Nursing performance measures are an integral part of quality initiatives in acute care; however, organizations face numerous challenges in developing infrastructures to support quality improvement processes and timely dissemination of outcomes data. At the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, a Magnet-designated organization, extensive work has been conducted to incorporate nursing-related outcomes in the organization's quality plan and to integrate roles for clinical nurses into the Department of Nursing and organization's core performance-based programs. Content and strategies that promote active involvement of nurses and prepare them to be competent and confident stakeholders in quality initiatives are presented. Engaging clinical nurses in the work of quality and performance improvement is essential to achieving excellence in clinical care. It is important to have structures and processes in place to bring meaningful data to the bedside; however, it is equally important to incorporate outcomes into practice. When nurses are educated about performance and quality measures, are engaged in identifying outcomes and collecting meaningful data, are active participants in disseminating quality reports, and are able to recognize the value of these activities, data become one with practice.

Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U. S. A. Amphetamine sulfate (benzedrine sulfate S.K.F.) and placebos supplied by Smith, KIine and French Laboratories, Philadelphia. 9 2 ___ Age in Years Daily Dose I -7 r-, -____-, --.-8 9

This study was assisted by a grant from the Committee for Research in Dementia Praecox Amphetamine sulfate (benledrine sulfate S.K.F.) for this study was kindly supplied by the Smith, founded by the Supreme Council, 330, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A. Nine and French Laboratories of Philadelphia.

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