Quality Improvement

You’ve probably heard the words “quality improvement.”  But what’s all this fuss about quality—especially when everyone’s already working so hard?  Remember, the quality of client care can be a life or death matter.  Because of this, everyone who works in healthcare has an ethical obligation to provide good quality care. 

MANAGING QUALITY

A workplace program for managing quality may go by one of several different names.

• QI or Quality Improvement
• CQI or Continuous Quality Improvement
• PI or Performance Improvement
• TQM or Total Quality Management

In most healthcare organizations, these four terms mean the same thing.  They are simply different names for the same program. 

The idea behind any of these quality improvement programs is to provide the best possible client care.  To do so, healthcare organizations must study and adjust themselves constantly—instead of waiting for problems to show up.

FOUR STEPS TO QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

1. Identification:  The first step in the quality improvement process is to identify an area that needs improvement. 
2. Planning:  The second step of the QI process is to figure out solutions to the problem.  What practical changes can be made at a workplace to make sure that people are doing the right things the right way?
3. Implementation:  The third step of the quality improvement process is to put into place all the changes that may solve the problem.
4. Evaluation:  The fourth step in the QI process involves looking at the results.  It’s really a repeat of the first step because it involves looking for any ongoing problems.  

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE

• Avoid getting into a “rut” at work.  Remember that “passive” employees do their work the same way today as they did it yesterday.  “Active” employees look back at yesterday’s work to see what they can do better today.
• Learn from your mistakes and from any errors made by your coworkers.  (Remember that mistakes are simply opportunities for improvement!)
• If your workplace has a “suggestion box,” add your ideas to it.  If not, share your suggestions with your supervisor.
• Review your job description regularly so you remain clear about what is expected of you.  Be sure to check out the policy manual for your workplace . . . especially for new or changed policies.