not account for the holistic approach needed in high-quality care. Additionally, limiting care to hospital settings overlooks the importance of continuity and the various environments in which care can be effectively delivered, including outpatient and community settings. Therefore, the comprehensive nature of the definition in the correct answer truly encapsulates what constitutes high-quality patient care for APRNs.